p. 20 | Review and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 50. (12/13/1906)

A Retrospect

By S. A. Lockwood

S. A. LOCKWOOD, M. D.

Judging from the interest that is still taken in establishing and maintaining sanitariums in America, we believe that the readers of the Review will be glad to hear of the prosperity attending the medical missionary branch of the Japan Mission.

A retrospect does not involve going back many years, since it was in 1903 that the first organized work in this line was begun by our denomination in this field. It is not necessary to refer more than briefly to the difficulties of those early days. Of hospitals there were many, of sanitariums there were none. The need of such a place was evident, and the scarcity of funds with which to establish it was still more evident. It was at a time when the Mission Board was finding it quite difficult to maintain work already begun, to say nothing of establishing new stations.

Nevertheless we believed that the time to begin had come, and we began, though and the equipment was meager, trained help scarce, our capital exceedingly limited, and prejudice in the city very strong.

There have been many times when the outlook was discouraging; but even if we have been in sight of Doubting Castle, we are thankful to be able to say that we have never been locked up in it. The usual perplexities that come to the lot of all who build up a new work in a new place have not passed us by, but the lessons of trust and confidence in God, learned when our needs have been supplied in answer to prayer, have been so precious that we have no regrets that circumstances have been as they were. Nor has the fact that the work began in a small way, and increased because of its intrinsic value to the community, been any detriment to its advance. It seems that the people have greater confidence that it is to be permanent than if a large sum of money had been expended at the beginning.

A few years ago an institution was started as a health home in one of the large cities of Japan, with a capital of forty thousand dollars. A magnificent building was erected and handsomely furnished, but it was afterward sold at auction under a heavy burden of debt. Our work here began with a capital of four hundred dollars, and it has increased during three years until the present worth is about four thousand dollars. It has no debts.

In spite of the war and the increased cost of living, the number of in-patients treated last year was more than sixty per cent greater than that of the previous year, while the number for the first nine months of 1906 is one hundred per cent greater than the total number for 1905. This increase has compelled us to add a wing to the original main building, and more recently to rent a large two-story house near by as an annex.

As an indication of the esteem in which the sanitarium is held among foreigners, a few quotations from letters may be of interest. A lady missionary who has been in Japan for thirty years writes of it: “A refreshing, health-giving haven of rest for body and mind—long may it flourish to heal and to bless the sick and weary ones.”

A British consul in one of the ports of the Far East said on leaving here: “This sanitarium supplies a want long felt throughout the whole of Japan. I came to you shattered in health, and am now leaving rejuvenated. I shall warmly commend the establishment to the favorable notice of all invalids whom I meet.”

The Japanese branch is doing a splendid work, and receives patients from all classes of society. Seven thousand treatments were given last year, of which five hundred were free, and one thousand were at greatly reduced rates. Their ordinary rate for treatment is thirty-five cents gold, so it does not require much reducing to bring it down to nothing.

Besides the hundreds whose sufferings have been relieved, sixteen souls thus far have found the light of present truth; and who can estimate the number which may yet be gathered as a result of the seed sown? The work begun last May in Nagasaki by Dr. Kawasaki has suffered a temporary check, owing to the doctor's health having again failed. The little church there is holding its own, and six new members have been received during the past five months. Quite a number of others are deeply interested.

Dr. Tatsuguchi (dentist) and his wife are doing all they can to be faithful light bearers in the great city of Hiroshima, and two have recently accepted the truth there.

We can not hope to treat in our sanitariums more than a small fraction of the whole number of sick who are about us, but we believe that God can direct to us those who are seeking for light, and in Japan, as in other lands, many will be reached who could not be approached in any other way.

We ask that you will earnestly pray for the work in Japan, especially that more native laborers will be raised up, since it is through them that the greatest good can be accomplished in the shortest time.

The Florida Camp-Meeting

By J. S. Washburn

In company with Brother I. A. Ford, manager of the Southern Publishing Association, I left Nashville Sunday morning, November 4, for the Florida camp-meeting at Lakeland. Our journey was by way of Birmingham and Montgomery, Ala., and Jacksonville, Fla. It was interesting to note by the greenness of the grass and the trees the difference in climate.

In southern Georgia and in northern Florida we began to see palms, palmettoes, and many plants of the palm and other tropical varieties. At Lakeland, a beautiful city of about five thousand inhabitants, surrounded by lakes, as its name would indicate, the weather and the vegetation were like those of June in the North. It was like another world. Gardeners were busy planting for their winter crops. The air was soft and mild. It was an ideal time and place for the camp-meeting.

At least two hundred persons were encamped on the ground. The camp was in a beautiful grove of pine and oak, from which hung everywhere a heavy drapery of Florida moss, an air-plant that clings to the branches, and gives an unusual and wierd appearance, at least to the eye of one from the North.

The meetings were held in a forty-by-sixty-foot tent. The interest manifested by the citizens of Lakeland was quite remarkable. Every evening the tent was filled with a most intelligent and attentive congregation. This was true not only of this camp-meeting, but of the one held by Brother Sidney Scott in another part of the town, for the colored people. Quite a number at both these camp-meetings began to keep the Sabbath. At the meeting conducted by Brother Scott, several persons of some position and of good education took their stand. There was much interest, and many questions were asked by ministers who were present. At the last Sunday afternoon meeting, I was informed there were twelve new Sabbath-keepers. One of the principal members of the school board was among those who took their stand firmly for the truth. A cook expressed herself at one time as anxious to keep the Sabbath, but feared that she would not be permitted to do so.

On Friday night, the Sabbath question was presented at our camp-meeting, and among those present was the head of the house where the woman mentioned above was cooking. He went home thoroughly convinced, and I was informed that he decided to keep the Sabbath with all his family.

At our camp-meeting on the same night was a young man who was employed in the railroad shops, receiving from one hundred dollars to one hundred and fifty dollars a month. His wife, who was a Baptist, had been praying for years that her husband might become a Christian. He came to the meeting Friday evening with no thought but that he should work the next day. A deep impression was made by the sermon on the Sabbath, and he went home fully convinced and determined to begin immediately to keep God's commandments. He was present at the revival meeting on Sabbath, took his stand, and came forward for baptism, and was baptized on Sunday. Several times he was sent for on the Sabbath by telephone, and was informed that unless he came, some one would take his place. He replied that he could not work on the Sabbath, even if he should lose his position.

On Sunday night, among other new converts, his wife signified her intention to keep the Sabbath with her husband. The case of this young man is going to the head officials of the road, and on Monday he visited one of the principal officers. Thus the Sabbath truth, through this man and others employed in important positions on the railways in Florida, has been brought to the notice of many.

An old gentleman who had been quite deaf for many years had just procured an electrical instrument enabling him to hear. After a short talk with him, he fully decided to keep the Sabbath, and to be baptized soon.

The town was thoroughly stirred. Sabbath morning there was a remarkable manifestation of the Spirit of the Lord, and nearly the whole camp made a forward move. Confessions were made, and we believe a real work was accomplished. Sunday twelve were baptized in the beautiful lake near the camp, and at the camp-meeting conducted by Brother Scott eight or ten were also baptized.

Some time was devoted to the consideration of the vital truth of the spirit of prophecy among us as a people, and a resolution was passed indorsing the organization and the work of those in official positions in our denomination, and deploring the recent attacks on the work of the spirit of prophecy.

This meeting will ever be a most encouraging memory to the writer, and to many others as well. Prof. J. E. Tenney, Elder E. H. Rees, Brother I. A. Ford, and the writer were the workers present from outside the Florida Conference. The public speaking was largely done by the persons already

mentioned, in connection with Brother Mitchell, Brother Krom, and other local workers. Elder L. H. Crisler, one of the veterans of the Florida work, was elected president.

Florida is a most excellent field for our work. The resources of this State are wonderful. We can hardly think of a better situation for several sanitariums. At present there is not one in the State, though there are treatment rooms.

A brief, but very pleasant visit to the homes of Elders George I. Butler and Irving Keck, at Bowling Green, terminated our most pleasant visit to Florida.

J. S. WASHBURN.

A Burmese Student of Prophecy

By J. L. Shaw

While in Burma I met a man who was not a Mohammedan and not a Christian—about half-way between. But he had studied the prophecy of the twenty-three hundred days, and had it ending in 1844. Of course he had made a mistake in his application of the sanctuary. He said that at that time the Lord came to this earth, and the kingdom of God since then has been set up on earth.—J. L. Shaw.

What Won Kimura

BROTHER KIMURA, the Japanese evangelist, tells the story of his conversion as follows: A missionary teacher, a lady, came and got twenty-five Japanese boys into a class to tell us about Jesus. We boys had great curiosity to see this foreign lady, and while not caring about Jesus, we did care to see how everything looked, her dress, her books, her furniture, her pictures; but every time she would have us read the Bible. We had the Gospel of Luke; soon we read till we come to the crucifixion; she could not speak Japanese; she had English Bible, we had Bible in Japanese language.

When we read story of cross, she got down on her knees and pray for us. We could not understand what she prayed, but watched her close; soon she began to cry; then she fell on her face, weeping bitterly. Then twenty-five Japanese boys cry too.

Then inside of three weeks all us twenty-five boys gave our hearts to Jesus. She did not reach us through our heads, she reached our hearts; and when you have Jesus in the heart, it is well. Some Japanese get head religion and turn from their own religion, but when “higher critics” come, then all their head religion go, and they are left without any; but if they get it in heart, they become strong. Many of these twenty-five boys are evangelists and preachers. My father kept wine shop; soon I led him and my mother to Jesus, and the business was given up. Then I led many more Japanese to Christ. It is not so necessary that the missionary have the language if she have the love of God for souls in her heart; that was what won me; all because this woman who could not speak our language loved our souls.—Missionary World.

The Annual Session of the Indiana Conference

By S. P. S. Edwards

The annual session of the Indiana Conference for the year 1906 was held at the Twenty-third Street church, Indianapolis, November 13-15. The beautiful chapel was crowded at every session by the delegates and others who were in attendance, and a deep interest was taken in the various matters brought before the conference.

The greater part of the sessions was taken up with the discussion of plans for advanced work in all departments of the cause. Recommendations were introduced by the proper committee, providing for a more active campaign in behalf of the educational work, the young people’s work, the Sabbath-school work, religious liberty work, and the canvassing work, each of which was thoroughly discussed, and the recommendations were heartily indorsed. Plans were laid for a very efficient follow-up work in connection with the canvassing work. The names of all who purchase books from the canvassers, are to be furnished to the members of those churches that wish to assist in the plan, and letters calling attention to the book purchased, and, perhaps, to some special chapter in it, are to be written by the church-members to the subscribers, thus keeping up the interest awakened by the canvasser.

The purchase of a beautiful site for a sanitarium at Lafayette was approved, and the conference pledged its support in the raising of the funds to build and equip the necessary buildings, by the sale of “Ministry of Healing” and by cash donations.

A very commendable spirit of sacrifice was shown by the delegates in voting to release Prof. B. F. Machlan, the principal of the conference academy, to answer the call to a wider field at South Lancaster Academy. Prof. C. L. Stone, of Emmanuel Missionary College, was chosen to take the place made vacant by the release of Professor Machlan.

The report of the president showed a very gratifying improvement in the financial standing of the conference. From a condition of practical insolvency to the extent of about twelve or fifteen thousand dollars three years ago, the resources of the conference have been increased and debts paid till now the balance sheet shows a present worth of practically the same amount. This was a source of great encouragement to the delegates, as the debt which has hung over the conference has greatly hampered the work in almost every department.

Three new churches have been organized during the past year, and the laborers’ reports showed that over three hundred have embraced the truth since the last conference.

There were but slight changes made in the officers for the coming year, Elder W. J. Stone being chosen as president,

with a strong corps of assistants in every department. Several laborers were added to the list, and the prospects for a strong, aggressive movement for the spread of the truth are very bright.

Elder Allen Moon, president of the Lake Union Conference, was present throughout the meeting, and Elder A. G. Daniells was present at the last two sessions.

S. P. S. EDWARDS.

Costa Rica

By Hubert Fletcher

Bocas DEL TORO.— After a very profitable meeting with the brethren at Mt. Hope, I walked two miles to Colon, just in time to board the launch for Bocas. We had a rough voyage, and arrived in Bocas Sunday morning. I was met at the wharf by the brethren, who gave me a hearty welcome. Elder Knight having left the previous day, I found Elder Mignott in charge. Bocas is about nine miles from the mainland, and is the capital of the hundreds of islands studded within the arms of the Mosquito Gulf. All these are under the Panama republican government.

Elder Hutchins, the pioneer minister, took up the work in this field, and with the use of the schooner "Herald," preached and sold books, also distributed other literature. After years of faithful labor he fell at his post as a tried warrior. He was succeeded by Elder I. G. Knight.

On September 7 the brethren of the Panama Mission field were called together to consider the advisability of organizing the field into a conference; and on the eleventh it was organized into the West Caribbean Conference, with the countries of Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, and the adjacent islands as its territory. This covers an area of about 164,268 square miles.

There are two ordained ministers, two licentiates, and four holding missionary licenses. We have six churches. These with the isolated brethren and sisters, give us about two hundred and sixty-six believers in this field. We have also just started a church-school in Bocas, with Brother F. Reid as teacher. This is a necessity, and we are doing our best to make it a success. It is hard to work among the keys, and dangerous, too. On some we have quite an interest at present. The brethren here are warm-hearted and love the truth, and an experienced minister could do a good work.

I have been having some interesting experiences since coming here. On Sunday, November 4, we had a most profitable business meeting with the Bocas church. About four o'clock, accompanied by six of the brethren, we took our launch to conduct a meeting on one of the neighboring islands. We reached there safely, and after speaking on the subject of the judgment, one of the leading men, while shaking my hand, said, "We are thankful for the sermon, and no one can criticize your teachings; we welcome you back." We then started for home, to be in time for song service and preaching; but the launch would not go after we pushed out from the wharf, and there we drifted until we had to be towed back. After a while we succeeded in getting her started, and all went well until we got in the channel, where the sea is never smooth (this is the most dangerous place around these waters), when the launch was disabled. The curtains of night had begun to enwrap us, and there we were drifting, tossed to and fro in the cradle of the deep, with no sign of help, while darker and darker grew the night. We used every means at our command, but all in vain. We were drifting, carried by a strong current out to sea, with dangerous reefs near us, on which we would have been dashed to pieces had not the Lord sent us help just when the crisis came. As when the disciples were tossed on the stormy Galilee, so the Lord came to our rescue. The very people for whom we were laboring heard our distress horn, came out with a launch and picked us up. And praise the Lord, we were saved.

"Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go, Anywhere he leads me in this world below; Anywhere without him, dearest joys would fade, Anywhere with Jesus I am not afraid."

Brethren, remember us and this field in your prayers.

HUBERT FLETCHER.

The Work in Wisconsin

By C. McREYNOLDS

We have come to the close of our tent work and camp-meetings for 1906. As we recount God's blessings, we have much to be thankful for. Six tents were pitched. Two of these were in Milwaukee—one for the Danish-Norwegian work, the other for the English. About twenty-five accepted the message as a result of these meetings, and of earnest efforts in Bible work.

The other tents were pitched in La Crosse, Rhinelander, Blair, and Peshtigo. In nearly all these places the Lord gave some fruit of the work done by those connected with the tent-meetings and the Bible work. As the result of these meetings and those held in our churches and of the four camp-meetings during the year, about two hundred and seventy-five persons were baptized. About thirteen hundred of our people attended a camp-meeting this year.

One very marked feature of the annual camp-meeting was the deep spiritual interest seen from the first. A baptismal service was conducted on the first Sunday of the meeting, and five other baptismal services were held during the following week. Sixty-five in all received baptism at that meeting. A sweet spirit of harmony prevailed throughout the session. All branches of the work received attention. Much interest was manifested in the canvassing work.

The conference voted to continue the support of our workers whom we have been supporting in Great Britain, China, and other lands outside of the State. It was also voted to release Sister Mimi Schaffenberg from the work here, to go to Korea under the support of this conference.

The Bethel Academy is filled with students, and is receiving rich blessings daily. Our new school at Clearwater Lake is nearly finished. It will open early in December, with two departments, under the charge of Mr. Earnest Pringle and Miss Rose Pringle. Our church-schools are prospering. Preparations are being made for a canvassers' school to open early in 1907, and the prospects are good for a large attendance. For all these tokens of God's favor and evidences of his good hand with us in his work, we sincerely praise his name.

C. McREYNOLDS, President.

Tract Society Secretary’s Relation to the Canvasser

By H. H. Hall; E. R. Palmer

My relation to canvassers began when I was a boy of fourteen or fifteen. At that time the State agent of Kansas, N. P. Dixon, came to our house and stayed, mind you, stayed, until he persuaded my father to go two hundred miles or more to take charge of a canvassing company. Those of you who have had to leave home for four or six months at a time know how it pulls on the heart strings, and can appreciate how we felt when my father drove away. That emphasized to my mind the responsibilities and duties of the men in charge of agents.

My actual relation to the publishing work began as a stenographer under that peerless tract society secretary, L. Dyo Chambers. The principal thing I thought about his letters to his agents then was that they were very frequent and very long, and that it was very hard to keep up with him. Since then I have learned that the frequency and length of those letters had much to do with the frequency and length of the canvasser’s report column, and the number and size of the bills I had to make out. For these reasons I have strong convictions on the proper relation of the tract society secretary to the canvasser, some of which are as follows:—

1. Keep in the closest possible touch with your State agent. He is in charge of the field. You are his assistant, and if you work entirely in harmony, his influence will be strengthened, and your burdens will be lessened. Send him copies of all important letters you mail your agents. Tell him how their accounts stand. Don’t wait until they have delivered and gone home, but do it as soon as they have opened an account. It is an excellent plan to send him a list monthly.

2. Supply the agents with the REVIEW and The Signs of the Times each week, and get them there before the Sabbath. Also, see that each one has Pointers to Success, Canvasser’s Manual, and copies of papers read before such a convention as this, for example. They will appreciate them. Keep a card list of canvassers, and note on the back of each card all the important documents mailed and important letters sent them.

3. Write them often and tell them about the progress of their fellow workers. This can be done to good advantage even though a weekly report of the canvassing work is gotten out in neostyle form. They appreciate it the more if it is sent out while still warm. I presume some one else will write on the advantages of a neostyle or a carbon letter to agents each week, so I will not speak of it here.

4. Supply each worker when he starts into the field with a few postal cards, and ask him to report at the close of each day for the first week at any rate, telling just what his success has been, how many exhibitions he has made, and the class of people he has worked, etc. It will help him to put in better time, and will keep you in close touch with his whereabouts.

5. Study the reports, for they are a photograph of the work done. If you notice orders for foreign books which are not obtainable, speak of it at once. Agents often work a whole season and report right along certain books which can not be secured, but the fact is overlooked until delivery time comes. Then they lose the orders and disappoint their customers. In writing to your agents, don’t fall into ruts, don’t begin your letters just the same, avoid worn-out forms, making general statements, etc. Get right down to the work they are actually doing. Show that you have studied their reports carefully, and that you want to assist them.

6. Above all else, give instant and accurate attention to their orders and queries. You will find it an excellent plan to file a little notice in your “tickler” of every subscription-book order placed with the publishing house, and if it is not promptly responded to, write again. Sometimes the season’s work of the agent depends upon the receipt or non-receipt of a single letter. In these days when mail cars and post-offices are sometimes burned, and mail is going astray, we can not be too careful.

7. Finally, ‘brethren, remember that your agents are the advance guard of the gospel army, and that their exposed position subjects them to discouragements and temptations that few others realize, for Satan’s wrath waxes hotter and hotter against them. Therefore, let us see that the mail, and telegraph line, too, if necessary, between them and their source of supplies and information is kept in the best working order.

H. H. HALL.

NOTE.—The preceding paper, through an oversight, was omitted from the Proceedings of the Publishers’ Convention. We are very sorry for this, for the paper is full of vital points which lie at the foundation of a tract society secretary’s success in dealing with agents by co-operation with the field missionary agent.

We trust that our workers in general and our tract society secretaries in particular will clip this article out of the REVIEW, and put it in its proper place under the consideration of this topic in the published Proceedings of the Convention. We can not afford to have this paper, based upon sound experience, omitted from the report.

E. R. PALMER,

Sec. Gen. Conf. Publishing Dept.

Pacific Press Notes

By C. H. Jones

ONE week before Thanksgiving the first edition of fifty thousand copies of the special Thanksgiving number of The Signs of the Times was nearly exhausted, and a second edition was ordered. The paper seems to be appreciated by all who have seen it, and the prospect is that it will have a large circulation.

On Monday, November 26, the members of the Mountain View church, including the office employees as far as they can be spared, are going to all the near-by cities and towns to sell this special number, and also to secure regular subscriptions when possible.

We wish to call particular attention to the fact that this special Thanksgiving number is of such a nature that it can be sold all through the holidays. We will be prepared to fill orders as long as they are called for.

Our hearts have been made glad to see the interest that is being taken in the plan to help increase the regular subscription list of the Signs. Last week over one thousand were added to the regular list, and the same number for the two weeks previous. This is truly

encouraging, and it is our prayer that the good work may go on.

Since the fire we have not taken in a single job of commercial work, although we have been urged to do so many times. More than that, we intend never again to take another job of this kind. From this time on all the facilities of the Pacific Press and the undivided attention of all the employees are to be given to our own denominational work, and we hope to see this work increase very rapidly. But we realize that, in order to accomplish this, we must have the hearty co-operation of our brethren and sisters everywhere.

At present our presses are running night and day to supply the demand. The work is being carried on in temporary sheds under great difficulties, and yet we have a happy, contented family, willing to sacrifice, and ready to do to the extent of their ability.

A few weeks ago we ordered five car-loads of paper for the Signs, and we have just placed an order for paper for ten thousand copies of “Great Controversy” and twenty thousand copies of “Heralds of the Morning.” This will make two car-loads.

Prof. George W. Caviness has been with us for several weeks, superintending the publication of “Coming King,” “Christ Our Saviour,” and “Gospel Primer” in the Spanish language. He is now on his way back to Mexico.

Work on the school text-books has been unavoidably delayed because of our inability to secure a special type called for. But this has now arrived, and the work is being pushed forward as rapidly as possible. Two sets of employees are working night and day on these publications.

Work on our new factory is progressing quite satisfactorily. It is to be a plain, one-story building about two thirds as large as the old one. The weather thus far has been very favorable for building, and if it continues this way, we hope to have the building ready for occupancy by the first of January. We have been greatly favored in the matter of securing material. The work is being done by our brethren.

Many encouraging letters have been received, containing substantial evidences of sympathy, for all of which we feel very grateful. Donations to the rebuilding fund should be sent direct to the Pacific Press Publishing Company, Mountain View, Cal. C. H. JONES.

Statement of Receipts and Disbursements

By I. H. Evans

Statement of the Receipts and Disbursements of the General Conference for the Quarter Ended Sept. 30, 1906

	RECEIPTS	DISBURSEMENTS
Cash on hand July 1, 1906	$19,286.18	......
Conferences and tract societies	86.45	$1,947.71
Work for the colored people	27.53	1,545.96
Depositors	3,224.08	4,139.49
District of Columbia Evangelical Committee	408.60	1,763.39
Expense	......	533.57
From conferences for support of laborers	5,193.63	......
General Conference Association	......	1,956.26
General Conference Corporation	535.75	535.75
Orphanage Fund	1,167.14	1,806.98
One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund	203.50	......
Loans	......	2,000.00
Pacific Press Relief Fund	3,740.91	5,949.31
Publishing houses	193.98	1,812.98
Religious Liberty Bureau	805.67	24.78
Specific and special accounts	4,991.49	2,069.52
Washington Fund	124.06	......
First-day offerings	4,524.66	......
Missions	19,016.69	......
Midsummer offering	7,187.20	......
Sabbath-school donations	7,359.95	......
Annual offering	770.50	......
Tithe	3,536.90	......
To laborers	......	6,398.40
To mission fields	......	22,722.57
Cash on hand Sept. 30, 1906	......	27,178.20
Total	$82,384.87	$82,384.87

I. H. EVANS, Treasurer.

Ready to Embark

By Joel C. Rogers; Jessie Rogers

The steamship “Amerika” sails to-day, November 22. This boat carries us across the north Atlantic, the first part of our journey to Central Africa. Before embarking, our eyes naturally take a brief backward glance, then a long forward one. We have now come from the Pacific shores to the Atlantic. With much gratitude to God we acknowledge his watch-care during these seven weeks of travel.

Our last few weeks in the home land among friends have been very precious to us. The generous interest shown in our Nyassaland Mission has encouraged us very much. Wherever we have told our people of the needs, a more than willing response was made. At Seattle, Mountain View, Los Angeles, Washington, D. C., and South Lancaster very liberal offerings have been made. At these two latter places we told our brethren and sisters of the need of a sewing-machine and a hand grist-mill, which Elder Branch had written us about as among the first necessities. Our colored brethren at Washington surprised us with a collection of over eleven dollars, and the Young People’s Society of Tacoma Park with one of over six dollars. But our greatest surprise was from South Lancaster, where the church and the academy students raised about seventy dollars. The Singer Company of New York gave a very liberal discount on the machine, so we hope to have enough to purchase the mill in England. May God richly bless our faithful people who so willingly support his cause!

The Young People’s Society of College View, Neb., have voluntarily undertaken to furnish our support in the Nyassaland Mission. We spent a few days most pleasantly with them. These offerings and the spirit of sacrifice and good will accompanying them encourage us greatly. We also know that many prayers are offered for us and the Nyasaland people. So we believe God’s blessing will attend our efforts, and that many souls will be gathered from that dark land. We embark to-day with good courage, and with faith in God that our efforts will be greatly blessed in hastening the coming of our Saviour.

Young men and women, come, and come wholly consecrated to God for quickly carrying this message to every dark land.

JOEL C. ROGERS, JESSIE ROGERS.

Kaffirland Mission

By W. S. Hyatt

For a long time our brethren have been deeply impressed that we should have a mission in Kaffirland. This section was one of the first in South Africa to be entered by missionaries. Thousands of its people have been educated, more or less, and some of them have accepted the truth for these last days. But there are a large number of heathen natives even in the most favored parts. These are called the “red kaffir” because they paint their faces with red clay, which makes them look very hideous.

Nearly two years ago we began to search for a farm upon which to open mission work for this people. As all the country, except small portions reserved for the natives, has been taken by farmers, the government will not give us a farm for mission purposes. The price of land is so high that we found it impossible to purchase a farm and equip it with our small amount of funds. Our brethren in South Africa have raised over two thousand dollars for this purpose, but two thousand dollars does not go very far in this country, where prices are so high.

Learning that Brother Charles Sparrow had bought a large farm twenty-five miles northeast of Grahamstown, lying near some of the reserved land where there are a large number of natives, we were led to consider whether this might not be a good place for a mission. Accordingly we interviewed Brother Sparrow and found him quite willing to furnish us with a small farm on very reasonable terms. In fact, he had been impressed that we might want a portion of his farm for this purpose. A committee was chosen to visit the place, and after careful consideration, came to the conclusion that it was best for us to open work there.

The mission farm contains about four hundred and fifty acres. We have taken it on a lease of ten years, with the privilege of renewing it if we so desire. We are to pay twelve pounds the first year and twenty pounds each year thereafter. Then, too, Brother Sparrow offers to graze twenty head of cattle and twelve ostriches for us on his pasture lands, as a continual donation toward the support of the mission. If we can invest the amount of two years’ rent in ostriches and cattle, then the cost of the farm is assured to us, as the income from the cattle and birds will return this to us under ordinary circumstances.

This mission is but a few miles from the coast of the Indian Ocean, and the country is very healthful. On the hill above the house several miles of the ocean coast can be seen. There is an abundance of good water, also building stone and firewood. Elder G. W. Shone is now there and in charge of the work, and his hands are full in preparing to build and in putting in the spring crops. As we can not afford to employ much help, the work will necessarily move quite slowly for a time. We thank God that one more center has been established from which the light of truth will shine out to the natives of Africa.

W. S. HYATT.

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