p. 17 | Review and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 39. (9/29/1910)

The Age of the Earth

MANY idle predictions have been made regarding the age of the earth. Scientists, so-called, have differed widely in their calculations, each contradicting all the others, and each in turn changing his own estimate. The absurdity of these theories is well illustrated in the following, taken from one of our exchanges:—

How old is the earth? This is the subject of a brief but interesting discussion in the Christian Herald, which deducts from it a sound moral. The Herald says that Lord Kelvin, half a century ago, put forth the opinion that the age of the earth might be anywhere from 20,000,000 to 400,000,000 years; but late in life he cut his maximum estimate down to 40,000,000 years. Seventeen years ago, Dr. Walcott, of the Smithsonian Institution, reckoned that our globe is probably 70,000,000 years old. Professor Joly, eleven years ago, estimated the age of the sea at 80,000,000 years; while Solas quite lately reckoned that “old ocean” had rolled over its sandy bed for a period anywhere between 80,000,000 and 150,000,000 years. And now our geological survey professors, having found the problem of the earth’s antiquity wholly beyond their skill, have resorted to scientific guessing, like all their forerunners. They “guess” that this world of ours has been in existence somewhere between 55,000,000 and 70,000,000 years.

Meeting the Iroquois Embassy

By W. A. S.

WHILE visiting the Moravian stations in Pennsylvania in 1742, Zinzendorf had been told of the interest which Conrad Weiser, colonial interpreter, felt in the evangelization of the Indian tribes on the borders. One day the count felt a definite impression that he should go at once to see Weiser. It was a journey of several days. He pushed forward, and arrived at Weiser's home in the wilds of Tulpehocken, near Lancaster, just in time to meet the embassy of Iroquois chiefs returning from Philadelphia.

Zinzendorf addressed the chiefs, asking permission to establish missions among the Six Nations. Weiser interpreted the speech, and added: “This is the man whom God hath sent both to the Indians and to the white people, to make known his will unto them.” The chief was impressed with the fact of this apparently chance meeting in the wilderness, and in his reply said:—

Brother, you have journeyed a long way from beyond the sea, in order to preach to the white people and the Indians. You did not know that we were here; we had no knowledge of your coming. The Great Spirit has brought us together. Come to our people, you shall be welcome. Take this fathom of wampum; it is a token that our words are true.

W. A. S.

Note and Comment

Protestantism Disappearing

That the spirit of true Protestantism is fast disappearing must be admitted by every sober student of the times. Many Protestant workers admit, and at the same time deplore, this fact. The Roman Church recognizes, and stands ever ready to make the most of, the changed sentiment. This is illustrated in the following remark at the recent Eucharistic Congress at Montreal, as published in the Woman’s National Daily of September 12:—

“From what I hear of conditions in the United States, the Catholics will soon control that country through force of numbers,” said Father Bernard Vaughan, most famous of England’s Roman Catholic prelates, who is a delegate to the Eucharistic Congress. “The battle for the possession of the world,” he continued, “will soon be narrowed to the Roman Catholic Church and the destructive forces of agnosticism. Protestantism is disappearing. The empty cradle and the empty church are the great problems of modern life. Racial suicide and religious suicide act and react upon each other. The Roman Catholic Church stands alone in its enforcement of the law of God concerning marriages, and the Roman Catholic Church alone has no complaint to make of empty pews.”

Would that professed Protestants were as quick to discern the trend of human events, and take warning from the signs of the times.

Oklahoma Camp-Meeting

By Ole Andres Olsen

It was my privilege after sixteen years to again attend a camp-meeting in this State. The meeting was held at Capitol Hill, Oklahoma City. Many changes have taken place, and the work has made wonderful forward strides. Sixteen years ago Oklahoma was a comparatively new field; now it has grown to be one of the strong conferences of the home land.

This was the largest gathering of our people I have witnessed this season. The attendance from the city and surrounding community was large and attentive; indeed, there seemed to be a real interest to hear the truth. Daily services were conducted in German as well as in English. The business sessions of the conference were harmonious. Three new churches were added to the conference, and Elder David Voth was unanimously re-elected president. The different interests received due attention, and seemed prosperous.

Besides the laborers of the conference and union, Elder A. J. Haysmer, representing the Negro Department, and Brother L. A. Hansen, representing the relief campaign work, with Elders G. F. Haffner, S. S. Shrock, and the writer, were present. The preaching was practical, and of a nature to lead the audience to deep heart-searching. The two Sabbaths of the meeting were days of rich blessing and precious experience.

The presentation of the great world-wide mission field and its need of both laborers and funds, resulted in the raising of over two thousand dollars in cash and pledges for the mission fields. Besides this, the conference is turning over regularly one fourth of its tithe to the General Conference for its work abroad. The call for the $300,000 Fund met a hearty response, and so did the ten-cent-a-week plan, which this conference hopes to raise to a higher figure.

The call for recruits for the mission field also met responsive hearts. During the meeting Prof. W. R. French received a call from the General Conference to go to India, to which he willingly consented; and he and his family started at once for that important field.

Besides Elder French, Brother R. P. Montgomery (just ordained), with his wife and a number of other promising young laborers, handed in their names, which have been sent on to the General Conference. These intend to enter the Foreign Mission Seminary the present year, to prepare to take up such work as they may be best fitted for.

In the early morning of the last Sabbath at the camp, we had a very interesting and precious meeting. The conference had recommended that four young laborers—R. P. Montgomery, J. B. Hampton, R. B. Coberly, and Isaac Baker—be ordained, and receive credentials. The quiet of the morning hour seemed to us a very appropriate time for this solemn service. After a short discourse on the calling of the gospel ministry, these brethren were set apart in the usual way. The Spirit of God was signally present, and it was a very precious season.

I greatly enjoyed my association with Elder G. W. Watson, president of the Southwestern Union Conference. May God greatly bless him in his work. I left the evening after the last Sabbath of the meeting, to attend the annual meeting of the International Publishing Association, at College View, Neb., September 5. Now I am on my way to the Wisconsin camp-meeting.

O. A. OLSEN.

J. M. COMER

By J. M. Comer

Oregon

JANUARY 23, as a result of a three weeks' meeting, I baptized seven persons at Hopewell, Ore. Following a short revival meeting in our Royal Academy, April 30, it was my privilege to baptize four; later, on July 9, I administered the ordinance to three more.

July 14 I pitched a tent here in Cottage Grove, and on the evening of the fifteenth, held a union temperance rally, the ministers of the three other churches joining me in this effort. Our young people scattered over two hundred copies of the Temperance Instructor before the meeting, and solicited donations. They received more than enough to pay for the papers, besides helping to advertise the meeting. Our tent was packed, and as many more were on the outside. The collection that night more than paid expenses.

Sunday evening, July 16, I started meetings. Elder W. L. Black joined me July 18 and remained with me to the close. We held forty-two meetings, presenting, as well as we could in so short a time, the leading points of our faith. God wonderfully blessed us, and on Sabbath, August 27, I baptized eleven new believers, and the next Sabbath six more. These, with four others, were taken into the church. The four are new Sabbath-keepers, but came in on profession of faith, having been baptized in other churches. Thirty-four are keeping the Sabbath as a result of these meetings, and others are now waiting baptism. I hope soon to see them, with other interested ones, fully established in all points of the faith and in the church. Surely the Lord has blessed us, and to him belongs all praise.

J. M. COMER

Nebraska Camp-Meeting

By Alonzo T. Robinson

THIS meeting was held, according to appointment, on the Chautauqua grounds in the city of York, Neb. The attendance of our people was quite large from the beginning.

On the first Sunday night of the meeting we had five inches of rain. A large portion of our camp was pitched on low ground adjacent to Beaver Creek. The creek overflowed its banks, and in the darkness of the night the water came creeping up into the family tents, and the occupants had to escape with their belongings to the Chautauqua pavilion, where they spent the balance of the night.

Monday morning we found eighty-three of our family tents, also the German and Scandinavian preaching tents, in water from two to five feet deep. It was a dubious prospect. It was the opinion of nearly every one that the only thing we could do was to advise the people to go home, and give up our meeting. I called together a few of the leading brethren, and after counseling together for a few minutes, we asked the Lord to teach us what to tell the people. We rang the bell, called the people together, and announced to them that the tents would all be removed that day to high ground, and told them to go to the dining-hall and get some warm food, which would be free. Six or eight of our brethren worked in the water all day getting the tents out, and we had two other gangs repitching them on high ground.

Providence favored us with a beautiful, warm day, enabling every one to get clothing and bedding nicely dried, and at night every tent was out of the water, pitched on high ground, and occupied by the campers. I think less than half a dozen persons left the grounds. The people of the city showed their sympathy for us in many ways. Miss Jones, the conference secretary, stayed at the telephone till after midnight Sunday night, answering calls concerning our welfare, and offers of assistance if needed. The next morning the chief of police told us that he had offers of rooms all over the city, and said he would be in his office all day Monday, and would assign rooms to any whom we would send. One hotel keeper offered to take twenty persons, and said if the men would sleep on the floor, he would take a larger number. We asked him what the charge would be, and he said there would be none.

We had everything ready, and resumed our meetings Monday night, and had a good attendance from the city all through the meeting. Elder E. W. Farnsworth conducted the evening services, and he had great freedom in dwelling upon the leading features of our faith. A good spirit prevailed in the meetings, and frequent revival services were held, in which there was a general response on the part of the people.

The utmost harmony and good will prevailed in all the business meetings of the conference. Elder J. W. Christian was with us all through the meetings, and was unanimously elected president of the conference.

The last Sabbath afternoon a meeting was held in the interests of the foreign missionary work. After the reading of a letter from Elder A. G. Daniells, and earnest talks by Elders E. W. Farnsworth and F. Griggs, a call was made for young people who had been thinking of some foreign field. We knew of several who we felt sure would respond, but every one was surprised when about forty-five arose. We asked these to retire to the children's tent, and we had a very remarkable meeting. Forty-four persons bore testimony, every one expressing an intelligent, earnest conviction. Some spoke of special fields, but nearly all expressed a willingness to go wherever the Lord may call. The Spirit of the Lord was present in this meeting in a marked manner.

After seven years of official connection with the Nebraska Conference, I am now laying down this burden, and preparing to remove to Colorado. I have greatly enjoyed the work in the Nebraska Conference, and it is a source of much gratitude that I leave the work with the most kindly feelings on the part of the people with whom I have labored and whom I learned to love. My address at Boulder will be 415 Maxwell Avenue.

A. T. ROBINSON.

Duty

By Browning

THE sweetest lives are those to duty wed, Whose deeds, both great and small, Are close-knit strands of an unbroken thread Where love ennobles all. The world may sound no trumpets, ring no bells, The book of life the shining record tells.

Thy love shall chant its own beatitudes After its own life-working. A child's kiss Set on thy singing lips shall make thee glad; A poor man served by thee shall make thee rich; A sick man helped by thee shall make thee strong; Thou shalt be served by every sense Of service which thou renderest.

— Browning.

H. CLAY GRIFFIN

By H. Clay Griffin

Texas

OXIEN.—At the close of our good camp-meeting at Abilene, I was asked to answer a call for meetings at this place, and in company with Brother J. McMullen, we pitched our tent and began meetings, August 20. The interest has been good all the way through. Frequently we have more than can be seated in the tent. Some have already begun to obey. We are of good courage.

H. CLAY GRIFFIN

West Virginia Conference

By B. G. Wilkinson

It is with good cheer that we report the camp-meeting which was held at McMechen, W. Va., August 18-28. West Virginia is the smallest conference in the Columbia Union. Brother F. H. Robbins has recently come here to take up the duties of president. The brethren in all parts of the State give him their cordial support, and the present camp-meeting was the best held in the State for many years, both in interest and in attendance. An excellent spirit prevailed throughout the entire camp, while the interest on the part of the citizens was very good. Large audiences listened each night to the preaching of the cardinal points of this message, the entire country for quite a distance surrounding the encampment being greatly stirred.

Elders Robbins and J. F. Steele expect to organize a church at McMechen as a result of the camp-meeting and of the tent-meetings which they held prior to it. Five precious souls followed their Lord in baptism, and about ten more will be baptized soon.

A spirit of liberality was shown on the part of the brethren encamped on the grounds. From the small handful of believers, a call for foreign missions met with a response of $113. The presentation of the $300,000 Fund was answered by a gift, in cash and pledges, of $760, or more than two thirds of the entire three years' quota of this conference. Two hundred nineteen copies of the book “Ministry of Healing” were disposed of at one morning meeting, to say nothing of the many copies of this book which have already been sold throughout the State as a part of this campaign. Elder W. T. Knox, Dr. H. N. Sisco, and other laborers outside of the State were present, and their help was greatly appreciated.

The annual session of the conference was held in connection with this camp-meeting. The officers elected for the ensuing year were as follows: President, F. H. Robbins; vice-president, John F. Steele; secretary of the conference and of the tract society, Brother Hamer; field missionary agent, Brother Leach; religious liberty secretary, John F. Steele; secretary of the Sabbath-school and educational departments, Mrs. M. L. Haddix.

Plans were laid to carry on aggressive work in the different parts of the State the coming year. An effort will be made to open up the work in the large cities of Charleston and Wheeling. The prospects are bright for the progress of the message in West Virginia.

B. G. WILKINSON.

New York Conference

By Francis M. Wilcox

THIS conference held its annual session and camp-meeting at Syracuse, September 1-10. The conference membership amounts to nearly one thousand, and about one half this number camped on the ground. This makes nearly as large a constituency as existed before the division of the conference five years ago. The camp was located in Kirk Park, an open ground, well within the city limits. This contributed in a large measure to an excellent attendance of the citizens, especially during the evening. The evening preaching services considered, for the most part, subjects pertaining to the distinctive features of our faith, and many manifested so deep an interest that it was decided to continue the meetings after the close of the regular conference.

OUR own people manifested from the first an earnest desire to obtain a richer experience in the things of God, and in this they were not disappointed. Many obtained a new hold on the Christian life, and returned to their homes with strong courage for the future. This work was particularly marked among the young people. The last Sabbath of the meeting fifty were baptized, the majority of whom were youth and children. This was a much larger fruitage of camp-meeting effort than had been seen for a number of years.

Resolutions were adopted pledging hearty co-operation in the raising of the $300,000 Fund, the selling of “Ministry of Healing,” for the relief of the Melrose Sanitarium, the support of South Lancaster Academy, more earnest endeavor in the way of city mission work, greater faithfulness in selling our publications, etc.

A real spirit of revival in the canvassing work was manifested. In response to the efforts of Brother C. J. Tolf, about twenty-five persons signified their purpose of taking up the sale of our publications as soon as circumstances would permit. An institute was held at the close of the meeting to prepare such of the workers as were ready to enter upon service at once.

Elder J. W. Lair, who assumed the presidency of the conference upon the departure of Elder F. H. DeVimney for Japan, was re-elected president. Brother Lair has been given a warm welcome by the people of New York, and has a large place in their affections. Brother F. N. Johnson, who has faithfully served the conference for many years, was re-elected secretary and treasurer. Elders S. B. Horton and B. M. Garten have also recently connected with this conference, and are gladly welcomed by the brethren. In connection with the religious liberty work centered at Albany, N. Y., Elder Horton is finding a wide and valuable field of labor.

The music, under the direction of Brother J. G. White, of the Melrose Sanitarium, added greatly to the interest of the meeting.

Elder A. G. Daniells was present, and spoke particularly on the demands of the work in the great cities. Elder G. I. Butler gave an instructive series of talks on the early work of this movement. Elders White, Town, and Montgomery labored in the general interest of the work; while Prof. C. S. Longacre represented South Lancaster Academy; F. M. Dana, the Missionary Volunteer work; Drs. D. H. and Lauretta Kress, the health work; and C. J. Tolf, the publishing work. It was a great pleasure personally to meet many old friends in this conference, with whom I was associated twenty-five years ago when I began my ministry, particularly Elder H. H. Wilcox, now in his ninety-first year, who, while not related to me after the flesh, I am pleased to consider my father in the truth.

The faithful brethren and sisters in the New York Conference are desirous of a greater measure of God's Spirit and blessing; the Lord is anxious to bestow that which they desire; hence we look for a great forward movement in the future in this old conference of the East. F. M. WILCOX.

Self-Supporting Workers' Convention

By M. Bessie Degraw

The first meeting of the third annual convention of self-supporting Southern workers was held in Gotzian Hall at the Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute, Madison, Tenn., Sabbath evening, August 26. Workers had gathered from five or six States, and it was befitting the occasion that the first hour should be devoted to a prayer and social service. Words of encouragement came from all directions, telling how God has blessed these workers.

Sabbath was a good day for all. Elder J. O. Johnston, of the Eufola (N. C.) Agricultural and Mechanical Academy, addressed a company of nearly one hundred fifty at eleven o'clock. In the afternoon Dr. Paulson, of the Hinsdale (Ill.) Sanitarium, gave an inspiring talk on medical missionary work. On Sunday the attendance exceeded that of Sabbath. The subject of medical missionary work as a part of self-supporting school work was discussed. The little schools feel the need of skill in doing some medical work, and of having simple equipments for it. Much time on Sunday was devoted to a study of this subject.

Dr. O. M. Hayward, of Chattanooga, was present, and gave instruction in

physiology and simple treatments in connection with rural school work. Prof. W. J. Blake, of the Oakwood Manual Training School, and Prof. A. W. Spaulding and Sister Brownsberger, of Asheville, were among those who came from a greater distance.

The meeting lasted four days, and every hour was full. A devotional service was held each morning at five thirty; and the heads of schools held a daily session, discussing every-day problems of the self-supporting school, courses of study, practical demonstrations of agricultural class work, how to make the soil produce a support, etc. The convention closed on Tuesday with a prayer and praise service. Many expressed their appreciation of the meeting,—of the spiritual uplift realized as well as the mental inspiration.

It has been the custom to hold these quarterly conventions at Madison; but the number of schools has so increased, and they are so widely scattered, that district meetings are now taking the place of the central meeting. A group of schools, within close range of one another, hold quarterly meetings for study. Several of these group meetings have been held, and others are planned for.

At the close of the convention two Madison students, Brother Charles Franz and his wife, left for a short visit to their home in Michigan, preparatory to sailing for Cuba. These young people go to Cuba as self-supporting teachers. It requires courage to undertake this work, and they go forth trusting in God.

Those who hear the call, "Go work to-day in my vineyard," would appreciate such a convention as the one just held. The next one is called for August, 1911, at the close of the next summer school at Madison. Let us pray and work for the progress of mission schools in the South.

M. BESSIE DEGRAW.

San Claudio, Cuba

By Mrs. Ida Fischer-Carnahan

OUR school closed the third of June, after a successful run of seven months. With the exception of a few days’ vacation, we have kept steadily on. Our students accomplish the same work marked out by the Church-School Manual for church-schools in the United States. We have been pleased to note the progress of those who have been faithful in attendance, and loyal to the school.

The past year has been a trying one to all connected with the school; and only the fact that we were walking in the path of duty has kept us at our post. Last spring word was sent us that the inspector of our district had threatened to close our school, because I did not have a Cuban certificate. I secured a book containing the laws for schools, and found that if he pushed the law, he could do this. We went steadily forward, not knowing at what time he would visit us; but the Lord’s care has been over us, and we have been permitted to finish this year’s work.

Believing that it is the Lord’s will that we relate ourselves loyally to the laws of the land, I determined to take the public-school examination in Spanish, as there are no examinations in English. I sent in my application, and it was accepted. July 17 I left for Pinar del Rio, in the extreme western part of the island. I carried a letter of introduction from the secretary of the board of public education of this municipality, or what corresponds to a county in the States. At 8 A. M., July 18, the examination began with the history of Cuba, followed by geography, and in the afternoon, grammar. The next morning came natural science, which included elementary physics, zoology, and agriculture. Drawing was the next study. Physiology and hygiene, writing, composition, pedagogy, moral instruction, and civics closed three days of hard work. I left the next day, not knowing how I stood, only in arithmetic, the president and secretary of my room having told me in the presence of all that my arithmetic was good. After several days of anxious waiting, my name appeared in two of the daily papers among the list of those who had passed; and the secretary showed me my certificate, which was sent to him, with others, to be recorded.

We feel grateful to the Lord for this blessing, as it would have been impossible for our school to have been secure without it. This places our work on a basis with the Cubans which no diploma or certificate in English could give it, and gives us the right to open up school work in any part of the island. I would suggest that those who are planning to come to Cuba to open up school work, make all the investigation they can in reference to the laws and requirements both for English and Spanish schools.

We have our new home—built of lumber, and with cement floors below—almost completed. It is two stories high, and will contain eight rooms. We had hoped to have the new schoolhouse finished in time to open the school this fall, but Mr. Carnahan has had his hands full with the farm and the building of the home. We are therefore planning to use three of the lower rooms for a temporary school, one room for the Americans, one for the Cuban boys, and the other for the Cuban girls. We are thankful for the interest which the Cubans and our friends have taken in our work. As a result of my work at the examination, I understand that the examiners and others feel that our work is not superficial, but substantial.

We believe that God is going before us, giving us victory, removing the lions from our pathway. We praise him for all these blessings, and are confident that he is able to care for his own. We are expecting a competent teacher and family from the States to join us this fall. This will release me from the English work, as I desire to give all my time to the Cubans. We know no defeat in God’s work.

MRS. IDA FISCHER-CARNAHAN.

Progress of the Message

By V. O. Cole

There is something inspiring in the figures that show the progress of this grand message. Because of this, and believing that every loyal Seventh-day Adventist is interested in knowing how the message is spreading through the circulation of the printed page, I pass on a few figures that show its progress, not only as a whole, but step by step down to our own Southeastern Union Conference, and to some of the men who are actually doing the work in the great and needy harvest-field.

The latest returns show that during 1909 the sale of our literature throughout the world reached the total value of $1,402,444,—a money value of nearly a million and a half dollars in one year. The three union conferences in the South are taking orders to the value of from $15,000 to $25,000 a month for a fall delivery. Several weeks ago word came to us from the Southern Publishing Association that they had already sent out, since January 1, 84,605 volumes of books. In footing up the work in the Southeastern Union Conference during the past eight months, I find that we have made a gain, over the corresponding time of last year, of $7,972 in orders, and of $3,449 in deliveries.

I give a few extracts from letters received from the workers in the field. One says: “To sum up my day’s work, I gave eight exhibitions, and booked thirty orders, at a value of $57.75. I praise the Lord for this success. I think I must have over $300 worth of orders to deliver September 5-12 and 19. I am glad I am here, and in this employment. I would not care to change places with any one. My health is good—I never felt better.”

Another says: “Brother H. reports as follows: 47 hours; no helps; value of orders, $171.90. His son reports 39 hours; no helps; value of orders, $133.50. His daughter, 4 hours; $9 worth of orders. Brother C. reports 24 hours; orders and helps, $94.”

Still another: “Brother K. sends in a good report and letter. I wish you could read it. He found a wealthy woman in the country who owns six thousand broad acres, whose heart was touched to the degree that she ordered a copy each of ‘Practical Guide,’ ‘Great Controversy,’ ‘Best Stories,’ ‘Steps to Christ,’ and ‘Ministry of Healing.’”

Of course all experiences in this work are not so bright, yet such are the blessings that come to some who are laboring in this long-neglected part of the great harvest-field. We are told that the work will close sooner here than in other parts of the field. Perhaps this is one reason the Lord is so richly blessing it.

V. O. COLE.

Field Notes

IN a recent letter Elder D. C. Babcock says that the son of a chief arrived at the mission in Freetown, Sierra Leone, July 18, to attend school.

FROM Batoum, on the eastern shore of the Black Sea, Elder J. T. Boettcher sends word: “After good meetings in Siberia and South Russia, I am now in the Caucasus.” Batoum, he says, is beautifully situated, with “its sea, and hills, and splendid climate; but no light of the truth has yet been kindled here.”

SIX persons were recently baptized in the baptistery of the First Baptist church of Kenosha, Wis., by Elder M. H. Serns, as the result of a tent effort held in that city. Another has accepted the Sabbath, but wishes to study the truth further before joining the church. The meetings at La Farge have awakened an excellent interest, and four persons have been baptized. At Hillsboro a Sabbath-school of fourteen members has been organized, and a number are interested in the truth.

Fireside Correspondence School

By W. E. Howell

A Final Word

This does not mean that we shall say nothing more about the Correspondence School and its work, but this is our last opportunity to say a word to you before our autumn opening on October 3. You will remember that this date is the limit set for accepting applications based on the old rates of tuition. For students outside the United States and Canada, the limit is November 1. We make a slight advance in the rates of tuition after these dates, in order to give better service to our students. We expect the work of enrolling to go right on during the winter.

From the hundreds of letters and requests that have been pouring into our office during the month of September, we gather the following impressions:—

1. Our facilities will be taxed to their full capacity this winter. We like it this way.

2. We are having more applications for advanced studies this year than last. This is a sign of growth.

3. Our work is stimulating young people to plan ahead for their education,—some for this college, some for that academy, some for the Foreign Mission Seminary,—and to begin at once to carry out their plans by enrolling for correspondence studies. We are willing to be their stepping-stone toward success.

4. We are having more active co-operation by heads of schools, conference secretaries, and general laborers, than before. This is an indication of growing confidence in our aims and methods.

5. Workers in the harness are deciding to delay no longer a determined effort to raise their educational qualifications from the mediocre to the excellent. This is hopeful, indeed.

6. Some of our new applicants are so eager to begin their studies they can hardly wait till October 3. This is delightful!

Secretaries and principals of schools write that they are sending out letters to suitable persons, recommending our work.

One application came in, written on the back of a letter that had been received from the principal of an academy, in which the principal says: “I am very sorry that I can not make an opening for you to earn your way through school. I trust, however, that you will save all the money you can, and try to come to school next year. In the meantime, I would recommend you to take up some studies in our Correspondence School at Washington, D. C. By writing to —, you will get all the information you want along this line.”

A college president sent us a copy of a letter he is sending out to the young people in his territory who fail to get to school this year, recommending the Correspondence School to them.

A conference president writes in for a proposition if he furnishes us a list of thirty-five students among his workers.

Now we hope that not a soul who reads this “final word” before our autumn opening, who feels that he ought to have a share in the benefits of our delightful and successful method of instruction, will close his eyes in sleep till he has settled on the right side of this question. Remember that all applications bearing a bona-fide date prior to October 3, will be accepted at the old rates of tuition. Should you be too late for this benefit, do not hesitate, but consider that by paying a little more you will doubtless get the more out of it. Address the Fireside Correspondence School, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. W. E. HOWELL, Principal.

Southwestern Union

The following letters from Brother W. W. Eastman, which accompanied his reports for July and August, show how the Lord blesses faithful effort, even in the face of most forbidding circumstances. We trust that all our book men, especially, will read these items carefully:—

“Here we come with our July report. This is the largest report we have ever made in July. You will notice we are more than a thousand dollars ahead of our report two years ago, when we had five weeks in July. I think we can also promise you a good report for August. I am now in the midst of the West Texas camp-meeting. The drought is something terrible in this part of the State. There are thousands of farmers who will raise absolutely nothing, and his will be forced to leave their homes, and go to other parts. I am writing this while sitting in the big tent during meeting. There is not a blade of grass to be seen. The ground is as bare as the floor,—nothing green to be seen except the leaves on the mesquit trees. Yet we are happy and of good courage, and amid it all the work is going forward with success in this conference. I think a good many of the brethren who have made nothing farming will go to selling books in other sections, where there are crops. So, as I tell the people, the tribulations that have befallen them, have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel.”

“Here is our August report. As the monk said to Frederick of Saxony in his dream in answer to his question as to why his pen was so strong, ‘I am somewhat surprised at it myself.’ I freely confess these figures are beyond my expectations by $3,000. But, as I grow older, and learn more of the Lord and his ways, I am not so much surprised to see him do great things. Truly this is the Lord’s work, and it is marvelous in our eyes.”

Notes on the Summary

By E. R. P.

The blessing of the Lord resting upon the faithful labors of his servants always brings victory. This precious fact is written in large letters all over the accompanying summary.

The Northern Union Conference has been in the grip of a terrible drought, and doubtless this caused discouragement to some of the canvassers, and has made it difficult for our field agents to hold their workers.

A careful study of the accompanying summary for the month of August, will start a song of praise and thanksgiving in many hearts. We join heartily with our dear workers in the field in thanksgiving to God for this victory.

We take pleasure in calling attention to the strong increase in many union conferences over previous years. It is only right, however, for us to state that many large camp-meetings were held in the Central Union Conference during the month of August, which doubtless accounts for the small decline in that territory.

It is unnecessary to recount the struggles and the earnest work of our general agents and field agents in the United States, since the beginning of 1910. In some of our union conferences there appears to have been an accumulation of difficulties, which has made the work peculiarly trying to the leaders. We have recognized this, and have referred to it in connection with previous summaries. However, as the difficulties have pressed in upon the work, more earnest prayers have been offered, leaders have talked courage, and have worked hard, and the canvassers have put in more faithful hours.

Last year there were forty-seven canvassers in the Northern Union during the month of August, and this year thirty-seven. Evidently the drought got inside of a few of our workers, and they have had a dry time. It is both interesting and instructive to note that the thirty-seven agents who continued in the work, succeeded even better, per agent, than last year. This demonstrates that the difficulty was not in the fact that there was a drought, but in the fact that some workers left the field. What a fine thing it would have been if all the workers could have trusted in God to give them a greater victory, under such difficulties, than he had done in times of prosperity! This was evidently true of those who engaged in the work.

Considering the conditions that prevail, the showing is excellent for the Northern Union Conference, and we are thankful to God that he still has workers who believe in him, and will in his name triumph over temporal difficulties.

The summary as a whole shows a substantial gain over the month of August for any previous year.

The success of our workers during the months of June, July, and August has been more evenly distributed this year than in the two preceding years. None of these months shows as large a report as the one published for June, 1909, or for July, 1908; but the total for the three months is far above either of the two preceding years.

For his manifold blessings upon this department of his work, we thank God with all our hearts. E. R. P.

Argentina

By N. Z. T.

We continue to receive encouraging reports from the Spanish-Catholic fields. The records which some of our workers are making in those fields are truly phenomenal. Writing from Buenos Aires, Brother G. F. Hartman, secretary of the South American Union, says:—

“In regard to raising the price on the books, I will say that we have raised the price on Spanish ‘Home and Health’ from five dollars to six dollars, and it goes just as well as before. In fact, it goes too fast for us. We have received only one shipment, containing about 150 books for each canvasser; and at the rate they are taking orders, each one will use up his quota in two weeks. I have a report before me from Brother Shultz, containing seventy-two orders for four days; one day, thirty-one orders. Brother Hillman takes from ten to twenty orders a day, but it has remained for Brother Hanson to break the record. One day he took thirty-two orders; the following day, in five hours, twenty-one; and one other day the same week, forty-three. The canvassers are also having very good success in delivering.”

Brother Hanson’s totals for the week were: 28 hours; 122 orders; value, 762 Argentina pesos, or 322 American dollars. N. Z. T.

Christian Education

By H. R. Salisbury

Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference

H. R. SALISBURY - - - - Secretary

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