Earlier text: The Press in the ReformationA Working Mission
By C. M. S.
A CLASS of literature has become very popular of late, which is but a revival of the religio-philosophical teachings of ancient heathenism. Books are written by the score expounding the mysterious intertwinings of humanity and divinity, which finally terminate in man becoming god, and entering the realm of eternal cessation from all activity. It is a goal similar to that for which the Buddhist yearns — Nirvana. But all these teachings, based on human reasonings, pandering to the human desire for self-exaltation, and pointing to a glorious eternity of inactivity, are antagonistic to the spirit and principles of the doctrine of Christ and the example of the Father. The Word tells us that the angels are all “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” To minister is to serve, to work for. He who is the greatest minister is the greatest server. They who have been permitted to look into heaven in vision have witnessed there scenes of intense activity. Who can imagine a busier week than that which put into shape our solar system, bathed it in light, and filled it with life? Our God is indeed a working God. Christ said of him and of himself, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” There is man’s example. There is a rest for the people of God, but it is not the rest of idleness or of slothfulness. It is the rest of peaceful, harmonious, God-ordained activity in carrying out the beneficent commands of our Father. The true Christian has true rest in the midst of strenuous activity, peace in the midst of the world’s turbulence and strife — all because he is trusting implicitly in the wisdom and mercy and power of God. That peace and that rest are foretastes of heaven, and will come in their completeness when heaven shall welcome its loyal subjects home; when all sin and all suffering have been forever removed, and the earth has been purified by the fires of God’s cleansing. God’s command to his children is, “Go work to-day in my vineyard;” and, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” That he himself was not looking for any Nirvana, is shown by the promise which he made to his followers, “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Christ himself was not rewarded without service; neither can his followers expect to be. “A place of reward in heaven presupposes a place of service on earth;” and that place of reward in heaven will not be filled by us unless we have filled the place of service on earth. Every person of sound mind has a talent or talents. We can not afford to bury even the one talent. God has done great things for us, and he expects great things of us — but not in our strength alone. He has placed at our command a power that will enable us to accomplish great things for him. He has made it possible for us to be a source of joy and satisfaction to him through all eternity. We must not disappoint him. As there are no drones in heaven, we can not be drones here, and hope to enter there. Let him work out in you that which he has purposed concerning you. Then our Saviour, that great Servant of men, “shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.” CHRISTLIKENESS is the quality of being like the Lord Jesus. In this one word is comprehended Christianity and Christian experience. Christ is set forth in the Scriptures of truth as man’s perfect example. The apostle Paul tells us that we are to consider him,—to consider his sacrifice, his sufferings, his character, his perfect example. Whatever may be our position or condition, our environment or circumstances, in every relationship of life, we may consider Christ as our example, and may safely raise the question, What would he do if he were in my place at the present time? It is only the surrendered, consecrated heart that can truly raise this question, and claim in every detail of Christian experience divine guidance. To all such, God will vouchsafe an answer, either through his Word or through the leadings of his Holy Spirit. It is sweet to live a truly surrendered life, a life where all has been laid upon God’s altar, where the Spirit of God actuates the purposes, where the motives are kept pure by his grace, and all plans are laid at his feet to be surrendered or carried out as his providence may indicate. What blessed communion may be enjoyed with the Master! how closely we may be enfolded in his arms of love! how near we may come to his great heart of affection! To such a one the doing of the divine will appeals as a privilege and not a stern duty; and while Christian service may be fraught with pain, with weariness and physical suffering, there is light in the darkness and joy in the pain. No urging is necessary to lead such a child to forsake the pleasures of the world. It may be necessary to instruct the immature Christian to rightly distinguish between truth and subtle error, but with the understanding enlightened, the path of duty will be chosen rather than the path of sinful pleasure. We hear much discussion to-day as to whether Christians should attend theaters and gatherings for worldly pleasure. These questions would all find a solution by the truly consecrated soul, in considering before the throne of grace what course would be pursued by the Lord Jesus. Similarly, the question of dress and display, and the wearing of ornaments, would be settled in the same way. If the disciple obtains a clear view of his Saviour, of the simplicity and dignity of his character, of the modest, retiring spirit that characterizes his earthly life, he will not dress for show nor live for praise. If our conception of Christ could picture him as engaging in the world’s wild sports, as decking his person for display and worldly ostentation, then we need to obtain a clearer and a nearer view of the spirit that actuated the Master. On every occasion he maintained the character of the Christ of God. Not once was his dignity laid aside; not once did he overstep the bounds of propriety; not once did he descend to sinful levity. In all this he was our example, and him we are to consider. If Christ, while on earth, did not partake of the spirit of the ungodly, nor find pleasure in their association, can he find such pleasure through his children in such association to-day? Let us submit every account of life to the test as to whether we can ask Jesus to go with us, to be a partner in our business, a sharer in our experiences. The disciple who conscientiously does this, with an earnest desire to be guided by the study of the Word and led by the Spirit, will not go far amiss in rightly determining the questions of life. Doubt Bears Its Testimony
By C. M. S.
WITH the speed of lightning the doctrines of error and doubt and infidelity are heralded to-day. Let some prominent man bring a railing accusation against the Word of God, or propound some new error in reference thereto, and the telegraph instruments are clicking it over the land and under the sea before it is a day old. Satan seems anxiously waiting to hang a garland of fame upon13 the neck of every person who will heap reproach upon the Word of God. Our Saviour taught that there would come a time when faith would be scarce upon the earth; when the Word and work of God would be assailed with doubts upon every hand. That time has come—but that time was to be the time of the end, the time when the coming of the Son of man would be due. The pulpits of the land are overflowing with skepticism; and when the pulpit is inoculated, there is bound to be contagion in the pews. God designed that his Word should be the man of our counsel; but more and more it is coming to be a guide upon which the chosen leaders of the people are casting aspersions and discredit—all contributing to the one end of destroying faith in the great truths of salvation. It is the enemy's work of befogging the channel, that the ships of our souls may founder upon the rocks. It matters not what this policy may be called; the work it does is just as ruinous under a high-sounding title as it would be under a name that would call it what it is in truth. Christ is himself called the Word; but if he were here in person, he could do nothing for that person who constantly challenged his statements and his work at every turn, and sought to prove each declaration of his a fallacy. If Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, then his words are truth, carrying truth only. We can not discount his words without discounting him. If we declare that the Bible is not the truth, we bring a terrible charge against him by whose inspiration holy men of God penned its sacred teachings. The whole is equal to the sum of all its parts. If Christ is the Truth, then every word he ever uttered is true. If his words are part true and part false, he can not be the Truth. The fountain of truth does not send forth both sweet water and bitter. As we could not be considered worthy members of the household of Christ while we were continually challenging his own truthfulness, neither can we be while we are continually challenging the truth of the Word of God. The angels of God saw the full fruitage of the work of error when Christ expired on the cross of Calvary. There could no longer be in their minds any question of the fruit of doubting the Word of God. It is now incumbent upon man to take his stand with the angels of God. As long as Satan lives, he will continue to challenge the Word and works of God, and will cast discredit upon truth and righteousness; and we are his assistants, espousers of his cause, when we join in the promulgation of the dogmas of doubt. But it must be cause for amazement, even to the teachers of doubt, to see with what avidity the distributers of the daily news gather up and distribute to the ends of the earth every item of doubt and infidelity that is tossed to them. The exponent of Bible truth will scarcely get a hearing in his own local paper, while the fulminations of doubt are heralded around the world. Satan is using, and will continue to use, every agency afforded by the inventive genius of the age to disseminate darkness and infidelity; and the teaching of these doctrines from the pulpits is increasing, and accelerating the speed of his conquests in this direction. In every crisis that has come to this world, God has had a remnant that would stand true to him, no matter how threatening their environments. He will have a remnant in the end of this age. They will stand with unwavering faith in the midst of the severest trials. They will bear the brunt of ridicule; they will receive the sentence of death; and while the world is looking upon them in derision, God is saying of them, “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12. It will be a most trying experience; but it will be a glorious experience to stand with that company, and receive the approbation of God and angels. The advancing work of the enemy in the teachings of doubt is but one of the many evidences that the consummation of the Christian's hope is near at hand. C. M. S. Church and State in Portugal
THE Catholic press is proclaiming the revolution in Portugal to be a merely antireligious movement. Doubtless the antireligious sentiment is strong, and many may be ready to denounce all Christian teaching. But it is the natural result of the centuries of Catholic instruction and repression of the truth. The Jesuits educated the generation of Frenchmen who declared for atheism in the madness of the French Revolution. And the Church of Rome has had all but unlimited power over education in Portugal. Wherever Rome rules, it ruins. Now the Portuguese mean to try another way; and because the throne was allied in their minds with ecclesiastical power, it had to go also. A press despatch says:— By a decree issued by the provisional government, the royal house of Braganza, of which King Manuel was the titular head, is forever banished from the republic of Portugal. All orders of nobility are abolished, and all titles are revoked. The government also decreed that all state functions heretofore handled by the church were to be taken out of the hands of the representatives of Rome, and to be ministered in future by members of the government. The church, under the decree, is to have no voice in the management of the state nor in any of its co-ordinate branches. Especially is the school system removed from the church's domination. Report of the $300,000 Fund
By William T. Knox
Complying with the instruction of the General Conference, there appears in this issue the statement of the $300,000 Fund, including all receipts up to Sept. 30, 1910. This report shows that the amount thus far received is $33,464.09. It has been sincerely hoped that before the end of the year, we would receive at least $100,000 on this fund. Our expectations have been based upon the fact that it was the settled determination of the brethren, in conference and council, that this entire sum should be raised by 1912; and also because many conferences reported that they had set themselves to complete the work during the year 1910. On the strength of this, the brethren in fields to be benefited by these donations have been encouraged to hope that they would receive, by the last of this year, a considerable proportion of the amount voted to them. Many letters coming to us, especially from such countries as China, show the urgent need of early remittances. We are frequently made sad by the news coming to us of some faithful worker who has been obliged to leave his post of duty, and return to America or Europe, on account of broken health. Almost invariably such reports are accompanied with the statement that this step has been made necessary by reason of the unhealthful surroundings in which the laborer was obliged to work. We all appreciate that this is a very short-sighted policy to pursue; and it is in order to relieve it, that so many of our brethren have taken hold of this plan, and have promised to assist in providing necessary homes for our laborers. In order that relief may come as early as possible, we trust that those who have made pledges to this fund will be able to meet them at least in part during the present year. This would be a great relief to the situation in such countries as China and India. Statement of the $300,000 Fund to
Atlantic Union Conference
Central New England . . . . . . . $1,215.86
Greater New York . . . . . . . . 1,126.08
Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111.10
New York . . . . . . . . . . . . 154.00
Southern New England . . . . . . 283.93
Northern New England . . . . . . 472.38
Western New York . . . . . . . . 624.41
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,987.76 Canadian Union Conference
Maritime . . . . . . . . . . . . 95.99
Ontario . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89.8014
Quebec . . . . . . . . . . . . . $133.50
Newfoundland . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319.29 Central Union Conference
Colorado . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.65
Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . 662.14
Southern Missouri . . . . . . . 64.57
North Missouri . . . . . . . . . 389.87
Nebraska . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,540.24
Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . 512.15
Western Colorado . . . . . . . . 252.41
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,429.03 Columbia Union Conference
Chesapeake . . . . . . . . . . . 155.50
Eastern Pennsylvania . . . . . . 320.68
Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148.42
New Jersey . . . . . . . . . . . 441.88
Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.50
West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . 1.00
District of Columbia . . . . . . 400.05
West Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . 191.34
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,673.37 Lake Union Conference
East Michigan . . . . . . . . . . 1,708.89
Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,775.95
Northern Illinois . . . . . . . . 665.09
North Michigan . . . . . . . . . 124.59
Southern Illinois . . . . . . . . 372.88
West Michigan . . . . . . . . . 1,589.86
Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . 300.00
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,537.26 Northern Union Conference
Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184.07
Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . 2,660.10
North Dakota . . . . . . . . . 2,022.68
South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . 56.20
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,923.05 North Pacific Union Conference
Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . 609.15
Southern Idaho . . . . . . . . . 709.30
Upper Columbia . . . . . . . . 1,256.00
Western Oregon . . . . . . . . 1,148.30
Southern Oregon . . . . . . . . 136.34
Western Washington . . . . . . 1,232.75
Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.15
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,093.99 Pacific Union Conference
Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . 179.94
California . . . . . . . . . . 1,396.24
Southern California . . . . . . 734.96
Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,311.94 Southeastern Union Conference
Cumberland . . . . . . . . . . . 816.88
Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,204.78
Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . 259.20
North Carolina . . . . . . . . . 167.21
South Carolina . . . . . . . . . 45.25
Bahamas . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,493.32 Southern Union Conference
Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . 39.10
Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . 87.00
Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.25
Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . 196.68
Tennessee River . . . . . . . . 178.22
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 509.25 Southwestern Union Conference
Arkansas . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.30
Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . 578.13
New Mexico . . . . . . . . . . 11.60
Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . $32.00
West Texas . . . . . . . . . . . 32.90
South Texas . . . . . . . . . . . 3.78
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 690.71 Western Canadian Union Conference
Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . 337.90
British Columbia . . . . . . . . 149.55
Manitoba . . . . . . . . . . . . 109.25
Saskatchewan Mission . . . . . . 242.00
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 838.70 Miscellaneous
England . . . . . . . . . . . . 490.00
New Zealand . . . . . . . . . . 102.27
India . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29.72
West Indian Union . . . . . . . 1.00
Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . 21.00
European subtreasury . . . . . . 2.43
Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.00
Canal Zone . . . . . . . . . . . 5.00
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 656.42 Grand total . . . . . . . . . $33,464.09
W. T. Knox, Treasurer. WHY should religious journals, which teach the immortality of the soul, and that after death the spirits of the dead continue to exist as living, conscious entities, deny that it is possible to hold communication with these departed ones? In other words, why should any man who believes that the dead are conscious between death and the resurrection, deny the claims of Spiritualism? Its claims are but the logical outgrowth of this doctrine of inherent immortality and the conscious state of the dead. If one believes that the spirit of a departed friend is still conscious, is still hovering about him, viewing with sorrow his trials and difficulties, and rejoicing in his successes, by what means can he deny its identity when there appears to him, in a Spiritualistic seance or elsewhere, a form which purports to be this dead friend, and which, by evidence appealing to every sense of sight and sound, convinces him of that fact? No man who believes in the doctrine of the conscious state of the dead, can withstand this influence which, in these closing days of earth's history, will be brought to bear on his life. The Word of God declares that the great wonder-working power of the last days, which is to deceive the multitude, will be the spirit of devils, which go forth to the kings of the earth and to the whole world. We have striking evidence that this prediction meets its fulfilment in the work of modern Spiritualism. The Word of God is our only safeguard. It declares that the dead know not anything; that their love and their hatred perish at death; that, in the very day they cease to breathe, their thoughts perish; that though their sons come to honor or be brought low, they have no knowledge of it. With this knowledge, the soul is fortified against Satan's delusions. The representation of the dead may appear before our eyes, and in look and word and gesture may closely simulate the one we have laid away; it may whisper secrets known only to us and our departed; but in spite of all this, as against the evidence of the natural senses, we may declare to the impersonating demon, "It is written." That Word we may trust beyond our reason. Before it the forces of Satan will be put to flight. It will prove the only true and sure foundation upon which we may stand in the perils of the last days, which are rapidly thickening around us. Thank God that we have the plain testimony of his Word! It was reported recently that the pastor of a certain church was requested by his congregation to resign, for the reason that he preached too little of Christ and too much of politics. In commenting on this incident, the Western Recorder (Baptist) of September 1 says of the influence following such preaching:— Agriculture, literature, politics, Socialism, and other things are valuable themes upon proper occasion, but they have no place in the pulpit. The preacher who is faithful, who would do good and do no evil, must confine his sermons absolutely to heralding the word. The injurious results that always follow, however slowly or imperceptibly, from preaching the arts, sciences, literature, and other things in place of the gospel, are enormous. No wonder Paul should have reiterated to Timothy, “Preach the word.” The apostle Paul declared that the time would come when men would not endure sound doctrine, but would heap to themselves teachers having itching ears. Many questionable topics are brought into the present-day preaching. While the preachers are primarily at fault, and should uphold the dignity of the pulpit and the purity of pulpit discourse by confining their preaching to the gospel, at the same time it is true that, as the prophet says, the “people love to have it so.” The wide-spread degeneracy so apparent everywhere in the professed church of God, has had its influence upon the ministers of the word. Too many of them strive to please their people instead of seeking to please God. The gospel minister misinterprets his message, and lowers his sacred calling, when he fails to distinguish between the sacred and the common, or makes as a part of his message questions outside of Christ and him crucified. Glendale (Cal.) Sanitarium
By J. J. Wessels
The workers at the Glendale Sanitarium have recently had the pleasure of a visit from Brother P. J. Laird and wife, who have been laboring in China for some years. As these faithful missionaries told of their experiences among the Chinese millions, the hearts of all their hearers were made tender. Several of the workers expressed a desire to labor in some of the mission fields. There are about fifty young people in training at this institution, and without exception every one is desirous of being fitted for some useful place in the Master's cause. In fact, the sanitarium faculty does not admit any one into the training-school who does not desire to be fitted for definite missionary work at home or abroad. The interest manifested by our workers in what Brother Laird has to say, as well as their faithfulness in the discharge of their every-day duties, shows that they possess true missionary zeal, and are desirous of fitting themselves for places in this noble cause. We hope that many will find places in the ranks of mission workers either at home or abroad. We are now beginning a work for the poor and sick of Los Angeles; and although only a beginning has been made, good results are already seen as a consequence. We feel that the Lord is with the consecrated workers as they go into the highways and hedges, assisting the poor and needy, and presenting the truth. The “Ministry of Healing” campaign is also being launched, and all are taking hold of this work. There is room in this training-school for a few more consecrated young people; but only those who are desirous of receiving a training to become true missionaries need apply. New Guinea Mission
By S. W. CARR.
It is but two years since the third angel's message came to New Guinea; and while a large increase in numbers can not be reported, it is pleasing to know that the one European who has accepted the Sabbath truth has been strictly faithful in paying tithe, and altogether £46 14s. 9d. has come to the mission from that source. Not only so, but he has now fully accepted the spirit of prophecy, and has also made arrangements for his three children to attend the Avondale School for Christian Workers. Two years ago there were but three workers, but last November we were glad to welcome Brother and Sister Smith and Brother Solomona. We hope soon to greet a Fijian man and his wife to assist in opening up the work farther inland. After a delay of ten months our land application was granted, and the mission is now established at Bisiatabu, twenty-seven miles from Port Moresby. Here twelve acres have now been cleared, six of which are planted in corn, taru, yams, manioka, and pumpkins, all of which are growing well. For three months ten work-boys have been living almost wholly upon the food grown, and yet last week two hundred pumpkins were gathered in for future use. Within a few weeks the full twelve acres will be planted to rubber trees, with native vegetables growing between the rows. The two horses have been a great help in the work, and now that four mules have arrived from Queensland, the transporting of goods and garden produce will be greatly facilitated. Our labors for the inland tribes are to a certain extent appreciated by the natives, who are gradually coming to realize that the missionaries are here to help them. Although none understand to any great extent the real reason for our coming, yet we have from time to time experiences which encourage us to believe that some of these will understand and accept the message, and be saved to praise redeeming love in the kingdom of our God. Although it does not seem that much has been accomplished, and we feel that our labors have been weak and inefficient, yet we trust that a foundation is being laid upon which will be built, with God's blessing, a New Guinea native church, able to stand the trials ahead, and triumph with the message. A Voyage to Lau, Fiji
By A. G. Stewart
SHORTLY after the close of the Fijian council, it was deemed advisable that the schooner make a trip to the Lau group, one hundred miles to the east, visiting the companies of Sabbath-keepers on the Vanua Levu coast, and making various changes among the workers. Our first place of call was at Wainunu, where we have a company of half-castes. These people are very faithful in tithes and offerings. Two were anxious to receive baptism, which will probably be administered by Brother Pauliasi within the next few weeks. It was touching to see how keenly they felt the removal of Brother Josefati, who has labored among them for the past three years, to Lau, to take the place of Brother Pauliasi. They wept like children, and held to him and his wife as long as possible. Some gave him gifts of money, others of clothes, etc. These people feel deeply, and are very susceptible to kindness. After a two days' sail from there, we came to Somosomo, a large town on Taviuni; where John Hunt was appointed shortly after arriving in Fiji, and where he saw the natives killing and eating one another, and women massacred and used as rollers for launching the native canoes. What a change within the last seventy years! We dropped anchor in the stillness of the evening, when the church bell rings, followed by the ringing of the native lali for evening worship. Soon we heard familiar tunes sung in many parts of the village. We are told, however, that the natives are becoming more careless with regard to these services than they were some years ago. The time has come for the reviving work of the third angel's message, and we are glad to say that in this chief village we have a few witnesses for the truth. We held a preaching service in a large house well filled with people, who made some earnest inquiries about the truth. Across the bay about nine miles we spent the Sabbath with the Loa church, where we conducted the ordinances of the Lord's house. Brother Alipati is in charge of the work here, and has a good influence. Two from here are planning to go to the Buresala school. After a few days' sailing in a heavy gale, we reached Lau in safety. We afterward heard that several boats were lost during this storm. We visited four more companies of Sabbath-keepers, and found most of the believers rejoicing in the truth. A few had grown cold, and we16 believe our visit was timely and profitable. After hearing a talk on the sacredness of the Sabbath, one brother who had given up its observance said, “I fear God; I can not break his Sabbath any more.” As we visited Lakemba, the center of the Lau group, my heart was deeply moved over the situation. It was here that the first missionaries arrived, and began the grand work of Christianizing Fiji. We now have a few faithful witnesses here, and one brother has given a piece of land to the mission. This would make a good site for a mission home, as it is well watered by a running stream. This island would make a good center for our work in Lau, as there are still a number of islands within a radius of about forty miles which have not yet been visited by our workers. Many of these are at present calling for the truth. Brother C. H. Parker spent a few years in the Lau district, and has often presented its needs to us. Since seeing it, I, too, feel deeply impressed that some one should be appointed to take charge of this isolated field. Two young men here are planning to get a training for the Lord's work, and one of them returned with us to Buresala. After an absence of five weeks we arrived home, and found the work of rebuilding going ahead nicely. Brother B. J. Cady's house is nearly completed. The students are busy planting their gardens. We thank our people for their interest and help in this work, and trust they will still pray for its advancement. Bahia, Brazil
By John Lipke
Recently I went to Maceio, the capital of the state of Alagoas, to visit the brethren. Arriving on Wednesday night, too late to begin the prayer-meeting with them, I stood outside, and listened to the explanation of the Word of God by the leader, a government nurse. A number of believers and others were gathered in the room, and some stood outside. The believers in this place are working; and as a result of their efforts, others are accepting the truth. After holding meetings every night during my stay, I baptized three persons, and left five others to prepare for this rite at my next visit. One of these new believers, a chemist, has devoted himself to the canvassing work. At Recife I held a canvassers' institute with five Brazilians. This was the first institute of this kind to be held with Brazilians alone. We rejoice to see them taking up this work; for a native can many times reach his countrymen better than a foreigner, and he can also endure the work better, as he is accustomed to the climate and the conditions. I thank the Lord very much that he has made these souls willing to work for the proclamation of the third angel's message in the northern part of Brazil. May he abundantly bless their efforts. Before I left Recife, a number of persons were baptized. Others expect to take this step when I return. At a distance of two hours and a half on horseback, there is a group of seventeen believers who express a desire to unite with us, and are preparing for baptism. About an hour and a half from Recife there is also another group of believers that who are keeping the Sabbath, and preparing for baptism. Also four hours distant by train lives a man who has been preaching in a Protestant church. He is keeping the Sabbath, and with him are also about twenty others. At Tigipie, a suburb of Recife, fourteen persons were ready to unite with us last Sabbath; but as I could not be there, they deferred taking this step until another time. Truly the harvest is great; but there is only one minister to do all the work in four large states. More laborers are greatly needed in the North Brazil Mission. May the Lord send them speedily.
JOHN LIPKE. Western New York Camp-Meeting
By W. B. White
THIS meeting was held in Rochester, September 9-19, and was attended by about two hundred fifty of the brethren and sisters of the Western New York Conference. It was called a camp-meeting, and was the annual gathering of the conference, though all the people occupied rooms in the homes of the citizens, and the meetings were held in the commodious church, purchased from the Baptists last fall, on Brunson Avenue. As the meeting came so late in the season, it was thought best not to pitch tents, but to live with the people, and if possible bring them with us to the meeting. In this way many of the citizens attended the services, and seemed to be much interested in the word spoken. The church building furnished an excellent place for this gathering, providing vestries, committee-rooms, baptistery, and other conveniences. A dining-tent was pitched at the side of the church, where meals were served to all who desired them, and a room in the church building made an excellent place for a book-store. The spiritual interest of the meeting was good, and all present seemed hungry for a better experience, and for a closer walk with God. On both Sabbaths, calls were made for those who felt that their lives were drifting from God to make a reconsecration of themselves to him, and many renewed their covenant with their Saviour. Several were baptized at the close of the meeting. All present seemed greatly encouraged and strengthened. The tithe of this conference a year ago was $7,464.69, while this year it was $9,702.05—a gain of $2,237.36. This we regard as a good increase. About $1,100 was raised during the meeting in cash and pledges for different enterprises, such as the $300,000 Fund, Rochester church building, and expenses of the meeting. Forty sets of Sister White’s books were sold to our people, who took them to their homes to loan among their neighbors and friends. The “Ministry of Healing” campaign was definitely launched, and sixty-three copies of the book were taken by our people to sell to assist the medical missionary work. No conference business was done at this gathering, the next annual conference being held next winter. In many ways the Lord is blessing the work in Western New York, and faith and courage are in the hearts of the people. W. B. WHITE. In Roman-Switzerland
By Guy Dail
The eighth annual session of the Roman-Swiss Conference was held at Cernier, near Neuchatel, Switzerland, August 10-15. Fifty delegates represented our Roman-Swiss churches, and probably about two hundred fifty other members were in attendance. The public lectures aroused a good interest among the people of the neighboring districts. The records indicate that seventy-nine persons have been received among us in this field during the past year, although the reported membership has not increased. Sabbath was the great day of the meeting. Early in the morning ten were baptized just a short distance from the camp. The Sabbath-school was animated and interesting. The forenoon service ended by the rededication of nearly all on the grounds. In the afternoon about thirty young people announced their intention to go to the Gland training-school, where we are preparing workers for the French-, the Spanish-, the Italian-, and the Portuguese-speaking world. We greet this as a special token of the Lord’s blessing, for our hearts have always looked with longing at the large number of bright youth in Roman-Switzerland who ought to be in training at home for the earnest service needed in the “regions beyond.” We trust that the solemn ordination of Brother Jules Rey to the ministry on Sabbath afternoon, August 13, may have an influence in leading other young men to realize the truthfulness of the words, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation.” Isa. 52:7. We are glad that the financial condition of this field remains good, and that it is taking such an unselfish part in supporting other portions of the great Latin Union, which has a population of about one hundred sixty millions. God is certainly verifying his promise to remember those who think of him and of the interests of his cause. Aggressive work is planned by Elder H. H. Dexter, who was again chosen to the presidency of the conference, and who is assisted by eight other workers. Western Colorado Camp-Meeting
By Wm. M. Andress
WITH gratitude to our Heavenly Father we tell of his blessings bestowed upon us in our second annual conference and camp-meeting, which was held at Grand Junction, September 15-25. The use of a beautiful park was freely granted us, and about sixty tents were pitched. Most of the people came in time to enjoy the first meeting, and remained till the closing service. It was encouraging to note the general interest taken in the conference meetings, and to see the harmony that prevailed. Although this conference is only about two years old, and is the youngest and weakest in the Central Union, it is nevertheless making a normal growth. The president's address and the treasurer's report indicated advancement. Sixty-four new members have been added during the year, and the tithe has increased more than two thousand dollars. Two new churches, each having a membership of twenty-one, were admitted to the conference. Valuable help was rendered by the Central Union Conference laborers. A good spirit was manifest on the part of the townspeople, not only in providing a place for the camp, free water, etc., but by their attendance at the evening services. Revival efforts were conducted from time to time during the meeting, and a spirit of consecration seemed to permeate the camp. Especially was this in evidence among the young people. Twenty surrendered their hearts to the Lord, and were baptized. At the close of the meetings the conference committee met, and outlined the work of the laborers for the winter. The laborers who have been holding meetings in the vicinity of Turon, Kan., report nine baptized.