Prof. J. Freyer, special commissioner of the regents of the University of California to investigate the educational reform in China two years ago, has recently issued a lengthy report of his findings. Thinking the friends of China will be interested in reading a few statements from this authority, we take pleasure in recording the same:—
“The recent educational reform in China is unique in the history of the world. No national transformation has ever occurred on so large a scale, in so sudden a manner, and fraught with such far-reaching consequences to the whole human race.”
“The same curriculum of study that is found in Western lands must be adopted in full by China. In the impact of the modern sciences and arts of the same West against the ancient philosophical system of Confucius and of Laetze, the weaker must inevitably go to the wall. When once the idea was grasped, the government and the people alike grew to be desperately in earnest for educational reform, and the new spirit spread in all directions. Schools, colleges, and universities have sprung up in every province, whether under the auspices of the government, of missionary boards, or of private individuals.”
“In the spacious halls of many of the old Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian temples, schools are now to be found, with busy scholars diligently studying the elements of the English language or of the sciences, right in the very face of the great gilded images of Buddha, of the goddess of mercy, of the god of war, or of the god of thunder.”
“The old examination halls have been closed and dismantled. Thousands of young people have been sent to Japan or Europe or America for thorough Western education. The ‘new learning,’ as it is called, has now become a mania all over the empire; and it is the goal toward which the nation is pressing forward with all its newly awakening energy.
“It is a significant fact that a strong element of militarism formed a prominent feature in almost every school I visited. This was displayed in showy uniforms, military drill, instruction in the use of firearms, and in many other unmistakable ways. Even the missionary schools were not a whit behind in this particular, some of them having almost the semblance of military schools.”
“The educational position of China is full of hope and encouragement, in spite of all drawbacks and disadvantages. It is easy to see that the ages of stagnation and slumber arising from long isolation are now passed, nevermore to return. How far her statesmen will seek to preserve all that is best in her system of education, her national characteristics, her wonderful genius, her manners and customs, her religious beliefs, and her form of government, is a problem time alone can solve.”
Truly, here is an open door for the consecrated advocate of Christian education, which alone takes cognizance of hand, heart, and head. And with all that the spirit of prophecy has said in regard to this subject, who should be better qualified to take up such work than Seventh-day Adventists? Any but a Christian education omits “the ideal of the dignity of labor, and in quite too many cases creates a useless, idle, and often a vicious class, who have learned to imitate the vices of the dominant race, but do not emulate their virtues. The uplift of skilled labor is wanting, and education only creates wants that the hands have not acquired the skill to provide.”
Madison, Tenn.
Our Work in East Africa
By A. C. ENNS
A. C. ENNS
Our work in East Africa began in the same way that our other foreign mission work was started; but a great change has been wrought. At the present time our work in Africa is inseparably connected with the work for children from the kindergarten age to twenty years. Our children, for instance, in Hamburg and Frankfort-on-the-Main, I found very enthusiastic, working for German East Africa. They are distributing the child's paper, Kleiner Freund, free of charge, and are receiving from the people donations for our field. What they get in this way pays for the Kleiner Freund, and leaves a surplus, which is taken to buy cloth, such as unbleached linen; this the sewing society works up into simple garments, which are sent to us.
Our work in German East Africa consists of laboring mainly for children and youth, as it is really hard to touch the hearts of adults, and still more difficult to reach the old people. By far the largest part of our work is school work. As a result, our converts consist chiefly of youth from twelve to twenty years of age. We thank God to be able to say that we have no idle members—they all work with zeal to win souls.
One boy, who was my language teacher, accepted the Christian religion, and soon after his baptism was put in charge of a school. The building was measured off by us, and erected by the natives of that district. Then the development of the work was turned over to him. When I had an opportunity to visit his school, one year after it was opened, I was astonished to see the work that had been done. Everything looked neat, clean, and orderly, and he had 173 children in school, whom he had organized into three divisions. The first school session was held from eight to ten o'clock in the morning; the second, from ten till noon; and the third in the afternoon. Each session was opened by prayer and the singing of a hymn. Reading, writing, and arithmetic were then taken up, after which he called the roll, and read and expounded a portion of Scripture, asking questions, which were readily answered.
None of us could do better the work that this boy is doing. The most wonderful thing in connection with his success is that he is but twelve years old. The great secret of it all is that he is a Christian to the depths of his heart, and wants to show his gratitude to God for bringing him salvation.
The True Spirit
In common with all other fields, at the time the appropriations for missions were made up, South America was not allowed all that it expected in view of its tremendous need for advance work. It is cheering to see, notwithstanding all this, that the brethren in this needy field purpose to hasten the message to its final triumph. The South American Union Conference Committee, writing to the workers in that field, has this to say:—
“Our financial situation for this year is exceedingly critical. Our estimate was cut $4,200. Considering that the severe drought in Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile, the fields from which our principal local resources come, will seriously affect our receipts, you will appreciate the fact that we face a serious situation. In this matter the General Conference is not to be blamed. To a large extent the responsibility rests upon us, and it behooves us to face the situation like brethren and Christians, and turn this close siege into a glorious victory. We believe that this may be done. This necessity is giving us a lesson in how to walk alone. It is teaching us to rely upon our own resources. It remains for us to show that we are not children, and that we can, if necessary, rustle for ourselves. And it is necessary.”
This kind of campaign talk is of that nature which produces results; and we believe the God of his people Israel will bring to these dear brethren, struggling so nobly, glorious victories to cheer their hearts. Let us not only pray for them, but join hands with them in real sacrifice, that we may have the more to devote to missions.
’Mong Daisies and Clover
By Worthie Harris Holden
WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN
Down where the clover and the daisies grow,
Nuggets of perfume ’mid the summer snow,
Billows of golden grain the mead surround,
Droning of bumblebees the only sound.
Far from the tumult of the city street
Here have I found a quiet, sweet retreat,
Breathing its fragrance as I onward go
Down where the clover and the daisies grow.
These are accounted humble flowers, I ween,
Yet are they noble as the garden queen,
Out in the meadow where they beckon me,
Bidding the fret of grievous trial flee.
Down ’mid the toilers of some sordid care,
Find true heart beauties with a perfume rare,
Treasure unsought, and purpose pure as snow,—
Sweet meadow-blossoms where the daisies grow.
Grief may have furrowed, and the form be bent,
Yet have her sorrows sweetest fragrance lent;
Search for these riches, hidden deep and low,
Down where the clover and the daisies grow.
Portland, Ore.
Tea as a Beverage
By J. J. BELL, M. D.
J. J. BELL, M. D.
THAT tea is in no sense a food, but is more properly classed as a drug, is perhaps not known by all who partake of it so freely. It contains an alkaloid, thein, which must, moreover, be classed as a poison because of its effects on the nervous system; an astringent, tannic acid, which produces a deleterious effect on the organs of digestion; and a volatile oil.
Tea, when taken into the stomach, produces immediately a feeling of exhilaration or imparted strength. That this first action is due to its influence on the nervous system is evident from its rapidity of action. It excites the nerve-endings of the stomach. This excitation is immediately conveyed to the brain, and intoxication to a limited extent is produced. This immediate feeling of vivacity produced can not be due to any food value, because no time has elapsed in which food could be digested. This is further proved from the fact that absorption from the stomach is infinitely small. The action of tea is still continued, as it is gradually absorbed into the blood-vessels from the intestinal tract, and carried to the nerve-centers. There is not a particle of energy imparted to the system by this pseudo-stimulation, but only a false feeling of well-being that stimulates the living machinery to unwonted action, borrowing on the future strength, just as a whip will seem to impart energy to a tired horse.
The secondary effect of tea is manifest in disordered digestion, wakefulness, palpitation of the heart, with irregularity of its action, tremor, headaches, and constipation.
Tannic acid is present in quantities ranging from fifteen to twenty per cent. This retards the digestion of food, and also has an astringent action on the mucous lining of the intestines, thus producing constipation.
Thein, of which tea contains from two to four per cent, when administered to animals in small doses, gives rise to the excitement of the cerebral centers, with partial loss of sensibility, increased activity of the heart, a quickening of the respiration, and a rise of artificial pressure, due to stimulation of the centers of the medulla. In larger doses, flashes of light before the eyes, noise and ringing in the ears, increased activity of the kidneys, muscular tremulousness, rise of temperature, delirium, sleep, rapidity of the pulse-rate, with irregularity of the heart action, are produced. In very large doses the loss of sensibility is complete, and tetanic convulsions and death follow.
It is also probable that the alkaloid of tea has a direct influence in the production of gouty and rheumatic conditions, on account of its close relation to uric acid.
Just as far as tea stimulates the feelings above par, so far will be the reaction below par when this influence is exhausted; and the individual who has become a slave to its use will in all probability seek a stronger stimulant, perhaps in the form of alcoholic drinks.
Cape Town, Africa.
Stretching Things
For Young Folks and Older Folks
“I’m almost dead! It’s as hot as fire, and I’ve been more than a dozen miles after that colt.”
Having relieved himself of this speech, Andrew threw himself full length on the lounge, and wiped the perspiration from his forehead.
“Where did you have to go?” inquired his father.
“I went over to Briggs’s corner and back by the bridge.”
“That is a little less than a mile and a half. And is it so very warm? It seems quite cool here.”
“No, not so dreadful, I suppose; but I ran like lightning, and got heated up.”
“You started about five o’clock, my son, and now it lacks a quarter of six,” said the father, looking at his watch.
“Yes, sir; just three-quarters of an hour,” said the boy, innocently.
“Does it take lightning forty-five minutes to go a mile and a half?”
“I didn’t mean exactly that, father; but I ran all the way, because I expected the whole town would be here this evening to see my new bicycle,” Andrew explained.
“And whom did you expect, Andy? I had no thought that such a crowd would be here. What will you do with them all? Where could you accommodate them?”
“Jim, Eddy, and Tom told me they’d be around after school, and I think it likely Ike will be along, too.”
“Andy, the population of this town is said to be five thousand; and you expect three of them! As you are almost dead, I’m very glad no more are coming. You couldn’t play with them at all.”
“Sick!” cried Andrew, jumping to his feet; “who says I’m sick?”
“Why, you said you were ‘almost dead;’ doesn’t that mean very sick? When we think one nearly dead, we say, ‘He’s a very sick man.’”
“Why are you so very particular about what I say, father? I don’t mean it all exactly as I speak it, of course. I wasn’t nearly dead, to be sure; but I did some tall running, you bet. There were more than fifty dogs after me; and I don’t go much on dogs.”
“Quite a band of them! Where did they all come from?”
“Why, there was Mr. Wheeler’s sheep-dog, Rush’s store-dog, and two or three others, and they made for me; so I ran just as fast as I could.”
“Two and two or three more are not fifty, Andy, nor at all near fifty. Your arithmetic is sadly at fault.”
“Well, there looked to be fifty, anyway,” was the boy’s rather impatient answer. “Carter’s ten-acre lot seemed full of dogs just making for me; and I guess you’d have thought there were fifty if it had been you.”
“Ten acres of dogs would be a great many—some thousands I suppose. Did you ever estimate how many might be shut in a ten-acre tract?”
Andrew did not like to estimate. He had seen ten thousand sheep at rest, and he didn’t think they covered ten acres. He didn’t want to try what an estimate of ten acres of dogs might give in numbers. His father was silent for a few minutes, then he added:—
“My boy, you’ve had a wonderful experience, and I must tell your friends what great things you have done to get the colt back to its pasture. You ran—like lightning! You were followed by ten acres of dogs who ran to attack you—14and this means that there were several thousands of them! You traveled more than a dozen miles to go one and a half, in a straight line. You expected five thousand people here to see your bicycle on your return; and, unhappily, you were nearly dead when you reached home! A memorable experience, most certainly! Be careful that this spirit of exaggeration does not become a fixed habit, and others be led to doubt your veracity.” — Selected.
You and Your Boy
By Christine Terhune Herrick
I HAVE never felt that the best love was won from a child by extreme indulgence; in fact, I hold that the contrary is the rule. Observing the families of my contemporaries and predecessors, it is borne in upon me that the most indulged children have not been the most devoted to their fathers and mothers. On the contrary, having had the happiness to be associated with several households where strict obedience has always been demanded and received, I feel justified in declaring that the families where discipline is observed are those whose children are most affectionate.
Be it noted that strictness does not mean harshness or severity. It does stand for reasonable rules, positively enforced, for commands which must be obeyed, and above all, it should stand for justice.
Were I asked to put in a word the most desirable quality in dealing with boys, or with girls, either, for that matter, I would put justice first. It would not be a synonym for hardness, although this is a meaning often applied to it. It would mean obedience to orders, and penalties when orders were disobeyed; but it would mean also an appreciation of the child's standpoint, an almost agonizing care that he should not be punished without adequate cause, a rigid adherence to a promise of reward as well as of rebuke, an understanding of what led to this or that course of action which from an adult's view-point may seem inexplicable.
There may be well-brought-up children who resent a just punishment,—I have never known them,—but I have found injustice of reproof or of penalty resented with a bitterness which left its mark for years afterward.—Christine Terhune Herrick.
Give Him a Lift
By Joe Cone
I was trudging one day down a dusty
road,
While my back was curved under a bit
of a load,
And the way was long, and my feet were
sore,
And my bones ached under the load I
bore;
But I struggled on in the summer’s heat,
Till I came to a pool where I bathed my
feet.
Then, resting a bit, I shouldered my load,
And wended my way down the dusty
road.
The morning stretched into the after-
noon—
My journey’s end seemed as far as the
moon;
Till at length a horse and a wagon drew
near,
And my heart revived with a spark of
cheer.
But the man saw only his own small soul,
And the narrow way to his narrow goal,
And he whipped his horse to a guilty
trot,
Though the sand was deep, and the day
was hot;
And he passed me by on the dusty road,
And I sank still lower beneath my load.
But out of the dust came another man,
With a grizzled beard and a cheek of tan;
And he pulled up short, and he gaily
cried:
“I say there, comrade, get in and ride!”
And he placed my bundle behind the seat,
And he said, “Climb in here, an’ rest
your feet;
I never pass by a man on the road,
An’ ’speshly, friend, if he’s got a load.”
I reached my journey ere came the night,
And my feet were rested, my heart was
light;
And I blessed the driver who’d gaily
cried:
“I say there, comrade, get in and ride!”
Ah! the world is full of sore-footed men
Who need a slight lift every now and
then;
And the angels can see through the white
cloud rift
All the godlike souls who give them a
lift.
— Joe Cone in Boston Herald.
Dressing the Schoolgirl
By Dinah Sturgis
The dress of our schoolgirls should be especially loose. No woman should ever wear tight dresses; they are uncomfortable, unhealthful, and unlovely; but for schoolgirls, a dress that is loose enough when first made, is often too tight before it is worn out. Allowance should be made in a girl's dress for growth. This means not merely allowance for added height. From a health standpoint it really does not matter whether a sleeve or a skirt is an inch longer or shorter. The important provisions for growth are around the waist and across the bust.
Growing girls should wear neither corsets nor the ordinary corset waists. They should have perfect freedom; and if they are allowed this, their muscles will provide the “support” needed, and correct clothing will provide the required warmth.
To begin at the beginning of dress: the schoolgirl should wear union undergarments, woven of some elastic material. Ready-made woven underwear is so common nowadays, and so cheap in very good qualities, that it is within the means of everybody if everybody did but know it.
Over her union undersuit the schoolgirl should put on her stockings, and these should be supported by elastics that are in turn attached to an underwaist. The extension straps that go over the shoulders are uncomfortable. Over the stockings she should wear a pair of woven “equestrian tights.” These are to take the place of the clumsy, thick underskirt which weighs down the body, and lets the cold attack it at the same time.
For cold weather the union suit should reach to the ankles, to the neck, and to the wrists. The tights should reach down far enough to be held by the tops of the boots when the skirt of the dress is below the boot-tops. When it is not, the tights should reach over the knee, and the legs from the boot-tops to the knees should be protected by warm gaiters, which fasten easily and securely so that they can be taken off upon reaching school, and be put on when leaving. Most children are dressed too warmly indoors, and not warmly enough out-of-doors.
If a petticoat is deemed necessary, it should be of light-weight flannel, of the color of the dress, and should be attached to a shaped hip yoke, which is fastened to the underwaist.
The outer dress may be fashioned after any desired style, neatness, simplicity, and utility being kept in view. If mothers would take a little pains to plan for their girls, dresses that conform to the rules of health, and also look attractive, girls would not rebel against hygienic dress, and throw it aside as soon as they are free to do so. There is as much reason for wishing to look well as there is for wishing to be surrounded by the beautiful in nature and in art. Few people understand that it is possible for healthful dress to be attractive.—Dinah Sturgis.
The Grandeur of Life’s Difficulties
MANY men owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties.— C. H. Spurgeon.
Time Well Spent
“TIME well spent is Satan’s deadliest foe; it leaves no opening for the lurking fiend.”
Centers of Population From 1790 to 1910
1790 — Twenty-three miles east of Baltimore, Md.
1800 — Eighteen miles west of Baltimore, Md.
1810 — Forty miles northwest by west of Washington, D. C.
1820 — Sixteen miles north of Woodstock, Va.
1830 — Nineteen miles west-southwest of Moorefield, in the present State of West Virginia.
1840 — Sixteen miles west of Clarksburg, in the present State of West Virginia.
1850 — Twenty-three miles southeast of Parkersburg, in the present State of West Virginia.
1860 — Twenty miles south of Chillicothe, Ohio.
1870 — Forty-eight miles east by north of Cincinnati, Ohio.
1880 — Eight miles west by south of Cincinnati, Ohio.
1890 — Twenty miles east of Columbus, Ind.
1900 — Six miles southeast of Columbus, Ind.
1910 — Four and one-half miles south of Unionville, Monroe County, Ind.— Selected.
God’s Sabbath Rest
By Mrs. E. M. Peebles
MRS. E. M. PEEBLES
ONCE did Jehovah God,
That mighty Architect of ages past,
(With all eternity behind, before,—
Eternity!—all space for workshop, and
All power to execute and do the work
He planned) hold counsel with his Son,
Immanuel.
As sculptor sees within the marble block
The form that springs beneath the chisel’s touch,
So this fair earth stood forth complete
and good,
Filled with his handiwork, a dwelling-place
For righteousness alone,— stood in the
Mind of God.
He spake, and there was light. He spake
again,
And now the shining orbs spring forth at
his
Command, to wheel through space, prepared at his
Behest to rule the day,— night likewise,
— and
The seasons come and go at their command.
He willed it so.
He brought the mountains forth. Obedient to
His will the hills are clothed. Sweet
flowers, and trees,
And grass appear, and herbs for service of
The creatures he has made. Bright
songsters flit
In leafy bowers proclaiming God is good.
Praise to his name!
Mountain and hills he cleaves with rivers
for
The finny tribes, and flowing streams
are sought
For pure, life-giving waters, free from
taint
Of death. No fever there, no curse to
make
Men dread to go.
Sweet fruits and golden grains are
spread in rich
Abundance; then the crowning work appears.
Man, made in image of his God, shall
take
Possession of this Eden home. Adam
(And Eve, meet consort for him), who
was made
A son of God.
And thus this pair wedded in Eden, came
To celebrate their birth and the birthday
Of earth, first Sabbath sweet, God’s rest,
and his
Best gift to man; for rest was sweet
when spent
In contemplation of his finished work;
And not alone. One wrought with God—the Word.
The Word was God;
All things were made by him. That
Word in flesh
Dwelt with us, resting on his own rest
day,
Example in all things to those who are
A new creation in and through his
blood,—
Immanuel.
And has he changed? “Once have I
sworn, I will
Not alter what my lips have spoken.”
“That
Which I have said should be my law,
shall last
Till time shall be no more.” Then is
God’s rest,
Memorial fitting of a work so vast,
Emblem of spiritual rest.
Georgia Camp-Meeting
By Chas. Thompson
THIS meeting was held August 10-20 in a beautiful grove near Forsyth, a town of about two thousand inhabitants, midway between Atlanta and Macon.
The attendance of our people from various churches and companies in the State was good. Three public preaching services were held daily, and the attendance and interest of those not of our faith were most encouraging. Never in all my experience in tent and camp-meeting work have I seen such perfect order as here.
The laborers present from outside the conference were Elders G. W. Wells and V. O. Cole, Dr. O. C. Godsmark, Prof. H. M. Hiatt, and the writer. The Spirit of God was present from the first. How good it seemed not to have to spend the first nine days in working up a revival spirit. The first Sabbath the whole camp moved forward in response to a call for a deeper consecration, and frequent revival services were held during the meeting. I believe this camp-meeting was the most spiritual of any I ever attended.
The conference work passed off quite harmoniously. Elder C. B. Stephenson was reelected president; Mrs. Callie Clark was elected secretary and treasurer; and Mrs. R. O. Terry was chosen Sabbath-school and Missionary Volunteer secretary.
The conference showed a healthy growth the past year. Fifty believers were added, and two churches were admitted to the conference. The tithe was $6,100, an increase of one thousand dollars over that for last year. The increase in gifts to missions was nine hundred dollars. The per-capita tithe for the year was eighteen dollars, and an average of fifteen cents a week for each member was given for missions. It is needless to say that the brethren heartily endorsed the plan of raising the weekly gifts for missions to fifteen cents a week for each member. The book sales for the year amounted to $4,941, which is quite an increase over those for last year.
During the meeting, as the various needs of the cause at home and abroad were presented, the people responded to the amount of $1,265.50.
In the past this conference has been receiving some appropriations from the General Conference. It expects from now on to carry its financial responsibilities alone, and in addition to this, to turn five per cent of its tithe to the General Conference mission treasurer, and five per cent to the Sustentation Fund.
Thus the Georgia Conference becomes an asset to the general work, and no one feels more encouraged in this than the believers in that conference.
A company was left at Forsyth to follow up and develop the interest created by the camp-meeting. At this writing the prospects are favorable that a company of believers will be brought out.
CHAS. THOMPSON.
The Temperance Conflict in Maine
By George B. Starr
If the readers of the REVIEW could step over into the old pine-tree State just now, and attend a few of the great temperance rallies being held everywhere and at all times of the day,—morning, noon, afternoon, and at night, from automobiles, from church steps, and from the city hall steps, in halls and churches,—they would realize that a great conflict was being waged between the forces of good and evil, between temperance and intemperance. Intensity and strain are seen and felt on all sides. Maine, the long-time honored world leader in temperance, is now the storm-center, and the point of attack from rum and its advocates. The forces of temperance, rank and file, are everywhere rallying to her support. Men and money are being sent in from churches and from temperance and other organizations, and we are glad to be able to report that Seventh-day Adventists are also contributing toward the issue.
Over fifty thousand copies of the Temperance number of the Youth's Instructor are being placed in the homes of the people. The temperance workers appreciate this contribution. The people are pleased with the paper, and are assisting in its circulation. The study of a Congregational minister last Sunday was the scene of a lively workshop. Young men, members of the minister's congregation, were stamping the words, “Vote No,” on the first page of all the papers, while others assisted us in getting them into the homes of the employees of the two great cotton mills, while they were at home and could read. Seven thousand of these people are being influenced by habit and wrong education to vote against prohibition. We hope these papers may turn some votes.
Ministers, physicians, editors, and postmasters are assisting us. The postmaster at Sanford turned his private office over to us for an afternoon, for the four young women to unwrap, stamp, and rewrap papers that were to be used in adjoining towns.
Two respected citizens of Saco offered to take five hundred copies of the Instructor, and with horse and buggy drive through a fine district that we could not reach, faithfully placing the papers16in the homes of the people. At some places we are entertained free, and everywhere we are forming most pleasant acquaintances among the best people.
For a distance of about thirty miles we threw the papers, which were being rolled and tied by Mrs. Starr and Nurse Dunkle, onto the verandas and lawns of fine residences as we dashed by on the fast-traveling electric trolley.
The people of Maine appreciate the gift of two thousand dollars' worth of papers, and the time of workers to carry them to the homes of its citizens.
Just before we left Melrose, the sanitarium family raised over sixty dollars toward this two thousand dollars. Have you had a part in this work? The Review and Herald has taken our people as security for all the papers that Elder and Mrs. Haskell saw were needed for the campaign, and the Atlantic Union Conference is helping in furnishing workers and in meeting traveling expenses. Now is the time to work.
Should we hold our peace at such a time, and prohibition fail to carry by only a few hundred or a few thousand votes, which we by earnest effort could have influenced for the right, then we would be responsible for the failure and for all the sorrow and evil resulting.
G. B. STARR.
The New Mexico Camp-Meeting
By G. B. Thompson
The second annual camp-meeting of the New Mexico Conference was held at Corona. Although the meeting was located near the center of the State, it was not very convenient for the most of our people, owing to railroad connections; so the attendance was not large. But a most excellent spirit was manifested during the meetings, and the rich blessings of God came into our hearts.
New Mexico comprises a large territory, much of which is arid, yet the tithe is over sixteen dollars per capita, and during the past year the conference raised more than the sum of ten cents a week per member for foreign missions. The brethren and sisters gladly voted to raise a sum equal to fifteen cents a week per member the coming year. The conference also approved the plan of giving five per cent of its tithe to missions and a second five per cent to the Sustentation Fund. The tithe showed an increase during the past year. An efficient State agent was elected, and it is expected that during the coming year excellent work will be done in the sale of our books and other publications. There is no reason why books can not be sold in this conference as well as in others.
Elders G. F. Watson, E. E. Farnsworth, W. W. Eastman, T. M. French, G. W. Caviness, and the writer, from outside the conference, attended the meeting.
Now that New Mexico is admitted as a State, there will doubtless be increased activity in all lines of business, and immigration will increase. By earnest labor and consecration to God, the work in this conference can be made self-supporting in a few years.
Elder H. L. Hoover was reelected president. A few changes were made in other offices. The last Sabbath of the meeting, Brother R. L. Benton was ordained to the sacred work of the gospel ministry. The blessing of God was present on this occasion in a marked manner.
I was glad to visit this conference, and to meet the faithful believers here. They are an earnest people, and we trust the Lord will greatly prosper his work in this conference the coming year.
G. B. Thompson.
Help for the Home
By W. E. Howell
IN my correspondence during the past two years, requests have repeatedly come from parents for assistance in the teaching of their little ones at home. In many cases help is wanted for little ones who are of too tender years to see the inside of a schoolroom. In other cases the children are of suitable age to send to school, but no Christian school is accessible. In still other cases circumstances in the home are such that the grown boy or girl is obliged to remain away from school.
It is deeply to be regretted that in our educational zeal for forty years, especially during the last ten or twenty, more attention has not been given to what might be called the home-school, or, more properly perhaps, education in the home. In the development of our educational system, we seem to have worked from the top downward—from the college to the church-school. When the first official action to provide elementary schools for our children was taken, about twelve years ago, we thought the bottom of the educational ladder had been reached.
As a matter of fact, however, the foot of this ladder does not rest in the primary school, but in the home. In making the extension to this natural base, we again started at the top. The correspondence school was established to extend educational facilities from the neighborhood, where the church-school had brought them, into the home itself. But the work of this school is suitable for only the more mature members of the family. It is plain, therefore, that one more extension needs to be made before the real, the natural, the original Heaven-laid foundation of education is reached—suitable provision for the teaching of the little ones at home.
But is not this the work and responsibility of parents?—Most certainly it is. There is where God placed it. We would not, if we could, have it otherwise. We would not interfere with this work nor trespass upon this sacred right and responsibility of parents. But if I can interpret correctly the pleas that keep coming in from parents, there are many who want help in the exercise of this right, in the faithful, effective discharge of the responsibility that parenthood imposes. This help ought to be given. Parents have a right to expect it from those who make teaching a business.
Not all parents are natural teachers. Frequently the responsibilities of parenthood are assumed without an adequate understanding of what they imply. Again and again we see young men and women, sometimes scarcely more than boys and girls themselves, unite in marriage before they have carried their education beyond the eighth grade. More often than otherwise, their education stops with marriage, and in a few years fades away into haziness. Others who may have a better education, marry young with little visible means of support, depending merely upon what one or both may be able to earn from day to day. Daily cares incident to parenthood draw heavily upon their time and strength, and the proper teaching of their children is neglected. Time and means of keeping pace with the educational needs of the children, and of cultivating ability to teach them, seem wanting in many cases.
Yet the parent is the natural teacher of the child, and should be its only teacher up to eight or ten years of age (see “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. III, page 137). What, then, can be done to help in this important work? By giving parents proper assistance and encouragement, I believe that much can be done, and that much ought to be done, by our educators for those who are struggling with adverse conditions in the proper rearing of their little ones.
There is an evident awakening to the importance of home education, in some parts of the field. For the past two years the educational superintendent of one conference has been at work on this problem, with encouraging results. A “Mothers’ Home School Band” was organized, each mother who wished to follow the outline of work provided, registering her name with the superintendent. Weekly report blanks were supplied, and more than a year ago one quarter’s work showed from 400 to 500 lessons each given in Bible, reading, busy work, writing, and music. During 1910, twenty-three17mothers belonged to the band, and a summary of the weekly reports showed about 2,000 lessons given in each subject. This work was done, of course, for children old enough to begin book study.
The past winter, in another conference, a home-school convention was held, with two sessions a day for eight days. Regular normal class work for parents was given daily, and many excellent papers were read. The results were most gratifying to those who attended.
During my six weeks’ work in the field this summer, I found many educational superintendents and teachers deeply interested in the home-school phase of our educational work. At least two union conference educational conventions passed resolutions pertaining to this matter, and requested the educational journal to strengthen its Home-School department. We are glad to say that this is being done. We want to bid parents who are feeling the need of help in the teaching of their children at home, to be of good courage. Write to your educational superintendent and to our teachers and educators, and they will gladly help you all they can.
W. E. HOWELL.
West Pennsylvania Camp-Meeting
By B. G. Wilkinson
THE annual session of the West Pennsylvania Conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Ford City, August 10-20. From the first, there was an encouraging interest manifested by those not of our faith, and the attendance was good. The attendance of our brethren was somewhat larger than at the camp-meeting of the year previous. A lively participation in the business affairs of the conference was especially noticeable, as well as the deep spiritual tone of the meetings.
The conference voted, amid spirited debates, upon the following points: finishing the $300,000 Fund in 1911; raising the per capita of foreign mission funds from ten cents a week to fifteen cents a week; finishing the “Ministry of Healing” campaign. Resolutions were also passed on the educational, the canvassing, and the periodical work. A special call for funds was made toward finishing the $300,000 Fund.
Elder B. F. Kneeland, of the New Jersey Conference, was called to the presidency of the West Pennsylvania Conference, and was present the latter part of the meeting. Slight changes were made in the other officers of the conference, as well as in the executive committee.
Revival services were held not only on both the Sabbaths of the meeting, but also on two nights of the week. The Lord did not leave his servants powerless, but came in by his Holy Spirit. Many hearts were turned to God, and deep impressions were made on those not of our faith. The laborers present from the General Conference were Elders O. A. Olsen and K. C. Russell. Brother I. A. Ford, of the Review and Herald, assisted especially in matters pertaining to the publishing work. From the Columbia Union Conference, Elders O. F. Butcher, I. G. Bigelow, and J. E. Shultz, Brother E. R. Numbers, and the writer were present.