TOKYO.—The work in Kobe continues to prosper. When I arrived there week before last, they had a full house, and the patronage continues good. During our stay we had some very interesting experiences. Dr. Dunscombe arranged to have a daily class in Bible study for the Japanese helpers employed, and Brother Noma will give the instruction. Several of the helpers are becoming quite interested. One woman servant, who is a professed Christian, and has been at the sanitarium for some time, says that she thinks the seventh day is the right day to keep. She was ill recently, and is very grateful for what the doctor did for her at that time. A young man employed shows much interest in the study of the Bible, and seems really in earnest.
We had a very interesting experience with several patients, all medical missionaries from southern China. They were on their way to spend the summer at Karuizawa, and stopped a few days at Kobe, at a hotel. Hearing of the sanitarium, they came and stayed a week or more. Dr. Dunscombe invited them to the Bible reading he has been holding mid-weekly. I was invited to give a reading on the millennium. These patients expressed interest in the explanations given, and made no objection, although Dr. — said the views advanced were new to him. On Sabbath he and Miss — attended Sabbath-school and meeting. Dr. — remained, and took part in the ordinance of feet washing. I took occasion to explain somewhat in detail the meaning of this ordinance, and afterward the doctor expressed himself as quite satisfied that it should be observed. His wife claims to be in harmony with us on most points, but not on the Sabbath question. On Sunday I held another Bible reading, at which all three of these patients were present. In the time we had, I gave them all I could on the subject of the sanctuary, showing the relation of this subject to the plan of salvation, to the Sabbath and law, to a future probation, etc. They seemed as much interested as before, and made no objections, although some intelligent questions were asked. This experience is something quite without precedent in our work with missionaries here in Japan, and was a great encouragement to us all.
SCENE NEAR TOKYO, JAPAN
Brother Kuniya is at present out in the country near his old home, and reports some about ready for baptism. Of late he has received some encouraging letters from persons who have written for literature, especially on the subject of the prophecies. One young man from Fukuoka has about decided to obey.
The work of distributing our papers still continues at Maebashi, and now we are planning to start the same plan of work at Fukushima, another large place, where Brother Okohira and I were in May. So the work progresses. We are doing our own printing now, and are getting on well with this part of the work. We have just gotten out another new tract, and have others in view. This extra printing we still have done at Yokohama, although we are able to do some work besides that on the paper and the Sabbath-school lessons.
The workers in Korea write rather regularly, and seem to be of good courage. The work there is advancing, according to their reports. Brother Smith says that they have been able to get the deed of some land there at Sunan, from the government, with no expense except for travel to Seoul in connection with the necessary papers. It was government land, and was obtained under some law by which government land might be granted for educational purposes.
F. W. FIELD
K. C. RUSSELL
By K. C. Russell
Arkansas
THIS camp-meeting was held at Siloam Springs, Ark., July 18-28. The camp was located in a beautiful grove in the edge of the town. There are some excellent springs of water here, from which the town derives its name, and because of which it has become something of a summer resort.
The attendance of our people at this meeting was larger than at any similar meeting ever held in this State. Not many outsiders were present, but there was a fair attendance at the evening services.
From the beginning, the meeting was a very spiritual one. A revival service was conducted on the first Sabbath of the meeting, and it was remarked that it seemed more like the second Sabbath of a camp-meeting than the first because of the signal manifestations of God's power experienced by many. The spirituality of the meeting was maintained until its close. The climax was reached the last Sabbath when a goodly number of precious souls were converted to God, and many who had been backslidden were reclaimed. Forty-seven candidates were buried with their Lord in baptism on the last day of the meeting.
The business of the conference was characterized with the greatest degree of harmony, so much so that it was a matter of favorable comment by some in attendance. The Lord has blessed the labors of the ministers during the past year in adding to the membership of the conference. The tithe has increased nearly a thousand dollars during the past year.
The canvassing work, under the direction of C. J. Dart, constitutes a very encouraging feature of the work in the conference. Elder V. B. Watts was unanimously elected president of this conference for the coming year, and Mrs. R. D. Musselman was elected secretary. Elder M. H. Gregory was elected religious liberty secretary of this conference. Brother J. S. Rouse was duly ordained to the gospel ministry.
In addition to the regular laborers of the conference, there were in attendance Elder R. C. Porter, president of the Southwestern Union Conference; Elder W. W. Eastman, missionary agent for the Southwestern Union; Prof. C. Sorenson20of Keene Academy; and the writer. We believe that the outlook for the success of this conference during the coming year is a very hopeful one.
K. C. RUSSELL
Pennsylvania
By W. F. Schwartz
ALTOONA.—A well-attended quarterly meeting was held in the Altoona Seventh-day Adventist church July 7. A number were present from Duncansville and Spring Meadow. The ordinances were celebrated, and one good feature of this meeting was that six persons were taken into the church. All seemed to rejoice to see how soon the message is to triumph, and freely expressed their hope of triumphing with it.
LOCK HAVEN.—July 14 we began meetings in the gospel tent at this place. The evening was pleasant, and the tent was filled; from that time on, we have had a good attendance, and a deep interest has been manifested to hear the truths for this time.
This is not a new field; it had been worked thoroughly by Elders K. C. Russell and J. S. Shrock, and others have labored with the company that these brethren had raised up. A well-attended camp-meeting was held, so it can be said that the seeds of truth have been sown. Since that time, a great deal of prejudice has arisen; but we hope that now in the watering of the seed, God will add such as are to be saved. We trust that the readers of the REVIEW will aid us by their prayers that souls may be led to obey the truth. W. F. SCHWARTZ.
Field Notes
THREE more of the hearers at Milo, Maine, have decided to obey God and keep all his commandments.
AT Natchez, Miss., July 13, five persons were baptized by Brother Page Shepherd, who is having a good interest in his labors at that place.
A DEACON of the Baptist Church, with his wife and five children and two other adults, have accepted the truth at Bloomfield, Conn., under Brother W. R. Andrews' labors.
THE tent company of five, which includes Brother O. O. Bernstein, located in West Philadelphia, Pa., are rejoicing that sixteen adults have accepted the Sabbath truth during the two months of their meetings; and the prospect is favorable for as many more.
BROTHER H. C. BASNEY reports the baptism of twelve persons as the result of meetings held at Hanford, Cal. He is now conducting meetings at Dinuba.
BROTHER F. W. STRAY reports three persons to have taken their stand for the Sabbath truth the second Sabbath of the meetings he is holding in Ayer, Mass.
FROM Byesville, Ohio, Brethren L. Sterling and Walter C. Moffett report a Sabbath-school of fifteen members, with four keeping the Sabbath, as the result of meetings recently held there.
BROTHER C. M. CLARK, who is in the midst of presenting the Sabbath truth in the meetings at Chamberlain, S. D., reports that some have already decided to obey, and a great interest is manifested by the people of the city.
ALTHOUGH in the midst of presenting the Sabbath question, already five persons have begun the observance of the Sabbath of the Lord at New London, Conn., where Brother W. A. Westworth has been conducting services in a tent since camp-meeting.
SIX persons are keeping the Sabbath at Sparta, Wis., as the result of meetings held there by Brethren S. Swinson and Post. There has been some opposition, but two daily papers have opened their columns for presentation of different points of present truth.
AN evangelist of the M. E. Church has taken his stand for the Sabbath as a result of the work done by the church at Coudersport, Pa., in circulating Liberty and other literature. The special opportunity for work was afforded by the pastors of the various churches of the place entering into a Sunday-closing crusade.
BRETHREN I. M. Martin and Robert A. Beckner closed the first series of tent-meetings at Jersey Shore, Pa., August 11, and moved to another location about one and one-fourth miles distant, where they have a good interest. Twenty-one are keeping the Sabbath and walking in the light as far as they understand it; and they hope for still further results, as the interested ones come to the new location.
Current Mention
— Several sharp earthquake shocks have recently been felt in the Danish West Indies.
— Nine cases of bubonic plague have been discovered in San Francisco, seven of which have resulted fatally.
— The empress dowager of China has announced her intention of resigning her power into the hands of the emperor at the Chinese new year.
— During a strike of the railroad employees at Boulder, Colo., August 10, the freight depot was fired by one of the strikers. The fire spread to a car containing a ton of dynamite. The explosion which followed killed five persons. Property loss, $500,000.
— The International Socialist Conference convened at Stuttgart, August 18. There were in attendance 884 delegates representing twenty-five different nationalities.
— Fifteen persons were killed and fifty injured in a head-on collision of an interurban trolley express with a local car near Charleston, Ill., August 30. A confusion of orders is said to have been the cause.
— An action has been begun in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia to enjoin Samuel Gompers, John Mitchell, and other officers of the American Federation of Labor and several of its subsidiary organizations from using the boycott and so-called “unfair list.”
— A new cotton worm has been discovered in three different counties of Arkansas. The insect bores its way into the cotton stalk just above the ground, and eats its way to the top through the pith, killing the plant. It is said that one third of the crop has been killed in some places.
— Delegates from various manufacturing and employers’ associations met in New York, August 19, and discussed the proposal to form a national federation, which shall have for its purpose the furtherance of peace in the industrial world by combining the efforts of all the employing interests.
— During the year 1906 there died from plague in India 59,619. One thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven persons were inoculated, and only one death among them is reported. Evidently, however, the people do not look with favor upon this procedure, for of those inoculated 1,146 were inmates of a jail.
— At the State Department at Washington favorable replies have been received from each of the Central American republics to the proposal of President Roosevelt, who acted in concurrence with President Diaz of Mexico, that representatives of the five republics hold a conference with the view of reaching an agreement upon a plan for permanent peace.
— The Hague Conference has disposed of the question of limitation of armament by passing a resolution introduced by the first delegate of Great Britain; namely, “This conference confirms the resolution adopted by the conference of 1899 regarding the limitation of military burdens; and as military burdens have been considerably augmented in almost all countries since 1899, it declares it highly desirable to see the governments earnestly resume the study of this question.”
— The brother of the sultan of Morocco has been proclaimed sultan at Marakesh, the southern capital. The same authorities have condemned the present sultan as a traitor to his country and his religion, and declared him deposed. He is held a prisoner in Fez by another brother who is a member of the newly appointed cabinet. The new sultan is expected to march to Casablanca, and the natives believe that he is coming to try to get an official mandate from the French government to restore order, thereby establishing himself on a firm basis.
JAMES BELLINGER
By JAMES BELLINGER.
Mississippi
AMORY.—Soon after our State conference at Vicksburg, Miss., I went to Madison, Tenn., where I spent two months in school. I was thankful for this privilege, and for the blessings received while there. At this school I found about twenty-five bright, intelligent young people, all of whom seemed to be working hard to get the preparation needed for effective work, either in the Southern fields of America or across the waters. All seemed to be filled with the spirit of labor for the Master, and anxious to get out as soon as possible to help finish the work.
God is blessing our work here in Mississippi. As far as I know, all are of good courage, and desire to press forward. At present I am engaged with my father, M. T. Bellinger, and O. H. Tompkins in the establishment of our industrial school. We have sixty acres about one mile from Amory, Miss. We began right in the timber, on a piece of wild land, so there is plenty to do. At first we lived in a tent. We now have one good building, and expect to build more during the summer. We plan to have our school begin by Oct. 1, 1907.
The Lord has been with us, and has blessed our effort in many ways. We desire the prayers of God's people that this school may be a success and prove a blessing to the cause of God in this dark and needy field.
Like the beginning of all other institutions, it takes time, money, and hard work. Any one feeling impressed to give to this branch of the work, in this part of the field, may be sure it will be gladly received. Donations may be sent to the treasurer, O. H. Tompkins, Amory, Miss.
We hope to see much good done in this field this summer. Everything shows that the Lord is soon coming, and what we do must be done now. The Lord has entrusted to his people the privilege of finishing his work. What a privilege! What a responsibility!
JAMES BELLINGER
The Washington Sanitarium
By D. H. Kress
The Washington Sanitarium has now been open for not quite two months. During the first five weeks the bath-rooms were still in an unfinished state, and could not be occupied. Work was going on inside and outside of the building, which necessitated more or less noise and confusion. But in spite of these and other apparent obstacles, we have had a very good patronage from the beginning. At present, August 7, we have twenty-one patients and a few guests. With this number we are able to more than meet our actual expense. The indications, judging from the number of letters from prospective patients, are that we shall continue to have a good patronage. All this is most encouraging. I expected that at least during the first six months, we should run behind some. We feel thankful to God for this prosperity, and trust that our brethren throughout the field may never have any cause either here or hereafter to regret the investment made in erecting and equipping the Washington Sanitarium.
The following letter received from Dr. W. A. George, Chairman of the Medical Missionary Council, expressing the feelings of our medical brethren who were present at our recent medical missionary meeting held at Takoma Park, may be of interest to the readers of the REVIEW:—
“COLLEGE VIEW, NEB., June 30, 1907.
“DEAR FELLOW WORKERS: It was my privilege to be present at the dedication of the new Washington Seventh-day Adventist Sanitarium, located on a beautiful spot in the outskirts of Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. One could hardly imagine a more secluded spot, and yet so near to the great center of our nation. It will surely be a place where many men and women of influence will go for rest of body and mind, as well as for healing. Everything is quiet, with the exception of the constant murmur of the beautiful Sligo just in front, which reminds one of the never ending but always changing tones of the surf on the ocean beach.
“At first sight one might think that the building was too elaborate, with its massive porches and steps made of solid masonry and its wide halls, but a little further inspection of the building as a whole will lead any one who is familiar with sanitarium work, and at the same time considers the location and the class of patients who may be expected to patronize this institution, to change his mind. Washington is a southern city, and the style of the building is in keeping with the location. It is in a rather warm climate, where wide halls and verandas are imperative. The porches, while large and massive, are made of plain concrete, which is durable, and not very expensive compared with the fine appearance which it lends to the structure. The bath-rooms are finished with material which will last, and will not call for constant repairs—the thing which eats up so much of the earnings in most of our sanitariums which are built in a cheaper way. Then again these bath-rooms will always be nice and presentable for any class of patients, while the cheaper ones are never so.”
“The building is not large, and will not accommodate more than sixty patients without overcrowding. The patients’ rooms are not large. In fact, many of them are smaller than the average hotel room. They are neatly, but not expensively furnished. In fact, the impression becomes more and more fixed in one’s mind as he looks through the institution that while everything has been done that could be done with the money invested to make the institution homelike and cheerful, some parts might have been made even larger without any extravagance in the use of means. What I have said about the Sanitarium I believe can as truthfully be said about all the buildings which our people have erected at Takoma Park. While they are well constructed, and our brethren do not need to be ashamed to have the influential men of the nation inspect them, yet there is no attempt to make a display.
“I believe in these statements I voice the unanimous feeling of the representatives of our various sanitariums who were present at the meeting of the Medical Missionary Council held just before the dedication of the Sanitarium. This council passed a resolution pledging their approval of this new sister institution, and their support to the ones in charge of this good work.
“I must mention a little incident that occurred the morning after the dedication. As I was looking around the basement of the building, I stumbled into a group of workmen, who were gathered for worship before beginning the work of the day, for there was much more work to do to finish some parts of the building. They sang, and read from the Bible, and had prayer. It happened that this was a farewell meeting for some of them, and as the one in charge of the work talked of the experiences they had had together, the tears fell thick and fast from the eyes of a number of those strong men. I could but think how much more faithful must have been the work of those praying men, and how much better the work done, and how much more money saved to the cause, than if it had been done by men of the world.
“Let us uphold by our prayers, our influence, and our means,—yes, and by some of our best young men and women sent there as helpers,—those who are carrying the heavy burdens at the heart of our nation.
“Yours in the work,
“W. A. GEORGE, M. D.
Elder F. M. Wilcox, manager of the Boulder Sanitarium, has written as follows:—
“I have watched with deep interest the progress of our work during the last three or four years, particularly in the changes which have resulted from the removal of the headquarters of our denominational work from Battle Creek, Mich., to Washington, D. C.
“I have felt from the beginning, in view of what the Lord has revealed to our church through the spirit of prophecy, that this change was in his direct providence.
“It has been my privilege during the last three years to visit on two different occasions the work that has been established at the capital of the nation: first, at the time of our last General Conference, and second, during the recent medical convention.
“On the first visit I was very much gratified to see the excellent beginning which had been made in so short a time in the erection of three school buildings for the work. It seemed to me as I saw the plain but durable and convenient school buildings, that the Lord had guided our brethren; and this impression was still further deepened at the time of my recent visit, on the occasion of the dedication of the Sanitarium. The Review and Herald building and the General Conference offices in Takoma Park show, in my judgment, a wise expenditure of means. They are erected with a view to economy and convenience. I was particularly pleased with the sanitarium building. Having myself spent the best ten years of my life in sanitarium work, I naturally felt a deeper interest in this enterprise than in the school or the publishing house. I had heard a rumor before visiting Washington the last time that money had been extravagantly spent; but I am conscientious in saying that I looked in vain for any evidence of such extravagance. I do not know how our Washington brethren could have done better or more faithful work, or served the cause of truth more loyally, in the expenditure of the means which have been entrusted to their hands.
“The sanitarium building is a solid, substantial structure. Situated on the crest of a hill, on the banks of the Sligo, with its broad porches and verandas supported by massive pillars of solid cement, the building presents a very imposing appearance, and is calculated to give dignity and character to our work. But while substantially built, the building, as far as I can see, is without useless ornamentation. It is simply and modestly furnished. I am sure that not one of our brethren could visit this building and feel that anything less commodious would answer the demands and purposes of our work at the national capital. And I am pleased that I can earnestly and understandingly deny any wild rumor that money has been lavishly expended.
“I feel that God has directed the work in Washington, and that he has directed our brethren who have led out in these important enterprises; and I bespeak for them the earnest prayers and hearty co-operation of all our brethren and sisters. Great opportunities are afforded them, but these great opportunities are associated with great responsibilities and great dangers. Let us pray that God may enable them to avoid the dangers, to meet wisely and bravely the responsibilities, and to improve faithfully the opportunities presented to them, so that these institutions, as the spirit of prophecy has said, shall be the means in the hands of God of bringing the truth for these last days before many who occupy high positions.”
We are of excellent courage in the good work. D. H. KRESS.
Medical Missionary Department
Conducted by the Medical Department of the General Conference
W. A. GEORGE, M. D., - - - - Chairman
W. A. RUBLE, M. D., - - - - Secretary
The True Physician
“THE true physician is an educator. He recognizes his responsibility, not only to the sick who are under his direct care, but also to the community in which he lives. He stands as a guardian of both physical and moral health.”
The New School Year
By F. G.
WITH this educational number of the REVIEW comes the opening of several hundreds of our schools. The vacation is past, and the school year is before us. This vacation has been a good one for our young people. During it hundreds have earned the means by which to attend another year's school. We have been greatly pleased to see so many of our young people take up the sale of our books as a means of earning their schooling. The education they have gained from the canvassing work is almost as valuable as the next year's school will be to them; besides, they have brought the knowledge of present truth to perishing souls. The success which has attended our young people in general, all over the country, in the earning of scholarships has been such as should cause our schools to lay even broader plans for this work in the future.
During this summer vacation our young people have also been organized as never before for service in the cause of truth. A new school has been opened, which provides them with an education designed especially for foreign missionary service. Truly this has been a good vacation period.
But now the period of study is before us. Its success depends upon the co-operation of teachers and students and parents. Mutual co-operation — working together — how much this means! Patience is one of the crowning graces of God's people for this time, and in our schools it should be taught both by precept and by example. This will lead to thoroughness in work, for one of the basic principles of thoroughness is patience.
This new year is fraught with great possibilities. The work of God is finishing in the earth. It is now taking on a new energy. Our schools must keep pace with this forward movement. Now as never before must the real missionary spirit pervade every grade and phase of our work.
Our pupils must have given them a most thorough knowledge of the faith which has called our denomination into existence. They must be taught to give a reason of the hope that is within them. “Precept upon precept; line upon line,” must be given faithfully and earnestly.
During this year we must reach a higher standard of scholarship than ever before. While we in no sense compete with the public schools, yet in no way must our standard of work and scholarship be below that maintained by the managers of these schools. There is always a danger confronting us of growing careless in this matter of lowering the grade of work to be done.
Nor should we neglect the physical training and health of our pupils. Our schools have an advance to make in this respect. Our teachers should carefully see to the eyesight and hearing of every pupil. There are simple tests which can easily determine whether the pupil is normal in those respects. Nearly all children can be benefited by simple exercises. There may be simple physical culture drills which will be of especial benefit to every pupil. Many are not properly nourished by suitable food, and in various ways can the conscientious teacher help in this respect. Good food, pure air, and plenty of proper exercise are necessary for every child's proper development. Our schools must stand higher in all respects, and if all unite to secure it, there will be a great advance this coming year. F. G.
A Lesson from the Heathen
By F. G.
It is the Spartan parents who teach us the lesson. To them their city and their nation were dearer than their lives and the lives of their children. From its birth, each mother gave her child as a free-will offering to the support and upbuilding of the nation. At seven years of age the boy was taken from his home and brought up in the care of public teachers. He was subjected to severe hardships. Only plain food and coarse clothing were given him. Much of his food he had to get himself.
A mother's and a father's love for their children was the same in ancient Sparta as in our own times. Yet they gladly gave their sons to this life of hardship and severe toil. The Spartan mother wept tears of joy when her sons were brought home to her dead from the battle. She was glad to have been the mother of heroic sons. The sacrifice which she made was a joyous one. She loved her country. Nor was this careful training for the service of the country confined to the sons alone; the daughters were subjected to careful training also, that they might do well their part.
These Spartan parents denied themselves the pleasure of having their children with them, that they might have a secure and stable government. Their government was of a perishing nature, yet they loved to sacrifice for it.
God calls on his people to sacrifice. He set us an example of true sacrifice in giving his only Son for the salvation of mankind. Why are we so slow to heed the call which he makes to us in asking us to give our children to him for his service—a service of love? Truly the Spartan parent had a better conception of sacrifice than have very many of God's professed people. Their hearts were so aflame with a love for their country that they were willing to give their children to its service. So strong was this affection that they even joyed in the death of their children when in defense of their nation.
This is a time of year when parents are called on to send their children from them. Altogether too many will feel that they can not make the necessary sacrifice. Many plausible reasons will hastily present themselves as to why these children should not go. There is work which they can do; there is a scarcity of means with which to support the child in school; and in some instances where neither of these nor any other plausible excuse presents itself, the simple fact that the parents can not bear the thought of the separation will keep many from sending their children away to school. As a consequence of these excuses, the child remains at home, and is lost to the cause of truth. True, he may live a respectable and valuable life in his community. Yet this is not for what God has given us our children. He claims every child, and we should bend every effort to so educate and train them that they may do a large work for him. Will not all our parents follow the example of our Heavenly Father in giving their children to a perishing world? Shall we not train them continually to have a love for missionary work?23Shall we not hold ever before them the great needs of dying humanity? Surely, the heathen Spartan parents ought not to put us to shame. Surely, we should have as true a love for an eternal kingdom as had they for a temporal one. We should joy to give our children and our means for the advancement of God's cause in the earth. If all who can and should, would send their children to our schools to receive a fitting for Christian warfare, there would need to be a great increase in our schools. May God give to us his spirit of sacrifice.
F. G.
Prayer the Teacher's Aid
By F. G.
MARTIN LUTHER held prayer to be the better part of study. And so it is. But prayer is also the better part of teaching. It is a part too often neglected by our teachers. God can do more by far by the operation of his Holy Spirit than can we by all our greatest efforts. Why not then avail ourselves of his proffered help? Secret prayer—talking alone with God concerning our needs and the needs of our pupils—how valuable it is! Before we can properly teach, we must be taught, and taught daily by the Great Teacher, “Christ is daily in our school-rooms” to help, but we too often grieve him by our lack of preparation for our work, our lack of patience with the dull and erring, our lack of conscientious work.
‘Now the necessity of prayer as the greatest aid in our work must be felt by us as teachers. Wherever two or more teachers are associated, there ought to be a daily prayer season. When it can be arranged, it will be found to be of great help to have a few minutes of prayer each morning before the chapel exercises. The united prayer of the teachers for the blessing of Heaven to rest upon the one who is to lead in the chapel exercises and upon the students, is certain to bear good results. These daily, united prayers for the unconverted are able to move the arm of an all-powerful God. God always answers such prayers. He sends his Holy Spirit and the angels direct from his presence to bless the reading of his Word and the prayer to the good of the unconverted ones. He does all that a loving Heavenly Father can do, and yet reserve to the student his individual right of choice. He always is moved by the earnest prayer of his children.
If it is necessary and valuable to have daily prayer before the chapel exercises, it is doubly so before the social meeting. At the chapel exercises and the social meetings there is given a special opportunity for God's Spirit to work upon the hearts of the students. Every social meeting should be of great value to the school, and for this to be so, the Lord should be sought most earnestly. At the prayer service before the social meeting the interests of individual students may be considered, and united and intelligent prayer may be offered for them. There is far more danger of our spending too little rather than too much time in seeking God. It may often happen that if we spend more time in prayer for our students, we shall spend less time in considering disciplinary matters. Teachers must take time to be holy. We have a most solemn work committed to us. Often parents who have taken too much time in being worldly send their children to us for help, and we must be prepared to help them. If we could only realize that the tools for our work are not carnal, but spiritual, we would spend more time in getting spiritual life.
It may be safe to say that the measure of prayerfulness on the part of teachers this coming year will be the measure of the success of the work of each teacher. F. G.
The Hope of Israel's Triumph
By C. S. Longacre
THE hope of Israel's triumph to-day lies largely in our boys and girls who are to furnish the brain and muscle and consecration to turn the wheels of aggressive warfare in the battle of truth. If the Lord can have the young men for war and the old men as counselors, his cause will be safe. In the final conflict he is calling, as he did in the opening of the conflict, for the young men because they are strong.
How cheering it is to see so many of our youth obeying the call of the Master and flocking into our schools with the sole purpose of preparing themselves to carry this message to the front! The clarion call is still sounding in our ears for more warriors to come to the front and join those already in the field and help press the battle to the very gates.
Why can not the Lord have all our youth? What a powerful army of workers the Lord would have in his cause to-day if all the youth had been saved and consecrated to the service of the cause since this message began. It is estimated that in past years more than sixty per cent of our youth were lost to this message. What a waste of talents, and what a loss of souls, that might have been saved and utilized, but for some one's neglect and lack of interest in our youth! I am glad to see the scene shifting, and our youth coming to the front everywhere.
But still there is room for improvement. The devil and the world are getting many of our young men and women who should be preparing to enter the service of the Master. The enemy is blinding many of our promising young people by his worldly allurements, by his flattering offers and appeals to their natural desires or earthly aspirations, and many are not aware of the fact that all this in the end will prove to be only a gaudy, bubble of vanity. Many will wake up when it is too late—too late to overtake the golden opportunities of youth.
Young men and young women, you who know this truth, O, how can I bring you to see the great possibilities that lie at your feet? Your opportunity of future usefulness lies within yourself, and our schools are the ordained sculptors that can chisel a living statue of beauty and expressive character out of you that otherwise would remain forever veiled and dormant as the adamant stones of the quarry.
O that the parents of our youth might be awake to their responsibilities! “O, what a sad mistake I made,” said a father to me not long ago, “in the training of my children!” He went on and told me how he desired his children to be something—good, honest, upright citizens. He sent them to the schools of the world, and his four sons are good, honest citizens of the State. One is a doctor, one an undertaker, another the city postmaster, and another a holiness preacher. Not one is in the truth, nor cares for his father's religion. He himself is a wealthy farmer and highly respected in his neighborhood. “I made a sad mistake when I did not send my boys to our own schools and prepare them to help spread the third angel's message,” were the parting words of this father when I saw him a few days ago. Who will refuse to profit by this father's sad mistake?
The public schools are all right in their place, but they are not intended to preserve our youth and train them for the work of the third angel's message. A blacksmith shop is all right in its place, but it would be a poor place to send your son to be a carpenter. If we want our children preserved to this cause, we must use good judgment, and send them where the Lord can preserve them and prepare them for his work.
