In this mission we continue to receive the Lord's blessing and to see his workings. Last Sabbath we had the pleasure of baptizing an aged sister. Several others had expected to be baptized on this occasion, but circumstances prevented. We expect to baptize them soon, however, and also some others who have recently begun the observance of the Sabbath.
LOADING COFFEE ON A TRANS-ATLANTIC STEAMER IN SANTOS
A short time ago we received letters from the interior of the province of Bahia, inquiring about the truth. The letters indicated that these persons had been warned against us; but this apparently made them only the more anxious to know the truth. Since returning from Sao Paulo, I have received a letter from Alagoas, the second province north of Bahia. This province has never been visited by a Seventh-day Adventist missionary, yet there are now some there keeping the Sabbath and awaiting further instruction and baptism. So, while we have not yet a minister in Bahia, already a province farther north opens its doors, and invites us to enter. But we are glad to have it so. It shows us that this message is going, and even where we do not think it, or know of it, the Lord is working. We expect, however, that Elder Ernest Schwantes will soon come to Bahia, and Brother H. S. Prener to Rio; and so we are encouraged, knowing that the work is the Lord's, and that as it is more thoroughly established, we shall get more native helpers.
Soon I hope to take a trip to these northern provinces. May the Lord call many more; and, even though at present the laborers are few, may he continue to open new doors to us, that the message which is to prepare the way for the Lord's second coming may soon be known in all Brazil and in all the world; for then the Lord's people will enter into the joy of their Lord.
F. W. SPIES.
The Central New England Conference
By K. C. RUSSELL
THE annual session of the Central New England Conference was held in the church at South Lancaster, Mass., October 8-11. There was an excellent attendance from all parts of the conference; besides the members of the conference, Elder E. R. Palmer and wife, R. J. Bryant, F. M. Dana, general missionary agent of the Atlantic Union Conference, and Elder E. W. Farnsworth, president of the Atlantic Union Conference, were present to share in the privileges and blessings of the meeting.
Elder E. R. Palmer gave some interesting and instructive addresses on the growth of the publishing work among Seventh-day Adventists. This alone is sufficient to convince the most incredulous that the third angel's message is rapidly reaching the time when it will triumph gloriously.
The medical work received its share of attention. The importance of our people's exemplifying in their lives the true principles of health reform, and the necessity of circulating our health literature, were emphasized as the chief and most effective way of making the New England Sanitarium at Melrose, Mass., a success. Brother J. B. Huguley, the newly appointed business manager, was present at the conference, and manifested a lively interest in the work of the institution. The delegates of the conference received with satisfaction the intelligence that the sanitarium is now in shape to do better work, with its additional facilities in the way of new bathrooms and a suitable gymnasium.
Miss Mary Sanderson, M. D., superintendent of the sanitarium at Springfield, Mass., was present, and gave an interesting report of her work. She related how the Lord has blessed the medical work in that city, as a medium in reaching souls with the third angel's message.
Mrs. L. S. Wheeler, secretary of the Missionary Volunteers' work in the Central New England Conference, gave an encouraging report of this department of the work.
The financial report of the conference showed an increase in the tithe of $447.45 over 1907, and an increase in offerings to missions of over $2,000 for the same period.
The reports rendered by various ministers and Bible workers were encouraging to the delegates, as they showed that many souls had been won for Christ during the past conference year.
The following commendable resolution was enthusiastically discussed and unanimously adopted:—
“Whereas, There is at the present time no adequate provision for the care of the aged poor of our conference; therefore,—
*“Resolved, That a suitable home be provided for them, and that each member16of the conference be given the privilege of contributing to a permanent fund for its purchase and maintenance; and that a committee be appointed at this meeting to investigate this matter, and report to the conference committee as soon as is consistent.”*
Let other conferences go and do likewise.
One of the most impressive features of the meeting was the ordination of three young men—F. W. Stray, A. E. Anderson, and J. H. Anderson—to the work of the gospel ministry. We believe the Lord will crown the labors of these young men with success, as they go forth with humility and in the fear of God to carry this precious message of divine truth.
The Sabbath service of this meeting was especially blessed of the Lord in impressing hearts with a deeper consecration in the closing work of this message. The conference showed its continued interest in the work of South Lancaster Academy by voting to pay the salary of the Bible teacher.
Elder H. F. Ketring was again unanimously elected president of the conference, and H. B. Tucker secretary and treasurer.
Monday, October 12; after the regular session of the conference had closed, in a council of the workers, a most spiritual meeting was held. It was indeed a fitting climax to the work of the conference session that had preceded it,—a little Pentecost, where the workers were endued with power, before leaving for their respective fields of labor.
K. C. RUSSELL.
The Colorado Sanitarium
By Francis M. Wilcox
DURING the last year the Lord has abundantly blessed the work in this institution. In many spiritual and material ways his guiding hand has been manifested. Our receipts from patients have been larger by from three hundred to five hundred dollars a month the past season than ever before in the history of the institution. Excellent success has attended the medical work, and there have been many cases of recovery, which seemed, from a human viewpoint, most improbable. This has come, not in consequence of the great human skill of the physicians and nurses, but from the conscientious and faithful employment of the principles which God has given us.
In connection with our medical work God has given us mighty principles of truth, which, when applied in faith, will prove as remarkable factors in physical transformation as do the great principles of truth in connection with the third angel’s message in spiritual transformation. Christ is the Great Physician of the body as well as the Saviour of the soul.
The prospects for our work seem brighter than ever before since the institution was founded. With an excellent corps of trained nurses, and with the strongest medical faculty which the institution has ever possessed, we believe that the future has in store for us rich spiritual and material blessings, if we walk humbly before the Lord.
Recently, upon the resignation of our business manager, H. T. LaBonte, Elder Meade MacGuire was asked to connect with the work of the institution as secretary and treasurer and business manager. It was seriously considered for some time as to whether Brother MacGuire should be asked to give up his important work for the young people in connection with the Central Union Conference, and associate with the work in Boulder. It was thought, however, in careful consultation with the Colorado Conference Committee and with leading members of the General Conference Committee, that the best help possible should be secured for the work in Boulder, even if it were necessary to make sacrifices in other departments of work to secure the needed aid.
In communications from Sister E. G. White during the last two years, it has been very definitely stated that additional help should be supplied for the work in Boulder, and that the sanitarium, especially, should be placed on vantage-ground in order to accomplish the work the Lord designed it to do. It was believed that some one having a general and broad experience, who can unite business ability with other necessary qualifications, was needed as manager of the sanitarium.
Accordingly, in view of these considerations, it was decided to ask Brother MacGuire to connect with the work here, where his experience in laboring for young people will find fully as large an opportunity for exercise as in his former position.
The large church in Boulder, now numbering over three hundred, is sensing as never before its responsibilities and accountability for the light and blessings it has received. The work in Colorado generally is taking on new life and vitality, and we believe that our people as never before are seeking to know the will of the Master and their duty in relation to the work of God in the earth.
FRANCIS M. WILCOX.
Alabama
By G. E. P.
GADSDEN.—The Lord has done so much for us in this small town that we can not refrain from praising him with a loud voice. Nearly three months ago the writer and Elder D. E. Blake visited this field with a tent, and held meetings for a month. On our arrival we found three colored persons keeping the Sabbath; but only one was baptized. Although several revivals were carried on by the other churches at that time, our meetings were well attended. We soon found that the Lord has honest souls here, as in other places; for before our meetings closed, several took their stand for the truth. Before our tent was taken down, six were buried with their Lord in baptism, and two weeks later four others were baptized. Since then a few others have become obedient. Our small company was organized September 26. We have a total of seventeen adult Sabbath-keepers and five children, and there is still a good interest. I have never found people so willing to lay aside their work, and listen to Bible readings. Some of the other ministers have tried to overturn a few of those who have taken their stand with the commandment-keepers.
Recently I received an invitation from some opposers desiring me to meet them at the home of one of our sisters, and prove from the Bible our position for keeping the seventh day. The Holy Spirit accompanied me, and assisted me to lift high the banner of truth. Many were present who asserted that they never knew what we believed before. Some took my address, that they might call on me, and learn more about the truth. I do believe good will result from the meeting. The harvest-field of Gadsden is certainly ripe, and with much faithful and persistent labor, a rich harvest will be reaped.
We feel the need of a church building. At present we hold meetings in a rented room not very spacious. One of our brethren here has pledged fifty dollars toward a building as soon as we are able to begin to build.
We know that the Lord will abundantly bless any who will send us some assistance toward the erection of a small church building. Will those whom the Lord impresses to assist us, please send their donations to Miss H. McKinnon, Secretary and Treasurer of the Alabama Conference, Fort Payne, Ala.
G. E. P.
West Pennsylvania
By B. F. FURDHAM
HOMESTEAD.—I came to this place July 21, to join Elder N. S. Ashton in a tent effort, which continued till September 20. The Lord gave freedom in presenting the message. One good feature of the meetings was that quite a number of the people attended regularly, and were deeply interested in all the subjects. Twelve dear souls at this place are now rejoicing in the truth, three of whom began keeping the Sabbath before the tent-meetings began, and another has been added since the tent effort closed. Others are deeply interested, and several have promised to obey the truth, for whom we still have hope.
As Elder Ashton resumed his work in Pittsburg at the close of the tent effort, the president of the conference thought it best for me to remain here in Homestead for a time to continue the work. So my family and I are doing what we can in house-to-house work, and I hope that a hall or some good place can be secured for public efforts. I pray that we may yet see a good church in this important city. Remember us in prayer.
B. F. FURDHAM.
North Carolina
By M. H. BROWN
GREENSBORO.—My last report through the REVIEW was made just before leaving California, July 13. We arrived at Greensboro, July 19, after a pleasant journey across the continent, via the Sunset route, passing through Southern California, Texas, Alabama, and South Carolina. We decided to settle near Greensboro, because the work needs strengthening here, and the climatic and other conditions are favorable.
I attended the conference and camp-meeting at Lexington, August 13-23. It was a great pleasure to meet old friends and acquaintances of former years, among whom were Elders W. A. Westworth, B. G. Wilkinson, R. T. Dowsett, and D. T. Shireman, Brother and Sister Creasy, and Dr. Albert Carey; also the secretary-treasurer of the conference, Sister Jessie V. Bosworth. I was much pleased to form new acquaintances among the warm-hearted, hospitable people of North Carolina. We had an excellent meeting. My permanent address is R. F. D. 1, Greensboro, N. C.
M. H. BROWN.
The Upper Parana Mission
By Arturo Fulton
We have just received the following report from Elder Luis Ernst, superintendent of the Upper Parana Mission, which shows the rapid progress of the message in that difficult field:—
“The twenty-first of May I left home, going to Yegros, Paraguay, where we have a number of brethren. They were of good courage in the Lord. On account of the rains, we could hold but few meetings, but the last night we were all together at the home of Brother S. Hein. After an excellent meeting we went to a beautiful stream a short distance from the house, where three persons were baptized.
“At Asuncion also I found the brethren faithful and of good courage. Here two were added to the little flock by baptism.
“In my visit to Posadas I had the blessed privilege of baptizing four persons. I then went to San Carlos, where Brother M. Brough has been working with success among the Sabbath-keepers. Although the day was rainy, all came together on the Sabbath, and after the meeting we went to a little stream near by, where ten persons received baptism. We returned to the house and celebrated the ordinances, and also organized a Sabbath-school of nineteen members. I expected to return at once, but on account of the rains was obliged to remain eight days. This time was profitably spent in studying the Bible and giving their others further instruction in the truth.”
Only a few weeks ago Brother Ernst reported five other baptisms, making in a few weeks an addition of twenty-four to the believers in this field. It would be very encouraging to us if some one could come to help give the message in this field, which has but one minister. The work is extending, and new interests are growing up, which will soon demand additional help. Who will answer the call?
ARTURO FULTON.
Florida
By Page Shepard
PALATKA.—The camp-meeting for the colored people here has been a glorious success. The praise of God is upon every lip. The prayer-meetings were well attended, and the heartfelt testimonies showed forth the praises of him who has called us out of darkness into the marvelous light of the third angel's message. In one of these services, prayer was offered for the children, and mothers and children wept together as the Holy Spirit visited them in convicting and converting power. The white brethren met with us whenever possible, feeding our souls with the bread of life, and their loving interest in us testified to the unifying power of the truth. The song services won for us many encouraging words from those not of our faith.
The ten commandments were dwelt upon by Elder A. L. Manous in a simple but most convincing way, and many frankly confessed their sin and ignorance. Our hearts were made glad; and we can truly say, “Happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.” Our people visited the townspeople in the afternoon, and our tent is unable to seat all who come. A few have decided to obey.
PAGE SHEPARD.
Alberta
By H. Block
EDMONTON.—August 25 my daughter and I started the first tent effort for the German people of this city. The meetings have continued four weeks with a good attendance, and the Lord has blessed our work.
There was little evidence of prejudice at first, but when the people began to get interested, Satan began to work. The Baptists sent to Winnipeg, Manitoba, for an evangelist to preach against me. I attended two of his meetings, in which he spoke from the epistle to the Galatians. At the close of their first meeting, I went to the pulpit and quietly asked the minister of the church to kindly mention that there would be no meeting at my tent the following evening. Instead of doing so, he started to argue, and quite a discussion followed. He had asked for a debate with me in his own church, but since this discussion nothing more has been said concerning it.
The other ministers have also gotten their members together and explained the Sabbath and Sunday question to them, and warned them against us. However, some are ready to take their stand for the truth, and will keep the Sabbath.
H. BLOCK.
Indiana
By U. S. Anderson
NORTH VERNON.— We had an excellent meeting at this place. Our local camp-meeting was held here, from August 26 to September 2. At the close of the camp-meeting Elder A. L. Miller and the writer followed up the work with a four-weeks' tent-meeting. At the close of the tent-meeting thirty-one had taken their stand for the truth. We rented a large hall in which to continue our meeting, and we hope that others will join us soon.
U. S. ANDERSON.
Chile
By F. H. Westphal
PITRUFQUEN.—We are surely reaching stirring times in the work. The nations are angry, the clouds of strife are gathering, and soon the tempest will break upon all the inhabitants of the world.
We are glad that reinforcements are coming to the South American fields. From letters received from the east coast, we learn that some have already arrived there. We sent one of our men to Argentina, and I think he will do good service there. That country will send us two men in return. These will be here after the snow has melted so that they can cross the mountains.
The message is progressing in our field, and devout Catholics are accepting it. A sister who for years has been the guardian of nuns has taken her stand for the truth; and another sister who has been a nun several years expects to be baptized this spring. A man who was clearing from fifty to two hundred pesos daily by manufacturing liquors embraced the truth, and is now canvassing. He seems happy and contented when he can clear two pesos a day by selling our books and papers. Six members of the Baptist Church embraced the truth recently, and one of them went to another neighborhood and taught the truth from house to house, and three families accepted it. We are encouraged to press onward.
There are four young men in the school who will enter the canvassing work at the close of October. One of them will go to Bolivia. One student has already gone to Ecuador. The school as a missionary factor is being felt. Although the beginning was very small, yet we hope that the school work will grow in importance from year to year. We are practically out of debt. Our printing plant is also out of debt, and we hope to keep it so, and to grow as time advances. Some of our Señales workers are in the school at present, but in October will go into the field again.
F. H. WESTPHAL.
Field Notes
AT Ottawa, Kan., three persons have accepted the truth as a result of the tent-meetings.
Two persons were recently baptized at Cambridge, Md., and united with the church there.
Two persons were baptized on a recent Sunday, and united with the church at Albany, N. Y.
THREE members of the sanitarium family at Madison, Wis., were baptized on a recent Sunday.
AT Detroit, Mich., on a recent Sabbath one person was baptized, and four were added to the church.
ELDER E. E. FARNSWORTH reports the baptism of five young people on Sabbath, September 26, at Hygiene, Colo.
At Niwot, Colo., five united with the church on Sabbath, September 12,—two by letter, two by profession of faith, and one by baptism.
THE tent-meetings in Wellsboro, Pa., are ended. Fifteen persons are keeping the Sabbath as a result of this effort.
BROTHER C. J. BUHALTS reports a good interest in the meetings at Monon, Ind., and says: “Eight persons decided to obey, and we hope for two more. Nine were baptized, and two more will go forward in baptism later.”
UNDER date of September 30, Brother W. L. Sims writes from Fortuna, Cal.: “A sister has taken her stand for the truth. There are now seven new converts as the result of our labor in this place, and several others are interested. We have a Sabbath-school of twenty members.”
At the quarterly meeting, Sabbath, October 3, at Peru, Ind., six were taken into full fellowship of the church, one came forward for baptism, and two gave themselves to the Lord to keep his commandments. Several others are keeping the Sabbath, and expect to unite with the church soon.
THE following note has been received from Brother J. F. Weathington, Newellton, La.: “We held a series of meetings from September 27 until October 4, which resulted in much good. The first Sabbath was a day of blessing, and many gave their hearts to God for the first time. Four accepted the truth, and Sunday afternoon they were baptized.”
The International Congress on Tuberculosis
By W. A. R.
On account of the inability of our medical workers in general to be in attendance at this meeting, and for the purpose of awakening on the part of all our people an interest in the world-wide warfare being waged against the great white plague, tuberculosis, the writer purposes to give in these columns a brief account of the Congress on Tuberculosis recently held in Washington. This, the sixth congress of this kind, was attended by the leading men in medicine and science from all parts of the world. The exhibits were intended to illustrate the world's work in its struggle against tuberculosis. Of the four hundred thirty-eight contributors to the exposition, three hundred twelve reside within the United States, and one hundred twenty-six elsewhere. Two hundred twenty-two of this number were collective contributions from associations, societies, and other corporate bodies. Of these, one hundred seventy contributions were from the United States, and fifty-two from other countries. A general catalogue of two hundred ninety-eight pages was given to tabulating the exhibits.
The two upper floors of the new National Museum were occupied by these exhibits. The first thing which met one's eye upon reaching the second floor and turning to the west was the New York exhibit, which was probably the best and most extensive of all. From the miniature tenement-houses,—first as they were for years, and next as they are now and are planned to be,—one's attention was drawn to the numerous photographs of life in the overcrowded portions of New York City. In the next corridor were depicted, by placards, models of institutions, and statistics in various forms, the rapid ravages of tuberculosis, and the methods now being used in combating this disease. One of these placards gave the startling information that by far the largest number of deaths occur during the most useful period of life. Between twenty-one and fifty years, 68.3 per cent of deaths occur from tuberculosis, and 31.7 per cent at all other ages.
Following the New York exhibit came Pennsylvania, with a very attractive and extensive display. For years the Pennsylvania Legislature has appropriated certain amounts annually to fight tuberculosis. From 1893 to 1899 five thousand dollars was used each year in this work. In 1901 sixty thousand dollars was set aside for the next two years, in 1903 one hundred seventy thousand dollars, and last year one million one hundred forty-seven thousand dollars. The Pennsylvania Department of Health gives this estimate of the economic cost of tuberculosis as compared with the leading products of the State:—
“Tuberculosis, $65,000,000; hay and19forage, $38,000,000; dairy products, $35,000,000; corn, $22,000,000; wheat, $15,000,000; oats, $12,000,000; fruit, $10,000,000; potatoes, $8,000,000.
Next came the Maryland exhibit, with its sanitoria, and a vivid illustration of what is being done in Baltimore by the Instructive Visiting Nurses' Association. This showed that as many as fourteen hundred cases were treated daily. These figures show the utter neglect, on the part of a large proportion of the population, of the regulations intended to restrict the disease. Of one thousand one hundred twenty admitted to this clinic one day, nine were found to be adequately careful, one hundred forty-three to be fairly careful, seven hundred nineteen careless, and two hundred eighty-nine grossly careless, in caring for sputum, etc.
Next followed Rhode Island, with its model outdoor sanitoria; Minnesota, with a record of tuberculin test of dairy herds required in nine of its leading cities; California, with its fresh-air sanitoria; South Carolina's exhibit of life among the long-leaf pines; Connecticut, giving special attention to organizing its working men in a fight against this disease, and encouraging a united effort in supporting the unfortunate victims of the disease; and Wisconsin, making use of the old-fashioned log house with the chinks left out, which provide adequate ventilation.
Another interesting and very important feature forcibly illustrated was the inadequate amount of disinfectant used in fumigating rooms after infection. Three pounds of flowers of sulphur, six and three-fourths ounces of potassium permanganate, and ten ounces of a forty-per-cent solution of formaldehyde are required for a room ten feet each way, or for one thousand cubic feet. This shows that the ordinary amount of disinfectant used is entirely inadequate to disinfect a room properly.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs was very interesting. It showed the great increase of tuberculosis among Indians since they have departed from their former habits of outdoor life. To-day the greatest mortality among any race within the United States is among that people. The death-rate among Indians is far greater than the birth-rate. Consequently, unless something is done to better these conditions, it will be a matter of but a comparatively short time until the Indian race is extinct.
The bureau of statistics came next, and was enough to set any sane person thinking seriously. A flash-light was located in the midst of the tables of statistics, which flashed out a blaze of light announcing the death of a person from tuberculosis in the United States every two minutes and thirty-six seconds. This means that twenty-three persons die every hour, five hundred fifty-two every day, and nearly two hundred thousand every year, of this dread disease.
The Medical Department of the United States Navy presented some very striking charts showing that every year tuberculosis is destroying five hundred seven out of every one hundred thousand among Indian tribes, four hundred eighty-five among the colored people of the United States, and one hundred seventy-four among the white population.
Passing to the left upon reaching the second floor, one entered the Massachusetts exhibit, which was little, if any, behind the New York display either in extent or in perfection of detail. A great deal is being done to better the condition of laboring men in Massachusetts, especially in the way of providing favorable surroundings while at work. Mills and factories where dust has been a menace to health are now providing contrivances for disposing of dust and for furnishing healthful air for their employees.
Colorado came next in order, with the largest display of sanatoria and devices for outdoor living of any State. A large relief-map of Colorado, covering one hundred eighty-six square feet was located in the center of the exhibit. The District of Columbia exhibit was next. This had the only strictly tent sanitoria exhibited.
Illinois was evidently busy fighting the great white plague at home. A remarkable map of three streets, each one and one-fourth miles long, in Chicago, showed nearly one fourth as many consumptives as there were residences on those streets. The exhibits from Ohio, Maine, and Michigan showed remarkable progress in this fight during recent years.
Among the foreign exhibits, Germany clearly took the lead, while Switzerland, France, Sweden, and Belgium followed close in her wake.
I propose next week to give some of the interesting and startling statistics furnished by the congress. W. A. R.
Church Finances
By Wm. A. Westworth
Among the problems that perplex many church officers is that of urging upon their members the need of constant giving, and how best to keep the matter before the people, that a constant stream may be kept flowing to meet not only the calls that come from the union and general conferences, but also the expenses connected with the local work.
They often fear lest they be accused of making the raising of money the larger part of their burden. I have known church officers, who, through such fear, refrained from mentioning this part of the service, except when they could read an appeal that came from a higher source.
Sometime ago a new member came to the writer, and said: “Brother, I hear that this people ask not only for the ten-per-cent tithe, but that they are always calling for donations and that sort of thing; is it so?” “Yes, yes,” was the answer; “that is just so,—first the tithe, then the rest; then your home and all your property; then your children and all your loved ones,—all you have and can be, that is what the Lord demands, and it will take it all to get into the kingdom.” He looked down for a few minutes, and then replied, “Well, well, it’s worth it.”
So it is the privilege and duty of every elder to impress upon each church-member that the call for money is not to be considered as separate from the regular worship, but as an integral part thereof. When all sense this fact, the finances of the church will never be considered a burden. Let the needs of the field be often presented,—the great field beyond as the crying need,—the home field as the training-ground for new recruits to the lands afar, the schools and sanitariums as the best places possible for the development of the most successful workers for the difficult places of earth,—and thus each one will feel it a privilege to give.
How many times we hear it said, “O, it is not hard to raise money for foreign missions!” But for home work and institutional support it is hard to get even a little. This is because the great object of these home efforts is not understood. If we realized the influence of our sanitariums and schools in the furnishing of trained help for the countries where the darkness is the greatest, we should soon see that it is impossible to separate our home institutional work from the advance into foreign fields.
The raising of a second tithe has been presented as the solution of all the financial difficulties of the church, and a close study of this matter will reveal to all that in this the Lord is leading his people to see the beauty of systematic benevolence. We think that the specific obligations of the second tithe can not be placed upon the same basis as the first tithe; but the lesson of a regular plan to support the work of the Lord is firmly impressed by this system.
Following, then, this idea, let there be regularity in the church with reference to the collections for the various needs,—certain Sabbaths for certain objects,—and it should not be thought out of place to call attention weekly to the offerings for the following Sabbath. The use of the envelope that is provided will facilitate this matter, and all the various offerings may be collected at the same time.
Be frank and open with regard to the necessary expenses; counsel with the membership regarding essential outlays; let every one feel that he is a part of the working and paying force. Explain the details of the calls that come, and let the treasurer’s report be rendered in such a way as to be readily understood by all. The personal explanation of some of these calls, and the need for all to take part, can be made the entering wedge in the talks to those who are not faithful in tithe-paying. By a careful study of the names of those who pay tithes, and by earnest and prayerful efforts to present to every wage-earning church-member his duty in this respect, the church elder will not only be filling the responsibility placed upon him, but the treasury will be sustained, and the work the sooner finished.
WM. A. WESTWORTH.
The Church
By R. W. PARMELE
Instruction Pertaining to the Duties and Responsibilities of Officers and Members
The Church Treasurer
A TEAM was once struggling with a heavy load when the foot of a sharp hill was reached. The horses lost courage, and despite the severe punishment of the teamster, they made but a feeble effort to ascend the hill. An aged woman, seeing the situation, ran to the horses' heads with her lap full of oats. Giving each horse a bite, she started slowly up the hill, the team following with the load. It was a very small effort, but it accomplished great results.
The workers at the front in every branch of the cause of present truth are struggling with the financial load that confronts them. Time is short, and there is a great work to be done. There must be a continual stream of means with which to accomplish this work. It is impossible for those at the head of the work to raise this money alone, but every one can do something, be it ever so little.
Our church treasurers can greatly lighten the load by performing faithfully the duties of their office. But few realize the value of the service that they can render. Upon this point, we offer the following suggestions:—
1. Take an active interest in every call that is made for funds. Offer an occasional reminder to the church concerning the needs of the Lord's cause, and our duty to return to him his own in tithes and offerings.
2. Always give a receipt for funds entrusted to you, be the amount ever so small. The word “Thanks” written on the receipt is often appreciated. This will be an encouragement, especially to the children.
3. Keep your accounts accurately, and once a quarter, or oftener, render a financial report to the church. Each year see that your accounts are gone over by a competent auditor, and that his statement of the condition of the accounts is presented to the church.
4. Remember the instruction given in 1 Cor. 4:2: “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
R. W. PARMELE.
Medical Missionary Department
Conducted by the Medical Department of the General Conference
W. A. GEORGE, M. D., Chairman
W. A. RUBLE, M. D., Secretary
Progress of the Work
By M. E. K.
LETTERS and reports received from all parts of the field indicate that the church has set itself to the solution of the young people's problem as never before. One conference president says: “There was a time when I did not see the value of this work, but I have been converted during the last year. I believe it is one of the most important lines of work. Surely the hope of this cause lies in our young people.” The Southern California Conference appointed a committee of seven to look after this branch of the work, assigning to five of the members certain districts of the conference. The Missionary Volunteer secretary of that conference writes: “The young people's work in this conference is prospering under the hand of God. It is one of the strongest factors in giving the truth to the people, and is so recognized by the conference committee.” Brother C. C. Crisler, writing of the Los Angeles camp-meeting, says: “One of the most encouraging features of this meeting was the interest manifested by young men and women in missionary work at home and abroad. The spirit of service and preparation for missionary endeavor prevailed in every meeting held in the youth's tent, and this spirit was recognized as a helpful influence in many of the other meetings.”
The Oklahoma Conference has appointed a German assistant in the educational and Missionary Volunteer work. Prof. G. A. Grauer, as German Assistant Missionary Volunteer secretary for the Central Union Conference, is making an earnest effort, in connection with his other duties, to get this work started among the German young people.
Most of the union conferences in this country have organized the Missionary Volunteer work as a regular department, and careful thought is being given to the problem of enlisting and holding our young people in the cause of God.
From Australia come good reports of work being carried forward, under the direction of Miss Edith Graham, Missionary Volunteer secretary of that field.
How is the young people's work going in your field? We invite correspondence. Write out your experiences briefly, and send them in. Are there questions that you would like to ask or see discussed in the REVIEW? We desire to use the brief space allotted to this department in presenting just such things as our people everywhere need to help them in moving forward to victory.
