Earlier text: J. L. SHAWVictory or Defeat?
By I. J. Hankins
WHICH shall it be? The Lord himself has planned the campaign for the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and he has called all his soldiers to service. Is it too testing a truth to declare that all who fail to respond to this call (unless from physical disability) prove themselves untrue to God? Have we made a covenant with God by sacrifice? A certain young man thought he had done this, but when tested, he refused to sell all and follow Christ. I have seen a few persons who refuse to try to sell four books in order to assist this grand missionary enterprise. Brethren, I see more and more in this work as the days go by. I see in it a solution of great problems. It is easy to see how the message may be given to the world in this generation. It reveals God’s method of reviving the missionary spirit in his people. It awakens the sleepers, and shows them how to shine. It reveals the sad truth that darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the people. It also shows how the character of God will be seen in the “remnant,” making them the light of the world. It brings us in contact with persons who are seeking light, and who desire to know the way of the Lord more perfectly. It shows us that in laying upon us the work of giving this last message, God requires no impossibility. It reveals selfishness, love of the world, and a lack of interest for our fellow men, which ought to lead to genuine repentance and a consecration for service far in advance of anything we have yet seen among this people. Brethren, if there were hungry people in our neighborhood, and we should go from door to door with bread, would we not find them? Do we not find people who are hungry for the spiritual food in “Christ’s Object Lessons”? Are they not glad that we called and supplied their need, and did it not bring a blessing to our own souls also, just as the Lord said it would? Shall we not continue the good work, then, bestowing and so receiving still greater blessings? Work with “Christ’s Object Lessons” in Montana
By W. B. White
THE Lord is moving among his people here in reference to the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and all are of excellent courage in the work. Our State has been divided into eight districts, with a conference laborer at the head of each. Our full quota of books has been ordered, and our people now are engaged in their sale. Those who are taking hold of the work energetically are receiving the blessing of God in so doing. Success is crowning our efforts, and we hope that this work may be accomplished soon. Our quota was 2,160 books. Some of our conference divisions have already finished their work, and have sent in the money; others will be done in a few weeks. The Lord has wonderfully blessed us as we have engaged in this work. Many who thought they could do nothing have been successful, and the Lord has blessed them much as they have tried to sell their quota of books. Some of the weakest have been the first to accomplish the task. We feel that this work is of God, and are sure that the set time to favor Zion has come. It seems as if the Lord is especially moving upon the hearts of the people, not only in the church, but in the world, to assist just now. We are indeed glad that we may have a part in this great movement. We have all resolved to stick to it until victory crowns our efforts. Pray for the work in this field. The Dakotas at Work
By N. W. Allee
DEAR BROTHER: Your favor at hand. We are in the campaign for selling “Christ’s Object Lessons.” I have just returned from a trip in the interests of this work. We will push our quota to its completion. We have set July 1 as the date for the completion of the work for our new Northern Union Conference. It is encouraging to see such a general rally to sell the books. Surely the Lord’s hand is in this work. I sincerely trust that the song of jubilee will soon sound over all the land. I have heard of the vigorous efforts being put forth in the different union and State conferences, and am glad that we can be in the same company. Our conference laborers divided our quota among themselves, and have become personally responsible for the payment of the books. They are now out in the field selling, so we feel confident that the work will be speedily finished. I am glad for your good letter. Yours truly, N. W. ALLEE. Minneapolis Church Sells Christ's Object Lessons
In one week the Minneapolis (Minn.) church sold and took orders for one hundred and twenty-five copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” THE church of Duluth, Minn., have ordered their full quota of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Afflicted Sister Sells Eight Copies of Object Lessons
A poor, afflicted sister, having only one arm, read “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and felt a burden resting upon her to sell the book. In about a week’s time she sold eight copies. Sister L. B. Searle's Journey to Minneapolis Hospital
SISTER L. B. SEARLE, whose esteemed husband died last summer, recently went to Minneapolis with her little girl, whom she took to the hospital there for a surgical operation. She found it necessary — Tolstoi, the Russian novelist and reformer, is reported to be ill of typhoid fever. — A tidal wave is reported to have swept over the harbor at Fort-de-France, Martinique, doing great damage to shipping. The St. Vincent volcano is becoming less active. — The Rev. J. H. Barrows, president of Oberlin College and a leading figure at the Parliament of Religions held in connection with the Chicago World’s Fair, is ill of pneumonia, and not expected to survive. — The teamsters’ union in Chicago effected a complete tie-up of meat delivery wagons in that city, May 27, because the meat packers refused to agree to the scale of wages demanded by the union. Several of the companies gave in, and agreed to the union terms. — A resolution calling for an investigation by a committee of Congress into the matter of lynchings in the United States, has been introduced in Congress by Senator Gallinger, of New Hampshire. In presenting the resolution he cited the fact that 2,658 lynchings have been perpetrated in this country in the last ten years, and that these occurrences are not confined to any particular section or to one race among the inhabitants. — Michigan is now a full-fledged registration State, as shown by the evidence presented in the last Michigan Report on Vital Statistics, a copy of which has been sent us. Any reader can secure a copy by addressing Fred M. Warner, Secretary of State, Lansing, Mich. The facts presented in regard to the movement of population, and the statistics of births and deaths, marriages and divorces, are of great importance. — General Chaffee, commander of the American forces in the Philippines, has reviewed the verdict of the recent court-martial at Manila which exonerated Major Waller from blame for having perpetrated many atrocities on the island of Samar, contrary to the rules of “civilized warfare.” General Chaffee condemns the verdict of the court-martial as being unwarranted by the evidence presented, a miscarriage of justice, and a stain upon the honor of the American government. But the significant thing about it all is that the court-martial should have sanctioned Major Waller’s cruelties, and that he was likewise upheld by American statesmen on the floor of Congress. — A noteworthy event among affairs at the national capital was the unveiling of a statue of the Count de Rochambeau, who commanded the French forces at Yorktown when Cornwallis surrendered that city with the British army under his command to Washington. The ceremony of the unveiling was a brilliant one, participated in by President Roosevelt, members of his cabinet, justices of the supreme court, and other eminent personages, including a French general, a French vice-admiral, the descendants of Count Rochambeau and Lafayette, and others of distinction in military, official, and literary life. The statue stands in Lafayette square, opposite the White House, and close to the statue of General Lafayette. — The German Lutheran church at Dundee, Ill., has decided that its members must not be affiliated with labor organizations and secret societies. — Reports from the peace conference of Boer leaders in South Africa are of an uncertain character, and afford no positive assurance that the war is ended, though it is believed that the majority of the Boer leaders are in favor of accepting England’s terms. — Evidence pointing strongly to the existence of an electric trust, arbitrarily regulating prices and controlling trade in the business of electrical supplies, has been gathered by the Chicago Tribune. The headquarters of the trust is in Chicago. It employs a detective to travel from city to city to discover violations of the trust rules on the part of dealers who are in the combine, which violations are punished by the assessment of heavy fines. — The following language, used by Rabbi Emil Hirsch, of Chicago, in a recent sermon, indicates the extent to which some Jewish leaders have departed from the fundamental ideals of Jewish belief: “The sabbath of the Jews is dead. Let us bury it. God never ordained the Sabbath day. It is an institution of man. Only millionaires and peddlers can observe the Jewish sabbath in these days of activity. Sunday to all intents and purposes already has become our day of rest. The inspiration of the sabbath can be restored only by participating in the flood of life about us, and recognizing as our day of rest the day set apart by the nations in which we live.” — In England, as appears from the following news item, dated at London, May 24, the ancient custom of punishment by the use of the stocks still clings to the administration of government: “The strange sight was seen this week of the rector of a Lincolnshire parish sitting in the stocks. This reversion to the ancient form of punishment was not due to any offense committed by the clergyman, but to a local custom, dating centuries back, by which certain tolls can be obviated by undergoing this ordeal. Rather than pay, the rector of Corby, accompanied by the church warden and the chairman of the parish council, publicly put his feet into the stocks. Sir J. B. Stone, conservative member of Parliament for East Birmingham, and president of the National Records Association, afterward voluntarily underwent the same experience.” — The following cablegram concerning this government’s relations with the papacy touching the Philippine question, comes from Rome, under date of May 27: “The latest news about the Taft mission to the pope concerning the friars of the Philippines has somewhat dampened the enthusiasm of the Vatican. It was hoped the mission would be the first step toward the establishment of some kind of diplomatic relations between Washington and the papacy, but it is now understood that the American government doesn’t wish to give the mission such significance, although Governor Taft is charged to congratulate the pope on his jubilee. The pope is trying to make the utmost of the occasion before the world. He has prepared a reception with all the pomp of medieval gorgeousness. Bishop O’Gorman has gone to Naples to meet the mission, which is expected to arrive in Rome next Friday.” Colporteur Sells Christ's Object Lessons While Caring for Sick Child
necessary to stay with her child for two days, caring for her in her sickness; and when she could leave the child during this time, she sold and delivered nine copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Elder Ostrander Reports Strong Sales of Object Lessons
ELDER WILLIAM OSTRANDER, who has been long connected with the Michigan ministry, states that he sells, on an average, about ten copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” for each day’s work. Elder J. O. Peat Orders Books for Burtrum
ELDER J. O. PEAT, of Minnesota, has ordered one hundred and eighty-seven copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” shipped to Burtrum. This completes his quota of two hundred and forty-seven books. Subscriptions for Christ's Object Lessons at New York Meeting
At a general meeting held at West Fifty-ninth Street, New York City, to see how many copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” could be sold, the brethren and sisters subscribed for eleven hundred copies. Christ's Object Lessons Printing and Sales Push
By Editor
THE Review and Herald Publishing Company is finishing up an edition of 40,000 copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Several of the mammoth power presses have been at work printing these books, and practically the entire bindery force has been at work binding them. The Pacific Press Publishing Company has just finished an edition of 20,000 “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and is now at work on another 20,000 edition. Printing so many books has been a tremendous strain on the Relief of the Schools Fund, but thus far we have been able to meet every bill promptly. FOR many years we have been exhorting our people to sell our denominational books on commission. Lately we have asked the people to sell “Christ’s Object Lessons” without any commission, and we have succeeded in enlisting thousands upon thousands of workers. We have always been told that the only way that books would be sold was through “regular canvassers.” Lately, however, God has shown that he can do wonderful things through those who cannot be called regular canvassers. There is much food for thought in this matter. Love for the Master and for our schools has caused the people to sell scores of these books, when tempting offers and big commissions have proved of no avail. It is evident that the people love to work for the Lord more than they love to work for money. Nebraska Members Selling Christ's Object Lessons
OUR people in Nebraska are doing nobly in selling “Christ’s Object Lessons.” As far as we can learn, nearly every worker and most of our brethren and sisters in that State are hard at work selling the book. The workers have become personally responsible for their quotas, and in this have set an excellent Christian example. A splendid organization for doing work has been perfected, and a fine system of reporting is also in operation. Elder Geo. Brown, acting president of the conference during the absence of Elder N. P. Nelson, is setting the battle in array all along the line. Five thousand copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” have already been ordered for this campaign, and most of them have been shipped to the brethren throughout the State. In the Field
By S. H. Lane
In visiting some of the churches in southeastern Kansas in the interests of the Missionary Acre Fund, I find them extremely anxious to listen to the word. They also make earnest efforts to get their friends and neighbors to attend the meetings, and at each place I have spoken not only to our own people, but to quite a number not of our faith. I present our missionary work, and the interest manifested is really wonderful. When I explain the work that is being done by our sanitariums and missions, and how our medical school is graduating doctors and nurses to fill our numerous sanitariums, and to go to foreign lands and work by the side of our ministers in those places where heathenism holds supreme sway, and aid the poor natives physically, socially, and spiritually, the congregations are moved to tears, and the next meeting marks an increase in the attendance. On several occasions when I presented the matter of gardening and farming to aid the good work, some not of our faith donated either money or produce; and as I bade them farewell, some said, “I have enjoyed your sermon very much; come again.” At Iola, Brother J. M. Jones, who is conducting a tailor shop in the city, with his family gave me a hearty welcome. They accepted the truth many years ago when I was laboring in Indiana. The church has a comfortable meeting house, and it was well filled each evening, as I visited them during the week. Nearly every one gave something toward the Missionary Acre Fund. On Sabbath and First-day, May 3, 4, meetings were held at Thayer. The company have just erected a new meeting house. This place is the home of Elder D. H. Oberholtzer, formerly of Indiana, who first heard the message in the summer of 1870, during the first year of the labor of my brother and myself in Indiana. The meetings were well attended, and much interest was manifested. Elder Oberholtzer’s home is truly an orphanage and a hospital. For the last six years, Brother and Sister Oberholtzer have had in their family from five to ten orphans. They would have taken more, but lacked room. They have found homes for some, and many of the older ones are now earning their own living. One is a graduated nurse, and is now doing efficient work for the Master. They now have five in their family. Two little boys and one little girl are from one family. Brother Oberholtzer found them just as the authorities of the county were going to take them to the county poor farm. When Brother and Sister Oberholtzer consented to take these fatherless children, for the mother was in such poor health that she could not support them, the officers gave their consent, and left the house. These children are happy, and have been taught to work; it is a beautiful sight to mark their industrious habits. When the Missionary Acre Fund was introduced, the members of the church took hold of the matter nobly, and the orphans pledged some fowls and the proceeds of an acre of castor beans. They watched the developments of the chickens and the growth of the beans with a commendable degree of missionary interest. The children were encouraged to plant the beans, as they could do nearly all the work of production except the plowing of the ground. May 5 and 6, in connection with Elder Oberholtzer, I visited the Moline church. Here we held meetings each afternoon and evening. At each meeting the congregation increased, and at the last, four ministers, all there were living in the town, were present. They became much interested in our missionary work. Nearly all our brethren and sisters gave something toward the Missionary Acre Fund, although there is not a farmer among them. May 7 and 8 we held meetings at Elk City, both in the afternoons and evenings, which were well attended. Here the donations of fowls and gardens and the money pledges were liberal. Sabbath, May 10, our meetings at the city of Independence were well attended. The members of this church are scattered for miles through the country, and some drove nearly twenty miles to attend the meetings. The services were held in the United Brethren’s meeting house. We spoke all day on the missionary work. Some liberal donations were made, but more would have been given if we could have spent more time with them. First-day, May 11, we held three meetings with the Cherry Vale church. They hold their services in a rented room. Our meetings were excellent. Elder Oberholtzer spoke in the forenoon, and I in the afternoon and evening. One person united with the church. The attendance in the evening was large. Here, as at other places, nearly every one pledged something for the acre fund. Even the children from five to ten years old either gave a few cents or pledged to do so. We are encouraging all to aid the cause in all its branches. If all would constantly donate something, soon a stream of means would flow into the Lord’s treasury which would enable the truth to be spread everywhere, and the whole earth be watered with the dews of God’s grace.