p. 10 | Review and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 49. (12/6/1906)

The Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund

By Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

For Special Work at Home and Abroad

A Rare Opportunity for Our Church Officers

Just now there is a rare opportunity for the officers of our churches in the United States to render the cause of present truth splendid service. An agreement has been reached after much careful counsel between the General Conference Committee and presidents of local conferences that we ought now to raise $150,000 for the advancement of the cause. Since reaching a final decision regarding this proposal, the officers of the General Conference and of union and local conferences have taken hold of the task unitedly, earnestly, and with good courage.

From the Atlantic to the Pacific, earnest appeals are being made to our people to take hold of this work and raise the fund quickly. Every one believes that the amount ought to be raised, and that it can be raised in a short time. All are united in recommending that a generous thank-offering be made on Thanksgiving day, and that from that day every believer should set aside something for this fund until it is raised.

Now it is in this that the officers of our churches can render their conference officers most helpful service. The elders can place the matter earnestly before the church-members each Sabbath. The deacons, treasurers, and clerks can join the elders in their efforts. They can encourage every church-member to follow this plan. They can visit the families that fail to do so, and help them to see that they should join the Lord’s people in this effort to provide what the Lord’s cause needs.

With the hearty beginning that has been made, the officers of our churches could raise every dollar of this fund if they should address themselves earnestly to the task. There are hundreds of church officers in close touch with our people all over the land. Dear fellow workers, I appeal to you to take hold of this good work with zeal. Stay by it until the fund is raised.

In closing, I wish to commend to your careful perusal the article on page 18, from the pen of Elder Fitzgerald, vice-president of the Atlantic Union Conference.

A. G. DANIELLS.

A Daily Offering for Thirty Days

By I. H. Evans

The $150,000 fund is the largest special fund ever undertaken to be raised by our people. We have raised large sums of money in days gone by, but we have never set ourselves to any task so great as the raising of $150,000.

We undertook to relieve the Christiania Publishing House when it became embarrassed, and we raised in its behalf some sixty-six thousand dollars. When the call came for the $100,000 fund with which to open up the headquarters of our denominational work in Washington, D. C., it was raised so speedily that there were but few whose faith could grasp what their eyes saw, and their ears heard; but the call for $150,000 to be divided among a variety of institutions, sounds like a large sum, and certainly is the largest donation ever called for from our people in behalf of institutional work.

Some may say that it can not be raised; but some said the same concerning other funds which have been raised with comparative ease. Now, if it were for one person to give this entire sum, it would be difficult to find a single individual among our people who could make such a large donation. But there are many believers to-day in the third angel’s message. In the United States our denominational numerical growth has rapidly increased, until now we number nearly 58,000 believers. Thus, while $150,000 would be a very large sum for one person, or even a few persons to raise, yet, when this is divided among 58,000 persons, it becomes a small affair for each individual; and a tiny sum from each, means the large amount raised. Three dollars from each believer in the United States and Canada would insure the whole amount; but many must give more than this small sum, for there are many who can not, and some no doubt who will not, even do so much as this for this undertaking.

It has been planned that beginning with Thanksgiving day, and continuing until Jan. 1, 1907, every Seventh-day Adventist pledge to make a daily offering to this fund. Many can readily give a liberal sum, others can give less, and others still less, until perhaps some can give but a few cents each day; but if everybody will take hold and help, we can raise this fund by the beginning of the new year.

Suppose each church should say, Let us raise ten cents a member each day for thirty days. The $150,000 fund would be raised. Is it not possible for every church of Seventh-day Adventists to plan to raise, on an average, as much as ten cents per capita for thirty days?

If the whole army of people all begin doing the same thing at the same time, great things will be accomplished.

Let us not forget the idea—an offering each day from Thanksgiving day to New-year’s, from every Seventh-day Adventist in America. Make the offering as large as you can, but make it even if it is small. Remember “many a little makes a nickel,” and the daily offerings from sixty thousand persons for thirty days, will make no small offering to the Lord. I. H. EVANS.

EMPLOYEES OF THE REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION

Daily Thanksgiving Offering

I LIKE the idea of following the Thanksgiving offering with a daily one until the money is raised.—William Cowper.

MRS. E. G. WHITE

By Ellen G. White

The Work in Oakland and San Francisco—No. 2

MRS. E. G. WHITE

When a special effort to win souls is put forth by laborers of experience in a community where our own people live, there rests upon every believer in that field a most solemn obligation to do all in his power to clear the King's highway, by putting away every sin that would hinder him from co-operating with God and with his brethren.

This has not always been fully understood. Satan has often brought in a spirit that has made it impossible for church-members to discern opportunities for service. Believers have not infrequently allowed the enemy to work through them at the very time when they should have been wholly consecrated to God and the advancement of his work. Unconsciously they have wandered far from the way of righteousness. Cherishing a spirit of criticism and fault-finding, of pharisaical piety and pride, they grieve away the Spirit of God, and greatly retard the work of God's messengers.

This evil has been pointed out many times and in many places. Sometimes those who have indulged in a censorious, condemnatory spirit have repented and been converted. These God has been able to use to his name's honor and glory.

Experiences in Europe

We met this evil in Europe more than once. At the Basel missionary conference, Sept. 17, 1885, I spoke to the delegates regarding methods of labor, and appealed to them to “preach the truth with the meekness of simplicity.” “There are always those in the church and out,” I declared, “who have not the love of Jesus in their souls, and who have, in the place of true religion, a criticizing, exacting spirit, a desire to find something to condemn in their brethren and sisters.” I referred to instances that had come under my notice, of professed Christians’ accusing one another at times when general meetings of the most solemn interest were in progress. “All the religion many have,” I continued, “is to pick flaws. I once knew a lady whose religion was of just this character, and in her family she was so overbearing that they could hardly live with her. A tent-meeting was held near the place where she lived, but instead of taking hold to help those who were laboring very hard in the meetings, or to receive help herself, this woman stood back to criticize. . . . We shall ever have just such people to deal with in this world.” God calls upon all such to repent, and be reconverted.

In November, 1885, I bore a plain message to our brethren and sisters in Christiania, Norway. It was at a time when plans for aggressive work had been laid—when every church-member should have stood ready to lend a willing hand in upholding the servants of God sent to Scandinavia to proclaim the third angel's message by voice and pen in that part of the world. From the report of the words spoken by me to the Christiania church, I quote the following:—

“If those who indulge in unkind criticism or idle talk could realize that an angel of God is noting down their words, and that all are to appear against them in the judgment, they would be far more careful as to what is entered on that book of records. How must the continual fault-finding appear to the heavenly messengers who are sent forth to minister to God's people? Would that the eyes of all might be opened, that they might see the holy angels walking among them. Surely they would be more guarded; instead of judging their brethren and sisters, and talking of their weaknesses, they would be seeking God with the whole heart. . . .

“Let no Christian be found an accuser of the brethren. Satan is the one who bears this title; he accuses them before God day and night, he stirs up the enemies of our faith to accuse us, and he prompts those of like precious faith to criticize and condemn one another. We are not to take part in his work. These are days of trial and of great peril; the adversary of souls is upon the track of every one; and while we stand out separate from the world, we should press together in faith and love. United, we are strong; divided, we are weak. . . .

“In our labor for the Christiania church we faithfully presented before them the far-reaching requirements of God's law, and the great need, on the part of the members, of thorough re- pentance and returning unto the Lord. During our meetings, the dear Saviour came very near to us again and again. A good work was begun. We called them forward for prayers several times, and though this was a new experience to them, there was a quick and hearty response. Earnest, heartfelt confessions were made. Several had become discouraged and backslidden because of the accusing spirit manifested, and the lack of love for God and for one another. These humbly confessed their own wrong in allowing their faith in God and the truth to become weakened. . . . Others acknowledged that they had indulged a critical, fault-finding spirit. Many said that they had never realized as now the importance of the truth, and the influence that it must have upon the life and character. Not a few testified with gratitude that they had received God's blessing as never before.

“We were very thankful for every token that this dear people were obtaining a sense of their true condition. But some who should have been personally interested, were looking on as if they had no interest at stake. The testimonies which the Lord gave them did not seem to be received. They did not break the bands that held them under condemnation of the Spirit of God. The Saviour was knocking at the door of their hearts, but they were unwilling then and there to remove the rubbish that barred his entrance. The Lord's time was not their time. Had they cleared the way, the Lord would have given them an experience of the highest value.”

Experiences in Australia

By divine direction, we made special efforts in Australia to reach men and women in cities through wisely conducted camp-meetings. It was thus that the work in Newcastle, New South Wales, was started, late in 1898. It was “thought that the time had fully come for us to make a decided effort to present the truth to the eighty thousand people of Newcastle and its surrounding towns; and we knew that the best possible way to do this was by holding a camp-meeting, following it with tent-meetings, accompanied by visiting, Bible work, the selling of the Bible Echo and religious and health books, and by Christian Help work, and the establishment of a medical mission.”

For several weeks before the beginning of this meeting, I carried a very heavy burden. Into the church at Cooranbong there had come a spirit very displeasing to God,—a spirit of fault-finding and criticism. Sabbath after Sabbath, I bore a plain message regarding this sin. Before the opening of the Newcastle meeting, I wrote regarding these efforts to a brother in responsibility, as follows:—

“On Sabbath, December 3, the burden was heavy upon me. I spoke the words the Lord gave me. In the early morning I had written out a message for the church, which I read and commented upon. Notwithstanding the appeal made, in the social meeting there was no break. Very good testimonies were borne by

some, but I felt that we had no special victory. I then knelt down and prayed, and yet there seemed to be the same tied-up spirit. . . .

“Last Sabbath, December 10, I again read important matter. As I read, the power of God was upon me, and I spoke very plainly. The Lord must impress the heart. I can only speak to the ear.

“I entreated, I pleaded with the people to set their hearts in order before the camp-meeting. We are living amid the perils of the last days, and we must gather up and appreciate every ray of light. Our testimony must be plain, truthful, and searching. But it must not reveal in any degree a censorious, fault-finding spirit. . . . Satan can do the fault-finding for the whole world. We may grieve, but we must not fret. We can be sorrowful; we will not scold. I know the battle is often severe. We can not avoid the injunction, ‘Warn them that are unruly; comfort the feeble-minded; support the weak; be patient toward all men.’”

It was to the members of the Cooranbong church that we looked largely for help at the Newcastle meeting. Newcastle was unentered territory, and much depended on the spiritual condition of the brethren and sisters who would attend from Cooranbong. This is one reason why I was so burdened over the spirituality of this church. Special opportunities for service would be afforded in Newcastle, and God desired that those who claimed to be his representatives should be prepared to bear their share of the responsibilities of the meetings and house-to-house work.

An Impressive Dream

It was at the very beginning of this meeting, and immediately after the weeks of anxious labor to rid the Cooranbong church of the spirit of criticism, that the Lord revealed the spiritual condition of many, through an impressive dream. This dream was afterward published; but it contains instruction which throws much light on conditions existing to-day in some of our churches where every member should be wide awake to improve unusual opportunities for soul saving. The dream, with the accompanying instruction, as published, is as follows:—

“During the night of the first Sabbath of the Newcastle meeting, I seemed to be in meeting, presenting the necessity and importance of our receiving the Spirit. This was the burden of my labor,—the opening of our hearts to the Holy Spirit. . . .

“In my dream a sentinel stood at the door of an important building, and asked every one who came for entrance, ‘Have you received the Holy Ghost?’ A measuring-line was in his hand, and only very, very few were admitted into the building. ‘Your size as a human being is nothing,’ he said. ‘But if you have reached the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus, according to the knowledge you have had, you will receive an appointment to sit with Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb; and through the eternal ages, you will never cease to learn of the blessings granted in the banquet prepared for you.

“‘You may be tall and well-proportioned in self, but you can not enter here. None can enter who are grown-up children, carrying with them the disposition, the habits, and the characteristics which pertain to children. If you have nurtured suspicions, criticism, temper, self-dignity, you can not be admitted; for you would spoil the feast. All who go in through this door have on the wedding garment, woven in the loom of heaven. Those who educate themselves to pick flaws in the characters of others, reveal a deformity that makes families unhappy, that turns souls from the truth to choose fables. Your leaven of distrust, your want of confidence, your power of accusing, closes against you the door of admittance. Within this door nothing can enter that could possibly mar the happiness of the dwellers by marring their perfect trust in one another. You can not join the happy family in the heavenly courts; for I have wiped all tears from their eyes. You can never see the King in his beauty if you are not yourself a representative of his character.

“‘When you give up your own will, your own wisdom, and learn of Christ, you will find admittance into the kingdom of God. He requires entire, unreserved surrender. Give up your life for him to order, mold, and fashion. Take upon your neck his yoke. Submit to be led and taught by him. Learn that unless you become as a little child, you can never enter the kingdom of heaven.

“‘Abiding in Christ is choosing only the disposition of Christ, so that his interests are identified with yours. Abide in him, to be and to do only what he wills. These are the conditions of discipleship, and unless they are complied with, you can never find rest. Rest is in Christ; it can not be found as something apart from him.

“‘The moment his yoke is adjusted to your neck, that moment it is found easy; then the heaviest spiritual labor can be performed, the heaviest burdens borne, because the Lord gives the strength and the power, and he gives gladness in doing the work. Mark the points: “Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.” Who is it that speaks thus?—The Majesty of heaven, the King of glory. He desires that your conception of spiritual things shall be purified from the dross of selfishness, the defilement of a crooked, coarse, unsympathetic nature. You must have an inward, higher experience. You must obtain a growth in grace by abiding in Christ. When you are converted, you will not be a hindrance, but will strengthen your brethren.’”

“As these words were spoken, I saw that some turned sadly away and mingled with the scoffers. Others, with tears, all broken in heart, made confession to those whom they had bruised and wounded. They did not think of maintaining their own dignity, but asked at every step, ‘What must I do to be saved?’ The answer was, ‘Repent, and be converted, that your sins may go beforehand to judgment, and be blotted out.’ Words were spoken which rebuked spiritual pride. This pride God will not tolerate. It is inconsistent with his Word and with our profession of faith. Seek the Lord, all ye who are ministers of his. Seek him while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. ‘Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.’”

The Blessing of Unity

By Emma L. Pardon

EMMA L. PARDON

Psalm 133

Good and pleasant ’tis to see Brethren dwell in unity; Naught can be of greater worth To the pilgrims of this earth; Scenes like these we may behold, Far outweighing this world's gold— Far surpassing earthly powers, Scenes like those in Eden bowers.

Like the precious oil that flowed Over Aaron's robes, and showed Consecration to the Lord In accordance with his word, So shall Christian love endure, Always fragrant, always pure; So sweet peace, like heavenly dove, Sways the Christian heart in love.

As on Zion’s mount the dew Soft descends, life to renew, So our Saviour, in his love, Gives us hope of joys above. All our sins for us he bore, Grants us “life forevermore;” From the mount at God’s command, Blessings flow from his right hand.

Albany, N. Y.

The Need of the Hour

By W. H. Granger

Methods for Working Our Large Cities—No. 1

The Need of the Hour

W. H. GRANGER

DURING the past few months I have received numerous letters from different parts of the United States, asking for an explanation of the method of work which is now in operation in this city under the Berean Bible Institute. To answer all these inquiries as they should be, consumes much time; and as I believe the question of effectively and quickly warning our large cities has become one of vital interest to our people in general, I shall take the liberty to set forth, in a short series of articles, what my experience leads me to believe to be the most practical method for accomplishing this gigantic undertaking.

I will first call the reader's attention to the task before us, and show the absolute necessity for a radical change in our methods of work. There are, in the United States alone, more than three hundred cities with a population of over twenty-five thousand each; fifty of this number have a population ranging from one hundred thousand to nearly four million each.

To help the reader to better understand the urgent need of a change in our past methods of warning these cities, I will briefly set forth, as nearly as my observation permits me to know, the approximate extent to which the work has been and is now being carried on in most of these populous centers. Say, for instance, here is a city of over one hundred thousand inhabitants. It has a church of one hundred members. They are taking a small club of the Signs or Watchman, and occasionally purchase a small assortment of tracts, which are given away promiscuously, without any system of follow-up work. In such churches there are usually one or two members who hold readings with a few persons. But putting it all together, most churches are doing less than what one good live member should be doing. In addition to this, there is usually located in such cities a minister and one or more Bible workers. The minister's efforts to warn the city, outside of what he does in the church, are usually confined to a few widely separated families with whom he holds weekly Bible readings. The Bible workers' seldom give more than ten readings a week, with an average attendance of about four regular readers at each study. This would give

her a class of forty regular readers.

It takes six months to complete a course of readings. So by giving two courses each year, it would make the total number of persons instructed during the year about eighty for each Bible worker. Say there are two workers: their combined efforts at the above rate, which I know in many cases to be too high, would result in teaching the truth in a comprehensive form to one hundred and sixty persons. Add to this number those who have been instructed through the efforts of the minister and the church, and you would have not far from two hundred souls warned during the year by the combined efforts of a church of one hundred or more members, a minister, and two Bible workers. Think of it!

During this same period of time a city of the above dimensions will have increased in population, by births and influx from other sources, from five to twenty thousand; in other words, the cities in our land are increasing in population from twenty-five to one hundred times faster than they are being warned by our present methods of work. Does this look like giving the message to the world in this generation? Rather, does it not demand (a) a change in our methods of work, and (b) an arousing on the part of our churches to do their duty? But what to do, and how to go about it, is the question. This I will try to set forth in future articles.

Columbus, Ohio.

(To be continued)

H. J. FARMAN

By H. J. FARMAN

Our Greatest Needs—No. 2

H. J. FARMAN

Of the four graces which we need in greater measure, faith is the next in order. For “without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.” There are two things required in the text; namely, a personal faith in a personal God, and a belief that the possessor of such faith will be rewarded.

Nothing is more needed than the simple childlike faith that takes God at his word and believes that what he says he means and does. “Belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Rom. 10:17. As has been the experience and history of other denominations on this point, so it is in a measure with us; we seem to have lost the simplicity of faith and looked over it. There are many examples in both Testaments of the simplicity of faith which we may profit by if we apply the principles.

“There was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.” Right here Jesus tested his faith by saying: “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in no wise believe.” So to-day, we want to see some great demonstration that we may believe; when, in truth, the great demonstration follows faith, as in the case of the nobleman; for said he: “Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. The man believed the word that Jesus spake unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, saying, that his son lived. So he enquired of them the hour when he began to amend. They said therefore unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.” John 4:46-54. The simple faith of the nobleman established his whole household in faith. Had we more faith like his, many more households would be established.

Another illustration of a like faith is that of the centurion, who came from Capernaum, “beseeching him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth in the house sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.” Here Jesus tested his faith by saying: “I will come and heal him. And the centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed.” Of this man’s faith Jesus says: “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. . . . And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And the servant was healed in that hour.” Matt. 8:5-13. These two cases of real faith have been recorded for our admonition, and we shall do well to profit thereby. In how many ways Christ reproved the people of his day, and us in our day, saying: “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” “O faithless and perverse generation.”

When the disciples asked why they could not cast out the demon, “He said unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matt. 17:14-20. Do we simply believe this last promise along with a few others? “Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven.”

“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Our receiving depends upon our believing that we have the things we ask for, before they can be given. Jesus makes this plain when he says: “Have faith in God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it. Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them.” The one condition to be remembered, however, is that we ask in Christ’s name, which means according to his word and in faith; for he says, “If ye shall ask anything of the Father, he will give it you in my name. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be made full.” John 16:23, 24.

“Now faith is the giving substance to things hoped for [that is, believing that we have the things we ask for], a conviction of things not seen.” Heb. 11:1, margin. Believing that we have the things for which we pray before they are seen, is seeing things that are “invisible,” as Moses saw the Lord, and “kept the passover,” and “passed through the Red Sea as by dry land.” Heb. 11:27-29. So also it is the giving of “life to the dead,” and calling “the things that are not, as though they were.” Rom. 4:16-24. It was this faith which led the sick woman to say: “If I do but touch his garment, I shall be made whole. . . . And the woman was made whole from that hour.” Matt. 9:20-22. Another similar case was that of the Canaanitish woman, who came to Jesus, asking that her daughter might be healed, declaring that even the dogs ate of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table. To her Jesus said: “O woman, great is thy faith: be it done unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was healed from that hour.” Matt. 15:22-28. See also the account of blind Bartimaeus, to whom Jesus said: “Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And straightway he received his sight, and followed him.” Mark 10:46-52. O that we had a more simple faith! As the poet says—

“Just to take him at his word; Just to rest upon his promise; Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.”

Lynchburg, Va.

Shall We Treat the Cause or the Effect?

By M. E. Ellis

M. E. ELLIS

THERE are two ways to circumvent disease, and two methods of treatment. One is to work from the inside out, building up healthy tissue, and putting the body in a normal state throughout. The other course is to work upon the disease after it has broken out, and by local applications seek to check it, overcome its effects, and relieve the patient of pain and discomfort.

Both plans are used constantly, both are needful and efficacious, and both accomplish good results. The former is less spectacular than the latter, and is more often overlooked, though its effects are more lasting and of greater value.

The efforts of the Christian church can be likened to the two ways of treating disease. This world—even the church itself—is terribly diseased and weakened by sin. Its ravages are so rampant that there is abundant field for the application of both kinds of treatment, but owing to the natural impulses of man the first course is more likely to be overlooked, because its immediate results are not so great as those emanating from the second.

The eliminative cure for the lethargy of the church of Christ—its laziness,

its covetousness, its grasping hold on its acquired resources—is the giving of large doses of the missionary idea internally, for the quickening of the spiritual impulses. In the exercise of the missionary spirit is the salvation of the church. Other lines of work are important; special objects should be striven for; but the life of the church, the accomplishment of these special objects with ease, the spiritual vitality of the individuals, and the success of all ministerial effort, depend in a direct ratio on the extent to which the missionary idea—the giving of the third angel’s message to the world—inoculates the Christian church.

The special efforts we are called upon to assist in from week to week are the remedies for local troubles, and must be applied at once to relieve local difficulties; but to think that selling papers, or contributing to some urgent fund, or helping to get our schools out of debt, will release us from further duty in the way of missionary activity is as absurd as to think that a spine-bag can cure dyspepsia. What we need is more and better training in the real meaning of what it is to be a missionary people. Then these special calls will not have to be so extensively advertised to accomplish the desired result.

“There is no form of human need at home which would not be thoroughly supplied, simply as a supplementary ‘twelve baskets full’ to the well-equipped, resolute endeavor first of all to feed the hungering millions of heathen lands.” That is the truth.

The church that needs the efforts of a minister about four times a year for a week or so, to keep it alive and working, is practising Christianity backward and appropriating for itself the spiritual food of others, thereby logically proclaiming the fact that it is not far from heathendom itself.

Let the leaders of the people everywhere resolve to live aggressive Christianity, and make every church territory the recruiting ground for volunteers for the front, and also a base of supplies for those already in the field.

“The church that sends representatives to foreign lands, and forgets that they are there, forgets to feel for them and support them, forgets to bear their names in fervent prayer before the throne of grace, is a church that brings contempt upon itself and upon its cause. . . . Is the church at home all that it should be to the force in the mission field? . . . It has often mistaken worship for war, privilege for service, coddling for conquest.” The sum total of denominational work appears large. The individual average of missionary work is infinitesimal. It will take quite a while for seventy-two thousand persons to give the message to a world containing one billion five hundred million souls, when they average only four cents a week per capita for foreign missions, and eighteen cents a week for tithe.

Is education in this direction needed?—No doubt of it. Practical suggestions, helps for the faint-hearted, plans for the willing, spurs for the lazy, hints for the leaders, are needed. We have found nothing so helpful and inspiring, so full of clear, simple, but direct and far-reaching instruction as “The Missionary Idea” (the publishers, Union College Press, College View, Neb., send sample pages on request); and leaders in the conference, church, church-school, and young people’s work can not afford to be without this hand-book on missionary work.

We heartily agree with the sentiments of Elder W. A. Sweany, in the REVIEW of May 31, 1906: “We wish every family in our ranks would get and read and heed ‘The Missionary Idea.’ We believe the influence and effect of it would be quickly felt throughout our ranks, and especially in the destitute and unworked fields which lie between us and the goodly land.”

We need more of the missionary spirit. The local applications for the lack of it will not fill the need. We must build up missionary muscle, and bone, and sinew, by a more thorough course of treatment, or our spiritual weakness will lose us the battle, and a stronger people than we will finish the work and have the reward.

College View, Neb.

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