WHILE directing our attention to the needy heathen lands, it is well for us also to remember the needs which exist in more civilized lands. God has made us debtors to all men. It is well for us to carry a burden of heart for those in the darkness of heathenism. It is well also to remember the heathen round about us. The Lutheran of February 2 gives the following statement of work which needs to be done in the United States:—
Many will be surprised to learn that in this great country, where cities and towns are overcrowded with churches, there are, in eleven mountain and Pacific States, 1,000 communities destitute of churches. In one Western State alone, 133 places containing from 150 to 1,000 souls, were without a Protestant church, and 100 of these without a Roman Catholic church. In addition to these, in one State, there are 428 communities of sufficient importance to have post-offices, but without any churches. Counting post-office neighborhoods, the ratio of destitute communities to the total population is over 4,000 in the eleven mountain and Pacific States of the West. It is safe to say that not one of these communities is without an ample supply of saloons and gambling-houses to make night hideous. . . . Then when it is remembered that one third the population of New York City, one fourth that of Philadelphia and Chicago, one fifth that of Pittsburg, Cincinnati, and St. Louis, and one half that of San Francisco and Seattle, is practically heathen, might it not be well for the comfort-loving city congregations of each denomination to organize themselves into missionary societies, and do work in the abandoned districts? O, for a thousand Pauls!
California-Nevada Conference
By Stephen N. Haskell
Our conference year is just closing, and we thought the readers of the REVIEW might be interested in a report of the progress of the work in this part of the field. The Lord has greatly blessed the work, for which we are truly thankful.
Three years ago the condition of the educational work was not very encouraging in this conference. In June, 1908, at a special session of the California Conference, it was voted to close Healdsburg College. There was a debt of about forty thousand dollars on the school when it was closed. The closing of this school left the conference with no advanced school, and about a thousand Seventh-day Adventist young people within our borders. Two small intermediate schools and twenty-one church-schools were all the educational institutions we had in the conference at that time.
At present we have the Pacific College, which was purchased by this conference for sixty thousand dollars, and then voted over to the Pacific Union Conference. This school is now in its second year, is well filled, and is doing good work. We also have the Lodi Normal Academy, worth forty thousand dollars. It is now in its third year, and has a fine class of young people in attendance. We have two good intermediate schools, at Armona and Sanitarium, and thirty church-schools, with eighteen church-school buildings. The present value of these school properties is one hundred twelve thousand dollars. All the property is in a prosperous condition; and when the pledges made by our brethren are paid, the debt will be less than it was three years ago, when we had no advanced school in this conference.
At the time of our general camp-meeting last summer, our entire school indebtedness had been reduced to eighty thousand dollars. During that camp-meeting and the one following, over thirty-six thousand dollars was received in pledges; and these, together with pledges previously made, place us in the condition stated above. This has been accomplished because our brethren and sisters of the California Conference, like Israel of old, have had “a mind to work.” They have given liberally, and we fully expect that they will go forward, and lift the entire indebtedness from the schools.
The missionary work is onward. During 1908, $43,324.64 worth of literature was sold by our tract society, and distributed in the conference. During 1909 the amount sold reached the value of $43,667.42, and during the past year, of $52,713.82. The sale of literature for the past three years has amounted to $139,705.88. The distribution of this large amount of literature was accomplished chiefly by lay members, who have bought books and tracts and papers and distributed them in their home fields. Faithful canvassers have devoted their entire time to selling literature, and they have done good work; but their sales alone would not have equaled this amount. It was sold because the people not only had “a mind to work,” but actually took hold and did the work.
The first year, when we tried to arouse an interest in the distribution of literature, some of the good brethren said it would react. We found that it did react, but not as they supposed. The meaning of react is “to act again,” and it has reacted each year. For years the message has been given that the time has come when our literature should be scattered like the leaves of autumn, and why should we hesitate to go forward and do the work?
When we speak of the seed sown, our thoughts naturally turn toward the harvest. Eternity alone will give the full result of the distribution of so large an amount of literature; but the Lord has permitted us to see some fruits of the labor put forth. As a result of the literature distributed, united with the efforts of the workers in the conference during 1908, nine churches were organized; during 1909, seven; and during 1910, ten; making twenty-six churches that have been organized in the conference during the past three years. During the past year, 1910, over three hundred new members have been taken into our churches on profession of faith and baptism.
We have tried to heed the call to work the cities. Some time ago we gave the readers of the REVIEW an account of the way we were conducting the work in San Francisco. Our workers in San Francisco have distributed large quantities of literature, and have tried to work thoroughly the parts of the city where they were located. Two churches have been organized in San Francisco as a result of the work done by the two companies located in the Sunset and Western divisions of the city; and twenty-two new members have been taken into the old San Francisco church as a result of the efforts of the company who have worked near the old church. A fourth company has recently begun to work in the Mission district of San Francisco.
Our work among the Japanese is going forward surely and steadily, if not very rapidly. This year three intelligent Japanese have been baptized, uniting with the church, and others are interested. We now have two young Japanese doing faithful work for their own countrymen.
The tithe of the California Conference for 1910 was $79,995.93, and the Sabbath-school offerings for the year were $8,581.82. This conference has not been unmindful of the needs of the work in other portions of the field. The donations to the work outside of the California Conference, that have been reported through our office, amounted to $32,440.54. This does not include the liberal offerings sent by individuals directly to needy fields.
The relief book work has not been forgotten, although we have not done as much as we had hoped to. The St. Helena Sanitarium is in a prosperous financial condition, and very generously gave the schools the privilege of selling “Ministry of Healing” as well as “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Two thousand four hundred seventy-three of these two books have been sold in the conference.
We feel thankful to our Heavenly Father for the prosperity that has attended every department of our work the past year, and we hope to receive much of God’s blessing during our coming conference. S. N. HASKELL.
Korea
We have planned quite a campaign of field work during January. I shall go south with six Korean brethren to canvass for the special number of our paper, the Three Angels’ Message. A ten-thousand edition has been planned for. We expect to be away three weeks, and visit all the principal towns along the railroad from the northern border of my territory to Fusan on the south. We are full of courage, and our native brethren are enthusiastic. During the Korean holiday vacation, our fellow foreign workers will take a company of students from our school at Soonan, with other volunteers, into their respective districts. Thus entire Korea will share in the first paper campaign. May God grant a good harvest as the result of the seed sown.
It is cheering to read of the progress of the work the world over, and to think of the “little flock,” who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus, scattered throughout the world, and witnessing for the truth in so many different countries. Surely the end is not far distant. Soon will God’s Word be fulfilled, and soon will he usher in the kingdom of his dear Son. We are still living in perilous times. Satan does all in his power to hinder the work, but he who is mightier than Satan can beat back the powers of darkness and overrule all for good.
I have learned many helpful lessons during the past year; perhaps the most precious of all is that of confidence, trust, and faith. Living in these perilous days, we hear and read of revolutions, mobs, riots, uprisings on the right and on the left. Surely every person who passes through the time of trouble will need to have the double guard of angels. We must place ourselves entirely in our Heavenly Father’s care. We must have faith in God, our faith must claim his promises; then they become a living reality in our Christian life. We need constantly to grow, take firmer root, and develop a broader and deeper experience in the things of God.
What an inspiration, on a clear evening, to look up and see the innumerable stars, the unfallen worlds,—the firmament declaring the glory of God,—and to think of the great Creator, our Father, and of his power, unlimited, celestial, and sublime! Who, thinking of these mighty words, would not exclaim, with the psalmist, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him?” Yet Jehovah’s cause on earth must needs be examined by17earthly rulers before the seal of rightful privilege be granted! We are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. Considering the greatness of our work and the feebleness of man to resist it, I can not but exclaim, “The Lord reigneth!”
The West Indian Union Conference
By H. R. Salisbury
THE third session of the West Indian Union Conference was held at Kingston, Jamaica, January 7-15. I also had the privilege of attending the annual meeting of the Jamaica Conference, which was held immediately preceding the meeting of the West Indian Union. It means much to hold a conference in this island field; for not only are the distances considerable, but the lines of traffic do not all converge at any one point, so that most of the delegates were obliged to go roundabout ways to reach Kingston.
To illustrate: It is less than two hundred miles from Haiti to Jamaica, yet Brethren Tanner and Isaac were obliged to travel fifteen hundred miles to reach the meeting, going from Haiti to South America, where the steamer stopped at several ports to take on cargo, then to Colon, and from there by direct boat to Kingston.
Notwithstanding the hardships of travel, and the circuitous routes which many had to take to reach the meeting, a full delegation was on hand to take up the work. Every conference and mission field was represented, except Venezuela, which had been entered only a few months. It was a cheering experience to listen to the reports from the fields; for from all parts came the good news that additions were being made to the churches, and new companies were being raised up.
It was two decades ago that the first workers went to the West Indies, and since that time, there has been a steady growth, until now there are over four thousand three hundred Sabbath-keepers in the union conference, two thousand of these being on the island of Jamaica. This union, which is composed of the West Indies, the states of Central America and those in the northern part of South America, contains twelve million inhabitants. Only about one fourth of these, however, are English-speaking people, and it is in this part of the field that the most of our work has been done, and where we have the greater number of the four thousand Sabbath-keepers.
In giving the field careful study, it was the mind of the brethren that the time had now come to make a greater effort to take the message to the Spanish-speaking people and to the French islands, and plans were laid to that end. The Central American Conference was divided in such a way as to place the English-speaking part in the conference, and Guatemala and San Salvador were set aside as mission fields. All but two of the countries within this union have been entered—Colombia and San Salvador. Plans were made at this meeting to send a worker to San Salvador; and I hope before the year 1911 is past, we shall also be permanently established in Colombia.
DELEGATES ATTENDING THE WEST INDIAN UNION CONFERENCE
The financial report was very encouraging. For the first time, two of the conferences—Jamaica and the West Caribbean—reported that their tithes and offerings were more than their expenses, so that they would ask for no more help from the Mission Board. There was also a general advance in the finances in all parts, so that for the coming year the appropriation called for from the Mission Board was considerably reduced from that of last year; yet, on the other hand, plans were made for advanced moves in all the different conferences and mission fields. There is every reason to believe that in a little time the West Indian Union, which has in the past received considerable help from the Mission Board, will be self-supporting, with the exception, perhaps, of some aid necessary to carry the work to some Spanish territory which is difficult of access, such as, for example, the interior of the states of Venezuela and Colombia.
In the early days of the West Indian field, much faithful work had been done by canvassers, especially in the English, and plans were laid at this meeting for a revival of that important work. Several canvassers were called for, to take up the work in Spanish countries, and among the French islands. Most encouraging reports were received of the canvassing done in these countries where it had been thought little could be accomplished. Brother H. H. Cobban, the manager of the publishing department, was able to give an encouraging report, showing that the past year the institution had a net gain of eleven hundred dollars on its operating account.
Many schools are in successful operation in the islands and on the mainland, and are proving a blessing.
Elder U. Bender was again elected president for the coming term, and Brother H. H. Cobban, secretary and treasurer. When the session closed, the delegates expressed themselves as full of courage for the future, and went back to their fields with the determination of putting into operation the plans which had been recommended, that the coming year might be the best in the history of the West Indian Union. I greatly enjoyed these meetings with the brethren and sisters—both the old friends I had known in America, and the new friends whom I met for the first time. May God bless their earnest labors, and give them physical endurance and spiritual strength to carry out his purposes in that field, where much faithful effort has already been put forth.
H. R. SALISBURY.
Arkansas
By A. P. Heacock
HOT SPRINGS.—The short article in the REVIEW a few weeks ago by L. T. Hanson has brought to me several letters of inquiry. In addition to what Brother Hanson has already said, I would say that Hot Springs is both a home and a foreign mission field. We have about one hundred thousand visitors annually. Some come seeking pleasure, but many seeking health, who for this reason are in a condition to receive spiritual help and instruction. The time certainly demands that this place be occupied in a way that will rightly represent the truth.
Our conference is not able to do this work, and with the present demands made upon our union conference and the General Conference, it seems best not to ask for help from these sources. Are there not those who love the truth, and have means that they would like to invest, themselves working with that means in helping to give the message in this place?
The health work furnishes the natural entering wedge. Our health literature should be continually circulated by competent and well-qualified persons. We should have a hygienic café. In connection with this we should have a large reading-room, furnished with our periodicals, tracts, and books, in different languages.
If any who read this feel moved by the Spirit of God to do such a work, I will gladly correspond with such. If any desire to contribute money for this work, they can send it to C. J. Dart, treasurer Arkansas Conference, Fayetteville, Ark., or to the undersigned, stating that it is for the work in Hot Springs. My address is 305 Henry Ave., Hot Springs, Ark. A. P. HEACOCK.
Work for the Colored People in the Atlantic Union
By J. K. Humphrey
DEAR READERS OF THE REVIEW: I think you will be glad to know something of the work that is being done among the colored people in Greater New York. I must say we are of good courage by the grace of God. As we go along, we see the hand of our Father leading us, and directing our efforts to success. The accompanying picture represents a few of those who decided this summer to obey the Lord in the light of his Word; and the building is the one we are trying to purchase.
COLORED BELIEVERS IN NEW YORK CITY, WITH PARTIAL VIEW OF BUILDING TO BE PURCHASED
The Lord blessed us with seventy-one Sabbath-keepers this summer, fifty-eight of whom were baptized. Surely he has been good to us. New York City is the only large city in the union conference where aggressive work is being carried on among the colored people, and even here much more could be done, but we lack men and means. Let us pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his vineyard; for the harvest truly is great. We need consecrated evangelists and Bible workers to enter these large cities of the East. The results this summer show that there are willing hearts who are waiting for the message.
Personally, I never enjoyed more blessed experiences than those which my labor for souls has brought, and I know the other workers feel the same. We were forced to purchase the building, for we could secure nowhere in the neighborhood a hall large enough to seat a hundred persons, and our ordinary congregation numbered three hundred; thus the outlook was very discouraging. Then we decided to buy this property. It is situated in the very center of the largest colony of colored people in the city; and when you know that within a radius of ten squares there are, by actual count, fifty thousand of these people, you will say, with me, that it was providential that we secured such a home. The colored people are very thankful; for it was hard for them to get a suitable place to rent. Although the rents are exorbitant, and they sacrificed largely to keep a room where they could meet to praise God, there came a time when there was nothing in sight for us but to buy a home where we could feel safe from ejection or the continuous raising of the rent. We have made a good start toward paying for the property, having raised the price equity, but we need help to clear off the mortgage of $5,200; therefore we appeal to kind and generous hearts everywhere.
We shall be able to utilize this building in several ways. We greatly need a missionary Bible school for the colored people in this city; such a school would serve as a recruiting station from which we could draw workers for the whole union. There is a possibility, also, of having treatment-rooms, where the colored people can be helped in times of sickness. As it is now, there is no place where they can go, rest for a few days, and at the same time secure the benefits of the light on healthful living.
I thank God for the outlook, and again ask you to do what you can to help us pay for this building. Send all donations to Greater New York Conference, Treasurer, 32 Union Square, East, New York City, and remember us in your prayers.
J. K. HUMPHREY.
Emmanuel Mission, Basutoland
By H. C. Olmstead
THE first year's history of this mission has nearly closed. Delays and changes made by the chiefs, and our being without an interpreter for nearly ten weeks, prevented our receiving the mission site until July 7. Then a good location was given by Chief Jonathan. It contains only about twenty-three acres, but this is a large mission site to be given in Basutoland. It is near many villages, on the main road, and two miles from the railway siding.
Owing to conditions prevailing in this country, we were advised to begin no improvements involving much expense until after the visit of Pastors R. C. Porter, W. S. Hyatt, and M. E. Emmerson. Their visit was very profitable to the work here, and on September 1 we were told to go ahead with the improvements.
During these first eight months, meetings were held in the near-by villages. For some time a youths' Bible class, of from forty to sixty members, was conducted two nights each week. A day-school and a night-school were opened in a large stone building, the use of which Chief Jonathan freely loaned to us. The teacher, Murray Kalaka, and his family, live in one part of it. He is well respected, and good progress is made in the school. Over sixty names are now enrolled. Sabbath-school and preaching services are conducted in the same building, with a good attendance. Meetings are also conducted Sundays in the villages near.
The mission house has been started, although no building money has yet been received. Until it is completed (probably about six months), we are living in a little sod house.
Lack of money has prevented our planting a crop this year, but we hope to begin intensive farming on the small campus by another season. Our aim is to become self-supporting.
Different chiefs have given a quantity of thatch-grass, the use of a horse for nearly three months, and we now have the loan of four oxen, and the promise of more help later.
H. C. OLMSTEAD.
News and Notes
By A. J. S. B.
Accompanying his January report of our foreign magazines published at College View, Neb., Brother F. F. Byington, manager of the International Publishing Association, says: “We make a pretty good showing this month, inasmuch as our subscription lists are being mailed.” He encloses the following interesting references to our Swedish magazine, Tidens Tecken:—
“I have just read a copy of your magazine. It does contain so much truth. Yes, all that I can find in it is truth. I enclose thirty cents for three copies to be sent to three of my friends.”
“Please send me 100 copies of your last issue. It is such a good number. It ought to be in every Swedish home.”
“I find that the last magazine sells quite rapidly. I was out a while this morning, and sold twenty-five copies. At this rate I shall have to send for more.”
Brother Charles Lake, of the Pacific Press periodical department, writes: “Our single list is on the increase. A number of new agents are taking hold of the sale of the Signs Monthly. A number of letters have been received from our friends in the field during the past two weeks, assuring us of the fact that they are noticing the improvement in the recent issues of the magazine. Good as the January and February numbers are, the March issue will surpass them in every way.” He passes on the following interesting incidents:—
From a brother just beginning this work: “Don’t you think I am doing fine? One day last week I sold seventy-four copies of the Signs Monthly in one of the large buildings in Pittsburg. When I told one gentleman that it was a Seventh-day Adventist magazine, he took it and gave me fifty cents. The people like to buy our literature. Enclosed find draft for four dollars for 100 more copies.”
Brother D. W. Reavis, manager of the Review and Herald periodical department, reports many incidents of more than ordinary interest, from which we select only a few:—
“Thursday I sold sixty copies of Liberty in three and one-half hours, $3.60 profit. Yesterday I sold eighty-six copies in seven hours, $5.16 profit. Have just ordered 400 more copies. You know I recently ordered 850 magazines.”
“One student in South Lancaster Academy who ordered 700 copies of Liberty to sell during the holiday vacation week, reports having sold fifty copies in one hour, on Monday, December 26. This sister’s profit on that hour’s work amounted to $3,—more than many a man will earn in a whole day, especially at this time of the year. “
“I received the fifty copies of Life and Health to-day, and am well pleased with this number. I have been selling this magazine for over one year, with the Signs Monthly. I go over the same territory every month. By so doing I have regular customers.”
From a busy mother who has as many cares as the average home furnishes, yet who finds time to do something to help circulate literature containing the message: “My time is pretty well taken up with my cares at home, but I will try to sell twenty copies of Life and Health and thirteen copies of the Watchman each month for a year. I am much interested in this work, and although I sometimes find it a little hard to begin, I usually find it just as hard to stop. I can devote only a few hours once in a while to this work. I think those who have an opportunity to engage in it ought to do so soon; for the time is short.”
“Gentlemen: To-day I picked up a fragment of your magazine Life and Health, dated April, 1909. It was the best little magazine of the kind I ever saw. If still publishing it, kindly send me a copy. If it equals the part of the copy I now have, I want it.”
From a young girl who earned her scholarship last year by selling our magazines: “I enjoyed selling my papers very much, and would like to take that many every month, but shall not have time while at school. During the past year I have sold about thirty-five hundred copies of Life and Health and the Signs Monthly.”
From one of our experienced workers who sells both books and papers: “During the year 1910 I sold 2,657 magazines. Have had many rich experiences, and many blessings. The magazines and small books, or papers, bring a man face to face and heart to heart with all classes. I have said many times, ‘This is the most blessed work in existence.’ I have been in it now for nearly thirty years, and it is as precious, and even more joyful to me now than when I first began. The Protestant Magazine is attracting considerable attention nowadays. It is real easy to sell. I was recently in a house where there were some women visiting, and one of them, a Protestant, picked up a package of my magazines and read off the names. Among others was a copy of the Protestant. A Catholic lady then arose, and said, ‘O, is that the Protestant Magazine? Has he got two? I want them.’ To-day I sold a copy of the Protestant Magazine to a fine-looking man on the street. I said to him, ‘I suppose you are a Protestant.’ He replied, ‘No,’ explaining that he was a Roman Catholic. So you see Catholics as well as Protestants are interested in this magazine.”
The following was received from a member of the faculty of — Seminary, a Lutheran educational institution: “Dear Sirs: A member of our faculty lent me a copy of your Protestant Magazine. I read the magazine, and was very much pleased with it. I subscribe herewith for the said magazine, beginning with the January number.”
It will be remembered that the Review and Herald Publishing Association issues seven periodicals, four of which are ten-cent magazines. We shall aim in these notes from month to month to give all our ten-cent magazines an opportunity to speak for themselves of the work they are accomplishing. With the advent of the new Temperance number of the Youth’s Instructor we expect that thousands of our young people and others will engage in its sale, who are not now selling any of the magazines. Let every one improve his talents. We are told that “the Lord measures with exactness every possibility for service. . . . We shall be judged according to what we ought to have done.”—“Christ’s Object Lessons,” page 263. Let our motto be, “Something for Each One to Do.” Write to your conference tract society to-day for samples of the ten-cent magazines, and for terms to agents.
A. J. S. B.
The Missionary and Publishing Work
Notes, Plans, Reports, Statistics, and Other Information Regarding Missionary Endeavor and the Circulation of Gospel Literature
Conducted by the Missionary and Publishing Department of the General Conference
E. R. PALMER . . . . . Secretary
N. Z. TOWN . . . . . Assistant Secretary
A. J. S. BOURDEAU . . . . . Missionary Secretary
Cheering Words From Mexico
By N. Z. T.
“You no doubt received my report for last week ere this. It was as follows: Hours worked, 23; value of orders taken, $405. This week I worked 24 hours, and took $338 worth of orders. Total number of hours worked, 47; orders taken, $743. This is the way the Lord works for Mexico.”
Thus writes Brother John L. Brown from the west coast of Mexico. Speaking of his work in the same place in a later letter, Brother Brown says: “My delivery went off fine. I never before received so many blessings in three weeks’ work. I delivered every book I had, and then I had to leave a number of good orders unfilled, which I will fill by mail. My total delivery was $723. I am learning to trust God more, and to depend less on self and worldly ‘salesmanship.’”
BROTHER J. A. P. GREEN writes as follows:—
“January 22 I reached Manzanillo, Colima. Three hours’ ride from this place, we came to the capital of the state of Colima. Here I found Brother J. E. Frazee greatly encouraged over the success that God has given him in this place. Alone in a small city, he is nevertheless full of courage and faith, and of the spirit that wins its way.”
“He has been canvassing in this state a little over one month, and has sold books to the value of 570 pesos; in one week he sold 236 pesos’ worth. He writes: ‘I am doing well; have secured the subscription of the governor, the chief of police, the public printer, the secretary of the governor, lawyers, professional men, etc., making almost a clean sweep of the best people of the city.’ Though he is older than some of the workers, Brother Frazee holds a place with younger men in earnestness and zeal and the work accomplished.
“Leaving Colima, I visited Guadalajara, where Brethren Martin and Phillips are at work. Sometimes they have to work alone,—and this calls for sacrifice in this country,—but they are not discouraged. They do not have the pleasant conditions and healthful foods that they could have at home; but they are happy in their work, and thankful for the opportunities that present themselves to labor for the Master.”
