Earlier text: Malamulo MissionCONSIDERABLE has already been said concerning the good results attending the week of prayer in various parts of the field. We present herewith other brief reports which have reached us from various quarters of the United States and Canada. J. C. Stevens reports for some of the churches in the New York Conference. He visited Rome and Oswego. "Excellent meetings were enjoyed in both these places, as the Spirit of the Lord was manifestly present. Scarcely without exception the brethren and sisters took an advanced step. The blessed hope seemed brighter than ever before as we considered the speedy finishing of the work." Of the work in Syracuse Brother Stevens says: "The Lord came very near to his people. All pressed forward to renewed consecration — the surrender of all known sin, and greater faithfulness in all things." E. E. Covey, speaking of this season at Vienna, Adams Center, and Watertown, N. Y., says: "The week was a spiritual feast to us all, and I praise the Lord for blessings received. God has been doing things for his people here in Watertown, the same as at the South Lancaster meeting; for all seemed anxious to get free from sin, that they might be fully prepared for the outpouring of the latter rain." E. L. Cardy reports that the week of prayer "brought many blessings and victories to our people in Albany."65 Of the work at Willet, N. Y., R. E. Bliss says: "The week of prayer has indeed been a season of refreshing and revival to our company here." Of the fruits of this season in the Southern New England Conference, J. E. Jayne says: "Everywhere many of our people manifested an earnest desire for the rapid advancement of the third angel's message, and a willingness to do all in their power to aid it. In almost every locality one or more persons definitely decided to obey the truth of God, and many who had become indifferent and backslidden renewed their covenants." Of his work among the churches of the Southern New England Conference R. D. Clapp says: "I believe this special week of devotion has been a great spiritual uplift to our people." Of the meeting in West Burke, Vt., H. L. Bishop writes: "The little church at West Burke had some blessed experiences during the week of prayer. The Holy Spirit came very near the last Sabbath, and all renewed their consecration to God. Before the close of the meeting every one present who had come to the years of understanding, expressed a desire to follow the Saviour. Three of our youth gave their hearts to God." B. C. Haak says this of the meetings which he held with some of the churches in Minnesota: "I believe I had never experienced a week of prayer in which all felt so greatly the nearness of God's Spirit as we did during the last week of prayer, nor one in which there was such earnest seeking after God. God heard our prayers and sent answers. Many victories were gained, for which we thank him." Stemple White, of the same conference, says of the meetings in several churches which he visited: "God sent us a very rich blessing. Confessions were made, and some took a new hold on God. This week of prayer, with its stirring readings, has brought new power into my life, and I believe that all who attended the meetings can say the same." Of his visit to Williamsdale Academy, M. N. Campbell, president of the Eastern Canadian Conference, says: "The spiritual atmosphere is good. I am deeply impressed with the readiness of the students to hear testimony in social meetings. Whenever an opportunity was given, eight or ten would rise up at once to speak a word for him who has redeemed them by his precious blood. There is a good, courageous spirit in the Maritime field, and prospects for growth and spiritual advancement are bright." C. L. Taggart says of the work in the Northern California-Nevada Conference: "Judging from what we experienced with some of the churches, we believe lasting good has been accomplished as a result of the week of prayer." One evidence of this blessing which he cites is the earnest spirit awakened in the hearts of many of the people to engage in missionary labor for others. C. E. Ford, of the California Conference, reports that a deep interest was taken by the students of the Lodi school and members of the church. There was an earnest endeavor to draw near to God, and many consecrated themselves for further service. E. E. Andross, president of the Pacific Union Conference, spent some time at the Pacific Union College during the week of prayer. He reports that "almost every student in the school who had not before given his heart to the Lord did so at this time, and many were revived." Brother Andross states that he never saw the Lord work more manifestly than for the students there during this occasion. The week proved a great blessing to the Sanitarium (Cal.) church. On the closing Sabbath one hundred and fifty testimonies were given in fifteen minutes. B. M. Schull, one of the officers of the Mountain View (Cal.) church, says: "We experienced much of the Lord's blessing during the week of prayer. A. E. Place led out in the study on the first Sabbath, and gave us valuable help. We had meetings every night, conducted by A. O. Tait, M. C. Wilcox, E. W. Farnsworth, L. A. Reed, and others. We experienced the presence of the Spirit of God among us in great measure. Especially was this true of the meeting on Friday evening, when we had a consecration service, and many who had become discouraged consecrated themselves anew to God. Excellent meetings were held every morning in the Pacific Press. There was marked evidence of the Lord's presence, and every one connected with the institution took part." Of the week of prayer in College Place, Wash., O. A. Johnson says: "The week of prayer proved a real blessing to the church and college here. The work which began a few weeks previous at the institute for the young people, was continued during the week of prayer. Elder Meade MacGuire, who began the good work during the institute, gave valuable help, by the blessing of God, both to the school and church. We had three baptisms during the month of December. Forty-two have been baptized. God be praised for his mercy and blessing to his people here." Mrs. C. C. Olney says of the week of prayer in Loomis, Wash.: "We had a most blessed experience during the entire week of prayer. Every heart was deeply inspired, and felt the great need of a deep, personal consecration, and a fuller surrender to our soon-coming Lord." C. J. Cummings, chaplain of the Portland (Ore.) Sanitarium, says: "The church here was greatly blessed by the observance of the week of prayer. Many victories were gained, and some started anew to serve the Lord. An excellent spirit pervades the institution." Jackson Johnson says of the week of prayer in the Kent church, located in the Western Washington conference: "This season has been a blessed one for the Kent church. The Spirit of the Lord came into our first meeting, and was with us in a marked degree. One precious soul was restored to church fellowship. One made a new start. Many confessions were made, and we all felt our spiritual strength renewed." W. T. Hilgert reports for the Moscow church, of the Upper Columbia conference: "The Lord was with us, and we had a refreshing season. At our last meeting the note of courage and devotion was heard in every testimony. The last Sabbath of the week of prayer I spent with the Viola church. It was a good day, and seemed to be the crowning of a week of blessing." C. S. Channing says of the week of prayer at Nachez, in the same conference: "We have had a very profitable season indeed during this week of prayer. The Lord came very near to us by his Spirit. This was particularly noticeable in the school, where, at the time of the sixth reading for the children, nearly every one bore testimony. We feel to thank our God for blessing us so abundantly." These are only examples of reports which might be published from every conference and church in this country. It is very evident that the week of prayer this year, above any preceding occasion of this character, brought great blessing to the people of God. In these services there was manifested more of a revival spirit than ever before. We believe that the fruits of this blessed season will be seen in increased devotion, faithfulness, and efficiency in the year to come. "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him." Col. 2:6. Ministerial Institute and South-eastern Union Conference
By L. A. Hoopes
THIS important meeting was held at Graysville, Tenn., Dec. 22, 1913, to Jan. 1, 1914. How eager we all are to catch the first glimpse of any omen that betokens God's special manifestation of power which so long ago the prophets testified would be in the last time. The recent meetings held at this place, beginning with the week of prayer, furnished unmistakable evidence that God's "set time" to favor Zion had arrived. The general attendance was all that could be expected in this field. Every department of work carried on in this union was represented. The General Conference representatives were A. G. Daniells, W. T. Knox, L. M. Bowen, W. L. Burgan. I. H. Evans, G. B. Thompson, C. B. Stephenson, C. L. Benson, and W. W. Eastman represented the North American Division Conference. Thos. Jeys and Professor Ryan represented the Southern Union Conference. Each one had a particular line of work to carry, and each contributed materially to the interest and success of the institute and conference. Our press agent, Brother W. L. Burgan, kept the secular press supplied with good reports of the meeting. Brethren Knox and Bowen rendered most valuable service as a finance committee in helping us to get a better understanding of how we may improve the financial conditions of the institutional work in this Southland. This was a difficult task, but their work was much appreciated, and will surely result in great good to this field. The Holy Spirit directs in selecting men for this line of work today, even as in apostolic times. Time was given for departmental work; such as, publishing, Sabbath school, educational, young people's, and Negro. We all felt the lack of time to attend all these meetings, and especially when a delegate represented more than one of these departments. The Ministerial Institute
This was a fitting complement and climax to the revival that had so recently been experienced in the Southern Training School and Graysville church, during the week of prayer. The chief instructors were Elders Daniells, Evans, and Thompson. In this meeting were considered such vital subjects as The Finishing of This Work; Adequate Power; The Efficiency of the Ministry; How to Develop; The Place of the Word and Prayer in Service. The ones who led out in the presentation of these topics undoubtedly had the aid of the Holy Spirit in their work. The company was already convinced that, during the week of prayer, God had indicated his readiness to do a mighty work in the earth. These conditions formed the prelude to this institute. Fully two hundred persons had been greatly stirred during the week of prayer. Many were reclaimed, and many went forward for the first time in their experience. Twenty were baptized at one time, eight at another time, and still others are to follow. The same solemn, earnest work of the revival continued right on night after night into the institute. Miracles of the truest type were wrought. Selfish, carnal, rebellious66 hearts, which stoutly resisted almost every overture of the Spirit of God, were instantly converted, and in a very brief time were transformed into zealous missionaries working for their associates. Little children kept up their earnest prayer bands right to the last day of the conference. This work of intercession was of a most practical character. They were praying for those of their number who were meeting with fierce temptations. How cheering were their testimonies when victory had perched on their banners! "God has heard our prayers," was often repeated. This revival work continued right on and took in the ministry. The Finishing of This Work and The Efficiency of the Ministry called for an advanced step in consecration. If the undershepherds are to lead the flock aright, they must know, by experience, every step of the way. Perhaps the greatest evidence of a true Pentecost was seen when the ministers humbled themselves under the mighty hand of God. We felt our need of power. How was the efficiency of the ministry to be obtained? We have the Word, we hear the preaching, our intellect is enlightened; now why this lack of power when we try to bring souls to a decision to obey Christ? The confession of faults, the putting away of sin, and the earnest prayer of faith must be experienced in this time of the latter rain, the same as in the former rain. This was done, and as a result many were seized with the conviction that right now this work is to be finished, and that "a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." Right on to the close frequent allusions were made to this fact. Almost every one caught a new vision of the present status of the third angel's message. Definite plans were considered for the finishing of this work. When the meeting was nearing its close, the almost universal testimony was that this had been a great spiritual uplift. Who can doubt that it is the outpouring of the latter rain to fit us all for the finishing of this work? The Crisis
By L. L. Caviness
"Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of Spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of Spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience. As Spiritualism more closely imitates the nominal Christianity of the day, it has greater power to deceive and ensnare. Satan himself is converted, after the modern order of things. He will appear in the character of an angel of light. Through the agency of Spiritualism, miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and many undeniable wonders will be performed."—Great Controversy, page 588. This quotation from Great Controversy is doubtless familiar to many, if not all, of the readers of the Review. Now what are we doing to warn the Protestants of the United States against making these great mistakes? The Protestant Magazine is published with the express purpose of informing the people of this country of the errors of Roman Catholic doctrines, and of warning them of the plan of Rome "to make America dominantly Catholic." This journal is now starting on its sixth year. It has met with a fair degree of success, and is attracting the comment of the Catholic press; but should it not be given a far wider circulation in the future? If it could be given a circulation of one hundred thousand, its influence for good would be correspondingly increased, and the people of the United States would be warned of their dangers. The magazine is one which makes its appeal to the thoughtful man and woman. "As Spiritualism more closely imitates the nominal Christianity of the day, it has greater power to deceive and ensnare." This is exactly the condition that now exists. The Spiritualistic leaders have rejected their early antichristian teachings, and are assuming a broad conciliatory attitude of toleration. They advocate a religion of evolutionary progress. This is expressed in one of the articles which have been appearing weekly in one of the great newspapers of Washington:— "The new is superseding the old, and never is the new entirely like the old. Constant change is the natural expression of universal life, and what is conservatism one moment has been revolutionism at another. Such is life surrounding us. And we ourselves are subject to such changes in body and soul. . . . The true meaning of life is progress Godward. Godward means upward in truth, morals, sincerity, brotherliness, justice, philosophy, and religion."—Washington Post, Dec. 28, 1913. In a previous article the work of Spiritualism had been explained:— "Spiritualism calls for the spiritual awakening of the nations from the age-long dream of temporal, materialistic, and godless drifting, to the eternal, spiritual, and divine usefulness. . . . Perfect happiness in love is simply impossible so long as mankind remains as it is, full of selfishness. How can you expect full understanding of your good aims when such aims crucify all the mean desires of the multitude? Spiritualism, more than anything else, has taught me the fact that common human selfishness is so utterly foolish—from whatever standpoint we may look upon it—that the greatest answer to the deepest question resolves itself into the admonition, 'Sell all you have and give it to the poor, and follow the light as revealed through Jesus.'"—Id., Dec. 21, 1913. Evidently the condition pointed out in the quotation from Great Controversy is being fulfilled; the culmination must be just ahead of us. Spiritualism has been rapidly increasing in its hold upon men of education and ability. This is well expressed in a statement of fact in the introduction to a recent two-volume treatise on Spiritualism, in which the author tries to establish the hypothesis that all the wonders of Spiritualism can be explained on the basis of laws of thought transference not yet sufficiently understood:— "Within the last decade the strongest evidence adduced in the whole history of the movement for the belief in communion with the dead has been furnished by the trance utterances of Mrs. Piper, as interpreted by Dr. Hodgson's report; while within the same period the physical manifestations occurring in the presence of an Italian medium, Eusapia Paladino, have seemed, and still seem to many persons of eminence in this country and on the Continent, worthy of consideration as testifying to the probable operation of forces unknown to science. That men of such distinction in various fields of thought as Sir Oliver Lodge, the late Mr. F. W. H. Myers, Dr. Hodgson, Prof. William James of Harvard, and Prof. Charles Richet of Paris, should have been strongly affected, and in some cases actually convinced, by the new evidence, while older converts, like Sir W. Crookes and Dr. A. R. Wallace, maintain their belief unimpaired, is proof sufficient that the movement, if on the decline, is visibly still far from its euthanasia, and may at any moment receive fresh accessions of strength with the discovery of new mediums or new forms of manifestation."—Frank Podmore, in Modern Spiritualism, page 13. As it is true that only those who are entirely free from the false doctrines of Rome and who have the true principles of religious liberty can present a consistent opposition to the effort of Romanism and apostate Protestantism to enforce the observance of that institution which Rome claims as a badge of the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, so it is equally true that the only consistent opposers of Spiritualism are those who stand on the Bible position, "The dead know not anything." Those who believe that the departed are watching over their loved ones who still live, with a tender and loving solicitude, though this is contrary to the Bible teaching, can find little protection against communications pretending to come from these same dead friends, and which bear marks of their friends' personality. Let us be alert to the responsibility which is upon us individually to warn the people against these great delusions which are bringing the final crisis. "They are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Rev. 16:14. Colporteurs' Experiences
By I. A. Ford
THE following experiences of some of our colporteurs during the past year have been reported by their field agents. From the Chesapeake Conference come the following:— "While Brother Clark was here in this conference, he got a brother to canvass in Hartford County. One evening he was looking for a place to stay overnight, and was directed across the field. As he was nearing the house, he heard some one using loud language. He was on the point of turning back, but after offering a silent prayer to God, went on. He found a rough-appearing man, and gave him a canvass for 'Coming King.' The man took the book and paid cash for it. The colporteur arranged to stay overnight. A few days later he met this man67 on the road, who immediately began to ask concerning the state of the dead. A few weeks passed by, and the canvasser thought he would go and spend the Sabbath and Sunday with this man, as he had invited him to come any time he could. As soon as he arrived at the house, the man began to ask concerning the Sabbath. You see he was reading the book, and as he came to the truth he began to inquire about it. This was Friday afternoon. When he had had the Sabbath explained, he called all his family together, and told them what he wanted to do. They hurried and got all the work done, and as the sun went down they began to keep their first Sabbath. This man is very enthusiastic, and has been active in trying to get others to see the truth. As a result of his efforts in the few months just past, three have decided to keep the commandments of God, and others are interested. Elder F. W. Paap recently baptized one of these new converts. "There was a family who had been reading our books and had learned something about this truth. The father was a glass blower and made good wages. His mother was a Seventh-day Adventist, as were also a brother and a sister, who accepted the truth after this man had married and left home. His sister's health failed, and she was sent to a sanitarian for treatment, this brother helping to furnish the money necessary for the treatments. When the sister returned home, she thought she would visit this brother. One day while she was there, an old woman came to the door selling the Signs of the Times; of course the sister knew she was an Adventist. The woman did not sell the paper, but she told them of a series of meetings just beginning in the little church, and asked them to attend. After this family had gone two or three nights they asked a brother-in-law and his wife to go, and they did. As a result of those meetings both families accepted the truth. The two men went into the canvassing work and helped to scatter thousands of pages of our good literature, and are both in conference work at this time. "This shows we should not be discouraged even if we do not sell at every place. This old woman did not sell her paper, but look at the result of that visit; and the end is not yet." The following interesting experiences come from north Michigan:— "One sister who is nearing the seventies writes: 'One lady said many times that she just knew the Lord sent me to her. She had thought for a long time that she would get a book of me. When it seemed the walk was more than I could stand, I would repeat Isa. 41:10.' This sister has been very faithful to her calling. She has placed over two hundred dollars' worth of our literature right around her home during the past few months. "For the benefit of those who are afraid of the 'preachers,' I shall say: Brother Smally, one of our student canvassers, called on a certain minister and gave him a canvass for 'Daniel and the Revelation.' The minister became much interested in the book, but his interest did not end there. He told his congregation what a grand book it was, and some of them were ready to give their orders as soon as the canvasser arrived. I do not know what denomination this minister represented. "To illustrate how the angels are present to work upon hearts, I will mention one more experience. Brother Burkett and I were working together for a few days. At a certain place where we gave our canvass the woman did not seem much impressed. After we had been gone some time, this woman came to a house where we were giving a canvass, and said she had decided to get the book in the half-morocco binding. Her husband had been listening to the canvass, and after we were gone he asked why she did not order the book. She had wanted it, but felt unable to give the order. She followed us a long way in the country to find us and give the order. Surely the angels stay by at these homes after we leave." Wisconsin sends us the following cheering experiences:— "One day it was extremely hot, and one of the workers, becoming tired, stopped under a tree and asked the Lord to send some one to him. He canvassed every one that came by, and while he was resting he secured three orders for 'Great Controversy.' "Another worker began canvassing a woman, and was asked at the start if it was not an Adventist book. When informed that it was, she said: 'I know it is a fine book; mother has it in Danish, and I have been wanting one for a long time, but did not know where to get it.' It was easy to secure her order. "One of our boys about fifteen years old went out with the Home Workers' Prospectus, and in twenty-two hours he secured orders for $15.85 worth of books. We expect him to develop into a regular canvasser soon. "One of our workers placed a book in nearly every home in one township. Such an interest has developed that they are calling for a minister. One woman wishes baptism, and if a minister can go there, there is good prospect of a company being raised up. "One woman told a canvasser that she had been looking for such a book for some time, and just that morning she had looked in a mail-order catalogue to see if she could not find something like that. "One tract society secretary has spent three weeks canvassing, and as a result two Catholics and one Protestant have accepted the truth. This is doubtless only the beginning of what will result from that effort." The following comes from New Jersey:— "One of our canvassers found a family that had been keeping the Sabbath for two months. This was the result of a 'Great Controversy' some canvasser sold them last year. It pays to recanvass territory. "This canvasser and I had the privilege of stopping overnight with a family to whom this brother sold a book last year. The husband believes the truth; all he needs is more faith to step out upon God's promises. "Both these cases are the result of leaving a good influence behind and placing a good book in these homes." The following very interesting experiences were had by our workers in west Pennsylvania:— "I called on a gentleman and started to show him 'Daniel and the Revelation,' when he stopped me and said, 'Do you read the Menace?' I said, 'Yes, sir.' We talked a moment longer, and I began to tell him the difference between our books and those that are put out on these subjects by other people. I showed him that we prove everything by the Bible. He became interested. I stayed all night, had a good Bible study, and of course sold a book. "Another night, in company with one of the men, I could not find a place to stay all night. Finally we called upon an aged couple living all alone. We stated our work, and they told us we could stay all night, but they could not take a book, for they were both old, and could not see to read. When we went to the barn, the gentleman told us to bring in one of our books, and read some to them, if they were good books. We happened to have a full copy of 'Great Controversy' with us, so that evening I read a chapter. He stopped me and said, 'That is fine reading, but is it based on the Bible?' I said, 'It is.' 'Read the texts, please.' I did after that, and he said, 'Fine!' The wife said, 'Good book to have.' After a little he told me to stop, he wanted to talk awhile. So I did, and we had a fine visit. Then a chapter was read, and we had a blessed season of prayer. We retired about one o'clock, and the next morning as we were ready to leave, I told him I would settle the bill for their kindness. He said, 'Bill! I was just planning on paying you for staying all night with us. Your visit did us as much good as a preacher's, and we should have had to pay him, so we want to settle with you.' I said, 'No, sir; but if you want to pay anything, this is what we will do: You take this book and place it in your home, and have people read it to you.' He paid for it on the spot. We went away from that place rejoicing, feeling sure that the Lord led us there." From Massachusetts come the following experiences:— "In the old historic town of New Bedford, Mass., where Elder Joseph Bates wrote his first tract on the Sabbath, one of our colporteurs took our large books, 'Patriarchs and Prophets,' 'Desire of Ages,' 'Great Controversy,' and 'Daniel and the Revelation,' and made a canvass of some of the ministers. He first met a Methodist minister and sold a 'Desire of Ages.' From there he went to another minister of the same denomination. This minister had some of our books, but the canvasser readily secured his order for 'Great Controversy.' "The next canvass was given in the evening at the home of another Methodist minister, and after about ten minutes' canvass he took the whole set, making an order of $12. Before the colporteur left, the minister said he knew of a young man who was studying for the ministry, and on the strength of his recommendation this young man took the set of four books in a better binding, at $15. The next was a Baptist minister, who ordered the full set in cloth. When the time came to deliver the $15 set, it was unavoidably delayed, and the colporteur was a little anxious about the result; but when he finally came with the books, he found the young man ready with several five-dollar bills tucked away in his desk. He seemed delighted to get the books, and said that if our brother could furnish any more help in his work, he wanted it. "Some time ago one of our colporteurs who is selling the Signs of the Times, seeing the door of a convent open, went68 in and sold seventeen. Coming out, he met the mother superior, who was very much displeased and threatened to have him arrested, but that was as far as it went. "When the next number was out, he went to the same convent again, and this time met the priest at the door. He sold him a paper and got his permission to go inside. Here he met the mother superior again. She apologized for speaking so harshly to him before. She said she did not fully understand his purpose, and had misjudged his motive in coming in as boldly as he had. She said the paper seemed to be quite good, bought one herself, and gave him permission to sell to the inmates the second time. "When he came out, the priest met him at the door, and said that there was a parochial school a short distance away where he might sell to some of the pupils. When the next number was out, he went to this school and told the principal that Father — had recommended him, and the principal wrote him a recommendation stating that his work was recommended by Father —. On the strength of this he sold twenty papers in the school. This morning I received a letter saying that he had been to another convent in a neighboring city and sold to twenty-five persons, including a priest. This brother says he has a burden for the Catholics. "One of our canvassers had a good example of prayer the other day. He had labored hard for about twelve hours and had taken no orders. The enemy began to whisper doubts, and like the disciples who had fished all night, he was tempted to be discouraged; but after praying earnestly over the matter, the next morning he launched out into the deep and let down his net. In four hours he secured orders amounting to $17, in territory that had previously been canvassed with the same work."