Many of the readers of the Review will remember that there was published in this paper, nearly two years ago, a plea in behalf of Paraguay. After eight-months' residence in the country, we are better prepared to answer the letters of inquiry received in response to that appeal.
On our arrival at Asuncion the first of last August, we were met by Dr. Flagg, a dentist from the United States, who kindly assisted us in passing the customs, securing the entrance of our furniture free of duty, on which, had we entered it at Buenos Ayres, we should have paid a duty of sixty per cent, on the valuation of the Argentine officials. This gentleman also assisted us in finding a pleasant and healthful location just outside of the city, with good water, half an acre of land, on which are a number of fruit trees, at a reasonable rent. We shall ever feel grateful to him as well as to our kind Heavenly Father for thus opening the way so favorably for us. Previous to our arrival, we had unmistakable evidences that the Lord was calling us hither, and this impression was strengthened by an interest awakened in the National Colony. A German brother there had received literature treating on present truth, from his brother, a Sabbath-keeper in Uruguay, but hesitated to obey, although fully convinced. However, he diligently circulated among his neighbors all reading matter received, and as a result, when we visited the colony, we found quite an interest to hear. After two weeks of labor, six adults decided to obey, and there being already four Sabbath-keepers, we left ten keeping the Sabbath. This company, we trust, will become a nucleus for a church.
Since my first visit, I have labored a month in the same colony, and as a result the interest is spreading among the Paraguayans. One woman, a native, has accepted the Sabbath, and will doubtless be of assistance in interpreting from the Spanish to the Guarani, the latter being the language of the common people of the country. One case met with will serve to illustrate the importance of circulating our literature: A French colonist, while lying sick in the British hospital in Buenos Ayres, received from one of our Bible workers copies of the French Signs, and becoming interested through the reading of the same, he is now prepared to study present truth.
It would be difficult to find in any other small place so many dependent persons, with blighted prospects, as one meets in this colony. In view of the offer of the government to immigrants, this may seem strange. The conditions are as follows: (1) Free transportation from Buenos Ayres or Montevideo to Asuncion; (2) free entry of personal baggage, furniture, tools, seeds, etc.; (3) free board and lodging for five days at immigrant hotel in Asuncion; (4) free passage of immigrants from Asuncion to destination; (5) a grant of thirty acres to each immigrant at the nominal price of eight cents an acre. The land granted consists partly of heavy timbered and partly of grazing land. The former affords plenty of good timber for building purposes, while the land, when cleared, is very fertile, producing in abundance oranges, bananas, pineapples, peaches, melons, besides a number of wild fruits of minor importance. In the line of vegetables, sweet potatoes, mandioca, rice, beans, sugar cane, peanuts, and alfalfa flourish, besides the ordinary garden vegetables. Many will doubtless ask what could be more favorable than the conditions offered the colonist in Paraguay. The answer is easily given. Unfortunately, the country, having no manufacturing population, possesses only a limited home market, and is therefore dependent on the markets of Argentina. The government, in order to raise money, sold, several years ago, its valuable lands adjacent to the rivers and lines of communication, leaving only the remote lands of the interior for the purpose of colonization.
The government colony, in which our Sabbath-keepers live, is one hundred and fifty miles from Asuncion, toward the southwest, on thirty-six square miles of well-watered timbered land. Although an abundance of all natural products is raised, the colonist, owing to his isolation, must accept whatever price the market of his neighborhood will pay. Following are some of the various products and prices noted during our last visit: Sweet potatoes, per bu., 32 cents; bananas, per bunch, 4 or 5 cents; pineapples, per hundred, $1.25; sugar cane, per ton, loaded at railroad, $1.50; corn, per bu., shelled, 25 cents; rice, per cwt., $1.71; peanuts, per cwt., unshelled, $1.13. Even at these low prices farming could be carried on to some profit if it were possible to use the latest machinery, but, owing to numerous stumps and other obstacles, only hand labor can be employed. Hence the area cultivated by each colonist is small, and the amount produced correspondingly small.
In justice to Paraguay, it must be said, however, that the colonists who came to the country with some capital are making progress, since their money enabled them to purchase land on or near the river, where they can ship their bananas, pineapples, and other produce direct by boat to the Argentine markets. We are creditably informed that one of these has realized from the sale of bananas and pineapples the past year three thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars, not including expenses; while another has sold produce to the amount of two thousand five hundred dollars. Orange culture is also regarded a reliable business. A North American gentleman from Arkansas has an orchard of four thousand bearing trees, the fruit of which nets him on an average two hundred dollars a tree, as it stands. Trees come into partial bearing in four years, and into full bearing when eight years old. Stock raising is also a good-paying enterprise, but more capital is required at the start. To buy three square miles of grazing land and stock it with two hundred cows, would cost two thousand five hundred dollars.
We would say, in closing, however, do not come to this country unless you are satisfied, after earnest prayer, that this is where the Lord would have you; otherwise you will be disappointed. Life here, with every advantage, is attended with privations and inconveniences approaching those of the early pioneers in our Western States. We came here in search of souls for whom our Saviour died, and praise His name, we have been directed to some. We earnestly solicit the prayers of all in behalf of the work here.
E. W. Snyder.
LATER.—We received from Brother W. A. Spicer the following report from Brother Snyder, with this note: “We pass to the Review readers the following extract from a letter to the Mission Board. A description of Paraguay and its people, from the pen of Brother Snyder, will appear in the July Missionary Magazine. W. A. S.”—
Until quite recently I have been laboring one hundred and sixty miles in the interior. When we left there, ten adults were keeping the Sabbath, and walking in the light as far as presented. The greater part of these desire baptism. Several have had quite a struggle to overcome the tobacco habit, but are now praising the Lord for victory. One is a Paraguayan sister. Considering the fact that the appetite for tobacco is transmitted by heredity from the Paraguayan mother to her children, we can scarcely appreciate the trial one of these must undergo in order to overcome this habit.
The results from the preaching of this truth are the same in South America as in the United States. Up to the present, our efforts have been confined to the French and the German people of the colony. But owing to the calls from the Paraguayans for meetings, we shall, during our next visit, labor for this people. Truly, the fields are white, ready for the harvest. Because of the scattered location of the colonists, only a few of them can assemble in one place. This makes it necessary to travel a great deal on horseback.
One experience impressed me with the importance of scattering our literature. We heard of two French families keeping the Sabbath, and decided to visit them. An elderly man received us cordially, and in answer to our question as to how he learned the Sabbath truth, brought out a large package of our French tracts, written by D. T. Bourdeau, J. N. Andrews, James White, and others. These he had secured in Chile, and as a result soon began to keep the Sabbath. On his arrival here, he taught the truth to others, and besides his wife, who is a Paraguayan woman, another French family joined him in observing the Sabbath. These two families, although alone, celebrated the Lord's Supper together, and practiced the ordinance of humility. They are ready for more light, and think of building a church in which to worship. These results are due to the circulation of our tracts and papers, so I feel that we should sow beside all waters, being assured that the Lord of the harvest will give the increase.
E. W. Snyder.
ONTARIO
By F. D. Starr
It has recently been my privilege to visit Perth Road, Kingston, Belleville, Alderville and Peterboro. At Perth Road there are two sisters who began to keep the Sabbath a few years ago, before they ever heard of Seventh-day Adventists, being convinced of the truth by reading the Bible alone. One of these was arrested and tried for Sunday labor a few months after accepting the Sabbath. She pleaded her own case, showing from the Scriptures that Sunday is not the Lord’s day, and as383the law prohibits labor on the Lord’s day, she had not broken the law. She was sentenced to pay a fine or go to jail. As she would not pay the fine, and the neighbors and those concerned in the trial could not think of sending the young lady to jail, the sentence has never been executed, and she continues her Sunday labor unmolested. I preached three sermons in the Methodist church there; by invitation of the pastor, I used his time Sunday night.
Some interested neighbors of our brethren attended the meetings in Kingston and Belleville. We had a most encouraging season at Alderville, especially Sabbath afternoon, when the four Indians who have recently accepted the message there, mostly through reading, were baptized. At Peterboro the work is being revived by the addition of some members who have recently moved in.
F. D. Starr.
GLADLY ANTICIPATING HELP.
BROTHER S. D. MILLER writes from Mobile, Ala.: “My wife and I came here a year and a half ago. We found much to do. The population of the city is thirty-nine thousand, and being a seaport, we meet all classes of people here. We are both engaged in the canvassing work. We give away papers and tracts, and many are interested in reading and studying the truth for themselves. Being colored, our work is confined to the colored people, for whom we are doing all we can. There are eight Sabbath-keepers here at present. We were almost overjoyed to learn that we shall receive more help in this part of the harvest field.”
SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING HOW TO WORK.
By A. Smith
THERE are many persons among our people who are really desirous of doing something in the Master's vineyard, but they “don't know how.” Let me make a few suggestions to such, with a view of helping them out of the difficulty. First, and always, pray for wisdom before undertaking to do anything. Secondly, do the work nearest at hand, and do it well.
The Third Angel's Message is to follow the first and second “to every kindred.” That makes it the duty of every Seventh-day Adventist to send or carry the truth to each and every one of his kindred. Some of these kindred may take it up and carry it to every one of their kindred. If all would engage in this work with a will, what vast results would soon follow.
Let me make another suggestion: There are hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of periodicals freighted with the precious message continually accumulating in some of our churches, which ought to be out among the people. Now let each family in the church gather up all the copies of our unused periodicals they can from everybody or anybody who fails to use them; and, with a prayer for God's blessing, make up a bundle of, perhaps, one copy of the Signs, one Instructor, one Little Friend, etc. Add a tract if desired, or a Bible reading. Write a short letter, if you wish, dictated by a heart warm with the love of God. Roll or fold the papers tightly, and tie with a string. Let all these bundles be brought to the evening prayer-meeting. Talk and pray over the matter. Persuade some of the young brethren, or other young men, to take a dozen or twenty bundles each, and go several miles away to the different school districts; and just at the close of school for the day, ask the teacher to send one of those bundles by the children to each family represented in the school, not forgetting to give the teacher an extra copy of the Signs or Good Health, etc.
The fathers of these families may be interested in a copy of the Sentinel, or the mother in the Signs; if not, the children will be in the Little Friend, or Instructor; and that will surely awaken the interest of the parent. Follow up the interest. Let some one visit the school again, or visit among the people. Find out how they like the papers, and if they want more. Sometimes large families of poor people will be found. Let your Sabbath-school pay for a copy of the Little Friend or the Instructor to be sent to the address of some one whose name you may secure. Send a copy of the Signs to the mother if you wish to. Let such families see that you are Christlike in your interest for them. By and by, if you are faithful and persevering, your crown may be studded with stars more beautiful than the gems that glitter in earthly diadems.
A. SMITH.
NEWS AND NOTES
— Chicago automobile drivers must not exceed a speed of eight miles an hour.
— The police board of Kansas City, Mo., has refused to close saloons on Sunday.
— There may be a special session of Congress in July, to consider Philippine matters.
— Lord Pauncefote, British ambassador to Washington, has gone to England on a vacation.
— The convention of the American Medical Association began its session in St. Paul, Minn., the 5th inst.
— For the assault and murder of a white woman of Bartow, Fla., a negro was burned at the stake at that place the 29th ult.
— A man seventy-two years old, and his four sons, were recently lynched at Lookout, Modoc Co., Cal. Their only crime was petty thievery.
— John D. Rockefeller will deliver the convocation address at the University of Chicago, the institution to which he has given so many millions.
— Owing to the protest of the foreign embassies, the Turkish government has rescinded its order prohibiting the entry of typewriters into Turkey.
— The London Daily Mail states that Dr. Theodore Herzl, founder of the Zionist movement and the Palestine Association, has “obtained from the sultan of Turkey valuable concessions toward his project of Zionist-colonization in southern Palestine.”
— A Jewish university is to be established in New York City.
— It is reported that Mrs. McKinley does not show signs of rallying.
— Owing to strike riots, Corunna, Spain, has been placed under martial law.
— Large sales of oil territory are made in Texas, the boom now being at its height.
— The city of Chicago reaps a yearly revenue of $35,000 from its 17,897 licensed dogs.
— The United States War Department has bought the “secret recipe for making maximite.”
— Hereafter, newspapers giving premiums are to be barred from the second-class postal rates.
— During the month of May the public debt of the United States was decreased $10,268,761.
— The various churches of Jacksonville, Fla., are worshiping in tents erected near their burnt edifices.
— Unless the Cubans accept the Platt amendment as it reads, Congress “may take steps to annex the island.”
— British manufacturers lay the blame for England’s failure to control the world’s markets, to British trade unionism.
— Five hundred members of the London bar recently gave a dinner to Maitre Labori, the lawyer who defended Dreyfus.
— When the promotions now planned are made, there will be vacancies for 700 second lieutenants in the United States army.
— Sunday, June 2, the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo remained open, the Midway shows and the government buildings being closed.
— Secretary Gage ordered seventeen Filipinos on their way to the Buffalo Exposition to be sent back, on account of their filthy condition.
— The manufacturers of collars and cuffs are forming a trust, to be called the American Shirt and Collar Company. Capitalization, $20,000,000.
— Gen. John B. Gordon was unanimously re-elected commander-in-chief of the United Confederate Veterans, at their recent reunion at Memphis, Tenn.
— In a speech at the Chamber of Commerce banquet, at London, Andrew Carnegie stated that the time would come when the Powers of Europe would “combine to crush England, but that America would prevent it.”
— Over fifty persons were poisoned at a high school banquet at Parker, S. D., the 4th inst. The pressed chicken they ate had been boiled in a tin boiler with a copper bottom. Two of the persons may not recover.
— At a recent Cabinet meeting at Washington, it was decided to reject the Cuban acceptance of the Platt amendment. Until Cuba submits to the letter and spirit of that amendment, the United States troops will remain on the island.
— The Boer leaders are making “a formal appeal to The Hague arbitration court, promising to abide by the decision of the tribunal regarding the issues involved in the South African war.” Possibly Great Britain might now be induced to arbitrate the question.
— The Chicago grand jury, which investigated the facts concerning the death of Mrs. H. W. Judd, “decided to vote no indictments against John Alexander Dowie, who, because of not securing medical treatment, was charged with being responsible for the woman’s death” at his Zion institution.
— The Association of Military Surgeons of the United States army, in session at St. Paul, Minn., recently adopted a resolution “in favor of the repeal of the Anti-Canteen law” passed by Congress. Since the army chaplains were most active in the interests of the Anti-Canteen law, it will be interesting to note what they will now have to say.
— Dispatches from China state that on the 5th inst. “a serious affray occurred between international troops at Tien-tsin. Some British fusileers, acting as police, sought to prevent French soldiers from house-breaking, when they were attacked with bayonets and bricks. The British fired in the air. A number of Germans joined the Frenchmen, making 500 men in all. In the affray which followed, a French soldier was killed, and several on all sides wounded. The arrival of a German officer and a strong guard ended the fray.” English-speaking troops do not seem to be in favor with the Continental troops there.
— Queen Helena, of Italy, gave birth to a daughter the 1st inst.
— Señor Michael Gener, Nationalist, has been elected mayor of Havana, Cuba.
— President and Mrs. McKinley reached Washington from San Francisco, the 3d inst.
— After the end of the present school term, Armour Institute (Chicago) will bar girl students.
— Ninety Indiana coal operators, in control of twenty-nine mines, will consolidate their interests.
— Hereafter Armenians who have become naturalized Americans or Russians, will be prohibited from entering Turkey.
— Montreal capitalists are endeavoring to form a combine “to control the Japan tea trade of Canada and the United States.”
— Count William Bismarck, youngest son of the late Prince Bismarck, died in Varzin, Prussia, the 30th ult. He was born in 1852.
— The monarchs of Europe will soon hold a conference having for its object the organization of a detective force to “track conspirators.”
— It is reported that the government of Russia “refuses to yield to the demands of the ecclesiastics who asked for the impeachment of Tolstoi.”
— Governor Gage, of California, has offered a reward of $5,000 “for the arrest and conviction of the persons implicated in the lynching at Lookout.”
— Owing to the failure of the Turkish sultan to issue a permit for the exploration of Ur of the Chaldees, the Smithsonian Institution expedition is delayed.
— Edward VII, of England, received on the 1st inst. at Windsor Castle, the visiting members of the New York Chamber of Commerce, the queen also being present.
— At a recent meeting in Peking, China, the generals of the allied troops decided to “transfer the administration of the city to Chinese officials gradually during June.”
— Owing to the probability of a reconciliation between General Booth and his son Ballington, the Salvation Army and the Volunteers of America may unite their forces.
— The census reports show that Rhode Island is the most densely populated State in the Union. It has 407 inhabitants to the square mile. In this list New York State is fourth, with a density of 152.6 persons to the square mile.
— The newspapers state that Dowie recently announced himself as “the physical and spiritual embodiment of Elijah,” before an audience of 5,000 people. Having asked all who believed his statement to stand up, “over 3,000 persons stood up and received the declaration with cheers.”
— Joseph Merrill, a Carrollton, Ga., sheriff, successfully defended, on the 7th inst., a negro murderer in his keeping, from the fury of a lynching mob. In thus upholding the laws of the State, he was obliged to shoot into the mob, killing one man and wounding two others. There is no excuse for lynchings in this country. Such proceedings never occur in England nor in Canada.
— A New York exchange states that Emperor William, of Germany, recently dismissed “one of the best-known preachers in Berlin, who was one of the pastors in the garrison church, for preaching too long. His sermon was in length three quarters of an hour. Emperor William sent word to him to curtail it the next time to a quarter of an hour. But when the Sunday came, it was forty-five minutes. So the kaiser gave instructions to have him removed to another sphere of activity. Where the Church and State are united, the sovereign can do many things that would not be allowed in any other situation.”
— In an interview at the Auditorium Hotel in Chicago, Chauncey M. Depew, the New York senator, expressed himself as strongly in favor of a third term for President McKinley. He said: “There is absolutely nothing in the way of a third term for President McKinley, in my opinion. The country has been phenomenally prosperous under his administration, universal confidence is reposed in him, and there is a vast national pride in the results of his work. The third term is not a bogy. There were entirely outside circumstances in the cases of Washington, Grant, and Benjamin Harrison, that prevented a precedent being set for the nomination and election of a president of the United States for the third time.” Evidently the spirit of imperialism and of world-politics is steadily gaining ground in this country.
ILLINOIS
By M. G. Huffman
It was my privilege to attend the late General Conference, and although I had attended quite a number of General Conferences, I can truthfully say that the last was by far the best one I ever attended. Surely, the Lord sent angels there to drive back the powers of darkness, and light came in, enabling His servants to see clearly His will in matters that were of a perplexing nature. I praise the Lord for the blessings I received while at the Conference. I left Battle Creek, April 25, to visit relatives and friends in Indiana, whom I had not seen for years. While in that State, I held meetings with the following churches: Middletown, Waldron, and Homer. We had good meetings, and enjoyed much of the Spirit of God. I was rejoiced to find so many still loving the truth. It was also my privilege to attend the general meeting held at Indianapolis, May 3-5, where we had another feast to our souls.
I left Indianapolis for Illinois, May 21. On my way to Willow Hill, I stopped at Kansas, where I met Elder Chas. Thompson, who had come to look up a location for a tent. We failed to find a suitable place, hence we went to Willow Hill. May 23, we started for Mount Erie to look up a location in that town. We found a beautiful little village with a thickly populated country around it, of well-to-do farmers. We have decided to pitch the tent there, and are preparing to begin meetings some time next week. We hope by God's help so to connect with Him that He can bless our efforts to the salvation of souls for whom Christ died. To this end we ask an interest in your prayers.
M. G. HUFFMAN.
EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE AND SUMMER SCHOOL.
SOME will soon be called to render an account before the bar of God for the intrusted talent of teaching. It is a sacred gift, and was bestowed for the purpose of assisting in the spread of the message of a soon-coming Saviour. The minister reaches the mature mind, but no worker has such a deep hold upon the very strength and foundation of the Church as the Christian teacher possesses in the hearts of the children.
The General Conference Committee is thoroughly awake to the situation, and realizes that the dearth of efficient laborers in the Seventh-day Adventist Church to-day is due to the false education of the children and youth of the past generation. That body is now putting forth every effort to meet the present situation. For this reason the Summer School and the Educational Conference were called to meet at Gull Lake (near Battle Creek, Mich.), July 10, 1901.
Now that such an opportunity is offered for the education and training of Christian teachers, are parents, teachers, and young people thoroughly aroused? If not, why not?
WHAT THE CHURCH MAY DO.
Nearly two thousand churches that should have schools for their children, have not yet organized such schools. Now is the time to act. The General Conference is ready to help you, by giving free tuition and free tent room to all the young people you may send to the Summer School to prepare for teaching. Here is the instruction:
“Wherever there are a few Sabbath-keepers, the parents should unite in providing a place for a day-school, where their children and youth can be instructed.” “We are far behind our duty in this important matter.” “Let these schools now be started under wise direction, that the children and youth may be educated in their own churches. It is a grievous offense to God that there has been so great neglect in this line, when Providence has so abundantly supplied us with facilities with which to work.”
Why not hold a special educational meeting, and decide how you can help your own or some other church? Search out the persons who are teaching, or who have ability to teach. Show them that God needs their ability, and that He needs it now. Loosen your purse strings and show these persons in a substantial way that you are in earnest. Arrange for them to take the training offered at the Summer School. Send for an announcement of the Conference and the Summer School, that you may know the qualifications of a teacher and the training necessary.
As the school opens July 10, you will need to make haste. Let us hear from you, as a church-member, and from those who should attend the school. We should be glad to receive the addresses of all who are qualified to teach. Write at once. Address E. A. Sutherland, Battle Creek, Mich.
NOTICE TO ALL.
ARE you ready to sell? Are you looking for a buyer? Are you ready to heed the Master's command and move into new fields to hold up the light of truth amid the darkness of error and immorality that enshrouds the people?
Have you heard the Southern field especially pointed out as a place where families ought to go, and where money ought to be invested?
Do you want to know about some good investments in the South? If so, write to us. We can help you. Address Southern Sanitarium and Benevolent Association, Graysville, Tenn.
Scholarship Offer.
The undersigned make an excellent scholarship offer. Almost any energetic young man or woman can obtain a scholarship. Write at once. Correspondence with former college and academy students is desired.
Good Health Pub. Co., Dept. Z, Battle Creek, Mich.
APPOINTMENT
By J. G. Lamson
Nothing preventing, I will be at the following places, on the dates mentioned, in the interests of the educational work at Cedar Lake. I especially desire to meet with the young people who are of suitable age to attend Cedar Lake school, and with their parents, to talk over the work for next year. Where possible, I trust that the elder or leader of the company will make arrangements for a meeting when I can talk with the interested ones. This need not be a formal meeting.
Muskegon, June 18.
Shelby, June 19.
Manistee, June 21.
Cadillac, June 22 and 23, Sabbath-school Convention.
Copemish, June 24.
Frankfort, June 25.
Traverse City, June 26.
Petoskey, June 29 and 30, general meeting.
Elder S. M. Butler will be with me at Cadillac and Petoskey. J. G. LAMSON.
THE DAY OF PRAYER.
By S. H. Lane
Doubtless every reader of the Review has borne in mind the fact that July 6 is a day of prayer and supplication in behalf of the prosperity of our work in the Scandinavian countries. Every church-member in each one of our churches is earnestly solicited to make a liberal contribution toward liquidating the indebtedness of the Christiania publishing house. It is now time for each member to determine how much he can afford to give, and having determined in his mind, we trust that he will work to the end of obtaining the money, if it is not already in hand. An envelope will be furnished in which to place the offering, which should be handed to the librarian.
Let those who are in poor circumstances remember the widow's mite, but do not for a moment let those who are in good circumstances give a small amount, and claim it to be the widow's mite; for the widow's mite was all she had—it was her living. But whether your offering be large or small, if it is all that you can afford to give, the Lord will accept the offering. Men are tempted to lay by large treasures in this world, but he who lays up money in our institutions is laying up treasures for the Lord, to be used in His cause, and will receive a rich reward in the world to come.
We trust that the elders and leaders of our churches have already begun to agitate the subject, and if not, that they will begin now, so that every one will understand it, and be prepared for the occasion. The Lord will accept the offering, but a full consecration of self, and an earnest seeking of Him during the day of prayer, will be of greater value in His sight. Let every one attend the meeting that day, and listen to the interesting reading prepared for the occasion. S. H. Lane.
