Effective Use of Literature at Tent and Hall Meetings
THE study of how to use literature effectively in connection with our evangelical efforts becomes of paramount importance when we consider that the success which attends the efforts of ministers is not due alone to the preaching, but in a great degree to the influence of the reading-matter, which enlightens the minds of the people, removes prejudice, and renders many susceptible to the influence of the truth when it is presented to them.
There is no duty more binding upon the people believing the important message for this time than that of placing the literature proclaiming it before the public; for this is distinctively a reading age,—a time when people everywhere depend more upon what is written than upon all other sources of information combined; hence a constant study of the most effectual methods in the use of the publications proclaiming the third angel’s message in all its phases, and the application of the best methods found in actual use, are a duty we owe to the world.
As true as it is that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh,” so true is it that in proportion to the conviction of the importance and efficacy of literature will be the effort exerted for its distribution. In this paper we are not limited by the wording of our subject in the expense involved, nor the forces to be employed in making the literature effective in the proclamation of the special message we are commissioned to give to the people; so we present some suggestions and methods irrespective of the expense involved, yet with a firm belief that the means needed can and will be provided by the people for whom work is being done; for in generous sowing lies the hope of liberal financial returns, as well as a bountiful harvest of souls.
Because Paul said, “It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe,” some have been foolish enough, in practise at least, to limit the meaning of “preaching” to sermonizing, and to expect the people to forsake sin and long-cherished teachings of error, and to espouse a very unpopular faith in the face of the strongest opposition, through occasional extemporaneous and often disconnected discourses. “Preaching” has a much broader meaning than mere lecturing; and before our work is finished, and ere it is revived and restored to its former progress in evangelical conquests, our literature must be much better appreciated and scattered like the autumn leaves.
In every hall or tent effort our literature should be made prominent; not only by a large supply and variety conspicuously and conveniently displayed in the hall or tent, but in addition to this, by the constant tactful efforts of the ministers to interest the people in it, and to induce them to purchase a generous supply. A sermon should never be considered complete unless there is interwoven with it a clear, interesting, comprehensive description of a book, pamphlet, or a tract covering the subject of the discourse; and with this explanation of the publication should be given persuasive advice to all to purchase and to read it. Then suitable persons should be stationed at the exits, with copies of the publication advertised. These individuals are not to pose as objects of admiration, but as solicitors and expounders of the merits of the publications recommended by the ministers. There will be those present at each meeting who will never return, and they ought to have, in addition to what they have heard in the sermon, other seeds of truth, without which they may never be convicted, but with which, though time may lapse before their attention is again called to the publications, they may be led to the full knowledge of the message.
Instead of a small unattractive table in front of the speaker’s stand, on which lies a few volumes, there should be a regular literature display stand, arranged in terrace form, nicely covered with material that will best exhibit the literature, and a large collection of publications neatly and tastefully arranged thereon. The mere presence of this display, with no effort on the part of any one to call attention to it, is further reaching than many appreciate. When we enter the home of any person assuming to be a leader in any department of human affairs, or even those in the humblest walks of life, we are impressed favorably or otherwise with the evidences of his proficiency in his respective calling as revealed through the presence and arrangement of the publications in that home. If this is true in private homes, it is proportionately more so in public places where a new denomination is representing advanced light and knowledge; and we maintain that an attractive display of literature in a tent or hall is more potent in every way than any other decorations, and is absolutely indispensable in the effective use of literature in connection with our tent and hall efforts.
Few public efforts should ever be held without having some appropriate literature for free distribution at the close of the services. This may consist of a leaflet, a folder, or even a tract of eight or sixteen pages, pertaining to, or possibly entirely covering, the subject of the discourse, and even containing more than was presented in the sermon. The people can not retain all the points made by the ministers, and constantly need to review and study them over and over again. They should be constantly impressed with the fact that the literature offered them contains more upon the subject presented by the minister than was possible to present in one discourse, and that its contents are in no particular inferior to the sermon preached.
Our literature should be made effective in answering the many questions propounded by the members of the congregation. Instead of long personal explanations, which are always good when time and opportunity permit, the workers should be so familiar with all our literature that they can with tact at once cite the publication, and even turn down a corner of the page where the particular question asked is answered. These publications always contain much more than the question sought; and the people, having purchased them to find the question desired, will read more of the book than that which pertains simply to the question first sought; and besides, the truths taught in the publication will be presented in a more compact, logical, effective manner than it is possible for the workers to give in verbal statements.
When a special subject is presented from the desk, the very best publication on that subject should be at hand, and time should be taken to say much more about it and the importance of all having it than the accustomed belated after-benediction announcement, “We have here on the stand a pamphlet treating upon the subject presented this evening. If any one would like a copy, the price is only fifteen cents.”
The admonition of Paul not to be slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, is especially applicable in the effective use of literature in connection with our hall and tent efforts. The wisdom of the serpent, combined with the gentleness of the dove, should be used in securing the names and addresses of all regular attendants at these meetings, and a person who knows his business should be sent to their homes as a representative of our literature; not merely for orders for books, but for the salvation of souls through the knowledge of the message contained in these publications.
As far as possible every community adjacent to a hall or tent meeting should be frequently supplied with a full descriptive list of our various publications, containing an announcement of the meetings, and an invitation to attend the services. People are interested in books, and will examine a catalogue of publications much quicker than they will read a mere announcement of a lecture; and as they read the titles of our books, which are new to them, and know they can hear the topics they suggest at the meeting advertised, they are more likely to make an effort to attend the meeting.
In conclusion, I beg leave to suggest that the how to use literature effectively in connection with hall and tent meetings, will be constantly revealed and developed under all the varying circumstances with the growth of the conception of its importance in evangelical work, and that a full realization of its power for good is the thing most needful now, for “few realize what can be done in reaching the people by interested efforts in a wise distribution of our publications.”
Tired Mothers
A little elbow leans upon your knee—
Your tired knee that has so much to bear,—
A child's dear eyes are looking lovingly
From underneath a thatch of tangled hair.
Perhaps you do not heed the velvet touch
Of warm, moist fingers, folding yours tight;
You do not prize this blessing overmuch,—
You almost are too tired to pray to-night.
But it is blessedness! A year ago
I did not see it as I do to-day:
We are so dull and thankless, and too slow
To catch the sunshine till it slips away.
And now it seems surpassing strange to me,
That, while I wore the badge of motherhood,
I did not kiss more oft and tenderly
The little child that only brought me good.
And, if some night when you sit down to rest,
You miss this elbow from your tired knee,—
This restless, curling head from off your breast,
This lisping tongue that chatters constantly;
If from your own the dimpled hands had slipped,
And ne'er would nestle in your palm again;
If the white feet into their grave had tripped,
I could not blame you for your heartache then.
I wonder so that mothers ever fret
At little children clinging to their gown;
Or that the footprints, when the days are wet,
Are ever black enough to make them frown.
If I could find a little muddy boot,
Or cap, or jacket on my chamber floor;
If I could kiss a rosy, restless foot,
And hear it patter in my house once more;
If I could mend a broken cart to-day,
To-morrow make a kite to reach the sky,
There is no woman in God's world could say
She was more blissfully content than I.
But ah! the dainty pillow next my own
Is never rumpled by a shining head,
My singing birdling from its nest is flown,—
The little boy I used to kiss is dead.
—Selected.
Reserved Power
It is not wise to work constantly up to the highest rate of which we are capable. If the engineer of the railroad were to keep the speed of his train up to the highest rate he could attain with his engine, it would soon be used up. If a horse is driven at the top of his speed for any length of time, he is ruined. It is well enough to try the power occasionally of a horse or an engine, by putting on all the speed they will bear, but not continuously. All machinists construct their engines so that there shall be a reserve force. If the power required is four-horse, then they make a six-horse power. In this case it works easily and lasts longer. A man who has strength enough to do twelve honest hours of labor in twenty-four, and no more, should do but nine or ten hours’ work. The reserve power keeps the body in repair. It rounds out the frame to full proportions. It keeps the mind cheerful, hopeful, happy. The person who has no reserve force, is always incapable of taking on any more responsibility than he already has. A little exertion puts him out of breath. He can not increase his work for an hour without danger of an explosion. Such are generally pale, dyspeptic, bloodless, nervous, irritable, despondent, gloomy. We all pity them. The great source of power in the individual is the blood. It runs the machinery of life, and upon it depends our health and strength.
A mill on a stream where water is scanty, can be worked but a portion of the time. So a man with little good blood can do but little good work. The reserve power must be stored up in this fluid. It is an old saying among stock-raisers that “blood tells.” It is equally true that blood tells in the sense in which we use the word. If it is only good blood, then the more of it the better. When the reserve power of an individual runs low, it is an indication that a change is necessary, and that it is best to stop expending and go to accumulating, just as the miller does when the water gets low in the pond. Such a course would save many a person from physical bankruptcy.—Herald of Health.
Make the Home Homelike
EFFECTS, pretty effects, if possible, producing an impression of luxury, are the pervading purpose of furniture and decoration. Nine times out of ten it is all done for the eyes of strangers, with little or nothing sacrificed for the restful comfort of the family and for that of its head and master.
There is but one parlor or drawing-room in the average house of a citizen with an income of less than ten thousand dollars. What is provided for his evening comfort? Where shall he be at perfect ease? Certainly the money was his that bought those slender chairs, those slight, stiff sofas and fanciful seats, frail enough to be easily broken, and designed with utter disregard of weary shoulders and heads.
Tables filled with delicate and too expensive ornaments, from which a strong arm withdraws itself quickly, fearing disaster, and a fireplace cold until the gas logs blaze. These things are surely meant for the admiration and approval of the chance visitor who arrives, careless whether the hostess is at home or absent. Not one thing in the shining, brand-new room imparts pleasure or comfort to either father or children; if the wife and purchaser has the aid of pride of possession to soothe her regret12that no familiar, inviting place of assembly is provided for her careless boys and their tired father, she alone receives any satisfaction from the chamber of honor in her home.
The old-time family evening gathering, with perfect relaxation as its curing influence for overtaxed brains and bodies, has passed into the history of “what we used to do when we were young.” We blame the altered conditions of society, the brilliant inducements of the outside world, for the separated lives of children and parents and for the influence of club life upon young men. I sincerely believe that modern ideas of furnishing have a great deal to do with the disintegration of our family life.
When the foundation idea is to make the home an absolutely comfortable, unrestrained place of rest to the men of the family, it is not unlikely that delightfully easy chairs, large, steadfast tables, excellent lights for reading, a cheery hearth, an open piano, and cordial, simple hospitality toward any entering friend could successfully rival those outside charms which draw father and son each to his own haunt.—“Home Thoughts,” in the Evening Post (N. Y.).
The Whole Man to the Task
If you have to drive yourself to your task, if you have to drag yourself to your work every morning because of exhausted vitality, if you feel fagged or worn-out, if there is no elasticity in your step or movements, your work will partake of your weakness.
Make it a rule to go to your work every morning fresh and vigorous. You can not afford to take hold of the task upon which your life's success rests with the tips of your fingers. You can not afford to bring only a fraction of yourself to your work. You want to go to it a whole man, fresh, strong, and vigorous, so that it will be spontaneous, not forced; buoyant, not heavy. You want to go to your work with creative energy, and originality,—possessed of a strong, powerful individuality. If you go to it with jaded faculties and a sense of lassitude, after a night's dissipation or loss of sleep, it will inevitably suffer. Everything you do will bear the impress of weakness, and there is no success or satisfaction in weakness.
This is just where a great many people fail,—in not bringing all of themselves to their task. What would you think of trying to win the prizes in a number of athletic contests by entering half fed, tired out, exhausted from overwork, and without preparation? You would say, “There is no chance for me to win under such conditions.” How can you expect to win in your great life-contest, when you are in competition with giants, if your nerve-cells are exhausted, poisoned with nicotin and soaked in alcohol, or impaired by any kind of dissipation?
A poorer horse with a better trainer will beat a better horse half-fed and half-cared for. One talent kept in prime condition will beat ten talents demoralized by vicious or careless living. If there is no iron in your blood, no reserve in your constitution, you will go down in the first battle.—Success.
The Art of Quick Dressing
To be able to dress rapidly and in a small space is an accomplishment, a habit which, although it takes long to acquire, will hold to one through life when once learned. Some time or other, many times, indeed, it will be necessary to dress very quickly. A child may be taken with the croup in the middle of the night, and to be able to put on one’s clothes as rapidly as a boy takes them off when he goes swimming may be the means of saving a life.
Boys may be taught to do this; the younger the better. The movements used in dressing, such as pulling on or lacing of shoes, buttoning the waist, drawing on of trousers or blouse, are a healthy exercise in themselves. If there are two boys in the family, they may race, to see which can get dressed first. No time should be allowed to hunt for things. It is a game of order, as well as speed. All the apparel needed for the day should be placed in a convenient place, that it can be found easily and quickly.
Girls, too, need to acquire the habit of dressing quickly. From the point of view of the husband and father, one of the sterling qualities of the woman or girl is to dress quickly. She can be just as prettily attired, the prettier the better; there is such a thing as dressing quickly. Let her get the habit as the boy has it, and it can not be said of her when she grows up to be a wife and mother, that her husband will need a fresh shave while waiting for her to accompany him for the evening.
Mothers make a mistake in dressing or helping to dress children after a certain age. If for no other reason than discipline, training in self-reliance and even drilling the child to take care of itself are of enough importance to deserve the attention of any mother. Watching the round fireman get from his bed to his place on the hose-cart or ladder-truck, will show what can be done in the way of quick and thorough dressing.— Youth’s Companion.
A Well-Aired Bed
THE well-made bed may present a very attractive appearance during the day, but the average chambermaid has so little knowledge of hygiene, and often cares less for the health of those whose beds she makes “the first thing in the morning.” How seldom are beds even aired for a few moments! We know of many beds made soon after the occupant has left them, not even opened any more than was necessary in getting out. Imagine this bed-clothing filled with the accumulations of bodily debris, and saturated with the odors and gases escaping from the sleeping body for the past eight or ten hours. How often are even the bedroom windows opened? We can readily understand the ill health to be derived from such unhealthful surroundings.
The prevalent custom in many houses for the maids to open the beds only a little, if any, before bedtime is merely a reminder of what ought to be done. A well-aired bed should be completely stripped every morning, and all the bed clothing and the mattress exposed to the sunlight and warm air. It would be well if this could last all day, and the bed be made at bedtime only. In many homes this would not be convenient; where it is not, the beds should not be made for at least two hours after the occupant has arisen for the day. Before bedtime the bed should be stripped again, and the sheets well aired; and if this is not practicable, then let the beds be well opened, the coverings, at least, thrown as far back as possible, a half-hour before bedtime.
There are many rooms so foul from grandpa’s or papa’s cigar smoke that restless nights and horrible dreams disturb the children’s slumber. Tobacco smoke is a poison for our children at night. And we must also have a good care of the gas fixtures; for illuminating gas, which can kill our plants and blacken our silver, although unnoticed by us in our daily lives, exerts a powerful influence for harm on the bodies of our precious little children. Let them have pure air always, by night as well as by day. Be sure to take off all the underclothing worn by the child during the day upon putting him to bed. The night flannel should be of lighter material than that in daily use. Underclothing should be spread out upon chairs or hung up for a good airing every night, and if possible in some other than the bed-chamber.—Babyhood.
Making Home Delightful
Don’t be afraid of a little fun at home. Don’t shut your house lest the sun should fade your carpets, and your hearts lest a hearty laugh shake down some of the musty old cobwebs there. If you want to ruin your sons, let them think that all mirth and social enjoyment must be left on the threshold without when they come home at night. Young people must have fun and relaxation somewhere. If they do not find it at their own hearthstones, it will be sought at other less profitable places. Therefore let the fire burn brightly at night, and make the homestead delightful with all those little arts that parents so perfectly understand. Don’t repress the buoyant spirits of your children; whose half an hour’s merriment round the lamp and fireside of home blots out the remembrance of many a care and annoyance during the day, and the best safeguard they can take with them into the world is the influence of a bright little domestic sanctum.—The Brown Book.
Education and Habit
“It is not from nature, but from education and habit, that our wants are chiefly derived.”
A Home Picture
By Louise R. Baker
O! THE happy little home when the sun shone out,
And the busy little mother got the children all about;
And Johnny fetched the water, and Tommy brought the wood,
And Billy-boy tied both his shoes, as every laddie should,
And Dannie rocked the cradle with a clatter and a song,
To make the little sister grow so pretty and so strong.
O! the sweet peas and the morning-glories climbing 'round the door,
And the tender vine of shadow with its length across the floor.
O! the “pinies” and the roses, and the quiver of the grass,
And the cheery call of friendship from the neighbors as they pass!
O! the scuffle and the shouting, and the little mother's laugh,
As a rabbit starts up somewhere, and her “great helps” scamper off.
O! the happy little home when the twilight fell,
And all along the meadow rang the old cow-bell
With a tinkle that is music through the rushing of the years—
And I see the little mother, in the tremble of the tears,
And I hear the happy laughter as she cries, “The boys have come!”
And we know she's getting supper in the happy little home.
O! the happy little home when the moon gleamed forth,
And Billy-boy would have it that it “rised in the north.”
O! the raptures and the whispers near the little mother's chair,
As the white-robed little figures are flitting here and there.
And we're just as near to heaven as we mortals ever roam,
When we kneel and say our prayers in the happy little home.
—Louise R. Baker.
An Experience
By WILLIAM J. YOUNG
WILLIAM J. YOUNG
[From a letter to Elder W. A. Spicer.—Ed.]
While reading the REVIEW of May 25, 1905, I saw a statement concerning Brother La Rue, of Hongkong, China. I can honestly testify that Brother La Rue was one of the dearest brethren I have ever met. Many pleasant hours we have spent together, and conversed over the sacred page.
ARRIVAL OF THE “TERRIBLE” IN HONGKONG HARBOR
It might be of interest to know the history of H. M. S. “Terrible,” and how the dear Lord blessed in the efforts to give the truth to those on board. I first learned the truth from Brother Borrowdale, of Plymouth, England. I was then under instructions at school for a torpedo instructor in the British navy. I passed examinations successfully, and held that position.
After learning the truth I was sent to H. M. S. “Pembroke,” at Chatham. At that place I associated freely with the Salvation Army, and the Lord used me to bring many into the truth. I then wrote to the International Tract Society for help, and they referred me to Brother Dyer, their agent at this place. I found him, and he kindly threw his house open for meetings. We then asked for a Bible worker, and Brother Fairchild was sent. At this place were spent some of the happiest days of my experience.
During my stay at Chatham the Salvation Army began to lose some of their best members, so they sent the major to see me and try to remedy the trouble. They arranged that I should tell them just what I had been telling the lads. The major, the ensign and his wife, and one or two others sat for more than two hours, during which time the dear Lord used me to present a brief outline of our glorious truth to some of the heads of the Salvation Army. Because I would not accept their teachings, my name was erased from the register, and I was prohibited from their home.
After spending twelve months at Chatham and Sheerness, I received orders to leave for Devonport, there to join H. M. S. “Terrible,” to take passage to H. M. S. “Hart,” a torpedo-boat destroyer in China waters. We proceeded by way of the Cape of Good Hope route. After stopping at several places, we arrived at Simonstown, South Africa, where we found that war had been declared. I prayed the dear Lord that he would save me from participating in the shedding of blood.
That same evening I received orders to hold myself in readiness to go on board H. M. S. “Penelope,” a prison ship, to assist in looking after about two hundred Boer prisoners that had been captured at the first battle. Among these men were schoolmasters, detectives, and those of many other callings. There were only four or five real Boers; the rest belonged to different nationalities. I was engaged in this work about one month. Leaving one night by the British transport “Princess,” I went to the “Terrible,” lying at Durban, Natal. Some time after this I left in the “Tartar,” to scout about the vicinity of Delagoa Bay, to capture any ships that were carrying contraband goods.
Up to this time I did not know any of the professed Christians aboard the “Terrible.” One day I saw a notice that the minister was going to hold a Bible class. I went just to learn if there were any who loved the Lord. After I got acquainted, the dear Lord gave me wonderful success in presenting the truth to these men. I spoke to Brother Vick, of Portsmouth, who saw the Sabbath, and he brought others, so I had a Bible class in a very short time, who attended regularly, and rejoiced in the glorious truths of Jesus. Our meeting-place was at the electric switchboard, right over the boilers. It was very hot, yet those men stopped in this place to listen to the Bible; and from among them God has raised up some wonderful witnesses. I was able to study with them for some time nearly every night, and the Lord saved us from being molested in any way.
Arriving at Hongkong, I looked up Brother La Rue, and when I found him, I turned over to him the church the Lord had used me to form in the big ship, as I was leaving for a small boat.
After this I took part in the bombardment of Taku forts, and was also in at the Peh Tang bombardment. Then going south again, I was transferred to another ship. Again going north, I joined the “Bonaventure” at Hongkong, and sailed for England, where I returned to the torpedo school and the Lord helped me to bring in another brother. Also, I was privileged to present the third angel’s message to officers as well as men of different ships I was on, after which I took my first period, and left the navy a free man.
Of the men of the “Terrible,” one is a Present Truth worker at Paisley, Scotland, one is at college in London, another is canvassing, one purchased his discharge from the navy, and is in England, and the others are still in the navy.
Since I accepted the truth, the Lord has kept me, and has wonderfully blessed me in presenting the truth to others. I trust I may be used yet in bringing many into the truth that leads to the golden city. God bless you all; and may the cause of truth advance more rapidly, and our Lord’s coming be brought nearer, is the prayer of one of the least, for our Redeemer’s sake.
An African Samuel
In the Swiss Romande mission at Lorenzo Marques, Portuguese East Africa, a teacher explained to her black but bright pupils the parable of the king14who invited people to his feast. When she finished speaking, one of the boys who had long seemed near to the kingdom, came to tell her that he wanted to follow Jesus. Then a smaller boy said the same thing. “Have you felt for some time that God has been calling you?” asked the teacher. “No,” said the little boy, “it is only to-day; but I listened right off when he called.”
Notes From Europe
By L. R. CONRADI
L. R. CONRADI
AFTER enjoying our excellent General Conference in Takoma Park, and remaining a few days for counsel, I spent June 3 and 4 at Reading and Allentown, Pa., meeting old friends. I was glad, indeed, to find a number as firm in the truth as ever, and still more rejoiced that I could talk with them of the truthfulness of our interpretation of the Scriptures with even stronger evidences in its favor than we had twenty-two years ago.
Leaving New York on the “Kaiser Wilhelm,” June 7, I reached home the morning of June 14. June 16-20 I spent with our brethren in Frederikshavn, Denmark. I had hoped to meet Elder P. A. Hansen, president of the Scandinavian Union, at that time, but he had been detained in America by the illness of his wife. I enjoyed the presence of Elder O. A. Olsen at this meeting, as well as at our annual conference in Sweden, and the brethren in both places appreciated his services. We never had a larger meeting in Denmark, and I can truly say that we never had a better one. Throughout the meeting there was the most perfect union in all our deliberations. The conference shows signs of prosperity throughout, and is now leading the Scandinavian field in tithe, which increased about sixty cents a member last year.
The Danish Conference has recently acquired the Frederikshavn property, and our brethren are taking a deep interest in getting this institution on a good financial basis. A few years ago this seemed almost a hopeless task, but things have now so turned that everybody has confidence in its ultimate prosperity. The house was full of patients,—a good class of people, too,—and some attended our meetings, and the most of them were much interested in a lecture I gave in the parlor, concerning our mission work in German East Africa. Dr. Nelson feels encouraged about the outlook at Frederikshavn, and I was also glad to hear from Dr. Ottosen that the Skodsborg Sanitarium is doing well this season.
Our next meeting was at Grythyttehed, Sweden, where we were also glad to find a good spirit prevailing throughout the assembly. It was the desire of all to move onward. It was decided that Elder Oeberg, one of their ministers, and Oscar Anderson, a promising young man of their field, should go to Finland, as this field has been needing extra help for some time. This will also so arrange the work in Sweden that the expenses of the conference can be carried from nine tenths of the tithe, leaving the one tenth free to go to the Scandinavian Union. The outlook of the conference, including their book work, school, etc., is very encouraging, for last year they added about twenty-three hundred dollars to their capital, which now amounts to about sixteen thousand dollars. I can truly say that the prospects for Sweden never appeared brighter.
Elder Anderson, who was present from Finland, also had cheering news from there.
Brother Dail and I were three days en route from Grythyttehed to Stavanger, on the west coast of Norway, where we found the meeting well under way. Elder Raft, and Brother Jens Olsen, the union treasurer, both from Denmark, were also at the Norway meeting, as Elder Olsen could not be with us. There was a fair attendance, and the conference shows quite a good growth in membership. The Lord helped to remove some difficulties existing. While there were political troubles brewing between Norway and Sweden, yet we are thankful we can say that these were not mentioned in our deliberations, nor was there in any way the slightest feeling manifest between our brethren of these two nationalities, for we are citizens of that “better country.”
The outlook in the Scandinavian field was never brighter for our work than it is at the present time, whether we speak of the financial or of the spiritual side. A true missionary spirit is taking hold of the people, and I think it will not be very long before Scandinavia will take an active part in sending some of its workers into the “regions beyond,” and supported them there. The education of their youth is claiming considerable of their attention.
Four days after the close of the Norwegian meeting brings us down to the German-Swiss meeting, not far from Zurich, where we have a fair attendance. Our sanitarium on Lake Geneva, although the work has naturally been hindered by our moving from Basel, is doing nicely, and there are more applications for rooms than we can supply. Sixteen are already there, and eight more have been promised quarters, and we believe that if we had the accommodations for forty patients, every room would be full at the opening of the institution.
Good news has also been received from the German Union, as to the number of baptisms during the past quarter, and there have also been additions in the Latin Union. Even in Russia, amid all the difficulties there, twenty-three have recently been added to the church in St. Petersburg. Dr. George has sent us the good news that our brethren have been set free in Asia Minor, although we have as yet received no particulars.
Elder Olsen reached England the latter part of June, and expects to leave July 12 for his long trip to Australia, via America. While we regret to see this faithful worker leave us, yet we know that the great Australasian field needs men of experience, and we feel sure that the Lord will continue to bless his work in Great Britain, as he has done of late.
We have every reason to be grateful for the good outlook in the General European Conference, and for the help the Lord has given us in our meetings thus far.
