As we enter the camp-meeting season, I feel like putting in a plea for a much neglected branch of the Lord's work — I refer to the younger members of the household of faith, our children.
I am well aware that no effort will be spared for the welfare of the adult members of the congregation. The best speakers and teachers we have will put forth earnest, persistent effort to kindle spiritual fires among the professors of religion, will work diligently and faithfully for the reconversion of those who have once loved the truth, as well as for the unconverted souls outside. I trust that a corresponding effort may be made for our children, whose souls are just as precious in the sight of heaven.
I have been grieved to see camp-meetings, where, while the adult members sat peacefully in the tabernacle of the congregation, reverently listening to soul-inspiring sermons, the children were running, haphazard, here and there, good and bad intermingling, not for the purpose of mutual benefit, but too often to disseminate the knowledge of evil. The boys of from fourteen to eighteen years, with any chance acquaintances they might make, went out to “see the town” and girls of the same tender years were left to enter into idle flirtations with the more godless of our own denomination, as well as with passers-by.
Dear brethren and sisters, if even half our children were gathered into the fold, we would have a mighty army of Christian volunteers for heathen lands. Do you not believe it? If there are no special services provided for the children and youth, prevail upon them to attend the services with you. If that is not feasible, stay with them. Do not go to church even and leave your children exposed to the wiles of the evil one.
The instance I bear in mind may be an extreme one, but I knew some children at a certain camp-meeting whose parents left them in their tents, oftentimes in their beds, who, as soon as services had begun, got up and slipped out to frequent a merry-go-round and other doubtful places of amusement, returning every night just in time to escape detection.
Now these little girls were generally considered very good children. Indeed, no one was brave enough to acquaint their parents with the fact that they were not so honorable as they might have been. When you go to church and leave children behind you, are you sure how they spend their time?
I doubt both the possibility and the expediency of keeping our young folks under constant espionage, but certainly we have erred too far in the other direction.
It is often the case at our camp-meetings that the meetings actually begin before a leader is appointed for the work among our young people. Then some one is chosen,— oftentimes one with no experience whatever in managing a large company of children,— told to find his own material for teachers, and left to get along as best he can. No, not exactly left; for he is also probably appointed to serve on the conference committee, help with the singing, and has a share in many other meetings.
I beg to state that the salvation of our children's souls is a work second to none in importance; that the best material in the work is none too good to use in building up the characters of the young, that the leader of the children's meetings should be selected only after prayerful consideration, and should be given time thoroughly to prepare himself for service, laying large and thoughtful plans for the instruction and conversion of the young.
Often one who could do good work as the teacher of a class should not be entrusted with the responsibility of the whole congregation of young people. Judgment, managing ability, fine discrimination, and power to read character quickly, are all needed by the leader of the work in properly dividing the classes, assigning the teachers, conducting the routine work smoothly, and accomplishing the best results. Many of these faculties are developed in the Sabbath-school. Would it not be well to look among the superintendents of our best Sabbath-schools for such a person?
Such a one might be more successful than some ordained ministers, who, while deeply alive to the necessities of the work, are in danger of giving their instruction just a little above a child's head. Simplicity is needed. “For the lambs to reach the fodder, it must be placed low.”
After an efficient leader is found, a working corps of teachers should be prepared for the camp-meeting work. Teachers may be met with everywhere, but let us use discrimination in selecting ours. The best material in church and Sabbath-schools is ours to select from. Only choose wisely.
Before a teacher is allowed to take a class, he should be pledged to be present whenever possible. Do not accept one who will promise to be there only when “convenient.” This “cheap form of Christian benevolence” I believe to be an abomination in the eyes of the Lord.
Teachers should be chosen who will carry the souls of their pupils as a burden upon their hearts till the last one is brought into the fold,— teachers who are always in their places at the hour appointed, who have time for the teachers' prayer-meeting and a thorough study of the lesson, who are willing to work personally with each pupil, to hold Bible readings and prayer services with them,— men and women whose lives shed forth the fragrance and beauty of One who was the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the valley. I quote from the Testimonies:—
“The superintendents and teachers in our Sabbath-schools must be converted, rescued from their habitual insensibility. The precious lessons of truth must not be taught in a tame, lifeless way; but by daily communion with the Lord, by a reception of the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, life-giving power must be added to their efforts to win souls to Christ.”
The days are going by swiftly. The opportunities are fast passing. The children are growing up, and in many cases growing away and out of the truth. Is it not time that a special effort was being made? And is not the “time of refreshing” at camp-meeting a most appropriate one?
I most earnestly plead for fathers, mothers, teachers, Sabbath-school workers, ministers, and friends to bear the children of this message to the Lord in prayer, and work meanwhile with the remembrance that for the unconverted, as one of old said: “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.”
“O Christian, awake! ’tis the Master's command;
With helmet and shield, and a sword in thy hand,
To meet the bold tempter, go, fearlessly go,
And stand like the brave, with thy face to the foe.”
Anger in the Morning
“If I get angry in the morning, it spoils my work all day.”
That is an experience which many of us can recognize with lament for days which did not bring their full harvest of accomplishment. For each day is a new beginning endowed with possibilities of work and pleasure, but strictly limited in its allowance of energy—and especially of that highest type of nervous energy which enables us to bring out the best that is in us. Anger is an irritant, a fever. If we begin the day with it, the fine flower of our vital strength is exhausted in the effort to get back to serenity, and we work all day with the poorer forces of our mind and spirit.
If there were no other argument for peaceful home morning hours, this of itself would be worth considering. If the son or husband robs the housewife of her serenity of soul by trying words before he leaves for his work, he has robbed his home of energy all day. If children go scolded and angry to school, they are in no mood to make the best of their opportunities. The world wants the best work, and will reward nothing less than that. Our best work is none too good for the world’s needs and for our own conscience. Let us not provoke one another to anger in the hour of beginnings, lest we make ourselves responsible for failure. And let us not overdo to-day, lest we be tempted to visit our own weariness on others to-morrow, so hindering their work.—The Congregationalist.
Down the Red Lane
THE American throat is a capacious one. Statistics furnished by the United States Treasury Department show that the total amount spent for something to drink during the year ending June 30, 1903, was $1,451,633,379. The wise man of old speaks of certain insatiable things that continually cry Give, give, and that never say, It is enough. The American throat is a good candidate for a place on the list of insatiables. But we must hasten to say that by something to drink we do not intend in this instance to imply intoxicating liquors only. Of the large amount mentioned, $208,690,261 was expended on drinks that do not intoxicate, at least in the ordinary acceptation of the word. But sad to say, $727,042,245 is set down to beer, while $417,915,513 more went for spirituous liquors, and wines reached a total of $97,985,360. Alcohol used in the arts is not included in these figures. So that the very considerable sum of $1,242,943,118 is the drink bill of the United States for a year. And now we mean the bill for intoxicating drinks.
This is a startling sum, look at it which way we may. It might be interesting to show how many pairs of shoes, how many suits of clothes, how many meals, it would have provided, how many homes it would have built, how many churches, colleges, schools, and various other institutions for the elevation of the people it would have established, but time and space fail us just now. One does not need the details of such comparisons, nor does one need to be an ardent prohibitionist to suggest that a large portion of the money might have been better expended. The figures to a certain extent indicate the tremendous prosperity of the country. A country must indeed be wealthy that can long stand such a strain. But such figures are certainly not necessary to prosperity.
. . . Allowing that we have a population of eighty millions, who will say that we need to spend $1,242 a year for every eighty persons, old and young, within our borders? This is fifteen dollars a throat for man, woman, and child. As a very large proportion of our population consumes no alcoholic drinks of any kind, the average quantity consumed by those who do use them is very much larger than fifteen dollars a year. Surely the great god Bacchus can not complain of his annual tribute. It is large enough.
The sums expended in a year for purposes unqualifiedly wise and good, shrink into insignificance when compared with the alcoholic total. And this total threatens to increase, and it is what it is in spite of all the efforts of the prohibitionists and other temperance workers. What it might be had there been no effort at restraint we hardly dare to think. It is claimed in some quarters that in spite of the great aggregate, there is not so much drunkenness as formerly, but is there not reason to fear that many human constitutions are being undermined, and many minds being befuddled by the constant use of stimulants even where their use does not cause ordinary drunkenness? It is not so very long ago that we quoted expert medical testimony to show that the use of stimulants often does more harm where it does not cause drunkenness than in numerous cases in which it does. The periodical drunkard, who only occasionally drinks, and is sure to quit his cups for a considerable while after his drunken fit is over, often inflicts less harm upon himself than does the continuous moderate drinker upon himself. Moderate drinking is upon the increase. The ranks of the moderate drinkers are not re-enforced by the reformation of the drunkards so much as by the addition from the ranks of those who were previously abstainers. As a people we are learning to imbibe without making beasts of ourselves. May the brute creation kindly pardon the use of the word beasts in this connection! The fact that we can drink and not show it by open inebriety is not to our advantage. The hustle and bustle of business and social life is responsible for the consumption of a large amount of stimulants, and the result can not be anything but disastrous. Uncle Sam should control his throat. He is pouring too much money down the red lane. Fire statistics are startling; but the drink statistics outvie all our unfortunate waste bills. We can reduce them all if we will.—N. Y. Observer.
Confidence Between Parents and Children
Love and confidence are almost synonymous words. It is difficult indeed to repose full confidence in those we do not love, and love without confidence is almost absurd.
If we should ask a child if it loved its mother, invariably it would answer yes. If we should ask a mother if she loved her child, it would seem almost like an insult to her; for is it not an axiom that all mothers love their children?
Yet, as we look around us on every side, and see parents with children growing up to manhood and womanhood apparently strangers as to the real, true feelings and emotions of the heart, we wonder whether there is really true love there or not. Is it not rather a kind of selfish interest in each other because they belong to us?
O mothers, are you satisfied to be mothers only in name? Can you afford to allow your daughter to grow away from you, choosing rather to tell some girl friend just how she feels than to unfold it all to you, thus offering you the grand opportunity of giving the counsel your age and experience afford?
O, how many young girls would have been saved from the delusive by-paths of sin could their mothers but have taught them from infancy up to tell it all to mother! Instead of reproving, she should lovingly counsel, show her the better way; she will soon learn to love it. Talk with your children of all that interests them. Enter heart and soul into their feelings, become an indispensable part of their lives, until they are well over the critical years in which they need a counselor so much; and then, O, then, they will turn to you for comfort, counsel, and consolation through all the succeeding years!—Pacific Health Journal.
The Social Cup
By Lephia Bryant Larson
LEPHIA BRYANT LARSON
WHENE’ER I see a drunken man, I think
On what he was before the cursed drink
Wrought such a change,
When he, his mother’s baby boy,
Filled her heart and home with joy,
When his brow, as white as snow, was pressed
In infant helplessness against her breast.
O little, little, did we think
He’d fall a victim unto drink;
But look! there he goes,
Reeling this way and that.
See his shabby clothes!
Look! he has dropped his hat.
Will some one kindly pick it up
For the poor soul drowned in the social cup?
WHENE’ER I see a drunken man, I think
What it must be to stand upon the brink
And gaze across the dark, bubbling abyss
That dooms his soul to nothingness;
For in the book of life ’tis given,
No drunkard shall inherit heaven.
But “God, have mercy on them” is the prayer
Of mothers, wives, and sisters everywhere.
O! stoop, ye strong, and help them up,
Souls drowning in the social cup!
Report from Brazil
By F. W. Spies
F. W. SPIES
In my last, I reported our work up to the baptism at the Salto do Riberao Grande, which occurred on Sabbath, October 31. We intended to leave the Salto the following Monday, but a heavy rain and hail-storm on Sunday caused the Riberao (small river), which is not a very small river after all, and which we were obliged to ford seven times, to be so high that we could not cross it till Tuesday.
Returning to the villa of Ribeira, we had another baptism, on November 3; this time five souls were buried with their Lord in baptism. At this place we also had the Lord's supper. From Ribeira we went to Apiahy. Apiahy is a place where more than a century ago considerable gold was mined. At this time we found quite an excitement in this section, owing to a re-opening of the mines. As is always the case under such circumstances, the true and enduring gold, the heavenly riches, was not in general demand. We, however, found a few souls, even in Apiahy, who were interested in the gospel, and with these we spent a few days, rendering them such assistance as we could, and then came to Itarare.
A STREET SCENE IN RIO DE JANEIRO
As will doubtless be remembered from previous reports, a state meeting had been held in Itarare in June, and Brother Emil Holzle remained for a month to follow up the interest. As a result of his labors the interest had deepened, and some had taken their stand for the truth.
It was to further develop this interest that we have now labored together here another five weeks, and the Lord has blessed our work. Last Sabbath, December 5, we buried ten dear souls with their Lord in baptism, while as many more are looking forward to the next baptism as the time when they can be thus buried with their Lord, and at least ten others are keeping the Sabbath.
As a rule, these people are all addicted to the use of tobacco and whisky, and some of them have their hardest battles to conquer these evils. But thanks be to the Lord, there is victory for all who seek it in faith in the Source of all power.
There are many interested yet in this section. We have organized a tract society, and set the brethren to work for those in their immediate reach, but to the other places we can not now go, as the time would not permit us to finish the work if we began it ere the next conference. And aside from this, we must visit in the adjoining State (Parana) a scattered company that has not been visited by a minister for about two years, and also some Sabbath-keepers who have never seen a minister as yet. Then we are also desirous of getting better acquainted with the needs of the State of Parana, so that we may be better able to report them at the next conference.
This brief statement gives an idea of the scarcity of workers in this vast field. It is now almost three months since I left my home on this trip, and I expect that six weeks more will pass before I return. Of the fifty-two weeks of the year, I have spent only five in work near my home, although there is work in abundance there. The time has been spent in attending the various State meetings held and in laboring far from my home in various provinces, in order to do something to meet the demands made upon us. O that we had more laborers to enter these ripe fields!
In closing, I would relate an incident to show how Satan works to hinder the Lord's work. On Sabbath, November 28, the constable came into the place where we were holding our services, and at the close of the meeting informed us that the delegado of the police commanded us to leave the place in twenty-four hours. We asked to see the document that authorized him to bring such a message to us; for up to that time this man had been very friendly to us, and also somewhat interested in the truth. Upon reading the document we found that the constable, because he could read only very poorly, and because of the way in which the document was worded, had become confused in its instruction, and instead of sending in a report to the police delegado which would have resulted in our being expelled in twenty-four hours, he understood it to be his duty to tell us to leave in twenty-four hours. Of course we went to the authorities, and, in fact, to all the leading men concerned in this question, and the sum of the whole thing can be given as follows:—
The close friends of the Catholic priest, and no doubt the priest himself, had become alarmed at the interest which the preaching of the gospel was causing to spring up among the people in the vicinity, and they decided that this must be stopped. But how? As the constitution of Brazil guarantees religious liberty, they could not make religion, even though the religion of the Bible is ever so distasteful to them, the ground of procedure.
They knew of our health principles, and here they thought to get a hold on us. Recently a brother had given up a very profitable business, that of making rum from sugar-cane. Thus they had tangible evidence that we were not favorable to whisky. They knew also that we taught that tobacco is a poison, and its use injurious, and that pork is an unfit article for food. Here they thought they could get a reason against us. And so a certain major, the political chief in the city and most intimate friend of the priest, went to the police delegado and asked him to expel us from his limits within twenty-four hours, because we taught the people not to plant tobacco nor sugar-cane, and not to fatten pork. He also said that these things were utterly absurd, and threatened to ruin the commerce and business of the commonwealth, and that along with the foregoing we had taught that people should work only four days a week, and, in fact, we were already having meetings every day, and that the people were neglecting their planting, etc.
Thus the issue was shorn of its religious character, and placed in the light of an 'absurd fanaticism' that would prove injurious to the community, would cause the people to cease from lucrative business, and result in loss to the community.
In our private conversation with these leading men we proved to them that the planting and using of tobacco and the making and drinking of whisky were no14benefit to any community, that on the contrary these articles could only be a detriment. And while the old major referred to above at first had great difficulty to control his anger, in the course of our conversation he became calm, and apparently consented to the truths presented. These men, seeing that we understood the situation quite well, made no further effort to molest us, and we finished our work for the present. May the Lord ever give his cause the victory is our prayer.
Our Mission in Nyassaland
By Mrs. Henrietta Branch
MRS. HENRIETTA BRANCH
MRS. BRANCH WITH HER PATIENTS
SINCE coming to Africa to assist in the work of enlightening and uplifting this people, who are in darkness and superstition and ignorance, I have labored with much anxiety, wondering who of the many would receive the gospel message preached to them from the Word of God. From the many outward signs, I am satisfied that the Spirit of God is now working upon hearts and opening deaf ears and blinded eyes. The seed sown is making impression in their lives for good. Quite a few come to ask Mr. Branch many questions about the written Word, and say, “We have never heard this way before.” They are all told to read carefully the Book of God, which they take delight in doing. This to the worker is, indeed, encouraging.
There is now a marked reformation going on among them. Whereas they have only been anxious to learn to read the books, and to get an education, that they might be able to earn a good salary, now they are beginning to realize that something more is needed to help them on in life; so they are becoming more industrious in laboring with their hands. Their former teaching was to let the women do the hard work, even the clearing of the ground and the raising of the food for the family, while the men spent their time in a sort of happy-go- easy life. This change to industry we notice in those who attend the school.
When we first came, we found the people of all ages and sizes wearing only cloth, and in many cases only a small strip of cloth. We bought cloth and gave it to them, and made waists and dresses for the women and girls. Although this was but a little, some improvement was made. But the arrival of the boxes of garments made by the different societies of the Battle Creek church has wrought a miracle. It would have given the donors real joy and pleasure to see the people coming with happy, smiling faces, to pay their sixpences and shillings for garments. Those who did not have the money to pay engaged to work to earn money with which to buy. The mother, even, with her child tied on her back, came to work at shelling corn or hoeing in the field, to get a garment for herself and babe.
This assortment of clothing was like the visit of Livingstone, which filled the hearts of the people with gladness and hope. He told them that there were friends and relatives on the other side of the great, deep ocean, who would some day come to help them. This they have never forgotten. When we arrived, they came from far and near to see us, whom they called their big brothers from America. Their knowledge of the countries across the seas is very limited. They have heard but little of America; but of England, Scotland, and France they have heard much; for it is the people of these countries who are here among them as missionaries and planters.
Ever since the visits of Livingstone in these parts, there has lived in the heart of the native the one long-cherished hope that some day his kindred would return to him, to teach and help him. When we came, they remembered the words of Livingstone, and you may be sure we were heartily received by them. And when the boxes of clothing came from Battle Creek, many spoke of it as another fulfilment of his promises. Now, instead of naked bodies with a small piece of cloth, we see many of the natives clothed with nice white cloth, or with shirts and suits. And when their work of hoeing is finished each day, and they go to the streams to wash their bodies, and put on their clean garments to enter school, the change is indeed gratifying.
At the same time the natives were rejoicing at the receiving of the boxes, each member of my family was made to rejoice also for having been so generously remembered by the sisters and young people of the Battle Creek church, for which they have our sincere thanks. I assure each one that all such acts of kindness from those at home inspire one with hope and courage.
We are glad to report that the work is onward, and for all people; for this gospel of the soon-coming kingdom must be preached in all the world, and to all nations, and then shall the end come. We thank the dear Lord that he gives us a humble part with him in the work for souls who are perishing. There are several Europeans here to whom we send papers. One gentleman who had not been long in this part of Africa heard of us as American missionaries, and came to see us. We gave him some of our papers to read, and now every Sabbath he sends for reading-matter. I send him the Youth's Instructor, the Signs, and also the Life Boat.
The Sabbath services are well attended. All give good attention. Many are coming in from the different villages. We have a large Sabbath-school. I write verses for them from the Bible, that all may take part. They learn to recite them. We also teach them to sing the English hymns. This is very interesting to them. My daughter has charge of this part of the work. The work has to be often repeated, yet it is pleasant. It is not like being where you have much to work with. While at present we have a supply of our denominational books, if we only had some elementary and complete geographies, it would be a great blessing to the school, as the boys know little or nothing of the world, except their present home, British Central Africa. Then, as we have to write the hymns from the church “Hymnal,” for the Sabbath services, we would be thankful if some one would send a few copies of our church hymn book; for I believe it to be an essential factor in their education in the inspired Word, to teach them to sing it.
Mr. Branch’s afternoon Bible class is well attended. Yesterday they studied the commandments. A few who had been here only a short time, and did not know about the Sabbath from the Bible, were full of questions, and said that no one had ever told it to them before. Praise the Lord for the privilege of singing it and telling it, “Till no one can say, of the children of men, Nobody ever has told me before.”
The people as a rule are much afflicted with loathsome sores. Many are brought to the mission in their machilas, or on15the backs of relatives, for treatment. I have learned to treat these sores successfully. I have had to turn away only a few cases, that were lepers. The only medicine I have for treatment of these is plenty of soap-suds, iodoform, and boracic acid. I am sure that God has blessed in the application of these simple means.
Pitcairn Island
By J. R. McCoy
I AM thankful to God that the way has opened for us to have direct communication with our workers in other parts of the world, by receiving our papers and letters regularly. We do not seem so far behind as we used to after the “Pitcairn” stopped coming on her missionary errands. We feel quite in touch with our brethren and sisters in the field at large. I esteem it a great loss to miss one copy of the Review or of the Signs of the Times. They reveal to us wonderful things that are to be in these last days of this world's history. Truly, the only hope for this earth now is the soon coming of Christ. This is a blessed hope. When shall we see it fulfilled?
I often meet sea captains stopping here as they pass on their way to Europe or elsewhere, who are interested in reading our papers, and believe that we are right regarding the Sabbath and the soon coming of Christ. I have found this a grand place for ship missionary work, better even than San Francisco. The men are sober from the vile habits and practises of city life. I usually divide my scanty supply of papers with them. We desire to spend our lives in the service of God, for that is the only thing worth living for now.
We are so close to the home land now that rocks and reefs abound on every side. It is even so in Pitcairn. By these we know that the journey's end is almost here.
Although always at war with the wiles of the enemy, I am not discouraged. I am thankful to God for the armor and weapons he has prepared for me, and for all who are willing to wear them.
Eight of our young people were baptized as the result of Brother Cady's work here. The meetings held during his short stay did much good. I am sorry he could not stay longer with us, but the duties of his own field demanded his presence. He left here on a French missionary vessel, arriving safely in Mangareva, Jan. 1, 1904, leaving later on a French man-of-war, for Tahiti. He took with him two of my daughters, and a son-in-law and his three children, to labor in his field. J. R. McCoy.
British Guiana
By D. C. Babcock
GEORGETOWN.— The Lord is blessing the work in the colony. Since I last wrote to you, I have baptized nine precious souls, and others are awaiting baptism. I have been holding some special meetings in the Georgetown church, and they are well attended. Last night the church was full, and we can begin to see results already. Four new ones have presented themselves to the church, and our own people are reviving.
Elder Haysmer arrived here from Trinidad about the middle of March, and remained four weeks. We visited most of the companies during his stay.
Our quarterly meeting last Sabbath was a good one. In the morning service the house was full, and fifty participated in the afternoon ordinance service.
To-morrow I go to Essequibo, where nine are awaiting baptism. Next week I will visit Bootooba, and then return home to arrange for the conference, which will be held in Barbados, instead of Demerara as arranged.
Remember us in our work, that continued grace and health may attend us. As I see so many other missionaries falling in this field, and our own health so wonderfully preserved, I can praise the Lord with renewed courage. I am glad to see the forward movement in the proper kind of preparations for the message at Washington, D. C. May the will of the Lord be carried out.
D. C. BABCOCK.
Bay Islands
By A. N. Allen
UTILLA.—At the end of March, school was closed, to be opened again in two weeks under different regulations. We made some changes, and also raised the tuition. Much to our surprise and satisfaction, nearly every one that had been at all regular in attendance, came back. We have about forty enrolled. A few are charity students.
So many students coming back detained me from going to the coast as soon as I had hoped, but now we have it so arranged that Mrs. Allen and one of the students can nearly handle the school. Last Wednesday night I returned from a nine days’ trip on the coast. I took fifteen orders for El Mensajero, four for the Review, two for Youth’s Instructor, two for Little Friend. I spoke to our people in La Cieba twice, organized a Sabbath-school, and went with our brethren to visit some families that are interested. I canvassed La16Cieba and El Porvenir, and received in cash 129.29 pesos. My traveling expenses were only 2.25 pesos gold, but this was due to my being acquainted with the boatmen. The places where one can do as well as this are not many. The morning of the eleventh I was coming up the coast from El Porvenir, when just at daybreak a norther struck us, and we were soon cast ashore, receiving a good wetting, but suffering no damage, as I had left my books at El Porvenir, and my clothes were in a tin trunk. This is a very rough, and at some seasons dangerous, coast.
I hope to see a small press in this country, when the work shall have grown sufficiently to demand it. May God bless the work at Washington.
A. N. ALLEN.
Australia
By J. E. FULTON
COORANBONG, NEW SOUTH WALES.—Mrs. Fulton and I have enjoyed ourselves here, and I know that we have been very much benefited healthwise. We are very well, indeed. The Lord has been so good in restoring our health.
We have been enabled to come in contact with many young people who have become deeply interested in our foreign missions. So it turns out that we have been working for the islands, after all. There are some fine young people here who want to go to the islands as soon as they finish their school-work.
We have a large school here this year, and are glad to say that we have a fine class of students. I have four classes in English Bible and one in Fijian every day. This, with my manual labor, my Fijian writing for Rarama, and correspondence, takes up all my time. Our two natives at the school are well, and getting along nicely, and I believe their presence is an inspiration to our students.
Our work in the islands moves along encouragingly. A number have lately been added to our ranks. Our old native brother, Pauliasi Bunoa, is doing good work. Wherever he labors, people accept the truth. J. E. FULTON.
Mission Notes
THE experiences and needs of all Christian missions, at home and abroad, are the concern of every Christian because of their part in God's irrevocable plan to bless all nations through Jesus Christ.
IN an English missionary school in British New Guinea the students were lately asked how many of them had ever tasted human flesh. Only one could deny the accusation. A mission in such surroundings is like a forlorn hope in warfare; when it attains success, the result is worth the long and terrible struggle.
IN some parts of India, Hindus are making serious efforts to dissuade the people from sending their children to missionary schools, because the teaching given does not end with the time of schooling, but sticks to pupils throughout their lives. It is a testimony to the value of mission schools which is worth bearing in mind.
THE Church Missionary Society reports its gross receipts, for the fiscal year 1902-03, as $1,972,309.68. Deducting several sums designated to special objects, the net receipts of the society for the general work of the year were $1,910,609.36. This total is an increase of $372,680 over the receipts of the previous year, and it has covered an increase in appropriations of $72,600, besides reducing the old deficit from $169,400 to $27,762.24. It is not surprising that in view of this magnificent result, the committee decided to continue the “Forward Policy” followed by the society during the last seventeen years, which has received God's blessing in so marked a manner.
A SLAVE woman named Ogumro living in the Ilale country west of the Niger longed for freedom, and worked hard until she secured it. Then she traveled to another region to enjoy life. There she was converted to Christ. This gave her a new longing. What she now longed for was to tell the Ilale people, among whom she had been a slave, what good things she had learned. She went back to Ilale, worked hard, earned money, got a church built, and late in 1903 she placed the church at the disposal of the nearest Christian pastor. The Church Missionary Intelligencer now reports that five young men from Ilale have been baptized through these efforts of the ex-slave. It seems that Anglo-Saxons have no monopoly of the strenuous life. The Christian name given to Ogumro in baptism was the appropriate one of Dorcas.
