A CABLEGRAM from London states that Mrs. Anne Besant, who had recently arrived there from India, announces the impending reincarnation of Christ. She says:—
Everything tends to show that the time is at hand for the arrival of the great world Teacher. Physical and social changes throughout the world tell that the age of militarism is closing, and that fraternity is to be the watchword. The future Anglo-American peace treaty is one sign, but the world's peace is unachievable politically. It will result in a vast spiritual movement unifying all warring creeds. This will be the task of the coming Teacher prefigured in the Christian dogma as the second coming of Christ. It is not far distant. Then our eon will close, and a new age will open.
That the second coming of Christ is near we most certainly believe. We have also been taught to believe that just prior to his coming there would be wonderful demonstrations of satanic power, Satan himself appearing and attempting to personify Christ. We can discover nothing in the lectures of Mrs. Besant that is particularly dissimilar to the published utterances of prominent Spiritualists. The doctrines of theosophy, as explained by Mrs. Besant, seem to be in practically perfect accord with the doctrines of Spiritualism. It is significant, therefore, for this leader of theosophy to be declaring that the time is ripe for the second coming of Christ. It is an indication that we may not have long to wait until we shall find that the arch-deceiver has come, and is attempting to personify Jesus Christ. That the warring creeds will be unified under one spiritual control, the book of Revelation explicitly teaches. The one who brings about this formal unification of professed Christians is the same who will appear to impersonate the Saviour in his second coming. It is also significant that these two events which have so large a place in the closing days of earth's history should be thrown together by this recognized leader of that branch of Spiritualism known as theosophy. The coming of our Saviour is to be after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and the crowning “wonder” of all will be the impersonation of our Saviour by the adversary of souls.
New Guinea
By F. L. Chaney
F. L. CHANEY.
BACK here in the interior, twenty-seven miles from the coast, we have a mission station. Twenty-five acres have now been cleared, and about half of this is under cultivation. Eight hundred rubber-trees have been planted, between which are growing bananas, pineapples, manioc, taro, yams, sweet potatoes, granadillas, tomatoes, peas, beans, pumpkins, etc. Some orange-, mandarin-, and lime-trees have also been set out.
There are twenty-four boys working on our mission farm who belong to tribes living at a distance of five or six days’ journey, and nearer the interior. It is a very strange thing in this country for boys to apply for work voluntarily. In most cases they must be forced to “sign on,” or sign a contract to work for a given period.
The other evening I accompanied back to his village a chief who had been invited to our mission that we might seek his advice with reference to timber. There I got a view of the real, raw, dirty Papuan in his native home. The village is situated on a small hill, with a good view of the mountainous country to the northeast.
About six years ago these villagers were living six or seven miles farther inland in two villages. Another tribe living still farther inland came down upon them, and killed all but one of the people living in one village, and the others fled to their present location. For a year they lived in tree-houses (the remnants of four of these were still to be seen); then they moved into their present more substantial houses. This village consists of eleven houses, arranged in the form of a rough rectangle.
Each house is raised about five feet from the ground, on slender posts. Each has a veranda platform two or three feet lower than the floor of the house, but under the same roof. The floors are made of split goru, a species of palm, the outside, or smooth surface being turned upward. This veranda serves as a dining-room, and after the meal is over, one or two of the numerous small pigs that are running about are allowed to clean up the scraps. It was the time of their evening meal, and out in front of their respective houses were small groups of men and women and children preparing or partaking of their food.
The Papuan has no salutation of his own like “Good day,” or, “How do you do?” but they all give a good-natured grunt when spoken to. These villagers seemed pleased to see Brother Carr, who had visited them before.
The women all wore their grass ramies, or skirts. Some of the men wore cloth ramies, and others only a belt with a string loin-cloth. The younger children wore nothing. The chief’s earrings consisted of a large safety-pin in one ear and a brass clock wheel in the other. Most of the men have their nostrils pierced, but none of those here have very large nose ornaments.
These villagers have no cultivated ground in the immediate vicinity of the village, their gardens being about half a mile away.
When Bennie, our native boy on the farm, first came to us, before we had our mission house up, one man with his two wives came and slept near his hut every night, to watch over him and see that no harm came to him.
The Crying Need in China
By I. H. EVANS
I. H. EVANS
SINCE last November I have been at Shanghai only about three weeks. The rest of the time I have been visiting various countries and companies in the Asiatic Division. The more I see of the East, the more I am convinced we are in the time when it is God's time for us to work. I wish you could have been with Dr. A. C. Selmon and myself on our recent trip to the interior. I have no language to set before you the situation or the needs; it is like a great campaign in war. The advantages are all on your side, the enemy is within reach; its forces are disheartened, disorganized; its men are deserting and coming to your enfeebled ranks. You know that if you could but rise and strike one blow, the day would be won; yet notwithstanding all this, you are unable to lift your hand to do anything.
Your heart cries out for just one company of fighting men; you pray; you walk the floor in despair; you pray for God to spare the men in the field, and help you do something: yet your condition is such there is not a man you can move; not a division nor even a company that can march a step. Day by day you see the opportunities slipping, passing beyond all hope of return.
Such are the conditions here in China. If God has opened these doors, and made these possibilities, he made them for his church to step into, and complete the work he has begun by his Holy Spirit.
Last night we left a meeting in Chang-sha, where there was an attendance of over seventy Sabbath-keepers. They were called together by Brother Cottrell for a three weeks' institute and Bible study. We did not know we had nearly so many believers in all his territory. Last January he reported sixty-one believers in his division, and last Sabbath we had over ninety in the service, and many more who were not there.
When we reached Chang-sha last week, we found the workers all present, and the institute on, but Brother Cottrell was so hoarse he could speak only in a whisper. His wife was sick with a chronic trouble that disabled her for service, and Dr. Selmon ordered her to bed for months to come. There was not another foreigner in all that country nearer than Hankow, a three days' journey under the best of conditions, and one which sometimes requires a week.
I never saw people more eager to hear the truth of God than this congregation. They had come for a hundred li, some much farther, leaving their work, their crops, their stores, and had paid their own expense and board to study the Bible. Five meetings a day for three weeks is a hard burden for a frail man like Brother Cottrell to carry. Of course we took hold and did the best we could. Dr. Selmon had to do his own work and translate for me. To-day he is about tired out. We left Brother Cottrell last night without a soul to help him but a sick wife; he can talk now, but is very hoarse.
In Hunan we have another meeting, to begin this week. In this province we now have seven companies of believers calling for help. Much of the present situation is the direct result of the distribution of literature circulated by Brother P. J. Laird and his helpers in the past. But now the seed has grown, and the harvest is ready to glean, and we have not a man to place in the field. Think of more than forty millions of human beings ready for the preaching of the gospel in these two provinces of Hunan and Kiangsi and only one man to do anything. Think of the work he has to do. He has a school in operation for men and one for women, and not one trained teacher. He has twenty-five students trying to get an education; but there is not a man to help teach who has any ability in that line. The people cry for training. They thrust themselves upon us, and beseech us to fit them and their children for service.
Then there is the literature that must be scattered. Poor, sick Sister Cottrell has given her time to directing this work, and she has done well; but she is sick. To look at her you would not know her as the same woman who came to this field. She is thin and haggard. Still she stays at her post.
Then there are the cottages to build; and if they are not up soon, there will be neither Elder Cottrell nor Mrs. Cottrell living on earth, to say nothing of working. He has so many calls for help that it is confusing, and the poor man is distracted to know what to do. The long, hot months are hastening on, and there is not a man to lift his finger if sickness should come. All we ask is just one helper to be with Brother Cottrell to help, and to hold the fort if he13should fall under sickness. Then each man will have about twenty-five million souls to warn and prepare for the coming Lord.
I wish you could have seen those men, and heard their testimonies yesterday. We had a social meeting, and they arose in groups from the various cities whence they came. There you would see ten, twelve, fourteen, men and women from a certain town, and they had come to study the Word of God. They will average a month from their homes, and they pay their own way. Last Thursday six men packed up and started for home. They had stayed as long as they had funds to pay for their food. A brother came and told us they were going, and we sent after them and brought them back, Dr. Selmon, Brother Cottrell, and myself promising to see them through.
We wanted to open two chapels in distant cities, but had no appropriations for the work. Brother Cottrell put two hundred squares on the blackboard, and all but twenty squares were taken, largely by the Chinese. We foreigners took only ten each, and they took the others.
Shanghai, China.
F. G. LANE
By F. G. LANE
Venezuela
F. G. LANE
Venezuela, with its vast resources, is a country of which, until recently, but little was known by the people of other lands. It was discovered by Columbus in 1498. The first settlement was made by the Spaniards at Cumana, in the year 1520. It remained under Spanish rule until a series of insurrections (1810–20) resulted in a declaration of independence and the forming of the Colombian federation, under the leadership of Simon Bolivar. This federation comprised all the territory now included in Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador.
Venezuela, compared with the countries of Europe, is second only to Russia in size. It was declared a republic in 1830. From that time to the present there has been an average of one rebellion in every two years. This condition has done much to retard progress. A large part of the country is still in its primitive state, inhabited only by Indians, many of whom are of the lowest type.
Health conditions are not of the best. In the lowlands, where it is hot and swampy, this is quite natural; but in the highlands, where the climate is all that could be desired, and with an abundance of good water, it is clearly the result of the unsanitary conditions which exist. Of this sanitary neglect, Caracas is a fair example. There is much sickness and death in the poorer districts because of the filthy conditions in which the people live. A city beautiful for situation, three thousand feet above the level of the sea, with an ideal climate, perfect drainage, and a fair supply of good water,—a city which, with a little well-directed effort, could be made an ideal health resort,—nevertheless it allows sanitary conditions which would be a disgrace to any city.
The people of Venezuela are chiefly Spanish and Indian, with some Negroes. The masses are largely illiterate. There seems to be no organized system of education; there are some schools in the cities, but these, aside from the university, are hardly worthy of the name. Taking the country as a whole, it is said that less than five per cent of the people can read or write.
The population is not definitely known, but according to the latest statistical calculation it is about two million five hundred thousand. The people are scattered over an area of about three hundred sixty-four thousand square miles. There is no system of roads; a short distance from the cities, the public highways degenerate into mere paths. It is said there are four hundred miles of railroad in the country, but this is divided into five or six widely separated sections. Thus it is seen that Venezuela can be classed as one of the very difficult fields to reach with the message.
WORKERS IN VENEZUELA
At left, F. G. Lane and family; at right, Brother Greenage and wife and language teacher.
The prevailing religion is Catholic. There are, in all, about three thousand Protestants and many heathen. Infidelity is a strong and growing enemy with which to deal. A large part of the people have no place in their lives for religion, unless it be for social or financial gain. Vice of every kind prevails. Public lotteries and gambling-houses are conducted by the government. With very few exceptions, money is esteemed far above character. Yet in all this, we find souls who hunger for something better, and who quickly respond to the cheering notes of the gospel message. We find that here, as well as in other parts of the world, the Lord has his sheep, who know his voice, and who also are ready to respond to the call, “Come out of her, my people, and that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”
OUR FIRST BAPTISMAL SERVICE IN VENEZUELA
We arrived here the first day of August, 1910, knowing nothing of the language, but trusting the Lord to lead in opening the work; and he has not disappointed us. March 25, 1911, a little less than eight months after our arrival, we had the privilege of burying eleven precious souls in baptism, and the next day we organized the first Seventh-day Adventist church in Venezuela. April 1 we held our first communion service, and all enjoyed the presence of the Spirit of God; all are truly rejoicing in the hope of a soon-coming Saviour and the knowledge of sins forgiven. There are others who have expressed a desire to unite with us at the next opportunity.
The work is onward here. We are now anxiously waiting for some truth-filled books, that we may be able to get the message before many who, perhaps, can not be reached in any other way.
Caracas.
Abyssinian Women
By Alice Grundset
MRS. ALICE GRUNDSET
THE women of Abyssinia enjoy full liberty, having no social customs that confine them to their homes. Their clothing consists of a short dress, with the shawl-like nuttzela over the shoulder. They wear no hats nor shoes. The hair of the married women is nicely braided, but the unmarried women wear the hair cut short. All oil their heads abundantly.
In the early morning we see them going to the market-place with their milk, eggs, chickens, and grain, a good load being carried on the head. The infant up to a year or more is carried in a leather sack strapped to the shoulder.
These people live very simply, in huts of small stones and mud. Their home is also a shelter for goats, donkeys, etc., the live stock sleeping in the same room with the family. With the old-fashioned grinding-stones the women grind the grain from day to day, in just such14quantities as they require at the time. Bread is baked in clay ovens.
The Abyssinian women seem to us untidy, having apparently no thought nor understanding of the first principles of cleanliness. The older women are deeply rooted in their customs, as well as in their religious views, and it is somewhat difficult to give them instruction. They are inquisitive, however, and will ask all manner of questions; and through this avenue we hope to turn their minds to better things. A great work needs to be done for the women of Abyssinia.
Asmara, Eritrea.
The Work in the European Division During 1910
By Louis Richard Conradi
L. R. CONRADI
As the statistics showing the results of another year's work are before us, we believe the readers of the REVIEW will be interested to catch a general glimpse of the details. The European Division conducts the work not only in every country in Europe, but also in all of northern and eastern Africa, and in northern and western Asia. Our territory is tremendous, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the arctic regions to the equator. Our population is equally appalling, there being about five hundred fifty million souls living within our boundaries.
Europe proper is divided by us into six great union conferences, European Turkey and Greece, with about six million people, being in the Levant Mission field. In Asia we have the Levant and the Siberian union mission fields; in Africa, the Latin Union is working in Algeria, and the Levant Union in Egypt; while the European Division of the General Conference looks after the mission fields in British, German, and Italian East Africa.
As a rule, progress has attended our work in the various fields. It may be of interest to specify these.
East German Union Conference
This union, with a population of about 75,000,000, is now conducting the work in the eastern part of the German empire, in all of Hungary, in the Balkans, and in a large portion of Austria. Last year it added 1,339 members by vote and baptism, and increased its membership to 6,012. At the close of the year, there were within its boundaries eight conferences and four mission fields, a new conference and mission field being organized near the close of the year. Its tithe last year amounted to $63,500.
Of its membership, 5,000 are in the German empire, and they contributed $57,000 tithe, not less than $13,000, or twenty-three per cent, of which was given to mission purposes. This conference worked its own territory, containing some 30,000,000 people, with $44,000; and contributed to its own mission fields, with a population of 45,000,000, about $10,500. It then gave about $3,000 of its tithe, and over $13,000 in offerings, to the General Conference for its mission territory. One can readily see how our local German conferences might have retained their funds, on the plea that they had such a large population in their own territory to provide for, rather than allow their means to flow so liberally into the regions beyond.
However, we find that the Lord prospered the East German Union Conference not only in its work among its local German conferences, but that he is steadily giving it fruit in Hungary, and in the Adriatic, the Galician, and the Balkan mission fields, where it now has more than 1,000 members. Nor is there any lack of large cities in the territory of this union conference. Greater Berlin has a population of about 3,000,000; Budapest has nearly 1,000,000; and Dresden, Leipzig, and Breslau have over half a million each. We now have eight churches, with more than 700 members, in Berlin. There is a church of 175 members at Dresden; in Leipzig we have 100 members; in Chemnitz, 108; in Stettin, 172; in Bucharest, 127; in Breslau, 159; and in Koenigsberg, 100. Thus large churches are growing up in the more important and populous cities. Although rent is very expensive, yet we have not invested our meager means in chapels, but have preferred to save all we possibly could for the furtherance of the gospel. At present there are 130 active workers in this union, only thirty-one of whom are ordained ministers. About 100 canvassers are at work here, and their sales amounted to over $55,000. Each conference has its general agent, and we have recently appointed a union general agent as well. The East German Union led the list in the gain of its membership last year.
West German Union Conference
The territory of the West German Union includes the western part of Germany, Holland, all of Belgium, German-Switzerland, and quite a proportion of Austria. Its population is about 68,000,000. Last year it added 1,151 members by baptism and vote, and increased its membership to 5,418. At the close of the year it had eight conferences and three mission fields, one new conference being added during the latter part of December. It includes within its borders the most wealthy part of Germany, among whose 34,000,000 it has nearly 4,700 members; while in the German-Swiss Conference we have thus far secured a membership of 500 from among the 3,000,000 people living there. Thus the local conferences of the West German Union have 5,200 members.
The tithe of the union was $63,500, of which the conferences paid $57,000; and twenty-three per cent, or $13,000, of this was turned over to mission work last year. The local conference territory, containing some 37,000,000 people, was worked with $44,000; and the conference contributed to its own mission fields, with 31,000,000 population, some $11,000; and gave the General Conference $2,500, in addition to $13,500 in offerings, making a total of $16,000 turned over to the European Division. The Lord has prospered this union conference in its work, not only in Germany and German-Switzerland, but also in other parts of its territory. It now has over 300 members in Austria, over 100 in Belgium, and over 200 in Holland. Nor does it lack large cities in its territory. Vienna contains about 2,000,000 population; Hamburg-Altona has 1,200,000; and Amsterdam, Cologne, Munich, and Brussels have over half a million each. Besides these there are many cities of over 100,000 inhabitants in the territory of the West German Union Conference. There are now two churches in Hamburg, with 360 members; there are 122 members in Munich, 127 in Nuremberg, 145 in Frankfort, 109 in Hanover, 115 in Stuttgart, 90 in The Hague, 150 in Cologne, 100 in Elberfeld, 158 in Essen, 100 in Basel, and 124 in Zurich. This field has 128 active workers, thirty of whom are ordained ministers. Last year 140 book canvassers were at work, and the total sales of literature—part of which is made up by the retail value of the Hamburg Publishing House sales not otherwise reported—amounted to $90,000.
Scandinavian Union Conference
This is the smallest of our European union conferences, as it contains a population of only 14,000,000. At present there are four conferences and two mission fields in its territory. Last year it added 330 members, bringing up its membership to 3,145. The Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian conferences retained only eighty per cent of their tithe, and will pay the five per cent for the Sustentation Fund to the General Conference, beginning with Jan. 1, 1911. Last year the union tithe amounted to $27,800, $25,000 of which came from the three conferences mentioned, so it will have to work its field this year with about $20,000. The union contributed $5,600 in regular offerings, and $3,700 in special offerings to missions. Our Scandinavian brethren greatly rejoice that God has enabled them to support not only their own work, but also that in other mission territory. This union has eighty-eight canvassers. Its sales last year were $76,500, the highest average of any union conference in the European Division.
Russian Union Conference
Until the first of January, 1911, the great Russian empire, with its 154,000,000 (save little Finland and her three millions, that formed a part of the Scandinavian Union Conference) composed only one union conference. Last year there were received into this union 597 members by baptism and 134 by vote, making a total of 731, so that its total membership at the end of last December was almost 4,000 members—3,952, to be exact. But Russia shows the greatest increase in its finances; for its tithe has been doubled within three years, coming up to $21,242 for 1910. Heretofore there have been three conferences and six mission fields in Russia; but since Jan. 1, 1911, Riga and the surrounding country15have been organized into the Union District, with nearly 400 members. The Russian Union's appropriations last year were $5,721, so this union spent only about $26,000 in this mighty field, with nearly twice the population of the United States. Russia has sixty evangelical workers, eighteen of whom are ordained ministers. Much yet needs to be done to develop a strong working force for this mighty empire. As Russia returned $4,000 in gifts to the European Division of the General Conference, it was really almost self-supporting in 1910. Its canvassing work is developing. Last year its sales amounted to $10,500, with forty-seven canvassers employed.
Hamburg.
(To be concluded)
Southern Oregon and Southern Idaho Camp-Meetings
By W. A. Westworth
THE Southern Oregon Conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Roseburg, Ore., May 11-21. The grounds used were near the town, but the attendance from the outside was not very large during the first part of the meeting on account of extremely wet weather, and the fact that a town festival was being held at the time. During the latter part of the meeting the attendance was better.
The conference proceedings passed off with the utmost harmony, and a good spirit prevailed. Practically the same officers that served during the past year were reelected for the ensuing term. Brother Taylor Bunch was set apart by ordination to the gospel ministry. Elders C. W. Flaiz and H. W. Decker, representing the union conference, with Elders A. J. Haysmer and Luther Warren, Brother H. H. Hall, and the writer, attended this meeting.
An excellent interest was taken in foreign missions, and although this is one of the youngest conferences in the denomination, having been organized for only about one year, and although it was necessary to call for funds to supply the tents, seats, etc., essential to the beginning of a new work, still when we made a call for missions, about twenty-five hundred dollars was raised in cash and pledges, some of the pledges being conditional on the sale of property. One thing which touched the hearts of all was to see the young people strip themselves of needless jewelry, rings, necklaces, etc., and place them with the offering for foreign missions.
From this meeting we went to the Southern Idaho meeting, which was held at Ontario, Ore., just on the line between Idaho and eastern Oregon, as a considerable portion of eastern Oregon is included in the Southern Idaho Conference territory. Here we found another small camp; but being favored with good weather, we had a larger outside attendance. Quite an interest was manifested on the part of the people from the town.
Here also an interest in missions was manifested, and about nine hundred dollars in cash and pledges was given to this cause. A very emphatic interest in the call of the fields of heathenism was shown, and the conference raised the allotment of ten cents a week a member to fifteen cents a week for each member. This is certainly none too high a mark when we consider the great blessings which rest upon us here in the home land in comparison with the crying needs of the hundreds of millions in heathen lands.
The blessing of the Lord was with us, and at the close of the meeting about twenty-five were baptized. The same officers were elected to serve another year; and the proceedings of the conference were marked with the utmost harmony and a kindly spirit.
Southern Idaho is a fruitful field, but it has a scarcity of strong laborers. Both here and in Southern Oregon we heard encouraging reports from the intermediate schools, and we trust these schools will be the means of developing missionary recruits for the Master's service.
The general laborers who attended the Southern Oregon meeting attended this meeting also.
May the blessing of God attend the efforts in both these conferences, which are the smallest in the union, but which show a healthy growth and a firm determination to press to the front.
W. A. WESTWORTH.
JUAN ROBLES
By JUAN ROBLES
Mexico
TORREON.— In this city, one of the most progressive in the northern part of this republic, the people who do not know how to find real rest, comfort, and trust, and have therefore been depending upon the arm of flesh, have been uneasy for the last three months through fear of the war.
On the thirteenth of May three thousand revolutionists attacked this city; and after forty-two hours' fighting the federal general, with some six hundred soldiers, escaped while it was raining heavily. In all, 239 persons were killed, and six wounded. The populace, with the supposed consent of the revolutionists, ransacked twenty-four groceries, shoe-stores, and dry-goods stores. They also pillaged the Baptist college, a block from our mission place. A Mexican family was taking care of this property;16and why the insurrectos should have plundered it under these conditions may be understood when it is explained that almost all of them had the crowns of their hats covered with a variety of images, besides those hanging from their necks, in frames as large as 8 x 10 inches.
Torreon is the Chicago of Mexico for railroads, yet we had no trains for fourteen days. All bridges had been burned. Not long ago the Mexican Central Railroad, north of Torreon, had 213 burned bridges at one time, most of them between Chihuahua and Ciudad Juarez.
In the midst of all this trouble, we who feed our understanding by the study of God's Word, and especially we who are warning the world with the threefold message contained in Rev. 14: 6-12, understand that the worst is not yet come, and that, if we live right, it matters not to us when, where, and how we die. If we live in Christ, we die in Christ. Yet we believe in asking God to spare our lives, that we may have as great a part in the battle for good as possible. Pray for the workers in Mexico.
JUAN ROBLES
Moslem Life in the Caspian Region
By F. F. OSTER
F. F. OSTER
Perhaps among no other people do the outward forms of religion enter into every-day life to a greater extent than among the Moslems. One or another of their ninety-nine names for the Deity is ever on their lips. A very common expression used is, “If God wills.” Prayers are prescribed, and performed as an obligation owed their Creator. The idea of confession of sins does not appeal to the Mohammedan, and secret prayer is unknown. For public prayer a certain preparation must be made; water is poured from a vessel, and with his palm, the Moslem rubs his arm in a certain direction. He removes his sandals, and wets his toes, and then his ears; this he often does in the street. Wherever the prayer-hour finds him, whether at work or on a journey, there he spreads out his rug and repeats his prayer.
The men dye their beards and fingernails a bright red; even the horses’ manes and feet are likewise colored. The home life is simple, especially among the poorer classes. This was strikingly the case with one Persian home we visited while passing through a Tartar village. The room was about ten feet square, and the door was open to admit light. The walls lacked ornaments of any kind, and what few belongings the family possessed, lay on the ground. In the center of the room was a small, table-like rack, about eighteen inches high, under which was placed a pan of live coals. A blanket was spread over the whole to keep in the heat. This served as a stove. Beside this, and seated on a rug, sat the man and his wife warming themselves under the blanket. They had just had their tea.
After greeting the man, he asked whether we were Mussulmans. Notwithstanding my negative reply, he received us kindly, and seemed to enjoy our short visit. Strange to say, his wife remained unveiled, and took an active part in the conversation. I have found the Persians to be courteous and kind-hearted; but nothing less than the power of God can free them from the terrible deception which binds them.
Peru
By A. N. ALLEN
To-morrow I expect to make out the papers for the purchase of a small piece of ground where Brother F. A. Stahl will erect a small house in which to live, and which will contain a room for a dispensary. We felt that Brother Stahl could accomplish more by being free to make tours occasionally to different Indian towns, and come in direct contact with the people, than by having placed upon him the burdens and perplexities of an institution. God is blessing wonderfully here, and we desire to have all hands as free as possible to engage directly in the work of saving souls.
This place is thirteen thousand feet above the sea, and I am writing (May 28) with all my heavy clothes on. The air is very rare. Some nights I have had considerable difficulty to breathe. I sleep in a sheepskin sack with the wool inside. Often the least exertion leaves one feeling as if he were suffocating. Many deaths have occurred in the high altitudes of Peru. The least exercise raises the heart action to over a hundred beats a minute. A. N. ALLEN.
