THE REVIEW AND HERALD has visited me regularly since I first subscribed for it in the winter of 1854. I had been keeping the Sabbath about one year, but had not been receiving the REVIEW, when Elder Bates secured my subscription. For sixty-two years I have been a reader of the REVIEW. Personally I could not do without it.
I have noticed, in visiting our brethren in this country and in foreign lands, that their interest in present truth is shown largely by the interest they take in reading the REVIEW AND HERALD. There is no paper published by Seventh-day Adventists that can take its place. No one who understands the English language and is at all interested in present truth can afford to be without it.
It reports every advance move of present truth in both foreign and home fields, bringing to every believer information that cannot be obtained from any of our other publications.
Some forty or fifty years ago, when the tract and missionary work was carried on as a separate organization, it was understood that the tract society should see that every family in the conference had the REVIEW. If any were so poor that they could not afford to pay for it, a fund was raised to send it to them.
When individuals become interested in the truth by lectures or missionary work of any kind, the REVIEW should at once be placed in their hands, as it gives them an intelligent knowledge of our position, and of our work both at home and abroad. This is its mission, and it gives no uncertain sound. It is our only general church paper.
As we near the time of trouble, the mission of the REVIEW AND HERALD will become more and more important. It should be in every English-speaking family interested in the work of the third angel's message.
S. N. HASKELL.
An Evangelizing Journal
By R. A. Underwood
It is a great pleasure for me to say a word in behalf of the old family paper, the REVIEW AND HERALD. It was in the year 1868 that I first began to read the REVIEW. At that time I had not accepted the precious truth of which this organ has been a faithful herald from its beginning. I read from the pen of Elder Uriah Smith several articles published in the REVIEW about that time on “Man’s Nature,” showing clearly that eternal life can be bestowed only upon those who accept Christ. These articles _so charmed me_ with the reasonableness of all that grows out of the plan of salvation that I began to study the fundamental principles of the third angel’s message, and soon took my stand as a result of my investigation.
Hence I owe it to the REVIEW AND HERALD more than to any other agency that I was ever led to become a Seventh-day Adventist. I have been a constant reader of the REVIEW from that day to this. After beginning my ministry over forty years ago, I always felt it a great privilege to introduce the REVIEW AND HERALD to every Sabbath-keeping family. I felt confident that if I could place with them the REVIEW AND HERALD, with a few of our standard books, such as “History of the Sabbath,” “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,” and some of the writings of Mrs. E. G. White, I should not be disappointed in their becoming stanch church members, faithfully advocating the soon coming of Christ and taking an active part in the organized efforts to extend this message to the uttermost parts of the earth.
R. A. UNDERWOOD,
Pres. Central Union Conf.
One of the Necessities
By S. E. Wight
THE REVIEW AND HERALD is the paper which has visited the homes of Seventh-day Adventists for approximately sixty years. It gives the message in its true setting, and also its progress in the field. Those who read its pages keep familiar with the workings of the denomination, and are conversant with the efforts put forth in all the world. It should be the ambition of every member of the church to become thoroughly acquainted with the work and workers in all parts of the world, and through the REVIEW this can be done. The accomplishment of this paper, will not be a difficult task; it will mean the reading of only a few pages each week.
This paper is unlike most church papers in that it does not fill its columns with worldly advertising matter. Therefore its expense to the publishers is greater, and its profits are less. It is an excellent church paper, one of the best, at a very low price. In these times when most families figure closely to keep expenses within the income, papers which are not actually needed are most likely discarded; but the REVIEW AND HERALD is a paper that is needed. It is of more value than any other. Accordingly, in our discarding, the REVIEW AND HERALD should not be set aside, but should be considered among the necessities.
S. E. WIGHT,
Pres. S. Union Conf.
A Shepherd of the Flock
By Chas. Thompson
THE REVIEW AND HERALD has ever been the denominational church organ for the Seventh-day Adventist people, and therefore should be in the home of every church member. It contains matter vital to keeping pace with the journeyings of the advent people, and it is united effort that makes the progress against the enemy most effectual.
Among the wealth of literature published by this people, I regard the REVIEW AND HERALD of paramount importance. It is a shepherd to the flock, a pastor to the believers, and the source of information and encouragement concerning the development and progress of the third angel's message in all lands. You can depend upon my influence being17used to encourage its weekly visits to the homes of all our believers in the Northern Union Conference.
CHAS. THOMPSON,
Pres. N. Union Conf.
Invaluable to the Church
By G. B. Thompson
THE REVIEW AND HERALD comes into the home each week, laden with news from those who have left their pleasant homes and are laboring in the midst of heathenism to bring the light of the message before millions who sit in darkness, and it tells us what success is attending their efforts. The REVIEW contains articles each week from the pen of some of our ablest and most experienced workers and writers, sounding a clear note on the fundamental truths of the message, and setting forth the high standard of Christian living which should be seen in the lives of those who claim to believe this truth. It sounds the note of warning against apostasy, and exhorts God's people to cling to the pillars of the message. It contains articles gathered from the writings of Sister White, setting forth warning and giving to the remnant people of God the most solemn admonitions for these uncertain times. It has a department devoted to the home life, and departments giving reports of how the Lord is blessing in the circulation of our literature, of the progress that is being made in our schools in training workers, of the efforts put forth in behalf of the youth, of the steps being taken to destroy the Constitutional guaranty of liberty in this nation. All this and much more comes to us each week, and all for a little more than four cents a week. For about what it costs to mail two letters, we can get all this valuable instruction brought to our homes each week.
No Adventist home can afford to be without this valuable periodical, that through all the years of this work has stood in defense of the message. Its instruction was never needed more than at the present time. Almost any one who spends much more annually for things that he could do without than the price of a year's subscription. Each family should make any sacrifice necessary to obtain the good old REVIEW. I consider it invaluable to the church just now.
G. B. THOMPSON,
Sec. N. Am. Div. Conf.
Contends for the Faith
By L. H. Christian
I SHALL do everything in my power to increase the circulation of the REVIEW in our Union. Those of our brethren who take this paper are able to keep abreast with the development of the message. I believe there is no other paper or factor in our work that means so much for substantial progress in the field and real spiritual growth as the REVIEW. Its missionary reports are excellent and very encouraging. Its warnings are timely and needful. We are especially pleased with the REVIEW because it faithfully contends for the faith once delivered to the saints. It helps us to cling to the old-time gospel simplicity, and to retain the spirit of the advent message in its early years. The REVIEW needs no testimonial. All our people love it. The one thing needed is to give it a larger circulation.
L. H. CHRISTIAN,
Pres. Lake Union Conference.
Relation of Workers to the “Review”
By E. E. Andross
For about thirty years I have been a constant reader of the REVIEW AND HERALD. For twenty-eight years I have been connected with this cause in a public way, and during this time have watched carefully the results following the reading of our church paper. It has seemed to me that as a rule the constant readers of the REVIEW are not among those whose confidence grows weak in the principles of present truth, or who say in their hearts, “My Lord delayeth his coming.” Being constantly in touch with the development of this message in every part of the world, and acquainted with every advance move which the REVIEW chronicles, they recognize God’s leadership in the movement, and become thoroughly grounded in the faith.
There are, of course, exceptions to this rule; but I believe the exceptions do not prove that this is not the legitimate fruit of the continuous reading of our church paper. I do not see how it is possible for one to continue to be intelligent with reference to the advancement of this cause and not be a reader of the REVIEW AND HERALD. Not only does it contain the reports of the progress of the work throughout all the world, but its pages are also filled with most excellent spiritual counsel. I believe that the Lord has in a special way guarded this paper throughout the years, and has helped to make it a mighty factor in the preparation of a people for the coming of the Lord.
It seems to me to be a very important duty of every laborer in this cause to do all in his power to place this paper in the hands of every one who has newly come to the faith, and to encourage him to become a regular subscriber to the same. The instruction this paper contains from week to week is essential in building a strong Christian character, and in preparing the new convert to take his place in the ranks of God’s people, to do the work that the Lord expects of him, and thus prepares him to stand in the judgment. E. E. ANDROSS, Pres. Pacific Union Conf.
Its Readers Up-to-date Believers
By M. N. Campbell
For twenty-six years I have been a reader of the REVIEW, and can fully appreciate the sentiments which make the term “good old REVIEW” so popular among Seventh-day Adventists.
The blessed uplift in spiritual matters which thoughtful readers of this paper have experienced, has kindled a feeling of genuine affection for it in their hearts. Those who have had the REVIEW in their homes and have carefully read it are very loath to dispense with its regular visits.
Each week when the REVIEW reaches me, I start in at the last page and go through it to the first, carefully scanning its pages for the helpful thoughts and encouraging reports which I am sure to find. The up-to-date believers among us are to be found among those who take the REVIEW, and when a member gets on the background, it can be set down as almost a certainty that he is not a subscriber to our good church paper.
It is practically out of the question for any to keep step with the advancing message who deliberately deprive themselves of the means through which our denominational plans are conveyed to believers. I hope to see the REVIEW subscription list greatly increased in the Eastern Canadian Union.
M. N. CAMPBELL,
Pres. E. Canadian Union Conf.
A Unifying Agent
By C. F. McVagh
Every society needs an official paper in which the principles, aims, and progress of the cause are kept before its members.
The Seventh-day Adventist denomination has as its church organ the REVIEW AND HERALD. The strength and vitality of the work are measured by the number of members who keep up to date and in touch with the organization. Experience has shown that very few Seventh-day Adventists who read the REVIEW regularly, ever backslide. If asked what single instrumentality has contributed most to the unification and building up of the message, I should unhesitatingly say, The REVIEW AND HERALD.
While we publish many splendid papers and magazines representing various departments of the work, they cannot take the place of the REVIEW. Every Seventh-day Adventist should read the REVIEW AND HERALD and the Union Conference paper, and then as many others as he can.
C. F. McVAGH,
Pres. W. Canadian Union Conf.
Affords Security and Confidence
By R. D. Quinn
SOME time ago a number of the officers of the Atlantic Union Conference were considering the question of what could be done to bring the greatest blessing and most permanent help to the members in all our churches. It was decided that the most valuable service we could render at this time would be to devise some plan by which the REVIEW AND HERALD and a full set of the Testimonies could be placed in every Seventh-day Adventist home in this Union. This is now our goal, and we are working steadily toward it.
It has been our observation that few people backslide who are regular subscribers to the REVIEW AND HERALD. Its spiritual influence and practical teachings we all need, and the weekly reports from our laborers in the world-wide field help us to keep abreast of the times. In traveling from place to place we are frequently in the homes of our people, and whenever we find the good old REVIEW, its presence gives us a feeling of security, and confidence that those who take it are true and loyal and are moving forward with the message as it advances.
R. D. QUINN,
Pres. Atlantic Union Conf.
Holds the First Place
By W. H. Branson
AMONG the many religious periodicals published by Seventh-day Adventists I regard the REVIEW as the one that should hold first place. Those who read its pages faithfully each week rarely become discouraged or lose their hold on the truth. Each issue is filled with soul-stirring reports from the uttermost parts of the earth, as well as from the home field, of what great things God is doing through his servants.
It is through its pages that we hear the echo of the loud cry, which is now resounding around the entire earth. It frequently serves to warn us of dangers and heresies which the enemy would delight to bring in to accomplish our destruction, and thus it wields a mighty influence in preserving the unity of the church.
I believe that our people should endeavor to have in their homes as many of our publications as possible, but especially the REVIEW AND HERALD. No Seventh-day Adventist home is complete without its weekly visits and blessings.
W. H. BRANSON,
Pres. S. E. Union Conf.
Sixty Years Reading the Review
IN renewing his subscription to the REVIEW, Brother W. W. Crandall writes: “I have read the REVIEW the greater part of the time for sixty years. I have walked miles to see the paper when I could not take it.”
The Source of Success
By Editor
THIS is specifically the reading age of the world. The mature thought of the age speaks through type. Men and nations reach conclusions more by reading than through all other sources of information combined. When important and reliable information is wanted to-day, the press is the source of aid. In knowledge and general information, the world’s universal recourse seems to be established upon the thesis of Christ expressed in the short sentence, “It is written.” This being the development and general status of the age, who knows of —
A successful Farmer who does not take a Farm Journal?
A successful Physician who does not take a Medical Journal?
A successful Lawyer who does not take a Law Journal?
A successful Merchant who does not take a Trade Journal?
A successful and up-to-date Seventh-day Adventist who does not take the denominational paper — the REVIEW?
December 16-23 will be REVIEW week.
During this week every reader of the REVIEW is asked to render needed service to those who are vainly attempting to keep pace with the rapid growth of the message without the REVIEW, by persuading them to provide themselves with this world-wide voice of the denomination.
“Go, and Sin No More”
By Francis M. Wilcox
FRANCIS M. WILCOX
Into the holy presence of the Christ.
They hale the breaker of the sacred law.
Most heinous was the sin against her charged.
With shame of face, and weeping, downcast eyes,
She waited for the Lord to speak her doom.
“This woman,” spoke the righteous Pharisee,
“Was taken in great sin; such should be stoned,
So says our sacred law—what sayest thou?”
With searching glance the Master swept the face
Of culprit and of her accusing foes,
And then he spoke, “The one who has no sin,
Let him be first to cast at her a stone.”
Lowly he bent, and wrote upon the sands,
Wrote plainly there the sin of priest and scribe,
Who, sharply pricked at heart by conscience’s spur,
No longer urged their charge, but one by one
They silently withdrew. Before her Judge,
Trembling, she stood alone, in dark despair,
“Where, friend, are thine accusers?” Christ inquired.
“Hath no one cast a stone?” “No one,” she said.
“Then I condemn thee not; go thou in peace,
And sin no more,” the Master made reply.
With joy unknown before, the guilty soul
Found freedom in the Lord’s redeeming love.
Her life, transformed by Heaven’s pardoning grace,
Reflected forth the righteousness of him
Who gave release from galling yoke of sin.
This word to you, poor sinner, is proclaimed:
“Go forth, and sin no more. I came to save
Poor fallen man from sin’s defiling grasp.
There’s victory through my grace for every soul
Who wills to break from Satan’s cruel power.”
Gleaning in the Byways
By J. T. Thompson
A LITTLE more than a year ago two brethren who were living in the Pampa Central, Argentina, learned that there were several Russian families living in Porvenir, near Paysandu, Uruguay. They were very anxious to go there to teach them the truth. They sold their possessions, and without knowing what they would meet in this new place, they went there with no other purpose than to do missionary work for their countrymen. Some months afterward we heard that some of the families had accepted the truth, and these brethren were calling for help. I was unable to notify them of my coming; but as they live near the station, I had little difficulty in finding them, and I was warmly welcomed to their homes. Then I learned the following history of their experiences:—
When they arrived at Porvenir with their families, there was no one to meet them, for no one knew that they were coming. But some Russians of the neighborhood were at the station, and when they heard our brethren talking in their tongue, they made themselves known. They asked, “Where are you going?” “We don’t know,” was the answer. “What are you going to do?” they were asked. “We don’t know,” was the reply. “Well, then, you would better come home with us.” This invitation was accepted; but when they arrived at the house, they found that six families were already occupying it. Fortunately the house was the largest one in that neighborhood, and the only available place where these people could live until they could build houses of their own on land that they had bought of the government.
It was not long before it was known that the newcomers were of a different religious belief, and upon making comparisons it was found that the differences were vital. For two months they remained there, and night after night, sometimes until nearly morning, they studied, discussed, argued, and sometimes waxed eloquent in debate, but somehow always maintained their good feeling. By that time their houses were built, and each family was on its own chacra.
For a time it seemed as if the efforts of our brethren were in vain; but one Sabbath while they were having Sabbath school, one of these neighbors came in and joined in the study of the lesson. Afterward he was asked if he had decided to keep the Sabbath. He answered, “I have already kept one Sabbath, but I kept it at home last week.” Imagine the joy of these brethren when they saw the first fruit of their labor. They were encouraged to believe that God was guiding, though moving had cost them dear, and prospects were none too bright for the future. A few weeks and another family decided in favor of the truth, then another, and later still another. The week before I arrived the fifth family came to the Sabbath school, and all are very hopeful of seeing the remaining two families join them before long.
The missionary spirit of these brethren was contagious, for no sooner had the first two families accepted the truth than they desired to return to a Russian colony in Brazil where they formerly lived. Brethren Sucalo and Gordienko tried to dissuade them, but to no avail. They said, “You left your homes in Argentina against the wishes of the brethren there to teach us the truth; so you ought not to impede us now when we want to do the same thing.” There was no appeal from this argument, and they were encouraged to follow their convictions, believing that the Lord would bless them. Letters from them tell how already they, too, have a great interest among their neighbors, and need some one to come to instruct them more fully. Brother Henry Meyer, of Rio Grande do Sul, has been notified of this, and doubtless some worker will be sent there soon.
These brethren who went to Uruguay to give the message to their fellow countrymen told me how Brother Klatt heard of them in Argentina, and drove many leagues in his wagon to teach them, and because of his zeal they are obeying the Lord. So we see how the work begun by a faithful brother in Argentina was extended to Uruguay, and then reached over into Brazil. Who knows how much farther it will go?
On the Sabbath of our visit to these believers in Uruguay we had two meetings. No one had visited them before, so these services were a feast to them. A brother who had recently moved over from Entre Rios interpreted for me, and our simple service was abundantly blessed of the Lord. Only he and the two brethren from Pampa Central understand Spanish, but this did not hinder our having a good meeting.
J. T. THOMPSON.
Battle Creek, Michigan
By Frances L. Case
THE fourteenth Sabbath of the third quarter, 1916, was a blessed day for the Battle Creek Sabbath school. During the entire year the Lord has especially blessed, and the response at the end of each quarter has borne evidence of this, the offerings showing a steady increase. While the goal set for each quarter has been $500, the offerings have thus far exceeded that amount. The membership at the beginning of the year was about five hundred. The first quarter showed a gain of 175 members, the second quarter closed with a membership of 728, but the third quarter ran somewhat less, especially during the months of July and August. Schools were closed, and many of the children, as well as others, were out of the city for their vacations. The annual camp meeting was also held during the month of August, and that took most of the officers and many of the members away for two Sabbaths. But during September the attendance gradually increased, until on the fourteenth Sabbath the membership was 606, with an attendance that day of 499.
Early in the quarter the subject of the offering on the fourteenth Sabbath was taken up. The Missions Quarterly was thoroughly studied, and the subject matter presented to the school each Sabbath. The story of the carrying back of the stone made a deep impression on the minds and hearts of all, and at the close of the session, on the day on which this was presented, a brother passed in one dollar as a nucleus for a fund for this purpose, and while such a fund would require a larger amount than probably can be raised here, yet our efforts have made a beginning.
September 30 dawned bright and beautiful, with a good attendance. After the opening exercises, a very interesting program was presented. The primary department sang the Jewel Song and, “A Hint from the Kindergarten,” was given by little Florence Judd. “Let Her Alone” was well rendered by Mildred Griffin. Messrs. Canright and James presented the dialogue between the superintendent and teacher, and then followed the “Missionaries’ Farewell Song.” About six hundred copies of this song had been printed, and were distributed among the members, all of whom joined heartily in the singing. The hour was then given over to the consideration of the lessons of the past quarter. The division secretaries had been instructed to see that the offerings were taken up early in the classes and brought to the office, so that the total amount could be announced at the close of the session, as is the custom here on each thirteenth Sabbath. It might be added, that, in order to prevent any who might have been tardy from being left out on the wing;19and upon further investigation, it proved to be one of mercy also; for bound to its neck was a small package labeled South America, and upon inspection, this package was found to contain fifty dollars in gold, dedicated to the spread of the gospel in that field. Instantly the mute appeal of this messenger of mercy was understood; and since this was the field to which the offerings of the day were to go, we added our contribution to the precious package of gold, making $319.13, and sent this bird on its way rejoicing, and we praised God that his people had responded so generously to this appeal.
After singing “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,” Elder Wiest offered a fervent prayer that many souls might be born into the kingdom of heaven as the result of the day’s work. The offerings for the first three quarters of the year have amounted to $1,846, and we feel sure that we shall reach our goal of $2,000 for the year.
FRANCES L. CASE,
Secretary.
Union College and the Harvest Ingathering for Missions
By M. E. Ellis
UNION COLLEGE has taken a very active interest in the Harvest Ingathering campaign this year, and up to November 15 has paid $329.53 in cash on this fund, or nearly twice as much as last year. But this total is increasing every day, as the Harvest Ingathering is still a live issue.
There are two points that deserve special mention in connection with this report. One is that in College View and Lincoln there are more than one thousand Adventists, so territory for the Ingathering operations is somewhat restricted. The other is that almost without exception every dollar of the amount raised came from actual solicitation with the Ingathering Signs.
INTERNATIONAL BRANCH OF PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION AT BROOKFIELD, ILL.
Tuesday, October 10, was the general field day, when the school was dismissed for the main effort in the campaign, and all the morning street cars carried groups of students going to their assigned territories. It is true that in many cases a calm exterior covered shaking knees and trembling hearts, but the courage was greater than the fear, and the students went to their work with good cheer and smiling faces. They had results accordingly.
One automobile load took in several towns southeast of College View. Another one went into the country east of College View. The college president and his wife went south on still another road. More than one hundred took the street cars to territory in the city of Lincoln and its suburbs, each having a card with his territory plotted; and a few went into the country on foot. Practically every member of the faculty and a majority of the students took part in this effort.
The following morning, the chapel period was given to an experience meeting, and the money received was handed in. We can mention but a few of the interesting experiences related.
One automobile load of five received the following amounts: $3.73, $4.05, $3.30, $3.45 and $6.10. This was the first experience in this work for the young woman receiving the last-mentioned sum.
Another automobile load of four or five young men received even better returns, one young man bringing in over ten dollars. He introduced his experience by remarking that he was surprised at the large number of dollars lying around, and suggested that somebody ought to go out after them. He found one man who had given another solicitor a dollar the day before for the same purpose, but gave him a dollar also.
One young woman who had set her goal at ten dollars came back from her day's work with but $5.15, but going to a lady in the sanitarium who had promised her a gift, she received five dollars more.
Two young women told of walking out into the country in different directions. Each received several dollars, and one of them found a mother and several children who had come into the truth by reading, and had been keeping the Sabbath for some time, but had not come in touch with any of our church members.
One of the lady teachers found a woman who had been wanting to find some Adventists for some time, but did not know how to go about it. Her name was given to the pastor of the Lincoln church.
Another told of having met several Catholic families in succession, and of receiving a gift from every one of them. Lutherans, Presbyterians, ministers of the gospel, business men, Masons, were mentioned in the experiences as having contributed to missions. Seventeen persons received over three dollars apiece for the day's effort, and five over ten dollars apiece.
The work is still going on, and the results are greater than ever before. By the close of the year the sum total received by the young people here will doubtless reach the $400 mark, which will make a very substantial gift to missions, to say nothing of the value of the experiences in the lives of the students, which cannot be estimated by any mere money value.
M. E. ELLIS.
Field Notes
THE baptism of six persons is reported by Elder L. L. Hutchinson from Globe, Ariz.
AT Sutton, Quebec, a new church was recently organized, with a membership of twenty-four.
ELDER C. E. ANDROSS reports the organization of a new church with a membership of fifteen at Lancaster, Southern California. The baptism of seven persons is reported from Oakland.
Pacific Union College
By C. W. Irwin
The Pacific Union College opened this year with the largest attendance in its history. Students have enrolled gradually since the opening, until, at the end of the second month, two hundred and seventy-five have matriculated in the academic and collegiate grades. More than one hundred of these are taking work in the college grades. Fifty-five have applied for graduation from the various courses, from the academic to the collegiate, inclusive.
About one hundred and seventy students are living in the school dormitories. Every room in the ladies' dormitory is filled. The two dormitories for young men are both full, and several men have been placed in rooms outside of the dormitories.
The students manifest an earnest spirit, and hard work and good conduct have characterized their effort thus far.
One hundred and thirty-five have signed the Missionary Volunteer membership cards, and a live interest is being taken in this society, which meets every Wednesday morning at the chapel hour. A foreign mission band, a literature and correspondence band, a ministerial and Bible workers' band, and several prayer bands are being conducted as features of the Missionary Volunteer Society.
Owing to our proximity to the College of Medical Evangelists at Loma Linda, a large class of young men and women are taking the medical preparatory course.
The ministerial department is well represented by a large number of earnest young men who are seeking a preparation for the ministry. The normal course is also larger than usual.
Work is steadily progressing on the new college building, which we hope will be under cover before the rainy season begins. Steady work will be carried forward on the building, with the hope that it may be in readiness for the opening of school in the fall of 1917.
