Earlier text: The Journal of ConfederacyProgress of the Work in Hunan, China
By R. F. Cottrell
ONE year ago the revolution had driven all our foreign workers from their stations in inland China to take refuge in Shanghai, and the burden of the various interests in our mission work was thrown principally upon the shoulders of our native brethren and sisters. Some of us felt great concern for the infant church thus left to itself, and many, many earnest petitions were wafted heavenward that God would tenderly care for his own. Those prayers were answered. The war was brought to a close much sooner than the general public had dared to hope, and the latter part of February witnessed our little band scattering once more to their respective stations. In scarcely a single instance could it be said that during this three months of enforced absence the work had retrograded or unraveled. On the other hand, most of the stations revealed evidences of growth, our native workers were anything but discouraged, new believers rejoicing in the blessed hope greeted us, and new places were calling for the12 living preacher to come and set before them the way of life. Reports of our good spring and autumn meetings have already appeared in the REVIEW. Until October of 1912 we had but one church organization in Hunan. Previously all those who came from the various places throughout the province and received baptism had united with the church at our provincial headquarters, Changsha. Since that time it has been our privilege to organize a number of churches among the out-stations. At Liu-yang we held a three days’ meeting, which was attended by about forty persons. A goodly number presented themselves for baptism, but as many had so meager a conception of its meaning, we advised the most of them to defer a little time, while they studied the gospel more thoroughly. On Sabbath morning four persons were immersed in the beautiful river that threads its way among the mountains, and in the afternoon a church of twelve was organized and the ordinances celebrated. It was a most precious occasion, and our stay with these dear simple folk will long be remembered. On the following Sabbath at Li-yang, six were baptized, and in the afternoon of the same day twenty persons united in church fellowship, officers were elected, and a communion service held. Churches have likewise been established at Hwa Yung, Heng-shan, and Ning Siang. The last-named place sent in its plea for an evangelist during the revolution; but it was not until May of 1912 that we were able to locate a worker permanently and open a chapel. We have just returned from a visit to this place, where we spent the latter part of the week of prayer, holding a four days’ meeting. In anticipation of our visit, and as they thought suitably to observe December 14, the day on which their first Christmas offering was to be made, they had the chapel tastily decorated with evergreens, artificial flowers, embroidered banners, and Chinese lanterns. The seating capacity of our meeting-hall is about two hundred, but this was far too small to accommodate the large crowd that attended the services. Ten persons presented themselves for baptism; nine of whom were accepted. As the weather was cold, Brother C. P. Lillie and I administered the ordinance together, thus shortening the time that it would be necessary for either to remain in the water. Nearly all the candidates were old residents of Ning Siang, among them being teachers and storekeepers. A large crowd of acquaintances gathered along the bank, and remarks were frequently made; such as, “How do they dare go into that cold water?” “How foolish!” “How silly to be deceived like that and suffer at the hands of foreigners!” The use of two small house-boats had been secured in which to change our wearing-apparel. As the time in the water was so brief and therefore wet clothes were changed at once, all had a good physical reaction, and could truthfully say that they were not cold. The spectators then replied, “Just from the water and not cold in such weather!” “This doctrine must be something wonderful.” One evening we spoke to a crowded audience from the text, “Come unto me, . . . and I will give you rest.” At the close of the service we made an appeal to the unconverted to repent of their sins, serve Christ faithfully, and come forward for special prayer. Twenty-five responded to this invitation, the most of whom had been attending meetings at the chapel for some time, and were people of education and good standing in the community. One man of the working class called out from the audience, “Is this doctrine for a poor, ignorant man? Can it save a sinner like me?” On being assured that the good tidings were for just such as he, as well as for any one else, he pushed his way forward and took his stand with the others, saying, “Then I will be a Jesus man.” The annual offering at this station amounted to $18.08, Mexican, and judging from the reports already received, we shall have a donation of at least $100 from this province. Of the three baptisms mentioned in this report, all the candidates were direct from heathenism, none having previous connection with any other missionary society. This gives for the year a total of sixty additions to the church by baptism, which practically doubles our native membership. Our Hunan canvassers during 1912 sold nearly one hundred thousand copies of the Chinese Signs of the Times, besides a considerable quantity of other literature. As a result, new interests are continually springing up in many places. We have ten young men in the Union Training-school at Nanking, preparing for various lines of Christian service. Our hearts are full of thankfulness for what God has wrought in this mission during the past year. The work is still in the period of seed sowing, and as we look into the future we can with faith’s illuminated vision, behold an abundant harvest garnered home from dark Hunan. Among the Tamils in South India
By J. S. JAMES
We are glad for the success the Lord has given us in our work in this field the past few months. Although some of our workers have had to leave in search of health, and others have not been able to put in full time, the work has gone steadily forward, and we have every reason for encouragement. How true it is that one man sows and another reaps, but both will partake in the reward together. Even that sowing which is but for a few days, and has with it tears and hard labor, is sure to bring joyful results. Recent developments in these parts have brought a settled conviction upon the hearts of many of our workers that the Lord is ready to do a great work through human agencies who are prepared to let him. O, that our eyes might be opened to see what God has in store for us in victories and trials in the short time left to finish this work! After the general meeting in Calcutta, at which time we enjoyed much of God's blessing in our midst, we hurried back to our field, accompanied by our new workers, Brother and Sister V. E. Peugh, and began to put in operation plans for the speedy finishing of the work. We feel especially grateful for the help which has been sent to us at this time, allowing us to get away for a short rest and change; but what is one lone family among the millions of Tamils in this field, to say nothing of millions who speak other languages in which there is not a single representative of this truth? Instead of one family there should now be a dozen families scattered in the various important centers of this mission, mastering the languages, getting out literature, and training men and women to assist in closing up this work. The burden of this need presses so heavily on me at times that a sense of despair comes over me, and I can not but cry out to God to compel workers to break loose from home and friends and hurry to the finishing up of the harvest. We felt that all our workers in our Tamil field would be greatly helped if brought together for a few days' instruction and Bible study, so from January 12-26 evangelists, teachers, colporteurs, and medical helpers were together in Nazareth. Brother and Sister C. E. Weaks were able to be with us from Lucknow, and their presence and help were very much appreciated. Brother and Sister Peugh, my family, and I went down from here. The blessing of God came into all hearts as we studied the great, stirring themes of this message and sought how we could best get the truth to the people. At the close of our meetings eighteen believers went forward in baptism. There were others who asked to be baptized, but it was thought best for them to wait and receive more instruction. Recently we have had some accessions to our work, which will be a great help to us in the future. God is blessing the work done in our school at Nazareth, and Brother Thomas, our Tamil evangelist, is meeting with encouraging results instructing a class of young men who have taken hold of the truth. Since we began getting out our Tamil quarterly, we are getting in touch with a good class of readers and we know of genuine interests that are being created through its influence. For the present Brother and Sister Peugh will be located in Trichinopoli to study the language and foster the interests of the work which center here. Guard Against Flies and Mosquitoes
By A. C. Ames
The time of year has arrived when plans should be put into execution to prevent the propagation of the flies and mosquitoes that will soon be here by millions if nothing is done to keep them off. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water in the form known as wigglers, in rain barrels, cow and horse tracks, tin cans, and wherever water is allowed to stand in hot weather. All such stagnant ponds, puddles, etc., should be kept drained whenever possible. Whenever this is not possible, they should be covered with coal-oil or crude oil at least every ten days or two weeks. It will take but a very small quantity of coal-oil to cover a small pond with a film of oil sufficient to kill every wiggler in it. A tablespoonful is sufficient for a rain barrel, and this will not hurt the water for laundry purposes. Flies breed in manure piles, water-closets, and other accumulations of moist decaying filth; therefore all such matter should be cleaned up before hot weather comes, and be kept cleaned up. Every fly that can be killed early in the season will save thousands later on; therefore set traps and catch as many as possible. Don’t be content merely to drive them out of doors, and leave them to breed thousands to trouble you later in the season. Flies and mosquitoes used to be considered only a harmless nuisance, and even if that were true, it would be worth the effort to get rid of them; but that is not all. It has now been definitely proved that mosquitoes are the only cause of malaria, and that if you can avoid being bitten by them you can live in the most unhealthful climate and never have an ague chill. It has also been as positively proved that flies are one of the most prolific causes of typhoid fever, cholera infantum, and several other diseases. They spread disease chiefly by carrying germs from places of filth and depositing them on human food. For this reason all food should be kept securely screened from flies, and all water-closets should be screened to keep out flies, or made so dark that flies will not trouble them, in addition to being frequently cleaned. In the country a very good way is to have a deep pit, closed up all around tight enough to keep out both light and flies, and then have covers on the seats. Also the custom of leaving excreta lying out on the open surface of the ground is very dangerous and the cause of many cases of disease. All such matter should be covered at once. This was recognized and so ordered by Moses over three thousand years ago. See Deut. 23:13. If these precautions could be universally followed strictly, many diseases would almost or entirely disappear, and by a reasonable amount of precaution they can be materially decreased, and every one should do his part as far as possible to accomplish such a result. The spring of the year is the time to attend to it in particular, before the mischief is already done. The Song of Moses and the Lamb
By F. M. BURG
The saints of all the ages now swell their triumph song; They've passed through bloody conflict, they've fought and struggled long; Their endless songs of victory throughout all heaven ring, The song of Moses and the Lamb in accents loud they sing; The song of Moses and the Lamb in accents loud they sing. They sing creation’s wonders,—the wisdom, power, and might Of him who made the planets and formed the stars of night; Of him whose glory shineth from every gleaming star, Whose power upholds the rolling worlds, that shine like suns afar; Whose power upholds the rolling worlds, that shine like suns afar. “Thy ways are truth and justice,” our blessed Lord and King; “Thy righteousness and beauty we would forever sing;” So in delight and rapture, they join in endless song; Their praise in sweetest harmonies re-sounds through ages long; Their praise in sweetest harmonies re-sounds through ages long. “Who would not love and fear thee, and glorify thy name? “For thou alone art worthy,” hear all his saints proclaim; “All nations, tongues, and kindreds shall worship at thy feet, And sing thy praise through endless days, in harmonies so sweet; And sing thy praise through endless days, in harmonies so sweet. “We’ve learned thy righteous judgments, O Lord; thy ways are right; We love thy perfect precepts, thy law is our delight; We’ll choose thy ways forever, our righteous Lord and King; Our grateful service, full and free, to thee, our God, we’ll bring; Our grateful service, full and free, to thee, our God, we’ll bring.” Deeds of Kindness
By Essie Bristow
LITTLE deeds of kindness bring their own reward. What is the use of brooding over your troubles? A long face will never help them. Smile a little. There is more good medicine in a smile than most people dream. Little acts of kindness that cheer and comfort others will leave their happy impression upon the doer. There are times when a smile, a hand-shake, or a pleasant word will do more good than a sermon. Children are especially susceptible to smiles, kind words, and helpful deeds. How well I remember little kindnesses shown me in childhood! The impressions they made upon my heart and character still remain. Be ready to grasp the opportunities within your reach to gladden sorrowful hearts, and make the world brighter because of your cheery smile and word of comfort. This is true service for the Master. Do not fail to greet acquaintances with a kindly word. It will cost you nothing to say “Good morning” or “Good evening” to those you meet. Polite courtesy always pays. You may not regard your neighbor as your equal, but whatever his standing in the community, remember that we all are the children of one God. The world is full of trouble, and a kind word spoken in season will greatly help to cheer some weary one who is struggling along the way. Every Christian should endeavor to keep busy, for the devil delights to see idle hands, and always finds something for them to do. Work is the common lot of men, and if we expect the reward which comes as the result of faithful labor, we must be up and doing something—no matter how small. There are many ways in which we can serve the Master. Each should select that line of work for which he is best fitted. Do not be staggered at the difficulties which appear, but let us keep up our courage and fight manfully for the right. The day will come when God will win in the struggle between right and wrong. But duties claim your time and attention; snatch a moment for the little deeds of loving helpfulness which mean so much to yourself and those around you. Judging Faults in Others
By Flammer
If you see a fault in others, think of two in yourself, and do not add a third one by your hasty judgment.—Flammer. Self-Control
By Henry Churchill King
SELF-CONTROL, I say, is the root virtue of all virtues. It is at the very center of character.—Henry Churchill King. Past the setting of suns stands the city Elysian,
Unrevealed save to spirits anointed and free,
Which the chosen behold as a glorified vision
In splendor unveiled by the crystalline sea—
The clear azure sea, the wide-flashing sea,
The wonderful, odorous, music-toned sea—
That flows round the shores of the city of God,
Which only the feet of his freemen have trod. Its walls stand superb in the sunshine eternal;
Round its turrets in ether the cloud-billows curl;
Not a fair stone is stained with a shadow diurnal;
And each massy gate is a portal of pearl,—
One lustrous great pearl, a bewildering pearl,
A glorious, fathomless, mystical pearl,—
That haunts and taunts me with far-off delight,
In visions of day-tide and dreams of the night. I dream of it often when sickness and sorrow
Pass over my spirit, and scourge as a rod,
And fill me with longings for some glad to-morrow,—
Some glimpse of that city whose builder is God,
Whose founder is God, whose maker is God,—
Where the blest reign forever and ever with God:
And then how it seems to grow nearer, so near
That the strains of its music break low on my ear. And then as its splendors are spread out before me,
Enchanting my senses, alluring my soul,
What billows of rapture roll o’er me and o’er me,
Till earth and its troubles from under me roll,—
Beneath me they roll, far away from me roll,
As distant as east from the west is their roll,—
And I seem like a child on the warm, loving breast
Of a mother who soothes it and lulls it to rest. Shall we see it?—Ah, yes! for us it was builded,
For us its foundations were measured of old,
For us were its turrets of ivory gilded,
Its battlements burnished with silver and gold,—
With virginal gold, with yellow bright gold,
And metals more precious than silver and gold,—
For us it is waiting who wearily roam
As aliens afar from our country and home. How often, God help us! far from it we wander,
Our bruised feet marking the way with their blood;
Of the joys of this life growing fonder and fonder
As if over yonder no proud city stood,—
No bright city stood; no light city stood;
No royalist, comeliest, white city stood,—
While we who are heirs by a kinship divine
Are content with the husks and the huts of the swine. The Work Among the Jews — No. 3
By F. C. GILBERT
In a testimony given at the General Conference in Takoma Park, with reference to the Jewish work, we find the following:— “The time has come when the Jews are to be given light. The Lord wants us to encourage and sustain men who will labor in right lines for this people; for there are a multitude to be convinced of the truth who will take their position for God. The time is coming when there will be as many converted in a day as there were on the day of Pentecost after the disciples had received the Holy Spirit. The Jews are to be a power to labor for the Jews, and we are to see the salvation of God.” We certainly can see that God is beginning to fulfil this testimony. The seed which has been sown for some years has been slow in maturing, but the work has been surely going forward. During the past fall and winter eight or ten Jews have accepted the truth, as far as we have been able to learn. One girl who heard the truth more than a year ago was baptized in the early fall in the Brooklyn church. It is remarkable how this girl of sixteen has held to her faith. She first came in contact with Christianity through a sister who is especially interested in the Jews. One night she attended the service in the Brooklyn Church No. 1. At the close of the service she came to the writer and told him that the Lord had opened her eyes that evening, and that she saw that Jesus was her Messiah and her Christ. She began to live for him, and soon told her people what she believed. Although this meant persecution for her, she held fast. The sister who had had much to do in influencing her toward the gospel, did what she could to encourage her in the way of the Lord, and the girl followed on to know the Lord. It meant much to her to live in such an environment as that surrounding her, and still believe. She finally began to be influenced by the Holy Spirit to be baptized. She wrote to me about this, fearing somewhat to take the step, as she thought it might cause the death of her mother should she hear of it. She prayed much over the matter, and finally was baptized by Elder A. V. Cotton in the fall. She seems very devoted, and we believe that the Lord will yet use her in his work. That the reader may see how hard it is for a conscientious Jew who really has accepted the Saviour and truly loves the Lord Jesus to overcome certain prejudices which have been so long inbred in his heart, we quote part of a letter from this young woman to the writer:— “Satan tempts me to wish that my Saviour’s name were not Christ. I know that it is a sin to wish so, because if the Lord wished it, that is enough to show me that it is right; but why was not Jesus called Immanuel, as it is said in the Old Testament that he would be called? Will you please tell me why? I’ve been taught so to hate the word Christ, that it is very hard for me to get used to it. The Lord knows I dearly love the bearer of that name, but I can not say the same about the name itself. You know how the Jews are taught to hate that name. You never felt as if you wished your Saviour to have any other name, neither do I want to wish so. But I sometimes do. Will you please tell me what to do about it?” As a people we need to have much sympathy for the Jews who accept the truth, as well as a great deal of pity and forbearance for those who know not the truth. The people of God have very little conception of what a Jew really has to endure when he fully accepts Christ and takes his stand for the Lord Jesus. The first Sabbath in January of this year there were several Jews baptized in one of our New York churches, and one of them is in the canvassing work. Some years ago, when we started our work in Boston, the Lord gave us a young man who gave evidence of developing into a good worker. He was an earnest young man and seemed truly converted. He was with us for three months at the Good Tidings Home, at Concord, Mass., and was doing well. His people kept working with him, and finally he was led away by them. We felt sad, for he seemed to be a young man of much promise. But we did not give him up; we constantly presented his case before the Lord. A few weeks ago, to our surprise, he came to inquire for us, and told us all about his experience since leaving us. He told me that Jesus had never left his heart, but he felt that he had not done the right thing in going away. We had some earnest talks with him, and told him what he must do to return15 to the Lord. He had been through it once, and he realized what it would mean to start again, especially since he is now married and has two children to support. One day when I was at the sanitarium at Melrose he came to see me, and we knelt together while he pleaded with the Lord to accept him and take him back. I wish that the reader could have been there and heard that young man’s prayer in the Yiddish language to the Lord Jesus. He would be convinced that the young man wanted to find his Saviour again. After we arose from prayer, I told him that he ought now to go home and tell his wife all about his faith, let the consequences be what they would. A few days later I received a letter from him, and give it for the benefit of the readers:— “DEAR BROTHER: I received your letter and was glad to hear from you. I thank you for sending me the New Testament. I had a long talk with my wife. We talked until almost two o’clock at night. I had told her what a great man Jesus was, and that all the prophets had spoken about him. I talked with her about the Sabbath, and she agrees with me a little. She listened with such great interest to what I had spoken, and I felt so good. I told her that he died for us, that the high priest put him to death, that he was buried, that they put a watch so his followers would not steal his body, and that the third day he arose from death. My dear brother, I feel that the Lord has heard our prayers and will soften her heart. I am going to send for the New Testament and get the Old Testament for her, too, and take lessons with her and show her the truth. And the Lord will help me; and you, my brother, will pray for me. “Your brother in Christ,
“BENJAMIN GOODMAN.” I have received other letters from this young man, and he tells me that he is doing his own missionary work, and he thinks that the Holy Spirit is working on the heart of his wife, and that she will soon give her heart to the Lord. Surely the Lord is at work among these people. About two months ago, in Boston, a Jewish young man who is a high-school graduate and a good Hebrew scholar, took his stand for the truth. At the present time he is at the Good Tidings Home and seems very earnest, although but eighteen years of age. He is receiving many curses from his relatives and friends, but is growing stronger in the truth day by day, and now desires baptism. Within two months several Jews have taken their stand in Chicago. Among them is a young woman who would have been graduated as a lawyer this spring from the University of Chicago, but she left all for the Saviour and for his truth. There are others whom I might mention, but I felt that these experiences would be an encouragement to the people of God, showing them that the Lord is at work among these people, and that we need to keep on praying for the poor lost sheep. I am glad to say that the Good Tidings Home at Concord is being blessed of God, and the longer we have the place the more we realize the wisdom in having secured it. It is truly a haven to help these poor Jewish brethren who are cast out from their friends and from their people, and have no other place to which they can go. We are now planning to start a small training-school there, to give some of these Jewish brethren and sisters a training in the Scriptures, that they may become workers in the vineyard for their brethren. We need to start one or two missionary industries at the home, that these people may be able to support themselves while they are studying the message. We hope that the readers will pray for the work among the Jews, and especially pray for the home at Concord, that the way may be opened so that we can establish these industries, and do the work which needs to be done to help these Jewish brethren. Let the prayer of the apostle Paul be the prayer of the heart of every believer in present truth: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” Rom. 10: 1. F. C. GILBERT. A Word in Season
By Willard H. Saxby
IN a certain city one of our sisters met an intelligent lady with whom she had business relations. The lady told of her great sorrow in the death of her brother, and added, “He was ready to go; but I feel that if I should be taken, I should not be ready.” The sister opened the way for me to visit her, and I gladly improved the opportunity. She ushered me into her beautiful parlor, suggestive of culture and refinement, and began by saying, “I have belonged to the — Church for many years, but I do not think I was ever converted.” Then she earnestly plied me with questions for nearly an hour and a half. The Lord wonderfully helped me to answer these from the Bible. She finally seemed satisfied and was very appreciative of the light received. I left a special Signs of the Times with her, and also a marked copy of “Steps to Christ.” About two weeks later I called and learned that she was very sick with fever, but she sent word that the little book had been such a blessing to her. In a few days I saw a notice of her death in the daily paper. Then I could understand why she was so deeply in earnest. I trust that I shall meet her in the kingdom of God. I earnestly desire to have such a living connection with Christ that I may be his helping hand to many others to bring them into the Lord’s fold. Maryland
By Gustavus P. Rodgers
BALTIMORE.—The third angel’s message is making very noticeable progress among the ninety thousand colored people in this city. The Lord is blessing us in a marked degree, and precious souls are being added to the church. Several are awaiting baptism. We expect soon to have possession of a beautiful modern corner property for which we have been praying for six months. Our little company recently enjoyed a visit from Elder and Mrs. L. C. Sheafe. There was a large attendance at the evening service of which Elder Sheafe had charge. In fact, every service we hold is well attended. Recently we held a very successful temperance rally. Plans have been made for the conducting of a strong tent effort during the coming summer. We ask the readers of this paper to pray earnestly that many souls may accept this precious message. Early Experiences
By GEO. O. STATES.
I WAS deeply interested in the article in the REVIEW of February 27, entitled “The Work of Mrs. E. G. White.” I was glad to learn that our good old REVIEW will soon be publishing some experiences showing how God, through the spirit of prophecy, has led this people from the very start. I can hardly realize that it is now sixty years since I first heard of the work of Sister White. I was a small child at the time, and my mother had recently embraced the truth. I think it was on the occasion of Brother and Sister White’s first visit to Michigan, when some meetings were being held in Jackson County. Those were the days before any kind of church organization had developed among Seventh-day Adventists, and our little band was passing through some severe perplexities caused by the ungodly lives of some who claimed to be called to preach what was then called “the present truth.” During one of the meetings Sister White was taken off in open vision. That was something that but few of us had ever heard of, and it brought a wonderful solemnity into the meeting, especially when Sister White, after coming out of vision, openly and faithfully reproved the sinful lives of two ministers, one of whom was my teacher in the school, who was an inveterate user of tobacco. Our people were satisfied that all Sister White knew about our Michigan ministers was what the Lord revealed to her in that vision. The fact that the Lord was revealing light to our little company under such circumstances made a wonderful impression, and many recognized that it was given under the influence of the Spirit of God. They accepted it as light from heaven and advanced in the message. The most of these have died in the blessed hope, but some of us are still alive to testify to these things. “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen.” I am sorry to say that about one half of our little band rejected that light, among them two ministers who started out bitterly opposing the work of Brother and Sister White, and ridiculing the visions. They soon started the paper called the Messenger of Truth, and our Michigan ministers occupied much of their time exposing the falsehoods of the paper. About this time Sister White was shown that if the church would keep at work, preaching the truth regardless of any such people as the Messenger party, the members of that party would yet go to war among themselves, and soon our numbers would be doubled. That counsel was heeded, and the predictions were literally fulfilled. While there were other things shown in that vision, yet I remember only these experiences, and they made such an impression on my mind that it has always remained with me. GEO. O. STATES. Camp-Meeting in Portland, Oregon
By H. W. Cottrell
THE greatest feast ever placed before the people of this conference is to be set before them at our forthcoming conference and camp-meeting, the date of which is June 19-29, 1913. The times demand that this be the greatest feast; local conditions in the city of Portland demand this feast to be spread. The National Reform Association is to hold a convention under the title of the World’s Christian Citizenship Conference, in Portland this summer, in just a few weeks from now. The purpose of their convention is to create a demand for stronger religious legislation, the enactment of which they believe will usher in the kingdom of God on the earth. Such legislation will consist very largely of Sunday laws. This local condition demands the greatest effort ever put forth by us as a people to enlighten the citizens of this place that they may not become drunken with the wine of this civic-righteousness sophistry. So inasmuch as it is demanded of us by the conditions about us, and heaven certainly demands it of us, we should do our part. Hence the great feast. Get ready, and come to the conference and camp-meeting. A special effort will be put forth to have strong preachers from abroad to add to our present force in the presentation of truth adapted to the occasion. If your faith is strong in God and in the soon triumph of this message, you should come; your presence is needed. If you have not become thoroughly convinced as to the importance of this great message that is going to the world, are not quite sure that it is from God, you should come, because if it is from God you should know it. If you are somewhat discouraged and downcast because of the mistakes in your own life and in the lives of others about you, you should by all means arrange to be present and have your spiritual strength renewed. If your wife, your husband, your father, your mother, or your children are in special need of the meeting, you should do all in your power to arrange to have them present. The only reason for the delay of the outpouring of the latter rain of the Holy Spirit is because of the wrong condition of the individual heart. The Spirit will come only as the hearts of men are right in God’s sight. Peter said to Simon, “Thy heart is not right in the sight of God.” The committee has decided to erect the camp again in Portland this year, especially on account of the National Reform Association meeting which begins the day ours closes, June 29. The meeting will be on the same ground as last year, it being impossible for us to get any other ground in the city. Remember the date, June 19-29. All those who were at camp-meeting last year will understand how to reach the ground, but for the benefit of those who were not here last year, details will be published later. Please send in your orders for tents at once. The prices will be as usual,—$3 for the 12 x 14-foot tents. Please state definitely the amount of furniture you want in your tent, and whether you want the tent floored or not. Give detailed particulars. Address your order to this office, in care of Tent Department. In behalf of the executive committee. General Meeting at San Luis Potosi, Mexico
By G. W. Caviness
We now have a number of companies in the country round about the city of San Luis Potosi, as well as one in the city itself. It was thought best to have a general meeting of these companies and also to have the mission committee meet in San Luis Potosi in the closing days of last December. This may be called our first general meeting of believers of one state in Mexico, and we are glad to say that the meeting was in every way successful. There were present about one hundred Sabbath-keepers and a goodly number of interested ones. The meetings were characterized by the presence of the Spirit of the Lord in great measure. The companies in Moctezuma, La Visnaga, Barbecho, Tapona, and Mexquitic were well represented. In all these places we now have small companies, and Brother Marchisio is the only worker we have in that part. He visits these companies as often as consistent, and has done and is doing a splendid work. At one morning meeting a brother mentioned the fact that he did not desire to rob the Lord any more, but wished to pay his tithe, and would do so just as soon as he could dispose of his crops. Others began immediately to say, “Why wait?” and came one after another and deposited their money on the table until there was some sixteen pesos. When one knows how exceedingly poor these people are, he can appreciate what this meant to them. Many of them work for thirty-seven cents a day, and do not have work all the time at that, and when they support a family there certainly is not much left to give. There have been a great many improvements among our brethren, especially in La Visnaga. In days gone by some of them possessed small holdings of land. For many years there has been scarcely any rain in that part of the country, and as they tilled the ground in a very slipshod manner, they did not receive very much in return, and seemed forced to sell their land to speculators. There was nothing left for them but to work a little for the large landholders, and receive a small wage and perhaps a little corn and beans. Since their conversion they are more industrious, and having left off their vices, they have made considerable advancement in many respects. The past year there was a little more rain than usual, and more attention given to their little corn-patches, and these were shown me with seeming thankfulness and pride as they said, “We now have enough to live on for a year or more.” And in truth, it does not take a great deal of corn and beans to last a family a year, and that is practically all they have. To see their thankfulness and also their resolution to give the tithe of all to the work of the Master, was indeed inspiring. The teacher of the school in that place receives a salary of fifteen pesos, or seven and one-half dollars (gold) a month; but with this small sum he is in as good condition as any of them. When people in such conditions joyfully offer to the Lord the tithe of all they have, it does seem those in far better condition ought to have a deeper joy in rendering to the Lord his own. The last day of the meeting was the best of all. On this day we baptized nine persons, and afterward the whole company partook of the Lord’s Supper. After the ordinance of humility there was a general embracing, brother with brother, many of them moved to tears; a similar scene was enacted in the room where the sisters celebrated this part of the service. One brother said that the Mexican brethren would count time from this conference, and when it was over many of the rest of us felt that we also could mark great spiritual advancement from this time.449 Our meeting caused something of a sensation in the city. For some reason the governor concluded just at this time to enforce the regulation of the reform laws against the excessive ringing of church-bells. The church (when we say church we mean the Catholic Church) was much put out, and refused to ring the bells at all, so that the city was very quiet in comparison to what it is most of the time. Indeed, in many places the cities are full of Catholic churches and they ring the bells almost incessantly, making one who is not accustomed to it, think there is a fire. The ignorant people accused us of being the cause of the governor’s action, but there was no trouble. We believe that if we had a good, strong evangelical worker in San Luis Potosi, we should soon be able to organize a respectable conference in that state. We are earnestly praying that a man may be found to fill this great need. Let all our brethren unite in prayer with us that this field may not have to wait much longer for the greatly needed help.