Earlier text: Progress of the Work in Hunan, ChinaSeed by the Wayside
By C. R. Spencer
WHEN a young man I took up the work of carpet cutting, and being called to a great many homes, I felt impressed while at my work to speak of the truth so dear to me. Soon came invitations to hold Bible readings, and souls accepted the message. One man in particular was anxious to help me physically, claiming to have the power of divine healing. This led to correspondence, and to-day he is happy in the truth. For some time I held studies with a certain woman. She finally decided not to take any more studies and told me not to call any more. I left, telling her that I should never cease to pray for her conversion. About three months later I was again welcomed to her home, and she accepted Christ as her Saviour. The Lord touched hearts at our little meeting, and six were baptized. Four years ago I went into a shoe shop. While I waited a Danish man called, canvassing for temperance literature. The conversation drifted to Bible topics, and finally we reached the Sabbath question. He promised that if I should prove to him from the New Testament alone that the seventh day is the Sabbath, he would keep it. There was a Bible in the shop, and I asked him to read Mark 2:27; John 1:1; James 2: 8-12, and several other scriptures. He kept the next Sabbath, was recently baptized, and is rejoicing in the hope of eternal life. I give these few experiences in the hope that they may inspire some one else to take up this self-supporting Bible work. There is a rich blessing in it. Pennsylvania
By M. G. Wallace
PHILADELPHIA.—Sabbath, April 12, Elder T. H. Branch administered the ordinance of baptism to three new believers in Philadelphia. They united with the First African Seventh-day Adventist Church. This is a very hard city to work, but we are reaching some hearts, and for this we praise the Lord. A number are deeply interested in the truth. Pray for the success of the workers who are laboring for the colored people in this most needy field.
M. G. WALLACE. The Santa Catharina (Brazil) Annual Conference
By F. W. Spies
The eighth annual session of the Santa Catharina Conference was held at Joinville from January 28 to February 1. A spacious, convenient hall, situated in a pleasant garden in the midst of trees, was indeed an ideal place for such a meeting. Joinville being somewhat to one side of the state, the attendance was not so large as at other times. Still about fifty-five of our brethren from different parts of the state assembled, and these, along with the Joinville church of about thirty members, made a fair meeting. The result of the year's work showed forty baptized. But in consequence of emigration, death, and a cleaning up of the church records, sixty-two names were dropped, causing the actual membership to be twenty-three below what was reported last year. It seemed too bad that the conference had lost almost an entire church (thirty-three members), one of the best it had, by emigration. The conference was a season of much blessing to our people. Especially were the Sabbath services a time of seeking the Lord and of consecration to him, and we trust that lasting victories were gained. One hour each day was devoted to the answering of written questions previously handed in. It was required, however, that each question bear the signature of the questioner in order to insure an answer. The conference president, Elder F. R. Kuempel, and the writer, were the only ministers present, so we were both kept very busy during the days of the conference. Although the finances of the conference for 1912 fell a little behind the year 1911, still the brethren voted to give a second tithe to the union, believing that if greater faithfulness is shown on the part of our people, this amount will be more than made up to the conference treasury. One worker, a licentiate, withdrew from the work, and the brethren of Santa Catharina now ask that another worker be sent them in his place. The Joinville public manifested a deep interest in the evening meetings, for the most part listening attentively to the special truths relating to our time. All the business of the conference was transacted harmoniously, and all the officers of last year were reelected. May the Lord abundantly bless the efforts of workers and people as during the coming conference year they endeavor to hasten the day of his appearing. I am now en route to the Rio Grande do Sul conference, which is to be held in Porto Alegre again, and which is the last of the Brazilian conferences for 1913. May the Lord also make it a rich blessing to his people! British West Indies
By U. Bender
TRINIDAD.—The South Caribbean Conference held its eighth annual session in Port of Spain, Trinidad, January 20-26. Not very many of the people from the other islands composing this conference were able to be present. The work has grown so that from Trinidad alone as many attended as could be seated in the Port of Spain church, which can seat two hundred fifty or three hundred persons. All the laborers in this conference were present, and uniting with these in the services were Elder E. C. Boger, from British Guiana, Elder H. C. J. Walleker, of the East Caribbean Mission, and the writer. Elder N. H. Pool was chosen president for the ensuing term. Elder J. B. Beckner, who for the past five years has filled the office of president in this conference, has entered upon his twelfth year of service in the West Indies. He served five years in Jamaica, one year in British Guiana, and since that time in Trinidad. In British Guiana he became greatly reduced through fever, and has suffered several attacks in Trinidad. In his present physical condition it seems best that he lay down for a time the burdens and labor that attend the office of president of a conference. May the Lord preserve this faithful worker, and also abundantly bless Elder Pool as he takes up the work laid down by Elder Beckner. Brother P. C. Carrington was ordained two much to the ministry. It is a great pleasure to see young men developing in this work and sharing in the responsibility and labor of carrying it forward. As the workers in this field go out again to the harvest, and the people return to a faithful home ministry, I am sure the Lord will bless and strengthen them for their various duties. We tried to make the meeting a power to this end, and the Lord graciously granted to all his Spirit. January 28, in company with Elders Boger and Pool, I came to British Guiana to spend a few days visiting among the churches in this mission. South America
By SHERIDAN T. ARCHBOLD
OLD PROVIDENCE ISLAND.—The year 1912 was a prosperous one for the work in the Old Providence church, despite drought, hurricane, and floods, which destroyed plantations, fruits, and nuts. I am glad to report that our new church building, valued at $400 (gold), was dedicated free from debt on September 30. At that time Elder H. C. Goodrich was here twelve days, and held meetings almost every night with good interest. Truly God has been good to us, and we rejoice that we have this memorial of his goodness and mercy with which to hasten the work in this island. During the year we had the pleasure of seeing thirteen precious souls baptized, and fifteen were added to the church. Four are now preparing for baptism. Our tithe for the year amounted to $484.10. The offerings, foreign and home, amounted to $592.45. Matandane, Nyasaland
By S. M. KONIGMACHER
WE have had some very bad floods lately. Our rustic bridge was washed away, so to-day I was unable to cross the stream, for the water is above the rocks I put in to make a drift. We have started a native store. It is the custom of the country here to give a little present to those who buy, so we are giving our customers a piece of cloth, hemming the raw edges. On pay-days it has kept us at the sewing-machine several times for nearly three hours without stopping. The only real annoyance of the missionary is the fever and his isolation. Week in and week out nature is seen in its different moods. Grass, grass, grass in the rainy season, and parched brown grass in the dry season. I had a little diversion last week by catching my fifth leopard and a native dog. Christmas week we were in the garden gathering African holly, and as Mrs. Konigmacher put out her hand to pluck a bunch of berries, a snake the color of the tree, moved along a limb. As it was passing into another tree, I killed it. Thus God protects us. The mail disappeared a few weeks ago. The mail-boy ran off, and we do not know whether the mail was stolen or lost. Recently I called a boy and asked him why he was stealing corn out of the gardens. “We do not consider it stealing when one is hungry,” he replied. “But you have as much strength to hoe your garden as we have.” “Yes, and I did hoe in the lowlands, but the floods took away all the corn.” I have just killed a large snake over six feet long in our back yard, and a crocodile has been seen on the bank near the river. We have all had a touch of fever, but are quite well now. These are a few little incidents of every-day life out here in the interior of Africa. Church Growth in Michigan
A new Sabbath-school of twenty members has been organized at Brinton, near Horr, Mich. Elder A. J. Clark reports that during the last six months twenty-four persons have been added by baptism to the Battle Creek church. As the result of a series of meetings conducted at Pentwater, by Elder E. L. Stewart, sixteen have decided to obey the commandments of God. The workers at Edenville, East Michigan, report twenty-two new believers. Gospel Workers’ Department
By B. E. Miller
Their divine calling, qualification, and preparation. Methods of labor, plans, etc. Conducted by A. G. DANIELLS THE world to-day is rushing, as it were, over the precipice of ruin. “A power from beneath is leading men to war against heaven. The powers of Satan are at work to keep the minds diverted from eternal realities. The enemy has arranged matters to suit his own purpose.” In such a state of things an earnest ministry is needed. The servant of the Lord tells us in a recent testimony, “Spasmodic efforts will do little good. We must arrest the attention. We must be deeply in earnest.” This brings me to my subject, which is the necessity of an earnest ministry. Every view we take of the situation shows us that “only by earnestness can we succeed in this work.” Earnestness, great earnestness, is what we need and must have, if the proclamation of this gospel message is accomplished in this generation. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” Eccl. 9: 10. “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” Rom. 12: 11. Why is not our ministry more impressive? The third angel’s message affords one of the best of fields for tender and solemn appeals. In this message the greatest subjects are presented, the most important themes discussed, the most solemn questions urged. God and angels; the second coming of Christ; the day of judgment; the law of God; the Lord’s holy Sabbath; the incarnation, death, resurrection, and eternal reign of the Son of God; the lake of fire for the wicked, and an endless eternity of existence for the righteous; these are all revealed in this message. Shall we not institute the personal inquiries,—Why have I not succeeded better in my ministry? How is it that my congregations are not larger, and my church increasing more rapidly? Why is it that the truth as it is in Jesus, which I believe and preach, is not attended with more power? Why do I gather so little fruit for my labors? What is further needed in my ministerial labors? What is wanting in the manner or method of my preaching? Note the following solemn words: “The sermons preached by some of our ministers will have to be much more powerful than they are now, or many backsliders will carry a tame, pointless message, which lulls people to sleep. Every discourse should be given under a sense of the awful judgment soon to fall on the world. The message of truth is to be proclaimed by lips touched with a live coal from the divine altar. . . . My heart is filled with anguish when I think of the tame messages borne by some of our ministers, when they have a message of life and death to bear. The ministers are asleep; the lay members are asleep; and a world is perishing in sin. May God help his people to arouse and walk and work as men and women on the borders of the eternal world.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VIII, pages 36, 37. It is by the presentation of the truth and by the working of the Holy Spirit upon the heart that the great work of regeneration is effected. It is evident, however, that the attention of the people must be fixed upon the truth, or no permanent result will be seen. Hence the preacher is the most useful who has the greatest power of securing and holding the attention of his hearers and fixing their minds upon the truth. A dear soul once wrote a note to a minister like this, “I heard you preach last Sabbath evening, and it pleased God to bless that sermon to the good of my soul. It was not so much what you said as your manner of saying it that impressed me.” This is but one instance out of many in which the earnestness of the worker has drawn attention to the message which would not otherwise have been secured. Large congregations are gathered, and flourishing churches raised up, by men of energy and earnestness,—men of heart, of feeling, and perseverance, who give themselves wholly to this work. Small congregations as well as declining churches do not indicate that the minister is a flame of fire. We believe that no matter under what discouraging circumstances a man in whose heart the fire of consecration burns, may commence his labors, he will soon draw around him a deeply interested and attentive body of believers. How Shall Such a Ministry Be Obtained?
This is the most important part of our subject. It is necessary, first of all, to have the truth deeply engraved on our hearts. Then we must pray. A praying ministry will be an earnest ministry, and an earnest ministry a praying one. “One day spent in fasting and prayer to God is worth a thousand days of complaint and lamentation before men.” God’s great men were all men of prayer. Study the lives of the successful pioneers of this message, and you will see a beaten path between the pulpit and the closet. “He that is feeble among them shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them.” Our Saviour said, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Another great means to be used for obtaining a strong, earnest ministry, lies in the study of the Bible. Ministers should be earnest Bible students. Bible study will kindle in the heart a fire and zeal for soul-winning that will lead to success. The word of God is perfect. Ps. 19: 7; 12: 6. We should prayerfully study and meditate on the whole Bible, both the Old and the New Testament, and not simply a few favorite chapters. The Bible never grows old, it never loses its sap, it never runs dry. Do not let some book of man thrust God’s Book into a corner, or some commentary obscure the text. See to it that your love for the Bible is above that for every other enjoyment. The moment you begin to feel greater relish for some other book, lay it aside till you have sought deliverance from such a snare, and obtained from the Holy Spirit a keener appetite for the Word of God. Jer. 15; 16; Ps. 19: 7, 10. The following is an indication of how William Miller loved the Bible:— “O, may the Bible be to us a rock, a pillar, a compass, a chart, a statute, a directory, a polar star, a traveler’s guide, a pilgrim’s companion, a shield of faith, a ground of hope, a history, a chronology, an armory, a storehouse, a mirror, a closet, a prayer-book, an epistle, a love-letter, a friend, a revenue, a treasury, a bank, a fountain, a cistern, a garden, a lodge, a field, a haven, a sun, a moon, a star, a door, a window, a light, a lamp, a morning, a noon, an evening, an hour-glass. “It is meat, food, drink, raiment, shelter, warmth, heat, a feast, fruit, apples, pictures, wine, milk, honey, bread, butter, oil, refreshment, rest, strength, stability, wisdom, life, eyes, ears, hands, feet, breath; it is a help to hearing, seeing, feeling, tasting, smelling, understanding, forgiving, loving, hoping, enjoying, adoring, and saving; it declares itself to be the Word of God. And your friend and brother believes it.”—“Life of William Miller,” pages 92, 93. May these considerations lead us to deeper thought and more fervent prayer for an earnest and devoted ministry. Our Schools in India and Burma
No part of the four months in the Far East was of more real profit to me than the time spent in visiting our schools. Although I had tried to keep in touch with the educational work while in America, yet to meet the teachers and students face to face, to watch them at their work, and to see the results of Christian education on heathen hearts, profoundly impressed me with its great value as an evangelizing agency, and as a means of establishing the young people firmly in the principles of Christianity and in the fundamentals of the third angel’s message, so that when they go out from the school, to be surrounded by idolatry and unbelief, they may be able to withstand the temptations which are sure to overtake them. In Christian lands religious teaching is recognized by all as essential. But in countries where idolatry has molded the life from generation to generation, where its revolting worship is intimately associated with every-day life, the value of Christian schools is more clearly seen. To be able each day to plant seeds of truth in young hearts, to keep ever before their minds the story of the cross, to be able to answer their questions of doubt by words of faith and confidence, can only result in turning many of them from darkness to light. Then again, the growth of our schools in those countries is most encouraging. In India we now have a score of boarding-schools and village schools, with an attendance of nearly nine hundred students, about one third of whom are in the boarding-schools, under the constant supervision of Christian instructors. At present schools are being conducted in eight19 languages,—Bengali, Santali, Hindi, Urdu, Marathi, Tamil, Burmese, and English. The first school I visited was at Panwel, near Bombay, where the Marathi is spoken. Brother George Enoch, who is in charge of the work in west India, and who has made most excellent progress in the language, went with me. It was he who started the school at Panwel. We were given a most cordial reception by the chief men of the village, who, in their speeches of welcome, told how greatly they appreciated our mission school. Here I found three native teachers and seventy-one pupils—fifty-one girls, and twenty boys. The children were Christians, Mohammedans, Hindus, and Jews; but every day they were taught a portion of the Scriptures, and to sing Christian hymns. The cut (first page) shows the school at the time of my visit. The European at the left, dressed in white, is Brother Enoch. The older natives are the teachers and evangelists with their wives. This school is exactly in the center of the village, on the main street. We drove from Panwel to Kalyan, a distance of sixteen miles, where we have two schools in charge of natives,—a high-caste school of forty-five, and a low-caste school of fourteen boys. The latter was being held under a tree, because at that time they were not able to get a building. It is at Kalyan, an important town which is the junction of the two trunk lines running into Bombay, that Brother and Sister M. D. Wood are located since their return to India. An excellent site of nine acres of ground has been purchased, and a bungalow is being built for them. I had the privilege of spending two days with them just before leaving India, and found them feeling very much at home, as they speak the Marathi fluently, and are not many miles from their former field of labor. Christian Education
By H. R. SALISBURY
Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference H. R. SALISBURY Secretary The Rest Bill Defeated in Ohio
THE Standard Bill for one day of rest in seven, which has been introduced into various State legislatures as a result of the efforts of the Commission on the Church and Social Service, a department of the Federal Council of the Churches, was defeated in the Ohio General Assembly by an overwhelming vote. Referring to this matter, Brother H. A. Weaver, the religious liberty secretary of the Ohio Conference, writes:— “After this bill was introduced, it was rushed through the committee so quickly that we were not aware of its presence until it appeared on the house calendar for second reading. On April 14 it was read the second time, and debate followed. Meanwhile, I interviewed a number of representatives, and endeavored to enlighten them on the principles underlying the bill. The debate was interesting indeed. When the vote was taken on the question of third reading, it stood about four to one against.” The defeat of this bill testifies strongly to the good results which attend the dissemination of the principles of religious liberty. We hope the same work may be done in every legislature where this bill comes up for consideration. For Better “Sabbath Observance” in Oklahoma
By I. A. CRANE
ONE thing that must deeply impress one who keeps in touch with the movement for Sunday exaltation is the growing popularity of so-called reform legislation. Look over the Sunday bills of the different States and see how much is proposed that has already been covered by previous enactments; for instance, acts of “wicked lewdness” forbidden upon Sunday as if the laws which prevented such things on other days did not apply to Sunday. Evidently the purpose of such laws is to keep legislators and people used to Sunday legislation. Oklahoma has now had six Sunday bills, and at least three others that contained Sunday sections. Three of the former are now pending as a result of the governor’s recommendation to the special session for better “Sabbath observance” laws. To meet the issue in the special session, we have prepared an “Open Letter” addressed to the governor, the members of the legislature, and such Protestant ministers as are working for Sunday laws. Copies of this letter have been mailed to all State officers, judges, leading editors in the State, and to the Oklahoma City Ministerial Alliance.452 Plans are laid whereby we hope to reach the same classes in each county seat and large city in the State. The Daily Oklahoman, which has heretofore refused to show where it stood, came out April 1 in a strong editorial against Sunday laws. It is evident that nothing will be left undone by the so-called reformers to pass these bills, and evidently Oklahoma’s influence will be felt elsewhere. Arrested for Selling the "Protestant Magazine"
THE field missionary secretary of one of our Western conferences, writing under date of April 10, reports an experience which will be of interest to all our people. We quote a portion of his letter:— “I have been selling some of the March and April numbers of the Protestant Magazine, which contains an account of the ‘Convent Tragedy,’ and it so enraged the Catholic priest that he ordered a policeman, who is a Catholic, in company with the deputy sheriff, also a Catholic, to arrest me.” “I was taken before a drunken city attorney of this town, and asked if I was guilty of the charge of selling the Protestant Magazine. I answered, ‘I am.’ Then they imposed a fine of $5 and costs ($12.50), but the mayor, being an A. P. A. man, remitted the fine. His manner and conversation plainly showed he feared to do anything contrary to the wishes of the priest, yet ventured to do so.” In commenting upon this effort to interfere with the sale of our publications, Brother C. G. Bellah, the general agent of the Central Union Conference, writes:— “I have been very much interested in the Protestant Magazine, and such experiences as this one ought to arouse every one of our people to do his duty. The Protestant ought to be circulated like the leaves of autumn, then the police, judges, and others would be more intelligent as to their duty when such things appear before them for decision.” The Roman hierarchy claim the privilege of abusing Protestantism, both from their pulpits and through their publications; but when the simple truth is told about the Roman Catholic Church, they do not hesitate to make use of any measures to suppress it. This is a suggestion of what may be expected as Roman Catholic power in this country increases. State and Church
By W. W. Prescott
Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of Religious Freedom, and the Campaign “to Make America Catholic.” Conducted by the Religious Liberty Association. W. W. Prescott — Secretary A Petition for a Sunday Law
A SHORT time ago announcement was made in the Editorial department of the REVIEW to the effect that an old ordinance requiring barber shops in the city of Washington to be closed on Sunday had been declared void by Judge Pugh, of the city police court. Very soon after this a petition, with the names of 210 barbers attached, was presented to the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, asking that they draft and submit to Congress a bill requiring all barber shops in the District of Columbia to be closed on Sunday. Application was at once made in behalf of the Religious Liberty Association for a hearing, at which opportunity should be given for presenting objections against the enactment of the proposed legislation. The request for a hearing was readily granted, and the hearing was held on Tuesday, April 29. Others besides representatives of the Religious Liberty Association were present and opposed granting the petition. A report of the hearing will be given next week. Another Sunday Bill Defeated
THE Northern Union Reaper of March 4 states that Representative Townsend introduced into the present session of the Iowa State Legislature “a bill to amend the Sunday law which has been upon the statute-books almost unnoticed for half a century.” This law prohibits work on the first day of the week, “and makes punishable by fine or imprisonment all work except that of necessity or of a charitable nature, also molesting or disturbing in any way a congregation or family which might be worshiping on that day, and in addition to these places the ban on Sunday dancing, horse-racing, and several other forms of amusement.” Some of our brethren secured a public hearing, which afforded an excellent opportunity for the discussion of the principles involved in Sunday legislation, and accomplished some good, as is seen by the following:— “Since the hearing we have met several members of the committee, and learned that two of the three members of the subcommittee to which the bill was referred have voted to indefinitely postpone the consideration of the measure before the house, thus practically killing it in the committee. Since hearing the report of the committee, quite a prominent senator has written to Elder W. D. Parkhurst commending his defense of the principles of liberty, and stating that if a similar bill should come up in the senate he would use his influence against it; also that in such an event, he would appreciate the aid and cooperation of Elder Parkhurst.” Notes and clippings from the daily and weekly press — After long negotiations, Dr. Friedrich Franz Friedmann, of Germany, has arranged for the sale of the American rights of his turtle-vaccine consumption cure for $125,000 in cash and $1,800,000 in stock in thirty-six institutes to be organized in thirty-six selected States, with a capitalization of $5,400,000. The Eisner-Mendelson Company of New York City will undertake the marketing of the cure and the establishment of the institutes. — Many persons have been surprised by the appointment of Mr. Walter H. Page, of Doubleday, Page & Co., one of the largest publishing companies in the country, as ambassador to England. Mr. Page is a prolific writer on current subjects, is editor of the World’s Work, and has been editor of the Forum and of the Atlantic Monthly. No one questions Mr. Page’s fitness for the post. The press on both sides of the Atlantic is unanimous in his praise. — Sir Cecil Arthur Spring-Rice, who succeeds James Bryce as ambassador from Great Britain to the United States, arrived in this country April 27. He is well and favorably known in diplomatic circles, having been in the service since 1886. — Berlin is making ready for the greatest demonstration of modern times, at the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the reign of William II, who, it is expected, will receive the Nobel prize on that occasion, and a magnificent present from the German nation. — The Lake St. John levee, on the west bank of the Mississippi River, twelve miles north of Ferriday, La., broke April 27, despite all efforts to hold back the waters. An area of about 900 square miles was flooded, and more than 20,000 persons driven from their homes. — The tariff bill introduced into the present extra session of Congress is by far the most radical in the way of reducing duties since the tariff law passed in 1857. The articles put on the free list include all the necessaries of life, such as meats, flour, bread, lumber and its products, coal, wool, steel rails, and agricultural products. A great many articles are reduced by fifty per cent more or less, such as knives, soap, cotton clothing, books, brooms, cattle, bicycles, and borax. — The Canadian Pacific Railway is preparing to begin shortly the construction of what will be the longest tunnel in America. The tunnel will be built through Pack Horse Pass in the Rocky Mountains, and will be sixteen miles long, costing $14,000,000. It will take seven years, it is estimated, to build it. The great hole through the mountain will be four miles longer than the famous Simplon tunnel through the Alps. Railroad officials assert that the construction of this tunnel will eliminate many miles of dangerous snow-sheds. — The typewriter, like its ally, stenography, is much older than most people think. The first machine constructed was the work of an Englishman, Henry Mill, who patented it in 1714. The next-recorded patent for a typewriter was granted in France in 1841, to a blind man, Pierre Foucault, whose machine was used in many public institutions throughout Europe. The first patent for a machine on the type-bar principle dates from 1856, but to C. Z. Sholes, an American, belongs the credit of the machine which in 1873 was put on the market. — The State Department expects to have incorporated in the tariff bill an interstate opium law, modeled after the interstate liquor bill, to prevent interstate shipments of opium for illegal uses, so that any State with a good opium law may be protected against its nullification by outsiders. The amount of opium consumed in this country, by latest report, is four hundred thousand pounds, when, by the standard of Japan, it ought to be only four thousand pounds, as that country uses only two thousand pounds for a population half as large as ours. Much of the opium used in our country is hidden in soothing sirups, cigarettes, and headache powders. — A new American submarine boat, the “F-1,” has made a world’s record for depth of submersion—283 feet. The vessel maintained this depth for ten minutes while traveling at a speed of six miles an hour. — New York City has 750 hotels,—not counting the so-called Raines Law hotels,—and they are said to be able to accommodate 350,000 persons. An exchange, in recording this fact, remarks that these hotels could quarter the entire standing army of Great Britain. — The Pennsylvania Railroad has issued a statement that 527 trespassers lost their lives last year on its tracks while violating the law. The Pennsylvania declares that many trespassers are mischief-makers, and smash signals and switch-lamps, place obstructions on the tracks, and commit many other acts that endanger the lives of railway employees and travelers. — For the support of the postal service, the people will pay during 1913 $283,805,760, far more than for any other branch of the government service. It is estimated that $7,240,000 will be needed for the parcel-post system; $1,350,000 to meet conditions under the new eight-hour law; $750,000 to provide for reclassification of railway mail clerks; and $150,000 to establish the new village free delivery service. — Unless something occurs to prevent, the next few years will see in China the development of one of the greatest railroad-building programs of modern times. No less than 70,000 miles of national railways will be laid. This is one of the main parts of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s scheme for the modernization of China. Through these railroads the interior of the country will be tapped, and the wealth that is there locked up will be made available for foreign trade. — The will of J. Pierpont Morgan, made public a few days after his burial at Hartford, Conn., opens with the following striking expression of his religious belief: “I commit my soul into the hands of my Saviour in full confidence that, having redeemed it and washed it in his most precious blood, he will present it faultless before the throne of my Heavenly Father; and I entreat my children to maintain and defend at all hazard and at any cost of personal sacrifice the blessed doctrine of the complete atonement for sin through the blood of Jesus Christ, once offered, and through that alone.” — An American missionary in Albania declares that the whole Mohammedan population, about sixty-five per cent, are ready for the gospel. “They themselves say that the Moslem faith was forced upon them by the Turkish government, and they have never received it as their own. They do not forget that their forefathers were Christians, and in their hearts they do not regard the evangelical faith as a strange one; rather that in accepting it they will simply be coming back to that which is their own. Further, they always associate with Islam the persecution and injustice they have endured under the Turkish rule. Now, when throwing off the Ottoman yoke, the people seem to be more than willing to throw off with it the Moslem faith.” A RECENT issue of the Christian Herald (New York) contained a letter from Brother E. G. Farnsworth, the religious liberty secretary of the Northern New England Conference, from which we take the following extract:— “I have been very much interested in the position the Christian Herald is taking on the question of the Church of Rome, especially the article by Mr. Alexander Robertson in a recent issue. It seems to me there is light in it, and the only solution of this question, in harmony with the fundamental principles of our government. It has been a perplexing problem in my own mind and as those of many others how Rome could be dealt with and not violate the principles of religious liberty that our government grants to all alike. But if the use of power, other than spiritual power, makes a church a political power, then there is a solid ground on which to meet and repel the advances and attacks of Rome. I am glad that this is coming to the front among our American people. It seems to me that every Protestant and every true American should be thoroughly aroused to shake off the fetters by which Rome is trying to bind our beloved country. If we oppose Rome for using political power to accomplish her aims in religious things, are not Protestants violating their own principles if they try to advance their religious measures through the means of legislation?” Manitoba Conference
By O. E. Sandnes
THE tenth annual session of the Manitoba Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be held in connection with the annual camp-meeting in Brandon, Manitoba, June 23-29, for the election of officers and for the transaction of any other business that may properly come before the conference. Each church is entitled to be represented by its elder, and by one additional delegate for each seven of its membership. The opening meeting will be held at 10 A. M., Monday, June 23. O. E. SANDNES, President.