THIS meeting was held in the church at College View, Neb., December 24-30. The churches were well represented by their respective delegates, and besides there was a good attendance of our people from College View and its vicinity, and also of the Union College students, especially at the evening services and on the Sabbath.
In addition to the regular conference laborers, there were present during some part of the meeting Elders E. T. Russell, Luther Warren, J. H. Wheeler, J. H. Kraft, Brother James Cochran, and the writer.
It was the design of those in charge of the conference not only to have it serve as an occasion of transacting the business of the conference, but also to have it prove a blessing both spiritually and educationally to all in attendance.
In harmony with this idea there were several papers read which were calculated to produce a clearer understanding of the great object and purpose of the work which God has committed to Seventh-day Adventists to perform, and to awaken a greater interest and enthusiasm on the part of all present in the proclamation of the third angel's message by the ministry of the word, personal efforts, and by the use of the printed page. Among the papers which were read on this occasion was one on the Organization and the Circulation of Our Books as an Evangelizing Agency in Conference Work. The others were of a more local character.
Some most remarkable facts were presented in the paper by Brother James Cochran, of Kansas City, Mo., regarding the results which are being realized from the circulation of our literature.
A lively interest was also manifested in the question of organization. The false idea on this question, claiming that the individual or a local church is sovereign, was contrasted with the true idea which is in organization with the sovereignty of Christ through the larger body, the church.
It was plainly demonstrated that the individual member of a church or a single church that would assume an independent attitude in refusing to be subordinate to the larger body of believers, would bring in anarchy and ruin to the individual or church. Illustrations were given in proof of this.
One evening of the conference was devoted to symposium talks on the great question of temperance reform. The Biblical, scientific, and legislative phases of the subject were discussed, and much interest was manifested by the large audience. Two expressions were taken by a rising vote of the congregation. The first question was “Do you stand as a unit against the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquor?” and the second, “Are you willing to cast your vote against it?” It is gratifying in these days when there are so few who have the moral courage to stand like Daniel for the right, to find a people on the earth who do stand uncompromisingly against the stupendous evil of intemperance in every form.
The evening services during the conference were largely of a revivalistic character, to which there was a willing response on the part of students, as there was also to the different calls made from time to time. Especially was this so on the Sabbath.
There was an excellent spirit of harmony and unity during all the business sessions of the conference. Elder A. T. Robinson was re-elected president. The other officers are as follows: Vice-President, Charles Thompson; Secretary and Treasurer, Joseph Roy; Superintendent of the Educational Department, Prof. C. R. Kite; Secretary of the Educational and Young People's Work, Miss Winnie Hunt; Field Missionary Agent, H. A. Hebard; Religious Liberty Secretary, Chas. Thompson.
Perhaps there was nothing that brought a sweeter spirit into the conference than did the vote to give three thousand dollars more of the tithe for foreign missions. This, in addition to a previous donation made last summer, makes an aggregate of ten thousand dollars donated by the conference during the past year to the foreign mission work. The truthfulness of the scripture, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” was again verified. The tithe for the conference for 1906 exceeds the amount which has been received during any preceding year. Courage exists in the hearts of both workers and members of the Nebraska Conference.
K. C. RUSSELL.
Manitoba Annual Conference
By Arthur G. Daniells
At the close of the North Dakota Conference, I went to Winnipeg to attend the annual session of that conference. I was accompanied by Elder Haffner, superintendent of the German work west of Chicago, Elder Hayes, president of the South Dakota Conference, and Prof. Otto Graf, educational secretary of the Northern Union Conference. Owing to a railway wreck, we were delayed twenty-four hours on the road.
We found the conference in session, with a good attendance from the widely separated churches of the vast territory of that conference. Hitherto the province of Saskatchewan has been a part of the Manitoba Conference, but at this meeting it was set off as a mission field, thus reducing the territory of the conference to the province of Manitoba.
Our cause is now firmly established in the province of Manitoba, with headquarters at Winnipeg. I was pleased to find Winnipeg such a prosperous, up-to-date city. It has clean, attractive public buildings and business blocks. Its electric street-car system is excellent. The province of Manitoba is growing in population, wealth, and importance, and we rejoice that our cause is permanently established there, and that there is a good prospect for its rapid development.
The proceedings of the conference passed off very pleasantly. Elder W. M. Adams was re-elected president, with a substantial committee to aid him in carrying out a wide-awake, forward policy. This conference has a small school in operation at Portage la Prairie, about sixty miles west of Winnipeg. One great object of this school is to educate their young people in their own field, that they may have their services in the future to carry forward the various lines of work they have in hand.
The province of Saskatchewan was separated from the Manitoba Conference for the purpose of operating it as a mission field under the care of the Northern Union Conference. This province is growing very rapidly. Its capital is Regina, a nice city centrally located. It was the desire of the Sabbath-keepers in that province that this should be done. The union conference committee favored the proposal. Elder H. S. Shaw, president of the Minnesota Conference, was invited to take the superintendency of the mission, providing the Minnesota Conference will release him. It is thought that he should locate at Regina, to establish a good strong church there, and then work out to other parts of the province. Brethren Conway and Curtis, who have been working in Saskatchewan during the last year, have been encouraged by seeing some excellent persons embrace the truth.
The cause is certainly making encouraging progress in western Canada. It will soon be advisable to organize a western Canadian Union Conference, which will embrace the four provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. This will very likely be done during the present year. Elder Underwood is working very hard to place the work in this part of the field on a good, solid basis, and the Lord is blessing the efforts. We must have the work on the Canadian side of the line wholly managed and supported by those living on that side. This will18give them courage, good cheer, and strength.
My visit to this field gave me new interest in it, and more courage regarding the future development of the cause there. For a time it will need assistance from the States, but now is the time to give it. Let us remember western Canada in our prayers and gifts.
A. G. DANIELLS.
Spanish Honduras
By H. A. Peebles
LACEIBA.— During a little rest from the printing I have been canvassing, with good success. Four days in Parvenir gave me one hundred dollars; about five days here in Laceiba, between ninety-five and one hundred dollars; and eight days spent on mule-back up and down the coast; one hundred and thirty-five dollars. One young man in Parvenir kept his first Sabbath while I was there, and on the last trip a lady who meant what she said declared that she expected to be one of us soon. The book sales are about equally divided between Spanish and English.
I am glad to do a little toward the spreading of the message in this way. I made a mistake when I represented it as a hard life in something I sent to the REVIEW a short time ago. It is the most pleasant experience I ever had. Night comes almost before one remembers that it is time for dinner. I think I am safe in saying that there is more hospitality and less personal prejudice shown here than in the States; at least I have found it so. The rainy season comes very soon now, and I am expecting to go back to the printing for a time.
H. A. PEEBLES.
Third Annual Meeting in Mexico
By Geo. M. Brown
IN harmony with previous plans, this meeting was held in Mexico City, Dec. 7-16, 1906. It was the largest and most representative meeting ever held in Mexico, and was marked by a spirit of hopefulness, courage, and consecration. Elder W. A. Spicer was with us during the entire time, and his labors were much appreciated. Brethren were present from Guadalajara, San Luis Potosi, Cuautla, Tampico, and Ameca; and these, with the friends in Mexico City and its vicinity, made a congregation which filled our meeting hall to its utmost capacity.
The address of the superintendent of the mission showed that there has been progress in all branches of the work. Six persons have been employed all or a part of the time during the year. Thirty-five persons have begun the observance of the Sabbath. At the end of 1905 there were fifty-three church-members, forty-one others keeping the Sabbath, and seventy-eight members of the three Sabbath-schools then in existence. There are now fifty-eight church-members, sixty others are keeping the Sabbath, and there are five Sabbath-schools, with a membership of one hundred.
We have Sabbath-keepers at the following points: Cuautla, State of Morelos; San Luis Potosi, Celaya, State of Guanajuato; Monterey, State of Nuevo Leon, and Cananea and Nogales in the State of Sonora, besides those living in Mexico City and Guadalajara, where there are churches organized.
During eleven months of 1906 the tithe was $1,500, and the offerings amounted to $415, making a total income from the field of $1,915 in United States money. The missionary paper, El Mensajero de la Verdad, has had an average monthly circulation of three thousand copies. This means thirty-six thousand copies of the paper placed in the homes of the people, and in addition to this some books and about nine thousand tracts have been sold, so that there have been more than three quarters of a million pages of present-truth literature placed in the hands of the Mexican people during 1906. Thus the seed is being sown. Brethren, pray that we may know how to water it, and that God will be pleased to give an abundant increase.
The death of Sister Clara Jones, widow of Elder Dan T. Jones, occurred in April. Sister Jones and her husband were the first Seventh-day Adventist missionaries in Mexico. At the time of her death she was Sabbath-school secretary for the mission field.
The Guadalajara Sanitarium has been closed, and its affairs are now in process of liquidation by a representative of the Battle Creek Sanitarium who has been sent to Guadalajara for this purpose. The medical mission which had been for some time under the supervision of the sanitarium was secured by friends of the cause, and is being carried on in the same place as formerly.
The publishing work has prospered during the year, and is on a sound financial basis. Three thousand five hundred copies of El Mensajero de la Verdad have been printed each month. We have printed fifteen thousand tracts, besides the Spanish lesson pamphlets for adults, and a series of lessons for children.
Plans for the Future
It was decided to increase the edition of El Mensajero to five thousand copies a month. The following resolution relative to the circulation of the paper in the United States was passed:—
“Whereas, The Spanish paper published by the Mexican Mission, entitled El Mensajero de la Verdad, is well adapted for use as a missionary paper among those in the United States who speak Spanish, and,—
GROUP AT MEXICAN MEETING. PRINTING-OFFICE IN REAR
“Whereas, This paper can be furnished to our brethren in the United States for less than it would cost to produce such a paper there, therefore,—
“Resolved, That we invite the brethren in the home field to co-operate with us in giving the paper a wide circulation among Spanish-speaking people in the States; and further—
“Resolved, That we request the officers of the General Conference Publishing and Foreign departments, and the officers of union and local conferences to unite with us in calling the attention of the people to the El Mensajero as an excellent missionary paper and recommending its general use.”
As the editorial work costs no more for a large edition than it does for a small one, and as we have the privilege of sending our paper at pound rates from Mexico City to all parts of the United States by direct fast mail, it will be seen that we are in a position to furnish this paper at reasonable rates, and that subscribers will receive their papers promptly. We invite correspondence in regard to prices and discounts.
The Spanish lesson pamphlets for senior classes will be continued, also the Old Testament history lessons in Spanish for children. A quarterly, devoted to hygiene and health and temperance, will be issued in the Spanish.
Seven physicians and one nurse were in attendance at the meeting, and thus we were privileged to hear from different parts of the field where medical missionary work is being carried on, and to lay plans for future enlargement of the work.
Plans were laid for increasing our force of colporteurs, and it was voted to secure as soon as possible a suitable person to act as general canvassing agent, also an experienced printer to take charge of our printing-office.
Features of Special Interest
Elder Spicer's talk on the progress of the work throughout the world were inspiring and very instructive. All hearts thrilled as he related the marvelous manifestations of the Lord's providence in the great closing work which is to prepare a people for translation.
The closing chapters of “Early Writings” had been translated into Spanish, and were read during the meeting. The warnings and counsels contained in these chapters were especially appreciated by our Mexican brethren and sisters to whom they were entirely new.
One hour was devoted especially to the Bible as an influence in evangelical work. The agent of the American Bible Society, Mrs. Hamilton, was present, and told of the great work that the Bible Society is doing. Since the agency was established in Mexico in 1878, more than half a million copies of the Bible have been placed in the hands of the people. It was decided to continue the plan of taking up an annual collection for the Bible Society.
Friday afternoon seven persons were baptized and received into the Mexico City church. Sabbath, December 15, the ordinances of the Lord's house were celebrated. About fifty were present, and the special presence of the Spirit of God was felt by all.
The last Sabbath and Sunday of the meeting the general secretary of the Mexican National Sunday-school Association, E. M. Sein, was with us. His talks on plans and methods for improving the efficiency of the Sunday-schools were very helpful.
Our good meeting closed Sunday evening with a praise and consecration service. For various reasons the work in Mexico has seemed stationary for some years. But little results were seen, and some even advocated withdrawing from the field. A change has come. Hope19has taken the place of fear, courage reigns where before discouragement abounded, and with a united front and hearts aglow with enthusiasm and faith in their Captain, the believers in present truth in the Mexican Mission field are heeding the trumpet call to a forward march. “The Lord is coming. Let this be the herald note of jubilee.”
GEO. M. BROWN.
Canvassers’ Summary for November, 1906
AGENTS
HOURS
ORDERS
VALUE
Atlantic Union Conference
Region
Agents
Hours
Orders
Value
Central New England
12
715
259
$1,121.65
Chesapeake
Eastern Pennsylvania
7
333
239
238.45
Greater New York
Maine
2
56
28
27.73
New Jersey
New York
6
550
186
631.79
Southern New England
5
204
134
244.75
Vermont
6
153
95
138.25
Virginia
6
449
124
355.90
Western New York
9
173
79
171.30
Western Pennsylvania
10
550
246
664.15
West Virginia
8
658
138
633.92
Total
71
3,841
1,528
$4,227.89
Canadian Union Conference
Region
Agents
Hours
Orders
Value
Total
2
25
$73.00
Lake Union Conference
Region
Agents
Hours
Orders
Value
East Michigan
1
15
4
$11.75
Ohio
14
598
300
917.75
Indiana
4
393
85
235.90
Northern Illinois
10
359
149
323.90
North Michigan
6
254
40
116.25
Southern Illinois
5
188
224
383.75
West Michigan
8
98
65
106.65
Wisconsin
5
214
49
73.40
Total
53
2,119
916
$2,169.35
Southern Union Conference
Region
Agents
Hours
Orders
Value
Alabama
3
366
$288.90
Cumberland
6
327
564.75
Florida
5
437
522.25
Georgia
Louisiana
8
625
772.70
Mississippi
1
25
37.50
North Carolina
9
792
419.20
South Carolina
12
1,097
500.40
Tennessee River
14
799
804.90
Total
58
4,468
$3,910.60
Northern Union Conference
Region
Agents
Hours
Orders
Value
Alberta
Manitoba
Minnesota
3
146
73
$120.10
North Dakota
South Dakota
Total
3
146
73
$120.10
Central Union Conference
Region
Agents
Hours
Orders
Value
Colorado
14
685
683
$317.30
Iowa
18
1,986
870
1,737.75
Kansas
10
752
403
773.15
Missouri
17
979
446
1,387.70
Nebraska
5
347
119
289.50
Total
64
4,749
2,521
$4,505.40
Southwestern Union Conference
Region
Agents
Hours
Orders
Value
Arkansas
6
563
175
$518.20
Oklahoma
10
217
29
62.00
Texas
19
1,230
447
543.30
Total
35
2,010
651
$1,123.50
North Pacific Union Conference
Region
Agents
Hours
Orders
Value
British Columbia
Montana
Upper Columbia
11
684
300
$710.40
Western Oregon
Western Washington
8
383
240
400.95
Total
19
1,067
540
$1,111.35
Pacific Union Conference
Region
Agents
Hours
Orders
Value
Arizona
California-Nevada
6
314
195
$563.30
Southern California
11
645
433
785.80
Utah
1
88
158
320.00
Total
18
1,047
786
$1,669.10
British Union Conference
Region
Agents
Hours
Orders
Value
Irish Mission Field
10
1,665
807
$1,162.75
North England
24
2,410
1,332
1,434.25
South England
24
2,670
1,193
1,590.25
Scotch Mission Field
15
1,946
1,059
1,203.91
Welsh Mission Field
7
893
657
562.18
Total
80
9,584
5,048
$5,953.34
Australasian Union Conference
Region
Agents
Hours
Orders
Value
Queensland
4
156
79
$548.25
New South Wales
10
582
164
599.12
New Zealand
25
1,685
552
2,149.37
North Queensland Mission
3
361
79
306.41
South Australia
10
348
95
385.00
Tasmania
5
293
126
380.50
Tasmania (July and August)
7
498
210
818.81
Victoria
11
391
167
449.37
West Australia
7
884
206
759.87
Total
82
5,198
1,678
$6,396.70
South African Union Conference
Region
Agents
Hours
Orders
Value
Cape Colony
Natal-Transvaal
16
562
336
$1,274.48
Total
16
562
336
$1,274.48
Latin Union Conference
Region
Agents
Hours
Orders
Value
Total
8
1,491
$285.93
German Union Conference
Region
Agents
Hours
Orders
Value
German-Swiss
12
1,398
179
$442.60
Hungarian Mission Field
3
114
19.43
Other conferences
178
16,348
4,930.51
Total (August)
193
17,860
179
$5,392.54
German-Swiss
12
1,316
321
$295.97
Hungarian Mission Field
3
428
36.35
Other conferences
181
17,128
5,187.56
Total (September)
196
18,872
321
$5,519.88
General Summary
Union
Agents
Hours
Orders
Value
Atlantic Union
71
3,841
1,528
$4,227.89
Canadian Union
2
25
73.00
Lake Union
53
2,119
916
2,169.35
Southern Union
58
4,468
3,910.60
Northern Union
3
146
73
120.10
Central Union
64
4,749
2,521
4,505.40
Southwestern Union
35
2,010
651
1,123.50
North Pacific Union
19
1,067
540
1,111.35
Pacific Union
18
1,047
786
1,669.10
1 British Union
80
9,584
5,048
5,953.34
2 Australasian Union
82
5,198
1,678
6,396.70
3 South African Union
16
562
336
1,274.48
4 Latin Union
8
1,491
285.93
German Union (August)
193
17,860
179
5,392.54
German Union (September)
196
18,872
321
5,519.88
Grand Total
898
73,039
14,577
$43,733.16
Notes of Progress
By E. R. Palmer
This month we are able again to present a large summary, and with all our hearts we thank the Lord for his blessings upon the field. Never before in the history of our publishing work have there been more omens of strong advancement, and we start out with good cheer and confidence in the work of 1907.
Prosperity in All Lands
Nineteen hundred six has been a good year for the circulation of our literature in all lands. In some countries there has been a serious depression, and the workers have had hard struggles, but the progress is most encouraging. Those who have read the statistics published in the Proceedings of the Publishers' Convention will call to mind that the work during 1905 also compared favorably with the preceding year.
The sales from all our publishing houses during 1905 amounted to $548,067.03, an increase of $111,456.35 over 1904. It will be several weeks yet before reports are in from the publishing houses, which will tell us how large the increase has been during 1906 over 1905. At the time of writing only one report has come to hand, and if this one is an indication of the others, we shall have a good report to render.
The book sales of the Pacific Press at Mountain View have been about $82,000. Last year they were $52,000, showing a gain of $30,000 for the year. This is a great encouragement to the Pacific Press at a time when it was really needed.
Cheered by these many evidences of the Lord's blessing, let us go on and make 1907 the best year our publishing work has ever enjoyed.
Germany
We are glad to have such a good report from Germany. Notice the large number of workers and the number of hours they worked. What a fine force that is to have working from house to house in Germany! Elder Conradi assures us that we shall have monthly reports from them hereafter.
Iowa
Special mention is due the excellent, solid work being done in Iowa,—the good old State which has probably contributed more strong laborers and more means to the cause of God than any other State in the Union, with the possible exception of Michigan and California. For a long time the book work has dragged heavily in Iowa, but evidently some patient, hard work is being done to build up this department in a solid, permanent way. This month Iowa stands at the head of the States.
More is indicated by this showing than simply the total work done during 1906. The work began small, and has been small for several years, but little by little workers have been added and trained until Iowa stands well in the lead. The following paragraph, taken from the Workers' Bulletin, shows how strong20and steady the development has been:—
“An encouraging feature of the book work in Iowa is that throughout the year just about to close the sales have been constantly increasing, as will be seen by the following report of the work done each month:—
AGTS.
HRS.
ORDERS
VALUE
January
10
711
127
March
11
911
911
April
14
1,967
306
May
21
1,610
347
June
22
1,517
594
July
15
916
326
August
22
1,131
315
September
19
1,032
312
October
15
834
430
November
18
1,986
870
“No report is given for February, because nearly all the canvassers were attending the Stuart institute, which was held during that month. The sales for the present month will run to about eight hundred dollars. The sales for December are never very large, owing to the canvassers' spending the most of their time delivering, and to the nearness of the holidays.”
Central New England
This little conference in the heart of the conservative East is also making a strong effort with good results. There is an effort back of these figures which is worthy of special notice.
Elder Ketring, the president of the conference, who a few years ago was a canvasser himself, and who is still an enthusiastic supporter of that branch of work, in a private letter a few days ago informs us that he and the field agent, Brother Wilcox, have put their heads and hearts together in a united effort to build up the book work in Central New England.
They now have twelve permanent, well-instructed agents, and have resolved that they will have twenty-five before the South Lancaster school closes. Then they will draft some good recruits from the school.
Mexico
The work is onward in old Mexico. Their paper El Mensajero de la Verdad has increased its circulation very encouragingly during 1906. Our missionaries there are putting forth strenuous efforts to get the paper into the hands of the people in Mexico, and the colporteurs have done very well in taking orders. One colporteur took over eighty annual subscriptions in one week. Can we not do something here in the United States to help in the circulation of our Spanish paper? In this country there are many persons who speak and read Spanish. This paper is not expensive. Many of us might take a club, and thus help the Spanish missionary work.
The following statement, received from Brother Brown, the superintendent of the Mexican Mission, gives the prices for subscriptions and for clubs, and also the address of the paper. Let all who can, do something to help our brethren build up their Spanish work.
“El Mensajero de la Verdad”
PRICE LIST FOR 1907, U. S. MONEY
Single subscription, one year.......50c
Single subscription, six months.....25c
Single numbers, each.................5c
Colporteurs, canvassers, and other missionary workers who will send in a list of five or more names as their first order will be given a discount of forty per cent. Regular agents for the paper will be given a discount of fifty per cent.
When mailed to one address—
2- 4 copies, one year...............35c
5-19 copies, one year...............30c
20-49 copies, one year..............25c
50 or more copies, one year........20c
Clubs may be ordered for three months or more at these rates.
Single numbers in quantities will be at the wholesale rate of $2.50 a hundred, if twenty-five or more are ordered at one time.
Tract societies and publishing houses will be given an additional discount of ten per cent from the rates quoted above.
Address El Mensajero de la Verdad, 1420 Twentieth Ave., Tacubaya, D. F., Mexico. E. R. PALMER,
Sec. Gen. Conf. Publishing Dept.
Atlantic Union Conference
By I. H. Evans
Received on the $150,000 Fund
Up to Jan. 22, 1907
Atlantic Union Conference
Central New England Conference ........$365.29
Chesapeake Conference ..................20.22
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference........70.78
Greater New York Conference............76.50
Maine Conference.......................26.22
New Jersey Conference.................158.50
New York Conference...................585.50
Southern New England Conference.......323.56
Vermont Conference....................336.76
Virginia Conference....................53.00
Western Pennsylvania Conference.......161.15
West Virginia Conference...............54.11
Western New York Conference............16.00
Total ...............................$2,247.59
Canadian Union Conference
Maritime Conference.....................$1.00
Quebec Conference........................6.00
Ontario Conference.......................3.00
Total ................................$10.00
East Michigan Conference..............$207.21
Indiana Conference..................1,480.71
North Michigan Conference..............11.25
Northern Illinois Conference..........349.09
Ohio Conference.......................289.62
Southern Illinois Conference..........186.15
West Michigan Conference..............441.25
Wisconsin Conference..................897.55
Total ...............................$3,862.83
North Pacific Union Conference
Conference not specified..............$248.35
British Columbia Conference............10.00
Montana Conference.....................56.45
Upper Columbia Conference..............24.75
Western Washington Conference.........173.00
Idaho Conference.......................33.65
Western Oregon Conference..............82.13
Total .................................$628.33
Northern Union Conference
Alberta Conference......................$9.25
Manitoba Conference....................64.00
Saskatchewan Mission Field..............5.85
Minnesota Conference................1,256.29
South Dakota Conference................25.65
North Dakota Conference...............657.63
Total ...............................$2,018.67
Pacific Union Conference
Arizona Conference.....................$10.00
California-Nevada Conference............53.07
Southern California Conference..........45.05
Utah Conference.........................10.00
Total .................................$118.12
Southern Union Conference
Alabama Conference.......................$5.00
Tennessee River Conference..............24.60
Florida Conference......................26.75
North Carolina Conference................12.25
Kentucky Conference......................9.40
Cumberland Conference...................12.84
Louisiana Conference....................50.25
Mississippi Conference...................3.00
Total .................................$144.09
Southwestern Union Conference
Arkansas Conference....................$85.50
Oklahoma Conference....................306.20
Texas Conference.......................320.42
Total .................................$712.21
Unknown
Unknown ................................$143.20
Foreign
Australia.............................$122.45
China....................................3.00
South Africa...........................128.16
Jamaica..................................3.17
Yukon Territory.........................10.00
Ireland...............................249.65
Gold Coast, West Africa.................10.00
East Africa..............................1.50
Africa...................................1.00
India....................................9.60
South America...........................23.35
Switzerland..............................5.81
Panama...................................1.00
Total .................................$568.69
Grand Total..........................$12,326.48
All remittances should be made to the treasurer of the State conference wherein the remitter resides. If, for any reason this is not possible, then remittances should be made to I. H. Evans, Treasurer, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., and not to the Review and Herald.
I. H. EVANS, Treasurer.
Three Indictments for Working on Sunday
By R. T. Nash
On January 8 two brethren and myself were taken with bench warrants for quiet Sunday work. One of our brethren went on our bond for trial the tenth. Quite a number of the Adventist friends were present at the trial, although the notice was short. The night of our arrest I sent a telegram to the Religious Liberty Bureau at Takoma Park, hoping that some one from there could attend the trial.
When the time came for trial, I asked the solicitor if he desired to make one case of it or three. He replied, “One case, if it will suit you.” He suggested that they make my trial a test case, as we were all indicted for the same offense. This the brethren seemed glad to do, and my case was called.
I was charged with violating the Lord’s day, commonly called the Sabbath, to which charge I could not plead guilty. After the witnesses had proved that I did work in my garden and about the house somewhat on Sunday, I was permitted to question them as to whether they were disturbed religiously, to which they all replied that they were not. I was then sworn, and given a chance to testify to the truth in regard to my attitude toward the Sunday question.
After my testimony in the chair, the solicitor questioned me in regard to how I spend my Sundays, and asked if I did not know that there is a Sunday law. I replied that I knew of it, but that I also knew that it was an unconstitutional one, and that there is a Sabbath law of higher authority. After being questioned, I was permitted to speak for myself to the court. The judge, solicitor, and jury all seemed fair-minded men.
The judge seemed a little dissatisfied at the beginning; he said I was making an ecclesiastical plea. This I admitted, but told him that when the State legislated upon a solely religious question, and I was indicted under that law, an ecclesiastical plea was the only one I could make. The judge seemed to think that there was a civil side to this ecclesiastical question, and I promised to keep as near as I could to the right side of the question if he would allow me to go ahead with my plea. When I began with the prophet Daniel’s prosecution under the laws of Persia, there was a laugh from all corners of the court-house,—and it was well filled with people,—for this was the point where his honor had called me down only a few moments before. The lawyers laughed quite heartily, and there were a number of them present.
The Lord helped us in vindicating his truth and in standing for right principles. I showed from the State statutes that I had not violated the letter of the law which says “the Lord’s day.” From the Bible I proved that the Lord’s day is the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, which is the seventh day of the week, and not the first; that this is God’s holy rest day, and Christ is the Lord of it. This day I sacredly keep, and reverence the God who is Lord of it. I reminded the court that the law of God is the code by which all men will be judged, and that I was living in all good conscience before its Author. I showed from the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States that from the beginning this nation has tried to guard against religious intolerance; that the Baptists have stood for religious liberty, and have been persecuted because they opposed Sunday laws; that a petition from the Presbyterians caused Congress to add the first amendment to the United States Constitution, which provides that Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; that the code under which I worship demands that I keep the seventh day, and also enjoins that I shall labor six days. In this the Sunday law prohibits the free exercise of my religious belief, and therefore is contrary to the Constitution of the United States, and also of the State of South Carolina. I think the solicitor himself was able to see that the Sunday law is unconstitutional.
The judge was very lenient, imposing a fine of only one dollar with no costs. The other two brethren were fined accordingly; and before the court adjourned, some one from the outside who felt kindly toward us, or had been touched by the trial, paid all our fines, and we went out free after having the grand privilege of getting the principles of truth before so large an audience in a way that will not be forgotten.
Those indicted were A. A. Johnson, our Campobello church elder, J. J. Soper, our deacon, and the writer.
