FOR many decades Satan had almost complete control over Basutoland and its people, leading them to the deepest depths of barbarous heathenism, and even now they are but one full generation removed from cannibalism.
We are now beginning a third series of meetings among the villages. We have a magic lantern, and as the people all like to "see the pictures," we always have an audience. They all come, even the chiefs.
We have just returned from a visit to our mission in north Basutoland. There are no railroads, so we drove the entire distance with horses and buggy, arriving home after three weeks' absence. The white people of South Africa usually drive about in a two-wheeled cart with a top, and so our American buggy was quite a curiosity.
We found the entire country very dry, as this is the second year Basutoland has had a dearth of rain. The natives plant little patches of Kafir corn and wheat. These are practically all destroyed this year, and will no doubt result in a scarcity of food verging on a famine. In times past when there was a scarcity of food, the people would go out and kill an enemy or a friend, and eat him; but it is quite different now. There is one old woman, a member of our Kolo church, who remembers the days of cannibalism.
A True South African Snake Story
By W. B. White
W. B. WHITE
Grandma Wessels, as she is called by all who know her in South Africa, is now seventy-six years old, and at present resides with her son Peter about fifty miles north of Cape Town. She loves the Lord with all her heart, and seems to be ripening for the heavenly garner. During the warm summer days grandma sits on the porch a great deal in her large cane chair, with a comfortable foot rest, and shawls and blankets to keep her warm.
One day about a year ago, she had spent the most of the forenoon in her chair, and left it only when the bell rang for dinner. After dinner she returned to the porch, and pulling her blanket about her, rested for some time. Later she decided to go for a little walk. Rising from her chair, she pulled the blankets up from the floor, when out from underneath darted a six-foot cobra, one of the deadliest snakes known in Africa.
On account of her age grandma moves very slowly, and could easily have been bitten by the reptile, but the snake offered her no harm. It is likely that during the dinner hour, when all was quiet, the snake approached the house, and thinking that underneath the chair on the cool concrete was a good resting place, crawled in, and was disturbed when grandma lifted the blankets. All who know the nature of the cobra feel that her deliverance was a remarkable one, and that the protecting hand of God was over his servant to keep her from harm.
Cape Town, South Africa.
Conversions in Southern Africa
SOME months ago Pastor O. K. Butler baptized twelve young people at Bonnivale, South Africa. At Grahamstown three received this rite, and three others have embraced the message. Five persons at Johannesburg, and thirty-one on the Gold Coast, West Africa, have also taken their stand to keep the commandments of God.
Three Accept the Message in Sydney
Three of the patients of the Sydney (Australia) Sanitarium have recently accepted the third angel's message.
Ten Take Their Stand in Auckland
The good news comes from Auckland, New Zealand, that ten have taken their stand for the truth there.
Will Power
By MRS. M. E. STEWARD
MRS. M. E. STEWARD
"Will you be so kind as to call on my mother?" said Charley to Mrs. Tracy, a medical evangelist.
Mrs. Tracy lost no time in complying with this request, and finding Mrs. Borden very disconsolate, she inquired, "Are you not well?"
"I wish some one would tell me what ails me. I see others looking as bright as the sun shining on the carpet there, but I am always in the dark."
"Happy are those who make sunshine," rejoined the caller.
"That's it; I've had too much trouble. My boy Arthur, three years older than Charley, went West. At first he wrote regularly, but we haven't heard from him for a long time. I fear he's dead; it's most killed me."
"And poor Charley—how he must miss his brother!"
"O, he feels so lonely, too!"
"Do you not fear that home will be so desolate, with you 'in the dark,' that he will go, too?"
Mrs. Borden gave a little gasp; she had never thought of such a thing. Mrs. Tracy knew it was a hard blow, but she saw that it required something severe to arouse the woman.
"What! leave me! There are only we two. O, what shall I do?"
"I would advise you to stop thinking about Arthur, and everything that makes you sad. I know it will take a strong effort, constant watching, and earnest prayer besides. Nearly everything has good and bad in it. Try to see only the good; never speak of the bad. Young people like cheerful company; and it is not strange that they sometimes tire of gloomy folks. I suppose Charley is a good boy?"
"Yes, he is. I'll try for his sake; indeed I will!" She spoke hurriedly, as if she were frightened.
When Mrs. Tracy met the son, they held a consultation. "Thank you very much," he said. "I think I shall know better how to manage the case now. Mother is a real good woman."
"Suppose you tell her so; it will do her good."
"I will. About Arthur, he was inclined to want his own way. Mother probably made a mistake talking to him so much about it. Sometimes I think he will surely come back. Mother dreams about it, and watches for him."
From this time Charley endeavored unobtrusively to please his mother. When he came home, he was sure to bring her a bit of good news, a flower, or something he thought would interest her, and he conversed on cheerful topics. Out of doors he improved things generally, but he left some of the walks unswept so that mother might have some exercise in the fresh air. When she was cheerful, the son seemed so happy that her purpose was strengthened; she became more sociable and forgetful of self.
During the following winter Mrs. Tracy called often and assisted Mrs. Borden in laying a permanent foundation of cheerfulness by obedience to nature's laws—an abundance of fresh air and sunshine in her rooms, a correct diet, and plenty of exercise. Mrs. Borden welcomed every suggestion that promised help. She had been very nervous, and did not possess naturally strong hope and faith and will power to control her nerves. Now her fear of losing Charley and the one way to keep him were her all-absorbing thought and incentive. At first she often burst into tears the moment he was gone. She feared she might do this in some unguarded moment before him, hence she realized that if she would be cheerful when he was at home, she must be so at heart in his absence; and her struggles for complete victory were strong and constant, while she prayed much, though many times all she could do was to cry, "Help, Lord."
Mrs. Borden was not conscious that every effort strengthened her whole character. It was with the deepest interest that Charley and Mrs. Tracy watched her development, like the growth of a symmetrical, lovely plant. One day she noticed a stranger coming down the street. Something about him reminded her of Arthur. It was indeed her lost son! A happy surprise awaited both; mother was not only more companionable, but trouble had taught Arthur submission, and he was a wiser and better man. The family was once more united, and the lessons learned by each member added to the joy of all.
Trust
By A. Smith
A. SMITH
WHEN my eyes o'erflow with weeping
For the loved ones death has won,
Jesus, in thy faithful keeping,
I can say, "Thy will be done."
Patiently I'll bide the ending
Of my trials here below;
For the prize of life contending,
On to vict'ry I will go.
This is not my place of resting;
Over on the other shore,
Free from sorrows here oppressing,
Is my home forevermore.
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Where Is Mother?
A LITTLE fellow came running to a neighbor's house, and there were tears in his eyes and anxiety on his face as he said:—
"Do you know where my mamma is? I came home from school and she is not at home."
A little girl met a friend on the street and said: "I want my mamma; have you seen her?"
A tiny tot stood at the window in charge of an older child, and peering out, said, "Why can't mamma come?"
"Where is mother?" shouts the big boy, as he dashes into the house. "Has she fixed that rip in my coat?"
"Where can mother be?" says the big girl who wants her blouse all buttoned up behind.
"Where is your mother, children?" asks the husband and father, as he comes in from his work and looks about.
Is it not simply wonderful how many people want mother? Is she not the most important person, the most needed person, the busiest person, in all the wide world? If she is not at home, how quickly her absence is observed! If she goes to a neighbor's just for a moment, she is surely wanted at home. If she goes out for an evening, she is probably called to the phone and told to come home quickly, because the baby is sick, or Jack has cut his finger, or Julia has the headache, or father is lonesome.
Mother has the only hands that can banish the pain, the only voice that will soothe to sleep, the only kiss that will heal the bruise, the only words that will settle the disputes. She is the only one who knows where every single thing is kept, and so she is in constant demand.
—Selected.
A Christian Home
A CHRISTIAN home—why is it such a fine and precious thing?—Because it is a garden of the Lord, a nursery for human lives to grow in. Its rich, fertile soil furnishes the very best field for the development of the virtues which we most need. Its seclusion, its shelter, its wise and careful culture, are invaluable to growing souls, and nothing can make up for the lack of them.
The home is the God-appointed educator of mankind. We have a multitude of institutions which we call schools, but the real schools, where the real lessons of life are learned, are the homes of America. We hear a great deal about the higher education, but there is a higher education still, the highest that can be had. It is found in the lofty lessons of self-control and self-sacrifice and sublime faith and splendid trust which home life has such marvelous power to teach. There is no training to be had in school, or college, or anywhere in the world which can take the place of the discipline of home. Every true, Christian home is a university, fully equipped, amply endowed, and able to give the highest education which can be got in this world.—Baltimore Sun.
In the City of "Brotherly Love"
By J. S. Washburn
AFTER having labored in the South, especially in the cities of Nashville and Memphis, Tenn., for several years, I left Memphis Aug. 12, 1913, to take up work in Philadelphia, Pa. At the time of my arrival a most interesting tent meeting was in progress, conducted by Elder R. E. Harter and his coworkers. Shortly after I came to this city, Elder Harter went to Washington, D. C., to take the presidency of the District of Columbia Conference.
Tent meetings closed the last of September. A goodly number took their stand for the truth, and many others were much interested and have since accepted the message.
The closing night of the tent services we received a generous contribution from a gentleman and his wife, whom we found, on visiting them, to be members of the Roman Catholic Church. They were most cordial and friendly; and while still attending the Catholic services and holding quite strongly to that belief, they bought a Protestant Bible, and we enjoyed some most interesting Bible studies with them. They have since removed to Brooklyn, N. Y., but we are certain that the time must come that the seed sown will bear fruit.
Sister Poch and others here have found a number of Catholics much interested, and we have been most anxiously studying how we may wisely teach them the solemn truths of this message, that we may win them to the truth of God. Surely there has never been a time when the workers in the large cities with large Catholic populations, needed more wisdom and caution and more of God's tender, winning Spirit to reach sincere and honest Roman Catholics than today. Pray that our city workers may have this divine, winning wisdom.
Shortly after the close of the tent meetings, we began to hold special meetings to help each member of the church to become a worker in the cause of God. These meetings have been specially blessed, and have been intensely interesting and profitable.
We have an excellent church building in one of the best locations in this city. The population of Philadelphia is approaching two million. Of this number about six hundred thousand live in West Philadelphia; and this section of this great city is one of the most remarkable settlements of middle-class people, easy to be reached and susceptible to the truth, that I have ever seen in any large city, either in this country or in Great Britain, since I began city work in Washington, D. C., in the year 1890. We believe that the Lord will bring many more out of the darkness of error into the eternal light of truth in the city of "Brotherly Love."
There was a debt of $4,600 on the church building, which meant a heavy load of interest for the church to pay. We have begun an earnest effort to lift this burden, and the church has already paid several hundred dollars of the indebtedness, and is planning to continue this effort until we shall be free to do the great work that God has called us to do in this city.
Sabbath, May 23, was a day of blessing to the West Philadelphia church. Fifteen persons were baptized, two of these by Elder O. F. Schwedrat. One, a German sister, will unite with the German church; and twelve will unite with the West Philadelphia church. Two were rebaptized who were already members of the church. One sister who was baptized began keeping the Sabbath one Friday night after hearing her first Seventh-day Adventist sermon. It is sometimes true that those who accept the truth very quickly are not stable, but this sister has steadily grown in her Christian experience in the truth since the closing of the tent meetings last September. We know that God can sometimes do a very quick work, and yet that work stand the test. Surely the time must soon come when through all the world the Lord will do a quick work, and "cut it short in righteousness."
It was truly touching to see four members of one family go down into the water together,—an engineer, his wife, son, and daughter. This is a family of true workers. There were other most interesting cases. Two came from the Roman Catholic Church. One of them, a sister who had been seeking light for many years, rejoices that she has now come into the light of the third angel's message. One brother, an Italian, comes directly from the Catholic Church, and is hoping to bring others of his relatives and his nation into the truth. He is working now with one of the most influential Italians in Philadelphia, who was a priest when living in Italy, but is now a doctor.
The presence of the Lord was manifest in a marked manner at the baptismal service, which was, in some respects, the most helpful and encouraging one in which I have ever taken part, or have witnessed.
Our regular Bible study to help all the members of the church to become workers for souls is held each Friday evening, when some church member—a different one each week—gives a fifteen-minute Bible reading. About thirty-five have given most acceptable Bible readings; and they enjoy greatly the earnest study to make themselves perfectly familiar with the Word of God, that they may be able to use the sword of the Spirit wisely and skillfully in this great conflict.
We are also having good results from our singing service, which is held every Monday night. We have an excellent prayer meeting every Wednesday night, and a church business meeting every month.
A large number from this church will attend the camp meeting at Allentown, Pa., June 18-28; and we are hoping for a most successful tent effort after the camp meeting closes.
Sister Poch is enjoying an excellent interest in her Bible work, and is rejoiced to see many turning to the truth with all their hearts.
During the last winter we sought to set before the church the great importance of the spirit of prophecy, simplicity in dress, and the blessed, old-fashioned, ever-new truths of the greatest message that God ever sent to men. We are sure that the final and glorious outpouring of the Spirit of God will come from the study of and obedience to the Testimonies of the Holy Spirit. "Even as the testimony of Christ [that is, the spirit of prophecy] was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 1:6, 7.
Pray for the work in this great city, which, with other cities in the eastern part of this country, has been specially mentioned by the spirit of prophecy.
J. S. WASHBURN.
South Caribbean Conference
By Fred Hutchinson
The ninth annual session of our conference, which was held in the church at 31 Dundonald St., Port of Spain, Trinidad, is now in the past. We were favored with the presence of Elder A. J. Haysmer, president of the West Indian Union; Elder E. C. Boger, superintendent of the British Guiana Mission; Elder E. C. Widgery, superintendent of the East Caribbean Mission; and Dr. Chas. Cave, of the Hastings (Barbados) Sanitarium. Delegates were present from the islands of Tobago, Barbados, Grenada, and St. Vincent. St. Lucia was not represented.
Our large meeting tent was pitched on a lot at the rear of the church, and served as lodging quarters for the brethren in attendance who were not otherwise provided for. Meals were served twice each day for the regular delegates. A large quantity of provisions had been given by the brethren in different parts of the conference, thus greatly lessening the expense.
During the past year eighty-four have been baptized, and two churches have been dedicated. Three newly organized churches were admitted into the conference. While we are cheered by this material growth in numbers and facilities, we are not unmindful of the spiritual blessings; these have resulted especially in an increased interest in home missionary work, in the general circulation of our message-filled literature, and in the educational work. Three church schools have been maintained during the past year, and our brethren throughout the conference not only heartily indorse the church school system, but are planning to give their children a Christian education.
Elder N. H. Pool was again elected president of the conference. At the close of the meeting, Elders Haysmer, Pool, Boger, and Widgery sailed for Jamaica, to attend the annual meeting of that conference, also that of the West Indian Union Committee.15Our work in this conference has been almost entirely confined to the Creoles, while practically nothing has been done for the Indians, who constitute nearly one third of the population, nor for the white people, who are fewer in number and of English, French, Spanish, and German extraction, nearly all, however, speaking English. The magnitude of the work yet to be done, and the nearness of the end, urge us to more earnest consecration, to untiring diligence, and unceasing prayer.
Fred Hutchinson.
Newspaper Activity in Australia
By Walter L. Burgan
It is interesting and also encouraging to learn of the progress that is being made in heralding the message of the soon-coming Saviour through newspapers outside of North America. Ministers throughout the United States and Canada will be pleased to learn of the systematic efforts that are being put forth in Australia to proclaim the gospel through the secular press of that country. Brother John Bell, one of the workers connected with the Australasian Union Conference, tells what is being done along this line in that section of the world, making prominent the thought that the newspapers are entering thousands of homes and attracting many to the gospel truth. He says:—
"I am fully convinced that the printing work is a great help in the third angel's message at this time. There is no better way of reaching the people than through the printed page. The newspapers have a circulation everywhere. They go to the masses; so it is a good thing to capture the printing presses of the world in the interests of the last message. I am sure that God is pleased with any effort put forth in this direction, and will use it.
"Some three years ago I began sending articles to the papers. They printed them, and I have been doing this work ever since, and there is no part of the work which I like better. Throughout Australia there is a good provincial press; that is, every country town of any account in Australia has its newspaper. The press is well represented in Australia. The leading papers are well conducted, and as literary efforts are independent and outspoken. The country press is also well provided for. The editors are educated men, and their papers have a wide country circulation, going even into the backwoods. Besides getting my articles into the city press, whose circulation runs into thousands, I send them to many of the country papers. During the past two years I have received over one hundred papers a month, sometimes one hundred and forty. These country papers have a circulation of 1,000 to 5,000. One hundred papers having an average monthly circulation of 2,000 each, would give an article a circulation of 200,000.
"Then come the city papers, into which I often get an article. These papers have circulations of from 50,000 to 136,000 an issue. The writing of these weekly newspaper articles keeps me very busy. Many of the papers have published an article every week since I started sending the articles. Some have put my name on their free list. My endeavor has always been to work upon current topics, something which strikes the public mind: The Balkan War; The Eastern Question; The War Devil; Spiritualism; The Dead, Where Are They? Confederacy; Labor and Capital; The Use of Islam; The Balance of Power; Churchill Calls a Halt; Europe in Arms; The Glories of War; The Mailed Fist of Europe; Armageddon; The King of the North; Our Young Lions; The Mediterranean; Where the Money Goes; 1848 and Now; The Industrial Armageddon; Agitators Everywhere; The French Revolution; The Robespierre of Today; The Monopolist; Church and State; The Union of Churches; The Competition of Armaments. Every subject leads the mind down to the crisis, and the events as they come along give many opportunities for educating the people upon prophecy, where we are in history, and the crisis which is coming upon all. This is something of the nature of my work. Many of the articles have been used as leading articles, and the papers have gone to many places in Australia.
"The ministers also send reports of their work to the editors in the towns where they are working. The work of the press bureau is also going forward. I think it is being carried on in the same way as in America. God is blessing the press work in this field. This may give you an idea of what we are attempting here. A work is now being opened among the churches in order to bring them into line with this effort, so that as much as possible may be done to bring the truth before the people at this time."
Not only are the Lord's servants in Australia using the newspapers to good advantage, but the faithful in a number of the foreign-speaking nations are also writing for this medium. Thus we see the hand of God guiding in this feature of his great work on earth.
WALTER L. BURGAN.
Church School in Singapore
By J. Sharp
In April, 1912, the Singapore church school was opened with an enrollment of twenty, Miss Isabel Fox being the teacher. By the end of that year there was an addition of five to the school, and since then it has run as high as thirty-four, the fluctuation in membership being caused chiefly by parents moving away from Singapore.
At the close of 1913 Miss Fox, whose health had become somewhat impaired, sent in her resignation. A request was then made to the General Conference for an experienced lady teacher, and we were gratified to receive a cable early in January saying that one had been found to supply the need. Later a letter stated that Miss Yarnell, the new teacher, would not leave America until February 14, making it about the end of March before she could be expected to arrive in Singapore. So it was thought best, as the school had already had a long vacation, for the writer to open the school, which was done February 13, with twenty-six children present.
The enrollment has now risen to thirty-two, made up of Eurasian, Chinese, and Tamil children. They are divided into four grades and three primary classes.
With the coming of Miss Yarnell we expect the beginning of greater things for our school, and it is our intention to add an assistant teacher as soon as the membership demands it. We are looking forward to a prosperous year for the school, and trust that the blessing of God will rest upon it and the teacher as she endeavors to give the children under her care a Christian education in all the common branches of learning.
A little later it is hoped to start a training school to prepare our young people to take their places among the laborers in Christ's vineyard.
J. Sharp.
Missionary Advance in Hunan
By R. F. Cottrell
CHINA'S troubles during the past summer and autumn are well known to the world. A second revolution was planned and launched, and shortly thereafter came to a dismal failure. Throughout Hunan all was astir for about two months, enlisting troops and preparing for the defense of the province; but the storm blew over without any fighting, for which we were most thankful.
The unrest naturally retarded our evangelistic work somewhat, and for a time the work of the colporteurs was difficult; nevertheless, God gave us a fruitful year.
The literature sales, which during 1912 totaled $547.12 United States currency, have during the last twelve months amounted to $1,025.79. Our tithes and offerings for 1912 were $535.41, while the year just closing gives us a total of $727.56. This is apart from the tithes of foreign workers. The annual offering, which was received at the close of the week of prayer, brought in about one third of the above.
The number baptized in 1912 was 60, which brought the membership up to 128. During the past year, 134 souls have been garnered in, over eighty per cent of whom were direct from heathenism, giving us a present membership of 262.
He who says, "Lo, I am with you alway," has verified his promise. To him be the glory for the past, and in him rests all our trust for the future.
R. F. COTTRELL.
A Note From Malaysia
Brother H. E. Sharp, secretary of the Malaysian Mission, reports the arrival of Miss Yarnell in Singapore, where she takes up school work. He adds this item of news:—
"Two persons have recently accepted the Sabbath. One of them is a Tamil of South India, who began his study of the truth here, and continued it with Brother Duckworth, in Kuala Lumpur, over on the peninsula. The other is a Straits-born Chinaman, a young man who is a clerk in the municipal offices. Last week he decided that he could no longer work on the Sabbath, and applied for freedom from service on that day. He expected to sacrifice the day's pay, and was prepared even to forfeit his position. But the Lord heard prayer, and so directed that he is allowed to work on Sunday instead of Sabbath, without loss even of salary. He is greatly encouraged, as he rightly believes that this is in direct answer to prayer."
New Members and Churches in Washington
FIVE new members have been added to the church at Shelton, in the Western Washington Conference. A church of twenty-six members has just been organized at Camas.
Recent Sunday Law Incidents
By S. B. Horton
THERE is considerable stir in Washington and Baltimore in behalf of a more liberal Sunday, to use a commonplace expression. With the coming of warm weather, when the people desire to be out seeking recreation and pleasure, those who furnish amusements and outdoor pleasures are pressing the authorities to interpret the Sunday laws more liberally, in order to meet the public demand.
Evidences of this are to be seen in a recent incident in Washington. A match game of baseball had been contracted by a local team with a club from out of town. The promoters of the enterprise appealed to the District Commissioners for a license, but were refused on the ground that baseball match games, as in the case of amusements, come under a prohibitive regulation passed by the commissioners under so-called police regulations. This was followed by an appeal to the courts for an injunction to restrain the commissioners from interfering with the ball game. A temporary injunction was granted by a local judge, and the case was set for trial on May 22. In the meantime, the promoters of the ball game carried out their program on Sunday, May 17. The following decision was handed down by Justice Gould, of the District Supreme Court:—
"The situation in the District of Columbia in reference to its government is unique. I know of no other community placed in the same situation. The Constitution of the United States in its most explicit terms vests all legislative power over the District of Columbia in Congress. A very interesting question is how far Congress can delegate power conferred by the Constitution to any person or body outside of Congress itself.
"I am very firm in the opinion that the language used in the joint resolution cannot be construed to apply to the general laws regarding Sunday labor. Is it not better that when we have a Sunday law, it be passed by the body which has legislative authority? I find no power granted broad enough to cover the act of the commissioners in enacting this regulation. The joint resolution of 1892 says the commissioners are authorized to make all such reasonable and usual police regulations.
"I cannot believe that this ordinance which we are now considering is reasonable. It is an offense against the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution in that it is unreasonable. I am not criticizing the commissioners in attempting to enforce it; they did their duty until it was up to the courts or Congress to construe otherwise. I will continue the injunction and issue a mandamus, if necessary, for the issuance of the license."
Leading up to his decision, the justice, in his introductory remarks, was understood as favoring Sunday legislation, and thought that Congress would be justified in passing the legislation necessary to prohibit amusements, baseball, etc., on Sunday. At this writing the local papers indicate that there will not be much advantage taken of this decision unless the public shows greater desire for Sunday baseball and amusements than now obtains. The churches in Washington devoted much of their Sunday morning services to protests against 'commercializing the Sabbath,' 'desecrating the Sabbath,' etc., by playing baseball and conducting amusements on Sunday. We quote the following from press reports of May 25 with reference to the Sunday agitation:—
"Mass meetings were held at First Congregational church, Mount Pleasant Congregational church, Ninth Street Christian church, Luther Memorial Congregational church, and at North Carolina Avenue Methodist Protestant church, Foundry Methodist Episcopal church, and at the Church of the Ascension. . . .
"Resolutions were passed by congregations condemning what they termed the desecration of the Sabbath, and asking for legislation to prevent Sunday sports, or for boycotts. . . .
"Most of the mass meetings were under the auspices of the Christian Endeavor Union. The meeting at First Congregational church was held by the W. C. T. U.
"Rev. Dr. McKim in his sermon urged 'a sane, not too rigid law.' He said the law should exempt such classes of religions as the Seventh-day Adventist and Jewish, where a day of rest is observed during the Christian week.
"It would be a blow to this city if amusements were allowed on Sunday as they are on week days. We should have all sorts of amusements. The city, unfortunately, already is lax in this respect. Laboring men should have a day of rest. This is a scientific fact. To allow unlimited amusements would turn Sunday into a day of commerce and merchandise. We should have a law on broad lines, sane, conservative, granting reasonable freedom, and yet preserving the character of the day. . . .
"Rev. Dr. Smith urged boycotting. For his part, he said, he would not go to a baseball game on one week day if Sunday baseball were played. He thought that law could not correct such a thing. He said: 'Public Christian sentiment is the proper remedy. All movements are controlled, not by law, which fails, but by public sentiment and education. If any one injures Sunday, let us avoid him. If they play baseball on Sunday, we should not go on Monday.'
"Rev. Dr. Brundage believed that Sunday was meant essentially for rest and quiet recreation. Recreation he differentiated from amusement by giving the definition that fitting recreation does not need a ticket taker or a 'team.' It is something, he said, that may be enjoyed without the help of others. . . .
"Rev. Dr. Brundage said, with Rev. Dr. Smith, that sentiment is rather to be agitated than legislation. There is a lack of unity, he declared, that is responsible for such amusements as Sunday baseball and vaudeville. 'There are millions of Christians in this country,' he said. 'If united, they could bring about anything they wanted to bring about. It is the lack of unity that permits Sunday amusements. The voice of the Christians is not heard. We are not willing, unfortunately, to give up baseball in order to have others take up observance of the Sabbath. The rank and file is not willing to sacrifice pleasure in order to accomplish reform.'
"The Men's Club of the Church of the Covenant requested the pastors of twenty churches to invite the Sunday school men's classes to join in action on the Sunday question. It was the asserted aim of the class to start a laymen's movement in all churches to oppose the extension of Sunday labor and to try to bring about a weekly rest day for all classes of employees. . . .
"Public sentiment is against Sunday baseball, the W. C. T. U. mass meeting claimed.
"While the ministers were loud in declaiming against the infraction of Sunday, all, however, commended the decision of Ben Minor, president of the Washington baseball club, and Manager Clark Griffith, not to play Sunday games unless the public demanded it.
"The Rev. Clarence A. Vincent, pastor of Mount Pleasant Congregational church, speaking at the Ninth Street Christian church, said Sunday baseball was unfair to a large number of fans with religious convictions. . . .
"The outcome of the church protestation is expected to be a petition to Congress to pass a law prohibiting Sunday baseball. Most of the meetings were called by members of the Christian Endeavor Union."
Agitation in Baltimore
The city of Baltimore is also in the midst of a campaign for a more liberal Sunday. An afternoon paper there contains such headlines as, 'All Baltimore Lining Up for Liberal Laws;' 'Leading Citizens Can See No Reason Why City Should Have Blue Sabbath;' 'Police Board Members Are to Stand With Those Against the Blue Laws;' 'Leaders of City Life Are Favoring Change;' 'Move Started by Leading Men in Legislature Given Renewed Impetus.' It is said that the State's attorney has taken the stand for a more liberal Sunday by declaring that the blue laws cannot be enforced.
This agitation in Baltimore was the outgrowth of the arrest of Captain Smith, of the convict ship 'Success.' This vessel, in the Baltimore harbor at the present time as an exhibit and curio, is of ancient character, and reminds visitors of the hardships and inhuman treatment endured by prisoners.
In connection with the Sunday law agitation, religious conferences in different parts of the country are adopting resolutions concerning a stricter observance of Sunday. Prominent among these is the following from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, which met recently in Chicago:—
"That the General Assembly reiterates its strong and emphatic disapproval of all secular uses of the Sabbath day, all games and sport, in civic life as also in the army and navy, and all unnecessary traveling and all excursions, and urges upon all employers of labor and captains of industry to recognize the need of the laboring man for his weekly rest day, and thereby insure his greater efficiency and happiness, and the greater prosperity of both capital and labor.
"That all families be urged not to buy anything on the Sabbath, to plan for their servants on the Sabbath, and to help them fulfill their religious duties,17and pay laborers so they may have Saturday afternoon to make provision for the Sabbath.
"That the General Assembly reiterates its emphatic condemnation of the Sunday newspaper, and urges the members of the Presbyterian Church to refuse to subscribe for it or to read it or to advertise in it."
Referring to the closing of the post offices on Sunday, effected by a measure passed by Congress in 1912, the General Assembly already mentioned went on record as indorsing that move, for moral and not financial reasons. It also went on record as deprecating the opening of the Panama-Pacific Exposition on Sunday.
So we may rest assured that the prophecy concerning the enforced reception of the mark of apostasy is being fulfilled, and it will not be long before the issue between the Sabbath of God and the Sunday of apostasy will have been joined. Now is our opportunity to give the truth concerning the Sabbath of Jehovah, the safety of which and of its observers is in his almighty hand, needing no aid from civil government.
