Earlier text: The Levant Union MissionYoung People's Work
By M. E. Kern
Conducted by the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department of the General Conference
M. E. KERN - - - - - Secretary
MATILDA ERICKSON - - - Corresponding Secretary Our Missionary Volunteer Work
SINCE young people's workers everywhere are constantly looking to parents and church officers for help in their work with the youth, it may be well to pass on again through the REVIEW a few items concerning our young people's work. But first cast your eyes across denominational borders to see what the young people's work is doing for other churches. Francis E. Clark, founder and leader of the Christian Endeavor Union, speaking of the results of this movement, says, "During fifteen years after its organization twice as many young people were added to the evangelical churches as during the fifteen previous years." C. E. Conley tells us that the Baptist Young People's Union is aiding in restoring the church to its normal place in Christian work, and is making intelligent Baptists. Daniel B. Brummit, in reviewing the Epworth League, says: "In brief, every activity of the church, every outgoing of Christly service, every element in the upbuilding of strong, symmetrical Christian character, every interest in the kingdom of God, has been blessed and profited through the providential use and spread of the Epworth League throughout the Methodist world." This is what long years of experience has taught other churches, and so fully have they been convinced of the importance of mustering their young people for Christian service that during the last four decades organizations have been effected which now touch the lives of millions of young people all over the world. Now comes the question, Is the young people's organization in our own church helping to save and train her youth? With the query, there arises before us a picture of our splendid army of Missionary Volunteers. We see them, several thousand strong. They come from Africa, from Europe, from Australia, from the Neglected Continent, from the Orient, from the islands of the sea, as well as from the United States and Canada. They have heard the call of the heavenly General, and are pressing into the ranks of Prince Immanuel. Constrained by the same powerful love, and pressing toward the same goal of giving the advent message to all the world in this generation, they are going forth conquering and to conquer. Truly, he who obtains a panoramic view of the world-wide movement is fully convinced that the young people's organization is helping to train soldiers for the conflict on the Macedonian fields both at home and abroad. The figures below represent the number of societies and their membership and donations as reported for the last quarter of the year. | YEAR |
SOC. |
MEM. |
FOR. MISS. |
HOME MISS. |
|---|
| 1905 |
196 |
3741 |
$ 1331.77 |
$ 433.87 |
| 1906 |
237 |
4576 |
4115.72 |
1748.26 |
| 1907 |
339 |
6310 |
5975.96 |
3618.89 |
| 1908 |
386 |
6938 |
8028.36 |
6826.08 |
| 1909 |
428 |
7690 |
9537.90 |
6232.68 |
| 1910 |
406 |
7490 |
10997.93 |
5347.49 |
| 1911 |
458 |
9544 |
11178.41 |
5418.57 |
| Total |
|
|
$51,166.05 |
$29,625.84 |
The grand total shows that our societies have given to home and foreign missions $80,791.89. At the present time our Missionary Volunteers in the Atlantic Union are raising funds for an international gospel tent. In the Lake Union they have recently raised one thousand dollars for a missionary's home in China, and are now gathering funds for native work in Africa. In the Northern Union about a thousand dollars has been raised by the Missionary Volunteers for the work in West Africa. This year our Missionary Volunteers in the Central Union are raising one thousand dollars for medical work in Korea. Down across the equator, in the Australasian Union, we have a noble band of Missionary Volunteers who are supporting eleven missionaries in foreign fields. Several local conferences in the United States and Canada are lifting definite financial burdens. Jacob Riis once said, "For every dollar you give to convert the heathen abroad, God will give you ten dollars' worth of purpose to deal with the heathen at home." The experience of our Missionary Volunteer Societies confirms this statement. They have truly been blessed in their efforts to share their own blessings with others. Their interest in missions has been deepened. Reports indicate that they are doing more missionary work at home, and giving more liberally to the regions beyond. Other Evidences of Progress
While our Missionary Volunteers are giving to missions and doing splendid home missionary work, many of them are also preparing to do better service by improving their opportunities for intellectual advancement, and by obtaining a deeper Christian experience. The Standard of Attainment plan, which was launched nearly five years ago, is inspiring hundreds of young people to become acquainted with our denominational history, and to learn what the Bible teaches concerning the principles for which this denomination stands. The Reading Courses are winning friends, and holding them. More young people press into the reading circle each autumn, and a large per cent complete all the reading outlined in the courses. A Reading Course certificate is issued to each person who reads the books in any course, and writes the required reviews. Last year one conference drew more Reading Course certificates than were issued to all the conferences three years before. The courses are doing much to turn the eyes of the youth from literature that is unwholesome to that which is worth while. Just a word concerning the Morning Watch circle. It is growing rapidly. The little calendar which provides a verse for each day, thus serving as a daily reminder of the hour for personal devotion, is pressing into all parts of our world-wide mission, and is proving helpful to old as well as young Christians in forming and fostering that very important habit of spending some time alone with the Master each day. The sales of the Morning Watch Calendar have increased from 6,000 in 1908 to 25,000 this present year. These are some of the plans young people's workers are using to lead the youth onward in Christian service. Your cooperation has helped to make them thus far successful in the development of the young people's work, and we are grateful to believe that this work will continue to have your hearty cooperation and your earnest prayers. Pray for the young people's societies in your conference. Just now some young person near you may need a word of encouragement in his Reading Course work. Will you give it? Will you not also encourage the youth about you to press on toward the Standard of Attainment goal, for it will be worth their while? There is great need of diligence in this Missionary Volunteer work, for in many places "much has been lost for lack of attention to the young." M. E. Report of the Young People's Society of South Bend, Ind.
By A Member
THE Young People's Missionary Volunteer Society of South Bend, Ind., was organized Feb. 24, 1912, with an enrolment of six. Our society does not consist entirely of the so-called young people. The plan of following one of the Reading Courses outlined in the Instructor was discussed, and all seemed to be unanimous in the opinion that it would be well to take up the Senior Course No. 5. Part of the time at each meeting is devoted to the assignment for the past week. Our meetings thus far have been interesting and helpful. Besides the general assignment in the Reading Course, special papers have been prepared and read by the various members. The church services the fourth Sabbath of each month are turned over to the young people, at which time we render a report of work done, and the older people seem much interested in watching our development. At one of our meetings, Sister Moon gave a short talk on the benefits derived from pursuing the study outlined for the Standard of Attainment. After some consideration, all the members of the society volunteered to try to prepare themselves for the examination which comes in September. The Morning Watch is also observed by each member of our band. A few minutes during every meeting are spent in reviewing the texts for the past week, each member being called on to repeat a verse that has especially impressed him. We are also endeavoring to raise our quota of the two cents a week per member for West Africa. Thus far we have $5.27 with which to aid in the support of native workers on the Gold Coast. This is an average of about seven cents per member per week. Some of the older members of our church have generously helped to swell the contributions for this foreign field. We have also $1.35 for local expenses, which has been raised through the sale of magazines. The following is a report of work done by our little band: Missionary visits, 40; treatments given, 13; papers given away, 8; missionary letters written, 6; Bible readings conducted, 5; papers sold, 40; books loaned, 2. Our prayer is that we may continue faithful in performing that which we are called upon to do, and that when we gather on yonder shore, we may there meet those who would not have obtained entrance had it not been for the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Society. Selling "Home and Health" in Old Spain
By Editor
UNDER the above heading Brother John L. Brown, general agent of Spain, sends the following interesting and encouraging report. This report shows the advantage of beginning our work in Catholic countries with a health book:— "A man here in Spain bought Spanish 'Home and Health' about a year ago. He read the book to his family, as several members were ill most of the time. The man himself also suffered much from stomach trouble. After buying 'Home and Health,' and putting the instruction which it contains into practise, to-day the entire family is well and happy. When I met him, he said: 'I would not take one thousand pesetas for that book if I could not find another, because it has brought happiness into my family. Before reading it, we ate everything, and at all hours; now we are vegetarians, and eat at regular intervals.'18 "One of our workers had taken an order for this book, and wanted to borrow the copy that this man had with which to fill the order until another could be secured; but the man said to him: 'No, I don't want to be without this book even one week.' A friend of this same man saw the book, read it, and has been changed into a good man. He put aside his wine, tobacco, and other bad habits at once. He followed the teaching of the book, and is now a strong man. "By request of Brother F. Bond, I visited the man who first bought the book. He was very glad to see me, and sent word to his friend that I was in town. This friend of his came to my room to seek more light. His heart was touched, and his mind prepared to receive the gospel message. I have given him Bible studies every night for over two weeks. He at once accepted the truth, and has faithfully kept two Sabbaths. He told his employer that he had to rest on the seventh day because God says we should. His employer became excited, and threatened to dismiss him. His mother says that he is loco (crazy), but he is so thankful to God for the light, and says that he wants to prepare for service. The other man says that he also must begin to keep the Sabbath, and expects to do so soon. "This morning another man said to me: 'My brother wrote me from Argentina about "Home and Health." He also wrote that he now cures everything with water.' This man at once signed his name for the book. "I am glad to begin the work with the health book in Spain. It opens doors. I am only sorry that we did not have such a book before. During thirteen hours' work I took twenty-eight orders; value, $62.50. I secured the names of three doctors. Two of them gave me excellent recommendations for the book. One of these doctors is the president of the board of health of Spain. Here is the translation of his recommendation:— "'The citizens that have in their homes a book like "Home and Health," and who live according to such teaching as it contains, will live longer, be happier, and will never be a drawback nor a hindrance to their relatives or to their country. "(Signed) DR. ———, "President of the Board of Health of Spain." "I have a fine list started in my book. God blesses every effort. I see only bright days ahead for Spain." The Publishing Work
By N. Z. Town
Conducted by the Publishing Department of the General Conference N. Z. TOWN - - - - - Secretary Progress in the Publishing Work
BACK in the year 1882, when the subject of selling our books by subscription was just beginning to be agitated, Brother George A. King, the pioneer canvasser among Seventh-day Adventists, wrote in the REVIEW as follows:— "Observation and experience both show that the time has fully come to stir the world with our literature." In another number of the REVIEW that same year, we find these words from the pen of Elder George I. Butler, then president of the General Conference:— "Here is a department which we greatly desire to see filled, and which will be filled. A great avenue of usefulness is here open. Devoted men and women will be found to fill it. Volunteers are wanted, the final reward for faithfulness being eternal life. Could we ask for more? May God help us in this important work." Experience has fully demonstrated that these two veterans in the cause, who did so much to start the subscription book work, were not mistaken in their ideas in regard to its importance and the success that would be attained in it. We give herewith some figures showing the growth of this branch of the work since its beginning:— | Sales From 1845 to 1902 |
|
|
|---|
| 1845—1862 |
|
$ 13,500 |
| 1863—1872 |
|
56,000 |
| 1873—1882 |
|
278,000 |
| 1883—1892 |
|
3,350,000 |
| 1893—1902 |
|
2,950,000 |
| Total for 58 years |
|
$6,647,500 |
| Yearly Sales 1903-11 |
|
|
|---|
| 1903 |
|
$ 477,700 |
| 1904 |
|
436,600 |
| 1905 |
|
548,000 |
| 1906 |
|
824,000 |
| 1907 |
|
1,035,000 |
| 1908 |
|
1,290,000 |
| 1909 |
|
1,402,000 |
| 1910 |
|
1,560,000 |
| 1911 |
|
1,604,000 |
| Total for 9 years |
|
$ 9,147,300 |
Grand total . . . . . $15,794,800 The first line in this table of figures shows the total value of literature sales during the eighteen years from 1845, when the first Seventh-day Adventist literature was published, to 1863, when the General Conference was organized. Beginning with 1863, the figures are given by decades, as will be seen, until we reach the last period, when we give the yearly sales. The good showing during the third decade, beginning with 1883, reveals the result of good organization and leadership. During that period, earnest efforts were made throughout the United States to have competent leaders in charge of the sales of literature in every conference. The figures given reveal the result. About the beginning of the next decade, the idea began to obtain with many that we could no longer sell our large subscription books, and that we should have to turn our attention to small books and pamphlets. General agents were dismissed, the work was disorganized, and as a consequence it went down. I wish to call special attention to the work during the last decade. The total sales during the first nine years of this period average more than $1,000,000 a year. In other words, during the nine years ending with 1911, the total sales of literature were fifty per cent greater than the totals for the previous fifty-eight years. As we consider these figures, we can only say, "What hath God wrought!" We are glad that we are able to report an increase of more than $40,000 during 1911 over the previous year. If our totals for 1912 equal those of last year, we shall have sold during this present decade, $10,700,000 worth of literature. I am sure that all who read this report will rejoice with us that the Publishing Department has been so signally blessed. As we review this report, we remember that before we can publish the next yearly summary, we shall have already entered upon another decade, and the question naturally arises, What shall its record be? As we look out upon the field and see the able company of leaders in charge of this branch of the work in the home land; the earnest, enthusiastic band of generals who are organizing and developing the work in the foreign fields; the magazine work just getting well under way; and above all, the spirit of devotion and consecration of the nearly two thousand loyal men and women who are carrying the printed page from door to door throughout the world, we can not help but believe that we shall see our records continue to increase year by year. To this end let us pray and work. Report of the Indianapolis Society
It has been the aim of the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Society of Indianapolis, Ind., to be what the name implies,—missionary volunteers in deed and in truth. During the year we have adopted several resolutions aiding us in doing more efficient work. Some of these are as follows:— "That a committee be appointed to visit the hospitals and jails to sing. "That each member provide himself with the Family Bible Teacher, and distribute them each week among his neighbors and friends. "That some of our Bible worker members visit the Flower Mission, and give Bible readings where there is an opportunity. "That the nurses of our society at opportune times give instruction on healthful living, sanitation, etc., among those in need of such instruction. "That the society furnish the public libraries with Liberty and the Protestant Magazine and other of our periodicals. "That we encourage sociability among the members of our society, and make a special effort to speak to all strangers who come to our church." There have been 58 missionary visits made during the year, and 52½ hours of Christian Help work reported; we sold 2,472 papers and 18 books; pages of tracts sold, 150; pages of tracts lent or given away, 635; papers mailed, lent, or given away, 292; articles of clothing given away, 52; meals provided, 9; treatments given, 19. We are hoping to do much more next year for the needs of those around us, for we believe that no life can be a complete success without a definite, high aim; and we wish to be able to say with Livingstone, "Anywhere, provided it be forward." ONE hot summer day a father took his little son for an outing in the country. Finding a pleasant spot beneath a shady tree, they lay down to rest, the man soon falling fast asleep. Meanwhile the little fellow wandered off for a boyish romp, leaving his father to undisturbed slumber. How long he slept he knew not, but on awakening his first thought was of his boy; as the child was nowhere in sight, he called, but received no reply. Worried and anxious, the man, surmising that the boy had become lost in the woods, began shouting and calling as he searched with frantic zeal for some trace of the lost child. In vain seemed all his efforts, until he espied ahead the yawning sides of a precipice. Going to the edge and peering over, he saw lying upon the thorns and rocks below, the bruised, lifeless form of his boy. What a picture of the church of God! How many fathers and mothers are sleeping while their children are wandering near and falling over the chasm of destruction! Fathers and mothers, where are your children to-day?—Selected. Thoroughness Leads to Success
"Thoroughness, earnestness, enthusiasm, and carefulness often counterbalance lack of experience, and lead to success." Gospel Workers' Department
By A. G. Daniells
Their divine calling, qualification, and preparation. Methods of labor, plans, etc. Conducted by A. G. DANIELLS Council of City Evangelists
Cooperation of a Company of City Workers
THIS subject was brought before the council by the chairman, who said:— "Experience in carrying on evangelistic work in large cities has led our ministers to greatly appreciate the assistance of Bible workers, visiting nurses, colporteurs, and magazine sellers. How to organize a company of city workers so as to secure the fullest cooperation and the most efficient service of every one, is a question of great importance. Without organization, workable plans, daily counsel, and sympathetic cooperation, much will be lost during a summer's effort. It is understood that the minister is the leader of this company of workers, and that they are to assist him in his public effort. In order for the workers to do this to the fullest extent possible, the minister must keep in close touch with them. He must always be as ready and as prompt to assist the workers as they should be to help him. This will make it necessary for him to meet them daily, to learn from them all about their work, to give them needed counsel, and to arrange to go with them to the people with whom they are working whenever it may seem best." "There are many ministers present who have experience in working with companies of workers in our cities. We should be glad to have them tell us their plans." B. E. Miller: "Last summer I had two Bible workers associated with me in the work. During the summer effort we met together for at least three quarters of an hour before the evening service, and related our experiences with the people. The workers were made fully acquainted with what I was doing, and I was made fully acquainted with their work. I endeavored to encourage them to be free to request me to go with them to visit homes whenever they felt that I ought to do so. The plan worked very nicely, and they kept me busy visiting. The visiting was one of the strongest features in our summer's work, and I believe it brought in cooperation between Bible workers and ministers." A. V. Cotton: "I think this phase of the work is important. In my efforts in Brooklyn in the last two years, I have had associated with me three Bible workers during the summer season. Previous to this time it was a problem to know what plan we should pursue to gain access to the homes of the people. New York is a difficult place in which to labor, and becomes more so every year. The people would not invite us to their homes. They would come to the meetings, hear the lectures, and accept reading-matter. We would express our willingness to call on them if they would like to talk on any subject, but we could not get invitations to do so. We finally decided on a plan. Just before beginning an effort, we secured one hundred copies of Life and Health. At the close of our first meeting, I called the attention of the audience to this journal, telling them what an excellent magazine it was on the subject of health. I ran through the number briefly, mentioning some of the most interesting articles. I told them we would be pleased to supply each one present with a copy, and that if they would give us their names and addresses, we would supply them with other literature during the series of meetings. "This plan succeeded. The first night we secured thirty-five or forty names. The Bible workers began at once to visit these persons. I had an old list from the previous year from which I selected names of certain individuals for the Bible workers to look up. The workers called on these persons at the door, giving them a tract or paper, and extending an invitation to continue attending the meetings. A record was kept of the visits thus made. The workers were not experienced ones, but we found that they could work to good advantage in visiting the people and urging them to attend the meetings. They would go out in the afternoons, and three quarters of an hour before the evening service we would meet for a season of prayer and to hear the reports. The result was that as we came near the close of the series of meetings, we were in touch with all who were interested, and knew just how to lead them along to accept the truth." K. C. Russell: "The Bible worker is a very important factor in connection with a tent effort. I think we should instruct our Bible workers to keep in close touch with the interested ones who happen to be absent a night or two. It is often the case that a person attends the meetings regularly for a while and becomes interested, but because of sickness in the home may have to be absent, and thus lose the connection. Such should be carefully kept in close touch with the line of study. I have had some success in having Bible readings in the afternoon two or three days in the week at the tent. In almost every community there are men who work at night and can not attend the evening service, but they do not sleep all day. There are others who are sick, or aged, or infirm, and can not come out at night. Then some interested ones who come in the evening would also come in the afternoon. These can be reached by holding Bible readings. Bible workers and, in fact, all who are associated with the tent-meetings should do their best to make the tent effort the prominent thing. They should encourage people to come to the meetings, rather than seek to establish an interest in their homes, which might prevent their coming to the public service." H. C. Hartwell: "I am impressed that we are learning more about how to utilize the visiting nurse in connection with our tent work, but that we have not yet learned all there is to be known about it. Personally, I am converted to the idea that the nurse's work is a feature that ought to be developed. It will bring a strength to our work that we have not yet known. We have had a little experience in Massachusetts in utilizing this branch of our work. Last summer we had one nurse in connection with one of our tent efforts. Her previous experience enabled her to take hold of the work quite well. She assisted in getting19 out announcements and in doing the general work, but her special work as a nurse was emphasized. She had one night each week in the tent. The minister opened the meeting with prayer, and then she took the whole time. At first, she thought she could not talk more than ten minutes, but her courage increased until she found she could occupy the whole hour. She presented various phases of the health and medical missionary work, and gave demonstrations in different kinds of treatments. Aside from this, she would visit the sick and give treatments. This made a great many friends, and opened the way for evangelistic work. I am confident that the services of our nurses in connection with our tent efforts would be an important factor in securing larger results. I believe that our sanitariums should be developing workers who are qualified to do independent work, just as we train Bible workers. The nurses we are using in Massachusetts have had an experience under Elder George B. Starr in and around Melrose and Boston, and are qualified to give Bible readings or treatments, and to hold lectures when necessary." G. B. Starr: "I wish to emphasize the importance of organizing the company of city workers for efficient service. My experience teaches me that the leader and all the members of the company must work in unison and understand one another very clearly in order to accomplish the greatest amount of good. "There must be a daily program, and it must be followed conscientiously by all the members. It must be practical and helpful to the workers, and must provide time for reading, study, prayer, counsel, and work. Each worker must report fully, and seek such help from the minister and associate workers as may be needed to develop the interest that has been created. "I wish to place special emphasis on the importance of the minister in charge of the company being prompt to render the Bible worker and visiting nurse the help they request. His visits will count much. He can not do all his visiting by proxy. He must enter the homes of the people." The Chairman: "We have had many excellent suggestions, covering nearly all phases of the topic. If these are followed closely, much will be gained." A committee appointed to present a suggestive outline for organization and cooperation, reported as follows:— "1. That a practical, daily program be agreed upon by the workers, and then followed as strictly as possible.
"2. That every worker, including the minister, make an earnest effort to assist every other worker as far as possible.
"3. That each one report faithfully the interest developed in his particular line of work.
"4. That the general daily program be about as follows:— | A. M. |
|
|---|
| 6:00 |
Rising |
| 7:30-8:30 |
Breakfast |
| 8:30-9:30 |
Workers' devotional meeting |
| 9:30-12:00 |
General work, study, local visiting, etc. |
| 12:00-1:00 |
Dinner |
| P. M. |
|
| 2:00-5:00 |
Visiting |
| 5:00-6:30 |
Rest and lunch |
| 6:30-7:15 |
Meeting for reports and prayer |
| 7:15-7:45 |
Visiting with people as they come to the tent |
| 7:45-8:00 |
Song service |
| 8:00-9:00 |
Sermon |
| 10:00 |
Retiring |
This report was adopted as expressing the judgment of the council.
A. G. DANIELLS, Chairman;
THADDAEUS LEGG, Secretary. UNDER date of May 30, Brother Harold Robinson writes of his experience in Cienfuegos, Cuba, as follows:— "I am still here in this city, working the residential sections. Brother Sandborn and his wife left me yesterday to go to Havana with Brother Brown, to look for a mission house. I am alone, but think I can stand it for a little while again. Last week two Cubans from the San Claudio school joined us, and are doing fairly well in the territory they have to work. "I recently went to a small town near Cienfuegos, where I immediately began work, but found it hard on account of the race-war scare; yet I secured a few orders. I had almost decided to deliver those and come back the next day, but after thinking it over, made up my mind to remain even if I did not sell one more book. Next morning I started out and succeeded in getting several more orders, and delivered nearly $50 worth before I left, for the two days' work." This is a good example of what can be done through faithful, persevering effort, even under the most trying and discouraging circumstances.