p. 24 | Review and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 7. (2/18/1909)

Earlier text: Biennial Conference in India

The California Sunday Bill

By W. A. C.

Last week we gave the proposed amendment to the constitution of the State of California, which, if adopted, is intended as a basis for Sunday legislation in that State. The amendment is itself nothing more nor less than a clumsy Sunday bill introduced into the constitution, giving unrestricted powers to local and municipal legislative bodies in the way of enlarging upon “the scope of penalties of any provision enacted by the legislature on the same subject,” but taking good care “that they shall not “restrict, or limit,” such provision.

This week we give the proposed Sunday law itself, which Rev. G. L. Tufts, Mr. Craft’s Pacific Coast representative, says he himself framed “with great care,” and which he declares we need have no fear of, because “there is not an ecclesiastical or religious word in the bill.” The amendment was introduced in the assembly on January 8, and the Sunday bill in both assembly and senate on the same date. The following is the bill:—

AN ACT

To amend the Penal Code by Adding a New Chapter to Title IX of Part I Thereof; to Preserve One Day in the Week as a Day of Rest, and to Promote Health, Morals, and the Public Welfare.

The people of the State of California, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:—

Section 1: A new chapter is hereby added to title IX of part I of the Penal Code, to read as follows:—

CHAPTER VIa

Of Offenses against Health, Morals, and the Public Welfare.

299. Every person, firm, association, or corporation who shall keep open on Sunday any shop, store, building, or place of business where goods, wares, or merchandise are sold or kept for sale; or who shall engage in any business, trade, or sale of goods, wares, or merchandise, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars, or shall be imprisoned in the county jail not to exceed thirty days; provided, however, that this section does not apply to hotels or restaurants in furnishing lodging or meals; to livery stables or garages; to bath or boat houses; to the sale of medicine or sick-room supplies between the hours of 9 and 11 A. M., and 5:30 and 7:30 P. M., nor to said sale at any time in cases of emergency; to the quiet sale and delivery of daily newspapers, or to any other place of business necessary to work as hereinafter provided for.

300. Any person, firm, association, or corporation who employs any employee, apprentice, servant, or other person to labor, or to engage in any trade, calling, avocation, or business, except works of necessity, mercy, or charity, or requires them to engage in such work or labor on Sunday, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than ten dollars nor more than two hundred dollars, or be imprisoned in the county jail not to exceed thirty days, and, upon each subsequent conviction, by both such fine and imprisonment; except, however, in case of corporations the penalty of imprisonment, when imposed, shall be imposed upon all officers or agents in the State committing such offense or causing the same to be committed; provided, that this section does not apply:—

(a) To persons, firms, associations, or corporations owning or operating telegraph, telephone, or electric-light plants; boats, vessels, vehicles, cars, or regular trains for the transportation of passengers, live stock, or perishable freight, and the continuance to their destination of trains and vessels in transit when Sunday begins, or the collection and delivery of baggage for the same; but nothing herein shall legalize special Sunday excursions. (b) To such manufacturing establishments or industrial processes as must be kept in continuous operation to prevent serious loss. (c) To unavoidable work essential to the protection of mines or property in imminent danger of destruction or serious injury. (d) To the sale and delivery of milk. (e) To any person who regularly observes some day during the week other than Sunday as a day of rest; but provided further that, except in cases of emergency, said employee, apprentice, servant, or other persons shall not be employed on Sunday unless allowed twenty-four consecutive hours without labor during said week.

301. Every person, firm, association, or corporation who shall keep open on Sunday any bar, saloon, or dram-shop, or any place of any kind or description where spirituous, malt, or fermented liquors or wines, or any admixture thereof, are sold, given away, or served, or kept for sale; or who shall sell, give away, or serve any spirituous, malt, or fermented liquors or wines, or any admixture thereof, on Sunday, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than thirty dollars nor more than two hundred dollars, and be imprisoned in the county jail not less than five nor more than ninety days, and upon a second conviction, in addition to said fine and imprisonment, any license which may have been granted for opening and maintaining such place of business shall be void, and shall not be renewed within two years next thereafter for said place or to said person, firm, association, or corporation.

301a. Every person, firm, association, or corporation who shall keep open on Sunday any place of public amusement to which an admission fee is directly or indirectly charged, or who shall conduct or take part in any said public amusement, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars, or be imprisoned in the county jail not to exceed thirty days, and upon a second conviction by both such fine and imprisonment.

301b. It shall be the duty of the prosecuting attorney, sheriff, constable, city or town marshal, or any and all public or peace officers in this State to inform against and diligently prosecute any and all persons guilty of the violation of the provisions of this act, either upon credible information or upon reasonable cause to believe that there has been any such violation. Any said officer who shall refuse or wilfully neglect to inform against and prosecute said offenders against this act, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, and the court before which said officer shall be tried shall declare the office or appointment held by the said officer vacant, and said officer shall not be re-elected or appointed to fill said vacancy.

301c. All fines collected from the violation of sections 299, 300, 301, 301a, 301b, of this code shall be paid into the common school fund of the county.

A monstrous Sunday law would this be! Like the Johnston District Sunday bill, it contains many exceptions. Like this also, it provides an exemption for observers of another day. But unlike it, it contains a most drastic provision intended to insure its rigid enforcement if once passed. This is found in Section 301b, which not only imposes a fine of from fifty to five hundred dollars upon any officer who fails or neglects to “inform against and prosecute” “offenders against this act,” but throws him out of office, and deprives him from ever being elected to such office again. Under such intimidating threats would the advocates of this proposed and “carefully prepared” legislation turn the officers of the law into church inquisitors and religious persecutors. When California passes such a law as this, we may well believe that the days of persecution are nigh at hand.

W. A. C.

Making Concessions

By W. A. C.

So great has been the opposition to the proposed Sunday-law measures in California, that the friends of these measures are trying to save their cause from complete defeat by proposing to make concessions. This is plainly indicated by the following, taken from California papers:—

“The constitutional amendment introduced by Johnson, of Sacramento, to enforce the observance of Sunday as a day of rest, will come up in the assembly to-morrow, at eleven o’clock, as a special order. The majority of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments, to which the measure was referred, has reported upon it adversely. One member of the committee, Johnson, of Sacramento, has filed a minority report recommending its adoption.

“The indications are that the amendment will be rejected. There is, however, a strong element in the assembly which would adopt the amendment, after striking out all the sections, with the exception of that which applies to saloons, race-courses, and coursing-grounds.

“The section reads: ‘That the keeping open of bars, saloons, race-courses, and coursing grounds on the first day of the week is prohibited; and the legislature shall provide penalties for the violation of this provision, and for the proper enforcement of the same.’”—Sacramento Bee, Jan. 27, 1909.

“Important concessions have been made by the proponents of the Sunday rest law, pending before the legislature, and a strong effort will now be made to put through the bill in its amended form. “At a meeting of the committee yesterday, Chauncey Dunn, of this city, and Rev. G. L. Tufts, agreed that the section prohibiting Sunday amusements, both theatrical and out-of-door sports, where admission is charged, could be eliminated with their consent by the committee.

They are also willing that the section prohibiting all employment of labor on the Sabbath shall be stricken out.

“This leaves the bill so that it only provides against the opening of all places of business and saloons on Sunday, with some exceptions, such as drug-stores on certain hours, and hotels.”—Sacramento Star, Jan. 29, 1909.

From this it is evident that the Sunday-law advocates in California are not so particular just now what kind of Sunday law they secure as they are that they secure something in the way of Sunday legislation, it matters not how little. They wish to get the State committed to this kind of legislation, and are willing to leave the exact kind of law they wish to a later date.

W. A. C.

A Sunday Bill in Iowa

THE Iowa Workers’ Bulletin of February 2 contains the following: “On Wednesday, January 27, Senator Proudfoot introduced into the Iowa State Senate a bill forbidding practically all manner of amusement conducted for pay on Sunday. The bill was prepared by Rev. J. W. Day, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Des Moines, and is backed by the State Reform Bureau and the Des Moines Ministerial Association. The fact that this Sunday bill was fathered by the ministers, and is being pushed by them, indicates the purpose behind it.”

Christian Liberty

By K. C. Russell; W. A. Colcord

Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of the Rights of Conscience

Conducted by the Religious Liberty Bureau

K. C. RUSSELL — Chairman

W. A. COLCORD, Secretary

NOTICES AND APPOINTMENTS

Canvassers’ Institutes for 1909

COLUMBIA UNION CONFERENCE

Virginia, Lynchburg ................................ Feb. 5-19 West Virginia, Parkersburg, Feb. 19 to March 5 Chesapeake ........................ Feb. 19 to March 5 West Pennsylvania, Clearfield, March 5-19 Ohio, Columbus ........ March 19 to April 2 Foreign Mission Seminary, Takoma Park, D. C. ........ April 2-16 Mount Vernon (Ohio) College, Mount Vernon ................. April 16-30.

NORTHERN UNION CONFERENCE

Minnesota ............... Feb. 26 to March 14 South Dakota ..................... March 15-25 North Dakota ................. March 25 to April 5

LAKE UNION CONFERENCE

Northern Illinois, Sheridan ...... Feb. 12-21 North Michigan, Petoskey ...... March 5-15 East Michigan, Holly ...... March 16-28 Wisconsin, Grand Rapids, March 16 to April 5 Emmanuel Missionary College, Berrien Springs, Mich. ...... April 18 to May 2

Spiritualism

THE subject of Spiritualism has received special attention during the last few months in the columns of the leading magazines in this country, and the public mind is greatly agitated over the question. Scientific men are puzzled, and do not know how to explain the strange phenomena, although various theories are advanced by different ones. Nearly all, however, admit that there is something supernatural about Spiritualism.

Now is the opportune time to call attention to what the Bible says concerning this great deception. This opportunity to disseminate light will be placed within the reach of all in the March number of the Signs of the Times Monthly Magazine. This will be largely devoted to the examination of this question in the light of prophecy. Some very strong articles from our leading brethren, covering the various phases of the subject, will appear in that number, and it ought to have a wide circulation. The times demand it.

Here are the titles of some of the leading articles that will appear in this issue:—

1. Spiritualism as Predicted by the Prophets, and the Facts of Fulfilment, by Elder W. A. Spicer.

2. Great Deceptions Predicted, by Elder R. A. Underwood.

3. The State of the Dead, by Elder C. L. Taylor.

4. Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan, by Elder M. C. Wilcox.

5. Victory, by Mrs. E. G. White.

6. Ministration of Good Angels, by Max Hill.

7. A Momentous Present-Day Movement, by Elder G. W. Rine.

8. The Rise of the War Craze and Its Relation to Modern Spiritualism, by Elder A. O. Tait.

This number of the Monthly Magazine has a striking cover design taken from a painting by one of the great masters, illustrating the scene recorded in the twenty-eighth chapter of 1 Samuel, entitled, “Saul and the Witch of Endor.”

Single copies, 10 cents; 5 to 25 copies, 5 cents a copy; 25 to 500 copies, 4 cents a copy; 500 to 1,000 copies, 3½ cents a copy.

Agents wanted in every city and town. Send for free sample copy with suggestive canvass.

Address your tract society, or Signs of the Times, Mountain View, Cal.

Business Notices

This department is conducted especially for the accommodation of the Seventh-day Adventist readers of this paper.

Brief business notices will be published subject to the discretion of the publishers, and on compliance with the following—

Conditions

Any person unknown to the managers of this paper must send with his advertisement satisfactory written recommendation. Such recommendation should come from one of our ministers, or from the elder of a Seventh-day Adventist church. It is not enough to refer to some individual by name. Secure his recommendation in writing, and send it.

We open no accounts for advertising, and cash must accompany each order.

A charge of one dollar will be made for each insertion of forty words or less. Each additional word, initial, or group of figures in excess of forty, will cost three cents.

No discount for several insertions.

For Sale.—160 acres of land. Comfortable house and outbuildings. Good orchard. Modern canner goes with place. Church privileges. Mile and quarter from station and school. Address A. J. Haysmer, R. F. D. 2, Elkwood, Ala.

For Sale.—Sanitarium Cooking Oil, pure and healthful; no odor, keeps indefinitely: 5-gal. can, $3.50; 10-gal. can, $6.75; 62 cents a gal. in half barrel and barrel lots; 30 gal. and 50 gal. Address Sanitarium Cooking Oil Co., Louisville, Ky.

For Sale.—The Alberta Conference has for sale nine quarters of good farm land, at $10, $12.50, $17.50, and $30 an acre. Excellent water, plenty of fuel, and good climate. Here is an opportunity to secure a good home, and at the same time help advance the work. Write for particulars to C. A. Burman, Leduc, Alberta, Canada.

Wanted.—First-class fireman, handy with all tools, and understanding his business, wants work at his trade, or at anything else. Must be with Seventh-day Adventists. Address M. L. Andreasen, 475 Seventy-ninth St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Wanted.—Woman thirty-five to sixty years of age able to do general housework, cooking, plain sewing, fruit canning in season. Good home for the right person. Also man or boy to work on farm. Hygienic living. J. S. Comins, R. F. D. 6, Battle Creek, Mich.

Miss Chiellini (Adventist) has a home for young ladies wishing to go to Rome, Italy, to study art, music, modern languages, history, archeology. References given and required. For more particulars apply to Miss Louise Chiellini, 82 Via Nazionale, Rome, Italy.

Midget Massage Vibrator.—Patented; runs without electricity; will last a lifetime, $3 to Adventists only. Medical lamps for offices and homes. Medical batteries, portable bath outfits, electric vibrators, steam cookers. Radiodescent Lamp Co., 54 South, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Ripe Olives.—I have a large number of smaller sizes which can sell at 50 cents a gallon in five-gallon cans. If twenty gallons are ordered, the freight will be 15 cents a gallon to East. Send for our circular, “How to Keep,” and other information. W. S. Ritchie, Corona, Cal.

For Sale.—Strawberry plants and asparagus plants at a bargain. Find five persons who want plants, and we will give you a year's subscription to Fruitman and Gardener for their addresses. Remember, the Highland catalogue free. Geo. Jorgensen & Son, Box 10, Poy Sippi, Wis.

Hygienic Vegetable Cooking Oil.—Best shortening known. Guaranteed under pure food law. Keeps sweet and choice. 5 gal., $3.50; 10 gal., $6.75. Cans crated. ½ bbl. (about 32 gal.), 60 cents a gal. By freight from Louisville, Ky. Address Dr. O. C. Godsmark, Chattanooga, Tenn.

For Sale.—45-acre farm, all fenced; 20 acres cleared, balance timber; new eight-room house, outbuildings, cistern, and spring. Joins Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute. Macadamized road eight miles to Nashville. Price, $2,800. Address E. A. Lampman, Madison, Tenn.

Nurses Wanted.—Would like to correspond with graduate nurses who desire to secure permanent positions with good salary. No nurse over thirty-five need apply. State age, place and date of graduation, and experience in nursing. References will be required. Address North Yakima Sanitarium, North Yakima, Wash.

Kansas Land.—640 acres, Trego County; near Union and Missouri Pacific railroads. Elder C. A. Washburn's family estate; value increasing, but deaths in family, etc., cause us to offer whole section, $10 an acre. Splendid farming land. Climate excellent. Purchaser's fare paid. Address J. S. Washburn, 665 Decatur St., Memphis, Tenn.

For Sale.—A variety of California properties, city, suburban, and some country, water-bearing land at a low price. This move is wholly with a missionary end in view. If you will send us the names of those you know who are or may be interested in California, we will send them full descriptions, or to you for distribution. Please, brethren, help me sell my property. W. S. Ritchie, Corona, Cal.

For Sale.—Home in eastern Oregon, in the beautiful Grand Ronde Valley. High altitude. Healthful climate. Two acres, all in fruit: one-half acre strawberries. Trees beginning to bear. Modern seven-room house. Plenty of good water. Just outside of city limits, making taxes cheap and good market. Seventh-day Adventist church privileges. An excellent home. Price, $2,600. Address S. J. Abegg, College Place, Wash., or La Grande, Ore.

Buff Orpingtons.—All our spare stock was sold; but we have just bought a fine flock, so that we can now offer a few singles at $2; six pullets and a male, $10; eleven pullets and a male, $16; five Barred Plymouth Rock pullets and male, $6. Eggs, $1.50 a dozen. Incubators, brooders, and poultry supplies. Satisfaction guaranteed. Union College Poultry Yards, College View, Neb.

For Sale.—500,000 of the most beautiful Mottoes you ever looked at. We sold almost 31,000 of these beauties in the first twenty-nine days of November. We will mail 100 Mottoes, 12 x 16, for $6; or 100 of our Imported Bible Cards, 4 x 7 inches, for $3.50. Teachers will want these cards for their classes. Do not delay, but send order at once. Orders filled by return mail. Address, with two-cent stamp, Hampton Art Company, Lock Box 257, Hampton, Iowa.

Wanted.—To send you a leather-bound, 25-cent Pocket Diary for 15 cents (stamps); two copies, 25 cents. 200,000 copies already sold this season. Really 40-cent value. Contains diary for 1909; reminder index; 22 pages of memoranda, addresses, and various record forms; time record, cash account, maps, antidotes for poisons, help in accidents, health hints, United States and foreign postage, population of cities, useful information for builders, recipes for cleaning various substances, business forms, weights and measures, interest, business laws; 6 pages of other useful information, besides the entire Sabbath question in convincing form. Made by self-supporting students. Address Student Bindery, South Lancaster, Mass.

Religious Liberty Notes

A HEARING on the Johnston District Sunday bill was appointed to be held on Monday, February 15.

On February 2 Mr. Heflin, of Alabama, reintroduced his “Sabbath day” bill for the District of Columbia.

A Sunday bill has been introduced in the legislature of South Carolina, one in Maine, one in Iowa, one in Indiana (of a repealing character), one and a constitutional amendment in California, five in Nebraska (to modify the present State Sunday law), and fourteen in New York.

The Congressional Record of January 15 states that Senator Gallinger “presented a petition of the Christian Endeavor Union, of the District of Columbia, praying for the enactment of legislation making the first day of the week a day of rest in the District of Columbia, which was ordered to lie on the table.” Thus are the young people’s societies of the country being gathered into the ranks of the advocates of compulsory Sunday observance.

A recent newspaper clipping gives us the following information: “The Lord’s Day Alliance of New Jersey has sent out myriad printed appeals to churches to support the Sunday laws of the State. The appeals, in part, set forth that the ‘enemy is storming the legislature at Trenton,’ and that they ‘would destroy the fourth commandment in the name of liberty and charity.’ The churches all over the State have been asked to take a standing vote to-morrow [a Sunday] on the question of preserving the blue-laws, and to telegraph the result to the assemblymen and senators on Monday.”

Mr. Earl Townsend, of Stoughton, Wis., was recently arrested for employing a number of men on the ice on Sunday. Commenting on this, the Stoughton Hub says: “The warrant was sworn out in Justice Gilbert’s court by Rev. J. J. Lee, of Our Saviour’s church. We do not know the motives of Rev. Lee in instituting this suit, but while we doubt not his sincerity, we question the wisdom of the step. In fact, the Hub deplores such attempts at resurrecting this phase of an extinct Puritanism by invoking the aid of musty and dead-letter laws. The work, as far as we know, did not really disturb any one, so there could have been no grievance in this respect.”

South Lancaster Academy

By E. W. FARNSWORTH; B. F. MACHLAN; C. H. EDWARDS; D. B. PARMELE; H. B. KETRING; M. L. ANDREASEN; L. W. GRAHAM; J. G. WHITE

NOTICE is hereby given that the first session of the twenty-fifth annual meeting of the constituency of the South Lancaster Academy Corporation will convene on Tuesday, March 9, 1909, at 3 P. M., at the Seventh-day Adventist church at South Lancaster, Mass., for the purpose of electing a board of trustees, and of transacting any other business which may properly come before the meeting.

E. W. FARNSWORTH, B. F. MACHLAN, C. H. EDWARDS, D. B. PARMELE, H. F. KETRING, M. L. ANDREASEN, L. W. GRAHAM, J. G. WHITE, H. B. TUCKER, Trustees.

Publications Wanted

[SPECIAL NOTICE.—We learn that objectionable literature is being sent in response to these requests, and urge all to examine with special care any periodicals or pamphlets received outside of our well-known denominational publications. Be sure that the literature which you distribute teaches the truth. Those responding to requests for papers should send only clean copies, neatly folded, and securely wrapped.—Ed.]

Celia Hart, 1506 E. Eighth St., Muncie, Ind., Signs, Watchman, and tracts.

Mrs. Cary Dodge Lemmon, Garden City, Mo., denominational papers for free distribution.

Archer Thorne Shearer, Ashland, Ore., Signs, REVIEW, Watchman, etc., for reading-racks.

The Young People's Missionary Volunteer Society of Shreveport, La., wishes to thank those who have sent literature for distribution, and requests that a continuous supply be sent. The periodicals received have been used to good advantage, and many more could be used. Send, prepaid, to B. V. Coston, R. F. D. 2, Box 58, Shreveport, La.

Obituaries

Ross.—Died at Hog Island, W. I., Jan. 2, 1909, after an illness of about four weeks, Sister Ethel Ross. She was born on Bonacca Island. After coming to womanhood, she was united in marriage to Mr. Bentley Ross, and in 1904 they were both baptized by Elder H. C. Goodrich, and joined the church at French Harbor. Sister Ross departed this life in full hope of a happy resurrection. The funeral service was conducted by the writer. C. Jones.

Walden.—Died at the home of his parents, William and Elizabeth Walden, in Green Springs, Ohio, Jan. 1, 1909, of acute tuberculosis, James Gerald, aged 4 years, 2 months, and 22 days. Gerald's illness first manifested itself on Thanksgiving morning, after which time it gradually assumed more serious form until death released the patient little sufferer. The funeral was held in the Seventh-day Adventist church in Green Springs, where words of comfort were spoken by the writer to a large number of sympathizing friends. James E. Shultz.

Hutchinson.—William Hutchinson was born in Lancaster, N. Y., March 19, 1836; and died at his home near Clarence, N. Y., Jan. 14, 1909. Brother Hutchinson accepted Christ shortly after his return from the Civil War, and united with the Christian Church, where he was a member for many years. Twelve years ago he accepted the third angel's message, and united with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, of which he was a faithful member till his death. A devoted wife and six children are left to mourn. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer, from Hosea 13:14. E. J. Dryer.

Warner.—Died at Titusville, Pa., Dec. 15, 1908, Alonzo G. Warner, in the seventy-first year of his age. Brother Warner was born in Minton, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Jan. 12, 1838, and was joined in wedlock to Marilla Bean in Adrian, Mich., in 1859. Both united with the Baptist Church about 1880. During the year 1888 they received the third angel's message through reading-matter sent them by a friend. Brother Warner proved a faithful canvasser for our books for about six years, but found it necessary, on account of failing health, to take up other work. The wife and one grandchild are left to mourn, but with the glorious hope of a blessed reunion when the Life-giver comes. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer. I. N. Williams.

Bidgood.—Died near Newburg, Ore., Jan. 9, 1909, of paralysis, Theada A. Bidgood, aged fifty-seven years. She became a Christian in early life, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1869, under the labors of Elder G. B. Tripp, she heard and accepted the third angel's message. We believe she sleeps in Jesus. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer at her home. She leaves a husband, two sons, and a daughter to mourn their loss. J. M. Cole.

Cibulski.—Nellie Sophia Judd was born near Ridott, Ill., Dec. 11, 1879; was married to J. Cibulski in 1891; and died of typhoid fever, in Leoti, Kan., aged about thirty-eight years. During the last year she had been impressed that she ought to keep the Sabbath, and had begun to do so. In her last sickness she fully gave her heart to God, and died with a bright hope of a part in the first resurrection. A husband, six children, a widowed mother, two brothers, and a sister are left to mourn. As there was no Adventist minister in that part of the country, words of comfort were spoken at the funeral by Elder S. Rutledge (Methodist), from 2 Thess. 1:10, 11. F. V. Judd.

Ericson.—Died at Big Spring, near Alcester, S. D., Jan. 15, 1909, of appendicitis, Charles Edwin Ericson, aged 12 years, 2 months, and 4 days. The deceased was the eldest son of Eric and Mary Ericson. His father and mother bear testimony to the fact that he was ever an obedient and dutiful child, always willing to do all in his power to help in the work and cares incident to life on the farm. Last summer while attending religious services at Hawarden, Iowa, he gave his heart to God, and expressed a desire to live a Christian life. He was buried in the cemetery near Big Spring, the services being conducted by the writer, assisted by the Baptist pastor. Percy T. Magan.

Bideler.—Died in Middletown, N. Y., Jan. 10, 1909, Mrs. F. J. Bideler, aged seventy-five years. She was born in Dix, Schuyler Co., N. Y., and at the age of twenty accepted present truth, and was later baptized by Elder James White. Sister Bideler was a member of the West Philadelphia church at the time of her death, having resided in Philadelphia and Pottsville, Pa., before moving to Middletown. She remained faithful and kept her confidence until the end, dying in the hope of the soon coming of Christ. Two brothers, one daughter, and three grandchildren survive to mourn their loss. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer, from 1 Thess. 4:16. Her remains were laid to rest in the Wallkill Cemetery. R. H. Martin.

Cornwall.—Died at Madeyes, St. Patrick's, Grenada, W. I., of a complication of diseases, Brother Adolphus Cornwall, aged twenty-two years. Brother Cornwall came to us about a year ago from the Roman Catholic Church. His conversion was genuine, and although he was the only one in a large family and circle of relatives to accept the truth, and had been for years in feeble health, he proved steadfast, and adorned his profession with a godly life. He died triumphantly. Conscious to the last breath, he calmly but firmly refused the efforts of the family and priest to induce him to recant and receive “extreme unction.” The funeral was held outdoors, and several hundred persons listened with respectful interest while I set forth, for an hour, the truths of the gospel concerning life, death, and the resurrection. It was doubtless the first time that many of them had heard the pure, genuine gospel, and many expressed their hearty appreciation of it. The salvation of one such as he is worth a lifetime of labor, and he is only one of over fifty gathered out of this difficult field. So we thank God, and go forward with courage. W. A. Sweany.

Changes in Conference Leadership

At the request of the brethren in the field, and in harmony with his own wishes, Elder Morris Lukens has been released from his position as manager of the Review and Herald book department, that he might be free to accept the presidency of the Indiana Conference, to which position he has since been elected. During his connection with this Office, Brother Lukens has done excellent work, and it is due to his preference for general field work that this change has been made. Brother Lukens will attend some of the canvassers' institutes in the Columbia Union Conference during the next month, before leaving for Indiana.

ELDER J. M. REES, president of the West Virginia Conference, has been taking needed rest and treatment at the Washington Sanitarium the past month. He is much improved in health, and hopes to be able to return to his conference in a few weeks.

Elder I. H. Evans Returning to America

According to a letter written from Canton, China, Elder I. H. Evans planned to sail for America, February 10, from Yokahama, Japan.

On Publishing Ella Wheeler Wilcox

By Editor

WE note with surprise that some of our papers publish the poems of Ella Wheeler Wilcox. This writer is a well-known representative of the New Thought school, and her productions are cast in that mold. We suggest that space in our papers can be used to better advantage than in circulating the sentiments of this writer.

Death of the Konigmachers’ Infant Son

We regret to learn of the death of the infant son of Brother and Sister S. Konigmacher, of Nyassaland, Africa. The little one was born at our Malamulo Mission, and died December 17, at the Matandane station, Neno, of which Brother Konigmacher has charge. We sympathize with these parents who have laid away their little son in Africa.

A Remedy for Seasickness

A CORRESPONDENT of the Daily Mail (London) claims that seasickness may be avoided by lying on the left side, and keeping in that position. This preventive, he states, should be used when first going aboard ship. We have our doubts about the efficacy of this remedy in certain cases, but pass it along for the benefit of any who may desire to try some new thing.

Death of Eliza J. Burnham

A BRIEF telegram, received last Friday, announced the death at Nashville, Tenn., of Sister Eliza J. Burnham, associate editor of The Watchman. Sister Burnham has rendered faithful service in editorial work for many years, being at one time on the editorial staff of the Bible Echo in Australia. At the time of writing, we have no particulars of her sickness and death, but a suitable obituary notice will appear later.

A. J. S. Bourdeau Manages Periodical Department

By Editor

THE Review and Herald Publishing Association takes pleasure in announcing that Brother A. J. S. Bourdeau, for several years the secretary of the California Tract Society, has accepted the invitation to act as manager of its periodical department. Brother Bourdeau's successful experience in directing the circulation of our various periodicals on the Pacific Coast warrants the expectation that he will be able to render valuable service in further extending the circulation of the papers and magazines published at this Office. Brother Bourdeau and family arrived in Washington last week, and he has already entered upon his work.

Elder Conradi Returns to Europe

AFTER four months’ absence in Syria and Africa, Elder L. R. Conradi returned to Europe, reaching England from South Africa, January 22.

The 1908 Subscription Book Work

A STUDY of the annual summary of the subscription book work for 1908, which appears in our Publishing department, will be interesting, and may prove especially suggestive to those in charge of this work. The explanations accompanying the summary should be read in order to understand the full import of the figures.

Death of Arthur A. Reinke

FROM Mexico comes the sad news of the death of Brother Arthur A. Reinke, in Mexico City. He was one of the band of canvassers who went to Mexico last summer, from the Pacific Coast. Elder G. W. Reaser writes that he was a most devoted laborer. He was apparently recovering from an attack of typhoid fever, when complications intervened, and he died February 4, resigned to lay down life, if necessary, in the service that he loved. Our sympathies are with his parents in Pennsylvania, and his brothers in the West.

Continue reading: Expulsions from the Michigan Sanitarium Association