(Each child presents a gilt letter of GIVE, at close of stanza, holding the cards up as they repeat the last together.)
FIRST CHILD
“From Greenland’s icy mountains”—
So runs the hymn of old;
Beside those mammoth icebergs
Dwell hearts perhaps as cold;
But, warmed by Christian sunlight,
Illuming the land,
Bleak earth becomes an Eden,
And so for G I stand.
SECOND CHILD
You know how run the verses;
“From India’s coral strand”
Comes forth the call for workers—17A larger, stronger band;
Buddhist and erring Brahman
The Saviour’s call must heed,
And taste God’s peace eternal;
And therefore I must plead.
THIRD CHILD
From far-off Venezuela,
To popish bonds a slave;
From Van and Voroneje,
Which Eastern waters lave,
The same loud voice is calling
Which sounded years agone:
“Come over here and help us!”—
The cry of Macedon.
FOURTH CHILD
From Ethiopia’s borders
And wastes of burning sands,
Which cruel, dark-skinned Arabs
Infest with hostile bands,
By day and night unceasing
There comes the pleading cry:
“Bring us the truth you cherish!
O bring it ere we die!”
ALL TOGETHER
Give of your prayers and blessings,
Give of your store, though small;
Give your time and service;
Give self—best gift of all.
—Isabel Fritz.
Is it nothing to you, O ye Christians,
That millions of beings to-day,
In the heathen darkness of China
Are rapidly passing away?
They have never heard the story
Of the loving Lord who saves,
And “fourteen hundred every hour
Are sinking to Christless graves!”
Is it nothing to you, O ye Christians?
Can you say you have naught to do?—
Millions in China are dying unsaved,
And is it nothing to you?
Is it nothing to you, O ye Christians,
That in India's far-away land
There are thousands of people pleading
For the touch of a Saviour's hand?
They are groping, and trying to find him;
And although he is ready to save,
Eight hundred precious souls each hour
Sink into a Christless grave!
Is it nothing to you, O ye Christians?
Can you say you have naught to do?—
Millions in India dying unsaved,
And is it nothing to you?
Is it nothing to you, O ye Christians,
That Africa walks in the night?
That Christians at home deny them
The blessed gospel light?
The cry goes up this morning
From a heart-broken race of slaves,
And seven hundred every hour
Sink into Christless graves!
Is it nothing to you, O ye Christians?
Will you say you have naught to do?—
Millions in Africa dying unsaved,
And is it nothing to you?
Is it nothing to you, O ye Christians?—
O answer me this to-day!
The heathen are looking for you;
You can give, or go, or pray.
You can save your souls from blood-guiltiness;
For in lands you never trod
The heathen are dying every day,—
And dying without God.
Is it nothing to you, O ye Christians?
Dare ye say ye have naught to do?
All over the earth they wait for the light;
And is it nothing to you?
— Grace P. Turnbull.
Australia
By Ole Andres Olsen
SYDNEY.—We are located at the Wahroonga Sanitarium. The day after our arrival I started for our council, which was held at Melbourne. We had an interesting and profitable occasion. Everything passed off harmoniously. There was a good representation of the members of the committee, and also brethren were there from the various States.
I am grateful to see everything so prosperous and encouraging. Queensland seems to be the field that has the most perplexities to deal with. The long drought has greatly impoverished their finances, and that has brought other difficulties. But the present outlook is encouraging.
Yesterday I returned from a brief visit to Avondale. I was much pleased with the outlook and the general situation. The presence of the Lord has certainly rested upon the work there in a marked manner. The school presents a very pleasing appearance. All the industries connected with it are well organized, and enjoy a large degree of prosperity. During the past year there has been a substantial gain financially. I am also pleased to give a good report of the Wahroonga Sanitarium. The Lord is also blessing the workers there in a marked manner, and the institution made good progress during the past year; and if the present year proves as successful as the past, the financial difficulty will soon be overcome. An excellent spirit pervades throughout.
O. A. OLSEN.
E. MEYERS
By E. MEYERS
BANGALORE.—Our work here has been up-hill, preparing the hearts of the people to receive the third angel's message. We have tried to do this faithfully, realizing from the lesson in nature that much depends on the condition of the soil, when the seed is sown, for good results. The preparatory work always needs our best efforts and perseverance and faithfulness. We are thankful for the object-lesson of seed sowing which God has given us in nature. We have tried to make a practical application of the lesson in our work here, and truly we are seeing good results. Our Heavenly Father is giving us an earnest of our labor. On our arrival the enemy brought in opposition, prejudice, and indifference; but we held on, and to-day we rejoice in these hard experiences. The Lord has turned them all into18blessings, and the enemy has been defeated. Praise the Lord. How we have felt our need of wisdom and strength, and our dependence on One who is almighty! We have turned to him, and he has supplied all our needs. Truly the prospect is very encouraging. We study with nineteen families weekly, besides holding readings in our home. The seed is sown in faith. We have the assurance that the Lord will give the increase. Eccl. 11:4-6. Pray for us.
E. MEYERS
Two Pennies
By King's Messenger
Two beautiful, shining pennies!
Bright, and yellow, and new!
Don't tell me about the heathen —
I want them myself, I do.
But then, what if I were a heathen,
With no precious Bible to tell
The story of Jesus, our Saviour,
Who loved little children so well!
I guess you may send them my pennies;
Perhaps in some way they'll grow;
For little brooks grow to rivers,
And pennies make dollars, you know.
I'm not very wise, but there's one thing
I think must be certainly true—
If little boys ought to give pennies,
Big men should give dollars, don't you?
— King's Messenger.
Please Don't Refuse
By L. A. S.
(Little girl with mite-box.)
Chink! chink! chink!
O what do you think?
I've a little box here,
And it is very queer;
But the pennies within have a story to tell.
Chink! chink! chink!
O what do you think?
They are going a trip
On a big steamship,
And I am quite willing to bid them farewell.
Chink! chink! chink!
O what do you think?
Dear friends, hear them cry:
“O, please let me fly,
To tell heathen children the sweet gospel news.”
Chink! chink! chink!
This is what I think:
It would increase my store,
If I had a few more;
So I'll ask you for some, and please don't refuse.
—L. A. S., in Missionary Friend.
England
By E. E. ANDROSS
LEICESTER.—I am receiving good letters from the various parts of our field. The Lord is certainly setting his hand to this work, and I am sure that we shall soon see it triumph. We are doing what we can to awaken the people throughout the field to the necessity of earnest, active missionary effort, not only for their friends and neighbors, but also for the African field. The offerings are beginning to come in for the African mission, though we have hardly got them started yet. The work in Ireland is in great need of help. We hope for a laborer soon.
The tithe in the North England Conference for October reached its high-water mark—one hundred and fifty-nine pounds.
E. E. ANDROSS.
New Mexico
By J. A. SWENEY
ALBUQUERQUE.—The cause of present truth is prospering in this mission field. The medical work has been started here by Dr. Mary P. Hunter, from Battle Creek, with her trained nurse, Sister Ruth Millette. Elder J. A. Leland has been sent here by the Colorado Conference to take charge of the Spanish work, and he has finished translating The Family Bible Teacher into the Spanish language, which will be a great help to the Spanish work.
After the Iolo camp-meeting, a tent-meeting was held here by the workers in New Mexico. At the close of the meetings three were baptized, and eight have joined the church; the membership is now thirty-four, with a good Sabbath-school and young people's meetings.
J. A. SWENEY.
India
By W. W. Miller
CALCUTTA.—Many of our people wonder if those who go to these difficult fields are happy, or if they become homesick and discouraged. We speak for ourselves only. From the day that we decided to come to India until this present writing, we have been of good courage, and just as well contented as we ever were at home. To know that the Lord is with you, is more than anything else in this world, I care not how dear it may be. Since coming here the Lord has blessed us manifold more than we deserve.
India needs more workers and prayers from our people at home. These poor heathen know not God as he is revealed in the Word, therefore they must learn his character through his servants. Almost every day they come to our home to learn about the truth. A man was sent from East Bengal, begging us to come there and start our work. A village of eight thousand inhabitants has offered to deed us land free of cost, and to help erect a building, if we will start a girls' school. We told them plainly who we were, and asked them what they would think if their children became Christians. They said that rested with the child. A native teacher told us that there were five hundred who believe in the Sabbath, and would keep it if they had proper instruction. But where are the instructors? and where is the means to build these schools?
We pray that this message, which has bound us all together in Christian fellowship, may soon finish its work, and that we may all triumph with it.
W. W. MILLER.
En Route to Peru
By F. L. Perry
PANAMA.—Our good ship anchored in Panama Bay early Sabbath morning, October 28, having been just three weeks out from San Francisco. We have had pleasant weather all the way, and nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of the voyage. We had a few hot days along the Mexican coast. Here it gets quite warm in the middle of the day; but there are beautiful evenings, and the nights are almost invariably cool. To-morrow will be our fifth day here. Our ship is due to sail to-morrow, but will probably be delayed a day or two at least. Yesterday we went ashore to arrange transportation.
The hotel rates in Panama are four dollars gold per day, and the accommodation is very poor. We obtained permission of the captain of the “Para” to remain on the ship until we can board the “Pizarro.” The rate here is $2.50 a day. It is much nicer in every way than to go into the dirty, foul-smelling city. We are sorry for this delay and expense, but can not avoid it.
The inhabitants along the coast seem to be a sorry lot, sunken in ignorance and filth, satisfied if they are possessed of a few tattered rags, and food to satisfy the cravings of hunger. There are exceptions—men and women who appear intelligent and prosperous. In19many ways these countries are naturally rich, and might in places become a real paradise, were it not for the vileness of men. It seems to me that it certainly will require the wonderful working of the power of God in these people to fit them to enter the earth made new. And it has come to me with new meaning that if I am successful in my mission, I must in real truth be working in the channel of God's grace. We have had no desire to turn back, but are very anxious to reach our field—Peru.
F. L. PERRY.
The Maritime Conference and Its New School
By W. A. SPICER
The annual meeting of the Maritime Conference, covering Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, was held in the new school building at Williamsdale East, Nova Scotia, November 2-12.
It was a good conference. From day to day the work of the meeting deepened, and the last Sabbath was a blessed season indeed. Quietly and resolutely burdens were surrendered, the divine promises were laid hold of, and victories were gained that must mean new strength and courage in the work.
Not a soul was passed by. It seemed for a time that one in that Sabbath meeting might hold out, resisting the pleading of the Lord’s Spirit, but we all rejoiced that the loving-kindness of the Lord broke every barrier down. On Sunday Elder Guthrie buried eight in baptism in the River Philip, which forms the lower boundary of Sunnyside Farm, on which the school is located. All the Maritime ministerial laborers were present, and lifted in the meeting,—Brethren Guthrie, Andrews, Gardner, Hanna, and Longard,—while Elder Thurston and the writer joined with them. It is a united and courageous band of workers and people who take up the work for another year in this far northeastern part of the North American continent.
This new school is a source of much satisfaction to the conference. Williamsdale is a valley north of the Basin of Minas, famous in the story of Acadie, as the water round which many of the early French settlers made their homes. On the sunny slope of the valley our people have secured a two-hundred-acre farm, mostly cleared land. The accompanying picture shows the new school building, the farmhouse and stables, and the greater part of the farm, though little of the woodland can be seen. It is a quiet place in which to study, with a beautiful view down the valley, and the farm will supply ample opportunity for useful outdoor employment.
Eighteen students, I think, were ready to enter the first term, and no doubt the number will be increased. There are sturdy young people growing up in this truth in these provinces, and at last provision has been made to train them into service. No wonder that new hope fills the hearts of the people. In supporting Elder E. E. Gardner as principal of the school, Iowa is making a good contribution to mission work, and Sister Gardner is well qualified to take a strong part in educational work also. Too long the young people of Canada have had to come to the States for training in our work, to the loss of the Canadian field. Now, with this school in the easternmost provinces, the Ontario school in the middle ground, and the Manitoba school in the west, new strength will come to the work in the great Dominion.
WILLIAMSDALE ACADEMY, “SUNNYSIDE FARM,” WILLIAMSDALE EAST, NOVA SCOTIA
The brethren of the maritime provinces are deeply grateful for the gifts by believers in a number of the Western conferences, by which it was possible to get the school started. Still there is need for realizing any unpaid pledges or other indications of good will. The believers in the field will lift, but they are few, and the resources are not large. But a good work has been begun, and we must stand by it with our prayers and means.
Prince Edward Island, one of the maritime provinces, is still without a laborer. Two sisters were present from that part of the field. There is a portable tabernacle all ready for work in Charlottetown, the chief place of the island, and these sisters are doing what they can with literature, and are praying that some laborer may come soon to lift the standard. The Maritime Conference invites any conference that can do so to send and support some ministerial laborer in that large island field. It is an agricultural region, with a population of one hundred thousand, a good field for some enterprising young couple to enter. The tide is turning eastward in the work on this continent. The strength and resources of the West are being drawn out toward the needier and more populous Eastern districts. At the Maritime meeting the following action was taken:—
“Whereas, In the providence of God the tide of effort in behalf of the advent message is turning eastward in these closing days of the message; therefore,—
“Resolved, That we of the easternmost conference on the continent, redouble our efforts to develop laborers and resources to enter every unworked portion of the maritime provinces, and that in this time of the latter rain we will specially seek for the baptism of the Holy Spirit for service, in order that we may be soul-winners and witnesses for God.”
This region of the Bay of Fundy is famous for its high tides, which rise along its shores to heights unknown in other parts. May the flowing tide of interest and effort in behalf of this third angel’s message sweep into the Maritime Conference in overflowing blessings; for here is a beautiful, rugged country, with sturdy, warm-hearted people, many of whom are only waiting to hear and obey the truth.
W. A. SPICER.
Report of the Third Biennial Session of the Atlantic Union Conference
By Jennie Thayer
THE Atlantic Union Conference, as its name indicates, borders on the Atlantic Ocean, and it is comprised of the conferences of Maine, Vermont, Central New England, Southern New England, New York, Greater New York, New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, Western Pennsylvania, Chesapeake, Virginia, and West Virginia. The third biennial session of this conference was held at South Lancaster, Mass., Nov. 1-9, 1905.
In addition to the ministers directly connected with the conference, the meeting was favored with the labors and counsels of Elders A. G. Daniells, G. A. Irwin, S. N. Haskell, and E. W. Farnsworth. Brother S. N. Curtiss, of the Review and Herald Publishing Association, was also present. Including these, forty-five delegates were in attendance.
During the session, a devotional meeting or Bible study was held each morning from 6 to 6:45; a business meeting from 9 to 10:30 A. M., and from 2:30 to 4 P. M.; and a preaching service at 11 A. M., and at 7:30 P. M. Fifteen business meetings were held, and were especially characterized by a spirit of religious liberty and Christian courtesy.
The Chair being empowered to appoint the usual committees, named the following: On nominations, E. E. Miles, A. G. Daniells, J. E. Jayne, W. J. Fitzgerald, and C. H. Edwards; on plans, G. A. Irwin, A. E. Place, W. A. Westworth, S. H. Lane, Frederick Griggs, T. H. Purdon, M. L. Andreasen, F. E. Painter, C. C. Nicola, O. E. Reinke, and O. O. Farnsworth; on credentials and licenses, R. D. Hottel, C. F. McVagh, P. F. Bicknell, B. F. Purdham, and S. H. Lane; on distribution of labor, I. N. Williams, G. A. Irwin, F. H. De Vinney, F. C. Gilbert, and Morris Lukens; on apportionment of funds, A. G. Daniells, V. H. Cook, and J. E. Jayne; editorial committee, C. H. Edwards, M. L. Andreasen, W. J. Fitzgerald, and J. S. Wightman.
The treasurer’s report for the twenty-two months ending Oct. 31, 1905, showed that there had been received in tithe, $17,251.02; in trust funds, $38,157.47; in local funds, $4,170.59; and that the present worth of the conference was $3,052.59, against $1,148.85 Jan. 1, 1904.
The reports from the presidents of the conferences were all of an encouraging tone, showing a general improvement in the financial condition of the work, an increase in tithes and offerings, also in church-membership, and a determination to enter more vigorously upon aggressive work now that the burden of debt is being removed. So far as can be determined from these reports, the number of churches in the Atlantic Union Conference is about two hundred and eighty-five, with a membership of eight thousand seven hundred and ten.
In addition to the reports from the presidents of local conferences, a report was given of the canvassing work, of the educational work, and of the Hebrew, the German, and the Scandinavian work conducted within the conference limits.
The largest number of canvassers reporting any one week was fifty-three, and the average number was thirty-one. The total value of orders reported for the biennial term was $7,232.64. The average sales a week for each agent were $21.08; the average each hour, $1.08.
There have been thirty-one church-schools, with an enrolment of five hundred and forty-six, one hundred of whom are reported as coming from homes where the Sabbath is not observed.
A comprehensive view of the work of the conference may be obtained from the following resolutions, which were adopted:—
“Whereas, The abounding mercies of God have been manifest in all the various branches of our work, and his guiding hand has been evidenced in the success that has attended our efforts during the conference term; therefore—
“1. Resolved, That as a conference and as individuals, we unite in praising our Heavenly Father for his manifest goodness, and further—
“That we show our appreciation of God’s grace by pressing forward into the openings of his providence.
“Whereas, The General Conference during its last session, held in Washington, D. C., created a foreign department to foster evangelical work among the various nationalities; and—
“Whereas, Persons have already been chosen to act as directors of this work among the German, Danish-Norwegian, and Swedish nationalities; and—
“Whereas, There is in the Atlantic Union Conference millions of foreign-speaking people, for whom comparatively little is being done; therefore, be it—
“2. Resolved, That we heartily approve of the recommendations passed by the General Conference relative to the foreign work, and that we invite the directors of the foreign work to give special attention to the needs of their respective nationalities in this union conference, and we pledge our hearty co-operation with said directors in carrying forward their work.
“Whereas, The union conference is much interested in the development of all the various lines of work connected with the message in its territory; therefore—
“3. We recommend, (a) That when there arises a need for enlarged facilities for any line of work connected with the message involving any large outlay of means, the matter be first carefully considered by the said conference, and if the move seem to be a proper one, the matter then be brought before the attention of the union conference for investigation and counsel before any definite move is made.
“(b) That if the move be considered a proper one, whether it be the purchase of property or the erection of buildings, the project be then brought before the conference concerned, to ascertain the amount they are able to raise in the home field, and if this does not cover the full amount of the outlay needed, the counsel and advice of the union conference be sought as to the best way of raising the necessary funds.
“Whereas, There are nearly one million emigrants landing at New York City annually from all parts of the world, to become citizens of this country, and—
“Whereas, The first impressions received in this country are lasting; therefore—
“4. Resolved, That the Atlantic Union Conference make an appropriation to the Greater New York Conference sufficient to employ a worker understanding several languages, to act as colporteur to distribute our literature prepared for the purpose, said conference to pay for the literature.
“In view of the fact that this union conference has a surplus of $2,500 in its treasury, and—
“Whereas, Our General Conference is badly in need of funds to sustain its missions in foreign lands, and also to open new missions in needy fields; therefore—
“5. We recommend, That this union conference donate $1,500 of this surplus to the General Conference for mission purposes.
“Whereas, There is not as effective work being done by the Educational Department of the Atlantic Union Conference as there should be; therefore—
“6. Resolved, That the department be reorganized, and made to consist of fifteen members, with a chairman and secretary, and that this committee be appointed by the executive committee of the Atlantic Union Conference, and be under its control and direction.
“7. Resolved, That we urge each of the conferences comprising the union to establish and maintain a department of education.
“Whereas, The subject of Christian education is of vital importance to our people in preparing young men and women to be workers in the cause of present truth, and in the salvation of our children, therefore—
“8. Resolved, That the Department of Education of the Atlantic Union Conference prepare two educational programs, to be presented each year in the churches throughout the union.
“9. Resolved, That we urge upon our people the necessity of a prayerful study of the instruction given by the spirit of prophecy regarding the establishment and maintenance of schools of all grades for our children and youth.
“Whereas, There are throughout the conferences of the union many young men and women of promise, who are unable to obtain the education necessary to properly qualify them to be workers in the cause of present truth, and—
“Whereas, There is at present no permanent fund established for the purpose of assisting such proper and worthy young persons in attending our accredited training-schools; therefore—
“10. Resolved, That steps be taken at once to establish such a fund in each conference of the union, said fund to be maintained by contributions and other laudable means, and to be under the joint management of the executive committees of the conferences and the local departments of education, and further—
“That twenty per cent of such funds be appropriated to the like fund of the board of management of our union conference academy, and further—20“That to assist in building up such funds we accept the kind offer of Elder S. N. Haskell to print a special issue of the Bible Training School.
“That the special issue of the Training School be twenty thousand copies, and that it be issued during January, 1906.
“11. Resolved, That we urge our conferences that have not already done so to prosecute most vigorously the matter of closing out their quota of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons.’
“Whereas, There is an urgent need for a church manual to assist both local and conference officials in their work, and—
“Whereas, The General Conference has planned the publication of such a work; therefore—
“12. Resolved, That we request the General Conference to hasten the issuance of this manual.
“Whereas, God has placed upon this people the responsibility of finishing the gospel work in the earth in this generation, and—
“Whereas, Notwithstanding abundant harvests and unusual temporal prosperity, men’s hearts are failing them for fear, and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth, and—
“Whereas, The warning message in printed form is one of the most mighty agencies for the rapid proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom; therefore—
“13. Resolved, That we most earnestly request conference and church officers and ministers to give diligent attention to seeking out and encouraging suitable persons to engage in the circulation of our literature, both as resident workers and as regular canvassers.
“14. Resolved, That in order to carry this work forward in the strong, aggressive manner so necessary at this time, each conference shall maintain continuously a competent canvassing agent.
“15. Resolved, That in each conference arrangements be made for the training and development of men for the management of this line of work.
“Whereas, There is a tendency to relax vigorous missionary work during a portion of the year, because of the special efforts put forth during the fall campaign; therefore—
“16. Resolved, That we endeavor to keep constantly before our people the idea that we are engaged in a continuous, ever-increasing missionary movement, of which these special campaigns are only a part.
“Whereas, The Ministry of Healing, an illustrated book of about five hundred and forty pages, has been offered by Mrs. E. G. White as a gift to our people, to be used by them for the help of our medical work, as the book, ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ was used to assist our educational work; therefore—
“17. Resolved, That we express to the author our appreciation of the gift of this most excellent work for the benefit of the sanitarium enterprises in this field, and our determination to use the book in a way that will make it a messenger of light to thousands of homes, a source of encouragement to our churches, and of strength to the work in each conference; and further—
“That in order to carry out this resolution, we proceed at once to organize a strong and continuous effort for its circulation in harmony with the plan suggested by the Relief Bureau, as follows:—
“(a) That the New England States work their territory in behalf of the New England Sanitarium at Melrose.
“(b) That the Greater New York Conference gather a fund for medical missionary work in its own territory, it being understood that the fund will be deposited with the General Conference without interest until it is required by the conference for medical purposes.
“(c) That the New York Conference devote the proceeds from its sales to organized sanitarium work under the auspices of the conference.
“(d) That the Eastern Pennsylvania, Western Pennsylvania, and New Jersey Conferences work for the Philadelphia Sanitarium.
“(e) That Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia work in behalf of the Washington Sanitarium.
“Whereas, At the recent General Conference, held at Washington, D. C., the message came to us from Sister White that ‘the time has come when the Jews are to be given light,’ and—
“Whereas, Years ago the Testimonies declared that publications should be prepared for the Jewish people, and—
“Whereas, ‘The Lord wants us to encourage and sustain men who shall labor in right lines for this people,’ and—
“Whereas, There are within the borders of the Atlantic Union Conference more than one million of Jews; therefore—
“18. We recommend, That we consider the publication of the Jewish tract, ‘Israel’s Deliverer,’ by F. C. Gilbert, as a right step in this direction, and that other literature for the Jews be prepared, and that definite steps be taken by this conference to start, in the near future, more public work for this people.
“Whereas, There never was a time when the powers of evil worked with greater diligence than now to counteract the work of God, and curtail the liberties of God’s people; therefore—
“19. Resolved, That we recommend that each conference in this union that has not already done so, organize a religious liberty department, or appoint a secretary, whose special duty shall be to watch the different issues coming up that may affect the liberties of the people, acquaint our churches with the situation, and create a general interest in this much-neglected branch of the Lord’s work.”
The following officers were elected: President, E. W. Farnsworth; Vice-president, W. J. Fitzgerald; Secretary and Treasurer, Jennie Thayer; Union Canvassing Agent, F. E. Painter; Executive Committee, in addition to the presidents of local conferences, Frederick Griggs, C. C. Nicola, M. D., S. N. Curtiss, F. E. Painter, and E. E. Miles.
Advisory Committee of the Medical Department: G. T. Harding, M. D., C. C. Nicola, M. D., H. B. Knapp, M. D., E. F. Otis, M. D., Patience Bourdeau-Sisco, M. D., G. H. Heald, M. D., J. E. Jayne, C. H. Edwards, and W. J. Fitzgerald.
Department of Education: F. Griggs (Chairman), W. J. Fitzgerald (Secretary), A. E. Place, W. A. Westworth, Mrs. S. J. Hall, H. W. Carr, C. H. Edwards, J. E. Jayne, Frank A. Page, B. F. Purdham, Eliza H. Morton, Lula I. Tarbell, Sue M. Andrews, Fannie Fondersmith.
Credentials were granted to H. W. Cottrell, E. W. Farnsworth, W. J. Fitzgerald, Frederick Griggs, R. F. Cottrell, and F. C. Gilbert; and a ministerial license to F. E. Painter.
Professor Griggs introduced the following resolution, which was adopted on motion of E. E. Miles, seconded by several simultaneously:—
“Whereas, Elder H. W. Cottrell has for many years carried the heavy responsibilities incident to the office of president of the Atlantic Union Conference, and—
“Whereas, He has been called to the work in another union conference; therefore—
“Resolved, That we tender to Elder Cottrell our sincere thanks for his very earnest, conscientious, and untiring efforts for the upbuilding of the work of the Lord in this conference, and that we hereby assure him that our prayers, love, and good wishes shall follow him and his family in his future work.”
Elder Cottrell called upon all to support Elders Farnsworth and Fitzgerald as heartily as he had been supported, and said he believed that this would be done, for he knew of no more loyal people than those of the Atlantic Union Conference.
JENNIE THAYER, Secretary.
Showers of Blessing at Mt. Vernon (Ohio) College
By Mrs. A. E. Shepherd
HERE in Mt. Vernon College we have been looking forward to the week of prayer,—the time set apart for special refreshings from the presence of the Lord, when our people unitedly seek, and always receive, a blessing. This year the need of seeking the Lord was felt more than ever before. Many things to make the timid fearful and the doubting soul full of forebodings came to us, and our hearts were heavy with sorrow for the present and with anxiety for the future.
We sought the Source of all comfort, and were soon directed to others who were earnestly seeking him. We read with a deeper interest the promise given by our Saviour to those who unite in asking, and we followed closely the directions given, taking one thing at a time to him in earnest prayer. The early morning hour found a little company gathered with just one petition,—every other desire of the heart was put aside,—and as one after another was taken in prayer to God, the knowledge came that we were not praying alone, but that Jesus himself had come in among us, and hearts were being made tender by his presence.
Tuesday morning at chapel hour, while the president was addressing the students, his own heart overflowed with love, and he could not refrain from bearing a testimony to the goodness of God and his tender compassion and infinite love for the children of men. He then extended the same privilege to any one who desired to speak. Testimonies followed in quick succession, hearts were touched, and many requests for prayer came from burdened souls who had long turned a deaf ear to the Saviour's pleadings.
There were many confessions of faults and pleadings for deliverance, and when the meeting closed, at half-past twelve o'clock, almost all in the school had21sought the Lord in sincerity of heart for a closer walk with him. The session closed with the conviction in our hearts that the three and one-half hours spent with Jesus had revealed a depth of love before unknown.
Tuesday night after the chapel meeting, the students held their weekly prayer-meeting. All the Home students were present. The morning's work was deepened by the experience of the evening. Three more unconverted ones asked for prayers, and at the present time there are but two in the Home who have not yielded their hearts to God. The week of prayer has begun with us earlier than the appointed season, but it does not diminish our desires for this precious season; for we must keep by prayer what the Lord has committed to our trust. There is One mighty to save who will keep watch with us; all praise, and honor, and glory to his name.
MRS. A. E. SHEPHERD.
Religious Liberty Notes
By K. C. RUSSELL
An earnest letter has been received by our department from Elder Andrew Nelson, the president of the Oklahoma Conference, concerning the religious liberty work in his field.
The North American of Nov. 22, 1905, says that “the Carbon County, Pennsylvania, Sabbath Association has petitioned the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, the Central Railroad of New Jersey, and the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company to discontinue Sunday work as much as possible.”
The possibility of reaching the masses through the public press was demonstrated recently as the result of pointed articles written for the New York City papers by the New York Religious Liberty Secretary, Elder J. S. Wightman, showing the meaning of the great Inter-Church Federation Movement. He estimates that these articles reached an aggregate of seven million readers, as they were copied by papers in other cities.
Elder F. I. Richardson, president of the Arizona Conference, writes that it seems to him that the National Reformers, in their efforts to have Christianity acknowledged as the standard and basis of our national legislation in the proposed anti-polygamy amendment to the Constitution, reveal just what they have been drifting toward for years, and he feels deeply over this movement. He further says that polygamy is a curse, and should be dealt with from the standpoint of a breach of civil law, the same as bigamy.
Elder A. R. Ogden, Kansas Religious Liberty Secretary, writes a strong appeal to our people in his territory, in which he says: “In the present missionary campaign I trust that our brethren will not forget the living issue of ‘religious liberty,’ and in connection with the circulation of literature will give the religious liberty literature its share of attention. The issue of religious persecution is right upon us. The opponents of present truth are laying their plans, and artfully working to make religion a fundamental part of our laws. All need to understand at this time the true principles of Christian liberty.”
At the request of the local W. C. T. U., of Winston-Salem, N. C., where Brother Thomas C. Hege recently served a sixty days’ sentence in jail for selling goods on Sunday, several pastors of different churches of the place preached on Sabbath observance. In his sermon delivered on Sunday, October 29, the pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church said, among other things: “The desecration of Sunday is rebellion against God. If we can not have laws, we will have to grant polygamy, free love, and the like. It is a dark picture, this Sabbath-breaking business. No government, State or national, has a right to desecrate God’s day. The city council enforced the law. I indorse it. God was glorified. In God’s name, I protest against any Sunday sales. How can we correct these evils? Answer: Contend with the nobles. Demand, and the demand will be granted. Educate, educate, educate. Agitate, and keep up agitation.”
K. C. RUSSELL.
