Earlier text: Danger in “Preserved” FoodsRiver Plate Conference
By J. W. Westphal
The River Plate Conference was held at San Geronimo, in the Sante Fe Province, according to appointment, March 17-27. In connection with this meeting, the South American Mission committee also met to audit the laborers' accounts, and to transact other necessary business. The meeting was not largely attended, only about forty being present. This was due in part to the fact that we have but few brethren in this portion of the field, and the continuous heavy rains during the three weeks previous had prevented our brethren from completing their thrashing and getting their grain cared for. However, during the meeting we had excellent weather. The Lord's presence was manifest in the meetings. Instruction was given along different lines; the leading hand of God in the development of this work in its early history, and what it means to us who have come into the message and work at a later time, was also dwelt upon. There is nothing that gives our brethren more enthusiasm than the recital of these past experiences in the light of the prophetic word; it fills them with faith and courage. These experiences, and especially the midnight cry, together with its history and meaning, still serve as a bright light to guide and strengthen the steps of God's people. There was most bitter prejudice against us in the village, and steps were even taken to compel us to leave. But since we had created no disturbance, they found themselves under the necessity of dropping the matter. Disturbance was also made at the meetings. The outside attendance at first was small. But as the meetings progressed, the attendance increased. The Lord gave freedom in presenting the truth for this time, which left an impression upon some hearts. Elders Town and Maas remained to follow up the work. Three were baptized; two of these were Swiss, and one was French. The former had been brought into the truth through the work of Brother Diriwaechter and others during the summer, and the latter had purchased a copy of “Great Controversy” twelve years ago, as the result of which he had been led into the truth. He had given up liquor, tobacco, and other evil habits before he had the privilege of attending our meetings. Elders Ketring and Thomann, from the West Coast, and Brother Schenk, from Brazil, were present, and rendered valuable assistance in the meetings and in counsel. Elder McCarthy could not attend on account of ill health. The business passed off harmoniously. The officers elected were practically the same as last year. Three new churches were added to the conference. Since the preceding conference, about one hundred and twenty persons had been baptized in this field. Thus the last year has witnessed its largest growth. The tithe for 1903 was $2,754.92, or nearly one thousand dollars more than for the previous year. The Sabbath-school offerings amounted to $229.91, and the other offerings that have gone directly into the conference treasury to $331.80. Besides these, there have been donations to local enterprises. At the conference $309.89 was either paid or pledged toward the purchase of a press to be connected with the mission school. A publishing fund for the printing of tracts in the Spanish language was started with $180.77. The press will be the property of the River Plate Conference, while the publishing fund is the property of the South American Mission. Both of these funds ought to be increased to one thousand dollars. We hope to raise some more here for both, but it is not to be expected that we can raise what will be needed, and so we still extend our hands for help. Two brethren—John V. Maas and Edward W. Thomann—were ordained to the sacred work of the gospel ministry, in the presence of a good audience. The former is a member of this conference, while Brother Thomann was recommended to be ordained by the South American Mission committee, and will continue as a laborer of the West Coast field. We are of good courage in the Lord, and our faith that the work can and will be finished in this generation increases. It was our special desire and prayer at the conference to be prepared, and to prepare now, for the reception of the latter rain, by which alone the work can be accomplished. South Africa
By H. J. Edmed
BROTHER ALTMAN and his wife are now conducting a tent effort in Durban. I have come down to Johannesburg to assist Brother Kuehl in a tent effort. The Lord gave us forty-five converts in Maritzburg before I left, and there was still a good interest, but I felt that Brother Kuehl should be assisted. We have erected a tent in a thickly populated portion of the town, and have held meetings every night. The company here has helped us nobly with funds, and also in other ways. We shipped our tent, and fitted it at a cost of about thirty pounds, all of which has been promised by the church. I have started open-air meetings for Saturday evenings, on the great market square, with excellent results. The church-members fitted up a wagon, which they have hired for several months, and each Saturday evening we run this through the city with illuminated advertisements of our meetings. Then we halt on the great square, and sing the good old advent hymns. Soon we have a crowd. We hang up our charts, and preach exactly the same way as we do in the tent, and crowds of people stand throughout to hear us. We have a good organ on the wagon. We are truly thankful for the evidence of the Lord's favor. The result of these meetings so far has been to lift the church here by turning it into a working force. We have few laborers, but I have organized the church into a tent company, which gives me a strong force of workers. Of course they can give but little time to this work, but still they are doing much; it all tells. I have felt that this is what the Lord has been calling for recently, through his servant, and I am anxious to give every member of the church 'his work.' We have sent one young lady to the college to train for school work, and expect her to be ready to take charge of a school next year. I have two young workers and two older sisters whom I am training for Bible work. They are excellent helpers, and give promise of great progress in the work. Brother Altman has a young man in training. We have opened up treatment rooms in Maritzburg, where there was an urgent call. There are a great number of people in Natal and Transvaal who are ahead of our people on the healthful living question. The Kuhne system has done much to bring this about. But they do not have the light we have on treatments. Brother and Sister Armer, with one lady and one gentleman helper, are there; and although we have to pay as much as twenty pounds a month rent, they are more than paying expenses. Quite a number of wealthy persons and government officials have taken treatment. The last report I received from Brother Armer exceeds all my most sanguine expectations. We need a doctor a little nearer than Cape Town, because the laws regulating the giving of treatments are very stringent here, and a Cape doctor can not practise in Natal. I hope that a good doctor will soon give his services to this field; for there is a great work to be done in this line. I know our population is small comparatively, but it must be remembered that thousands of people from all over the world flock to Johannesburg, and spend a great deal of time in Natal, which is also a health resort for the weary searchers after gold. Thus we are able to reach a great number of people. I think the Lord might have found cities more largely populated than Jerusalem in which to pour out pentecostal blessing, but he chose the place where were the most widely representative population—they came from all parts of the world. My health has been poor since coming here to work, but I can not retreat simply because I should be more comfortable somewhere else. The Lord gives me strength for each day's work, and I rejoice in realizing constantly the Lord's faithfulness to fulfil his promises. He has said, “They that wait upon the Lord17 shall renew their strength,” and he verifies that promise to me daily. We have little time to think about our ailments now. The time has come when there must be delay no longer, and I wish to live in that spirit each moment of my life. If Satan affects our bodies, the Lord can restrain his power; and I believe that when we have proved to the Lord and to the universe that Satan’s afflictions will not move our firmness of purpose, and that we will endure hardship as good soldiers, the Lord will limit his power, and restrain him from oppressing us. H. J. EDMED. Camp-Meetings in Northwest Canada
By R. A. Underwood
For a little over one month I have labored in connection with Elder C. J. Kunkel in the provinces of Manitoba, Assiniboia, and Alberta. We have held two general camp-meetings and two general meetings, one general meeting in Assiniboia, and one in Manitoba among our German brethren. These provinces present a territory of over one thousand miles in length, and reaching as far north as people can live. The Northern Union Conference extends over the greater portion of northwestern Canada, which is largely a mission field. The Manitoba conference has two hundred and eighty-four church-members. Their camp-meeting was held at Portage La Prairie, June 28 to July 10. The attendance of our own people at this meeting was about ninety persons. Elders C. J. Kunkel and W. H. Anderson, Prof. M. B. Van Kirk, and the writer assisted the local laborers in the meeting. The attendance from the outside was not large, yet some manifested much interest in the truths presented. The meeting was not all that we desired, yet as a whole it was a great blessing and encouragement to the work in this field. There was given in donations, in cash, pledges, and implements for the school, five hundred and fifty dollars, besides fifteen dollars for the work in Africa, eleven dollars cash and a pledge of two hundred dollars for the work in Washington. In all, the donations at the meeting amounted to seven hundred and fifty-one dollars. Elder W. M. Adams was chosen conference president, and Elder C. J. Kunkel, vice-president. Elder Kunkel will labor in this field among the German population. The undertaking to establish a training-school in this field had been under way for several months. A farm had been purchased, and buildings partially erected. The school question occupied considerable time and attention during the meeting. It was decided to open the school this fall. The brethren returned to their homes with hope and courage for success in the work. Four were baptized at the meeting. The camp-meeting in Alberta was the first camp-meeting in that field. It was held at Ponoka. There are about one hundred and fifty Sabbath-keepers in Alberta; sixty-five of these were present at the meeting, which was one of general encouragement to the believers in that field. It was thought best to organize the work under more local management than formerly. A committee, consisting of Brethren J. W. Boynton, A. C. Anderson, son, and H. Block, was chosen to have oversight of the work. Stella B. Lowry was chosen secretary and treasurer of the mission field, with R. S. Greaves in charge of the canvassing work. The book sales in this field have been over two thousand dollars during the past year. The tithe of the past eight months has amounted to about seven hundred dollars. The prospect is good for a steady growth in the work. There are now four canvassers and three ministers in the Alberta field, and about the same number in the Manitoba field. There was $78.80 donated to the work in Washington. Into this field of northwest Canada thousands of foreigners are coming, principally those speaking the English, German, Scandinavian, French, Icelandic, Russian, and Galatian languages. Besides these there are many tribes of native Indians, extending as far north as people can live. Among these tribes there are Sabbath-keepers of ability and education, who can speak several languages. If we improve the opening God is presenting to us to develop native workers among these various tribes to carry this message, we must have a training-school here, where persons can be instructed in the truths, and prepared to go among their own people with the light. Such a training-school is in contemplation. We need a Bible teacher and an educator in practical missionary work, to take charge of the training-school which the Manitoba Conference hopes to open this fall. We hope to see the proper instructor and the means secured to carry on the school. To the Indians of North America, we owe this message of love and hope. Should any one desire to help in this work, means can be sent to Mrs. W. M. Adams, 438 Selkirk Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba. A Review of the Work in the Southern Union Conference
By George Ide Butler
While there have been no remarkable developments of recent date in our conference, yet there are tokens of improvement, and some interesting evidences of a forward movement, and greater success for the future. This great Southern field has been spoken of as a very difficult field, and it truly is such. There are some perplexities we have to struggle against here that our more advanced and prosperous conferences of the North know not of. However, there are none but what the power and grace of God are sufficient to overcome, if we can only have the wisdom and humility to walk in his ways. The publishing work has been, to a degree, prosperous during the quarter which is now closing. The Special Number of the Watchman
The special number of the Watchman, the matter contained in which almost wholly pertains to the coming of our Lord and Saviour, has met with quite a ready sale. About one hundred thousand copies have been sold. We have heard none but the most favorable comments concerning this number thus far, and have had many most encouraging commendations concerning its valuable character, from a large variety of sources. Wherever undertaken, it has been sold with great ease and rapidity. It has been stated that no publication has sold more readily. A brother in Texas has sold several thousand copies, and continues sending for more. Thousands of them were sold right here in the city of Nashville. It has been stated that this paper was sold with even greater ease than the finely illustrated and ably edited last special issue of the Signs of the Times, or even than the Life Boat, which all said was the easiest thing to sell that had ever been issued. We have regretted to see, of late, quite a material falling off in the calls for this special number. We know of no good reason for it. The whole subject-matter is the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing in the number that would particularly call attention to the date, in the hands of the common observer, so that, as far as the date is concerned, it is just as good several months after its issue as at the time thereof. The matter contained in it will be most excellent from now until the close of time; for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest event this world will ever behold. In a brief notice, the editor of the Signs of the Times presents one very important fact. He speaks of the value of the matter, and of its excellent presentation, and states that in no other form could the same amount of matter be obtained without a cost of five times as much. Let the readers of the Review notice that this is a very interesting and important fact. The editor of the Signs is certainly good authority. And where can be found a more attractive presentation of the subject-matter than is contained in this beautifully illustrated paper? Where can anything be found that would present the coming of the Lord at so cheap a price, so easy to sell, so attractive in appearance? Why then should the sale of this paper not be pushed in all directions, wherever the English language is spoken? What is a circulation of one hundred thousand copies, with a hundred million people speaking the English language to be warned? It is very evident that a large number of our people have taken as yet little interest in it, and when we stop to think that one brother can sell several thousand copies in a few weeks, and even little boys and girls can sell them by the hundred, in a day, why should this important agency be neglected? We will say to all the readers of the Review that the three presses of the Southern Publishing Association can turn off the papers as fast as wanted. A Large Increase of Territory for the Circulation of Our Publications
Our brethren of the publishing board and of the General Conference Committee, at the Berrien Springs meeting, very kindly granted the Southern Publishing Association the whole territory of the Southwestern Union Conference as its field of circulation. It is known, doubtless, to many of the readers of the Review, that the Review and Herald Association and the Pacific Press Publishing Company have heretofore divided up the whole territory of the United States and Canada, so as to avoid confusion, and not to be in each other’s way18 in the circulation of our good literature. Since the General Conference authorized the establishment of the Southern Publishing Association as an organization by itself, to supply literature for the Southern field, because of certain peculiarities and prejudices existing in the South, and because literature printed in the South, as a rule, is more acceptable to Southern readers than that printed in the North, this publishing association has been struggling under many difficulties to reach a state of efficiency where it could do the work in the most economical and acceptable manner. The Southern Publishing Association is established in the Southern Union Conference, which, of course, is only a portion of the Southern territory. It would seem, then, that the steps taken by the General Conference Committee and the committee on the circulation of our literature were reasonable, because the same reasons exist in the South-western Union Conference for Southern literature that exist in the Southern Union Conference itself. These reasons, doubtless, had much to do with the decisions made by the aforesaid committee. This arrangement goes into effect the first of next January. Steps are already being taken so that the Southern Publishing Association will be ready to occupy its territory at that time. This will involve the establishing of a large depository, capable of supplying all the needs of that interesting and important field. The internal affairs of our office have been working very smoothly and pleasantly. Because of a lack of sufficient funds to do business, we have been obliged to pass through many perplexities, and have greatly regretted that the means which the General Conference at its session in Oakland voted should be raised for this field could not have come to us, as generously designed. However, we wish to make no complaints, and find no fault, but do the best we can. This lack, of course, cripples us in many ways, but we feel that God’s prospering hand is with us. We have a good class of help, and everything is working pleasantly, only we know that we need a greater degree of God’s Spirit and blessing than we yet have. For this we are striving. If our brethren would take hold of the circulation of the special number of the Watchman, and push it as it ought to be pushed, until hundreds of thousands, or even a million, copies were sold, this, of course, would be of great assistance to us. It would be a great benefit to them also, as well as to the cause. We have done all we can on our part, and greatly wish our brethren would help us, by helping themselves, and the work of God all over the world where the English language is spoken. It will be a long time before the printed truth on the Lord’s coming will be presented in a more attractive form, in an easier manner to circulate, and at less cost, than has already been done by this office. Our Health and Temperance Work
This branch of the cause has also been laboring under many embarrassments, for lack of means, yet there are some encouraging features. The sanitarium in Graysville is now in active operation. Quite a portion of the building has been finished and put in shape for the reception of patients, and the institution is being patronized, to a greater or less degree. It is far from being fully finished or as thoroughly equipped as might be desired, but its field of usefulness is already entered upon, and we hope it may have success. Our small sanitarium in Atlanta, Ga., is also now in operation, and patients are coming to receive its benefits. The building is not a large one, and therefore can not accommodate a great many persons, but it is put in good, attractive shape, and we hope may be a blessing to many. The loss, by fire, of our small sanitarium at Hildebran, N. C., is a great local calamity to that field. The origin of the fire was a mystery. It seemed to be started from the outside. It was surprising that some did not lose their lives, but all escaped. It was a total loss, there being no insurance. The directors were just about to insure it, but as it had not been fully fitted up, they were putting it off until it should be completed. The brethren and sisters of that conference feel that it ought to be rebuilt. Quite a large number of patients were all ready to come to occupy it. Dr. Carey, who had come from the West to act as its physician, had high hopes of its prosperity. Under all the circumstances, the affliction was a very sad one to those who had been laboring with such a spirit of sacrifice and earnestness to complete this small institution. Knowing many of the facts concerning these sacrifices, the writer admits to feeling a great degree of sadness because of this affliction. We earnestly hope that the friends of the cause will rally, and erect a more suitable building, with better facilities and accommodations. In this case, the fire would prove a benefit instead of a detriment; for the previous building was hardly fit to stand as one of our representative sanitariums. Were it not for the great need of means for the establishment of the work in Washington, the writer would feel inclined to make a very earnest appeal in behalf of this enterprise. It is needed, and would be greatly appreciated in that community. It would be a great help to the cause in that State, and to many suffering patients. We sincerely sympathize with the dear brethren in North Carolina because of this loss. Our sanitarium work in Nashville—both the small sanitarium for the colored people, and the one for the white people—is struggling under great financial perplexities. Both are trying to establish their work in rented buildings, which are not very well adapted to the real needs of the work, but this is the best we can do. The latter has two buildings rented, and quite a number of patients and helpers. The workers are all very busy. Dr. Hayward is struggling hard to meet the demands upon him, and his work is appreciated. We hope the friends of the cause will pray that this important point may, in the near future, have a proper sanitarium to fill the position it should in the work of God. Our colored medical workers in that sanitarium are surely entitled to the sympathy, co-operation, and assistance of our brethren amid the great difficulties and perplexities under which they labor. We could greatly enlarge upon these subjects, but perhaps it would not be best at the present time. May the Lord devise ways and means to help us in our desperate struggles with poverty and obstacles. Nashville Sanitarium Fund
By L. A. Hansen
FOLLOWING are the donations received for the Nashville Sanitarium and Missionary Nurses’ Training School, from May 12 to July 27. The amounts that have come in, however, came just in time, it seemed, to meet the most urgent demands, and had it not been for the donations, we should not have known what to do. We are most grateful to those who thus helped in our effort to get this important branch of the work established. We were recently made glad by a visit from Elder W. C. White and Sister White, who both expressed deep interest in the progress and development, and much encouragement was given us for the future. We believe we see evidence of the providence of the Lord in caring for the needs of this work, and our hope and trust is in him. The total amount thus far received is, of course, far short of what is yet needed. We are still in the position where we daily see urgent need of help, and many opportunities to do good work if we were only prepared to do it. Previously reported .................. $299 60
A. B. Dilworth ....................... 1 00
E. Walton ............................ 5 00
E. D. Scales .......................... 1 00
F. D. Starr ........................... 1 00
Mrs. Ed. Allen ....................... 2 25
Mrs. N. E. Hart ...................... 2 00
Emma R. Smith ........................ 1 00
Henry S. Foster ...................... 5 00
Lucy Rutherford ...................... 1 00
Mrs. S. Konigmacher .................. 1 00
Benjamin F. Turner ................... 2 00
A friend .............................. 5 00
F. W. Hallady ........................ 5 00
M. H. Minier .......................... 5 00
M. B. Cyphers ....................... 30 00
Battle Creek Sanitarium family ...... 48 50
W. A. Harvey ........................ 5 00
Miss E. Hamilton ..................... 2 00
Battle Creek church ................. 117 97
John C. Briggs ........................ 75
S. M. Booth ........................... 2 00
Mrs. T. E. Wheeler ................... 1 00
Mrs. E. Chapman ...................... 5 00
Alice C. Cone ........................ 5 00
Lansing (Mich.) church ............... 4 50
Omer (Mich.) church .................. 2 52
Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Guild ............. 5 00
Onaway (Mich.) church ................. 9 80
D. G. Milber ............................ 50
Petoskey (Mich.) church .............. 9 05
Travers City (Mich.) church .......... 4 14
Mrs. N. Krouper ........................ 77
Mesick (Mich.) church ............... 23 15
Frankfort (Mich.) church ............. 5 55
Jane Buck ............................. 5 00
Miss E. J. Burnham .................... 8 00
William Stapp ........................ 5 00
H. H. Hollman ........................ 2 50
E. J. and R. H. Gregory ............. 25 00
Miss Y. N. Sylvester .................. 3 95
H. C. Carmichael ...................... 5 00
Ohio Conference ........................ 1 00
Total ............................... $674 50 Some individual credits in this list belong to members of the Battle Creek church, besides the one item that is thus credited.