As the years go by, I am more and more impressed with the necessity of beginning early in the training of children. Whatever is taught them while young, will generally stay by them. It is a great mistake to suppose that a child must be several years old before it understands what is said to it, and can be taught right principles. Years ago I talked with old Father Bates on this subject, and asked him how much he thought a child ought to understand when a year old. I have never forgotten his reply: “You may make up your mind that it understands about three times as much as you give it credit for.”
The first lessons the children should learn are those of obedience and self-control. As they grow and develop, they should be taught self-denial and thoughtfulness of others, and these principles will become part of their lives. Read them the story of Jesus,—how thoughtful he was of his mother’s feelings, and his gentleness and kindness in dealing with others. Impress on their minds the thought that he loves them, and wishes them to be saved in his kingdom. This will cultivate in their hearts the spirit of helpfulness, and a desire to be like Jesus, and these early impressions will mold their characters through life. As they grow older, and learn how he went about doing good, they will desire to follow him in this also. The missionary spirit, to be developed in afterlife, must be carefully nourished while the children16are young, innocent, and impressionable.
We live in a time when it takes study and time and earnest prayer to train the children in the right way. Satan stands ready to divert our minds, to get our attention fixed on other things, to suggest that they are too young and too innocent to understand much that goes on around them, or to know right from wrong.
“As the twig is bent, the tree’s inclined.” If we have a tree that is naturally crooked,—provided we prize it at all,—we do not allow it to grow that way for several years, and then try to straighten it out all at once. No; we begin while it is young and tender, bending it gently and constantly in the right way. So must we do with our children. If we wait, their characters will be formed, bad habits will have a hold upon them, and the tree that might have stood forever in the garden of the Lord will be fit for nothing but to be cut down and burned up.
This straightening, bending, strengthening process is delicate work, and mothers need wisdom from above to know how to do it. Our children are all born under the curse of sin; but if they are properly taught and trained in their early years, they may become a blessing to their fellow men on this earth, and share the joys of the redeemed in the earth made new.
Battle Creek (Mich.) Church
By G. E. LANGDON.
SINCE coming to Battle Creek, May 7, I have received several letters inquiring how I like the work in my new field. I reply frankly: I appreciate very much the privilege of being associated in labor with this church. I find the members loyal to the cause and ready to respond to the calls to advance the work of the threefold message in all the world.
The church is working hard to reach the goal in its apportionment to missions, which means $6,000 this year. The second quarter Thirteenth Sabbath Offering of $150 was a little light, perhaps owing to the fact that the church had raised $500 a few Sabbaths before on church expenses and academy teachers' salaries. The Midsummer Offering to missions was $475. The tithe of the church averages over $1,000 a month.
The church is maintaining an academy, which employs five teachers and has an enrollment of one hundred and fifty-five pupils. Prof. W. J. Blake is principal. He is also assistant pastor of the church, and the leader of the young people's society, which numbers two hundred members.
One thousand of the In Memoriam numbers of the REVIEW and Signs giving the account of the funeral service of Sister White and of the rise of the message, were ordered for missionary work. Bedford and Urbandale (suburban churches) also ordered two hundred copies each.
Sunday night meetings were held in the Tabernacle last winter by Elder Westworth with good results, and we have continued them during the summer. At the last meeting, August 1, over five hundred were present, of whom a large number were strangers. The collections have ranged from $4.35 to $13.35. The Sunday night services have discontinued till after the camp meeting at Charlotte, August 12-22. Ten persons have been baptized and united with the church this summer, and there are others awaiting baptism.
Brother Beebe, missionary secretary, assisted by Brother D. O. Babcock, treasurer of the church, sold over $800 worth of our books and secured 100 subscriptions for the REVIEW and the Signs during Brother Beebe's stay of five weeks. We trust this large amount of good literature will bring in a harvest of souls.
Miss Frances Case, who has been engaged in educational and young people's work in Wisconsin, has answered an urgent call from the West Michigan Conference, to connect with the church and city work here in Battle Creek. The church extends a hearty welcome to her as she enters upon the work in this large and needy field.
The brethren at Bedford have been working for others. I have met with them in three meetings at their church. It was a privilege to bury five young persons in baptism last Sabbath. I have met also with the brethren at Urbandale, Charlotte, and Albion. We need the prayers of God's people that his work may prosper in the church and among the strangers. G. E. LANGDON.
The Tennessee River Camp Meeting
By W. W. EASTMAN
This meeting was held at Hazel, Ky., on the grounds of the Hazel Academy. The location was a pleasant one. The excellent shade afforded refuge from the terrific heat which prevailed during the larger part of the meeting. The dining service was conducted by the academy, and was all that could be asked for. The outside attendance was good. Most of the time the seating capacity was not sufficient to accommodate all who came to the evening meetings. Attention to the word spoken was excellent, the interest increasing with the meeting. About one hundred and fifty of our people were camped on the ground. The first Sabbath of the meeting was17marked by a special revival service in which nearly all present participated, responding to the call of the hour for a deeper experience in the things of God; and this spirit continued throughout the entire meeting. The proceedings of the conference passed off harmoniously and expeditiously. Practically the same officers were reelected for the ensuing year.
General laborers attending all or part of the meeting were, Elder S. E. Wight, Brethren J. W. Davis and G. H. Curtis, for the union; Elder W. C. White, Dr. Magan, and the writer. Elder C. S. Wiest, president of the Mississippi Conference, also attended several days, and Elder L. H. Christian, from the Lake Union, was with us one day. The labors of all these brethren were appreciated by the brethren and sisters of the conference.
Two meetings were held each day with the young people, and two with the children, with good results. Brother Denslow had charge of the young people's meetings, and Sister R. L. Pierce of the children's.
Special attention was given to the home missionary and the colporteur work. The brethren responded well to the call to labor for others, and bought tracts and other literature to sell and distribute to their friends and neighbors when they returned home.
On the last Friday evening of the meeting, just as the sun was setting, ushering in the holy Sabbath, Brother C. F. Lowry, who had been laboring as a licentiate in the conference for several years, was ordained to the gospel ministry, the Lord putting his seal to the work by his presence. A baptismal service was held the last Sunday of the meeting, at which time a number were baptized.
Those who attended this meeting feel that it was one of the most precious seasons they ever enjoyed together in that conference, and all returned from the meeting determined to live out the truth in their homes and neighborhoods, and to put forth every effort to make known the message to those about them, and also to support the work of the cause as a whole by their means and by their prayers.
W. W. EASTMAN.
Which Shall It Be?
By Mrs. D. A. Fitch
MRS. D. A. FITCH
Two ladies were guests at my table. Mrs. Adams was the mother of children in their teens. Mrs. Paige had only one, a girl of two years. Some improper action on the part of little Edith rather exasperated the mother, at which she gave expression to the thought that when the child was older, she would not be so much trouble. Mrs. Adams, speaking from experience, said, “It is not wise to feel like that; for when she is older, you will have her on your heart as well as on your hands.”
Parents are quite disposed to expect that children who are very troublesome in babyhood will do better when older grown. All depends on the course pursued by the parents. The conscientious, God-fearing father and mother will do all in their power so to train and inform the child that it will be easy for him to do right, and contrary to his desires to do wrong.
Says the proverb: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
It was with great sorrow that one sincere Christian mother heard from her nature son these words of reproof: “Mother, if you had only told me, when I was a boy, the things I ought to have known, I should have been saved a world of trouble. As it is, I have had to fight many a hard battle all alone.”
May God give the parents of this denomination the grace needed to instill in the minds of their children a knowledge of right principles, coupled with an earnest desire to have them dominate the whole life.
Six Years in South Africa
By G. H. Clark
LACKING two months, it has been my privilege to serve the Lord in this country during the past six years in the capacity of union conference field missionary agent; and they have been blessed years indeed. The Lord has given success in placing the printed page among the people, and already the seeds of truth are bringing forth fruit in the salvation of precious souls.
During this time, $103,000 worth of orders and $68,000 worth of deliveries have been reported. This gives an average of about $17,000 worth of orders and $11,000 worth of deliveries a year in a white population of one million and a quarter, besides natives.
At the union conference that was held in Durban last April, I was asked to take up home missionary work in the union, besides carrying the canvassing work until the field missionary agent should arrive from America. This I have done.
Last Friday, July 2, Brother G. C. Jenks and family arrived here from America to take up the canvassing work in the union conference. The readers of the REVIEW have seen the reports of his work in the West Indian Union Conference, and know that we have one of the most successful field bookmen that America could give us, and we certainly appreciate the kindness of our General Conference brethren in giving us Brother Jenks. I am confident that he will have great success here. Personally, I am overjoyed to meet him, as he is the first canvassing agent that I have been privileged to look upon for six years.
May the Lord hasten the glad day when the work will be finished and the reapers gathered home.
G. H. CLARK.
Western Colorado Camp Meeting
By J. W. CHRISTIAN
THE seventh annual conference and camp meeting of the Western Colorado Conference was held in the city park at Grand Junction, July 22 to August 1. The large shade trees, the ideal weather, and the good street car service between the park and the city, contributed much to the interest of the meeting. Our brethren came early, and nearly half the constituency of the conference was present on the first Sabbath. One family drove by team a whole week to attend the meeting. Another brother came over the mountains on horseback a distance of one hundred and sixty miles. This all indicates the earnestness of the people in this part of the field to seek God and study the truth committed to the church. From the beginning of the meeting, an earnest spirit of inquiry and heart searching was evident. During the first Sabbath the presence of the Lord was very marked. In the revival effort the Lord's presence was so manifest that the choir was compelled in the middle of a stanza to cease singing. Every human voice was hushed while God's Spirit was melting the hearts of parents and children, and sinners were converted to God. This earnest spirit continued throughout the meeting; and on the last Sabbath $1,150 in cash and pledges, and a pledge of $1,000 conditioned on the sale of property, were offered to foreign missions. On Sunday thirty-two persons were baptized in a beautiful stream near the camp ground. Of these, twenty-five were young people.
Definite plans were laid for the work in this conference the coming year. Elder E. A. Curtis, who has the confidence of his constituency, was reelected president of the conference. Brother Ventling, lately from the Colorado Conference, was chosen field and missionary secretary, while plans were laid for the securing of a strong young man to give his whole time to the educational and Missionary Volunteer work.
There was a spirit of earnestness and consecration to the finishing of the work on the part of both the laborers and the laity, and we believe that the Western Colorado Conference has adopted an aggressive plan of operation that will be blessed of God, and a great encouragement to our brethren. The believers returned to their homes much encouraged, and determined to push forward in the cause of truth.
Aside from the conference laborers, Elder C. S. Longacre, Prof. W. W. Ruble, Dr. Fred Weber, Elder A. T. Robinson, Brother J. H. McEachern, and the writer were present. Personally, this was a season of great spiritual refreshing. It deepened my longing for a life of complete surrender to God and to unselfish labor for others.
J. W. CHRISTIAN.
A Little Way From This
By MRS. MARY VALLIANT-NOWLIN
MRS. MARY VALLIANT-NOWLIN
A LITTLE way from this, and it will all
be ended,
The sorrow, the crying, and the pain;
A little way from this, the broken hearts
be mended,
And we shall find the smiles we lost,
again.
A little way from this, some fair and
golden morning,
Shall we behold the snow-white cloud
arise
That will have, for its most beauteous
adorning,
All, all the glory of the upper skies.
Behold, with clouds He cometh, and
every eye shall see him;
None from the glorious view will be
shut out.
Some will cry, “O rock, O mountain,
fall on me!”
And some will greet their Master with
a shout.
A little way from this, O weary, sad
hearts weeping
For loved and lost that you have
buried, deep,
The trump will sound, and dear ones
sweetly sleeping
Shall wake forever from their dreamless
sleep.
A little way from this, the harp strings
mutely waiting For fingers, O, so tired and worn with
pain!
Will vibrate with a song past human
power relating,
And heaven will thrill with one har-
monious strain.
A little way from this, the pearly gates
wide swinging
And everlasting doors uplifted high,
The “nations who have kept the truth”
will welcome, singing
The glory of their King as they pass
by.
Day, O long expected, hope of all the
ages,
The hope that lights the tomb and
dries the tear!
O day of glad fruition, foretold in sacred
pages,
A little way from this and thou art
here!
A little way from this—but now to
know the meaning,
But now to know the cleansing and
the power,
And for our strength each day on Jesus
to be leaning.
O, sweet will be the coming of that
hour!
And glad will be the meeting with earthly
loves long parted,
We’ve ever missed them from the ac-
customed place,—
To clasp the vanished hand that left us
broken-hearted;
But gladder far to see Him face to
face.
Danish West Indies
By F. Hall
TORTOLA, VIRGIN ISLANDS.—No medical missionary work can be carried on successfully without the help of Jesus, the Founder of this work, who in his life on earth went about preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
The medical missionary has a twofold advantage. He is armed with the gospel for the soul as well as for the body. Being able to minister to the physical need, he very often succeeds in disarming prejudice, and so can minister also to the spiritual need. How happy, therefore, the Christian physician or nurse who knows that he is called of God to be a coworker with him in helping suffering humanity.
Healing the sick will bring spiritual as well as temporal blessings. Those who engage in this work should realize that they are called of God to be his coworkers in the vineyard. The world is a great hospital, and wherever we go we see the necessity of doing something to relieve suffering. Good Samaritans are needed everywhere. Those who help to restore the bodies of men and women are doing a work that will never be forgotten. Florence Nightingale is gone, but her work remains to tell the story of her untiring zeal.
It may be interesting to the reader to hear of some of the experiences which I have had in these islands, almost shut off from civilization.
In my visiting from house to house, I met a woman who had been suffering from lupus on her nose for three years, and on consulting a physician it was pronounced incurable. From my study18of advanced hydrotherapy, I saw that light could be used in this disease. Having no arc light, which I had been accustomed to use at Hinsdale, my mind reverted to a microscope which I had. This I used for focusing the light of the sun on the sore spot of the nose, and with the assistance of fomentations, and a little carbolized vaseline, which she procured somewhere, the nose was completely healed.
I met a young man who had been taking hypodermic treatments for rheumatism, from a doctor. I reasoned with him that hot and cold water could cure him. He was surprised, and asked me to go home with him that night. I did so, and gave him a good blanket pack and massage, and left with him some written instructions. These he followed, and when I met him again, on my way from the West Indian Union Conference, he was a well man.
Another person, suffering with partial paralysis, was greatly helped by the use of hydrotherapy, massage, and electricity. Sometimes he walks more than six miles to see me, and is very thankful for what has been done for him.
F. HALL.
Sanitarium Service
By L. A. H.
OUR medical conventions last spring gave our sanitarium workers an opportunity to discuss the various phases of their work in a way that was felt to be helpful to all. One topic was that of the importance of efficient sanitarium service.
Dr. H. W. Miller introduced the subject by calling attention to the need of efficiency in all departments of sanitarium work. He said: “Everything that is done for the patient, from meeting him at the railroad station or at the front door, till he leaves, should be done with the idea of giving him the best service possible. Every worker, from the call boy to the medical superintendent, should feel an individual responsibility in pleasing the patient.
“We must, as far as possible, install equipment with which to do efficient work; we must have facilities that will enable us to render proper service. While we are not competing with other medical institutions in splendor of buildings, luxurious appointments, elaborate furnishings, or quantitative equipment, we must be prepared to render service in keeping with the character of our principles and work.
“There is need of our getting together to study plans and methods, and to exchange ideas. We should be free to pass along any good suggestions that may come to us. We should aim for the highest efficiency in all departments of our work.”
Dr. F. A. Loop thought frequent conventions of medical workers would do much to develop the work and build up its efficiency, and that the department men should visit the sanitariums to give counsel and help. He thought call boys, chambermaids, and other domestic workers should have proper training for their work, and not be changed too frequently from one thing to another. “Regular help,” said he, “means better service, better satisfaction to patients, and more income to the institution.”
L. H. Christian believed that one thing unfavorable to sanitarium success is too frequent changes of the medical superintendent. He said: “People may learn to like a preacher in a week, and not to like him in half an hour. It is not so with the doctor; it takes some time to learn to like him, and a long time not to like him.”
F. M. Wilcox emphasized the importance of first impressions, and the need of keeping up the general appearance of the institution in a way to commend its work. The grounds should be well kept, and the buildings in good repair. Guests should be cordially received, and made to feel at home. A schedule or program that would occupy their time should be provided. The entertainment of patients, he felt, was an important matter. He did not favor the use of the same uniform for dining room service and chamber work.
C. M. Christiansen thought that if a19patient could be satisfied the first few days, it would make a good impression, and help the patient to decide to remain. He emphasized the need of trained workers in all departments. He said: “There is no place in an institution where we can use ‘just any kind of help.’”
Dr. W. T. Lindsey believed in more frequent medical conventions, and in more visits from medical department representatives. He also felt the need of efficient and well-trained workers. He spoke of the special need of live, wide-awake individuals as dietitians. He also saw the need of social workers who could give thought and attention to the proper entertainment of patients. He said, “Patients should be seen by the physician as soon as possible after their arrival.”
Dr. T. J. Evans urged that every possible attention be given each individual patient in the matter of diagnosis and service of every kind, and that sincerity and candor should be considered of the greatest importance in dealing with them.
G. B. Starr presented the plan from which he had seen much benefit—that of sending an identification slip to the doctor, nurse, matron, and other department heads immediately after the arrival of each patient. This slip should give the name of the patient, and such other information as would be of interest or assistance to those having the patient in charge.
L. A. Hansen cited instances in which improvement in equipment and furnishings had repaid the institutions within a very short time. Suitable facilities were important, he said; but added to these should be personal interest on the part of each worker to do his individual share in keeping up the efficiency and good service of an institution.
W. C. White suggested that it would be well worth the while to arrange for a competent person to pay particular attention to the inspection of our medical institutions, making such recommendations in a kindly way as would tend to improve the service, and to eliminate the unpleasant and undesirable features of sanitarium life.
C. E. Rice said he believes that SERVICE spells success.
J. J. Ireland approved the sentiment, and gave it as his opinion that the proper service could be given if the organization were what it should be.
R. R. Cook thought that the question of service is largely a matter of education, and that workers can be trained to do things properly rather than improperly.
R. A. Underwood spoke of the importance of putting the heart into service, and the need of all the workers doing their best.
E. G. Fulton thought it was not so much one great thing that gave trouble, but that it was one thousand and one small things. He gave contrasting experiences in various sanitariums, indicating how in little details the guest could receive either a favorable or an unfavorable impression. He thought that our sanitariums could just as well secure the patronage of people who would gladly pay for good service.
Dr. L. A. Sutter called attention to the value of the training in an institution where good service prevailed. The nurse’s work, he said, required accuracy and carefulness in details, and nothing short of the standard should be accepted.
Dr. N. C. Nelson referred to the need of carefulness in charting as one of the points in efficiency.
The following resolutions bearing on the subject were adopted:—
“We recommend, That the North American Division Conference take under consideration the advisability of asking E. G. Fulton to visit our sanitariums to give instruction in culinary service, such as the proper preparation of foods, the arrangement of menus, table waiting, cost system, and other matters of general sanitarium service.
“Resolved, That we approve of annual medical conventions for doctors, managers, leading sanitarium workers, conference presidents, and representative conference workers, for the purpose of studying sanitarium problems.
“We recommend, That a committee of counsel be appointed by the union committee in each union conference where there are two or more sanitariums in the union, for the purpose of studying and working out questions of efficiency and economy and uniformity among the sanitariums as to rates, salaries, policies, and plans, in harmony with the general plan of the department, this committee to be composed of the medical superintendents, business managers of the sanitariums, and the union auditor; and the results of the investigation of this committee to be submitted to the board of each institution for adoption.”
A paper entitled “Efficiency in Our Sanitarium Work” was read by Dr. Geo. A. Thomason, which will be printed.
L. A. H.
Selling Books in Colorado
By Myron Dorman
On all sides is manifest a spirit of inquiry for the truth. This is noticed in a special way by the canvasser. For a short time I have been working near Lamar, in the Arkansas Valley, in Colorado. In one day recently, ten exhibitions resulted in thirteen orders. Two orders were secured in one place and three in another. One man ordered a book in the best binding for himself, and two in the cloth to give as presents to relatives.
The guidance of the Holy Spirit is very evident. At one place I found no one at the house. I went to the orchard, however, and there found the woman of the house, with the family of a neighbor, picking fruit. As soon as I came in sight, the neighbor woman called out, “There he is now.” I did not know what was coming. It seems that I had canvassed her the week before, and she had not taken the book. She could not get it off her mind, however, and kept wishing she had subscribed. She was so troubled about it that she finally persuaded her husband to try to find me. They were discussing it again with their neighbor in the orchard when the Lord led me to the place. The woman called out, “There he is now,” and her husband responded, “Then now is your chance.” They took a book, paying cash down. I also secured an order from the woman who lived on the place.
The parcel post method of delivery solves the problem of running expenses. Last week I secured over seventeen dollars in cash payments on the books. Truly the Lord is going before in a marked manner. I cannot praise him enough. Last week's report showed thirty-nine hours, forty-one exhibitions, and thirty-two orders, amounting in value to one hundred and twenty dollars. I am using the revised “Bible Readings.” I praise God that I can be used as his instrument in placing this message-filled book in the homes of the people. I consider that we are in the beginning of the latter rain. There certainly are evidences of it in the canvassing work. MYRON DORMAN.
Virginia Camp Meeting
By G. B. Thompson
THE annual conference and camp meeting of the Virginia Conference were held at Charlottesville, August 5-15. The camp was centrally located, on the main street, and in a good residential portion of the city. “Monticello,” the home of Thomas Jefferson, is on a hill overlooking the place. Holding the meeting here involved some expense, but it was far better and much more economical, all things considered, than to secure gratis a ground in some out-of-the-way place which would not be accessible to the people. We have a message for the people, and the practice of locating on some remote fairground or Chautauqua park where we do not get access to the people is usually unwise.
The attendance each evening was excellent, and many of the best citizens of the city were in the audience. The stirring doctrinal themes of the message were presented at these services, and many manifested a real interest in the truths of the message. Elder Stewart Kime, with other workers, will remain and conduct services on the same ground where the camp meeting was held, and the outlook seems quite encouraging for the establishment of a church as a result of the meeting.
The business of the conference was carried forward with the utmost unity; not a discordant note was heard during the entire meeting. While the attendance of our people was small, a most earnest spirit to seek God for his blessing pervaded the entire camp. The Lord has been blessing the work of the past year, as was shown by the various reports rendered. During the year, 186 persons have been baptized. The colporteur work has made excellent progress, the sale of books and tracts having been very materially increased during the year.
The tithe for the first eight months of the year amounted to $4,070, as against $5,800 for the entire previous year. For the first six months there was a gain of about $1,100. When a call was presented during the meeting for funds for local conference needs, and to make up the deficit on the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund to missions, about $2,000 was received in cash and pledges. This was an encouraging response, when we consider that there was a comparatively small number present.
Elder W. C. Moffett, who has the confidence of his brethren, was reelected president; and F. N. Johnson, secretary and treasurer. A few changes were made in some of the other officers.
Brother W. L. Burgan secured excellent reports of the meeting in the papers of the State.
B. G. Wilkinson, J. L. Shaw, Charles Thompson, I. D. Richardson, I. A. Ford, E. L. Richmond, Dr. H. W. Miller, and the writer were present during some portion of the meeting, and shared with the local workers in its burdens and blessings. A baptism was held near the close of the meeting, but I am not informed as to the number baptized.
Judging from the spirit of this meeting, the cause of God is onward in the Old Dominion, and we feel that the time is not far distant when the work in this conference will not only be self-sustaining, but will furnish strength in workers and funds for the mission fields beyond.
G. B. THOMPSON.
Medical Missionary
Department
W. A. RUBLE, M. D. - - General Secretary
L. A. HANSEN - Assistant Secretary
H. W. MILLER, M. D. - N. Am. Div. Secretary
News and Miscellany
Notes and clippings from the daily and weekly press
— A thousand addresses by more than a hundred lecturers and college professors, supplemented by literature for the promotion of a better understanding of international relations, have been arranged by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace as part of a nationwide campaign against war this summer. More than 1,600 Chautauqua platforms are to be the centers of lectures and debates on the subject, and it is estimated that the Chautauqua audiences will aggregate 4,000,000 persons.
— The seamen’s bill is causing much discussion everywhere. The lake passenger companies of Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, and Buffalo are greatly stirred, and declare the bill “amounts to a prohibitive restriction in the operation of passenger boats, making no allowance for the lake boat, traveling in protected waters and in sight of land, as against the ocean-going liners that cruise from New York to Bombay.” A special session of Congress is urged upon President Wilson. Unless Congress changes several provisions of the bill, it is affirmed that low-fare passenger rates will be driven from the Great Lakes after November 1.20
— New York University is to give a new degree—doctor of public health. It will crown a new course of study which is to be established in accordance with a proposal of the State public health council.
— Under the new civil commission in Kansas, in obedience to a rule established by Governor Capper, no man who takes a drink of liquor can work for the State. The rule will apply to about 3,000 men and women on the State’s pay roll.
— Florida and other sections of the tobacco belt are infested with a tiny but very active beetle, which has been responsible for losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. In the government laboratory at Richmond, Va., one man is devoting his entire time to the study of methods of extermination.
— In the present European war, the mastery of typhoid fever is shown by the fact that practically no deaths have been caused by it. Inoculation, though not compulsory in the British Army, is all but universal, and has strikingly proved its value. Camp life has been remarkably free from contagious diseases, owing to the enforced cleanliness.
— The vodka shops (saloons) have been replaced by people’s palaces in Russia. In these palaces the people meet for entertainment and instruction. The work of carrying out this scheme is being pushed with much vigor by the government. The palaces contain reading rooms and halls where concerts, exhibitions, and other entertainments can be given.
— Under the powers conferred by the defense of the realm act, the British government recently by an order in council took over the control of the sale and supply of intoxicating liquors in many districts where war material is being handled. The districts affected include the cities of Bristol, Southampton, Cardiff, Liverpool, and adjacent towns, and most of the munition and shipbuilding centers in Yorkshire.
— A relief and exploration expedition is setting out from North Sydney, in Nova Scotia, for Crocker Land, in the arctic circle. The party expects to pick up the party under Donald B. MacMillan, last heard of in Crocker Land. The new expedition is under the direction of Dr. Edmund O. Hovey, chairman of the Crocker Land expedition committee, and will carry supplies for two years. The ship will bring back to New York such members of the MacMillan party as desire to come, as well as collections in Greenland for the American Museum of Natural History.
— Determined efforts are to be made by a faction of the Chippewa Indians of Minnesota to obtain from the next Congress the division and distribution among members of the tribe of the immense tribal fund now held in trust for the Indians. The distribution of the fund would, in the opinion of government authorities, mark the beginning of the end of Chippewa reservations in Minnesota, for it would do away with a fund of more than $4,100,000, the interest of which is now used in support of the school system and in paying for the expense of conducting the reservations.
— The Postal Telegraph-Cable Company has announced a reduction of fifty per cent in the rates for press night-leased wires. The cut means a saving of tens of thousands of dollars to newspapers and press associations of the United States, as about 75,000 miles of wire will be affected. The Postal rate on present leased wires is $10 a year per mile.
— According to the Missionary Review of the World Korea’s multitudes are turning to Christianity at the rate of 3,000 conversions a week. There has been an average of one convert every hour since missionaries first went to that country, over twenty-five years ago. In these times, however, the average amounts to eighteen converts per hour.
— A recent cable dispatch states that all Italy has been aroused as the result of the publication of an interview with the Pope in which the Pontiff is said to have complained of the attitude of the Italian government, to have declared the censor was interfering with the Vatican’s mail, and to have expressed fear of a possible revolution in Italy. It is feared that as the Italian people are already doubtful of the loyalty of the Italian Catholic clergy, these expressed sentiments of Benedict XV may rouse the smoldering antitlerical spirit of the masses into a flame that will be hard to extinguish.
An Important Week
By M. E. KERN
“The world makes way for the man that knows.” We admire the clerk who knows his business, who can tell us all about the goods he has for sale, and can answer our questions. Such mastery of details, coupled with frankness and honesty, is a great business asset.
The speaker who is master of his subject attracts us at once. We say, “Here is a man who knows, one who can give us facts.” And involuntarily we accept his theories, because we feel that a man of such knowledge must have a solid foundation for his theories.
On the other hand, we despise a bungler, one who hesitates and is inaccurate in statements about matters he is supposed to understand. We cannot respect a bungling workman.
Our young people have a great work to do. In his love the Lord has called even the children and youth to have a part in his work. “The Lord has appointed the youth to be his helping hand.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VII, page 64.
But the Lord expects us to show our appreciation of this great privilege by thorough preparation for this sacred work. To Timothy, Paul wrote, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.” 2 Tim. 2:15. Again it is written, “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently.” Jer. 48:10, margin.
Thus our privilege and our duty is plain. The way is also clear. Every Missionary Volunteer is asked to become a member of Attainment. How can this be done?—By passing the Standard of Attainment examinations. Twice each year test questions on Bible doctrines and denominational history are prepared by the General Conference Missionary Volunteer Department and sent out on request. Those who have prepared to take either of these tests should notify their church elder at once. He will make request of the conference Missionary Volunteer secretary for the questions, and see that the examination is properly conducted.
The time when this examination should be taken is during the first week of September. This is an important week for our Missionary Volunteers.
Who will show that they have really consecrated themselves to the Lord by thus preparing themselves for the work to which he calls? Every one who is a Christian should be prepared to give a reason for his hope, with meekness and fear.
Note prayerfully the following statements from Mrs. E. G. White:—
“Our only safeguard against the wiles of Satan is to study the Scriptures diligently, to have an intelligent understanding of the reasons of our faith, and faithfully to perform every known duty.”—Review and Herald, Nov. 19, 1908.
“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and his teaching in our past history.”—General Conference Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 2, page 24.