WE are now in the middle of the rainy season. While the people go about with a long face, all nature seems to be in her best spirits. The grass grows very spontaneously, and even the frogs show their delight by croaking. There is one kind of frog that sings almost like a bird.
In Guayaquil, during the muddy, or wet, season, all luggage must be carried on men's backs. A few donkeys are still used, but they get stuck in the mire very easily.
While the older people pick their way through the streets, the little boys delight themselves by wading the ditches, and sailing small wooden boats on the pools.
It is very interesting to a newcomer to notice the different customs of the people here. The lower class all eat their food sitting on the floor, the children using only nature's knives and forks. The hammock is considered by rich and poor as one of the most necessary articles of household furniture. It is always hung in the front room, and is used almost night and day. When it is very warm, the squeak of the hammock can be heard on all sides.
Alligators are very numerous, and occasionally some one falls prey to them. Coal is brought to Guayaquil down the river in rafts. One man went to sleep on his raft of coal, and an alligator climbed up and killed him.
The presidential election is just in the past. They take three days for their election—about the length of time taken for any great holiday. I was told several times that one candidate gave to all his voters a revolver and a knife, which seemed to be true. Several persons were shot, among them a woman, who was shot through the breast by a stray ball. Senor Lecardo Garcia, the Liberal candidate, was elected by an overwhelming majority.
The Roman yoke having been broken only a short time, Catholicism has yet a strong hold on the people. They think that all Protestants are masons, and say that the masons whip the image of Christ.
Congress has issued a decree that all convents shall be opened to public inspection. This decree went into effect very recently, causing opposition on the part of the priests.
Now is the opportune time to get our literature before the people. During the last few days I have taken a good list of orders for "Patriarchs." This is the only large book we have in Spanish. Among quite a number of prominent men are several lawyers, on my list. If others of our large books were in Spanish, they could be sold readily. "Great Controversy" could be sold easily with "Patriarchs." One man, the owner of the largest cigar factory here, who speaks a little English, bought two large books in English, and gave me an order for "Patriarchs" in Spanish. This goes to show that if our books13were in Spanish, thousands could be sold. I long for the time when our books in general will be in the Spanish language. That would put the Spanish book business on a paying basis. As it is now, it does not pay financially. Thank God for the few books we have to work with.
There is a scattering of English-speaking people here, and a club of eight or ten Signs of the Times could be used to good advantage, perhaps bringing some into the truth. If some one will send them, I will do the rest.
There is a young man, a printer, in Guayaquil, who is much interested in our work. He has subscribed lately for Life and Health. Now if some one of our young people could send him The Youth's Instructor, accompanied with a letter, it might be the means of bringing him into the truth. His address is as follows: Juan O. Amat, Imprenta El Comercio, Guayaquil, Ecuador.
I am glad to have the privilege of being here in this country, where darkness reigns. The almost innumerable inconveniences we have experienced are nothing to be compared with the blessing that comes from the Lord while we work.
Guayaquil, Ecuador.
The Influence Wielded in Rome by the Catholic Church
By Chas. T. Everson
CHAS. T. EVERSON
SEVERAL months ago we decided to enlarge our work at Rome by renting a larger and more centrally located hall. With this object in view, we began to search for a suitable location; but it was several months before we were able to find a person who was willing to rent his building for church purposes. In the first place, it would take many days of diligent searching to find a building that was suitable for meeting purposes. And when we were fortunate enough to find a desirable place, we were generally met with a refusal on the part of the proprietor when he learned for what purpose we wished to rent the building.
ROME FROM THE CUPOLA OF ST. PETER'S
In the early part of our search we found a very favorable location, and it seemed quite certain that we should obtain the place; but when the proprietor, a widow, learned that it was for a Protestant church, nothing could induce her to let us have the hall. She said that for her own part she was not so strongly opposed to granting us the store, although her husband had been an official in the Vatican, but she was afraid on account of her neighbors; for on the one side was a convent of friars, and on the other a convent of monks. Her mother, who lived with her, told us that she was afraid that the monks might break through the wall and do them some bodily harm if they should do anything to displease them. And the lady herself said that the monks would take advantage of her, when she was out, to injure her if she did not concede to their wishes. Then they both said that we could not imagine the terrible things that they had suffered at the hands of the priests. Now these were intelligent people and strong Catholics, and yet they were held in this bondage of fear and subjected to such abuses. This only illustrates the bitter persecuting spirit that permeates the Catholic Church. There are many convents in Rome, and in the block where this lady lives there are five of them. After looking around for some time, we again found a favorable location for our meetings, only to discover that it belonged to a nephew of Cardinal Antonelli, the famous papal secretary of state under Pius IX. Sister Chiellini called upon Count Antonelli, the cardinal's nephew, to see if she could induce him to let us have the place. But a life-sized painting of the cardinal in the richly adorned parlor did not inspire her with much hope, and, as might be expected, the count refused to let us have the hall.
The next place we found seemed well adapted in many ways for giving the message, and we had great hopes of obtaining it. But on inquiry we found that the house belonged to a colonel of the Swiss guard. Now the Swiss guard is the private body-guard of the pope, and consequently we could not expect to rent the hall.
We might mention many more experiences that we had in searching for a hall, but this will suffice to show how thoroughly impregnated Rome is with clericalism.
A great majority of the people are bound to the Church of Rome by the strongest ties. Some have relatives in the priesthood, others are employed in the Vatican, still others are pensioned by the papal power, and a great many are bound to the church by commercial ties.
We finally succeeded in obtaining a good hall, large and well located, near one of the chief memorable spots in Rome. In fact, we see every night on our way to meeting the mighty Colosseum where so many thousands of Christians were cast to the wild beasts or crucified during the time of pagan Rome. And so the last great message of time is being proclaimed on the very ground where Christianity in its infancy won so many mighty victories by the sacrifice of an army of martyrs.
Rome, Italy.
Overcome Evil with Good
“OVERCOME evil with good.”
The Rhenish and West German Conferences
By Guy Dail
GUY DAIL
It was in the local assembly hall of our church in Dusseldorf on the Rhine that two hundred and thirty or more of our brethren living in various parts of Rhenish Prussia met for their third annual midwinter conference, December 28 to January 1. Dusseldorf contains about two hundred and forty-one thousand inhabitants. It is noted for its art and artists, and it boasts that no two of its many well-built houses are alike. The territory of the Rhenish Conference is composed of the one province, Rhenish Prussia. This province is about as large as New Hampshire, and contains five million seven hundred thousand people, as many inhabitants as are in Pennsylvania.
The meeting was the best the Rhenish Conference ever had. The visiting brethren (Elders Conradi, Erzenberger, and Schuberth) were made welcome; good attention was given to the instruction they presented from the Word. Friday night the second largest hall in the city was secured for us, and between three and four hundred persons were present. Elder Conradi clearly set forth the signs of the times, especially as seen in the world's preparations for war, notwithstanding the peace and safety cry that one may hear from many a pulpit.
A spirit of union characterized the business meetings. The group of believers at Remscheid, and the church at Duisburg, were received into the conference. Some perplexing difficulties that had existed between brethren were carefully considered, and the Spirit of God united hearts. Confessions were made, forgiveness was granted, and sin was put away. One item will be of special interest, perhaps, as it expresses the feelings of the brethren here toward the Washington enterprise. It was voted that a collection be taken up in the Rhenish churches the third Sabbath in April, for the One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund.
The same officers were chosen as for the previous year, with one or two exceptions. One minister, five licentiates, and three Bible workers received conference papers to engage in the work the coming year.
As to statistics: The tithe for 1904 was $4,148, an increase of $1,234 over the previous year; offerings, $564, or $195 more than in 1903; 130 persons were received by baptism and vote, a net gain of forty, making the present membership 373. After paying a second tithe, the conference was able to settle with its workers, without debt.
For the year to come, the outlook is hopeful, and the workers and brethren of the Rhenish Conference go forth to their respective fields full of hope and with renewed courage.
January 4-8 the West German Conference was held in Cassel, on the Fulda River, a city containing about one hundred and fifteen thousand inhabitants. This is a beautiful place, especially the famous Wilhelmshohe, where Napoleon III was prisoner after the battle of Sedan, Sept. 1, 1870.
The territory of the West German Conference comprises all the States and principalities and duchies and Prussian provinces north of the Main and west of Brandenburg and Pomerania, except Rhenish Prussia. Delegates were present from the various parts of this field. The outside attendance was good. The evening meetings were held in two different halls, one of the halls being large and commodious. On an average, about one hundred not of our faith were present. One hundred and fifty to two hundred of our own people were at the conference. A hearty welcome was given Brother Isaac, from America, who remains to labor in this field. Harmony prevailed in the business meetings. One important resolution brought about the separation of Hamburg and Friedensau from the West German Conference. Here are our two union institutions; therefore the West German tithe is much larger than the tithe of the other conferences. That each conference might stand practically on the same financial footing after Jan. 1, 1905, Hamburg, where we have our publishing house, and Friedensau, the home of our school, food factory, and sanitarium, will be under the direct control of the German Union Committee, lessening the population in the West German field by about one million. That the West German Conference may have no loss through the sudden operation of this resolution, the German Union assures it as large a surplus at the end of 1905 as was in the West German treasury at the close of 1903. The West German Conference pays a second tithe to the German Union, as heretofore.
During the year the laborers in this conference baptized 171, took in fifteen by vote, and raised its membership from 1,111 to 1,167. The tithe was $11,881, while for 1903 it was $10,646; donations, $2,087, or $359 more than the previous year. The following-named persons were elected as members of the conference committee: J. Pieper (president), J. Lippertz, Fr. Goetting, H. Freyboth, D. Isaac.
On Sabbath eight brethren and two sisters were baptized. This was especially a good day. Brother H. Behr was ordained to the ministry, making four ordained ministers in this field. To each of these men has been assigned a certain district where he is to have sort of local charge, and in a certain sense will be held accountable for the progress of the work in his territory. This will give the president more liberty to hold lectures in the larger cities, and develop the younger laborers with whom he is surrounded. Five received licenses to preach, and fifteen go out as Bible workers, while over fifty were granted permission to canvass.
The union workers were able to render much appreciated help by their presence, Bible studies, and counsels. The meeting closed with a good spirit, and there was present among the delegates and workers a determination to go forward with renewed vigor to work for the nineteen million in the West German Conference the coming year.
Hamburg.
A Spirit-Baptized Ministry
MISSIONARIES of the Basel Society in Kamerun, West Africa, write of urgent calls upon them for teachers. “I can hardly believe,” says one of the missionaries, “that this is truly the man-killing, blood-drinking, darkest Africa of other days.” The same thing is reported from the Kongo, from the outlying regions near Uganda, and from Portuguese East Africa.
We have a profound realization of the fact that the first link in the golden chain of earth’s redemption is a Spirit-baptized ministry, with the inspiring promise of the Lord in their hearts: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Let us kneel about our altars and pray for forgiveness—none of us have done so well that we do not need it—until the heavens open, and Pentecost comes once more into our souls. Let us go forth, through the best sources of information within our reach, to keep step with the front line of the Lord’s advancing and conquering army. Let us register a holy vow that to the utmost of our ability, and to the last moment of our lives, we will be a God-anointed factor in the evangelization of the world in this generation.—W. W. Wadsworth, in Review of Missions.
British Honduras
By A. S. Rust
BELIZE.—The week of prayer was a time of refreshing to the little company here. The Lord came near to us, and we all felt a desire to reconsecrate our lives to the Lord’s work. God has a faithful few who are trying to be a light in this dark land. Catholicism is in power to a large degree, still our little company is growing stronger in faith as well as in numbers. Duty called Elder Goodrich to the Bay Islands. We regretted his absence from us, but we all realized the presence of the Lord, and received largely of his richest blessings.
The brethren here are poor, but they are earnest and faithful with the little they have in making their annual offerings. The offerings for the week of prayer amount to $11.93. We desire an interest in the prayers of all for the advancement of the work in this field. There has been an addition of eleven to the church since the week of prayer—eight by baptism. Thus the work is onward. A. S. Rust.
East Caribbean Conference
By Geo. F. Enoch
IN January the members of the East Caribbean Conference Committee gathered in Bridgetown, Barbados, for the purpose of transacting the business of the conference and laying plans for the prosecution of the work the coming tent season.
It is hard for those who live on a large continent to realize the difficulties connected with the carrying on of the conference work in a field that is so cut up by sea water as the East Caribbean Conference. Each island is a little world by itself, and steamer communication almost isolates some islands, while making communication difficult among all. This is illustrated by the fact that although the conference has been organized two years, yet this has been the first conference committee meeting with all members present. In spite of the difficulties the work is onward. Encouraging reports were brought from all the field. One hundred and fourteen were baptized by the conference laborers during 1904. The total number of Sabbath-keepers in the conference, Dec. 31, 1904, was nine hundred and seven, an increase of one hundred and sixty-five for the year.
All other branches of the work show corresponding increase. The tithe for 1904 was $2,292.49, an increase over the year before of $317.39; annual offerings, $252.46; donations to missions, $413.08, a total increase in tithes and offerings for last year of $676.82.
In addition to this we have purchased an outfit of type and a job-press for the purpose of getting up the Caribbean Watchman more to our taste, and this is now almost paid for. Then different members of this conference have been glad to have a humble part in assisting in establishing the work in Washington.
The island of Dominica has at last been entered by the living preacher, and the Lord is blessing the work of Elder Giddings in that field. A lot has already been donated, on which to erect a church building, and there is a good interest to hear the message.
The Lord is blessing the work of the Caribbean Watchman, our missionary paper. We have been successful in arousing our people, and there is a general movement to place it and The Family Bible Teacher in as many homes as possible. We are making an effort this year to enlist every live Seventh-day Adventist in this work. Four specials are now being issued, similar to the Signs and Watchman specials.
But with our laborers so far apart, and working under so many disadvantages, the word comes from our General Conference Committee that, owing to the low state of the Mission Board finances, some of our laborers must be withdrawn. With aching hearts we look at the work to be accomplished, and the heavy burdens our small force of workers are already bearing, which any reduction in the force will increase to those who remain, and then ask the Lord why this is necessary. But as the needs of such countries as Africa and the Orient, with their teeming millions, rise before us, we close up the ranks, and press forward with courage and zeal, leaving all with the Lord of the harvest, who has promised to finish the work and cut it short in righteousness.
We are glad to report that our native laborers are developing and doing acceptable service. We earnestly pray that the Lord will raise a corps of efficient native laborers. Yet with a new field and no educational institutions, and the lack of what is considered in the home land the barest necessities, perhaps some can appreciate the problem we face. As we think of all the facilities in the United States,—the colleges, the intermediate schools, the sanitariums, the well-organized conferences, with large constituencies, and the well-equipped tent companies going forth to labor with several ministers, a company of Bible workers, singers, etc.,—and then face the unwarned multitudes before us, and realize that we have not a single one of those facilities,—when a tent meeting is to be held, each worker has to start out with only himself and wife, and perhaps a native assistant, and it is often the case that other duties are also pressing upon him heavily,—when we see all this, brethren and sisters, we can not possibly imagine that any Seventh-day Adventist who really grasps the situation, would say that we are swinging things too heavily toward the mission fields.
Satan is stirring up men and women in the United States who have not the third angel's message, and they are denying themselves, and are filling the West Indies with a flood of errors that it will be almost impossible for us to counteract or eradicate. It is difficult for us to express the grief that wrings our hearts as we see these errors pushing ahead of the precious message, and closing hearts against us.
Still we are of good courage. The Lord's hand is in his work. In every island his blessing is manifested. The enemy tries to bring in division and discouragement, but the love of Christ is uniting our hearts, and we are determined to press together.
The coming season we expect a tent will be pitched in British Guiana, one in Antigua, and one in Grenada. Evangelical work is also being pushed in new fields in Dominica and in Barbados.
On account of the withdrawal of laborers, it is likely that no new work can be opened in Trinidad, for which we are sorry. The literature campaign is being prosecuted as actively as is possible with our small force of laborers. Remember our field in your prayers.
GEO. F. ENOCH.
Brazil
By F. W. Spies
CASTRO.—After my return from the province of Espírito Santo, we made the necessary preparation for complying with a request of the conference that we move overland from Brusque to Castro, a distance of about three hundred miles. We made this journey on horseback.
Leaving Brusque on the nineteenth of October, we stopped first at Massaranduba. As we rode along this familiar road, we were much pleased to see that the few families living here had almost finished a new house of worship. While a Lutheran pastor had done his best to break up our work, this was a confession to the world that the truth yet lived and reigned in the hearts of God's children. We spent a pleasant Sabbath at this place, and conducted the first services in this house of prayer, which is nearly finished.
From Massaranduba we went to Joinville. At the latter place we remained one week. Because of the constant rain, our work at this place was somewhat interfered with; but we had baptism, one Brazilian brother receiving the rite. I should have stated above that before I left Brusque, two brethren came a good day's journey, desiring to be baptized.
From Joinville we came to the Hausa Colony, where we visited the few scattered brethren. The rain continued, and hence the traveling was still difficult. After visiting all the believers, and encouraging them, and also having the Lord's supper with them, we journeyed on to Sao Bento. During our stay at Sao Bento, the weather continued the same. But we had a pleasant time there, and had another baptism and the Lord's supper. When we were ready to leave that place, the weather changed, and the rest of our trip we had fair weather.
Our next stopping-place was Rio Negro. Here we also had a pleasant visit with the brethren; and, from their confessions, we trust it was a profitable one to them.
Leaving Rio Negro, we spent a day at the fazenda (estate) of the governor of Parana, to visit some sisters who were living there, and then proceeded to Castro, where we arrived on the evening of November 25, at the home of Brother Holzle.
Although the trip was rather long, my15wife and little girl stood it well. But we were glad, after traveling five weeks, three of which had been rainy, to come again to a place we could call home.
After arranging our new home somewhat, we turned our attention to the work in this new field, which is so abundant and pressing that it sometimes becomes a question where to begin our labors, for from all quarters come urgent calls.
The first Sabbath of our stay here, we had baptism. Three souls followed their Lord into the watery grave. These were the fruit of Brother Holzle's labors here. We hope soon to have another baptism.
Everywhere the field is ripe for the harvest. May the Lord of the harvest send more reapers into it to help gather the already ripe grain.
F. W. SPIES.
Natal-Transvaal Annual Conference
By W. S. Hyatt
A CONFERENCE GROUP
THE second annual meeting of the Natal-Transvaal Conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Dundee, Natal, February 16-26. The attendance, though not large, was good when we consider the size of the conference. This is one of the smallest conferences, if not the smallest one, ever organized among Seventh-day Adventists. At present they have three churches with a membership of about one hundred; but at the time of organization there were two churches, and the membership was considerably less than it now is.
The burden of sustaining a conference falls heavily upon the few faithful brethren and sisters in this field, but they have done nobly. One of the mistakes that have been made in South Africa from the beginning of our work was to build institutions and organizations faster than the constituency would warrant, hence it has been very difficult to support the work in all its departments.
I believe that I am safe in saying that this is our first camp-meeting held in accordance with the plan given us through the spirit of prophecy. Dundee had previously been canvassed for books; but otherwise it was new territory. At the beginning of the meeting the camp was organized for work, and several times during the meeting the town was worked from house to house by this company. They distributed invitations, sold papers and tracts, and in various ways endeavored to reach the people. Considerable rain fell during the meeting, which caused the attendance from the town to be much smaller than it otherwise would have been; still a goodly number came, and some interest was shown in the truths presented.
The preaching was done by Elders Edmed and Altman, and the writer. Daily Bible studies were held. The message, “Get ready,” was sounded forth to our people from the beginning of the meeting. Day by day the message came closer and closer. Again and again the meeting was taken out of our hands by the Holy Spirit, and was conducted to suit himself. Hearts were convicted, and deep repentance followed. All our meetings were free from the spirit of distrust and determination to have one’s own way. Love and unity were manifested by all who constantly sought for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I can truthfully say that he did for us all that we expected; yes, and much more.
But the last Sabbath was the great day of the feast. The sin of Achan in coveting a goodly Babylonish garment and golden wedge was clearly portrayed, and then came a solemn call to come out of Babylon. This caused a hard struggle with some, and tears flowed freely. In the afternoon the work was again taken up, and one after another gained the victory. Rings, chains, feathers, and various other ornaments were brought and laid upon the altar as gifts to the cause of God. We trust that this was true godly sorrow that “worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of,”
As might be expected, several consecrated themselves to the work, and the prospects are good that the conference will have all the help that it can use to profit. It was decided to spend three weeks in a training class in connection with the tent-meeting which is to follow the camp-meeting. Last year several young men were sent into the canvassing field who had little or no training, with the result that three became discouraged and gave up the work, and later on the truth. We hope our brethren will know how to direct the young men given them by God so as to make successful workers out of them.
Elder Edmed was again chosen as the president of the conference. Plans were laid to reduce the expense of running the conference machinery. The funds are low, and it may be necessary to assist this little conference in order that the work may prosper as it ought in this large field. Our brethren have been faithful in their tithes, and liberal in their offerings to the general work. During the past year they paid over four thousand dollars tithe into the treasury, or forty dollars per capita, and gave two hundred and forty dollars weekly offerings, and two hundred and seventy dollars Sabbath-school offerings, and eighty-five dollars annual offerings. Besides this, large demands have been made upon them for the local work in their field.
Before the meeting closed, plans were laid for aggressive work. In Maritzburg they are building a comfortable brick church with tract society office and schoolroom in connection. The brethren closed the meeting with courage and confidence, and we feel sure that the spirit of unity manifested will result in accomplishing much during 1905. This is the first camp-meeting held in this conference, and it was a great blessing to the little flock, and they go forth to the work, hoping to sing the jubilee song erelong.
W. S. HYATT.
Report From Norway
By O. A. Johnson
WE are glad that, notwithstanding perplexing obstacles and poverty, we can report progress in every department of the work.
At present we have twenty-three churches on our conference roll. Two of these have been so weakened by removals and deaths that they have no regular meetings. Our present membership, including a few isolated Sabbath-keepers, is about eight hundred. The per cent of increase is generally greatly reduced by emigration, mostly to the United States, also by deaths and a few apostasies.
Until the present time the work in Norway has been carried on mostly in the large cities; for the people in these places seem more willing to listen than do those in smaller cities, villages, and country places.
We find some very interesting cases in various parts of this country. I met a family last summer who began to keep the Sabbath about nine years ago without a knowledge of any one else who believed and kept the Sabbath. A year after this family began its observance, one of our workers came to their home. They have been living alone, a light to others, but they have had to suffer considerable persecution. In Christiania we learned of a family last fall who had been looking for us for weeks; for they had been convinced of the truth by reading the Bible and one number of a paper (our church paper here) which had come to them by some unknown means several years before. In various places, especially in country districts, we hear of individuals who begin to obey the Sabbath command. Thus lights are being kindled in various parts of Norway.
Our present laboring force consists of six ordained ministers, four Bible workers, and twenty-five canvassers. We have many more calls for labor than we can fill. For the last few years we have found it necessary to labor in the larger cities, to strengthen the small churches there. It does not seem very hard to convince the people of the truth, but the cross seems too heavy for many; for it takes faith to begin to keep the Sabbath when they see no possible way to earn a living for themselves and their families. But the way generally opens for all who really begin to obey God.
Last year we bought a tent, and held a series of meetings in Drommen. The16effort was a success, and we shall put another tent into the field next summer. In the land of the midnight sun we have light nearly all night, even in southern Norway, and hence it is pleasant to spend the beautiful long twilight evenings in and about a tent. In years past our tent-meetings in Norway were generally well attended, and were a success.
Norway has not yet recovered from the financial crisis that came to it a few years ago. Financially, the condition has really seemed to grow worse. Poverty, and suffering in consequence thereof, are on the increase. Many, unable to obtain work, loaf on the streets. Drunkenness, immorality, and crime are on the increase.
Our publishing house in Christiania is doing a fair business. Of course we could do more work if we had it, but generally we have enough to do to keep most of our workers employed. We are carrying on our work on a strictly cash basis, and this we find greatly to our advantage in various ways.
In 1900 our conference debt amounted to $1,778. This debt we tried to reduce year by year, and still keep our workers in the field. On Dec. 31, 1904, the debt was paid, and we had on hand nearly seven hundred dollars to start on in 1905. The tithes for 1904 amounted to $4,407.77, or about $5.46 per capita. Our brethren in Norway earn, on an average, from four to five dollars a week, our sisters and children much less. We have two church-school teachers who receive about seventy-five cents a week, besides board and lodging, and I might add that we have four church-schools, with an attendance of about forty.
The canvassing work has been picking up during the past year, and our book sales amounted to $7,306.93.
At present we are carrying on health or sanitarium work in two places. Our little plant in Kristiania has been quite busy most of the time, and closed the year with a net gain of about one hundred and eighty dollars. The other institution is carried on by a brother in Hamar, on the self-supporting plan; it is paying expenses, and at the same time is wielding an influence for good.
Our brethren are generally of good courage, and a more earnest spirit seems to be coming in among them. Success has attended our efforts during the winter, for which we are truly thankful.
In some localities we find religious revivals, as they are called here; but there is often such fanaticism carried on in connection with them that these religious excitements do more harm than good. There is also a spirit in connection with these revivals that deceives souls, and when once under the influence thereof, it is very difficult to get away from it.
The faith of many of our brethren here is being sorely tried at times, but we find that those who trust in God and cling to the truth, come out of the trials with a brighter experience.
Since New-year's twelve have been added to the church here in Christiania, and as many more are keeping the Sabbath who have not yet united with us. In Drommen about fifteen have been added to the church by baptism, and several others are in harmony with us, and are awaiting baptism. In other places we find that some have accepted the truth, but we are unable to report more definitely at this time.
We have truly great reason to thank God for the rich blessings he has bestowed upon us in our work, and we have also good reason to be of good courage in the work.
