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Review and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 40.

The Jordan
Earlier text: The Jordan

My Visit to the General European Field

By Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

The German Union Conference

In the Review of September 7, I reported the union meeting of the French-Swiss Conference and the Latin Union Mission, held at Gland, Switzerland. In this report I gave an account of the general features of the meeting, and a description of the new headquarters of the Latin Union mission field, which have been located at Gland. Although this location is not the geographical center of the Latin field, it is very accessible, and the excellent climate, the beautiful surroundings, and the varied and direct advantages make it a most desirable place for the work that will be carried on there. It will undoubtedly be a grand rallying center for that part of the field until our work on earth is finished.
From Gland, I went to Friedensau, Germany, to attend the annual session of the German Union Conference. In making this journey it was my privilege to travel through the central part of Switzerland all the way from Lake Geneva to Lake Constance. I was accompanied by Brother Guy Dail, who acted as guide and interpreter, and Sister Haskell, wife of Elder C. P. Haskell. Sister Haskell was returning to America from Africa, where she had been visiting her son-in-law and daughter, Brother and Sister Hayton, who have charge of Claremont Union College.
Much has been said and written in praise of the beautiful scenery of Switzerland. This trip taught me that no description, either oral or written, can convey to the mind any true conception of that wonderful scenery. The beautiful blue lakes, the mountains with their verdure-covered sides and snow-capped peaks, the fertile valleys, and the gorgeous sunsets must be seen to be truly conceived and fully appreciated.
The German Union Conference convened July 20, and continued ten days. This was the largest gathering of our people ever held outside of the United States. There were about eight hundred Sabbath-keepers present. Eighty-one of these were delegates, representing seven local conferences and six organized mission fields. The German Union Conference embraces Germany, Russia, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Holland, Flemish Belgium, and German Switzerland. These countries have a population of two hundred and sixty million, more than three times the population of the United States. Scattered among these many millions in so many countries, there are nearly eight thousand Seventh-day Adventists. There are five organized conferences in Germany, one in German Switzerland, and one in Eastern Russia. The organized mission fields which are being operated by the German Union Conference are those of Russia, Austria including Bohemia, Hungary, the Balkan States, Holland, Flemish Belgium, and German East Africa. About one half of the Sabbath-keepers in this territory are located in Germany, and about one fourth are in Russia.
The statistical reports for 1904 show a net gain of 1,141 members, an annual tithe of $43,597; offerings to missions, $8,435; book sales for the year, $48,260, and health food sales, $25,000. At our Hamburg printing-office, publications are being printed in fourteen different languages. In 1904 there were printed 989,360 copies of the different papers, and 34,168,340 pages of books and tracts. The affairs of the printing house were so managed that a profit of about ten thousand dollars was made during the year, and the most of this was donated by the directors to the missionary enterprises of the German Union Conference.
I desire to call special attention to the remarkable fact that the missionary work being carried on in the many countries of the German Union Conference is supported almost wholly, if not entirely, by the brethren and sisters in that territory. In making up our estimates for 1906, we found that the expenditures will reach at least $21,000. This does not include the expenses of any of the seven organized conferences. It represents the expenditure to be made in the great missionary fields attached to the conferences. According to the records of last year's receipts, we estimated that the churches in the German Union Conference will furnish at least $19,500 of the $21,000 required. All they ask the brethren and sisters in America to contribute toward the great work they are endeavoring to carry forward in mission fields is $1,500. They are not sure but that they will be able to provide the whole amount; but, for safety, they made a call for us to furnish $1,500, while they raise $19,500.
In these days of small victories this is a remarkable record. The nucleus of the German Union Conference is Germany. From one point of view Germany is really a great mission field. Every dollar of the money now being expended in the countries around Germany could easily be used by the German Conferences in their great cities. But they are working on another plan altogether. They divide their own slender resources with the great dark lands around them, and then work with all earnestness for their own fields with what is left, all the while praying the Lord to increase their ability to do for him. And the Lord hears them, and blesses with increased numbers and means.
It should be remembered that our people in Germany, Russia, Holland, Austria, etc., are not rich people in this world's goods. But few of them own the houses in which they live. Their incomes are small, but they are frugal and industrious. Their one great aim in life seems to be to co-operate with God in finishing his work in this generation. O that this may be the one and only ambition of every believer in the third angel's message!
In reporting my visit to Friedensau, I should not fail to tell what the Lord has done and is still doing through his people at that place. This will be given next week.
The Friedensau conference was a great and good meeting. The brethren and sisters were in good health physically, and were full of joy and courage in the Lord. The services of each day began with devotional meetings at six o'clock in the morning, and continued with only brief intermissions until half-past nine at night. The sermons preached and the reports given by the laborers were so full of interest, and the people were so eager to hear, that the large tent was nearly full at every meeting. I never witnessed the like at any conference before. It was marvelous. God is truly blessing his dear people in that great field. The difficulties tower like mountains, but the Lord is leveling them, or taking his people over them.
At this conference I had the privilege of meeting and conversing with the presidents of the conferences and the directors of the mission fields in all parts of this section of Europe. I was glad to find our representatives in Russia full of courage and good cheer. They have been in the midst of the terrible riots and revolutions of that country during the past year. The Lord has taken care of them, and has greatly blessed their labors. The dangers, trials, and oppressions of the country are used to advance the cause of God. But our dear people in that land need our prayers. Let us not forget them.
A. G. DANIELLS.

The Need of Ready Heralds

“THE church of the Lord is in profound need of more individual readiness. The crying need of the modern church is for multitudes of ready heralds among the rank and file of its members.”

Note and Comment

It appears that the door of missionary opportunity has been opened wider not only in Russia, but in the vast empire of China, by the Russo-Japanese war. Dr. H. W. Miller, writing from China, says on this point in a recent letter:—
It is a commonly reported fact that China's door is opened wider to missions than ever before, and it will not be long before every city of over ten thousand inhabitants will have either a Catholic or a Protestant mission. Russian influence, which had gained such a strong foothold in all northern China, is fast disappearing, and this means the removal of a blight to Protestant missions. We can only look upon this as a very strong indication that God is preparing old heathen China for the reaping of the harvest. And we shall soon see this message proclaimed with power in all the eighteen provinces.
The Protestant missions are taking advantage of every victory to strengthen their position with the government. Already many favors have been granted them, the empress dowager donating a large sum for the establishment of a Christian medical college.

The Hungarian Crisis

A VERY serious situation has arisen in Hungary—serious not only for the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, but for the peace of Europe as well. The Hungarian people yearn for independence, and a strong party has arisen there which has separation from Austria as the goal of its efforts. The dual monarchy is only held together, it is said, by personal loyalty to the aged emperor Franz-Josef. But a crisis has arisen; demands have been made by the Hungarian party which the emperor has refused, and there is an incipient revolt, which threatens to grow to an open rupture. A London dispatch speaks of the situation thus:—
The Hungarian revolt has taken a still more serious aspect this week, and the situation causes grave uneasiness throughout Europe. . . . A vast majority of the Hungarian people have joined the party of independence. Real concessions must be made by the emperor, or he will be compelled to govern Hungary by military force without a parliament. That situation would speedily result in armed resistance, and then nothing would avert the cataclysm which Europe has been dreading as the greatest of calamities for the past thirty years. It was this looming peril more than anything else which induced Germany to cease hectoring France this week, and refer all questions in the Morocco dispute to the coming conference. The best judgment, on the whole, is that the time for this great rupture, with its attendant dangers to European peace, is not yet. The Austro-Hungarian empire will hold together in some shape so long as the emperor refrains from the use of the arms of one country in an attempt to coerce the other.

To Every Man His Work

By Ellen G. White

Lessons From the Life of Solomon—No. 4

“To Every Man His Work”

MRS. E. G. WHITE
The student of sacred history will observe that throughout the ages God has distributed the responsibilities of the varied interests of his work in the earth among men whose talents fitted them for service, and who by training might become skilful in the service required.
During Jethro’s visit to the camp of Israel, the Lord permitted him to see how heavy were the burdens that rested upon Moses. To maintain order and discipline among that vast, ignorant, and untrained multitude was indeed a stupendous task. Moses was their recognized leader and magistrate; and not only the general interests and duties of the people, but the controversies that arose among them, were referred to him. He had permitted this, for it gave him an opportunity to instruct them; as he said, “I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.”
Jethro remonstrated against this, saying, “This thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone;” “thou wilt surely wear away;” and he counseled Moses to appoint proper persons as rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, and rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. They should be “able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.” All matters of minor consequence were to be judged by the men placed over the smaller groups; matters of greater importance were to be carried to the higher officers; and the most difficult cases were still to be brought before Moses, who was to be to the people, said Jethro, “to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: and thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.” This counsel was accepted, and it not only brought relief to Moses, but resulted in establishing order and system among the people.

Chosen Men for Special Duties

Later, when the tabernacle was to be built in the wilderness, chosen men were specially endowed by God with skill and wisdom for the construction of the sacred building. And when it was completed, certain men were appointed to perform certain parts of the holy service. Moses, and Aaron and his sons, were to minister before the tabernacle of witness. “The Lord said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father’s house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood. . . . Ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel. . . . Thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest’s office for everything of the altar, and within the veil; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest’s office unto you as a service of gift.”
So particular was the Lord that this sacred work should be performed only by those whom he had appointed, that he declared: “The stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.” Every worker was to know his place, and to perform faithfully the special duties committed to him; and he was to let alone that which another worker had been appointed to do.
To the Levites was committed the charge of the tabernacle and all that pertained thereto, both in the camp and on the journey. When the camp set forward, they were to strike the sacred tent; when a halting-place was reached, they were to set it up. No person of another tribe was allowed to come near, on pain of death. The Levites were separated into three divisions, the descendants of the three sons of Levi, and each was assigned its special position and work. In front of the tabernacle, and nearest to it, were the tents of Moses and Aaron. On the south were the Kohathites, whose duty it was to care for the ark and the other furniture; on the north the Merarites, who were placed in charge of the pillars, sockets, boards, etc.; in the rear the Gershonites, to whom the care of the curtains and hangings was committed.
This plan of carefully apportioning special duties to certain men who were best fitted for these duties, had been carefully studied by David, and followed in his administration of the government of Israel; and now that Solomon was placed upon the throne, David gave particular attention to the perfection of the organization of all branches of the ministration of the priests and Levites, of the civil officers, and of the army.
“When David was old and full of days, . . . he gathered together all the princes of Israel, with the priests and the Levites. Now the Levites were numbered from the age of thirty years and upward: and their number by their polls, man by man, was thirty and eight thousand. Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the Lord; and six thousand were officers and judges: moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the Lord with the instruments.”
The four thousand musicians, divided into twenty-four courses, were each led by twelve men especially instructed and skilful in the use of musical instruments. The work of the porters was also definitely arranged.
The priests were divided into twenty-four courses, and a full and accurate record was made regarding this division. Each course was thoroughly organized under its chief, and each was to come to Jerusalem twice a year, to attend for one week to the ministry of the sanctuary.
The Levites, whose duty it was to assist in the sanctuary service, were organized and allotted their part with similar precision.
The care of the treasures was put into the hands of trusty men. “Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things. . . . All the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated; . . . and all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; and whosoever had dedicated anything, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.”
“And over the king’s treasures was Azmaweth; . . . and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan; . . . and over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground, . . . over the vineyards, . . . over the increase of the vineyards for the wine-cellars, . . . over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the low plains, . . . over the herds that fed in Sharon, . . . over the herds that were in the valleys, . . . over the camels also, . . . over the asses, . . . and over the flocks,” were placed men whose experience and training peculiarly fitted them for their respective duties. Thus many men of varied abilities were appointed “rulers of the substance which was King David’s.”

Diligence in Business

In his work to-day, the Lord would be pleased to have those who are engaged in any part of his service, guard against the tendency to take upon themselves responsibilities that they are not called upon to bear. Some of his servants are to direct the business matters connected with his work in the earth; others are to look after the spiritual matters. Every laborer is to strive to do well his part, leaving to others the duties entrusted to them.
For years the Lord has been instructing us to choose wise men,—men who are devoted to God,—men who know what the principles of heaven are,—men who have learned what it means to walk with God,—and to place upon them the responsibility of looking after the business affairs connected with our work. This is in accordance with the Bible plan as outlined in the sixth chapter of Acts. We need to study this plan; for it is approved of God. Let us follow the Word.
It is a great mistake to keep a minister who is gifted with power to preach the gospel, constantly at work in business matters. He who holds forth the Word of life is not to allow too many burdens to be placed upon him. He must take time to study the Word and to examine self. If he closely searches his own heart, and gives himself to the Lord, he will better understand how to grasp the hidden things of God.
Let ministers and teachers remember that God holds them accountable to fill their office to the best of their ability, to bring into their work their very best powers. They are not to take up duties that conflict with the work that God has given them. It is time for our ministers to understand the responsibility and sacredness of their mission. There is a woe upon them, if they fail of performing the work which they themselves acknowledge that God has placed in their hands.
The finances of the cause are to be properly managed by business men of ability; but preachers and evangelists are set apart for another line of work. Let the management of financial matters rest on others than those set apart for the work of preaching the gospel. Our ministers are not to be heavily burdened with the business details of the evangelical work carried on in our large cities. Those in charge of our conferences should find business men to look after the financial details of city work. If such men can not be found, let facilities be provided for training men to bear these burdens.
Men of experience in business lines, with a practical knowledge of book-keeping, should be chosen to superintend the keeping of the accounts in our institutions at home and abroad. If such men had been appointed in years past to superintend the financial affairs of our conferences and institutions, thousands of dollars would have been saved, and the efficiency of the ministry would not have been so greatly weakened by the burden of financial cares and perplexities that has too often fallen where it does not belong.
Close investigation of the business transactions in various departments of the cause, are to be frequently made. This work must not be neglected. Never are we to sanction any transactions that imperil the purity of the Lord’s church, and of his institutions, which are his appointed instrumentalities.
Those in charge of the work have erred sometimes in permitting the appointment of men devoid of business tact and ability to manage important financial interests. A man’s fitness for one position does not always qualify him to fill another position. Experience is of great value. The Lord desires to have men of intelligence connected with his work,—men qualified for various positions of trust in our conferences and institutions. Especially are consecrated business men needed,—men who will carry the principles of truth into every business transaction. Those placed in charge of financial matters should not assume other burdens,—burdens that they are incapable of bearing; nor is the business management to be entrusted to incompetent men.
Men of promise in business lines should develop and perfect their talents by most thorough study and training. They should be encouraged to place themselves where, as students, they can rapidly gain a knowledge of right business principles and methods. All may improve; no one needs to remain a novice.
If men in any line of work ought to improve their opportunities to become wise and efficient, it is those who are using their ability in the work of building up the kingdom of God in our world. In view of the fact that we are living so near the close of this earth’s history, there should be greater thoroughness in labor, more vigilant waiting, watching, praying, and working. All the religious service and every branch of business are to bear the signature of heaven.
“Holiness unto the Lord” is to be the motto of the laborers in every department. The human agent should strive to attain to perfection, that he may be an ideal Christian, complete in Christ Jesus.

Voiceless Prayers

By E. H. MORTON

E. H. MORTON
You ask my thoughts as gazing far I look beyond. My thoughts are mingled with God's thoughts, O sacred bond! ’Tis prayer that brings the distant near, The touch divine. God's Spirit is the link that binds His thoughts to mine.
I thank thee, Lord, for answered prayer, For ripened sheaves, And still I ask for more and more. My spirit grieves O’er those bowed down by worldly cares Yet know the way, And silently I breathe the prayer, Help them obey.
And so I plead with heart and soul, In house and street. I smile, with prayer within my heart, When friends I meet; I clasp the hand, and upward send A voiceless cry. The answer comes, and well I know Angels are nigh.
’Tis sweet to keep the chain complete, The channel free, To know that God is looking down To strengthen me. The life within no eye can see, But O ’tis peace And depths of joy when sinners find From sin release!
North Deering, Maine.

F. D. STARR

By F. D. STARR

“By Faith We Understand”

F. D. STARR

LIFE is full of mysterious problems; many things that we would like to know seem to be beyond our comprehension. We fail to understand God's dealings with us sometimes; we are puzzled to know why our fellow beings act as they do; we are tempted to look upon all things with which we have to do as a bundle of inconsistencies. Why is this? we inquire.
But let us be calm a moment. The multitude of things so mysterious to us may all be classified under two heads,—things that we do not need to understand, and things that by faith we can understand. As to the first class, the wise man himself confessed there were some things too wonderful for him, that he could not know (Prov. 30:18, 19), and David speaks of a knowledge that was too wonderful, too high, for him. Ps. 139:6. He says also that he refrained from exercising himself in matters beyond his reach, that were too high or too great for him, Ps. 131:1. Let us imitate this example, and thus free our minds from a multitude of queries with which we need not concern ourselves. We shall thus dispose of a large share of life's perplexing conundrums.
The other class of problems is just as thoroughly provided for; “through faith we understand.” What a relief to troubled minds! “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God.” To understand how the worlds came into existence is perhaps as great a feat as can be accomplished by our perceptive faculties. It is a matter over which scientists and geologists have puzzled their minds without arriving at any satisfactory understanding; but we understand it as fully as we need to understand it now, and we give ourselves no further trouble about that question. God by his infinite power spoke the worlds into existence. Faith teaches us this sufficient lesson.
“The Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding.” 1 John 5:20. By the faith given through him we understand. By faith we have eternal life; by faith we are come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God; by faith we enter into rest; and by faith we understand.
But what is faith?—“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” If some friend promises to give you a full explanation of a matter that you do not understand, your mind is quieted, and you are nearly as well satisfied as after the explanation is fully made. So by faith we understand,—by faith in Jesus Christ, who fully understands all things, and who is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption,—and it is only when we humble ourselves to be satisfied with his understanding of matters, and accept of that by faith as our understanding, that we get into that condition where he can teach us, and enlighten the eyes of our understanding also, so that our mental faculties can comprehend things otherwise mysterious to us.
Forest, Idaho.

Standing Firm for Truth

“THE proof that you believe what you declare, Is that you still stand firm, though throngs pass by; Better cry truth a lifetime to void air, Than flatter listening millions with one lie.”

Missionary Convention Readings

For Sabbath, October 14, 1905

Suggestive Programs

The following suggestive program is intended for small churches where there are but few to take part:—

For Small Churches

SONG: “Working, O Christ, with Thee,” page 381, “Christ in Song.”
PRAYER.
READING: “Victories by One.”
SONG: “Stand Like the Brave,” page 383, “Christ in Song.”
DISCUSSION of the Reading in three-minute talks by those who have had individual victories, or who will seek for victories in earnest efforts for others.
READING: “The Need of the Hour.”
SONG: “O Where Are the Reapers?” page 411, “Christ in Song.”
READING: “What Has Been Done; What Is to Be Done.”
REPORTS from members, stating the preparation they have made for the work in providing themselves with the REVIEW, tracts, etc.
SONG: “Gleams of the Golden Morning,” page 683, “Christ in Song.”
READING: “Forget Not the Stranger.”
ORGANIZATION: General remarks on the readings and campaign work, appointing committees, and organizing for the various lines of work suggested by the general campaign committee.
SONG: “Jesus Saves,” page 46, “Christ in Song.”
PRAYER SEASON: Several short consecration prayers.
DOXOLOGY.

For Large Churches

The following program is suggested for the larger churches having a membership sufficient to render it:—
SONG: “Wake the Song of Joy and Gladness,” page 208, “Christ in Song.”
Congregation.
PRAYER.
QUARTET: “The Missionary’s Call” (REVIEW, Aug. 17, 1905).
REMARKS: “The Object of the Convention.”
Chairman.
READING: “Victories by One.”
DISCUSSION of the Reading by two appointed members.
SOLO: “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go,” page 390, “Christ in Song.”
Chorus by Congregation.
READING: “The Need of the Hour.”
PRAYER SERVICE: Several short, earnest petitions for divine aid to meet the “Need of the Hour.”
SONG: “I Need Thee Every Hour,” page 413, “Christ in Song.”
Congregation.
READING: “What Has Been Done; What Is to Be Done.”
DISCUSSION:— (a) The REVIEW in every Sabbath-keeping home, and our Missionary Periodicals. (b) Circulation of Tracts and Books by every Seventh-day Adventist. (c) Bible Work and Missionary Correspondence.
MUSIC: Vocal or Instrumental.
READING: “Forget Not the Stranger.”
EXPERIENCES in Missionary Work, 15 minutes.
SONG: “Trust and Obey,” page 443, “Christ in Song.”
Congregation.
ORGANIZATION for efficient work: Assigning leaders for various departments of the work, appointing committees, etc.
DOXOLOGY.
BENEDICTION.
Some churches may wish to arrange for an all-day convention, and if so, this last program could be divided. Close the first meeting with the song, “I Need Thee Every Hour.” Then at the opening of the second meeting sing, “What Hast Thou Done for Me?” page 39, “Christ in Song.” Follow with prayer and a short appropriate Scripture reading if desired. Then go on with the program, beginning with the reading, “What Has Been Done.”
The above programs are merely suggestive. It is not expected they will be applicable to all churches, but they may serve as helps where they can not be fully followed; yet we recommend that either one or the other be followed as far as possible. They should not be discarded unless something better can be provided. In no instance should there be a substitution in the programs for the readings, as these have been carefully prepared, and should be read in every church on the day appointed for the conventions in preference to any other service, and they should be carefully studied by those who are appointed to read them, that they may personally become imbued with the spirit of them, and be able to render them as forcibly as possible.
While it is always good to assign the various parts to those who can best present them, those who have never taken part in public exercises should be encouraged when their services are needed, to take some part of the program, and to thoroughly prepare for its rendering in the convention services.
The young people in the church should be prominent in all the exercises; they should be assigned parts in the readings, music, and other exercises of the convention; they should receive the impression that the convention is as much for them as for others, and that they are important factors in the great missionary campaign.
An early meeting of the church officers should be called, and final arrangements made for the details of the programs and assigning parts to individuals.
Continue reading: Victories by One