Prior to Jan. 1, 1903, our work for China and the Chinese was confined to Hongkong, and the small beginnings made at Canton by Brother Wilbur, and at Sun Ning by our native brother, Joe Fat, together with the efforts which are being put forth by our people in Honolulu, and in different parts of the United States and Australia for those Chinese who have gone abroad. These are, almost to a man, from the Cantonese province. In itself this beginning, opening to us as it did a field of twenty or twenty-five millions, was of great importance and promise, although the actual results were meager. Canton, situated in the bosom of the very fertile delta of the West River, is the metropolis of all China, and represents the most intelligent, the most aggressive and progressive part of the Chinese race.
Several considerations led us to make our first permanent beginning in south China among the Cantonese. It was there at Hongkong that Brother La Rue for about twelve years had been holding forth the light of truth; and although his work was among Europeans, yet in his sowing, some seed fell into Chinese soil and bore fruit. Again, our people in the States found here and there a Chinese heart which welcomed the advent message, and every such heart served to draw unconsciously but surely in the direction of China, and yet not China as a whole, but to the very province whence these believing Chinese came, to Quantung, the home of the Cantonese.
This beginning, though small and long delayed, was nevertheless the initial step for a great work, and so a cause for no little rejoicing. At the same time it was felt by the Mission Board and the workers who had entered this field that our message is for all China, and that an entrance must be made among the other dialects, or, more properly, languages, especially the Mandarin, which, though the most modern in China, is the most widely spoken, being the language, with some variations, of fifteen out of the eighteen provinces of China proper. It was with grateful hearts that we beheld the Lord of the harvest going out before us both in opening a door and in providing a tried man to lead the way in what we hope and believe to be a great work for central and north China.
The chosen instrument for this enterprise is Brother Eric Pilquist, whose consecration to the message and long experience in China give him a special fitness for this work. He entered China in January, 1891, as a representative of the Swedish Alliance, in company with thirty-four other missionaries sent out to China by the same organization in response to Hudson Taylor’s call for one thousand workers for this land. After seven years of missionary labor with that body, he connected with the British and Foreign Bible Society, under whose auspices he acted as a colporteur until Dec. 31, 1902, when he resigned to connect with our work. During these twelve eventful years he has labored in no less than six provinces,—Kansu, Shensi, Chili, Honan, Shansi, and Shantung,—and in his travels has passed through several others. Hence his knowledge of China is both varied and extensive.
Sister Pilquist, his wife, who came to China as a missionary of the Christian Alliance, has a good knowledge of the Mandarin language, and with her ten years’ experience she is both able and glad to second her husband’s efforts to give the message to this people.
Since last June they have been located in the province of Honan, about one hundred and thirty miles north of Hankow, at Sin Iang Cheo, on the new railway line in process of construction from Hankow to Peking, the capital of the empire. Their work until the beginning of the new year was to sell Bibles, Testaments, Gospels, and portions of the Word of God; yet along with this work they have been able to sow much seed by teaching and preaching. So that now (February) there are four or five believers in the message ready for baptism, which I expect to administer in a few days. [Later letters report six baptized.] These, together with Brother and Sister Pilquist, furnish the material for the first Seventh-day Adventist church in China, the first fruits of a large spiritual harvest from the land of Sinim.
Among these Chinese believers is a man, the son of a governor of a province, of good education and excellent native ability, who has given himself to the work of a native evangelist. Since accepting the truth, he has refused large salaries in official circles, choosing rather to give his time and talents to the cause of God, even though his money remuneration is a mere pittance, not exceeding three or four dollars United States money a month, the usual amount paid to native gospel helpers in these parts. Brother Pilquist says God sent him, and we all share in the belief that he will act an important part in heralding the advent message to this race.
I must not omit to add in this connection that the Lord has not only called this man as evangelist, but he has also sent his Spirit to the hearts of the people in this vicinity. Several persons living at a distance of twenty, thirty, and forty miles, hearing of this new doctrine, have come to inquire and to be taught. These are open doors which must be entered at once, and manifestly the evangelist is God’s answer to their call.
In many respects this beginning in Honan, in the very heart of China, is of great significance to our work for the Chinese. It will serve as a nucleus for further efforts for north and central China, around which new workers can rally at once. Here they can come and begin the study of the language, and at the same time be in touch with Brother Pilquist and native teachers and evangelists who have learned the truth and feel a burden for its promotion. The place is central and accessible, being very nearly in the geographical center of China, one hundred miles from the great Yang-tse River, which divides the empire into north and south, and on the main railway line which is being projected from Canton to Peking, dividing China into east and west.
But this great and effectual door which the Lord has opened before us, not only presents great opportunities, but also imposes great responsibilities, and the need for more workers and for more means is urgent. In time the native converts will probably be able to support their native workers, but until the work is under way, this burden must be borne by the mission. To second the oral teaching and preaching, a small hand-printing press is needed at once, on which to print bills, brief outlines of sermons, Bible readings, etc., and later small tracts and periodicals. Most of all, living messengers are needed, who can enter and prepare for aggressive work in connection with this opening. Who will give? Who will come?
Canton, China.
In Quietness
By Marianne Farningham
“He shall not strive nor cry.”
WHY is the Master so patient yet
In the world where wrong is wrought?
Takes he no heed of the riot of sin
While his will is treated as naught?
Could he not thunder his judgments
down
Where the men his power defy?
O, the Master is great through his
gentleness —
“He shall not strive nor cry.”
Not in the whirlwind, not in the storm,
But the still, small voice of love
Is his power to reach to the world's hard
heart,
And its rebel will to move;
He finds his way through the silences,
He hears the prayer of a sigh;
In wooing whispers the Master pleads —
“He shall not strive nor cry.”
How does the kingdom of heaven grow?
Never through war and noise,
But as the snowdrops do in spring,
And as love through household joys.
No blatant trumpet, no rush of war,
Proclaims the Christ-King nigh.
Though the kingdoms of earth shall all
be his,
“He shall not strive nor cry.”
He shall not fail, nor discouraged be,
For him the isles shall wait.
And he shall reign ever from sea to sea,
All nations shall call him great.
And thus shall his kingdom be ushered
in,
As the light in the eastern sky,
He shall save the world by the might of
love,
“He shall not strive nor cry.”
— Marianne Farningham.
India
By J. L. Shaw
CALCUTTA.—Last week we had baptism at Chandernagor. There were three candidates baptized in the Hooghly River. This was the first baptism, I presume, the people at Chandernagor ever witnessed. There were a company of not less than one hundred and fifty at the riverside to see the baptism. Some were English, and some natives. One of the candidates was a native brother, who has been engaged in missionary work among the educated Bengalis. It meant much for this brother to step out and resign a position where he was getting good pay, when he had no promise of support from any other direction; but God is giving him the victory. His wife felt it so keenly that she returned to her Hindu parents. But notwithstanding all this, the brother has been holding on firmly. His case is but an evidence of what the Lord is able to do.
A small school has been started for Santals. Our plan is to take a number of young men who desire to learn, and daily give them four hours' instruction, allowing them to put in an equal number of hours in labor. Of course they will not be able to earn their way and pay for their food; but it costs only about one dollar to pay for the food of a student for a month. We are trying to interest different individuals in this work, and we hope several will be willing to pay the tuition of a young man in school, which will be about one dollar a month, amounting to twelve dollars a year. I believe a good work can be done in this way. I never saw any more interested to learn than some of the Santal boys. Brother Barlow has had to turn away several, because he had no funds to support more pupils. These students come ten, fifteen, or twenty miles to attend the school. The plan is to teach them the Word of God from the time they come until they go away. As they return to their homes, they will disseminate what they have learned.
The weather has been very hot, and we are looking forward to the time when the rains will break. We are of good courage in the work. J. L. SHAW.
West Africa
By D. U. HALE
MANSU, GOLD COAST.—I think I wrote you that the chief of Mansu, who is very wealthy and influential, is anxious for us to establish a school in his village. I took Brother Hayford with me the other day to visit him. He called his leading men, and we placed before them our intentions. He and his men expressed an earnest desire for us to come there and establish a school. I told them that we should need land, so they gave me a beautiful place to build on, a high hill just outside the village. I think it will be quite healthful for my family. It will take over a thousand dollars to put up proper buildings for the workers and the school.
The village has never had any missionary work done in it. It is one of the best ports on the coast, and very convenient to Sekondi, being only sixteen miles by railway. In July the railroad will be opened up for traffic to a place called Oboassa, about one hundred and twenty-eight miles into the interior, and the final terminus will be Kumassi, the capital of Ashantee.
Taking everything into consideration, I believe it to be a wonderful providence of God, as I can be in the closest touch possible with all the coast, the interior, and my home, by railway, postal, telegraph, and steamship lines. Besides, it is about as healthful as any place we could find without going about seventeen miles into the country.
I believe our situation requires haste. We must begin to build, that we may get into a place more conducive to health, or my usefulness and the usefulness of my family may be cut short. Besides, the work here requires haste, as the way is opening for the message to go faster than we are able to fill the calls.
Brother Hyatt is doing what he can to advance the work in Cape Coast. He has a school, and is gathering boys of all classes into it, in the hope that the Lord will give him some honest souls as the result of his labors.
LATER: I came up from Cape Coast, and am now at Sekondi. Brother Hayford is with me. We shall go back to his mining camp, where I am located. But now that we have a place permanently established, I hope to get to it as quickly as possible, but must have something with which to build a house, at least to start one, then we can move in, and finish later.
I am picking up the language quite fast among Brother Hayford’s men, but wish I were in a school instead.
D. U. HALE.
J. O. CORLISS
By J. O. CORLISS
England
LEICESTER.—I have just returned from Boston, on the eastern coast, where I went for the purpose of ripening off the little work that had been started by two lone sisters. While there, I had the privilege of giving the simple message for this time in the old hall where John Cotton and others of the Pilgrim Fathers were imprisoned just prior to leaving for America. It seemed good to me to have such a privilege.
One young man who began to keep the Sabbath is a carpenter and bricklayer, but when I laid before him the importance of this message, he decided to leave his work, and give his time this summer to the study of the message in our training class here at Leicester, and at the same time engage in practical work in the city by selling papers, canvassing for books, and doing whatever he can to help carry the message. A young lady there also, who has about decided to observe the Sabbath, thought that perhaps she might join our school at Leicester. We must give these young people a training to carry forward the message. We are getting everything ready to open our tent meetings here soon. It seems to me that the Lord would have us move more rapidly18in preparing the people for his coming. I can not get this out of my mind. For myself I am willing to work from early in the morning until late at night, in order to see this thing accomplished. The fact is, I have been so many, many years in this work that I have begun to feel as did the seer of Patmos: Come, Lord Jesus, and come quickly.
J. O. CORLISS
A. J. HAYSMER
By A. J. Haysmer
Trinidad
PORT OF SPAIN.—While we are quarantined, we are pushing the work here. Doing all the work by free labor makes it go slow; yet we are getting along pretty well. Our church is twenty-eight by forty-six feet. We have almost completed the depository and printing room, sixteen by twenty-seven feet. This is a good, nearly fire-proof building. We have just moved the books in, but it will take another week to complete it. We are already holding our meetings inside the church, although we have no floor, and walls only a few feet high. We have the roof on. Each week sees the building advance a little. When we get windows and doors in, it will be much better. We dare not go faster than the means comes in.
Our paper, The Caribbean Watchman, is prospering beyond our expectations. We put out three thousand in June, and have had calls for many more. They were sold in a day or two in most places. Barbadoes took five hundred, and has ordered one thousand for July. We are well organized in Trinidad, and have set our mark to three thousand. For the July number we are printing five thousand. We are bound to make it pay its own way. We are now putting on a cover, with a few advertisements. The people like the paper. It is doing the work much good. We must have leaflets now for the agents to use with the worthy poor. We are going to push this as soon as we get our rooms ready, and some other work off our hands. We now have a paper cutter and more type.
A. J. HAYSMER
Austria, Hungary, and the Balkans
By Guy Dail
As most of our readers may recall, at the German Union Conference held in Friedensau last summer, the Austria-Hungarian and Balkan Mission was divided into three distinct fields,—the Austrian Mission, which is composed of Austria; the Hungarian Mission, made up of Hungary; and the Balkan Mission, containing the Balkan States.
In the first-mentioned mission, we have been operating for about one year and a half, and from the report of the year ending Dec. 31, 1902, we take the following: baptisms, 13; received by vote, 5; membership, 20, all of whom belong to the church in Prague; tithe, $136.31; Sabbath-school offerings, $10.11; annual offerings, $4.85. One minister and two Bible workers are here laboring for twenty-five million people.
A letter just received from Elder J. P. Lorenz, who has been laboring in Prague, states that he has had good audiences, and many are deeply interested in the truth; but he fears that, on account of the great difficulties those who observe the Sabbath will have in obtaining a livelihood, the immediate visible results of his effort will not be very large. It requires a great deal of faith to accept an unpopular message, when everything in the world seems to say to you, You must give up your situation; your wife and children will starve; you can obtain work nowhere. That is what stares many a would-be believer in the face, in these countries, and the conditions of society are such that a man can not “just turn his hand to anything,” as in newer and more highly favored lands.
There was no general meeting in Austria this year; but the believers there were encouraged by the visit of Brethren Conradi and Schubert, while they were in that part of Europe attending the Hungarian and Balkan meetings.
In Hungary the five churches and companies were quite well represented at the general meeting in Klausenburg, February 5-8. A committee on resolutions, one on nominations, and a committee on credentials largely shaped the doings of the session. During the year 1902 there were twenty-nine added by baptism and four by vote, making the total membership one hundred and thirty-three; the tithe was $610.44; Sabbath-school donations, $81.91; First-day offerings, $1.37; annual offerings, $11.83; book sales, $120.59.
The Committee on Resolutions offered the following, which were unanimously passed:—
“1. In looking over the first year of our existence as a mission field, we would heartily express to the Lord our thankfulness for his blessings, as seen in the growth of our membership, and increase of our means.
“2. Next to God, we would also thank our brethren in the German Union Conference for the laborers and means they have sent us.
“3. As the Lord has reminded us of our duty to the poor, we heartily support the proposition to establish a church poor fund, and advise that on the first Sabbath of every month a collection for this fund be taken up in our churches.
“4. Recognizing the importance of seeking to spread the gospel in the heathen lands belonging to the territory of the German Union Conference, as, for example, German East Africa, we would recommend that our First-day offerings be devoted to that purpose.
“5. Whereas, God has opened up the way for us to assist the school in Friedensau through the sale of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ we would advise that we undertake to sell our quota of this book.
“6. Whereas, The expense attending the publication of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ is to be met entirely by gifts, therefore we would recommend that our churches and companies contribute toward a fund for that purpose.”
As a result of the report of the Committee on Credentials, it was voted to grant credentials to J. F. Huenergardt, L. Mathe; missionary licenses to P. Todor, G. Unk, P. Gyongyosi, S. Kellemann, A. Gaspar.
The following officers were appointed: Director of Mission, J. F. Huenergardt; Secretary, P. Todor; Treasurer, B. Severin; Secretary of Sabbath-school and Missionary Departments, K. Laubhan.
A collection of nearly fourteen dollars on the Material Fund for ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ was taken up. The blessing of God attended the preaching of the word, and was also felt during the business meetings. All returned to their homes with a stronger determination to prove more earnest and faithful in the Master’s service, and do their part in upholding the light among the seventeen million people in this field.
It was in the seaport town of Constantza, Rumania, that the brethren of the Balkan States assembled for their annual meeting, February 10-14. About thirty persons were present from the four churches and companies outside of Constantza. As there is a membership of only ninety, this was a good representation for that field. Bulgarians, Armenians, Russians, and Germans met together as one in Christ. A committee of twelve brethren was chosen to shape the business of the conference.
Six resolutions were adopted:—
“1. In consideration of the many blessings which we have received from God the past year, notwithstanding our shortcomings, we would express our sincerest thanks to our Heavenly Father, and pledge greater faithfulness to our Lord in the future, especially in bringing all the tithe into his storehouse.
“2. As we have been assured through the spirit of prophecy that our mission school in Friedensau should be assisted by the sale of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ we pledge ourselves to sell an average of two copies of this work during the coming year.
“3. We would further agree to bear our share of the Material Fund on ‘Christ’s Object Lessons.’
“4. Resolved, That we dedicate our First-day offerings to furthering the work in German East Africa.
“5. We recommend that Brother Seefried, after the sale of his business in Rumania, make Bulgaria his field of labor, and that Brother Conradi select an all-round worker for that field.
“6. We recommend that ‘His Glorious Appearing’ be published in Bulgarian, and the Prophetic Charts in Bulgarian, Servian, and Rumanian, as well as the two tracts, ‘Seven Reasons for Sunday-keeping Examined’ and ‘Sabbath or Sunday?’”
Credentials were granted to G. Perk; ministerial license to A. Seefried; Missionary license to F. Adomeit. The following officers were appointed: Director of the field, G. Perk; Secretary, F. Adomeit; Treasurer, B. Severin; Sabbath-school and Missionary Secretary, K. Laubhan; Canvassing Agent, N. Constantinoff.
Two were added to our membership,—an Armenian, who was baptized in the Black Sea, and a German, who was received by vote. Five dollars and sixty-one cents was collected on the Material Fund, and seven dollars was subscribed to that fund, while books to the value of $11.50 were sold at the meeting.
In 1902 there were seven baptisms in the Balkan Mission; the tithe was $127.72; Sabbath-school donations, $10.26; First-day offerings, 44 cents.
By considering the number of members we have in this field, as well as looking at the few workers, one can see that there is but a beginning made here, for what are our numbers among the twelve million souls who are to be warned in the Balkan States? However, it is not numbers we need so much as a few men and women who really believe God, and are willing to endure any hardness for the advancement of his kingdom. A small company of consecrated believers will do more in the hands of the Almighty than all the hosts of a formal, half-converted, worldly minded church. Work there is, a plenty of it; difficulties there are, many of them; but the God we serve is only graciously waiting to do abundantly above all that we can ask or think. Who among us will yield ourselves fully to him? Who will live up to his privilege in giving the gospel to those that sit in darkness? GUY DAIL.
Maritime Conference
By S. D. HARTWELL
THE first annual meeting of the Maritime Conference was held at Fredericton, New Brunswick, May 29 to June 8. All the conference laborers were present, also Elders Thurston and Bicknell and the writer. The meetings of the conference were held in the new church recently completed by our people in Fredericton. This is a neat house of worship, and an honor to the cause in that place. Brother Andrews, who has been in charge of the work in that place for the past year or more, is entitled to credit for the progress the work has made in the capital city of the province of New Brunswick.
On the first Sunday of the meeting the house was dedicated to the Lord, the services being well attended by the citizens of the place, who also made manifest their interest in the enterprise by a liberal donation at the close of the exercises, although many of them had made liberal offerings previously. Elder M. S. Babcock made the dedicatory address, being assisted in the service by Elders Langdon, Thurston, Guthrie, and Brother Andrews.
The meetings of the conference all passed off pleasantly, recommendations for the advancement of the work in all departments being unanimously carried. The educational work received attention, and Brother D. W. Dimmock's gift of19one hundred acres of improved land and one hundred and fifty acres of timber for an industrial school was accepted, and an educational committee elected, with instructions, by vote of the delegates, to open the school about the first of September, to accommodate as many students as the present room will permit, planning on getting out timber next winter for the erection of suitable school buildings another season.
Owing to the recommendation of the General Conference for Elder Langdon to make Greater New York his field of future labor, it was necessary to elect a new president and a new secretary, much to the regret of the delegates present, many of whom had first experienced the blessings of present truth under the labors of Elder and Sister Langdon.
The following officers were chosen for the year: President, W. H. Thurston; Secretary and Treasurer, Alberta McLeod; Executive Committee, W. H. Thurston, M. S. Babcock, Wm. Guthrie, W. R. Andrews, and J. G. Hanna.
In the location of laborers for the coming year it was decided that Elder Guthrie make Halifax his field, and that J. G. Hanna go to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Elder Babcock was recommended to go to St. John, New Brunswick. Brother W. R. Andrews was recommended to continue to look after the work at Fredericton and surrounding country.
At the second Sabbath evening of the meeting Brother W. R. Andrews was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, by Elders Guthrie, Bicknell, Langdon, and Thurston, Elder Langdon offering the prayer, and Elder Thurston giving the charge.
It was decided that permanent headquarters be established at Moncton, New Brunswick, and a depository be opened there. Accordingly, at the request of the conference, the writer spent ten days at the close of the meeting at that place carrying out the wish of the conference in this respect, and the secretary is now in charge of the depository. The address is Box 7, Moncton, New Brunswick.
S. D. HARTWELL.
R. M. KILGORE
By R. M. Kilgore
Georgia
BUFORD.— We rejoice in the privilege of again being out in the field with the tent, giving the message for this time to those who are unprepared for the events before us. Our tent is filled every night with attentive hearers, who have never heard the message, and we are giving the trumpet a certain sound. The Lord is blessing us in the work.
For half an hour each evening, before the regular preaching service, we meet in the large tent for prayer and praise, to which the people are invited. Last night the tent was well filled when we began this service. Here an opportunity is afforded the workers and others to seek the Lord in earnest prayer, to sing of his love, and to talk of his goodness and power. Those who hear the truth are moved when they see and hear what it has done for those who have it. The testimony of the helpers in the tent meetings has a good effect on all present, removes prejudice, inspires others with something besides a mere theory, and prepares hearts for the seeds of truth to be sown during the discourse which follows. When they hear us talk and sing of the saving power of the gospel in our own lives, it greatly strengthens their faith and confidence in the divine source and power of the word which we preach.
This is a manufacturing town of about five thousand. The prospects for great results are not encouraging, but they are in the hands of God, who giveth the increase.
The effects of the recent disastrous cyclone at Gainesville, fifteen miles from Buford, are not forgotten by the people here, who listen seriously to the evidence that we are approaching a storm of which the Gainesville horror was only a sample. It was awful to behold the ruin that storm left behind it. As I followed its track a few days later, and saw the uprooted trees, the ground covered with timbers and lumber shattered and splintered, and the houses and barns all leveled, in many cases not a vestige left to mark the place where they stood, I could but exclaim, “Destruction upon destruction is cried.” In one spot I stood and counted forty houses along the edge of the storm's track, either unroofed, turned partly around, or thrown from their foundations. In the coming storm “the cities of the nations” will fall, and “who shall be able to stand?”
Brother and Sister Shaeffer, and Sister Nellie Macmillan are helpers with me in the work here. Pray for us.
R. M. KILGORE
Northwestern Nebraska Camp-Meeting
By A. T. Robinson
A LOCAL camp-meeting, for the northwestern portion of the Nebraska Conference, was held at Hot Springs, S. D., June 23-30. The camp was located upon the Chautauqua grounds, about half a mile from the town. It is a small plot of ground, surrounded by an immense wall of rock, about one hundred feet high, with a small opening at either side, through which the railway and the carriage road pass. A beautiful stream of pure water runs close to the wall of rock, in a semicircle, one-half way around it. It is an ideal place to “come aside and rest a while” with the Lord.
The meetings were held in a large building upon the grounds, erected for such purposes. There were about thirty family tents, in which were encamped one hundred and fifteen of our brethren and sisters. Many of these had driven long distances, some families using their covered wagons to live in during the meeting.
Elder E. T. Russell, president of the Central Union Conference; Elder N. P. Nelson, president of the Southwestern Union Conference; and Elder L. A. Hoopes, of Union College, were present as public speakers, also several of the Nebraska Conference laborers. Elder Nelson, who for four years has been president of the conference, is closing his labors in this conference, preparatory to entering upon his work in the Southwestern Union Conference. His presence and labors at this meeting were greatly appreciated by all.
The preaching, which was of a close, practical nature, was largely on the special message for our time. There was a very encouraging response on the part of the people. Several times during the meeting a large part of the congregation signified their purpose to renew their consecration to God, by uniting in special seasons of seeking the Lord. At the close of the Sabbath afternoon service, the ordinances of the Lord’s house were then celebrated. This was a season of refreshing, long to be remembered by all who were present.
All the prominent features of our work were presented, special attention being given to the establishment of church schools throughout the Black Hills district. Definite steps were taken for the immediate co-operation of the conference with such churches as are ready to enter upon the work.
At the close of a spirited canvassers’ meeting, thirteen persons pledged to devote the whole or some portion of their time to the sale of our literature.
Personally, I enjoyed these days of association with these earnest, devoted people, and nothing seemed more refreshing than their simplicity and plainness.
There was a fairly good attendance from the outside at all the public services.
A. T. ROBINSON.
The Menominee, Mich., Camp-Meeting
By William Covert
I ATTENDED the camp-meeting at Menominee, Mich., June 29 to July 5. I had not previously met with the people in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, therefore was glad to form new acquaintances. This camp-meeting was quite good, though the attendance was small. I believe fifteen family tents were used upon the grounds, and less than one hundred campers were present, counting all who attended during the entire camp-meeting. The average attendance of the campers was about fifty.
At nearly every public service persons from the city and surrounding country were in attendance. A disorderly element from without made some unpleasantness at the beginning of the meetings, but later a complete change in this respect came over the people, and during the last half of the meeting the order was most excellent, and our people enjoyed the profound respect of the inhabitants of the place. Some became quite interested in the services. Our ministers visited at the homes of the people, and endeavoured to impress them with the great need of becoming followers of the Lord.
Though the meeting was small, yet the result was good. Twelve persons received the ordinance of baptism before the meeting closed. Arrangements were made to keep up evening services for a time, that the interest might be further developed. Though we did not organize a conference, yet the business with reference to the Lord's work was transacted much the same as it is in a small conference. Officers were selected to serve during the ensuing year, and plans were laid to carry on all departments of the work as though we had a completely organized conference. Elder E. R. Williams is superintendent of the mission, and Sister Florence Hutchinson is secretary and treasurer. Brethren Lewis and Harris were elected to serve in connection with Brother Williams as committee men. Brother Hutchinson was elected as canvassing agent. Credentials and licenses were granted to the laborers, but these papers will be signed by the Lake Union Conference officials.
The statistics show that about one hundred and thirty persons belong to the different churches in this field. The prospect is good for organizing another church soon. Arrangements are being made to enter new fields, and to carry the work forward as expeditiously as20possible. We trust that the Lord's blessing will abide with the work in the Superior Mission field.
Wm. COVERT.
North Dakota Conference Proceedings
By John G. Walker; A. E. Christian
The second annual meeting of the North Dakota Conference convened in Carrington, June 23-28. It was a time long to be remembered. The attendance of our brethren throughout the State was good, and they returned stronger in God and the blessed hope of soon meeting our dear Redeemer. Elder and Mrs. Haskell, Elders Butler, Spicer, Flaiz, Westphal, and Johnson were present, and gave much timely and encouraging instruction.
The business of the conference passed off harmoniously in every respect. The following officers were elected for the coming year: President, John G. Walker; Vice-President, Lars Neilson; Business Agent, Charles Leer; Secretary, A. E. Christian; Treasurer, Mrs. Alice H. Robinson; Field Secretary of Educational and Sabbath-school Department, F. G. Specht; Recording Secretary, Hattie Ohms; State Canvassing Agent, C. L. Kendall.
Brethren Valentine Leer, Edward Leoppke, Lars Neilson, A. E. Christian, Henry Johnson, and John G. Walker received credentials. Brother Walker was ordained to the gospel ministry. F. G. Specht and Christian Sulzle received ministerial license, and seven were granted missionary license.
The following recommendations were presented and unanimously adopted:—
“In harmony with the suggestion of the conference committee,—
“1. We recommend that steps be taken to incorporate under the existing laws of North Dakota, and request that the property now in North Dakota, and held by the Dakota Conference Association, be transferred.
“2. We indorse the action of the conference committee in publishing the North Dakota Gleaner in both English and German, and recommend also that the price be raised to twenty-five cents. We further recommend the conference committee to buy a German typewriter to be used in the office.
“3. We recommend that all our brethren and sisters adopt the systematic weekly offerings generally known as the ten-cent-a-week plan.
“In view of the fact that the crisis is just before us, and the great need of enlightening the people in the subject of religious liberty,—
“4. We recommend a vigorous campaign in the distribution of the Christian Endeavor number of The Sentinel of Christian Liberty.
“Whereas, Christian education is the only education that will qualify the children and youth to become efficient workers in the cause of the third angel’s message; and,—
“Whereas, The educational department of the North Dakota Conference needs to be strengthened and more fully organized, therefore,—
“5. We recommend that Brother F. G. Specht be asked to attend the summer school at Berrien Springs, Mich.
“6. We recommend that immediately upon Brother Specht’s return an institute for church school teachers be held.
“7. We recommend that the conference committee consider the advisability of planning for a three months’ school this coming winter, in which special instruction shall be given for church school teachers.
“In view of the pressing need of an intermediate school in our State, and the openings now presented to us,—
“8. We recommend that the conference take immediate steps for the establishment of the same.
“9. We recommend that the conference committee be authorized to carry out the arrangements for establishing the school as soon as funds are forthcoming, and that nine brethren be appointed by the conference to act with the committee as advisors.
“10. We recommend that the $6,000 fund be raised to $10,000 and re-distributed as follows: one-half to the educational fund, and the remainder to be equally apportioned to the tent fund, canvassers’ fund, depository and reserve fund, tract fund, and foreign mission fund. The same to be raised by donations and pledges.
“11. We recommend that a vigorous campaign with ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ and ‘Marvel of Nations’ be inaugurated for the benefit of the school fund, and also that a North Dakota acre fund be established for the same purpose.
“12. We recommend the following in regard to the Sabbath-school work:—
“(a) The holding of Sabbath-school conventions whenever practicable.
“(b) That Sabbath-schools be held in isolated families.
“(c) That both family and church Sabbath-schools be encouraged to report faithfully.
“(d) That the church elect the Sabbath-school officers, or if they are elected by the Sabbath-school, that the counsel of the church officers be sought.
“(e) That the ministers and other workers throughout the field be urged to give this work their hearty support and co-operation.
“13. We recommend the following in regard to the tract and missionary work:—
“(a) That more attention be given to the circulation of all our periodicals, both in the English and in foreign languages.
“(b) That children and youth be encouraged to engage in the same, and to sell the smaller books, such as, ‘The Story of Joseph,’ ‘Glorious Appearing,’ etc.
“(c) That a vigorous effort be put forth to induce young men and women to enter the canvassing work while the opportunity is favorable for making it a financial success, as well as a spiritual one.
“14. We recommend that the conference be divided into seven districts, and that devout and God-fearing lay brethren be chosen to take charge of the local missionary interests in each district, the work to be done at a time most favorable for them to leave their farms or other occupations.”
The workers start out with good courage, and by the help of God will press the battle to the gates of the enemy.