p. 18 | Review and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 7. (2/15/1912)

The Southeastern Union Conference

By William T. Knox

THE Southeastern Union conference session was held at Graysville, Tenn., Jan. 8-18, 1912, with quite a full delegation present from all the conferences. The conference proper was preceded by a bookmen’s convention, attended by almost all the colporteurs of the conference, the meetings being in charge of Elder E. R. Palmer, assisted by Brother V. O. Cole, the field missionary agent of the union.

This part of the meeting was intensely interesting not only to the bookmen in attendance, but to all the delegates at the conference, the meetings being quite as well attended as any of the conference meetings following. The reports and discussions of the various topics under consideration were animated and very helpful, while a deep spiritual tone pervaded all the meetings, and without doubt helped in giving character to the conference session following.

Reports were presented during the conference from the various presidents and department heads. The reports showed a very satisfactory progress in all lines of the work and in every conference. Space will not permit even a brief reproduction of these reports, but the following general summary of all will give some idea of the success that has been attending the work in this union.

During the biennial term closing with December, 1911, there were added to the various conferences composing the union, 21 churches, with an increase in membership of 417. Eleven new church buildings have been added to the number possessed at the close of the previous year. The force of laborers has been increased by 10 ministers and licentiates, and 44 colporteurs. The total amount of tithe paid in during the biennial term ending with 1909 amounted to $39,393; for the term ending with 1911, there was paid in $63,546, a gain of over $24,000. During the same periods there was received for foreign missions $12,221.54 and $27,275.79, respectively, making a gain of over $15,000 for foreign missions for the biennial term just closed.

During the years 1908 and 1909, the total book sales in the conference amounted to $50,920, while for the years 1910 and 1911, there was sold $78,650 worth, a gain of almost $28,000.

The above figures show a very satisfactory development of this the youngest union conference in the United States. The Southeastern Union Conference was organized in 1908, and was supposed to contain some of the most unpromising territory of the South from the standpoint of natural resources; but it is evident that the blessing of God has been resting upon the work of the laborers. There has been a steady advancement from the very first, and while the conference has thus been developing its territory, it has been among the most helpful conferences in the support of the foreign mission work.

The spiritual conditions of the conference session were very gratifying, an earnest purpose to draw near to God being manifested throughout all the meetings. The assistance of Elder K. C. Russell in this feature of the conference was very helpful. Not only in the conference meetings was this so, but also in his ministration in the Graysville school, almost all the students taking advance steps in their spiritual experience, while a number gave themselves to the Lord for the first time.

In the election of officers there were but few changes, and these only in the minor offices. The brethren from the various local conferences expressed themselves as very hopeful of the outcome in the development of their work the coming year. W. T. KNOX.

This Generation

By Edw. J. Urquhart

EDW. J. URQUHART

The generation rushes on, Far more than half its days are gone; And still the truth decreed and planned By God to shine in every land, Has little more than known its birth Within the nations of the earth.

Then why should not our hearts despair Completion of the work to share?— Because the Word of God is true, What he has promised he will do, And e’er this generation close The truth will triumph o’er its foes.

Fernie, British Columbia.

Canal Zone

By H. Louie Mignott

EMPIRE.— The town of Empire is about the largest town in the Canal Zone. It is thirty-five miles south of Colon, and twelve miles north of Panama City. It has a population of about twenty-five hundred, consisting of different nationalities, the majority being West Indians. The sanitation of this town is almost perfect, which makes it a very healthful place. The town contains the following places of importance: A market, post-office, two banks (one international and one governmental), two municipal buildings, three public schools (white, colored, and Spanish), one Y. M. C. A., and a fire department.

Its representative religious bodies are, Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists, Christian Missions, Salvationists, Millennial Dawnists, and Seventh-day Adventists. I came to this place in June of the past year, and found a few believers who had been endeavoring to hold up the torch of truth amid the prevailing moral darkness. These few have come from other places with the knowledge of the truth.

Suitable halls are not available here. The better places are taken up by business men, saloon-keepers, operators of billiard-halls, etc. We are compelled to take “a manger,” as there is “no room in the inn” for us. In a little obscure hall, hot, incommodious, and illy ventilated, we have endeavored to proclaim the third angel’s message. Many have been convinced of the truth; but, as they are here seeking the treasures of Egypt, they fail to have “respect unto the recompense of the reward.” Their bread and butter being a weighty consideration, they can not esteem “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures” of the Canal Zone. We are glad to state, however, that five are now preparing for the ordinance of baptism, and we hope to see a goodly number of the interested ones take their stand on the solid platform of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

Panama is certainly a needy field. The work here is of great importance. Along the Canal Zone may be found men out of every nation under heaven. The work on the Zone will soon be finished, and these various peoples will be deported to their respective countries. These men must be apprised of the solemn fact that God’s judgment hour is soon to end. They must hear the threefold message of Revelation fourteen. We can not stand clear in God’s sight until we fulfil our mission in warning them.

Our canvassers have put within the homes of many, several million pages of our literature, which we expect to see do a good work. But that is not enough. The attention of the public needs to be arrested by the living preachers. They are to call the people’s attention to the events which are now taking place in heaven and on the earth. These things are recorded in the books that have been placed in their hands by the evangelical canvassers. When these truths are brought vividly before the people, there is going to be such a harvest of souls as is expressed by the following predictions: “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.” “Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things. . . . He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.” That is the outlook from this field, and from every other.

God is now calling for the eleventh-hour men. He asks: “Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.” May we heed God’s call to the needy fields.

H. LOUIE MIGNOTT.

Jamaica

By U. Bender

The annual meeting of the Jamaican Conference began with preaching services Sabbath evening, Dec. 29, 1911. It had been planned that Elder N. Z. Town come from Cuba, where he was spending a few days, to attend this meeting. He was prevented from carrying out this plan, which caused the Jamaican brethren disappointment.

I had sent word from Haiti that I would arrive in Jamaica about December 20. I took ship at Port au Prince for Kingston the seventeenth of the month, but the steamer did not take her regular course. After calling at two ports in North Haiti, she went direct to Port Limon, Costa Rica, and then called at Kingston on her way to New York. Thus a voyage that should have consumed but thirty hours required twelve days. I arrived in Kingston Sabbath night about one hour after the close of the first preaching service of the conference session.

Having learned that Elder Town could not come, and not having received my letter, thus not knowing where I was, Elder Wellman had told the brethren that each one would have to lift a little harder to make up for the help they had and expected from outside. When I arrived, I found this burden-bearing spirit very manifest. No one was complaining, but each one seemed determined to do his part. Every laborer knows that this spirit insures success to any meeting.

This meeting was an excellent one. The attendance from the churches throughout the island was very good. The people were faithful in attending the appointed meetings from the beginning to the close of the session.

The business of the conference was disposed of promptly and in a good spirit. Great interest was shown in the afternoon meetings, which were given to conventional work. A good program had been arranged, and papers were read upon subjects of vital interest to the gospel work. It was evident that the matter in the papers and the discussions were more to the point than they were one year ago. I trust there will be improvement in practising the principles also. These things are very helpful to the people.

The evenings were given to preaching on doctrinal lines, or to stereopticon views which enlarged our vision with reference to the power and growth of this advent message.

May the Lord bless the laborers and people in the Jamaican Conference as they begin another year's work. They do run well; may nothing hinder them.

U. BENDER.

The Home Foreign Field

By Ole Andres Olsen

SOME time has passed since we had a report from the home foreign field. It is not because nothing has been done; for really it has been a very busy time with us, and the task is so overwhelmingly large that what is done appears so exceedingly small that one hardly feels like referring to it.

We are glad to be able to report some advance. The foreign seminaries, now in the midst of their second year, are much blessed in their work. The attendance in all is larger than last year. The German seminary has an attendance of 120; the Danish-Norwegian, 95; and the Swedish, 30. At the Harvey (N. Dak.) academy our Russian department has 17 students. This is remarkably good in view of the loss of crops for two years.

We are glad to report the beginning of a revival in the French department. Two years ago we did not have an active worker in the French in the United States or Canada. In the middle of 1910 we secured Elder G. G. Roth from the Latin Union Conference in Europe. With his coming we could begin a more active campaign, but one laborer for the several millions of French-speaking people in all the United States and Canada could never meet the needs; so a call was made for at least one also for Canada, and again the Latin Union Conference in Europe responded by sending Elder Jean Vuilleumier, who is now located at Montreal, Canada.

Last October the International Publishing Association issued a five-thousand edition of a French magazine La Sentinelle, much as an experiment. We are glad to say that this has proved a great success, and at the present writing only fifteen hundred remain unsold. The outlook is encouraging, and gives promise that in the near future we shall be able to start a quarterly magazine in the French language.

We have yet another interesting, and in some respects the most important, advance move in the French department; namely, that of opening a French department in the South Lancaster Academy. We look on that move with special interest. In past years we have had young people of French parentage who would gladly have improved the opportunity of attending such a school where they could secure an education in their mother tongue to prepare them for labor among the French-speaking people; but having no such school, not one from among our French young people has entered the work among the French; instead, some of them have been educated and trained for work in the English language; therefore the great importance of this French department at South Lancaster Academy to this branch of our work.

We are glad to say that the department has secured a very able French teacher in Miss Roth, from Europe. We are also glad to learn that already a goodly number of our French young people are in attendance, and we hope that our French-speaking people will fully appreciate this opportunity, and that we may have a full attendance in this department, and thus give a decided impetus to the work among the millions of French people in the United States and Canada.

Some advance moves have also been made in other lines. In the Greater New York Conference Brother Immonen has been set to work among the Finnish people, and he is meeting with good success in selling literature and holding Bible readings. Recently Brother Calderone, one of our Italian laborers in New York, has come to Chicago to work among the hundreds of Italians in this great center. But while we are thankful for what is being done, there are still many nationalities with hundreds of thousands of people in this country for whom as yet we are doing nothing. Let us pray that the way may open for these to hear the message. O. A. OLSEN.

Relief Campaign Outlook

The last year of the three allotted to the Sanitarium Relief campaign gives some indication that a number of conferences may make up what they are behind in the amount of work that should have been done by this time in the campaign. Letters from some of the officers indicate regret for the recognized lack, and give promise of better results during the present year. Several conferences seem to have delayed their most active efforts until some other general lines of work were finished. The suggestion that the sale of a few copies of “Ministry of Healing” and Life and Health need not take long when once entered upon heartily is true enough, and the work can be quickly done if the full suggestion is carried out. We give below a few items of promise.

Best of Help

While we as a people desire to be unselfish, yet we are anxious in all our conference departments and in all our churches to have at all times the very best help possible.

In planning our future work at our recent conference session, this was carefully considered. We were glad to find that the Lord had not failed to give us definite instruction how to do this, for we read in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VII, page 19: “The greatest help that can be given our people is to teach them to work for God. . . . Let them join his army of workers, and do faithful service for him.” In harmony with this instruction, the conference planned to make a definite campaign on the book “Ministry of Healing,” not a spasmodic rush lasting a day or week, but a definite work lasting until the Lord gives us something else, for the Lord gave us this book and outlined the plan for its circulation.

The territory of our union conference was divided appropriately so that the proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the different sanitariums in the union. All these institutions are doing good work, and ought to be relieved of debt. This book, “Ministry of Healing,” was given for this purpose, and the plan is for all our people to circulate it, turning over the whole amount for the relief of these institutions.

I trust each conference president and executive committee will see that the churches and isolated members are supplied with these books, and that a regular Missionary Relief campaign is carried forward according to the above instruction from the Testimonies. This is the best help we can give our people.

Brethren in official position, when God has provided a means of giving our people the best of help, can we remain clear before God if we do not do all in our power to connect the people with the plan? I recommend all those who are not supplied with books to correspond with their tract societies, and arrange for securing a supply. Enter upon the work at once; and God, who can not lie nor disappoint the people, will richly bless your efforts.—Chas. Thompson, in Field Tidings.

Union Conference Action

We recommend, That an effort, be made to revive the interest in the book “Ministry of Healing,” and the work it was designed to do, at the various camp-meetings to be held in the union during the present year.

And, further, to launch the campaign more definitely,—

We recommend, That a general union workers’ meeting be held about the first of September, at which time instruction shall be given in the sale of “Ministry of Healing,” the active campaign to begin immediately following the general meeting, and continue during the remainder of the year.—North Pacific Union Conference Committee.

A Local Conference Promise

At our last elders’ meeting this matter was vigorously pushed, and we believe some results will be seen during the present year. We are going to make a very hard pull to get our quota sold by the end of this year, as we believe that we now have the cooperation of the leaders in several churches.—A conference secretary.

Results of a Trial Effort

I have long believed that “all of God’s biddings are enablings,” and was pleased to test this statement last week. The call came to canvass for “Ministry of Healing.” The time seemed unpropitious in some ways, for much work demanded attention, and the weather was very disagreeable both overhead and underfoot. But the time had come, and the command to “go forward” had been given. A true soldier loves to obey, so I gave all the time possible to soliciting for “Ministry of Healing.”

One afternoon in about three hours God gave me five orders for this wonderful book, one for “Steps to Christ,” and, if I mistake not, two new Bible readers. The woman who ordered “Steps to Christ” wanted it at once, and it was indeed a happy surprise to find that she was a Catholic woman with whom I had spent a very earnest hour last June in another part of the city.

Altogether, I spent about eight or nine hours canvassing for “Ministry of Healing,” and took ten orders for it, and about six for smaller books. Some asked, “How did you do it?” I did not do it; God did the work. I gave myself to him for service, and when he commands through his servants at the helm, “Work,” I work, remembering that “all his biddings are enablings.”

People say the book is hard to present to the people. I also thought so, and therefore studied it until its hidden treasure was revealed to me, and its sublime truths took hold on my heart. Now, since I see salvation for perishing souls and healing for worn-out bodies in almost every chapter, it affords me great joy to take it to the people.—H. C. Balsbaugh, in Southern Union Worker.

Another

Brother Minesinger, of Empire, Ohio, sold nineteen copies of “Ministry of Healing” in one week, besides collecting about six dollars in donations for missions.—Columbia Union Visitor.

Tri-City Sanitarium Workers

The day after our meeting I took a paper around among the helpers and took orders for one hundred copies of “Ministry of Healing.” These have all been paid for, although they are not all sold. I sold six of mine to patients and have four left, which I expect to sell as the opportunity offers. The nurses in the bath-room were especially successful in the sale of the book to their patients. Every one really seems glad to do something to please the nurses and help on the work of the sanitarium.

During the month of November, our nurses sold five hundred copies of Life and Health. Our nurses’ missionary society has sent a year’s subscription for Liberty to all the lawyers and ministers in Moline. They are now raising money to send Liberty and The Protestant Magazine to the lawyers and ministers of Rock Island and Davenport.—Estella G. Norman, M. D. L. A. H.

North Carolina

By R. T. Nash

BANNER ELK.—This is a little town eight miles from Elk Park (the nearest point to the railroad), and is about seven miles from the Valle Cruces church. A portion of those who were converted and baptized at Valle Cruces live near Banner Elk. The newly converted, with those already obeying the truth at this place, give us a membership of over twenty.

This company of believers has no place of worship. They will soon be ready for organization. It is necessary to build a church at this place. The good brethren at Valle Cruces, seeing their need, have kindly offered to help them what they can; but this will not be sufficient to enable them to build. We therefore hope that all our North Carolina brethren will help in this worthy undertaking. The Banner Elk brethren will greatly appreciate any help rendered them for this purpose. All contributions should be sent to the writer, at Greensboro, N. C. R. T. NASH.

Church Organized at Hollister

THE last week in December Elders E. H. Adams and J. H. Behrens organized a church of fourteen members at Hollister, Cal.

Medical Missionary Department

Conducted by the Medical Department of the General Conference

GEORGE THOMASON, M. D. - - - Secretary L. A. HANSON - - - Assistant Secretary

The Southern Union Conference Bookmen’s Convention

By E. R. P.

THE Bookmen’s Convention of the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, composed of the States of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, convened at the Seventh-day Adventist church, North Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 14, 1912.

The attendance was very encouraging. All the field agents of the Southern Union Conference, several presidents and other officials of the union and local conferences, ten out of the twelve colporteurs who had won the privilege of attending this meeting by selling $1,000 worth of books, or by working 1,600 hours during the year 1911, A. F. Harrison, general agent of the Southern Union, W. W. Eastman, general agent of the Southwestern Union, R. Hook, Jr., representing the Southern Publishing Association, and the writer, were present from the beginning of the convention. Brother Harrison was elected permanent chairman, and Brother Hook secretary.

All plans for the convention had been carefully arranged, and the program was entered upon with a definiteness and vigor which indicated that this was not the first experience of the kind for these workers. In fact, the Southern Union Conference in its struggles to build up the publishing work with a small constituency and under difficult conditions, has been blessed with the labors of several field agents and colporteurs of long experience, to whom our methods and organization as a denomination are very familiar. It was indeed a privilege to be associated with these brethren in their bookmen’s convention, where they sought the Lord together for his blessing upon their labors, and joined hands for a strong and successful work during the year 1912.

The program, which embraced the discussion of the fundamental features of our publishing work, gave opportunity for nearly all the representatives of the work present to take some important part.

Brother Harrison’s report showed a gain in the sale of publications during the year 1911 over the previous year, as reported by the publishing house, of $17,830.52, the total distribution for 1911 amounting to $49,853.12.

The most interesting meeting of the convention was held January 16, when we were privileged to hear reports from the colporteurs who had earned their way to the convention by selling and delivering $1,000 worth of books during the year 1911, or by working forty hours a week for forty weeks. The following-named colporteurs were seated on the platform: C. H. McColrey and Virgil Smith, from Mississippi; Gerhard Jorgenson from Louisiana; Joseph S. Moore, Miss Mamie Moore, and C. E. Morphew, Tennessee; H. E. Beck from Kentucky; Benjamin Griffith, M. L. Ivory, and I. W. Peevy, from Alabama. A vacant chair was placed on the platform for Sister Emily Billups, who had expected to be present at the convention, but failed to come.

All who were present felt that this was the best meeting of the convention. The publishing house closed down for two hours, so as to give the entire office force an opportunity to hear the stirring testimonies of these faithful field workers. It was an inspiration to all, and there was hardly a dry eye in the house as these faithful ones recited their experiences of the past year. These were no theories nor imaginary stories that we listened to. They bore marked evidences of industry, faithfulness, and victory all the way. We hope to be able to publish some of these experiences in future numbers of the REVIEW, believing that they will create within the hearts of our colporteurs everywhere a determination to work more faithfully in the future than in the past.

Brother Harrison, the general agent, has now labored in the Southern Union Conference for twenty years. The Lord has greatly blessed his faithful servant, and has given him the hearts of the people, and the confidence and cooperation of the colporteurs. His enthusiasm and kindness in dealing with his colporteurs have left a strong impression. The colporteurs feel that they can with confidence lean upon him, and they gladly follow his instruction and leadership. His success during the past two or three years is especially marked in one particular. He has been able to train quite a large number of the colored people to the point where they are loyal, successful colporteurs. Three of our colored colporteurs were among those who won their way to the convention.

During the union conference meeting which followed the convention, the union conference and publishing house united in making arrangements for W. W. Eastman, general agent of the Southwestern Union, to take charge of the circulation department of the Southern Publishing Association; A. F. Harrison has been elected general agent of the Southwestern Union Conference, and C. D. Wolf general agent of the Southern Union. C. F. Dart, field agent of Kentucky, has been transferred to Tennessee to take the place made vacant by the election of Brother Wolf as general agent, and H. E. Beck, one of the colporteurs in Kentucky, has been elected field missionary agent of that conference.

The spirit of courage and confidence manifested by the leaders in the work, and the strong cooperation between the publishing house, the general and field agents, and the conference leaders, give promise of a continually prosperous and growing work. E. R. P.

The Sanitarium Work in Washington, D. C.

By H. N. Sisco

THE Washington Sanitarium can report success and progress for the year 1911. The spiritual life of the institution we believe is good. Because of the faithful and consecrated work on the part of the nurses and helpers, many expressions of appreciation have come to us from our guests who have received their kindly ministration. Work of this kind is the only legitimate cause for the existence of our medical work. Our added and efficient Bible instruction in class work this year, culminating in the week-of-prayer services, has brought into our training-school, and is keeping in it, an excellent spirit.

Considerable work has been done by the physicians in the way of health lectures, demonstrations, etc., in the city of Washington. Just now a health school is in progress in connection with the W. C. T. U., which is very much appreciated. We believe this outside educational work should be a part of the mission of every sanitarium.

Our former nurses’ dormitory has been remodeled and equipped as a hospital, having offices, treatment-rooms, kitchen, dining-room, and all modern conveniences. This will increase our efficiency in caring for patients, and will also enable more patients to avail themselves of sanitarium treatment.

During the past year, our undergraduate men nurses have had the privilege of a period of service in one of the hospitals of the city; and more recently arrangements have been made with the largest emergency hospital in Washington to take our postgraduate nurses for a similar term of service. This work is reported as excellent by those who have already completed their time at the hospital. Very recently the large government hospital near us has granted our men nurses the opportunity of being present at all operations performed there, and thus our ordinary sanitarium work is being supplemented by this extra work, mostly surgical in nature.

Our patronage for the past year shows a substantial gain over the previous one. Four hundred different patients have been with us, each one remaining on the average five and one-half weeks. Fifteen thousand treatments have been given in the institution during the year. A good amount of surgery has been done also. This department of our work is building up well. The Branch Sanitarium in the city is also prospering. Thirty-one hundred treatments were given there during the year. Eighty-three patients were entertained. Dr. Margaret Evans, recently of California, is now resident physician there, and the patronage, both in the house and in the bath-rooms, is good.

We are thankful for the blessings of the year that is past, and are entering with courage upon the present year.

H. N. Sisco, M. D.

The Publishing Work

By E. R. Palmer; N. Z. Town

Conducted by the Publishing Department of the General Conference

E. R. PALMER - - - - Secretary

N. Z. TOWN - - - Assistant Secretary

American Principles at Stake in Ohio

By S. B. H.

As noted in former issues of the REVIEW AND HERALD, a constitutional convention is in session in Ohio. From press reports we learn that the question of putting the name of God in the new constitution has been before the convention, the ultimate outcome of which is uncertain.

From a wire sent by J. F. Olmstead, of Columbus, we learn that on January 30 the following resolution was introduced in the convention:—

“That the Sabbath shall be a civic institution rather than a religious one.”

The resolution was referred to the judiciary committee, before whom a hearing is expected to be secured. If this resolution is adopted and made part of the constitution, the State of Ohio will place upon its fundamental law book a statement on which it will be at issue with the great Governor of the universe, the Author of the Sabbath law. The proposition is unique and remarkable, but is in harmony with the principles of the National Reform Association. We are not aware that any other State constitution contains an article defining the Sabbath. The falsity of the statement that the Sabbath is or shall be a civil rather than a religious institution is evident when viewed in the light of Holy Writ.

The Sabbath was made for a religious purpose, pure and simple, before sin entered or ever civil government was dreamed of. See Gen. 2:1-3 and the fourth commandment.

The Lord of the Sabbath said to his ancient people: “Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.” Ex. 31:13. See also Eze. 20:12, 20.

Sanctification is a religious term used in connection with man's relation to his God. If the Sabbath were a civil institution, then the Lord must needs have admonished that its observance would be a sign of sanctification in man's relation to his fellow men.

Moreover, if the constitution shall contain the article suggested by the resolution introduced, it will permit the State legislature to prohibit the observance of any day than the Sabbath in the State of Ohio. Further, it will be necessary for the supreme court of the State to determine which day of the week is the Sabbath. The only command given to man on the subject of Sabbath observance is contained in the fourth commandment, and is associated with the three other commandments pertaining to man's duty to his God.

Let us consider the resolution above referred to in the light of the National Reform literature. The Rev. W. F. Crafts, in a “Hearing on Sunday Rest Bill,” Dec. 13, 1888, said:—

“A weekly day of rest has never been permanently secured in any land except on the basis of religious obligation. Take the religion out, and you take the rest out.”

Dr. Joseph Cook, of Boston, in a lecture in 1887, said:—

“The experience of centuries shows that you will in vain endeavor to preserve Sunday as a day of rest, unless you preserve it as a day of worship.”

Much additional matter published by the National Reform Association indicating their position on the matter of State laws enforcing the observance of Sunday might be cited, but the quotations just mentioned are, we believe, sufficient to show that the proposition declaring the Sabbath to be a civil institution is stamped as untrue, the National Reformers themselves being the judges. We trust that the people of Ohio will repudiate the constitution now being framed, should the convention be so unwise as to adopt the article suggested by the resolution in question. S. B. H.

Annual Meeting of the Southern Publishing Association

By E. R. P.

THE annual meeting of the Southern Publishing Association was held according to appointment in Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 18, 1912. The manager, R. Hook, Jr., presented a most encouraging statement of the work and prosperity of the association during the year 1911. During the first five months of the year the work in the factory was very low, many of the employees being kept on the payroll simply because their work would be required later. As the cash returns for sales are received largely late in the year, it has been extremely difficult for the association to finance its work during the first few months of the year, and it has been necessary to borrow large sums of money from the banks.

But the last six months of 1911 made up for the dull season during the first half. The colporteurs have enjoyed unusual success, not only in taking orders but also in making deliveries. The increase in business and the heavy demands for our literature during the last seven months of the year have made it necessary for the entire manufacturing department to work overtime. The employees have been very willing and faithful, and cheerfully worked from fourteen to sixteen hours a day during the time of greatest pressure.

The work has been so prospered that all money borrowed has been returned to the banks, running accounts have been paid up, and for the first time in its history the Southern Publishing Association is discounting its bills. In a letter to the manager, the cashier of one of the leading banks in Nashville wrote:—

“I am to-day in receipt of your favor of the twenty-ninth, enclosing a check for $1,000 to care for your note of like amount, which will mature on January 1. I am enclosing the old note properly canceled, and notice that taking up this loan enables you to start the new year without indebtedness, and it must be indeed a good feeling to have your institution on such a splendid basis. . . . We are delighted to serve you, and trust that you may feel free to call on us when you are in need of funds.”

The manager in his report gave many interesting figures, and items of information which were most encouraging. The following is taken from his comprehensive report, the whole of which would be interesting to the readers of the REVIEW if space would admit of its publication:—

“During the year we have printed 90,000 subscription books, 15,200 trade books, and 80,000 juvenile books, making a grand total of 185,200 copies. Eleven car-loads of paper have been required for the manufacture of this literature.

“The figures furnished by our sales department show that we have sold 71,917 subscription books, 70,299 juvenile books, and 34,189 home workers' and trade books, making a total number of 176,405 volumes sold during the year.

“In order to handle this large business, our wagon has made 494 trips to the city during the year. The total sales of literature from this office have been sufficient in volume to fill twelve freight-cars, the total weight being 141 tons. The total value of books sold during the year amounts to $191,185.85, the total value of periodicals $32,580, making a grand total of $223,765.85, a gain over the previous year of $32,568.40.

“While we have great reason to thank the Lord for the success which has attended our book sales, we also are encouraged by the increased circulation of the Watchman. During the year we have printed 329,000 copies, and have actually sold 299,800 copies at regular rates.

“During the year the average number of our employees has been fifty-four, and they have worked an average of fifty-three hours a week.”

As indicated in the above paragraphs, the year 1911 has been a good year for the Southern Publishing Association, both financially and spiritually. The distribution of literature, which is increasing rapidly year by year, shows a larger gain during 1911 than ever before during the history of the institution. The net gain shown in the financial statement amounts to $15,769.10.

The writer greatly appreciated the privilege of attending this meeting. A great change has taken place in our work in the South since the first meeting of this association was held in Nashville ten years ago. There have been many struggles, many discouragements, and many trials during this period, and the present prosperity of the work is in itself a great reward to those who have borne the burden and the heat of the day. Ten years ago the right of the institution to exist was disputed. To-day it takes its place near the head of the list among the most prosperous and successful of our publishing houses.

May the Lord increase the work of the association more and more, and give it a great and important place in publishing the closing message. E. R. P.

A Providential Escape

By E. R. P.

A LETTER from L. W. Graham, manager of the Review and Herald branch office in New York City, written January 31, contains the following interesting item:—

“Monday night our building was quite unfortunate in having a bad fire. The offices on a portion of our floor were burned; and in the morning when we came here, we found the halls and the rooms piled full of débris, and we had to clamber over big piles of rubbish and refuse in order to get to our office. The fire burned right up to our door, and then was extinguished.

“The only loss that we suffered was from having all our office furniture covered with smoke, and the inconvenience of having our telephone and electric service put out of commission. However, before night we were able to get at our business again, and things are running as smoothly now as could be expected.”

We are very thankful to God for this escape, for our New York Branch office is the principal depository in this country for imported foreign literature, and it would have caused great inconvenience and delay in securing such supplies if the stock had been destroyed. We are thankful for this providential escape, and should daily pray that God’s protecting hand may continue over our publishing plants with their large stock of literature, upon which we depend for a rapidly growing work. E. R. P.

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