Departures From the Principles of Religious Liberty
[The following is a report of an address on religious liberty, delivered by Elder C. S. Longacre at the Greater New York camp-meeting, June 10, 1908. — Ed.]
As the first illustration of a departure from the principles of civil and religious liberty, I will take you back into ancient history, to the experience of Nebuchadnezzar, the great king of Babylon. About twenty years after the people of the true God were carried into captivity, this heathen king made a great image of gold. Then he made a decree that every man in his kingdom should bow down and worship that image. They were compelled to worship. Every one was forced to this worship, irrespective of belief or conviction.
When the decree was issued, and went into effect, there were three men among the children of Israel who refused to bow down and worship that image. The king was very wroth when he learned that there were subjects who did not obey his law.
Let us see what was the result of legislating upon religious matters in this instance. The king called them into his presence, and offered them another chance, saying, “If . . . ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” But true to their conscientious convictions and to the law of their God, they answered: “Be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”
For this resistance on the part of his subjects to the religious laws of Babylon and to the king himself, Nebuchadnezzar ordered the heat of the furnace multiplied seven times. But God wrought a miraculous deliverance for his faithful servants. Here God put himself upon record that the king did not do the right thing, and that his loyal servants took the proper course when they refused to yield obedience to the coercive religious law of Babylon.
“Well,” says the modern religious-law advocate: “Of course Nebuchadnezzar was wrong, because he was trying to enforce a false religion; but it would have been all right if he had enforced the true religion. To be sure, he thought he was enforcing the true religion, and every religious zealot thinks he is enforcing the true religion.
But after God frustrated the king’s decree in a remarkable deliverance, then Nebuchadnezzar blessed the true God and exalted the true religion. He now made a law to exalt the true religion,—the genuine religion above every false religion,—and compelled every one to submit to it; and any one who resisted the true religion was to be visited with a swift judgment. All this was to be done to aid God, and advance his cause.
Now notice the attitude God took toward the king to correct him. He gave him a dream, and told him in the interpretation of it that it was given “to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men;” that is, in the realm of morals and righteousness. In this dream, God asked the king to desist from forcing divine obligations upon the people, “by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be an healing of thine error” (margin). What was his error?—Why, he had stepped into the domain of God, and was forcing the true worship upon all, irrespective of their convictions.
Moreover, God told Nebuchadnezzar that if he would not accept his counsel, and correct his error, he would drive him from men for seven years, and make him to eat grass as an ox in the field. “After that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.” He did not humble himself, nor correct his error by showing mercy, and giving God his rightful place to rule in the kingdom of men. So God took his reason from him for seven years, and as a lunatic he roamed the fields. After that Nebuchadnezzar issued another decree, to all people everywhere, and it contained but one sentence: “Peace be multiplied unto you.” In the rest of the fourth chapter of Daniel, the great king tells the reasons why he was led to issue this universal proclamation of peace to all people everywhere.
“Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven,” was his closing testimony. It was a personal thing with him now; and he did not attach even an exhortation to his testimony, much less a law to compel others to accept his views on religion.
Again, after the Babylonian kingdom was overthrown, and the Medo-Persians became the rulers of the world, the true people of God were handed over to another heathen ruler. The first king was soon induced to make a religious law that got Daniel into trouble. One lone man—a small minority—refused to respect this law on the ground of religious convictions. No fault could be found with the character of Daniel in his life and conduct, save this one thing, that he did not regard the law that had been signed which was to regulate the exact time of his worship. This law they held could not be altered. But Daniel purposed that he would not allow any man or set of men to regulate the time of his worship, and God honored him by a remarkable deliverance in the position he took against this religious law which infringed his liberties as to the time of his worship.
The reason that God put these things upon record in the Bible at that time, and also had the kings both issue proclamations of universal peace and freedom in religious matters to all the people everywhere, was that these things should serve the purpose of a standing memorial for all people, and kings, and rulers of nations for all time to come.
The reason why God so miraculously delivered his faithful servants at this time but in later times allowed them to be slain when they resisted the oppressive laws of the earthly kingdoms, was for the simple reason that those ancient heathen nations and rulers had had no opportunity of learning from any source the position that kings ought to take on matters of religion. They were unwittingly ignorant, and God had to resort to these remarkable measures to teach them the individual right of conscience above the authority of the State, in matters pertaining to faith. When the state proceeds now in the face of these remarkable records to force and slay men who will not compromise religious convictions for state enactments which are against them, the God of heaven allows them to proceed; but they have an account to settle before heaven’s tribunal for not heeding the lessons of the past.
Another departure from the fundamental principles took place when the church united with the state in the days of Christ. The church could not of itself carry out its schemes, so it linked arms with Cæsar. The result was that it fought against God, and condemned to death even the Son of God, because he had no respect for the traditions which they had enacted into civil law. A church, when united with the state and intoxicated with its power, will not stop with man if he differs with her, but will even pull God from his throne, and execute him if he does not submit to her carnal ordinances.
Again, the evil results are seen when we trace the history of pagan Rome,—the union of a heathen religion with the state. Pagan Rome would tolerate the Christian religion only on condition that the Christian religion also recognize the pagan. They said: “We will let you preach Christ, but you must also recognize Cæsar as pontifex maximus, or high priest.” This they refused to do, and the ten Cæsars of Rome put to death over five million faithful Christians. The twelfth Cæsar—Constantine the Great—nominally accepted Christianity. A few years later the professed Christian church linked arms with Constantine. Soon Justinian made a decree recognizing the chief bishop of the Catholic Church as the head of all the churches, and the head of that church as the corrector of heretics. From the time this decree went into effect in 538 A. D., the Church of Rome made and administered the laws for all religious people in the Roman empire, and employed the state as its servant to execute them. The result was that ninety-five million faithful Christians were martyred, and the church became so oppressive that her own papal states revolted, and took the scepter from her hands. The Church of Rome is reaping to-day the results of that unholy union with France, which is just awakening from her long sleep during the night of the Dark Ages.
The reformed churches, as they left the portals of the Roman Church, swore that they would eternally contend for a total separation of the church and state; but soon, when they got into the majority in certain states in Europe, they immediately combined the church and state, thus following the example of the papacy. John Calvin in Switzerland set himself up at the head of the church and state, and framed laws which resulted in the persecution of all heretics to Calvinism. He caused Servetus to be burned at the stake for no other reason than that he was a heretic to Calvinism. John Calvin formulated laws for Scotland and England in which he set the church above the state, and used the state as a tool to aid the church. Soon in Scotland and England where these reformers were in absolute power, they waded through seas of blood as they mowed down Catholics, Puritans, Quakers, and Baptists who differed from the Covenanters, or Calvinistic Presbyterians.
Thus the history of ancient and medieval times has been one of constant persecution and bloodshed, because of intolerance whenever the church and religion were established by law. May God save this nation from like shipwreck. May God preserve the grand principles of a non-establishment of religion in this nation as set forth in the Constitution. Constantine paved the way for the downfall of the Roman Church by enacting a Sunday law, the first religious law for the Holy Roman empire, which cemented the union of the church and state then. Protestant America is being lured into the same deceptive snare, and every liberty-loving citizen should protest with voice and pen, and bring to light the forgotten history of the past.
Sunday Enforcement in New Jersey
UNDER date of August 14, the president of the New Jersey Conference writes as follows:—
“The subject of religious liberty is a live one in this State at the present time, as the movement for so-called civic righteousness is gaining ground rapidly. The question of enforcement of the Sunday-closing laws is being widely agitated. The governor of the State, having taken a very decided stand on this question, has threatened to remove from office any one who does not comply with the directions in this matter; and there has been talk of sending State troops to certain places to compel the closing of places of amusement and everything of similar character on Sunday.”
A Preacher Arrested
REV. O. C. SEVERS, of East Liverpool, Ohio, was recently lodged in jail at Chester, W. Va., for five days, and fined fifteen dollars on the charge of using loud and boisterous language, and making certain charges, in a sermon against the Catholic Church, tending to incite that riot. Severs calls himself an evangelist, and says he is at the head of a sect known as “Mission Saints.” The hearing occurred in the presence of five hundred people. It is alleged that Severs had been making bitter attacks on all the churches in Chester and their ministers. His charges against the Catholic Church were especially severe, and members of the congregation secured the affidavit.
Current Mention
— The population of Chicago at the present time is 2,425,000, a gain of fifty-eight thousand over the figures for last year.
— An order has been issued by the postmaster-general, which makes a postage rate of two cents an ounce applicable to letters mailed in this country to Great Britain and Ireland, beginning October 1.
— Treasury officials are greatly encouraged in their belief that business conditions of the country are gradually improving not only by increasing receipts from customs and internal revenue, but by the favorable showing made by national banks throughout the country.
— The United States government has officially recognized the new language, Esperanto by appointing Major Straub of the army medical corps to represent this country at the fourth international Esperanto Congress, to be held in Dresden, Germany, Aug. 16-22, 1908.
— In one day last week, twenty-six persons were sentenced to death in Russia. The newspapers have ceased to publish a record of these sentences as they have been prohibited by the government from doing so. Another unsuccessful attempt has been made to assassinate the chief of police at Pyatigorsk.
— A conference of national significance, to consider problems relating to the religious education of the negro, was held by invitation, August 18-20, at Dyke Rock Cottage, Clifton, Mass., in the home of Mr. W. N. Hartshorn, chairman of the executive committee of the International Sunday-School Association.
— A fire which involved a property loss of between one million and two million dollars occurred in the center of the commercial district of New Orleans early last week. The explosion of a large number of barrels of whisky and brandy stored in two of the burning warehouses was a feature of the conflagration.
— The first official test of the Maxim-gun silencer was recently made at the United States armory in Springfield, Mass. It was found that while the discharge of an ordinary rifle is audible at 7,700 yards, this distance was cut down to 1,500 yards by attaching the silencer. The reduction of the velocity of the bullet was found to be not more than five or six per cent.
— The commissioner of insanity for the State of New York, who has recently returned from an inspection of the asylums throughout the State, declares that the records of this year will show an abnormal increase in the cases of insanity over last year. He states that in every one of the hospitals the increase in the number of cases is greatly in excess of other years, and altogether out of proportion to the State's increase of population. The average increase for the last ten years has been seventy-one cases a year, but last year the increase was about seven hundred fifty, and this year he estimates that it will be at least one thousand. Most of the increase is from the city of New York and its vicinity.
— Enormous financial loss to the liquor trade has already occurred, owing to the prohibition wave that is sweeping the country. The large importing houses in New York are doing practically no buying abroad. The imports of wine and liquors for August were far behind the imports of the same month in preceding years.
— On Sunday, August 30, all places in Atlantic City, N. J., where liquor is sold were closed, it being only the fourth time in fifty-four years when the Sunday-closing law was regarded. This unusual experience was due to the threat of Governor Fort that he would employ the State militia to enforce the Sunday-closing law unless it was voluntarily regarded by the liquor-sellers.
— It is stated in a press despatch that the widow of Robert G. Ingersoll is endeavoring to communicate with the great agnostic's spirit. Mrs. Ingersoll is reported as saying: “I do not know that there is a hereafter, but there may be one. I am not a spiritualist, and I do not know that there are spirits; but if spirits exist, I think my husband's spirit will seek me out. I am trying to aid it.”
— Acting Postmaster-General Granfield has promulgated an amendment to the postal regulations, by which cocain and its derivatives are to be barred from the mails. The reason for this new regulation is that many who are addicted to the use of that drug, and have been unable to procure it from their druggists, have been receiving it from some central supply house through the mails.
— A despatch from Berlin states that Vatican circles favor the election of W. H. Taft for president, on the ground that he is the proper man to reconcile the Vatican's interests with those of American Catholics. Mr. Taft's visit to Rome in 1902, when he conferred with the pope about the purchase of the friars' lands in the Philippines, made a favorable impression upon the Roman Catholic authorities.
— Some consternation has been caused throughout Europe during the past week by the announcement that Germany intends to withdraw from the Algeciras agreement in reference to the conduct of affairs in Morocco. According to this agreement, which was signed by all the great powers, including the United States of America, France and Spain were given the work of bringing about a condition of peace in Morocco. For some time Mulai Hafid has been carrying on a war against the sultan, and seems to have been achieving success. Germany now insists upon an immediate recognition of the usurper, while France and Spain insist upon his acceptance of a certain definite program before he is recognized as the ruler of Morocco. The latest despatches indicate that France proposes to stand by the agreement without regard to what Germany may do, and will appeal to the powers for a ratification of her course. Germany's course in this matter is being quite generally criticized throughout the world. Opposition to the French forces in Morocco continues unabated, and during the week two assaults have been made upon the French post at Boudenib, which have been repulsed with heavy loss on the part of the Morocan tribesmen.
Christian Liberty
Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of the Rights of Conscience
Conducted by the Religious Liberty Bureau
K. C. ROSSELL ................................ Chairman
W. A. COLCORD ................................ Secretary
South Africa
By Geo. R. Israel
THURSDAY evening, July 16, a company consisting of the faculty, the members of the sanitarium board and their wives, and invited friends of the senior nurses, gathered in the dining-room of the sanitarium at the Cape, which had been tastefully decorated for the occasion, to participate in the exercises connected with the graduating of the first nurses' class in the history of the institution.
A dainty banquet had been prepared, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. When the banqueting had ceased, we were favored by a quartet of ladies' voices, which sang that trust-inspiring hymn, “Lead, Kindly Light.” Dr. Geo. Thomason then gave a brief history of the rise and development of sanitarium work, and the principles which have been such a blessing to mankind in the restoration and preservation of health; how by the blessing of God, and the undaunted courage and perseverance of the pioneers in this movement, the work, which was begun in a humble way about forty years ago, has grown until its principles have been adopted in the lives of all classes of men; and instead of the two-story cottage which was used as the first retreat for the sick, we now have sixty-eight sanitariums, and many treatment-rooms, in all parts of the world.
Each of the three young ladies who compose the graduating class, read an essay on some feature of medical missionary work. They were: “The Essential Qualifications of a Medical Missionary Nurse,” by Miss Christina Henderson; “The Great Medical Missionary,” by Miss Highlie Smith; and “Our Opportunities,” by Miss Blanche Tarr. These papers were all excellent, and gave evidence of the fact that the writers had made the character of a true nurse their constant study.
The doctor then spoke of the faithful service which had been rendered by these workers, and of the tender ties that had been formed and strengthened by the various experiences through which they had passed while ministering to the suffering ones under their care. He congratulated them upon the success of their work, and expressed great pleasure, in behalf of the board, in being privileged to present them their diplomas. The exercises closed with another song by the quartet, and prayer by Elder D. F. Tarr.
We feel that the graduation of this class means much to the work here. It has been about twelve years since the last class of nurses was graduated in this country, and the work had well-nigh failed; but from a small beginning, by the blessing of God, we have in recent years seen the work constantly advance. We have looked forward for some time to the day when these workers should complete their training, and be ready to step out into new places. Already Miss Smith is connected with one of our health institutes in Natal, and we hope that the time will soon come when the others can be spared to enter new fields.
GEO. R. ISRAEL.
Atlantic Union Conference
By I. H. Evans
Received on the $150,000 Fund up to Sept. 1, 1908
Atlantic Union Conference
*Central New England ........$ 2,801.02
*Greater New York .......... 1,710.16
Maine ...................... 882.64
*New York ................... 2,351.50
*Southern New England ....... 1,212.50
*Vermont .................... 1,411.74
*Western New York ........... 2,192.26
Total ....................... 12,561.82
*Southern California ....... 4,954.88
*Arizona .................... 474.39
*California-Nevada .......... 10,268.53
*Utah ....................... 449.08
Total ....................... 16,146.88
Southwestern Union Conference
*Arkansas ................... 942.93
Oklahoma .................... 4,248.68
Texas ....................... 2,631.18
Conference not specified .... 22.82
New Mexico .................. 2.00
Total ....................... 7,847.61
Western Canadian Union Conference
*Alberta .................... 1,211.35
British Columbia ............ 393.87
Manitoba .................... 350.76
Saskatchewan Mission Field .. 63.10
Total ....................... 2,019.08
Unknown
Unknown ..................... 161.70
Foreign
*Algeria .................... 13.33
Australia ................... 188.48
Bermuda ..................... 36.00
China ....................... 185.25
South Africa ................ 439.02
Jamaica ..................... 73.86
Yukon Territory ............. 20.00
England ..................... 283.99
*West Africa ................ 50.00
Mexico ...................... 65.97
India ....................... 418.25
South America ............... 82.81
Switzerland ................. 9.69
Central American mission .... 26.00
Trinidad .................... 28.69
Norway ...................... 25.00
Japan ....................... 17.50
Haiti ....................... 5.00
*Egypt ...................... 51.55
Palestine ................... 2.00
Tobago, W. I. ............... 1.22
Cuba ........................ 8.00
Hungary ..................... 3.00
Tahiti ...................... 17.83
France ...................... 6.80
Philippine Islands .......... 1.00
Samoa ....................... 8.00
Barbados .................... 5.00
Portugal .................... 6.00
Straits Settlements ......... 10.08
Pitcairn Island ............. 20.00
New Zealand ................. 1.52
Fiji ........................ 4.87
St. Kitts ................... 7.51
Ireland ..................... 25.56
Russia ...................... 5.00
Denmark ..................... 14.59
Santo Domingo ............... 2.50
West Caribbean .............. 96.35
Total ....................... 2,272.22
Grand total ................ $146,035.69
I. H. EVANS, Treasurer.
A Note From Brother Loughborough
By John Norton Loughborough
We are nearing Suva, Fiji. We have had a remarkably smooth voyage thus far. With the exception of two fifteen-minute gentle showers, it has been clear overhead all the way from Vancouver. With the exception of a half-day’s east wind after leaving Honolulu we have hardly had sea enough to raise whitecaps.
We arrived in Honolulu on Friday, July 24, about one hour before the Sabbath. Brother C. D. M. Williams and family met me at the boat. I spoke one hour to our company there in their neat little chapel, which is next door to Brother Williams’s residence. At 9 P. M. I returned to the boat, as we set sail in the night.
I have not had even a symptom of seasickness, and with the daily inhaling of an abundance of pure sea air, I am gaining in strength daily. To-day we crossed the one hundred eightieth meridian of longitude, near noon, so this day is half Sunday and half Monday, and is also half August 2 and half August 3. As days are fixed on this earth, we must change our dates here to be in harmony with those days established in God’s providence in the earth.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Aug. 2, 1908.
Field Notes
Four families have accepted the truth as a result of the tent-meetings held at Yates Center, Kan.
Elder H. H. Wilcox reports the baptism of three persons at Hewitville, N. Y., on Sunday, August 9.
As a result of the tent-meeting conducted in Richmond, Va., seven persons have begun to observe the Sabbath.
A report in the Kansas Worker states that three have taken their stand for the truth as a result of the tent-meetings at Morrill, Kan.
The membership of the church at Sacramento, Cal., was increased by the addition of three who were baptized on Sabbath, August 8.
At Sheyenne, N. D., three persons were baptized on a recent Sabbath, and at the same time ten members were added to the church.
As a result of the tent-meetings in Bridgeport, Conn., ten persons were baptized on August 23. Six others are keeping the Sabbath.
The good report comes from Porter, Okla., that the efforts put forth there have resulted in the baptism of eight, and the organization of a church.
The following report comes from Dover, the capital of Delaware: “Last Sabbath three accepted the message of salvation, and kept the Sabbath with us.”
Brother C. M. Clark, reporting from Chamberlain, S. D., says: “On a recent Sabbath three candidates were baptized, and nine persons were received into the church.”
The Ohio Camp-Meeting
By K. C. Russell
This meeting was held at Mansfield, a city of some eighteen thousand inhabitants. The camp was located on the fairgrounds, within a few minutes' ride on the street-cars from the city. The weather was ideal during the entire time of the meeting. Those in charge of the camp sought to give each department of the work its share of attention. The medical work was in charge of Elder H. M. Jump. Dr. D. H. Kress was present for a few days, and gave some valuable instruction on the subject of health. Elder S. M. Butler, the president of the Mt. Vernon College, was in attendance during the greater part of this meeting, and gave special attention to the educational work. The Young People's work in the Ohio Conference presents a most encouraging outlook. There were some two hundred promising young people in attendance, and the meetings for them were in charge of Elder J. E. Shultz. Prof. M. E. Kern, chairman of the Young People's Department of the General Conference was in attendance, and his labors were greatly appreciated.
The subject of missions was discussed, which resulted in the adopting of the ten-cent-a-week plan by those in attendance. There were also donations and pledges taken for the foreign mission work. The plans for the missionary campaign were thoroughly discussed, and met the hearty approval of all. There was also much enthusiasm manifested in behalf of the religious liberty work.
The temperance rally was not held until the last Sunday of the meeting, owing to the fact that the speakers who were not of our people were out of the city on their summer vacation, and could not be secured earlier. The secretary of the Y. M. C. A. and two prominent attorneys of the city, one a Methodist and one a Presbyterian, were the speakers from the outside. Those who spoke as our representatives were Elders E. E. Andross, H. H. Burkholder, and the writer. We believe that the effort in behalf of temperance will have a far-reaching influence in the State.
Opportunities were given at different times during the meeting for those who desired to give their hearts to God, and backsliders who desired to be reclaimed, to seek the Lord. Thirty-eight willing souls followed their Lord in baptism.
Elder J. M. Rees, president of the West Virginia Conference, was present over the first Sabbath and Sunday of the meeting. Elder E. E. Andross and the writer remained until the last day.
The Lord greatly blessed in the services of the last Sabbath, despite the efforts of the enemy to interrupt the work of the Spirit on this important day of the meeting. Just as the last Sabbath of the meeting was beginning, a company of persons who had formerly been connected with our people, but who had been deceived into the idea that Seventh-day Adventists are Babylon because of our belief in organization, felt it their duty to call us out of Babylon. Their demonstrations on the ground were such that it became necessary to have them restrained in order to carry on our meeting undisturbed. Such is a specimen of the fruit that comes from a rejection of the truths that God has committed to this people.
Our people returned to their homes with renewed courage to live out the truths of the third angel's message, and to do the work that he has committed to us in these closing days of earth's history.
K. C. RUSSELL.
Oklahoma
By M. JONES.
LEAVING Pine Bluff, Ark., August 17. I met with the church at Wagoner, Okla., and planned for a series of services for a week. We were, however, interrupted by a call to attend the camp-meeting at Enid, and this brought our interesting meetings to a close. Our Sabbath and Sunday services will never be forgotten. As we reviewed the signs of the near coming of our Saviour, and how we should relate ourselves to that solemn event, each heart could realize that that hour was upon us all, and if anything is to be done, prompt action must now be taken. The attention of the brethren was then called on Sunday to the necessity of a memorial in Wagoner,—a meeting place, in which God's people may assemble to raise their voices in hymns of gratitude and adoration. In this good work all joined readily, and as a result twenty dollars in cash and pledges was raised to begin this important work. It was agreed that the pledges be matured in ten days, during which time Brother Settle be empowered to look out a suitable spot, and make permanent arrangements in the interest of a church building. Some not of our faith, who met with us on the Sabbath, were constrained to return next day. These came four miles on foot, so as not to miss the meetings. One decided to join the little company again on Sabbath, August 20. We feel sure that if this good work could be followed up, these would take their stand for the truth. Four united with the church by baptism. Although we make slow progress, yet one can witness the workings of the Holy Spirit in our midst.
M. JONES.
The Kansas Camp-Meeting
By G. A. Irwin
THIS meeting was held in Forest Park, Ottawa, August 13-23. The grounds were very beautiful, being nicely laid out and well kept. The large shade-trees and beautiful green grass made the place both attractive and comfortable in the daytime, and the electric lights made it beautiful at night. A large auditorium for the public meetings, and a number of other buildings suitable for children’s and young people’s meetings, as well as a commodious kitchen and dining-hall, saved the labor and expense of pitching and seating tents for these purposes. One hundred sixty-five dwelling tents were pitched and occupied on the grounds, and a sufficient number of persons occupied rooms near by, to increase the attendance of our people to one thousand. The annual conference was held in connection with the meeting, it being the thirty-fourth annual session. Thirty-four years ago the first missionary —Elder J. N. Andrews—went from the United States to Europe. The Battle Creek College and the International Tract Society were established in the same year. These were some of the beginnings of a mighty missionary movement that has been steadily going toward earth’s remotest bounds, and is destined in this generation to lighten the whole earth with its glory.
The business meetings of the conference passed off pleasantly and harmoniously. As an evidence of the faithful labors of Elder Charles Thompson, and the high esteem with which he is regarded by the brethren, he was unanimously re-elected president of the conference. His annual report was a well-prepared written document from which I cull the following facts and figures for general information:—
Five new churches were added to the conference. Six new church buildings were dedicated, three of which were erected during the year. In addition to the new churches admitted, many have been added to the older churches. During the summer eight tent companies have been in the field, most of whom report a good interest. Success has attended the efforts of the Wichita Sanitarium, its capacity having been taxed to the utmost. Three thousand fifty dollars of the net earnings was paid on the indebtedness, and sixteen hundred dollars expended on repairs. Eight new Sabbath-schools were organized, and added to the family of schools. There was $315.82 increase in donations over the past year. The Missionary Volunteer Societies are doing aggressive work, especially in religious liberty work. Twenty church-schools were successfully operated during the year, and a number of consecrated young people are in training to engage in this work in the near future. Arrangements are all made to open an academy this fall at Oswego to accommodate thirty boarding students, with an outside attendance to increase this number to one hundred twenty-five. This school will be known as the Strode Industrial Academy, and will be in charge of Elder and Mrs. N. W. Kauble. The courses of study will include the twelfth grade. During the year 1907, $15,000 worth of subscription books were sold; and during the first half of 1908, $12,304. The amount raised for missions during the year was $3,477.59, being an increase over the previous year of $851.44. In addition to these offerings to missions the conference paid the salary of a German laborer in New Jersey, an Italian laborer in Greater New York, and one half the salary of Elder Sidney Scott, who is laboring for the colored people in South Carolina. The tithe for the past year was $33,282.16, an increase over the preceding year of $1,440.35.
There was raised during the progress of the meeting the following sums: For foreign missions, $331; Sabbath-school collections, $250; endowed bed at sanitarium, $350; to pay sanitarium note, $490; scholarship for Washington Seminary, $437; Christian Record, $55; Oakwood Industrial School, $1,800; Strode Industrial Academy, $1,400. In addition to these amounts two thousand dollars was donated to the General Conference from the surplus tithe for foreign mission purposes.
An interesting temperance program was rendered the first Sunday afternoon of the meeting, in which four of our people, one of the ministers of the city, and two leading W. C. T. U. workers took part, each delivering short addresses or recitations. The collection which followed amounted to $25.86, which was equally divided between the camp and the local W. C. T. U. organization.
Three public preaching services were held each day during the entire meeting, at which doctrinal questions were ably discussed, and the principles of practical Christianity clearly set forth. Two regular meetings were held each day especially for the children and young people. Regular meetings were also held each day for the German brethren, of whom there were about sixty encamped on the ground.
As a result of this annual convocation, the brethren were greatly benefited and encouraged, and sixty-four persons were baptized and made ready to unite with the churches in the neighborhoods from which they came.
In addition to the regular laborers in the union and local conference the following were present during some portion of the meeting, and took part in the preaching and other meetings of the conference: Elders G. B. Thompson, G. F. Haffner, G. A. Grauer, and Wm. Voth, Prof. H. R. Salisbury, and the writer. All things taken into account, it was the general opinion that this was the best camp-meeting ever held in the conference. Notwithstanding two of the principal laborers were called away during the meeting to take important positions in other fields,—Elder A. R. Ogden to take the presidency of the Northern Missouri Conference and Elder J. W. Lair to take the presidency of the Eastern Colorado Conference,—the remaining laborers desire to consecrate themselves anew to press the battle to the gates, and finish the work in this generation.
G. A. IRWIN.
Death of an Aged Pioneer
By C. McREYNOLDS
This dear aged pilgrim and pioneer in the message fell asleep July 29, 1908, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Peterson, at Green Bay, Wis. He was taken to the Oakland Cemetery, in the neighborhood where the old homestead is, for burial.
The service was conducted by the writer, assisted by Elders F. F. Peterson and M. H. Serns, in the Seventh-day Adventist church, which he had was assisted largely in building both by labor and means, and where he served the congregation as elder for twenty years. His body was laid by the side of his wife, who has been sleeping twenty-nine years. He was ninety-two years, two months, and twenty-seven days old at the time of his death.
Words of comfort and instruction were spoken from Rev. 22:3; “And there shall be no more curse.” Two sons, E. G. and A. J. Olsen, with their wives, and two daughters,—Sisters Jane and Sarah Cash,—and son-in-law Albert Cash, besides many other relatives and friends, were present. Another son, Elder O. A. Olsen, is the president of the Australasian Union Conference.