If it had been the aim of the third General Conference of Protestant Missionaries to guide the great majority of its followers to a proper observance of the Sabbath, and to secure for the Church the purity, the blessing, and the power of which it is now robbed by its open and flagrant desecration, this, in itself, and to them, would have been an important epoch in their work. But when it became necessary for them to put forth a united and earnest effort to secure a general observance of the same by both the church-members and the general public, in a land of confessed heathenism, it at once divests itself of every local characteristic, and assumes a position that entitles it to a place among the events of the world.
Recognizing the fact that, under the present “unscriptural divisions,” they could not accomplish their great purpose, they have sent forth the following proclamation and resolution:—
This conference of missionaries, assembled in the city of Tokio, proclaims its belief that all who are one with Christ by faith, are one body; and it calls upon all those who love the Lord Jesus and His Church in sincerity and truth, to pray and to labor for the full realization of such a corporate oneness as the Master himself prayed for on the night in which He was betrayed.
Whereas, While this Conference gratefully recognizes the high degree of harmony and cordial co-operation which has marked the history of Protestant missions in Japan, it is at the same time convinced that the work of evangelization is often retarded by an unhappy competition, especially in the smaller fields, and by the duplication of machinery which our present arrangements involve: Therefore,—
Resolved, That this Conference elect, upon the nomination of the President and Vice-Presidents, a Promoting Committee of ten, whose duty it shall be to prepare a plan for the formation of a Representative Standing Committee of the Missions; such plan to be submitted to the various missions for their approval, and to go into operation as soon as approved by such a number of missions as include in their membership not less than two thirds of the Protestant missionaries in Japan.
In the interpretation of this proclamation and resolution, we have the mind of the Conference itself. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Awry, of the Church of England, in objecting to the word “corporate,” stated that should the Conference take any steps that would in any way discriminate against those members of Christ who constitute the great body of Christians in Japan, represented by the Roman and Greek churches, he could not act with them. The writer of the proclamation then interpreted it by saying that although he wrote it as an expression of his own mind, yet he was willing to write anything necessary to meet the demand. It was further stated by numerous members of this “Protestant” Conference, that their belief, from childhood, in the validity of the Roman Catholic Church’s claim to oneness with God was unshaken; that they had desired that the bishops of the Roman and Greek Catholic churches might have joined with them in council; and that they regretted that the time had not arrived when it was possible. How easily is the line of distinction swept away, and the priceless jewel of a free conscience set at naught!
These men are not unmindful of the conditions upon which Rome based her proposition for this desired union. A former extract from an official organ of the Catholic Church will be in place here:— “To apply the terms “liberal,” “progressive,” and “conservative,” to Christian sects and parties sounds very grand; but it smacks of medicine-puffing advertisements. The more ineffectual the thing, the more noise is made about it. This principle of liberty of conscience, of which the Protestants make so much, has proved a snare and a delusion to them. Unitarianism is its natural result. In making freedom of belief the foundation of the Church, the Protestants have built upon sand. Men who have given up all the chief articles of the Christian faith, and who have nothing but unoccupied building ground to offer, are soliciting Buddhists and Shintoists to provide them with material to erect a structure to take the place of the building that has fallen to pieces over their heads. They fail to distinguish between pearls and pebbles, truth and error. And this kind of action they call progress. To us it looks much like retrogression. This talk of union among Protestants is mere idle prating. What have they to unite them? Do they not all advocate independence of judgment? Is it not a case of there being no standard to which all will alike bow? This cry for union shows that they are ill at ease, and well they may be. What elements of union are there in the whole system? We are united because our Church is founded on the teaching of Christ as transmitted by St. Peter. Our Church distinguishes between truth and error, and we all obey her. But it is of the very essence of Protestantism to split up into a hundred sects. Each man is free to set up a sect of his own if he disagrees with his fellow Christians; and so we see disorganization on every hand. The foundation of the whole system is shaky, and hence the superstructure is constantly tumbling. There are Protestant sects that seem to have nothing more to hold them together except the name that they bear, which is no more useful for this purpose than a signboard.
It is evident that the terms are not liberal, yet some sorrow that the union can not be effected at once. All desire it, and with one exception are ready to do anything in order to effect co-operation.
In view of these things it is not a strange thing that one year ago a bill for the regulation of religion in Japan was introduced into the diet. The bill provided for the organization, power, and procedure of a religious council, in which all religious controversies not amenable to the jurisdiction of civil courts would be adjudged. The present conditions demand such a council; and the people are prepared to meet the demand; for when the promoting committee shall have formulated its union-laws, they will simply be dead letters unless backed by an authoritative voice.
Persecution under Diocletian against Christianity as a profession developed a union whose falsity was clearly shown when Constantine tossed to them the prize box of imperial favor. A false union to-day will meet the same fate. It sounds well to talk union, but the natural heart has not yet learned the Christian virtue: “in honor preferring one another.” Rome is too much Rome to effect any union in which the harvest will be for others than “the legitimate and most holy Catholic religion.”
“The records of the past clearly teach us the real enmity of Rome toward the true Sabbath and its defenders, and the means which she employs to honor the institution of her creating. The word of God teaches that those scenes are to be repeated as papists and Protestants unite for the exaltation of Sunday. Protestants do not know what they are doing when they propose to accept the aid of Rome in the work of Sunday exaltation.
“As the work of Sabbath reform extends, this rejection of divine law will become well-nigh universal. The Protestant world will learn what the purposes of Rome really are, only when it is too late to escape the snare. We shall soon see and feel what the purpose of the Roman element is.”
Is the world ready for this? Are Seventh-day Adventists ready for it? B. O. WADE.
Tokio, Japan.
Brief Report of the Week of Prayer
By George A. Irwin
ONLY scattering reports have come in thus far, but all have been of an encouraging nature. At Battle Creek, meetings were held in the various institutions each morning, sometimes as a whole, and at other times in small companies; and in the evening a general public meeting was held in the Tabernacle. As the people came, they were directed into the different vestries, some going into the main auditorium, thus making four divisions of the audience. Two persons were assigned to each division as leaders. In this way forty-five minutes was devoted to prayer and singing. At the close of this time, the vestries were opened, and the congregation united in one to listen to the reading. At the close of the reading, some time was devoted to personal testimonies.
On Friday evening the Spirit of the Lord accompanied the reading in a marked manner, resulting in a revival service that lasted till after eleven o’clock. Fully one hundred and fifty persons came forward to seek the Lord when a call was made. Quite a large proportion of these were young persons who had never given their hearts to God. Others had made a profession, but realized their lack of faith to appropriate the promises of God in the forgiveness of their sins. These persons were separated into small companies, and labored with personally by the ministers present, till all were free in the Lord.
The offering taken up in the Tabernacle on Sabbath amounted to sixteen hundred dollars. To this should be added over twelve hundred dollars that had been previously taken up at the sanitarium for the work at Skodsborg.
Meetings were continued each night in the Tabernacle during the week following. As a result of the spiritual interest created by the Week of Prayer and after-meetings, there was the largest attendance at the quarterly meeting held in the Tabernacle, Sabbath afternoon, January 5, to celebrate the ordinances, that has ever been known in the history of the Battle Creek church.
A private letter from California states that good meetings were held with the churches in San Francisco, Oakland, and Napa; but no report was made of the amount of the contributions. One president writes: “I have visited two churches during the Week of Prayer, and have heard from a number of others, and I believe our offering will be more than double that of last year.” Another one says: “I think our offering will be three times that of last year.”
A brother, writing from Hildebran, N. C., says: “Last week I baptized fifteen, and took twenty into the church at this place. Most of them were children from ten to fifteen years of age, who gave their hearts to the Lord during the Week of Prayer.”
A sister, who is carrying on a school for the colored people at Juniata, Ala., writes: “We had much of the blessing of the Lord with us during the Week of Prayer. Nine of the students of the school have been baptized, and others desire baptism. Our offering was $49.40, and probably more will come in from the absent ones.”
A brother, writing from Graysville, Tenn., says: “I am anxious to hear from the Christmas offerings. Our church here gave nearly one hundred and eighty dollars. Don’t you think that pretty good for them?” A brother writes as follows, from Ithaca, Mich.: “Thinking you would like to know that the truth is having a good effect on some hearts, I take the liberty to say that I have been a member of this church for seventeen years, and this Week of Prayer has been the best we ever had. For this we are truly thankful to God.”
Under date of January 6, the treasurer of the Minnesota Conference reported nine hundred and twenty-five dollars received thus far. From a private letter from the Oakwood (Ala.) Industrial School for colored people, I take the following: “We have had a good interest in the meetings during the Week of Prayer, and nearly all the students are having a good Christian experience. Our contribution was one hundred and thirty dollars.”12
A good brother, of Mississippi, writes: “I received and read the tract on Scandinavia’s need. Wishing to do something to help, and having no money because I have been trying to help others, I thought to send you my watch. This watch is an old one, which belonged to my father. It cost eighty dollars when new. The case is poor, but the works are good, being full-jeweled; and I trust it may bring a fair price. I can buy a Waterbury watch for eighty-five cents, which will do me hereafter.” I have wondered, while transcribing this incident, how many of those who read it would be willing to make a similar or equal sacrifice? This is the same spirit that constrained men in the early history of the Third Angel’s Message to sell their farms and give all the proceeds to advance the work, while they rented land to work to support their families. It is just the spirit that will characterize all who will go through to the kingdom; for the Lord has plainly told us, “It will take all to buy the field.” Should such a spirit take possession of the remnant Church in general, there would be an abundance to carry forward every enterprise God would have us undertake, yea, more, the message would soon be proclaimed to the ends of the earth.
Although the Week of Prayer is in the past, we trust its spirit and influence may go on, until the same shall thoroughly permeate the entire body, and bring the latter rain in its fullness.
GEO. A. IRWIN.
Henry de la Vaulx Sets Ballooning Record
Count Henry de la Vaulx, who recently ascended in a balloon from Vincennes, France, for the purpose of traversing Europe as far as possible, has returned to Paris, a holder of the world's record for long-distance ballooning. The feat accomplished by the aeronaut was a trip of two thousand kilometers, from France to Kiew, Russia, one thousand three hundred kilometers (812½ miles) of which was made in exactly twenty-four hours.—Scientific American.
NEWS AND NOTES
— Dr. Dowie has returned to America.
— President McKinley is ill with la grippe, but not seriously.
— During the year 1900 the output of Colorado gold was $29,226,000.
— M. Paul Deschanel has just been re-elected president of the French Chamber of Deputies.
— Ignatius Donnelly, known as the “Sage of Nininger,” died in Minneapolis, Minn., the 2d inst.
— The North American Review is to be published hereafter by the “Harper Brothers’” publishing house.
— Li Hung Chang, who has been ill for some time, has suffered a relapse. His condition is serious.
— Wm. J. Bryan recently went to Tallahassee, Fla., to witness the inauguration of his cousin, W. S. Jennings, as governor of Florida.
— Statisticians inform us that the center of population of the United States is now seven miles southeast of Columbus, Ind.
— It is announced that “the London Daily News, a Liberal organ, will change its policy, and demand a cessation of war, and the giving of liberal terms to the Boers.”45
— Gen. John W. Foster is the newly elected president of the American Bible Society.
— Admiral Cervera, of note during the Spanish-American war, is dangerously ill.
— Petroleum will be adopted as the generative power on all railway locomotives in Russia.
— The first issue of Wm. J. Bryan’s new paper, the Commoner, will appear about the 20th inst.
— The German coal-mine syndicate will maintain present prices by producing ten per cent less coal.
— On account of smallpox, 3,000 soldiers in the Soldiers’ Home at Leavenworth, Kan., are quarantined.
— The Russian authorities recently arrested 300 students in St. Petersburg, “for preaching socialist doctrines.”
— Chile has appropriated “$500,000 for its display at the Pan-American Exposition” soon to be held in Buffalo, N. Y.
— Meat packers of Chicago are supplying the Russian government with 1,500 barrels of meat for the Russian army.
— The gold output of the United States during the year 1900 is estimated, by the Director of the Mint, to have been $79,322,281, an increase of $8,000,000 over that of the year 1899.
— At the biennial meeting of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations, in New York, the 30th ult., “resolutions were adopted petitioning the administration to provide Jewish chaplains in the army and navy, for the soldiers and sailors of their faith.”
— Philip D. Armour, one of Chicago’s multi-millionaires, died December 7, of heart-disease, aggravated by a recent attack of pneumonia. His wealth is variously estimated at from $30,000,000 to $70,000,000. He was known as “the millionaire packer and philanthropist.”
— It seems that “in view of the impending debates on the religious associations bill, the French government has caused the real estate belonging to the monastic orders to be valued, with the result that such property is shown to be worth 1,100,000,000 francs—about $220,000,000.”
— During the month of September, 1900, the slaughterhouse at Villette, France, which supplies Paris, “dispatched daily an average of 3,044 oxen, 1,041 cows, 23,384 sheep, 2,725 pigs, and 2,999 calves.” It is said that “in ordinary times only 1,210 oxen, 450 cows, 13,929 sheep, 4,828 pigs, and 1,425 calves are required” to feed Paris.
— An Irish setter belonging to a Chicago police officer, was left with his master’s friend in Nelson County, North Dakota, last September. His master returned to Chicago, September 28, and one week later, “Sport tired of his new home, and started to reach Chicago by foot.” He finished his journey of 1,000 miles Monday night, the 7th inst., or thirteen weeks and three days after starting for home. He was exhausted, emaciated, and covered with scars and wounds. Sport is two and one-half years old. How did he know which way his master had gone?
— According to Association Men, the official organ of the Young Men’s Christian Associations, there are at present 6,192 branches of the Y. M. C. A., with 521,000 members, among 50 nations, speaking 35 languages. The 1,439 American associations have 252,000 members, of whom 32,000 are college students, 37,000 railroad men, 5,000 soldiers and sailors, 1,650 Indians, 5,000 colored men, and 23,000 boys. The annual attendance upon Bible classes exceeds 500,000; and $40,000 is annually contributed for Y. M. C. A. work in foreign lands. An average of one building for every nine days has been erected during the last year.
— James F. J. Archibald, the war correspondent who has just returned from the Transvaal, says: “The reading public is gathering the opinion that the war is over, but this is really far from the true state of affairs. All the spectacular fighting is over, and great battles are a thing of the past, but the two armies have settled down to a steady, determined struggle that could easily go on for several years. The Boers have more money than they can spend, as they worked the British mines for the first eight months of the war. The war is costing the British Empire over $400,000 a day, all of which is becoming a debt. It is upon this great debt that the Boer leaders rely to help them gain terms. General Botha said to me that they could keep up the war for seven years, and that if they could win in that period, they would consider the time well spent. The Boers have supplies enough for at least three years, and are continually capturing supplies from the British.”
— The people of more than 100 counties in Missouri are afflicted with smallpox in a mild form.
— A race riot recently broke out in Centerville, Ind., the negroes getting drunk and threatening the white residents.
— Reports from Constantinople indicate that the census of the Turkish Empire for 1900 will show a population of 55,000,000.
— The Kansas City, Mo., branch of the Armour Packing Company, recently purchased 25,000 tons of salt in Portugal, “on account of trust prices in this country.”
— The United States Rubber Company is about to cut prices twenty-five per cent, in order to force some independent manufacturers out of business, or else into the trust.
— A new use has been found for milk. A process has been discovered whereby skim milk is to be converted into lactroid, out of which buttons, combs, piano keys, telephone receivers, etc., are soon to be made.
— The public schools of St. Petersburg, Russia, are closed, on account of extremely cold weather.
— One hundred prisoners in the jail at White Plains, N. Y., recently failed in their attempt to escape by setting the jail on fire.
— Minister Wu Ting Fang recently lectured in Montclair, N. J., on “The Causes of the Unpopularity of Foreigners in China.”
— A letter written by ex-President Cleveland has been made public, declaring that he did not vote for William McKinley in the late election.
— England is buying American butter “at the rate of about 182,000 tons a year, worth $80,000,000, and every year requires an additional 10,000 tons to supply the steadily increasing demand.”
— Esterhazy, one of the accusers of Dreyfus, is almost starving in London, spending his days in public museums, and his nights in the streets. Evidently all compensation for evil doing is not postponed until the judgment day.
ANOTHER CONFERENCE AT WORK
Oklahoma Joins the Debt-Destroying Army
And now Oklahoma has joined the ranks of the Conferences which are actively campaigning for “Christ’s Object Lessons” and the Relief of the Schools. The laborers are vitalized for their mission, and are going forth with sanctified energy and much prayer to carry forward “the heaven-born plan.” There is a feeling that the King’s business demands haste, and many have gone out, “being hastened by the King’s commandment.”
The Oklahoma Conference recently convened at Oklahoma City. By unanimous vote, its laborers are to spend the time until General Conference in canvassing for “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and getting the members of the churches everywhere stirred up to engage in this work.
The Oklahoma Conference has decided to conduct the work for “Christ’s Object Lessons” on the cash plan. In each church a fund will be raised with which to pay in advance for the books taken from the tract society office. Wealthier brethren will advance money for the poorer ones. In this way all the books taken from the tract society will be paid for in advance.
This is a right move, and one which God will bless. It will inspire our people with confidence in this great work; for all will realize that there is a burden resting upon the leaders to get rid of debt,—the thing itself,—and once and forever to put the denominational work on the pay-as-you-go plan. We must pay our school debts, and not simply transfer them to the tract societies.
The majority of the brethren in Oklahoma are poor. They are a sturdy, hard-working company, who have come to a new country to make homes for themselves and their families, and have settled on land upon which white men have never before dwelt. They are “not slothful in business,” neither in their own affairs nor in the Lord’s. In the past these brethren have given liberally for the support of the Keene Academy. A beautiful and commodious church, built of stone and brick, with a good basement for church-school purposes, has just been dedicated at Oklahoma City. Word has been received that the gold prospect at Keene has not materialized. But we thank the Lord that He has a people who are loyal and true to His work in the earth, who will not see His holy name disgraced by debt, and whose pledges to pay gold do materialize. The faithful sons and daughters of God are the best hope for money that the Third Angel’s Message has. As with the blessed Master, so let it be with us—we will not fail nor be discouraged.
At the Conference the following sums were paid in cash to the Relief of the Schools fund, and pledges itemized beneath were also made:—
CASH GIFTS
C. F. Haffner .................................... $ 5 00
S. W. Wilson ..................................... 5 00
F. Riffer ........................................ 2 00
C. Ordner ........................................ 1 00
J. H. Buel ....................................... 1 00
J. J. Schiffner .................................. 1 00
C. Myer ........................................... 1 00
C. B. Wilson ..................................... 1 00
C. W. Miller ..................................... 1 00
E. G. Graves ..................................... 1 00
James Butka ...................................... 1 00
F. C. McIlvain ................................... 5 00
C. Uhrig .......................................... 2 00
T. R. Smith ...................................... 1 00
Peter Heinze ..................................... 1 00
Miscellaneous contributions ..................... 13 00
$42 00
PLEDGES
Anna L. John ................................... $ 2 00
J. A. Burky ...................................... 5 00
H. E. Bartholomew ............................... 1 00
J. A. Malone ..................................... 5 00
Jesse S. Fillman ................................ 2 00
Thos. Baker ...................................... 1 00
Enoch Baker ...................................... 2 00
D. L. Roser ...................................... 90
Carrie W. Roser .................................. 90
J. D. McCoy ...................................... 5 00
A. S. Combs ...................................... 1 50
C. McReynolds .................................... 5 00
C. Shafter ........................................ 5 00
S. W. Wilson (conditional) ...................... 50 00
L. R. Waterman ................................... 1 00
Nora L. Shields .................................. 5 00
A. J. Faucher ..................................... 2 00
H. A. Phillips .................................... 1 00
Total ........................................... $137 30
ALTONA, O. T., Dec. 2, 1900.
DEAR BROTHER: I received your letter with pleasure last evening. In reply, will say that I am indeed glad that you are having success in the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” I expect to sell some of the books myself.
Yes, we need unifying as a people. The discord that has existed has turned many a soul back into the world, and now, as the Lord is about to reveal great things to us, we ought to be in a condition to receive them; and if we as a people can not get right now, when can we?
I shall not need any of the circulars now; and if I do when I start out again, I will let you know. I am glad that the Review and Herald is able to run day and night, printing these good books, and I hope that the institutions will soon be lifted up out of disgrace. If all the States in the General Conference would do as well as Iowa and Michigan have done, it would be a grand thing, not only for the schools, but for the advancement of the truth in all parts of the field.
Thanking you for the many favors received, and for those to come, I am,
Yours in truth,
[Signed] R. H. THOMPSON.
ILLINOIS
CHICAGO, ILL., Dec. 7, 1900.
Percy T. Magan,
Battle Creek, Mich.
DEAR BROTHER: Your good letter came to hand yesterday. I surely should have paid you long ago, but I have been very short myself. I have about made up my mind that perhaps the time will never come when I can spare the money just as well as not. So I send you the two hundred dollars this morning, when calls in other directions are greater than for some time, yet I believe your cause is the most worthy, and I leave it with the Lord; for I wish a part in the jubilee song here as well as in the earth made new.
Your brother in the faith,
THE WORK IN IOWA
IN Iowa almost all the Conference workers are laboring heart and soul for “Christ’s Object Lessons.” The State has been divided into six districts; over each district one of the Conference workers has been placed as a superintendent, and with him are associated several other workers. These brethren and sisters are visiting all our churches in their district, and arousing our people to the necessity of circulating “Christ’s Object Lessons,” according to the word of the Lord. We are sure that the good work will be a blessing to all who engage in it, to those who sell as well as to those who buy, and besides Union College will be relieved from a large portion of its heavy debt.
UNDER date of Dec. 6, 1900, Sister Jessie V. Bosworth, secretary of the Iowa Tract Society, writes:—
“We have been mailing the Signs of the Times, Instructor, and Life Boat to each of our State institutions for about two years, and the workers here in the office have thought of sending a copy of “Christ’s Object Lessons” to each, dividing the expense among us. We receive orders for two or three hundred books each day, on the average, or have since the beginning of this week. I believe this movement in our State will be the beginning of a revival in missionary work.”
THE Y. P. S. C. V.
By GEO. THOMASON
Several months ago there appeared in the columns of this paper an article with reference to the organization of the Young People's Society of Christian Volunteers, of Battle Creek. Since the appearance of this article many letters have come from nearly all parts of the country, announcing the formation of similar societies among the young people of our churches. In most of these letters were inquiries as to the basis upon which to organize, plans for work, nature of the meetings to be held, etc. It is practically impossible to answer all these inquiries individually, and it seems best again to utilize our church paper to outline something further with reference to the Battle Creek society, in the hope that it may prove helpful.
First of all, the Battle Creek society wishes to send greeting to all the young people of our churches who have taken hold of this plan, and to bid God-speed in the noble work.
From the first inception of our society, the young people have taken hold with a spirit of earnestness, and as a result of personal effort new faces are seen every Sabbath at the regular service. On one occasion twenty-eight new members were admitted to the society.
The regular service is held Sabbath afternoon, and consists usually of a short talk upon some topic concerning practical Christian living, occupying never more than twenty minutes, followed by a social service, in which as many as possible take part during the time allotted. The entire service is usually brought within the limit of one hour. An occasional song service, of ten or fifteen minutes at the beginning of the hour, adds greatly to the interest of the meetings.
For a short time past, the Berean studies have been used as the topic for consideration at the meetings, and great interest has been awakened among the members for a better knowledge of these most important lessons.
Occasionally almost the entire hour is devoted to a song and testimony service in order to give an opportunity for all to speak, which is practically impossible with so large an attendance when a portion of the hour is given to other phases of worship.
The principles upon which the society is founded, and the policy which governs the organization, as set forth in the constitution and the by-laws, are yet under consideration. It is hoped that at the General Conference soon to be held, time will be devoted to consider in detail the work of these societies, and still further to perfect the organization.
It might not be out of place for the writer to add a few suggestions that have occurred to him as being ways in which we as young people may devote our time to being helpful:—
1. In personal work for those with whom we associate. It adds a wonderful seriousness to life when we consider that we are daily meeting persons whom we see for the first and last time, perhaps; but it is possible to be in such close touch with Heaven that this single personal contact with them may change the whole course of their lives. This necessitates walking very softly, that we shall never fail to hear the “still small voice” when it shall tell us exactly which way to go, and just what to say.
2. Helping the poor and needy. We may often be the connecting link between those in distress from hunger, cold, or insufficient clothing, and those having much to spare of food, fuel, and wearing apparel. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.”
3. Sickness is increasing on every hand; hence what a wonderful opportunity to relieve pain and distress, in many cases by the application of a few of the simple principles God has given us with which to bless mankind. Most of this suffering is due to ignorance of the laws of life, hence in this there lies a beautiful possibility for teaching such how properly to care for their bodies. No better way presents itself for reaching the souls of men and women than by relieving their physical ailments.
4. Taking an active part in all phases of Church work in the prayer and social meetings; in the sending out of literature; in carrying out the injunction of Paul to Timothy: “Be thou an example of the believers.”
5. An excellent opportunity is afforded in enthusiastically taking hold of the sale of “Christ's Object Lessons,” and in introducing into families the special editions of the Signs of the Times and the Midwinter and Midsummer editions of Good Health.
6. There are many isolated and lonely ones who would most heartily appreciate a word of encouragement and good cheer by way of a letter.
These are only a few of the many ways in which it is possible to accomplish much for our Master. If not already, God will soon look to the young people to bear the heavier burdens in the great cause of truth, and the best possible preparation for the work is the development of strong spiritual bone, sinew, and muscle, which can only come gradually, by the improvement of opportunities daily offered us by God himself according to our several ability.
GEO. THOMASON,
Pres. Battle Creek Y. P. S. C. V.
DISTRICT 5
By R. M. Kilgore
AFTER the council at Battle Creek, I remained at home about one week, when I was called to the bedside of my father, at Washington, Iowa, who was not expected to live. I remained till he rallied, and was again able to sit up, and to stand alone. He is now in the eighty-ninth year of his age.
GOLDSBERRY, MO.—By invitation of the president of the Conference, Elder J. M. Rees, I labored about one week for the church here. The house was filled at every meeting, and the Lord blessed. The brethren were eager for instruction, and I was happy in giving it. Many of our churches are sadly neglected; the members are willing to do right; but lacking knowledge of the truth, they fail to act the14part God would have them do at this time; spirituality is wanting; worldliness creeps in; alienation, division, and apostasy follow. Sin goes unrebuked, and is suffered in the brethren. The Bible instruction is not followed in dealing with the erring. We must be faithful in this matter.
OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE.—On my way I spent a few days at Kansas City, Mo., also at Topeka, Kan. I enjoyed these visits, and I trust they were not wholly unprofitable to the brethren. The Oklahoma Conference convened at Oklahoma City, December 18-24, with a good delegation present. Separated from the routine of the camp-meeting, ample time and opportunity were afforded to the work of the different departments of the Conference, to give the necessary instruction, and to present principles, which are much needed, and for which our church officers and members and the tract and missionary and Sabbath-school workers are hungering.
The workings of the different departments of this Conference for the last fifteen months are very encouraging. Six new churches have been added to the Conference. Six meeting-houses have been built, and thirteen Sabbath-schools have been organized. The Conference is out of debt, and voted to pay half the salary of a teacher in the Keene Industrial School. The tract society has no debt hanging over it, and reports a gain of over seven hundred dollars. Elder C. McReynolds was re-elected president of the Conference and tract society, and his son William secretary and treasurer of the society. Harry Philips was elected secretary and treasurer of the Conference, and two changes were made on the Conference Committee.
On Sunday, the 23d, the new meeting-house at Oklahoma City was dedicated with appropriate services. It was well filled with our people and the citizens. The building is in the form of an L, with its gables fronting the streets; its entrance is in the corner between them, topped with a modest cupola for a belfry; its pulpit is at the opposite corner in an alcove; this, with the two wings, and the rafter ceiling above, makes the acoustic properties perfect. In the basement are well-lighted, airy rooms, for the tract society office and church school. The building cost about four thousand dollars, which is paid, or provided for.
At the close of the service, Brethren I. G. Knight, D. F. Sturgeon, and C. Sorensen were ordained to the ministry, by the laying on of hands, Elder McReynolds giving the charge.
Prof. P. T. Magan was present the last day of the meeting. He labored in the interests of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and assisted in the dedicatory services.
The occasion was a profitable one, and was much appreciated by those present, the majority of whom expressed, by vote, their desire to keep the Conference sessions apart from the camp-meetings.
