Your ShelfYour Projects

Review and Herald, Vol. 79, No. 29.

OFTEN have I seen
Earlier text: The Heavenly Sowing

Colorado

By George F. W. Watson

THE good work of the third angel's message is onward in our conference. This conference, embracing the State of Colorado and the Territory of New Mexico, is divided into six districts, with one of our strongest men in charge of each. This arrangement gives me the blessed opportunity of joining one of our tent companies for several weeks at a time, thus bringing into my life anew the old-time spirit of the message. At present I am with Elder Geo. O. States, assisting in a tent effort in one of our beautiful mountain towns on the western slope. After our conference meeting, held at Topeka, Kan., we again engaged in the work for “Christ’s Object Lessons.” We find willing hearts and hands to carry this precious book of truth to the homes of our Colorado people; and a good work is being done, not only for our own people, but for those who buy.
A few weeks ago our tract society invested over one hundred dollars in a colporteur wagon, and sent it out, in charge of W. H. Moore, of Hygiene, Colo., into the mountain districts, laden with the good news of salvation. Everywhere throughout these lofty old Rockies, men and women for whom Christ died, can be found; and Brother Moore is meeting with success not only in finding them, but in selling them the truth for this time. The book work is reviving, and we still have hopes of being among the faithful ones in this department. While our increase in membership is not large in any one locality, yet almost every church and company is being strengthened by accessions to its numbers. This conference is now paying the largest tithe it has ever paid, and has reached out its missionary arms until it is shaking hands with Holland by supporting Brother and Sister Wibbens in that field; and soon a family of five from Colorado's dear people will be telling the dusky tribes of Nyassaland, South Africa, the glad news of a coming King. The sweets of the message for to-day are in reaching the lost.
I spent some time at the Boulder Sanitarium not long ago, and I am glad to say that this institution is doing work that will tell in the salvation of souls. Brother F. J. Hartman and his family are doing a commendable work in their sanitarium near Montrose, on the western slope. The health restaurants, one in Denver and one in Colorado Springs, are doing a good business. Many suffering ones find relief at the treatment rooms in Denver, under the management of Brother and Sister Menkel. To the name of our Master be all the praise.
GEORGE F. W. WATSON.

North Carolina

By Mary G. Fisher

VALLE CRUCES.— We closed our school in April, after an interesting term. Forty pupils were enrolled, but the attendance was irregular. We expect to continue the school. The little company here is not able to support a church school, so I have been obliged to prepare for the public examination, and teach in the public school, in order to continue the church school through the winter.
This is a destitute field. We need a Bible worker and a doctor. Are there not persons who could come here and build up the work? Although we are shut off from the world by these great mountain ranges, yet there are many advantages. The soil is good; fine crops of berries and vegetables can be raised; and rain is abundant. If some of the Northern enterprise and thrift were expended on these mountain sides, much could be done toward helping the people to better ways of living. We ought to purchase a large farm, and make it an object lesson as well as a home for many who need to be taught how to farm, make bread, etc.
We wish to thank those who have given clothing and books. Many have expressed gratitude, and we hardly know how we could have got along without this help. Several have spoken of sending more. We could use much more if we had it, and would like to have some clothing sent to use as the cold weather comes. Our freight address is Elk Park, N. C., via Johnson City, Tenn.
Shall we not hear from a farmer, a Bible worker, and a medical missionary who are willing to come to this field?
Surely the Lord wants his work to prosper here. Pray for us. There is much to be done. The light has not come to this people, as it has to those of many other States. We need help, and now is the time to work. Much prejudice has been removed by the Christian Help work that we have tried to do, and this work should be followed by personal work from house to house. As I see what is necessary to be done, I feel to consecrate myself anew, and pray that the Lord will send laborers. MARY G. FISHER.

The Ontario Camp Meeting

By W. H. Thurston

THE Ontario conference and camp meeting was held at Galt, June 12-22, preceded by a workers’ meeting, and the churches were well represented. The camp was located in a beautiful park, and no pains was spared in making it an object lesson of neatness, order, and good taste. The campers all seemed to take pride in keeping their tents in order, and the entire arrangement and order of the camp was impressive of the sacredness and importance of the work of God. The citizens of Galt were courteous, and seemed pleased to have the camp in their city. They attended the meetings in large numbers, and manifested a desire to hear more of the advent message. Brother Huntington, with a few helpers, remained there with a tent after the close of the conference.
The president’s address showed that during the year there were six efforts put forth, but the interest was developed at only one place, and at this place a church was organized under the labors of Brother Wm. Simpson, and fully manned. There was an increase of seventeen hundred dollars in tithes and offerings over last year, and a creditable increase in the sale of books. The plan of selling “Christ’s Object Lessons” to assist in raising a fund for the establishment of an industrial school was agreed upon last winter. Several churches organized for work, and a few hundred copies were sold during the early part of this year. This work will now be resumed, and it is hoped that good results will follow. The question of establishing an industrial school in the Province of Ontario was given careful consideration, and nearly four thousand dollars was pledged for the purchasing of a farm. The trustees of the conference are now looking after the matter, and it is hoped that a suitable location will soon be procured.
It was thought by the conference that the time had come for medical missionary work to be started in one or more of the large cities, and no doubt this will be done in the near future. The canvassing work was given attention as far as time would permit, and there is now a good corps of workers in the field, and yet there is room for more.
The keynote of the entire meeting was the need of a better acquaintance with Jesus and a preparation for the final crisis. The importance of every member’s taking an active part in the work for this time was emphasized, and all manifested a desire to do what they could, and to be living representatives of the truth, realizing that it is the practical piety of each individual that demonstrates the power of the gospel.
On Sunday afternoon the president, Brother J. W. Collie, delivered a clear, forcible address on the Sabbath question to a large, intelligent audience; and in the evening Brother John A. Brunson discoursed on Obedience the Test of Loyalty, which was also very convincing. The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus were lifted up through the entire meeting, Christ being the central thought of each discourse. Much of the blessing of God was realized throughout the meeting, and the deep movings of his Spirit were manifest at times, especially on the Sabbath days. On the last day of the meeting there were twenty-five persons baptized, and fully three thousand people witnessed the solemn, impressive ceremony.
The following-named officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, J. W. Collie; Vice-President, T. H. Robinson; Secretary and Treasurer, Helen McKinnon; Executive Committee, J. W. Collie, T. H. Robinson, S. G. Huntington, Chas. Stewart, H. C. Basney. The conference president was chosen Provincial Canvassing Agent, and Helen McKinnon Secretary and Treasurer of the Tract Society Department. J. C. Rogers was appointed Secretary of the Sabbath-school Department.
Brother Huntington, of Indiana, Brother Basney, of Maine, Brother Isaac, of Wisconsin, and Cora Gibson and Sadie Baker, of Ohio, have recently come to this conference to labor, and were all at the camp meeting. Elder George B. Thompson, of New York, and Dr. Paulson, of Chicago, were in attendance the latter part of the meeting, and rendered good service. Brother John A. Brunson was present during the entire meeting, and gave excellent instruction, which was much appreciated by all.
The conference workers are now all located in different parts of the field, and it is hoped that the gentle Spirit of the Lord, which was so manifest in the camp meeting, may abide with each laborer, and that as a result of the efforts put forth, there may be a large ingathering of souls. W. H. THURSTON.

The Petaluma (California) Camp Meeting

By Alonzo T. Jones

The camp meeting at Petaluma, June 5-15, was good from beginning to end, from the first meeting to the last. This meeting was held for the benefit particularly of those in the northern bay district, including San Francisco, Oakland, and the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. It was also hoped that it might be the means of renewing and building up the work in Petaluma itself. Petaluma was the first place in California in which the third angel's message was preached, having been visited by Elders Loughborough and Bourdeau immediately after landing in San Francisco from a voyage by way of Panama before the first railroad was finished across the continent. It was a pleasant thing to have Brother Loughborough with us throughout the meeting, and to hear him tell the experiences of the Lord's plain leading in those earliest days.
Before the meeting some were thinking that the meeting would be rather small—perhaps an attendance of three hundred at most. I set my mind on five hundred at least. And the attendance was more than five hundred. This is not to say that there were more than five hundred people in attendance all the time; but there were more than five hundred who attended the meeting: some spent part of the time at the meeting, and then went home that others might come; others spent the first part of the meeting in camp, went home, and returned to the last part. There were about four hundred who encamped. There were nearly two hundred present at the very first meeting, on Thursday evening.
The first three days were spent upon the great truths of the forgiveness of sins; the conversion of heart, soul, and life; receiving and knowing the righteousness of God; and receiving the Holy Ghost. Monday and Tuesday were spent in the study of Christian education and its practical recognition in our homes, our churches, our publishing houses, our sanitariums, and our colleges.
Wednesday and Thursday were spent in the study of the medical missionary work, and the practical recognition of it in our homes, our churches, our schools, our colleges, and our sanitariums.
Friday was spent in the study of the publishing work—tract society and canvassing, distributing the soul-saving literature of the third angel's message everywhere.
The Sabbath was a blessed day, a great day of consecration of person and occupation, of life and employment, of spirit and work, to God, for the honor and glorification of his church as the pillar and basis, the support and stay, of the truth in the world, which is the dearest object of his affection, and which he is so soon to present to himself a glorious church not having spot nor wrinkle nor any such thing, but holy and without blemish.
In addition to the meetings of the whole assembly, there were regular daily meetings of the young people and the children.
The city of Petaluma was districted, and people, young and old, from the camp regularly and systematically visited the people of the city to get acquainted with them, to invite them to the meetings, and to show Christian kindness in any other way that circumstances might present.
One result of this was that throughout the meeting there was a good attendance from the city,—the assembly pavilion being crowded every night,—and an excellent interest on the part of all who came. And though we were told, when pitching the tents, that there was an exceedingly rough element in Petaluma that would let us have no peace, I never saw a quieter time in any meeting than we had here day and night throughout.
Another result was that so many people expressed the wish that the meeting could continue beyond the time set to close, that a nice lot in the most central and best place in the city was easily obtained, the meeting tent was removed to that place, a good company of workers remained, and the meetings were continued, and are still going on; and the report, so far, is that though the attendance is not a great crowd, it is good, as to numbers; the interest is great, and the attendance regular.
Yet another result of this systematic visiting of the city's people by those in the camp was the good spirit of real Christian work that was developed in our own people, which could easily be continued wherever they might be after the meeting had closed. For when they found the people here so ready as they were to receive in such an appreciative way their kindly visits and Christian attention, they were encouraged to think that the people in other places, even right around their own homes, might do so also. And this is what all our people need to discover; and it can be discovered in the same way; and it is perfectly easy.
The rich blessing of the Lord was received abundantly throughout the whole meeting. The entire absence of gossip and mere visiting was so marked as to be distinctly noticed and remarked upon. Instead, there was a deep interest in the truths presented, an earnest spirit of study and inquiry to know the good way and to walk in it. And so, over the grounds it was easy to hear frequently such remarks as, “What a splendid camp meeting this is!” “What a peaceful place this is!” “This is the best meeting that I ever attended.” “O, I shall be sorry when we have to break up!” “I just wish that every Seventh-day Adventist in Northern California were at this meeting,” etc., etc.
Of course in such an atmosphere the social meetings were really social and full of expressions of gratitude and praise to God. In one of the early morning meetings where we were nearly a hundred and fifty people, with only the simple usual opening exercises of singing a hymn, reading a few verses of Scripture, and a prayer, and with not a word said by the leader of the meeting specially to direct the thought of the meeting toward praise, every person in the meeting spoke, and the only note struck, the only thought expressed, was of clear, distinct praise to God. When all had so spoken, I called attention to the fact; and we all rejoiced together, and praised God anew, that God's people have reached the point where they have really received and are wearing “the garment of praise.”
The book sales amounted to more than five hundred dollars; the donations were liberal; and by there being presented to them so fully the respective branches of the cause—the evangelical, the educational, the medical, and the publishing—the people departed to their homes with a better understanding of the unity of the great movement which we represent, and a more intelligent mind to the work than ever before.
And for it all we sincerely thank God, and pray that he will keep it upon the hearts of his people forever.
ALONZO T. JONES.

The Southern Sanitarium

By R. M. KILGORE

THIS institution, located at Graysville, Tenn., is now taking on a new form and new proportions. For some time the work has been carried on in cottages, with treatment rooms in the basement of the training-school building. This arrangement made the work very inconvenient and burdensome.
During the past winter, Brother A. Van Tassel, of Michigan, visited Graysville. He became deeply interested in the school and sanitarium, and generously purchased and donated twenty-five acres, on the face of Lone Mountain, about ten minutes' walk from the school building. On this tract of land, one hundred and thirty feet above the foot of the mountain, is a spring of pure, soft water, which is now, during this drought, sending forth about four hundred barrels of water daily. A still larger spring, with twenty acres of land at the foot of the mountain, has recently been purchased. So we now have forty-five acres in one body, on which are flowing these two unfailing springs of pure, mountain water.
Since negotiations for these tracts of land began, and while they were pending, the following Testimonies came to hand. These removed every doubt as to the wisdom of locating the school at Graysville, and as to what the Lord would have us do now concerning the establishment of a sanitarium in connection with it:—
“In the night season I was taken from place to place, from city to city, in the Southern field. I saw the great work to be done,—the work that ought to have been done years ago. We seemed to be looking at many places. Our first interest was for the places where the work has already been established, and for the places where the way was opened for a beginning to be made. I saw the places in the South where institutions have been established for the advancement of the Lord's work. One of the places that I saw was Graysville, and another was Huntsville. The Lord led in the establishment of these schools. Their work is not to be discouraged, but encouraged. They are to receive encouragement and support. Both of these places have advantages of their own. There has been delay in pushing forward the work in these places. Let us delay no longer. At these schools students may gain an education that, with the blessing of God, will prepare them to win souls to Christ. If they unite with the Saviour, they will grow in spirituality, and will be prepared to present the truth to others.”
“In every place where schools are established, we are to study what industries can be started that will give the students employment. Small sanitariums should be established in connection with our larger schools, that the students may have an opportunity to gain a knowledge of medical missionary work. This line of work is to be brought into our schools as part of the regular instruction. Such sanitariums should be established in connection with the schools at Graysville and Huntsville. The Lord will give those in charge of the different lines of the work wisdom to use their talents for the best advancement of the work.”
“Believers who are now living in the cities will have to move to the country, that they may save their children from ruin. Attention must be given to the establishment of industries in which these families can find employment. Those who have charge of the school work at Graysville and Huntsville should see what can be done by these institutions to establish such industries, so that our people desiring to leave the cities, can obtain modest homes without a large outlay of means, and can also find employment. In both Graysville and Huntsville there are favorable and encouraging features for the development of this plan. Study what these features are.”
The brethren and sisters of Graysville have subscribed about three thousand dollars, and we invite any others who are thus minded to aid in this worthy enterprise.
Work is now in progress in excavating the basement and preparing the stone. Plans have been laid for a modest, plain, two-story, wooden building, thirty-two by sixty-four feet. Our motto is, “Pay as we go; when the money fails, the building stops.”
R. M. KILGORE.

Carrington (North Dakota) Camp Meeting

By S. H. Lane

THIS meeting was held according to appointment, June 24-30, and proved to be one of the best meetings of the season, an old-fashioned camp meeting, such as we used to have thirty years ago. There were two hundred and fifty Germans encamped on the ground, seventy-five English-speaking people, and twenty-five Scandinavians, making a total of three hundred and fifty.
From the very first, a spirit of consecration and devotion seemed to take possession of the camp, and the Spirit of the Lord took hold of those who knew not the Lord fully. A revival spirit seemed to pervade the camp. The young people's and children's meetings were fruitful seasons, and quite a number made a start in the Christian life.
In the past the Dakota Conference has consisted of both North and South Dakota, but as a knowledge of the truth has spread quite rapidly through North Dakota, and quite a number have recently moved into the State from South Dakota and other States, it was thought proper to organize North Dakota into a separate conference, which was accomplished at this meeting. The organization was completed with union and harmony, which was refreshing. All the officers were elected without one dissenting voice. Brother John W. Walker was elected president, with a full corps of workers. The headquarters of the conference will be located at Fargo. For the erection of proper buildings to accommodate the work of the conference and tract society, and for the creation of a tent fund, four thousand dollars was pledged, a portion of which was paid in cash. Six hundred dollars or more was pledged to the Missionary Acre work, nearly two hundred dollars being given in cash. The meetings at which the money was raised were among the best of the entire series. The leaders simply stated what they desired, and the blessing of the Lord seemed to accomplish the rest; and as the brethren and sisters pledged, they bore testimony to their love of the truth and their willingness to help it. Several Germans were present who had been imprisoned in Russia, and they said, with hearts filled with gratitude, that while they had filled sentences in prison in the Old World for the truth's sake, they were indeed glad that they now had their liberty, that they might earn money to aid the Lord's cause. Including what was given to the Sabbath school, the foreign mission work, etc., five thousand dollars was pledged and paid in cash by the three hundred and fifty people who were encamped. The German brethren seemed to vie with one another in helping the work, and many acres of wheat and flax are growing in North Dakota to aid the Missionary Acre Fund, and we trust that the liberality of the devoted souls may be abundantly blessed of the Lord.
The laborers from outside of the conference were Dr. W. A. George and Elder L. A. Hoopes, of College View, Neb., who represented the medical and the educational work. Elder Allee, the president of the South Dakota Conference, conducted the meetings of the organization of the new conference.
Once each day a union service was held, in which the Germans, Scandinavians, and English all took part, and what was said in the Scandinavian and English languages was interpreted into the German. The writer dwelt at length upon the rise and progress of the message. These discourses were of interest to the German brethren, who had heard but little about this, and it seemed to do them good. Dr. George's talks on health reform were well received, and many resolved to carry these principles out in their lives as never before. These German brethren are certainly alive in the work, and not only anxious to see it carried forward in this part of the country, but also in their fatherland and in Russia.
The last day of the meeting twenty-three were buried with their Lord in baptism. The singing and the praying in the tents reminded us of former times, and the absence of loud talking and jesting indicated that the consecration of former days is to return. The canvassers laboring in North Dakota are doing well, and are selling hundreds of the larger books. They have discontinued almost entirely the sale of the smaller books, and are confining themselves more closely to the sale of the large volumes, and as a result, are doing better than usual. Money is abundant in the State, and crops are looking well. The thousands upon thousands of acres of wheat, oats, and flax will bring large returns the coming fall, and now is the time for our books to be sold in North Dakota. The Lord is certainly blessing the work in this State; and as our last meeting was dismissed and the hand shaking took place, many left with tearful eyes and gladdened hearts, declaring that the meeting just closed was certainly the richest feast they had ever enjoyed.
S. H. LANE.

Michigan

By Elsie A. Brown

CARO.—In my canvass for “Christ’s Object Lessons” and The Life Boat, in the short space of a little more than two weeks, in which I have been given free access to homes, I have been caused to realize as never before the fearful progress being made by Spiritualism. In the form of Christian Science (falsely so-called, it being neither Christian nor science) it is making fearful inroads into society. And it appears here in its most modern dress, Reformed Christian Science, as set forth by Sabin instead of by Mrs. Eddy. The mind given over to this deception seems to have entirely lost all disposition and power for reasoning. May the Lord help us while we have light to believe in the light, and to cherish it faithfully!
In one of the homes entered here, a daughter, thirty-six years of age, has been an invalid from rheumatism for twenty-two years, unable to walk a step. In the same home, the father, from an injury to the brain, received through a fall six years ago, is mentally unbalanced, and is a great care. The mother, upon whom the maintenance of the family largely depends, has varicose veins, which sometimes burst, and endanger her life through hemorrhage, and upon one limb is a running ulcer. Still the anchor holds, and she has not lost faith in that word which reads, “In all their affliction He was afflicted.”
In another home a fine old gentleman who was formerly a Baptist minister, has patiently nursed an invalid wife for fifteen years. Through age and disease she has become mentally weak, but is still rational enough to prefer his ministry to that of any other. He remarked, in the course of our conversation, that if, instead of murmuring because roses have thorns, we were to thank God that even amid thorns there are roses, it would be a happy change both for ourselves and for others.
I now have “Steps to Christ” loaned in both these homes, and both are to have The Life Boat. I am also reading “Christ’s Object Lessons” in the first-mentioned one.
Still another home has two daughters, one of whom, though but twelve years of age, is a mental wreck from epileptic fits, from which she has suffered for eight years. The other, a very pretty child of fourteen, is also inclined toward fits. The father is in a bad state of health, from diabetes mellitus, and their circumstances are very limited. The poor, weary mother, with earthly hopes shattered, has not yet learned where to anchor hope. She, too, will have The Life Boat.
While giving another mother some idea of our visiting nurses’ work, the daughter, a girl of perhaps sixteen years, exclaimed, with glowing face, “I should just love that work!” “Well,” I said, “you are one of the many young women whom we wish to find. We are anxious to find those who, from love of the work, will fit themselves for it.” “I want that book, and The Life Boat, too,” she said; “but as I have no work now, I cannot have either, unless I can persuade my brother to take them for me.” Her brother decided that they would have both the book and The Life Boat.
At the next door I was met by a sweet-faced woman, the mother of five daughters, who, though not wishing to refuse me entrance, frankly told me that she feared my coming in there would be in vain. Not being so certain about it, I went in, and sold her the book, after which, in speaking of our rescue service in Chicago, she said, “Do you know that if there is one thing above another that I despise, it is a fallen woman. I would forgive my children any sin before that one.” During the earnest talk that followed, in which I read to her Sister Smith’s experience in this work, as given in the March number of The Life Boat, her tears freely flowed; and as I left her, she said, “This has certainly done me good. Come again.”
Still another lowly home has a family of six children, all just recovering from measles. They are bright, active children, and the mother, formerly a teacher in the Detroit schools, amid all her care and straitened circumstances still gives evidence of culture and true refinement. The firm yet gentle discipline shown in the management of her children, bespoke for her more than common capabilities. Here, I thought, is a home where The Life Boat must come free, but to my surprise she produced the required amount.
These are but few of the many experiences crowded into this short space of time; and believing it to be most helpful to consider the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves, I have written this, with the hope that a desire to enter this work may inspire the heart of some other.
ELSIE A. BROWN.

Leaving

By A. M. Coleman

LEAVING home Monday morning, I went to Franklin, Lenawee County, about eighty miles from Battle Creek. While there, I distributed tracts and papers and talked with the people. Tuesday the morning a young man took me with a horse and carriage to Wolf Creek. I distributed reading matter on the way. In the afternoon I visited from house to house, and handed out tracts. The people were interested, and desired to know the truth. Wednesday I worked all day, and Thursday I took the train at Tipton for Hanover, a village on the Cincinnati Northern Railroad. After canvassing Hanover, I took the train to Eckford, and finished canvassing that village in time to take the evening train for home. The four days thus spent are among the happiest of my life. I distributed five thousand pages of tracts, besides periodicals. A. M. COLEMAN.

W. C. HEBNER

By W. C. Hebner

WE met as appointed for the dedication of the church at Glenwood, the first service being held Friday evening, April 25. The hard rain during the day cut off the attendance from abroad. Dr. S. P. S. Edwards, R. E. Harter, and the writer were present. We expected Elder Brunson to preach the dedicatory sermon, but he had been sent West by Elder Daniels, to attend a union conference, and did not get back.
Dr. Edwards spoke, Sabbath and the evening after the Sabbath, on the importance of purity of life, and the power at our command to live a pure life, using the wireless telegraphy and the trolley on the electric railroad as an illustration of how we may connect with divine power. All present were deeply interested and profited, and we trust they will live more exemplary Christian lives as the result of that day’s opportunities.
It rained all day Sabbath, which made the attendance quite small.
The announcement had been circulated that the dedicatory sermon would be preached Sunday at 10:30 A. M., by Elder Brunson. Sunday morning was beautiful, warm, and sunshiny. When the hour for services came, the seating capacity was filled, chairs were brought in, and all available room was occupied. As we took our place in the desk, it was plainly to be seen that the congregation was disappointed; but God gave freedom, and from his Word we tried to show them the meaning of this gathering, and that God had called us to a special work, and that the church was his appointed agency in the earth to fulfill his purpose. All seemed much interested, and many remarked upon the blessing of God, which had enabled the brethren to build a church thirty by forty feet, with a basement for the church school. They had also sold more copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” than any other church in the district. As far as finances are concerned, they are as poor as any in this part of the conference. I look upon their prosperity as wholly the result of the blessing of God, and to him be all the glory.

W. C. HEBNER

ALPENA, GRACE, AND ONAWAY.—

By M. C. Guild

The Lord has blessed me in taking about two hundred and fifty orders for “Christ’s Object Lessons” since January 1, in connection with my other work in and near Alpena. I have had precious experiences while selling this book. Most of the churches I have visited have taken a goodly number, and those who have gone out with the book have received a blessing.
June 20 Elder W. R. Matthews and I went to Grace, Presque Isle County, and there organized a church of fifteen members. Church officers were elected, and union and harmony prevailed. One young man entered the service of the Lord, and seven went forward in baptism. The following week I baptized nine persons at Onaway. Most of these were young people, several of whom gave their hearts to God during the past year. A church-school building has been erected one and one-half miles south of Onaway, and a successful school is now taught there by Sister Mabel Jeffries. I trust that this school will be a source of great blessing to the brethren and sisters at Onaway.
At Alpena Sister M. M. Faulkner is doing faithful Bible work. She has several interested readers, among whom are some of the best people of the city. She uses “Christ’s Object Lessons” in finding readers, and she says that this is the best way to introduce Bible work that she has ever tried.
Brother Fred Brink and his family and myself and family are now at Long Rapids, where we have just pitched our tent for a series of meetings. We ask the prayers of all for the work in this place.
M. C. GUILD.

California

By John Norton Loughborough

It is about six months since I reported through the REVIEW. I have not been inactive. During the month of January I gave daily lessons in Healdsburg College. I attended the harmonious Pacific Union Conference in Portland, Ore. Then it was my privilege to be for several days at the institute in Los Angeles, where the workers in the Southern California Conference were assembled. After this I took part in the students' week's canvass for “Christ’s Object Lessons.” I disposed of six copies during that week. This was followed by our excellent camp meeting in Petaluma, where the truth was first presented in California; and then came the annual meetings of our conference institutions. We were indeed thankful that Sister White was able to be with us both in the camp meeting and in the spring meetings. We were made to rejoice for the light she presented from the Lord, bringing relief concerning perplexing problems.
As I have been chosen assistant pastor to the Oakland church, I am now actively engaged in work from house to house. Thus opportunity is given to help the afflicted, and to meet persons who are just taking their position with us. I praise the Lord daily that he still gives me strength for active service in this cause. Be of good courage, fellow laborers. We are rapidly nearing the end of the conflict. Victory is sure to the faithful in the Lord. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Australia

By W. Woodford

SINGLETON, NEW SOUTH WALES.—We are beginning to feel the effects of the drought at this place. The past seven months about one inch of rain is all that has fallen. Most of the people have to use the river water for all purposes. Doubtless many will be brought to poverty. Our neighbors are losing their cattle, horses, and sheep. It is sad indeed to walk over the fields, or paddocks, among the carcasses. It gives one a faint idea of the scenes foretold of the condition of the earth when the seven last plagues shall be poured out. How earnest we all should be to make sure work for a home in the new earth, where sickness, drought, and death cannot enter.
We feel thankful that we have been able to erect a church building in this place, where those who have accepted the truth may meet to worship the Lord. We need new seats now, then all will be complete. We are using the camp-meeting seats at present. Our company is small, and we would be thankful for any help that our brethren could give us toward paying for our building. The cost of land and material is nearly one hundred and twenty-five pounds, the work being donated by the brethren. The sum of £26 11s 11d has already been collected, thus leaving a remainder of nearly one hundred pounds yet to be paid. We have hired fifty pounds for two years, at six per cent, and thus we have been able to pay our bills, and expect to receive more subscriptions to meet the rest as it becomes due. On account of the drought, it means a hard pull for us here, because of our poverty. Yet we have faith that the Lord will finish the work begun; for he has blessed us all along.
W. WOODFORD.

Donors to the Relief of the Schools.

The Total Cash received on the Relief of the Schools Fund up to July 14, 1902, is $44,864.84.
NAME AMOUNT
Mrs. Hattie L. Nelson $ 5 00
Mrs. Martha Staples 3 00
T. W. Clark 10 00
R. H. Wellman 1 00
Edna Bent 5 00
D. A. Bullock 1 00
M. Menzel 2 50
California & North Pacific 182 00
T. M. Clark 1 00
Carrie Haffner 6 00
Mrs. M. J. Hyatt 2 00
Mrs. Kate Hood 1 00
W. H. Armstrong 1 00
R. A. Hamilton 1 00
Mr. & Mrs. F. J. Harris 2 00
John Bess 5 00
Robert Cowen 5 00
Nancy M. Buckland 2 00
Upper Columbia Conference 96 46
Mrs. Emma Carr 1 00
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Brown 1 00
Jane Griffith 25
Mrs. O. F. Atteberry 5 00
A friend (Illinois) 50
Decatur church 5 85
Mattoon, Ill. 10
Galesburg church school 75
A friend (Illinois) 25
G. W. Loe 1 00
Charles Nelson 3 00
<page-break/> Caroline La Barr | 5 00 Julia Kirk | 3 50 Mrs. Fannie Meechan | 2 00 Mary Leonard | 1 00 C. L. & Maud Kendall | 5 00 Ada West | 1 00 Daniel Hollinger | 10 00 Mrs. M. C. Love | 1 00 Mrs. H. Rathburn | 2 00 Mr. & Mrs. J. S. Becroft | 5 00 Christine Chalmers | 2 50 N. and A. Hallock | 2 50 Henry E. Pier | 5 00 Charles Merrian | 1 00 G. W. & Minnie E. Smith | 1 00 Mrs. Jane Gray | 1 00 Almira G. Hicks | 5 00 George L. Budd | 2 00

_Indiana_

By E. C. Swartz; J. C. Harris

WEST MIDDLETON.— We began meetings at this place in the tent, June 14. The cold, wet weather made it very unpleasant for tent meetings for a time, but some came and seemed interested. We are hopeful that they will obey the truth. This is a small place, surrounded by a good farming country, and all are quite busy in wheat harvest. Crops are all looking well. The people are very friendly. We are having good visits with some of them.
There are lovely groves here where we can go and seek the Lord, and he comes very near us. O for more power from above, that we may present the truth for this time in a manner that will take hold of hard hearts! We are apt to censure the people, and say they are prejudiced; but the enemy has a strong hold on the human mind, which nothing but the power of the gospel can break. Let us pray for the sweet influence of God's love to come into all our hearts. That will do more to break the power of Satan and remove prejudice than all the arguments we can present.
E. C. SWARTZ, J. C. HARRIS.
Continue reading: Wisconsin