EIGHT of the union conferences in the North American Division show large gains in book sales in this month's summary over what was done in the same month in 1915. In the Columbia, Southwestern, and Central Unions the sales were nearly doubled, and in the Pacific Union they were more than doubled. In four unions there was a loss in the sales, but two of these are in Canada, where war conditions have made it almost impossible to sell books. When we consider these difficulties; we see that in eastern Canada an excellent record has been made, as the loss in sales is small.
The reports from the four unions in Central Europe and from all Russian unions have failed to reach us, and in all the European countries the sales have been less. But it is encouraging to see that the good work goes on, even if its volume is lessened.
The Asiatic Division fields and South Africa have also come up, and some small mission fields are represented in this report that did not appear last year.
In spite of the missing reports and the losses caused by special difficulties, the total sales very nearly equal those of last year. The actual sales were larger, for we know the German reports would considerably more than cover the difference.
The magazine sales are not so encouraging, as all over the North American Division they are smaller, with two honorable exceptions, the North Pacific Union and the Southeastern Union. This loss appears in most of the foreign fields also, and the grand totals show a drop of more than $15,000.
This loss seems an unnecessary one, in this country at least, and it shows that some of our people must be growing weary in well-doing. The magazines never sold more readily than they do now. One young sister sold 250 Watchmen in one day and 300 in another day in one city, and her sales on other days have been large. Others have been making large sales. What the Lord needs is more willing hands and feet to carry these magazines to the people.
· EDITH M. GRAHAM.
Working Without Christ
“The disciples toiled all night without Christ, and they caught no fish; but when he appeared on the scene and directed their actions, they soon filled the boat.”
The Fear of the Lord
“THE fear of the Lord tendeth to life; and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.”
The Layman's Rural School and Treatment-room.
By E. A. Sutherland
“Go ye therefore, and teach,” is the Saviour's direct command. Every genuine Seventh-day Adventist should possess in large measure the teaching spirit. Some have the idea that all teaching must be done by professors, ministers, colporteurs, and Bible workers. But there are other ways of teaching which can be carried forward by multitudes who have not been in the habit of calling themselves teachers.
Consider the rural school work as one of these ways, providentially provided for the common people. There never will be a more opportune time than now for large numbers of our people to enter this work. A wave of reform is passing over this country, and especially over the South. It calls for practical, substantial education, particularly in the rural districts. There are large sections of the South in which the State is as yet unable to provide the necessary facilities for a practical education. Here a school properly equipped and conducted for the benefit of the community, even though a private enterprise, is thankfully received.
A farm with simple school facilities and a place for taking care of a few sick people is within the reach of thousands of Seventh-day Adventists who are standing spiritually idle in the market place. Such Christian farmers can teach, by theory and practice, how to till the soil and make it productive; how to use the implements of agriculture to cultivate the various crops; how to plant and care for gardens and orchards. They can help the poor to make homes on the land. Such a farm school, operated by carpenters, blacksmiths, and those efficient in cooking, sewing, and the care of the sick, affords a most excellent way for teaching the people the gospel. This very method has been outlined for us in the Spirit of prophecy:—
“Missionary families are needed to settle in the waste places. Let farmers, financiers, builders, and those who are skilled in the various arts and crafts, go to neglected fields, to improve the land, to establish industries, to prepare humble homes for themselves, and to help their neighbors. . . .”
“This is the work we are called to do. Even the desert places of the earth, where the outlook appears too forbidding, may become as the garden of God. . . . By instruction in practical lines, we can often help the poor most effectively. . . . Our own homes and surroundings should be object lessons, teaching ways of improvement, so that industry, cleanliness, taste, and refinement may take the place of idleness, uncleanness, coarseness, and disorder. . . . Speak words of hope and courage to the poor and the disheartened. . . . Simplicity, self-denial, economy, lessons so essential for the poor to learn, often seem to them difficult and unwelcome. . . . Christian workers are to meet the people where they are and educate them.”—“Ministry of Healing,” pp. 104-108.
These principles have been accepted by some, and have been put into operation20through rural schools and treatment-rooms for the sick in the Southern States. Three families with their children heard this call several years ago. They came South and purchased 115 acres of land. It was not considered the best land in the South. The price was low. They renovated the old buildings on the place, making them suitable for school work. The transformation was a lesson to the neighbors. It was also a blessing to those conducting the school. They had read in the Testimonies many things pertaining to simplicity and economy. They were now given an opportunity to put these principles into practice. Sometimes the way seemed hard, but they persevered, and today they have an institution that would be a credit to any community. In a quiet and unostentatious manner they have become the leaders of the neighborhood. The children attending the school have obtained from these teachers some knowledge of the third angel's message. This they have imparted to their parents, their relatives, and their friends. A desire for more truth has taken possession of many in this neighborhood, demonstrating the scripture that “a little child shall lead them.”
Every adult member of the three families had some part in this enterprise. Some were not qualified to teach the regular school branches, but they have fitted themselves to teach some trade or some form of agriculture or domestic science. The school is in a sense a miniature university. It has opened up to the children of that neighborhood, and through them to the adults, many avenues of activity that before were closed. For instance, the experimental work on the school farm has led many a farmer away from the single-crop idea. It has brought to the tables of the people fresh garden vegetables and luscious fruits. The cooking classes in the school have opened up new ideas concerning the preparation of foods. The object lessons given by repairing the old buildings and applying paint and whitewash, have stimulated many to improve the appearance of their places, making their homes more attractive, and thus preventing their children from going to the city because they were dissatisfied with the country home. Gradually the people ask for our literature and for Bible studies. Thus minds are prepared to receive the gospel.
This group of workers has been a blessing to the neighborhood in many ways, but the greatest blessing has come to the workers themselves. It has been a great school to them. The mental and spiritual exercise made necessary by the demands upon them has given them strength of mind and largeness of soul. They see that the South has been a greater blessing to them than they have been to the South.
Here is another illustration: Two families secured 140 acres of worn-out land. In part their experiences were much like those of the group I have just mentioned. However, they have developed one aspect of their work further. They found it necessary to do more than go to the homes of neighbors to treat the sick. By increasing the size of the original company, they were able to erect a small health home which will accommodate five or six patients. It is fitted with simple facilities for hydrotherapy treatments. Some of their company are nurses. The local physicians have become interested, and cooperate with them.
This group of workers cling to the old Adventist idea, so common in the early days of the message, that every Adventist home should be a miniature sanitarium. They stepped out by faith on this principle, and today they are actually seeing their home a haven of refuge for the sick. They are setting before our people an object lesson which ought to encourage thousands to prepare themselves speedily to unite with their rural schools a simple place for caring for the sick. This little health home has demonstrated that the people will come with their money if we Adventists will only do what God for years has been calling upon us to do. A number of the rural schools are seeking as rapidly as they have means, to equip themselves with facilities for doing the same kind of work.
If we believe the promises of God, and will seek a speedy preparation, and will go into some needy place like the South, we may become leaders along all these lines. Prejudice is like a cork in a bottle, letting nothing in or out; and such missionary work as is represented by the rural school and the health home is a most effective means of removing prejudice, so that the blessed third angel's message in its fulness may have access to the people.
Where are the volunteers for training who will consecrate their property to finance these humble enterprises in this field?
The words of Elder A. G. Daniells, as they appeared in a recent issue of the REVIEW AND HERALD, should arouse our people. He says:—
“Devout Seventh-day Adventists have bought land, built simple, healthful homes, and when friendly relations have been established, have started schools for the youth and children, free of charge for tuition. That the need for such schools is great is shown by one case where there are eighty families within two miles of the school, of whom seventy-five per cent cannot read or write.
“These schools are practical. The children are taught the regular school subjects, and with these are given lessons on the cultivation of the soil, cooking, sewing, the care of the body, and other things that will build them up physically and mentally, and that will improve their financial condition. With other things they are taught the gospel message.
“These schools are having an excellent influence, are raising the surrounding communities to higher standards of life, and gaining souls for the Lord. But there are not enough of them, and those that have been started are poorly supplied with necessary facilities. They are worthy of encouragement and assistance, for they are doing an important part in the giving of the last warning message in a difficult yet fruitful field.”
Professor Griggs, writing for the REVIEW of February 3, says:—
“With the hearty cooperation of our conferences in the North as well as in the South, and with wise, careful management, we look for the rural schools of the South to be a valuable means of advancing the third angel's message in that portion of the United States.”
Elder I. H. Evans, writing for the June Missionary Readings, quotes the following recommendations of the North American Division Council concerning rural school work:—
“That this work be enlarged and strengthened, and that hereafter the Madison school, and the efforts which have sprung or may spring from it, shall be considered a part of the regular work of the denomination, and that the Madison school shall be regarded by the denomination as the training school for workers for rural schools in the mountain districts of the South. . . .”
“That we encourage our conference officers and our people to consider and look upon the rural school work in the hill districts of the South as a part of the regular work of the denomination, and that we encourage proper persons in all our conferences to enter the Madison school to receive a training for this work.”
Elder Evans then says, “This means that there is to be cooperation between the rural schools and the organized conference work. . . . It would seem a proper thing for conference officials to look carefully over their list of suitable men and families available to undertake this work, and to recommend to the Madison school and to the conference officials of the Southern and Southeastern Union Conferences, suitable persons for this line of work.”
“Some commentators have proposed to divide the book of Isaiah chronologically into three parts, as if composed under the three kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. But this is of very doubtful propriety, since several of the chapters are evidently transposed, and inserted out of their chronological order. But a very obvious and striking division of the book into two parts exists, the first part including the first thirty-nine chapters, and the second, the remainder of the book, or chapters 40 to 66.
“The first part is made up of those prophecies and historical accounts which Isaiah wrote during the period of his active exertions, when he mingled in the public concerns of the rulers and the people, and acted as the messenger of God to the nation. These are single prophecies, published at different times and on different occasions; afterward, indeed, brought together into one collection, but still marked as distinct and single.
“The second part, on the contrary, is occupied wholly with the future. It was21apparently written in the later years of the prophet, when, having left all active exertions in the theocracy to his younger associates in the prophetical office, he transferred his contemplations from the present to that which was to come.
“The prophet first consoles his people by announcing their deliverance from the approaching Babylonish captivity, which he had himself predicted; he names the monarch whom Jehovah will send to punish the insolence of their oppressors, and lead back the people to their home. But he does not stop with this inferior deliverance. With the prospect of freedom from Babylonish exile, he connects the prospect of deliverance from sin and error through the Messiah. Sometimes both objects seem closely interwoven with each other; sometimes one of them appears alone with particular clearness and prominence. Especially is the view of the prophet sometimes so exclusively directed upon the latter object that, filled with the contemplation of the glory of the spiritual kingdom of God and of its exalted Founder, he loses sight for a time of the less distant future.”—Selected.
The Bible in China
The Sunday School Times of May 11 gives two incidents showing how highly the Word of God is prized in China:—
“‘THE LAST DISH.’—In a Chinese hospital a village Christian woman was asked, ‘Do you read your Bible much?’ for she possessed a well-worn copy. ‘I read it constantly,’ she answered, ‘every day. I never wish for the last dish when I am reading it.’ The word she used was the name of the dish which announces the end of a Chinese feast. Reading the New Testament was to her such a feast that she never wished it to come to an end.”
“OLD CHANG’S PRAYER.—In the province of Shen-si, the Rev. G. F. Easton, of the China Inland Mission, Han-chung, writes of an aged colporteur: ‘Though Chang is seventy-two years of age, he often tramps two hundred miles in a month, carrying his load of books himself, and calling at every place, however small, to sell and explain the gospel. A few days ago, when he was about to start out, I went to see him off. I found him in his room, committing himself and his work to the Lord. I caught some sentences: “Prepare men’s hearts to receive the Word. Help me to give my testimony. Don’t let conceited men argue with me. Don’t let the books get wet. Show me how I am to get over the swollen rivers. Don’t let the dogs bite me. Take care of my wife.” . . . When he had finished, I said, “It is very wet, you had better wait a day.” “No,” he said, “on wet days I can often sell books in the inn to weather-bound people,” and off he went.’”
Missionary Volunteer Department
M. E. Kern
Secretary
Matilda Erickson
Assistant Secretary
Mrs. I. H. Evans
Office Secretary
Meade MacGuire
Field Secretaries
C. L. Benson
J. F. Simon
Louisiana Conference Association
By C. N. Sanders; C. B. Caldwell
NOTICE is hereby given that the annual meeting of the constituency of the Louisiana Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists (incorporated) will be held on the camp ground in Alexandria, La., Tuesday, July 25, 1916. The first meeting will be held at 11 A. M. on the above date, for the election of officers, and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the association.
C. N. Sanders, President.
C. B. Caldwell, Secretary.
New Jersey Conference Association
By A. R. SANDBORN; CLARENCE LAWRY
NOTICE is hereby given that the annual meeting of the New Jersey Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists will be held in connection with the conference and camp meeting, July 27 to Aug. 6, 1916, at Trenton, N. J., for the purpose of electing officers and a board of trustees, and of transacting such other business as pertains to the association. The first meeting will be held at 10 A. M., Monday, July 31.
A. R. SANDBORN, President.
CLARENCE LAWRY, Secretary.
Missouri Conference
By J. S. Rouse; M. L. Meehan
THE second annual session of the Missouri Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be held in connection with the general meeting, at Clinton, Mo., Aug. 3-13, 1916, for the election of officers for the ensuing year, and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the conference. First session will be held at 10 A. M., Thursday, Aug. 3, 1916.
J. S. ROUSE, President.
M. L. MEEHAN, Secretary.
Missouri Conference Association
By J. S. ROUSE; M. L. MEEHAN
THE second annual meeting of the Missouri Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists (a legal corporation) will be held on the camp grounds in Clinton, Mo., at 10 A. M., Monday, Aug. 7, 1916, for the election of officers, and for the transaction of any other business that may properly come before the meeting.
J. S. ROUSE, President.
M. L. MEEHAN, Secretary.
South Missouri Conference Association
By J. S. Rouse; M. L. Meehan
The eighth annual meeting of the South Missouri Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists (a legal corporation) will be held on the camp grounds in Clinton, Mo., at 10 A. M., Monday, Aug. 7, 1916, for the election of officers, and for the transaction of any other business that may properly come before the meeting.
J. S. Rouse, President.
M. L. Meehan, Secretary.
North Missouri Conference Association
By J. S. Rouse; M. L. Meehan
The eighth annual meeting of the North Missouri Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists (a legal corporation) will be held on the camp grounds in Clinton, Mo., at 10 A. M., Monday, Aug. 7, 1916, for the election of officers, and for the transaction of any other business that may properly come before the meeting.
J. S. Rouse, President.
M. L. Meehan, Secretary.
Requests for Prayer
A SISTER writing from Wisconsin requests prayer for the conversion of two friends.
An aged Michigan brother who is lying very low with pneumonia, desires us to pray that if it be the Lord's will he may be restored to his usual health.
Life Is a Choice
LIFE is a choice, every day, toward success or failure. Every choice for good leads on to true victory, and every choice for evil weakens and debases. As Goethe says,—
“You must either soar or stoop,
Fall or triumph, stand or droop,
You must either cringe or govern,
Must be slave or must be sovereign.”
— Great Thoughts.
Texas Conference Association
By J. I. Taylor; C. E. Smith
THE next annual session of the Texas Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists will be held in connection with the conference and camp meeting, at Waxahachie, Tex., July 20-30, 1916. At this meeting officers and a board of trustees will be elected for the ensuing year, and such other business transacted as may properly come before the association. The accredited delegates to the conference compose the constituency of this association. The first meeting will be held at 10 A. M., July 25.
J. I. TAYLOR, President.
C. E. SMITH, Secretary.
NOTICES AND APPOINTMENTS
Camp Meetings
ATLANTIC UNION CONFERENCE
Southern New England ....... Aug. 17 to 27
Northern New England .. Aug. 24 to Sept. 3
Maine, Dover and Foxcroft, .................... Aug. 31 to Sept. 10
CENTRAL UNION CONFERENCE
Missouri, Clinton ............... Aug. 3 to 13
Nebraska ........................ Aug. 17 to 27
Kansas, Salina .......... Aug. 24 to Sept. 4
Wyoming ................ Sept. 21 to Oct. 1
COLUMBIA UNION CONFERENCE
New Jersey, Trenton .... July 27 to Aug. 6
Ohio ........................ Aug. 17 to 27
West Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh ................ Aug. 24 to Sept. 3
West Virginia ............ Aug. 26 to Sept. 5
EASTERN CANADIAN UNION CONFERENCE
Maritime, Norton, New Brunswick .................... July 3 to 9
Newfoundland, St. John's .... July 14 to 18
LAKE UNION CONFERENCE
Southern Illinois, Martinsville . Aug. 10 to 20
West Michigan ............ Aug. 17 to 27
Indiana .................. Aug. 24 to Sept. 3
North Michigan ........... Aug. 24 to Sept. 3
NORTH PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE
Western Washington, South Tacoma .................... Aug. 24 to Sept. 3
PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE
Northwestern California, Napa .. July 20 to 30
Southeastern California, San Diego .................... Aug. 3 to 13
Inter-Mountain .......... About October 1
Arizona ...................... Oct. 12 to 22
SOUTHERN UNION CONFERENCE
Louisiana, Alexandria ....... July 20 to 30
Mississippi, Meridian .... July 27 to Aug. 6
Mississippi, Hattiesburg (colored) ................ Aug. 24 to Sept. 3
Tennessee River, Nashville ... Aug. 3 to 13
Alabama, Montgomery ..... Aug. 10 to 20
Kentucky, Bowling Green ... Aug. 17 to 27
SOUTHWESTERN UNION CONFERENCE
North Texas, Waxahachie ...... July 20 to 30
West Texas, Clyde ........ Aug. 3 to 13
New Mexico, Clovis ....... Aug. 10 to 20
Oklahoma, Enid ........ Aug. 24 to Sept. 3
Arkansas, Springdale ........ Sept. 7 to 17
WESTERN CANADIAN UNION CONFERENCE
Saskatchewan, Saskatoon .. June 29 to July 8
Alberta, Ponoka .............. July 13 to 23
British Columbia (Coast District), Nanaimo ................ July 24 to 30
British Columbia (Okenagan District), Kelowna ................ Aug. 14 to 20
Obituaries
Darnell.—Died in Kernersville, N. C., May 24, 1916. Rom Franklin, infant son of Frank and Annie Darnell. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer from I. Thess. 4:14-18. Will L. Killeen.
Bridges.—Clarissa C. Bowers Bridges was born in Ohio, April 26, 1829, and died in Phoenix, Ariz., May 7, 1916. Sister Bridges accepted present truth in 1883, and was a devout Christian worker. Her hope in a soon-coming Saviour was bright. L. B. Ragsdale.
Bradway.—Mrs. Almira Arabel Bradway died in Lemongrove, Cal., May 11, 1916. Her husband, one son, two sisters, and two brothers mourn. Sister Bradway was a native of Iowa, and died in her fifty-sixth year. She fell asleep hoping for a part in the first resurrection. W. M. Healy.
Reinke.—Marie Foote Reinke was born in Germany, Sept. 10, 1840, and fell peacefully asleep in Jesus at the home of her daughter, in Nicholasville, Ky., May 31, 1916. For twelve years she was a devout member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and she sleeps in hope of a part in the first resurrection. B. W. Brown.
Morris.—Mrs. Mary Ann Morris was a native of New Brunswick. She was married to Edward Morris, now deceased. Seven of her eight children mourn her death, which occurred at Tillinghast, Wis., May 20, 1916. For years Sister Morris was a faithful believer in the threefold message, and she sleeps in the blessed hope. J. B. Scott.
McKelvey.—Joanna McKelvey died June 3, 1916, aged 68 years, 4 months, and 11 days. She leaves to mourn their loss a husband, three sons, two daughters, two sisters, and three brothers. Sister McKelvey became a Christian early in life, and about five years ago accepted present truth. She fell asleep in the blessed hope. J. W. Watt.
Babcock.—Mary Rodger Melville was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, Sept. 29, 1888. When she was five years of age her parents came to Collinwood, Ohio. In 1909 she went to Idaho, and Aug. 29, 1911, was married to E. C. Babcock. In December, 1912, she united with the Seventh-day Adventist church near Kendrick, Idaho. Faithfulness and consecration characterized her life. She fell asleep May 28, 1916. Her husband, parents, one brother, three sisters, and many relatives and friends mourn. Mrs. W. O. Babcock.
Steele.—Margaret Anne Markle was born in the State of Pennsylvania, July 15, 1839. She was married to Henry W. Steele March 15, 1860, and became the mother of nine children, five of whom survive. Mother first heard the third angel's message in Iowa about forty years ago, and accepted its teachings. Her life was one of loving service, and her faith and hope seemed to grow stronger with the years. She passed away quietly and peacefully, as she had lived, at Berkeley, Cal., Oct. 24, 1915. Cora L. Holmes.
Sultz.—Mary L. Jarvis was born near Montreal, Canada, March 12, 1849. Aug. 20, 1868, she was married to Isaac Sultz, of Steuben County, Indiana. Six children were born to them. Soon after their marriage they moved to Michigan, and in 1876 to Butler County, Kansas, and in 1885 to Edwards County, in the same State, and there she spent the remainder of her life. At the age of forty-six she became a Seventh-day Adventist, and remained faithful. Four sons, two brothers, and two sisters mourn. E. E. Dunham.
