KIRKCALDY.—We reached Liverpool at 8:30 P. M., Thursday, November 17. We stayed all night there, and left for Edinburgh the following day. Brethren Westworth and Taylor met us at the station, and gave us a hearty welcome. Sabbath we spent in Edinburgh. I spoke to the company in their hall Sabbath afternoon—my first sermon in Scotland.
Brother Westworth had arranged for me to come here for a while. I began work Sunday night, November 20. I am truly glad that I am here, and I fully believe that the Lord will give me souls in Scotland. My work in Kirkcaldy will be largely binding off the effort begun by Elder Ritchie. I trust the time will soon come when the committee will send me into one of the many unworked cities of Scotland. I am of good courage in the Lord.
W. D. McLay.
The Annual Meeting in the Holland Mission
By L. R. CONRADI
The annual meeting for the Holland and Flemish-Belgium field was held December 23-26, at Amsterdam, a city containing five hundred and forty thousand inhabitants,—the largest city in the kingdom. We had a fair representation of our various companies and churches in Holland, and several from Antwerp, Belgium were present.
The meetings were held in the local meeting hall of the Amsterdam church. Brethren Wibbens and Schilstra have been laboring in Amsterdam the past year, and there is now a company of about thirty in the place, and a number of other interested persons.
Elder Klingbeil, with a few colporteurs, has been working in Antwerp, Flemish Belgium, a city of two hundred and eighty thousand population, very strongly Catholic. Thus far he has been able to gather a company of thirteen, and we hope that ere the interest is bound off, we may have a good church in this dark center. (The German Union Conference works Flemish Belgium, while the Latin Union sustains the laborers in French Belgium.)
Brethren Wintzen and Arendse have lately been engaged in the northeastern part of Holland, near the German border. It was difficult for them to get suitable halls, and as the climate is so damp that a tent would not be practicable, they have built a portable wooden tabernacle at an expense of about two hundred and fifty dollars. There are about fifteen Sabbath-keepers in that portion of Holland, and there is some interest in various places.
We were happy to see that the membership of this field rose from seventy at the beginning of 1904, to one hundred at its close, and the tithe increased from about three hundred and fifty dollars to six hundred dollars. The Holland paper, Zions-Wachter, now has a circulation of thirteen hundred. Its loss last year was about two hundred dollars. The brethren in Holland have all promised to do their utmost to increase the subscription list. We would also make an earnest appeal to our Dutch-speaking brethren in the United States and elsewhere, to assist us in the circulation of this paper.
A small health-food business had been started by private parties in Rotterdam. We wished to free these persons for the gospel work, so the Friedensau house received this as a branch health-food store, but its first year has shown quite a heavy loss. However, at this meeting, steps were taken to put this work on a more sound basis, so that it may pay the coming year.
H. F. Schuberth, the vice-president of the German Union Conference, was again chosen superintendent of the field. One laborer received ministerial licenses, three licentiates received papers, two go out as Bible workers, and three as canvassers. All our business meetings were characterized by a good spirit. The Lord came near to his people, and those in attendance were strengthened in faith and courage, and we have good prospects for the near future. I think about twenty-five will be ready for baptism the coming quarter.
We were also glad to meet here one of our brethren who may be sent out by the Seventh-day Baptist Mission Board, as an assistant teacher in Java. They know his faith, but as they do not have a suitable man themselves, they are considering his name. Several of their members attended our meetings, and seemed fully convinced of the correctness of the position we hold.
While, as most of our readers know, this field has gone through quite a hard experience, and is only gradually recovering the strength it once had, yet we feel convinced that the work is being substantially rebuilt. The prospects in Holland are brighter than they have been for some time. We trust our brethren who are interested in the progress of the third angel's message in all parts of the world, will remember God's little flock here, also the few laborers in the Netherlands who are seeking to disseminate the light of heaven for these days.
L. R. CONRADI.
Porto Rico
By B. E. Connerly
RINCON.— We have just been out on a missionary trip, looking after the interest of the work springing up here and there. The prime motive of the trip was to go to Arecibo to help Brother Moulton get started there. He went to that place over a week ago. The need seemed almost imperative, as there were a number of earnest souls who had begun the observance of the Sabbath, and needed some one to help them. As the election made it impossible to do outside work, after earnestly seeking the Lord in prayer we allowed Brother Moulton to go, to locate in that town, the fourth in size on the island. We followed in about ten days, and are much pleased with what we found. Our first Sabbath-school organized was certainly encouraging. And in the evening I unfolded the chart, and gave a talk on the prophecies of Daniel. The house was filled with a good class of people, all interested readers of El Centinela. We have a fine list of subscribers there.
They urged me to stay and hold meetings. But the work in Mayaguez demanded my presence, so I left Brother Moulton to do thorough house-to-house work with the books for two months, holding the interest as best he can with Bible studies, and then I plan to return and hold a series of meetings.
I can not express the satisfaction it gives me as I visit town after town where our paper has been, and find the people anxious to have me talk to them about the truth. This convinces me that, though our little paper has cost hard work, tears, and money, it has been a most effective factor in preparing the way for the message we have to give. We have had to work most carefully to get a hold on the people, but God has blessed the effort.
The Methodists have started a little paper, El Defensor Cristiano. Last month it contained a two-page article on Sabbath observance, which we feel bound to review.
Traveling is very expensive here, but the proceeds from El Centinela have paid for our good horse, Sentinel, and he has carried me everywhere in the interests of the paper; and the paper has almost supported several poor persons who have accepted the truth.
Our work in Mayaguez is encouraging. God has especially blessed me in my efforts toward public work in the Spanish.19Victoriano, a bright young man, is out now on a canvassing tour, and is doing what he can in the interests of the work on the south side of the island. We have Peter, a real missionary, with us in the work in Mayaguez. There is a good interest in that place, and they are begging me to come home soon to continue the meetings and the studies in the prophecies. We are printing a little four-page sheet for the Sabbath-keepers, in which we can instruct them on our special truths with more freedom. We have printed twenty thousand of these little doctrinal tracts.
B. E. CONNERLY.
Bermuda
By James A. Morrow; M. Enoch
HAMILTON.—Just now I have all I can attend to in looking after an interest at The Crawl, eight miles east of Hamilton. Five or six have expressed their interest in the truth, and we feel confident that very soon we can report that number of Sabbath-keepers. Among these is one white family, and another white lady who is a widow. Others are also deeply interested.
My book sales have brought me in a profit of four hundred dollars; and, best of all, I am hearing daily of good impressions that the people have received when I visited them with our books.
I have had letters from two of the Boer brethren since they reached their homes. They are of excellent courage.
JAMES A. MORROW.
HAMILTON.—For several weeks I have been going to Somerset, six miles distant, on Sundays, to give Bible readings, and I am happy to state that a widowed mother and several of her daughters, and a man of the same place, are much interested; in fact, the mother told me last Sunday that she and her daughters had decided to keep the Sabbath.
The mighty power of God that raised Christ from the dead is in Bermuda, and as we draw near to God, we feel it day by day.
M. ENOCH.
H. H. VOTAW
By H. H. VOTAW
From London to India
THE Lord is working for us, and we are anxious to be in such a position that he can use us in building up his kingdom. Since coming aboard ship, we have had some interesting experiences. One evening I chanced to stop by the door of the smoking saloon upon the promenade deck. Inside were several men engaged in card-playing. As I looked inside, an onlooker said, “I suppose you have no such things [referring to the cards] among your belongings?” I replied in the negative.
Presently some one else asked a question, and from this a spirited conversation arose. As I endeavored, in the fear of God, to give a reason for my hope, the card game stopped, and if I should live for years, I could not wish for a more attentive audience. They asked questions freely, and God blessed in answering. As a result, one young man is reading “Daniel and the Revelation,” and another is attending daily Bible studies.
Almost as soon as we came on the boat, Mrs. Votaw told me she had espied a young woman whom she believed to be an American and also a missionary. I rather scouted the idea, but again woman's intuition proved its power, for in an informal conversation we learned she was both. Further talk revealed that her destination is Calcutta, and that this is her second trip out. She had spent four years in India, and had been home for rest. Her work is in connection with an orphanage conducted by the Christian Church. We were drawn to her from the first, and as opportunity opened, we talked freely upon Bible subjects. At first there was some conservatism, for she had been warned against Adventists. But she finally said, “Religion is a personal matter, and I'll study.” She seems to be blessed with a very tender conscience, and God alone knows the ultimate result of the work.
Pray for help, Christians. Pray! Pray! Pray! On this boat there are two men who have spent over forty years in India. There are some who were born there, and, as a matter of fact, by far the larger part of all the passengers are going to India. If men can go for every other purpose, can not men go for the gospel? Can men refuse to go?
In England almost every one has one or more relatives in India. A position there is considered a good opening for young men. One young man on board is going to accept a position in a bank in Calcutta, and has been in training for that purpose for three years. Another young man is going to work for an American insurance company. You may draw your own conclusions; but I am sure we shall stand without excuse if we dare not show as much zeal for Prince Emmanuel as the world shows in selfish pursuits.
H. H. VOTAW
The Sunday Law Agitation in Pennsylvania
By K. C. RUSSELL
THERE is a vigorous warfare in Pennsylvania over a Sunday bill that has been introduced in the Pennsylvania Legislature this winter by the German American Alliance, which is designed to strike a hard blow at the old State Sunday law of 1794.
The Sunday law people of the State are all astir over the question, and claim that the bill is introduced for the purpose of paving the way for the opening of the saloons and beer gardens on Sunday. It is reported that they are raising a fund of fifty thousand dollars to defeat this measure. The State is also being systematically worked by the circulation of petitions remonstrating against the bill.
The North American of Philadelphia, under date of Dec. 19, 1904, gives a partial report of a spirited address by Judge Ashman of the Orphans’ Court, which was delivered at the celebration of the sixty-fifth anniversary of the Philadelphia Sabbath Association. I herewith quote what appeared from him in this paper, which will give the readers something of an idea of the bitterness that characterizes the contest.
He said he “was willing to rest the whole question of Sabbath observance upon medical authorities that a periodical day of rest is needed for man.
“This is a government of a people in which the majority rule. A vast majority has always been in favor of a Christian observance of the Sabbath. The attempt of the minority to overthrow this will of the people is anarchy in its most subtle form.
“The efforts of those men are the efforts of anarchists. Every newspaper that opposes the Sunday law, every socialist orator who speaks from the platform against it, and every voter who secretly assails it, is an anarchist of the deepest dye.”
This scathing denunciation can not fail to remind every Seventh-day Adventist of the following words in “Great Controversy,” page 592: “Those who honor the Bible Sabbath will be denounced as enemies of law and order, as breaking down the moral restraints of society, causing anarchy and corruption, and calling down the judgments of God upon the earth.”
Regardless as to whether or not the motives of those who are working for this bill are what is claimed by its opponents, the 1794 Sunday law should be repealed; for it is religious legislation, and consequently both uncivil and unchristian.
K. C. RUSSELL.
A Drop in the Bucket
By Stephen N. Haskell
In December, 1903, we went South to work with my old fellow laborer, Elder G. I. Butler. During the past year we have had a home in Nashville, and a company of house-to-house workers with us. The number in the family, besides my wife and myself, has varied from four to thirteen. As the result of the labor of those workers, several thousand of The Southern Watchman and Bible Training School and many books and pamphlets have been placed in the homes in Nashville. But what is best of all, as a result of their work ten faithful souls have taken their stand for the truth, and the workers are holding Bible readings in many other homes, where there is a deep interest in the truths presented.
During the year I have attended seven camp-meetings and four institutes and conferences, besides the work I have done in Nashville, Tenn. In connection with our other work we have published the Bible Training School each month. During the year we have printed one hundred and sixty thousand copies of this journal, and about ninety thousand of that number have been placed in the hands of people outside of our faith. Each issue of the paper has been prepared with much prayer and thought, and filled with the truth in its simplicity. Quite a number of faithful workers have been selling these papers in the different large cities. They go into the business part of the cities, and sell to the intelligent,20thinking class, and meet with many interesting experiences. During the past two years and a half, we have been sending forth this little paper each month. It is a child of many prayers, and we feel that God is using it to carry the truth to thousands that have not heard the message. It is also a help to our own people in the study of the Bible. In the two years and a half we have printed three hundred and twenty-five thousand copies of the little journal, and sent them forth. The subscription price is only twenty-five cents a year. If it does not visit your home, we would be glad to receive your subscription.
During the past eighteen months we have also printed twenty thousand copies of the 'Story of Daniel,' and about fifteen thousand of these have been placed in the homes of the people. The remaining five thousand books are in the hands of the different publishing houses. A brother in Connecticut, who is canvassing for this book, recently sold four copies in one home to neighbors that came in while he was canvassing the family.
In two months I will pass my seventy-second birthday. My courage was never better in the Lord, nor my love for God and the third angel's message stronger. I thank the Lord that he has enabled me to scatter broadcast so many printed pages containing the truth. It is only one drop in the great bucket. We are right in the time when publications containing the truth are to fall like the leaves of autumn. As long as I live, I expect to do all in my power to scatter the truth broadcast in the earth. It was for this purpose that our tract and missionary societies were first organized many years ago; but they seem to have been diverted somewhat. There is a far greater need to-day of earnest effort on the part of every believer to scatter the publications containing the truth than there was many years ago when the missionary societies were first organized. Let us wake up, brethren, and go to work.
We would be glad to have every reader of these lines make an effort to place the Bible Training School in the homes in their neighborhood. The paper is sent out at the rate of two dollars a hundred, and sells readily at five cents a copy, thus clearing three dollars for every hundred sold. If you do not think you could use one hundred, you can obtain twenty-five copies for fifty cents. Address Bible Training School, South Lancaster, Mass. When the work is finished, we shall be thankful we were permitted to sacrifice for Christ.
S. N. HASKELL.
914 Belmont Ave., Nashville, Tenn.
“Christ’s Object Lessons” in Virginia
By R. D. Hottel
VIRGINIA has not as yet sold her quota of this book. Indeed, we are far behind. On account of the struggles we have been passing through, our people have excused themselves for not taking a more active part in the sale of this book. But we are free from debt now. Part of the assistance that has brought this freedom to us has come from the general funds. It is true we did all we could, but without help from others, perhaps we should be still in debt.
Now, brethren, our educational institutions have been under the curse of debt for many years. God gave us a plan to get free. This plan will not only bring freedom to the institutions themselves, but it will bring a great blessing to those who buy the book. It will bring a blessing to those who sell the book. Being free from debt, we desire to see every institution that the Lord has planted free also. As we have been helped by others, it is our duty and privilege to help bring about this freedom. At a meeting of the conference committee, Dec. 28, 1904, it was decided to ask the State agent and all the laborers of this conference to devote all the time possible before the next session of the General Conference to the sale of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ and to encourage others to do the same. If all will take hold of this matter at once, we are sure there will be nothing in the way of our coming to the General Conference to help swell the song of jubilee.
If you do not have the money to invest in the books, the conference stands ready to help you get the books. Write us at once about the matter. Address the writer, or Dr. A. M. Neff, New Market, Va. May the Spirit of the Lord arouse every soul in the conference to action.
R. D. HOTTEL,
Chairman Conf. Com.
Patient Continuance in Well-Doing
By J. S. Washburn
ETERNAL life is granted, by Him who will render to every man according to his deeds, to those only “who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality.” All the blessings of the gospel are for those who “continue in the faith.” Hope may be deferred, but “in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Jesus endured the cross, and we are exhorted to “consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
Are there some who, because of a lack of this “patient continuance in well-doing,” have not yet received the fulness of the blessings promised to those who would faithfully do their part in the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons”?
J. S. WASHBURN,
Sec’y of Committee for Relief of Schools.
Encouraging Results with Christ’s Object Lessons
By Wm. Covert
From an encouraging letter recently received regarding the work with ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ in Wisconsin, we quote the following:—
“The churches and members that have done their work faithfully have been made happier and stronger because of the experiences which they have gained. Some have missed a great blessing by withholding themselves from this good work. There are many fields yet waiting for this book, and rich experiences may be gained by those who will go forth with courage to work for them.
“In some localities churches have been organized as the result of work introduced by the sale of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons.’ One of our licentiates and his wife selected a new field, and proposed to begin work there by canvassing it thoroughly for ‘Christ’s Object Lessons.’ They disposed of about fifty copies in the neighborhood, and then followed the interest with The Signs of the Times, and this by giving Bible readings. After a time they called the people together and held meetings with them, until a company of commandment-keepers was developed. Then followed the organization of a church. The brother who went there first writes: ‘We now have a good congregation here. . . . Our church-school is proving a great blessing to the church. We have a good teacher, and a good work is being done.’
“Success in the work with ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ is not confined to those who devote the whole or a large portion of their time to the effort. During the time of the principal campaign for the sale of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ a brother living in one of our cities started out from his home at eleven o’clock one day, carrying with him twenty copies of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ for sale. Although he had no orders to fill, and the territory where he was to work had but recently been canvassed for the book, he told his wife to postpone dinner until he had sold out his stock. He disposed of the entire lot for cash, and reached home at 5 P. M. Another time this brother sold eleven copies while going from his home to the church, and did not spend much extra time on the way.
“Another brother who has learned and accepted the whole truth since the sale of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ began, has during the last two years endeavored, as far as possible, to devote one day each week to the sale of our books. He has not been able to find time every week to do this, but he has sold nearly five hundred copies of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ and has turned over all the money thus obtained to the tract society. He has also sold other of our books to persons who purchased ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ from him. The commission which he gets on all books and papers except ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ he donates to needy interests connected with the third angel’s message. His sales on ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ have averaged fully ten copies a day for each day that he has given to this work. He has often sold as many as twenty copies a day. He writes about the excellent favor with which the books are received, and hundreds of missionary visits which he makes with individuals and families. The work he has done was not to get money for himself, but because he wished to help the Lord’s cause, and also desired to save souls. The experience that the Lord gave him in selling this book has made this brother strong for missionary and evangelistic work.
“Wm. Covert.”
The One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund
AMOUNT previously reported $53,495 27
C. J. Olson 165 00
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. G. Berglin 100 00
Central Union Conference 39 70
J. H. Camp, Treas. (South Africa) 18 45
Ontario Conference 17 75
D. H. and Nora Delano 15 00
Mrs. Mary Shanks 15 00
M. T. Ahlquist (Sweden) 14 85
Battle Creek Tract Society 11 35
J. W. Robbins 10 00
S. P. Gill 10 00
C. F. Simmons 10 00
Elder C. W. Olds 10 00
Mrs. Emma Emmons 10 00
Walter Owen 8 50
O. D. Rouse 5 50
H. A. S. (England) 5 36
FIVE DOLLARS EACH
Mrs. E. C. Dye, Miss H. L. Dye, Mrs. E. M. McEwen, G. A. and Sarah Baker, Rue Aton, Mrs. Charity Remsberg, T. W. Hodgins, Louella Parney, Mrs. L. E. Taylor, Frederick Riffel, A. A. Neufeld, Conrad Uhrich, Sam Riffel,21a friend, Gust Johnson, Henry Samples, Mrs. Laura Bryant.
THREE DOLLARS EACH
Z. A. Evans, Christina Riffel, C. H. Dailey.
Atlantic Union Conference, $2.66; Edinburg (Pa.) Sabbath-school, $.35.
TWO DOLLARS EACH
Lucy Showers, Mrs. R. F. Tocke, R. Crawford, M. M. Osborn, Mrs. S. F. Rowe, Mr. and Mrs. Darwin Dean, Mrs. E. C. Merickel.
ONE DOLLAR EACH
Mr. and Mrs. G. V. Wood, Lillie L. Lineback, a brother, Mrs. E. T. Coe, Carrie Turner, W. J. Bowman, Mrs. R. H. Brown, Mrs. L. N. Pierce, Mrs. John Osborne, Mrs. T. Cotter, Mrs. Huard, Mary Riffel, David Riffel, J. R. Riffel, E. H. Seward, Sepha Flory, A. E. Stutzman, Mrs. G. D. Wait, Mrs. Laura Byron, Mrs. A. J. Rogers, Grace Bennett, Frances Dingee, J. T. Long, Mrs. J. T. Long, H. A. Sherwood, Lucy Ryan.
FIFTY CENTS EACH
Frank Lane, Huldrich Riffel, H. T. Brown, George Wear, Mrs. I. S. Edwardson.
TWENTY-FIVE CENTS EACH
Mrs. K. A. Gurrier, Mary Boes, Bertha Flory, Mabel Flory, Francis Brown, M. F. Brown, Mrs. Louise Tribby, Mrs. Alvier, Mrs. B. Semino, Mrs. Philip Lamp, Mrs. Peter Carpenter, Mrs. Mary Sweet, Mrs. Cora McCormick.
TEN CENTS EACH
Nancy Simmons, Milton J. Brown, V. V. Brown.
Mr. and Mrs. F. F. Riffel . . . . . . $ 10 00
Mrs. C. Treulieb . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 00
L. M. Talbott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 00
P. J. Wolfsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 00
Total reported ............$54,209 79
A further list will follow.
Send all donations to W. T. Bland, 222 North Capitol St., Washington, D. C.
The Review
The following expressions of appreciation are representative of a large number that are coming to this office on every day's mail:—
“DEAR BRETHREN: We received your many kind renewal notices, and appreciated the fact that we were missing much in the absence of the REVIEW, but it was impossible to send for it sooner. At last we have been able to send for it, and are enjoying its weekly visits again. It is a feast to us. Since my father and mother first heard and accepted the message, about forty-two years ago, it has never missed bringing its message of truth to our home until last summer. “MINNIE HAHN,”
“MY DEAR OLD FRIEND: I address you thus because for the past twenty-five years you have weekly come to my home, bringing such good spiritual food that it has been a help to us in teaching our children the way of truth and righteousness. Sometimes stress of business or cares have hindered us from reading your contents, but your coming and your familiar face were of themselves an incentive. And from experience and observation I can truthfully say that I do not think a person who takes and reads the REVIEW AND HERALD regularly will ever backslide. “C. P. HASKELL.”
Field Notes
A church of seventeen members was organized at Hamilton, Ohio, January 7.
Brother B. L. Howe reports an enrolment of sixty-four in the church-school at San Francisco, Cal.
A new church-school building at Ridgefield, western Washington, was dedicated January 1.
Six new members were added to the church at Cotton, Mo., the last Sabbath of the week of prayer.
Brother D. F. Sturgeon reports six new converts to present truth at Como, O. T., five of whom will unite with the Clearlake church.
The Atlantic Union Gleaner speaks encouragingly of the progress of the cause in Vermont, where quite a number in different places have of late accepted the truth.
Brother H. J. Schnepper reports six additions to the German church at Wilcox, western Washington, which now has a membership of about ninety.
The company at Goodwell, Mich., have been strengthened by the recent addition of seven new converts to the truth, two of whom had formerly been opposers.
The Indiana Reporter says: “Sister Niehaus reports that three of her Bible readers at Martinsville have begun the observance of the Sabbath, and our other workers there are reporting some converts.”
The elder of the Lovell, Idaho, church writes that the week of prayer was a “feast of good things” to that company, which now numbers eighteen members. A church-school building is to be erected there soon.
A report from Wood Lake, Neb., states that thirteen conversions to the truth have resulted from a course of meetings there which were concluded December 7. A Sabbath-school has been organized.
Brother C. M. Babcock states in a report from Amboy, Minn., that after a two-weeks’ course of meetings there, four persons accepted the truth “as a result of the faithful efforts of a sister, together with the influence of the meetings.”
Very encouraging reports are received of the work in Omaha, Neb. At a recent Sabbath service seven new candidates for baptism and admission into the church presented their names, and there have been twenty-five additions to the church within the last three months.
Elder A. E. Field reports the recent reorganization of the church at Norman, O. T., also the organization of a church of eight members at Merritt, O. T., and the baptism of eight persons at Wagner, I. T., following which a church of eleven members was organized at the latter place.
Brother H. S. Weaver, elder of the Second Baltimore church, Md., writes: “At Number 2 church of Baltimore on the Sabbath following the week of prayer there were taken into membership six precious souls; and one Sabbath later two more were added, making eight, four of whom are ready for baptism. Praise the Lord for converting power.”
Elder M. G. Huffman says, in a report of meetings held in Decatur, Illinois, since the camp-meeting there: “I held a five weeks’ meeting in the tent on the grounds where the camp-meeting was held; during the entire time both the attendance and the interest were excellent, and the results were very encouraging. Between fifteen and twenty took their stand for the truth. The interest has continued good ever since the tent-meetings closed, and we have followed up the interest by house-to-house work, holding cottage meetings and giving Bible readings. Between fifteen and twenty have united with the church, and others will probably do so soon. Nine have been baptized.”
The Lecture Method
By M. E. Kern
Bible Teaching—No. 4
The Lecture Method
FOLLOWING this I would suggest that—
5. The teacher should not make it a practise to lecture to the class. One of the first principles of pedagogy is thus expressed: “Knowledge can be taught only by occasioning the proper activities of the learner’s mind.” This is not done by continual telling, but by awakening thought, and having the pupil study for himself. In fact, “telling is not teaching.” “No error in teaching has occasioned more bad work than the assumption that knowledge can be transferred from one mind to another, that mere telling is teaching.”
The following from Baldwin, in his “School Management and School Methods,” is to the point: “The lecture has its place in class work. Where?—Not in the elementary; not usually in the high school; not usually in the freshman and junior college classes. Elementary pupils are not prepared to profit by lectures. The true elementary oral work is the conversation, and not the lecture. High school pupils are trained to think with the lecturer, and the occasional lecture proves highly beneficial; but the lecture is not the form of high school educative class work. As a rule, the freshmen and sophomore college students are hurt, not helped, by the too frequent lecture. The occasional lecture or course of lectures on some good subjects do great good, but thorough teaching during these precious years is imperative. The place for the lecture in class work is in the junior and senior college classes, in the graduate work, and in the professional schools. The advanced students think with the lecturer as he leads them into fields of research, and into the realms of philosophical investigation. But even in the advanced work the lecture must be supplemented by good teaching.” He further says, on “Revealing and Concealing:” “God reveals a little, and leaves man to find out the rest. Jesus taught a few truths, and wisely left us hungering and thirsting for more. The great preacher unfolds one or two truths, but awakens a burning desire to know all truth. . . . The novice tells us all he knows, but the wise teacher conceals all but the one thing needful.”
Constructive Work
6. Let the teacher require much constructive work from the student. It is one thing to know a thing, and another thing to tell it. “Writing makes an exact man.” There is no better way to train our students to definiteness of thought and resourcefulness than the requirement to produce something. Nothing will give more independence of thought (and by that independence of action) than research and theme work required. And the one great thing our young people need is to learn to do something. Many of our youth, even after finishing school, seem timid and helpless22when thrown upon their own responsibility. Our youth need to learn to think and act for themselves. They will never learn that by having others wrestle with difficult subjects, and try to impart to them the results. Essays and outline maps are a wonderful help in Bible and history work. They fasten the truths on the mind of the student in a way that nothing else does.
Recapitulation
To recapitulate, my suggestions are:—
1. Students should be properly classified according to their ability to work.
2. “The instruction in both matter and method must be adapted to the capabilities of the learner.”
3. Let the pupil be thoroughly grounded in Old Testament history before taking up Bible doctrine as such.
4. There should be definite and systematic outlines for the student to follow.
5. The teacher should not make it a practise to lecture to the class.
6. Let the teacher require much constructive work from the student.
Let me close by repeating again from the spirit of prophecy:—
“As an educating power the Bible is without rival.”
“Let every student who values the heavenly treasure put to the stretch his mental and spiritual powers, and sink the shaft deep into the mine of truth, that he may obtain the celestial gold,—that wisdom that will make him wise unto salvation.”
“If God’s Word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose that is rarely seen in these times.” M. E. KERN.
Christian Education
Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference.
L. A. HOOPES, Chairman; Frederick Griggs, Secretary.
Business Notices!
BRIEF business notices will be published in this department subject to the discretion of the publishers. A charge of one dollar for one insertion of six lines, or less, and of twenty cents for every line over six, will be made, though in the case of the poor who wish employment, the charge may be remitted. Persons unknown to the managers of the publishing house must furnish good references.
WANTED.—Employment among S. D. A., by married man of thirty-five, no children. Had experience at farming, also firing stationary boilers. Address Geo. Stiles, Canandaigua, N. Y.
WANTED.—Work among Seventh-day Adventists, by an able-bodied young man who can do almost any kind of ordinary work, especially farming and cutting timber. Address Warren Axwright, Farmersville, Ohio.
WANTED.—Work on farm for S. D. A., by strict Sabbath-keeper; good worker; age, 21; weight, 155; Pennsylvania preferred, but would go elsewhere; can give best of references. Address Ralph G. Hartzell, 718 N. 12th St., Reading, Pa.
WANTED.—Position as assistant bookkeeper (or would take charge of small set of books), by young man, S. D. A., graduate in book-keeping and business forms; also proficient in German; can furnish reference. Address Carol Horning, Boulder, Colo.
FOR SALE, CHEAP.—Farm of 50 A., on easy terms, to any brother who wishes church-school privileges for his children, in an absolutely23healthy place on Waldens Ridge, 6 mi. from Southern Training-school. Address James Glen, Brayton, Bledsoe Co., Tenn.
WANTED.—Employment, by a married man who lost a good position in a foundry because of accepting the Sabbath. Has operated electric machinery. Desires place where he and his wife can work and keep the Sabbath. Address Herman Thomas, 7 Nelson St., Springfield, Ohio.
WANTED.—Good, steady woman, who wants a home, to live with an invalid who waits on herself, and has been doing her housework. Must be one who understands and would be willing to give treatments. S. D. A. preferred. Address P. L. Jones, 2505 Union Ave., Altoona, Pa.
FOR SALE.—Twenty acres, 1¼ mi. from Seymour, Mo., thriving R. R. town. Six acres in full-bearing apple orchard. Small house, barn, and farming tools. Exceptionally pleasant and healthful climate. Good water supply. Price, $900, cash. Address Martha A. Brown, Seymour, Mo.
FOR SALE.—Good 9-room house, with 4¼ A. of good land, some fruit-trees and grape-vines, 2 good wells of soft water; only few minutes’ walk from industrial school. Price, $1,000. Also 100-acre farm in Tennessee, 25 mi. from here,—50 A. in cultivation, 25 A. in pasture, and 25 A. in woods. Will sell cheap. Address W. D. Dortch, Hazel, Ky.
PURELY vegetable oil. Keeps good in any climate. Price, with freight prepaid, between the Rockies and the Wabash River, 5-gal. can, $3.50; 10-gal., $6.50; 3 5-gal. cans, $4; 2 east of Wabash River, 1 5-gal. can, $4; 2 5-gal. cans, $7.50; 3 5-gal. cans, $11; west of the Rockies, 3 5-gal. cans, $12. Remember I pay the freight. Address R. H. Brock, 404 North 2d St., Arkansas City, Kan.