In order to sympathize with, and work in the right way for, a people, we must know them and the hard battle they have fought for their existence, in pagan darkness and under papal oppression. In this age, when the last warning message is going to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, it is also interesting to know to what people we originally belonged.
Their Ancestors
After the confusion of tongues, the people scattered abroad. Gomer, the oldest son of Japheth, went to the northwest, making settlements of longer or shorter duration in Asia Minor, in the southern part of Europe, and later in the northern part; and the identity of his name is preserved in the name Germans. His oldest son, Ashkenaz, went in the same direction, and some of his descendants went as far north as Sweden, where we find the identity of his name in Scandinavia, Scandia, and Skane, the southern province of Sweden. To these Scandinavians the Anglo-Saxons also belong. Tiras, the youngest son of Japheth, went in the same direction, and made a settlement in Thracia. The people of that country were called Tirasians, but the wise Greeks changed their name to Thracians. From this people came many different tribes, and one of them was the Goths, who also settled in Sweden, where we still find their name preserved in the provinces, Eastern Gothland and Western Gothland, and the island Gothland. Thus we find that the Swedes are descendants of Gomer and Tiras, the oldest and the youngest of Japheth’s sons. Their kindred have settled in many other countries, but learned ethnologists claim that the identity of the race has been preserved in Sweden better than in any other country.
When They Settled in Sweden
“When they first settled in Sweden is not definitely known. History tells us that both Scandinavians and Goths emigrated to Sweden some centuries before the Christian era. Later researches in the old mounds in southern Sweden have brought out the conclusion that Sweden was settled about four thousand years ago, by the same race of people that lives there now.”—Montelly.
Their Relationship to Religion
Because Sweden is so far to the north, it was a long time before the gospel obtained a foothold there. According to Col. 1:23, we have reason to believe that some ray of light reached Sweden, as well as all other countries, in the apostolic age, even if history says nothing about it. But it did not take root. The Swedes remained in heathen darkness until 830 A. D., when the Catholic apostle, Ansgæus, came there to preach. After that Sweden came gradually under the Catholic yoke, and remained there till 1527, when it was decided, at the Riksdag at Westuas, that the priests should obey the king of Sweden, instead of the pope of Rome, and after that the teaching of Martin Luther became the state religion of Sweden.
In the year 1541 the Swedish people received a translation of the whole Bible in their own language. This was a glorious time for them, and better days were coming. Since that time they have gradually come out from heathen and Catholic darkness. But the gospel in its purity had never been established among them until the last warning message reached them in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It is surely due them now.
Their Present Situation
The population of Sweden is now about 5,260,811. The country is in a prosperous condition, because of the enjoyment of peace and God’s kind providences in many ways for a number of years. Few countries have reached so high a stage of civilization as Sweden, and none higher. All but one per cent of the population can read and write.
Besides the state church, many different denominations carry on work among them, and the everlasting gospel for our day has eight hundred and thirty-five believers. Eight ministers, three Bible workers, and a goodly number of canvassers proclaim the truth among them. Their paper, Tidens Tecken (Signs of the Times), is also a strong factor in promulgating the truth. The work is going forward, and the children of Gomer and Tiras are made happy by the true gospel.
The Swedes in the United States
When this great country opened for settlers, the Swedes also found the way over. According to the statistics, there are about two million of them here now. The greater number live in the Northern States, from Maine to California. About ninety-three thousand live in the city of New York, and about one hundred and sixty thousand in Chicago. There are about one million east of Chicago, and the same number west of that city. Between twenty-five and thirty thousand of their kindred from Sweden come here each year. Therefore, the work among them must be continued in their own language.
Many different denominations are represented among them here, also; but, best of all, about twenty-five hundred are rejoicing in the present truth. We have about twenty ministers and Bible workers among them, and last summer seven gospel tents were pitched in Swedish colonies, where the truth was proclaimed.
Facilities for the Work Among Them
Besides our missionary workers, we have two factors that can be made strong, and be a good help to the work. These are our Swedish department at Union College, and our department in the International Publishing Association at College View. Nearly all our Swedish workers in this country, and some in other countries, have been trained at Union College. The outlook for this department is encouraging. When it opened this fall, eight new students, besides a number of the old ones, were present. An aged Swedish brother in Nebraska has donated all his possessions, amounting to about eighteen thousand dollars, to be used for the education of Swedish gospel workers. This will be a great help, for the truth generally reaches the poor people first.
In the publishing department our Swedish paper, Sions Vaktare, is published, and also about twelve books, and sixty-six pamphlets and tracts on many different subjects of the present truth. Last summer we increased the number of subscribers by about three hundred, and new books and tracts are under publication. As the Swedish people are, as a general rule, pretty well educated, and very fond of reading, much can be done among them by our literature.
The Lord Wants to Do a Great Work Among Them
We have special evidences of the Lord’s love and work for the Swedes in these last days. When the first angel’s message came to Sweden, the laws of the state church were very strict, and when adults were not allowed to preach it, the Lord put his Spirit upon the children, and they preached it, to the great astonishment of many. I met quite an old man in Chicago some years ago, who preached the first angel’s message in that country when a boy. It is quite evident that since the pure gospel was not planted among them till such a late hour, the Lord is going to give them a good opportunity now to accept it. “In the first century of the Christian era the gospel was planted in Palestine, its neighboring countries, and in Greece and Italy, and in the second century it obtained a foothold in Armenia, Persia, Media, Baktria, Arabia, India, Spain, France, Germany, and England. But17Sweden, like Norway and Denmark, remained in pagan darkness until the ninth century, and then in papal darkness until the sixteenth century, and three centuries later the gospel in its purity reached them, which most of the other nations had enjoyed in the second century.”—Kornelius Church History. In view of this, it seems that if we should sympathize with one people more than others, and work harder for one people than for others, we should do it for the Swedes.
We Need the Help and Liberality of the Americans
We are very grateful for the help we have received from our American brethren in the past. Because we have so few workers, we are much in need of help. You can assist us in many ways:—
1. You can direct some young Swedish brother or sister to our department at Union College.
2. You can keep your conference open to receive a Swedish gospel worker, so that the Swedish colonies in your conference may also get the message. We have very few experienced laborers to recommend, but we have some promising young ones, and we expect that you will accept them when they finish their training at college.
3. You can also help us to scatter our literature. Many of our American brethren have Swedish neighbors. Why not send them the Swedish paper for a year, and supply them with books and tracts in their tongue? Why can not our American brethren help us in circulating our extra numbers of the paper (one will soon be issued), and other literature, to a greater extent than in the past? This we feel bold to ask for, because our brethren take an active part in the support and circulation of the American papers. Order from your tract society, or from the International Society at College View. When you come in contact with these people, remember that they represent a nation that has been in the thickest darkness of heathenism for nine hundred years of the Christian era, in Catholic superstition and oppression seven hundred years, and that they have not known the true gospel long. Give them a tract or a paper, or sell them a book, and the Lord will bless.
4. You can also assist by giving a liberal donation toward the work of the International Society at College View. That institution is young, and needs assistance. Let us help it liberally, so it may be put in a position to do its work with success. The Swedes, Danes, Norwegians, and Germans are working extremely hard there, in order to be self-supporting. All this help will result in the salvation of souls. It will not be a financial loss, but gain instead. The Swedes have for a number of years freely given to American and other institutions, and do so still. I visited one church where the Swedish brethren paid thirty dollars in tithe per capita last year, and this year they are paying forty-eight dollars each. Help them in return, and the Lord will bless you.
Chicago, Ill.
The Greater New York Conference
By K. C. Russell
This meeting was held at 535 West 110th St., New York City, September 20-30. The meetings were fairly well attended during the week, and both Sabbaths of the meeting there were good congregations; especially was this true of the union meetings which were held in a commodious church building that our people are renting in Brooklyn. Elders A. G. Daniells, E. W. Farnsworth, G. B. Thompson, and the writer were the general laborers in attendance.
The first Sabbath of the union service which was held in Brooklyn, Elder Daniells spoke on the rise and progress of the work of the Seventh-day Adventists.
The work of the conference was well planned, with the idea of covering the various phases of the work that would be adapted to the needs of the great metropolis of our country. There was an excellent spirit pervading the whole meeting, and the Lord came very near, especially in the morning and afternoon services of the last Sabbath.
The Lord has prospered the work of the Greater New York Conference during the past year. Two churches were added during that time. There were one hundred and thirty-five persons baptized and united with the church since the last session of the conference. There are also over twenty other souls who are awaiting baptism now. This number exceeds any previous year's record since the organization of the conference.
The total amount of tithes and offerings for the year aggregates $19,564.90, the tithe alone amounting to $15,587.69, making an average tithe per member of $21.86. Only sixty-eight per cent of all the membership of this conference pay tithe, so that the amount of tithe for each member who pays tithe would aggregate $31.45. The gain in tithe over the previous year was $3,750.
There were represented at the union services held the first Sabbath of the meeting, September 22, seventeen different nationalities.
At the union service in Brooklyn, Sabbath, September 29, the writer delivered an ordination sermon, setting forth the qualifications of the gospel minister, which are outlined in the Word of God, after which Brother J. K. Humphrey was duly ordained to the gospel ministry. Elder C. H. Edwards, president of the conference, gave an impressive charge.
One feature of special importance that was considered at this meeting was the establishment of a gospel workers' training-school which will be held at the conference headquarters, 535 West 110th Street. I truly believe that this is a step in the right direction.
I was impressed with the encouraging report of the church-school work in the Greater New York Conference. This work is being successfully carried on in that great city where so many seemingly insurmountable obstacles confront the work. It demonstrates what can be accomplished when God's people move out in harmony with the counsel that he has given.
The work which has been carried on among the various nationalities and in all the departments in this conference has been signally blessed during the past year. The work among the Scandinavians has been blessed in a remarkable manner. Certainly the time has come when God is setting his hand and seal to the work in that great city as never before.
The Lord has clearly laid before his people the importance of the work in this city. Should there not be most earnest efforts put forth in its behalf before a calamity shall befall it similar to the one which destroyed San Francisco? One could not help but be impressed in traveling through this city, to think of what the results would be should an earthquake overtake it, with the subways running for many miles underneath the city, and also the tunnel under the East River, with its continuous service of trains, carrying thousands upon thousands of human souls to and fro. Think of its dense population, and the thousands who are occupying buildings that tower many stories high.
Elder C. H. Edwards was again unanimously elected president of the conference. Brother Amos Mitchell was elected as religious liberty secretary, and he is planning for earnest work.
K. C. RUSSELL.
North Carolina Conference Proceedings
By Jessie V. Bosworth
The sixth annual session of the North Carolina Conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting at High Point, N. C., Sept. 7-16, 1906.
The newly organized church of twelve members at Wilmington was admitted to the conference. Each member in good standing was considered a delegate.
The following resolutions and recommendations, which are among those passed, will give some idea of the deliberations of the conference:—
“Whereas, There is a growing demand for religious legislation, which is evident from the frequency of the introduction of Sunday bills in the United States Congress and in State legislatures, therefore,—
“1. Resolved, That each church shall elect a local religious liberty secretary.
“2. Resolved, That we recognize in the magazine Liberty a timely publication, and recommend that it be given a wide circulation; (a) that our conference meet the expense of placing upon the subscription list the names of State legislators and other State officials, namely, prominent judges and lawyers; (b) that our local churches supply this magazine to county and town officials; (c) that as many individual subscriptions be secured as possible.
“3. Resolved, That we encourage our people to use the public press in disseminating18the principles of religious liberty.
“4. Resolved, That we encourage our ministers to lecture upon the subject of religious liberty, when consistent to do so, where Sunday closing crusades are being held.
“Whereas, We are plainly told that in the last days some shall depart from the faith, and,—
“Whereas, Doubts entertained concerning the Testimonies is the almost invariable cause of such backsliding and giving up the truth, therefore,—
“5. Resolved, That we hereby declare again our faith in the spirit of prophecy, our loyalty to the General Conference, and our confidence in its present management.
“Whereas, There is a great lack of workers throughout the entire South, and,—
“Whereas, We have many young people who would with proper training make valuable workers; and as workers are needed who have a higher literary training, therefore,—
“6. Resolved, That as a conference we do all in our power to encourage young people to enter the Southern Training-school, and that we otherwise encourage and foster the work of that institution.
“7. Resolved, That as a conference we lend our hearty support to schools established by private persons among us which are conducted on right principles; that church officers aid in securing the attendance of worthy students only; that the conference committee act as an advisory board to such schools.
“8. Resolved, That this conference, in harmony with the General Conference, favor the support of faithful laborers and their families who may be unable to support themselves because of sickness, declining years, or death; that this support be freely given as unto the Lord; that these workers be kept upon the regular pay-roll.
“Whereas, There is a crying need and call for Christian schools in our conference, and,—
“Whereas, One great reason for a lack of such schools is insufficient means to provide for the support of teachers, therefore,—
“9. Resolved, That we bestir ourselves to a realization of this need, and individually and collectively pledge ourselves to stand by the educational secretary, and help to support the teachers where such conditions are found.
“10. We recommend, That our schools frequently hold Sabbath-school conventions.
“11. Resolved, That in view of the great need of funds with which to carry the message to the regions beyond, we recommend that our Sabbath-schools donate all their contributions to missions.
“In order to establish order and uniformity among our churches,—
“12. We recommend, That so far as practicable our church elections be held at the quarterly meeting in January of each year.
“13. Resolved, That the publication of the North Carolina Messenger be continued, and that we make an earnest effort to increase our subscription list.”
A resolution recommending the establishment of treatment rooms in some town or city was discussed with much interest, but on account of the financial problem connected therewith, it was referred to the conference committee, with the hope that some plan may be devised whereby such a work may be carried on in our conference on a self-supporting basis.
The reports of the secretaries of the different departments were of an encouraging nature, showing real progress. During the past year the book sales in our State have amounted to over seven hundred dollars more than during the previous year. The educational secretary reported nineteen Sabbath-schools, with a membership of two hundred and fifty-eight; and ten day-schools, with an enrolment of one hundred and sixty-five.
The following officers were unanimously elected: President, T. H. Jeys; Vice-President, D. T. Shireman; Executive Committee, T. H. Jeys, D. T. Shireman, W. H. Armstrong, B. A. Rogers, J. W. Beach, T. J. Woodall, F. A. Slate; Secretary and Treasurer, Jessie V. Bosworth; Field Missionary, Horace G. Miller; Secretary Sabbath-school and Educational Department, Mrs. Emma B. Rogers; Secretary Medical Department, M. H. Johnston; Secretary Religious Liberty Department, T. H. Jeys.
Ministerial credentials were granted to the following-named persons: T. H. Jeys, D. T. Shireman, W. H. Armstrong, J. O. Johnston, Albert Carey; ministerial license to George Crawford, J. W. Beach, W. L. Killen; missionary credentials to Horace G. Miller, Mollie R. Miller, Jessie V. Bosworth, Emma B. Rogers, M. H. Johnston, Robert L. Underwood, Burton Church, W. E. Lanier, E. R. Allen, John S. Killen, Harry Smallwood. Of these, eight are wholly or partially supported by the conference.
JESSIE V. BOSWORTH, Secretary.
An Open Letter
By D. T. Shireman
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS:—
In answer to my request, printed in the REVIEW a short time ago, I have received many replies from those who wish to help spread the message by systematic correspondence. I thank the Lord for this desire among our people to help carry the message to every home. It will be some time before we can reply to all the letters we have received; but we desire many more to correspond with us.
Dear brethren, do not think that work done in this way amounts to nothing because you do not see results at once. This is the seed-sowing time, and every one must be warned. This is one of the means to that end. The blood of those who will not receive the message so presented will not be required of us.
I am glad to get names of young people who wish to correspond with young people. As I read these letters, my eyes are dimmed with tears of joy. I hope to furnish names to all, but you must have patience. We expect to visit every home for miles around our school.
I have received replies from our people in eleven different States. Washington and Iowa stand ahead at this writing. Do not weary if you do not receive answers to all your letters. Many do not answer, but your letters are read, and very often shown to others, and an interest is thus aroused among many who would otherwise never receive the message.
Let us labor together in this way. When we meet, in the new earth, those who have been helped by our efforts, joy unspeakable will fill our hearts. O, I am so happy to have a humble part in this solemn work!
D. T. SHIREMAN.
A Word from China
By F. A. Allum
To tell on paper how much China needs the third angel’s message would be an impossible task. To realize fully the conditions which exist in China, one must be here and see things as they really are. To many China is nothing but a name, and yet it contains one eleventh of the habitable globe. If you were to place China on a map of the United States, it would extend into the Gulf of Mexico and three degrees into the Pacific Ocean. The population is immense, 426,000,000 being considered the most accurate figure. Of these, 33,000 souls perish every day. During the brief hour spent at divine worship on Sabbath, 1,300 precious souls pass to their final account. From the time we left Sydney, Australia, en route to this field, until we reached Honan, China, 1,250,000 persons had been placed in Christless graves. Surely such facts as these ought to make us weep.19
Our Master teaches us that where but one sheep is lost, we are to leave the ninety and nine and go in search of the wanderer, but it would seem in China that the case is reversed. God’s people are tenderly guarding the one sheep in the home lands, and leaving the ninety and nine in such countries as China to perish. Surely this is true when we think of the hundreds, we might say thousands, of workers in America, and contrast them with the twenty-one workers for the millions of China.
F. A. ALLUM.
ERNESTO SCHWANTES
By Ernesto Schwantes
Portugal
LISBON.—The first fruit of our labor among the Portuguese is an intelligent young married man, a Protestant. He came every evening for Bible studies at my home. I hope that he will become an efficient Bible worker. We expect in a few days to baptize him, and also the English sister, Mrs. Portugal. The baptismal service will be on the ocean beach.
We learn from Christ’s parable of the lost sheep how much it costs to win a soul; therefore, I am thankful to the Lord for these souls—as thankful, I think, as if twenty had accepted the truth in Brazil, my former field of labor. We hope soon to see other souls following in the truth.
Two nieces of our Sister Portugal are very much interested in studying the truth. One of them has been attending our Sabbath-school, and studying with the greatest earnestness. Last Sabbath the father of these young ladies visited us just after the Sabbath-school. We studied the Word with him for an hour, and the Lord touched his heart, and many times his eyes filled with tears. He is a well-educated Portuguese. He expressed his thankfulness for what he had learned, and said that he would not hold his daughters back, but would leave them perfectly free to decide for themselves.
Thus it was for us a Sabbath of great blessing, and joy filled our hearts for the abundant grace of the Lord with us. It is wonderful how he hears prayer, and how, for the salvation of those whom he has chosen, he will use even weak witnesses to accomplish his purpose. I have had many other visits with interested persons, who are giving attention to the matter of salvation.
I shall shortly leave Lisbon for Oporto, where we will seek to plant the standard of truth. Brother Rentfro will remain in Lisbon. Pray for us and the work here in Portugal.
ERNESTO SCHWANTES
Chile, South America
By F. H. Westphal
The great catastrophe of Valparaiso and the general destruction caused by the earthquake have opened the way for a special number of the Senales de los Tiempos. It was agreed to publish an edition of fifty thousand. The subjects treated in this special number are as follows: A Great Earthquake, The Catastrophe of Valparaiso, The Cause of Earthquakes, Terrible Scenes of the Disaster, What Do These Things Mean? Some of the Great Disasters of the Present Year, When Will the Next Earthquake Occur? The Fiery Demon, etc.
The condition of the post-office made it impossible to send periodicals away from Valparaiso. Our small company of workers there took hold of the work, and in less than three days over seven thousand copies of the Senales were sold. Others besides our brethren asked for the privilege of selling our paper. A blind man sold several hundred copies readily, and a man with only one foot hobbled through the streets, which were filled with broken timbers and bricks and mounds of rubbish, and sold the Senales with great pleasure. Newsboys took the paper and cried out: “Senales de los Tiempos, a special number.” “All about the earthquake and the great disaster. What do these things mean?” Brother Balado, who thought that he would never do as a salesman, sold eleven hundred copies in three days. A sister who is so timid that she can scarcely speak to any but her most intimate friends, sold several hundred copies. When the people have a mind to work, something can be done.
I am now on my way north with five or six thousand copies of the Senales to distribute among some of the companies, for them to sell. Rolls to be sent to other places I have in bags, and when I reach Antofagasta, I shall mail them. Some of these will go to Peru and Ecuador. We shall have to send other packages to other places by some of our brethren. In order to warn the people a sharp, quick work will have to be done. We have published more copies of this special number than we usually publish during an entire year. We are planning to follow this number with another special number. Courage and faith are taking hold of our people.
In Santiago packages of tracts had been left on the shelves untouched, but immediately after the earthquake our brethren took them, and sold them readily. We need now to give the loud cry of the third angel’s message. I took some copies of the Senales onto the boat, and in twenty minutes sold forty of them, and after that some would come and inquire for them. If we are faithful, we shall soon be known in all the world as those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Let all our people everywhere spread the message with heart and with hand, and very soon thousands of other voices will be heard saying, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” The Saviour himself has designated the faithful in this movement as such.
Brethren, let us work, watch, and pray, and we shall soon be gathered from the east and the west and from the north and the south, to sit down in the kingdom of our God with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the faithful of all ages. What a gathering of the faithful that will be! Now there must be a scattering of the faithful to a greater extent than there is. Those in congested centers ought to move out where they are needed, and they would then have no time to quibble about the origin of some of the Testimonies that do not suit them.
Let us pray that God may speed on the wheels of progress, until the light of present truth shall have scattered the thick darkness of every corner of this dark world. Light, precious light, is called for from every part of this groaning, dark world.
We are almost home, dear brethren, and in heaven conditions will be different, and there we can often come to the city of our King. All will be pure and holy there. F. H. WESTPHAL.
South Carolina
By D. E. BLAKE
SPARTANBURG.—The evidences of the Lord's blessing and help in sowing the seeds of truth among the colored people in this field are very manifest, from the encouraging interest that is seen among those not of our faith, and even among those who at first strongly opposed the truth.
As the principal phases of the message are studied with interested persons, these, in turn, impart them to their friends, some of whom are among the opposers, and thus these gain some knowledge of the truth, which creates a desire to know more, until they finally see that the truth we have, and are trying to give them, is not “keeping Saturday for Sunday,” as they usually express it, but that Saturday, the seventh day, is the Sabbath of the Lord, and then they become anxious to know all they can about it.
Here is an illustration: A woman who saw one of the handbills announcing our tent-meetings, attended one night, and heard a lecture on the signs of the times. She was much interested, and returned a few nights after, when the subject of the Sabbath was taken up. On the following night she came again, bringing a number of her friends, when the subject of the first day of the week was considered. At the close of the meeting, she requested me to visit her, and give her more light on the subject. I complied with her request the day following. After the study she said to me, in substance: “Had I seen on that handbill the name of your denomination, I never would have heard you, never; for I had heard that Seventh-day Adventists do not believe in a burning hell that awaits the wicked at death, do not believe that our loved ones who die faithful to God go directly to heaven, do not believe in sanctification, and many other things, so I decided that I would not go to hear that doctrine; but since I attended your tent-meetings, and studied with you, I am beginning to change my ideas of your faith.”
I did not try to refute any of her objections, but sought opportunities to study with her on these points; and last evening, in company with three others, a study on the state of the dead showed her the teaching of the Scriptures on this subject. She saw the error of her cherished ideas, and is now rejoicing in the light that is shining on her pathway. Much wisdom is required in dealing with such cases. Instead of tearing down their honest but unscriptural positions, we should give them the truth.
Our little company is having rich experiences, and our courage is good. We look forward, with pleasure, to the time when we shall have a little church building in which to worship with many of these honest hearts who are now studying the truths we hold dear. The thirty-fourth psalm voices the sentiment of our hearts.
D. E. BLAKE.
Ireland
By M. A. Altman
DUBLIN.—My connection with this field dates from the first of April, 1906, when the annual meeting was held in Belfast. At that time I was quite a stranger in the field, and my family was still located at Birmingham, England. As it was recommended at this meeting that an effort should be made to open our work in Dublin, I at once located my family in that important city. Two nurses were also sent to do house-to-house work with Good Health and other literature, with the understanding that one of them should take up Bible work as fast as an interest could be created.
I began at once by visiting and corresponding with the Sabbath-keepers throughout the island, to acquaint myself with the conditions and needs of the field as a whole. I visited the churches and companies, and by correspondence have become acquainted with, and keep in personal touch with, nearly every Sabbath-keeper in the field.
We had expected to find the membership much larger than it is; and I fear many will be surprised as they compare the corrected report as it will appear in the next Year-Book, with the preceding one. Upon inquiry, we found that the election of church officers had been neglected, and it was with some difficulty that the record books were located. In these cases we are endeavoring to have the records brought up to date, and officers duly elected and ordained.
Two public efforts have been made during the summer, one at Coleraine, which is being followed up by Brother R. Mussen, and one at Carrickfergus. At Coleraine one sister has been baptized as a result of the meetings there. Four others have been baptized at the same place,—three from Ballymoney, and one from Kilrea, a few miles distant. Thus far the fruits seem small, but the interest is spreading out into the country, and we trust there will yet be a gathering of sheaves in that district.20
Elder D. A. Parsons and the writer are at present in the midst of a series of meetings in the city of Belfast, which we have good reason to hope will result in a few additions to the church.
Since the August meeting of the British Union Conference, we have added to our list of laborers, Elder D. A. Parsons, and his wife, Mrs. L. A. Parsons, and Miss Susie Sisley; and we have been called upon to release Brother J. McAvoy and his wife to the North England conference, and Brother and Sister D. McClelland to the South England Conference.
And now, dear friends of the cause in Ireland, I wish to whisper something in your ears: We have not a single tent for our summer meetings, and we need one badly. If you can suggest any way for us to get one when we have not the money to pay for it, we shall be greatly pleased indeed.
In Dublin an interest is steadily growing among an educated class of people. A goodly number are reading our tracts and other literature, and several are having regular Bible readings. Our workers there are full of courage and hope. Remember priest-ridden Ireland in your prayers. M. A. ALTMAN.
Current Mention
— The Russian government has decided, tentatively, on December 30 as the date for holding the election for members of the new parliament.
— A new combine has been formed in New York City ostensibly to fight the milk trust which now has control of the entire milk business of New York City.
— Thirty-two prosecutions have been ordered against the Pullman Company for the alleged use of drug-preserved milk and cream on its dining cars between New York and Chicago.
— Three hundred and fifty drivers of electric automobiles went on strike in New York City on October 25. A riot occurred when one who refused to strike attempted to operate such a vehicle.
— The Illinois Audit Company, organized on behalf of shippers of that State, will bring civil and criminal suits against railroads entering that State, for discrimination in freight rates. The suits will aggregate $30,000,000 for overcharges and damages.
— There is prospect of a serious clash between the band of Ute Indians which has left their reservation, and the soldiers sent to turn them back. The Indians have refused to surrender, and the officer in command of the troops has telegraphed for two additional companies of soldiers.
— Advices from Rome express the fear that the continued strain between the Catholic Church and the Spanish government may lead to a revolution in Spain. The Spanish ambassador at the Vatican attempted to smooth over the difficulty, but his course was disapproved by his government, and he was threatened with recall.
— Because a meat trust had secured control of the entire meat business of Mexico City, and had greatly increased the price of meat, the Mexican government has taken the matter up, and will operate meat markets throughout the city and the federal district, selling meats at actual cost, or lower, if necessary, to drive the trust out of business.21
— The German steamer “Hermann,” was sunk in the Channel on October 28, and twenty-three of her crew were drowned. On October 30 the Russian steamer “Jessica,” foundered in the Gulf of Bothnia. The captain and thirty of the crew were lost.
— A deformed native woman of north Australia has been discovered by Professor Klaatsch, the explorer. She has feet that are shaped like hands. Professor Klaatsch claims in finding this woman to have found the missing link between the man and the ape.
— There was much excitement at the opening of the British Parliament on October 23, caused by a band of women suffragists storming the chambers and demanding the right of suffrage. The police had much difficulty in expelling the intruders, some of whom were finally arrested, and, refusing to furnish bail, were committed to jail.
— Captain Amundsen and his crew of five men, who recently succeeded in navigating the northwest passage and in discovering the magnetic pole, are now in Chicago. They expected to have received a bonus of $100,000 offered by the British government for the accomplishment of such an undertaking, but have learned that the reward has been withdrawn.
— There was somewhat of a riot at New York on October 30, when a meeting of anarchists was raided by the police. The meeting was held for the purpose of extolling the slayer of President McKinley. There were many women in the audience, and they joined at once in the attack upon the police. A number of both men and women were arrested.
— Latest reports from Japan still indicate much bitterness of feeling against the authorities of San Francisco for excluding Japanese children from the schools attended by white children. The journalists have decided to combine in an effort to excite public opinion and cause the authorities to effect a solution of the difficulty, though it is reported that they agreed not to advocate anything of a violent nature.
— Much race animosity is being stirred up wherever the theatrical play “The Clansman” is given. Recently at Brockhaven, Miss., after the production of the play, the whites threatened to form a Ku Klux Clan and drive the negroes out of the community. The latter immediately began forming bands of whitecaps, and have committed some depredations. It may be unnecessary to remark that the minister who wrote the play was hardly working along the lines laid out by the Master.
— Four years ago the Japanese government appointed a committee to investigate the matter of adopting the Roman characters in place of the characters which they now use in printing. As that committee has not yet reported, Japanese educators have taken up the matter, and have associated themselves for the purpose of promoting the use of the Roman characters. This new association numbers among its members some of the most prominent men in Japanese affairs.