Review and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 13.
Children’s Meetings in Kading, ChinaPage 1
Earlier text: Kiang-Su Mission, ChinaThe Power of Early Influence Upon Character
By MRS. M. ADELAIDE GRIFFIN
I AM often interested in the articles which I read in the Home department, and have felt that I, too, should like to contribute my mite, but have hesitated because I have never been a mother. Although I have been a teacher for twenty years, I believe that some good grandmother, who has never perhaps been through long division, but who has brought up a family in the love and fear of God, caring for them in sickness and health with her own hands, is much better fitted to speak or write on this subject than I am. However, two experiences in my own childhood may perhaps be of help to some one, and so I pass them on. Returning home from school one night at the age of eleven years, I said that I did not think much of my teacher, as she was allowing the boys to use profane language. As a matter of fact, the teacher was a devoted Christian girl, but was troubled with a growing deafness which soon made it necessary for her to give up teaching. My grandfather, a man of the stern old Puritan type, said, “Do you not know better than to swear?” “Yes, sir,” I replied. “Well, then, what difference does it make to you what she lets the boys do?” My grandfather’s answer at this time accomplished two things. It taught me that it was useless for me to find fault with my teachers at home, and it also impressed upon my childish mind the fact that I was expected to stand by myself, and that I should receive no sympathy if I did wrong because others did wrong. The latter lesson was forcibly impressed upon my mind during the next few years. When I was fifteen years old, God sent me (not to a church school, for at that time I had never even heard of a parochial school) into a cotton mill in one of our large manufacturing cities, and I took my meals at a corporation boarding house. No, do not pity me because I had to go to work so young. It was no harder for me than for my parents, or for Lucy Larcom, David Livingstone, and many others who had a similar experience. Of course I heard much profanity among those who worked with me, and heard and saw many things which I knew to be wrong and improper. My grandfather’s words were my safeguard, for as yet I had not learned to ask help from above. A year and a half passed in this manner, and then I was led to give my heart to Christ. I see before me now the place where I stood at my frame. I can hear the clatter of machinery and see the great belts going round. I can almost distinguish the faces of the Irish and French Catholic girls by whom I was surrounded, when, like a flash of sunset glory from a darkened sky, I felt the joy of sins forgiven through the merits of a risen Saviour. There was only one Christian girl in the room, and very few Protestants. Soon afterwards I went to work in another room with more unfavorable surroundings, yet I can honestly say that I never found an easier place in which to serve the Master, and I look back upon the three years spent there as among the happiest of my life. Only a few days ago I went to see one of the women who worked with me then. She is a stanch Catholic, but old and feeble. Many times she swore at me, and used her influence in every way to have me dismissed from the mill, but I had learned from grandfather’s admonition that what she did was no affair of mine, so I treated her as kindly as I could; and when the Sabbath came to me, and I found other employment, none regretted my leaving more than she did. I was really sorry to leave the mill, for I had learned to love the girls for what they were instead of holding aloof from them for what they were not. I kept the Sabbath for nineteen years before my marriage, and was in the employ of Sabbath keepers less than two years of that time. For fourteen years I did not enjoy church privileges, but I never once had cause to regret the stand I had taken. The fact that others, among them those near and dear to me, kept another day, did not disturb me in the sense of being a temptation, any more than their profanity and theatergoing. Why should it? I had been taught to think independently, in religious and moral matters at least. When I first learned of the Sabbath truth through reading, I felt that as I must stand before the judgment bar of God alone in the last great day, I could not afford to delay acceptance of what my heart told me to be the truth. The decision belonged to me alone. I had never seen a Seventh-day Adventist minister or a Bible worker; I had never heard a word of the third angel’s message at this time.16 Recently I stood by the lifeless form of the pastor who bade me Godspeed as I went out from the church where I first learned of the Saviour’s love. The old church building is now in ashes, and the unbidden tears come to my eyes tonight as I think that never again within those hallowed walls shall I hear the voice of prayer and praise. “The heart has many passages through which the mind may roam,
But the middle aisle is sacred to the old, old home.”
My pastor and his wife never saw the Sabbath truth, but notwithstanding our differences in creed they were true and constant friends, and respected me for having the courage of my convictions. I loved and honored them because for fifty years they did good to all men as they had opportunity. As a student and teacher in the public schools, and as a waitress in summer hotels, I have not failed to see many sides of life. In some of these hotels I think I was the only woman who did not use profanity, but I saw no more need of using it, nor felt any more temptation to do so, than in a prayer meeting; and no more temptation to dance, or to go on the street and look in shop windows on the Sabbath, than to use profanity. To God be all the praise for his keeping power. But under him I feel that I owe more to the fact that no wrongdoing of mine was ever excused because those who were with me did wrong than to any other cause. Pennsylvania
By J. S. WASHBURN
PHILADELPHIA.—This city, the third largest in the United States, has a population of nearly two million. We have here three church buildings, four churches, and an aggregate membership of four hundred and thirty-five. We had the largest attendance at the tent meetings this summer I have ever seen. Over twenty began to keep the Sabbath. Some of these have been baptized and united with the church, and others will unite soon. We have the names of over two hundred interested persons who need our labor. But though the harvest is great and the fields are white, yet the laborers are few. We have only one Bible worker in all this great city, and she does not have good health. In these great cities there is a crying need for more Bible workers. May the Lord greatly revive that branch of the work among us. These large cities are a great problem. We realize now more than ever why the Lord, through the spirit of prophecy, has made such earnest appeals for work in these great centers of population and wealth and sin. We have many indications that the Lord himself is going before us and preparing the way for the honest and sincere to receive the light. When in England several years, I became acquainted with a family whose home was in Ireland. Two brothers and three sisters were faithful to the truth, one brother being on the conference committee for many years. The father was very bitterly opposed to our faith, and other members of the family were unfavorable. During the tent meetings last summer, I received a letter from one of the sisters, requesting me to call on a brother living in Philadelphia, who was unfavorable to the message. When I found him, I was surprised to learn that he was already coming to the tent meetings. Shortly after, he said to me: “About sixteen years ago I left Ireland for the United States, and one of the main reasons why I left was to keep my wife from becoming an Adventist; and now I see that Adventists have the truth of God, and I can’t get my wife to the meetings at all.” But he worked wisely and carefully, and finally she began to come, became greatly interested, and then began to keep the Sabbath. They were baptized a short time ago, and are now earnest, working members of the church. This brother did a good work with the Harvest Ingathering number of the REVIEW, and found many interested persons. One man and wife that he found have interested me very much. He is a civil engineer of ability and a Boston graduate. She is a graduate of the Chicago University, a woman of talent, and until recently a Catholic. When sick not long ago she tried to pray, but found it hard to believe because of the infidel teaching of a Protestant minister who was a teacher in the Chicago University. It seems a terrible thing for a Protestant minister to weaken the faith of a Roman Catholic who is seeking for light. She gave had met but one Seventh-day Adventist, a lady teacher, who had helped her to understand the Bible. We need never fear that a knowledge of the spirit of prophecy as held by us will keep persons out of the truth. Experience has proved that honest persons everywhere are reaching out for the light of the spirit of prophecy. A few weeks ago this woman said to me, “Why is it that God never speaks to his people now as he once did, directly through his prophets?” I answered, “God does speak to his people now.” I told her that I once in Washington lent “The Great Controversy” to a highly educated woman, and after reading the book for a time, she said to me: “That is the most wonderful book I ever read. How do you know but that it was written by one inspired?” Then I said to this woman in Philadelphia, “I will lend you this book.” She read it through in a very short time, and said, “It is a most wonderful book.” Then I lent her “Steps to Christ” and “Early Writings.” She is reading them now. I am certain that many Catholics, like this woman, are longing for the light of present truth, and will accept it. A few days ago one of our doctors brought to three of the ministers of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference a young woman, one of our faithful canvassers, who had been afflicted with hysteria for six months, with most terrible cramping spells and spasms, in which she suffered indescribable pain. After one of those strange spasms she would be out of her mind for days. Nine physicians and specialists, including the leading nerve specialist of Philadelphia, had given her up as a hopeless case. She seemed to be afflicted by a power outside of herself, verily tormented by an evil spirit, and was rapidly going into permanent insanity. Helped by two men into the house, she utterly collapsed, then went into one of those fearful cramping spells, every joint seeming rigid and her whole body violently contorted. Yet even in her delirium she said she knew Jesus would heal her. It was touching to see her with wavering mind appealing to the Saviour for help. After prayer and anointing, according to the directions in James, with mind perfectly clear she prayed with strong faith. The Spirit of the Lord was present in unusual power17 of God to heal. The experience has been a great blessing to all who know of it. She is still rejoicing that the Great Physician is able to keep as well as to heal. I have been greatly interested in a young married couple here. The husband was a Catholic and his wife did not belong to any church, but her mother was a faithful Adventist in Pittsburgh. They had paid no attention to the truth until, seemingly by accident, she heard of the tent meetings. At the close of the third meeting she attended, she signed the covenant. I have been having readings with them for some time, and now the husband has given up smoking. He believes the truth, and will, I hope, soon take his stand with us. Through their influence the next-door neighbors, Irish Protestants, are deeply interested, and the wife is already keeping the Sabbath. Through the influence of the latter a wealthy woman in Pittsburgh is now keeping the Sabbath. A native Syrian woman of ability is greatly interested. She was born at Mt. Lebanon, and is a physician and surgeon. We have so many names of persons who are greatly interested, but O, so few workers! I realize as never before the great need of workers in these large cities, for Satan is here in mighty power. Surely in this field the work is great, but the laborers are few. Pray the Lord of the harvest that he may send forth more laborers into the field. “No life is a failure which is lived for God, and all lives are failures which are lived for any other end.” CLEANING SILK.—I have learned from experience never to use a brush on silk, as the bristles are sure to scratch and irritate the surface. A piece of velveteen is the best brush for silken material that I have tried. Wipe the silk well with the velveteen, and all the dust particles will be removed without the slightest injury to the most delicate fabric. WHEN LAYING MATTING.—When you put down a new matting, do not cut it to fit corners, but wet it thoroughly with a soft brush or cloth dipped in hot water to which a cupful of salt has been added. When thoroughly soaked, the matting becomes as pliable as rubber, and can be turned under without breaking. This makes a neater finish than cutting, and also saves the matting for use in a differently shaped room. PLAY SKIRTS.—My little girl was so very fond of “dressing up” when she played, that I made her a full-length skirt for herself, from one of my old dress skirts, by cutting it off to the right length and making a waistband to fit. There is nothing among her playthings that gives her greater pleasure than this, and she has, in fact, worn out three of them. They are much better for her and for my wardrobe than a pinned-up skirt of mine. A Letter From Elder W. C. White
By W. C. White
DURING the past few months mother's general condition of health has been as favorable as could be expected of one of her age. She has stated that at no other period of her life has she been so free from physical pain. And while she has gradually become more feeble, yet she had not, prior to her recent accident, been obliged to spend a day in bed. She had been able to go up and down stairs without assistance, and, in favorable weather, has taken pleasure in riding out once a day, and sometimes twice. Her cheerfulness has never diminished. When referring to her age and physical condition, she has often expressed gratitude to God for his care. Her abiding trust in him has never wavered. Always thoughtful of others, she has manifested recently still greater solicitude regarding the welfare of her friends and associates. She has found great joy in reading the reports of progress in the REVIEW and in letters from her old friends. She has taken a deep interest in the work of preparing her manuscripts for publication. Wednesday morning, January 27, I returned home after an absence of sixteen weeks in the East and South. I found mother cheerful and interested to hear about the work in the places that I had visited. She seemed to be about as well as when I left home early in October. Friday afternoon, February 12, as I was leaving the office for a quick trip to St. Helena, mother came outdoors, and we spent ten minutes in walking about in the bright sunshine, and talking about the progress of the message in all the world. Sabbath morning, mother appeared to be as well as usual. About noon as she was entering her study from the hallway, she tripped and fell. Her nurse, May Walling, who was in the hall about twenty feet away, hastened to her assistance, and endeavored to help her onto her feet. When mother cried out with pain, May lifted her into a rocking chair, pulled the chair through the hall to mother's bedroom, and got her to bed. Then May telephoned to Dr. Klingerman at the sanitarium, and at once applied fomentations to the hip, where the pain seemed to be the greatest. When the doctor came, he said that it was either a bad sprain or a fracture, and advised an X-ray examination at the sanitarium. This examination showed an "intracapsular fracture of the left femur at the junction of the head and neck." Mother bore very patiently all the painful experiences of being carried from her room to the sanitarium and back again. Sara MacEnterfer, who was her traveling companion and secretary most of the time for thirty years, is with her; and so is May Walling, who was brought up in her home, and who has been her faithful nurse for about two years. Mrs. Hungerford, a trained nurse from the sanitarium, is also with her. Mother occupies her study, where for the last ten busy years she did most of her writing. Sometimes when half awake, she asks how long the journey will take, and when she will get home; and then, when fully awake, she says, "I am right here in my own room." In our seasons of prayer mother unites with her usual fervor and clearness of thought, expressing complete confidence and entire resignation. Since her accident she has told me that she feels that her work is done, her battles ended, and that she is willing to lie down and sleep till the resurrection morning, unless there is yet some special work the Lord has for her to do. This is not a new thought, but is in perfect harmony with her frequent expressions during the past year. Regarding her constant faith and courage, Brother C. C. Crisler wrote to me Dec. 23, 1914, as follows:— “Even when exceedingly brain-weary, your mother seems to find great comfort in the promises of the Word, and often catches up a quotation and completes it when we begin quoting some familiar scripture. At such times she seems to me to be even more spiritual-minded than usual; that is, she dwells more at length on her personal experience and faith and hope, and recounts providences that cause her to renew her courage in God. At such times she also reaches out after spiritual comfort and help, and asks more frequently than at other times that we unite in prayer with her. “I do not find her discouraged over her own case, nor do I find her discouraged over the general outlook throughout the harvest field where her brethren are laboring. She seems to have strong faith in God's power to overrule, and to bring to pass his eternal purpose through the efforts of those whom he has called to act a part in his great work. She rises above petty criticism, above even the past failures of those who have been reproved, and expresses the conviction, born, apparently, of an innate faith in the church of the living God, that her brethren will remain faithful to the cause they have espoused, and that the Lord will continue with them to the end, and grant them complete victory over every device of the enemy. “Faith in God's power to sustain her through the many weaknesses attendant on old age; faith in the precious promises of God's Word; faith in her brethren who bear the burden of the work; faith in the final triumph of the third angel's message,—this is the full faith your mother seems to enjoy every day and every hour. This is the faith that fills her heart with joy and peace, even when suffering great physical weakness, and unable to make progress in literary lines. A faith such as this would inspire any one who could witness it.” Experiences in Maine
By W. E. GERALD
THE past season’s work in Maine has been a glorious triumph in the matter of the distribution of the silent messengers of truth. In five months the Lord has helped me to sell 12,000 copies of our ten-cent magazines—Bible Training School, Life and Health, Liberty, Watchman, Protestant, and Signs of the Times. The spirit of prophecy has said that our publications are to be scattered like the leaves of autumn. The total number of periodicals which the Lord has helped me distribute in Maine, by working one hundred months in a period of fifteen years, is 125,000,—value, $12,500,—which is equivalent to one copy for every six persons in the whole commonwealth. God is certainly blessing our noble brethren of the editorial staffs of these periodicals, so that by their pens the truth is being proclaimed with clearness and power, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Zech. 9:13: “When I have raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man. And the Lord shall be seen over them, and his arrow [of truth] shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet.” As one whose part is to carry to the people the tidings published and to push the battle to the gates of the great citadels and strongholds of religious prejudice, bigotry, skepticism, and infidelity, I have realized the precious fulfillment of the Master’s promises. When I came to Portland this fall, I felt rather timid about working this place with our periodicals, knowing that many had been sold around the city to assist in liquidating the church debt. But as I entered upon my first day’s work, God gave me a special token of success by filling my heart with the unspeakable joy of his presence. Day by day, as I trod the old familiar streets, I realized that his omnipotent power was with me. I cannot forbear speaking of two singularly pleasant and profitable Sabbath days I spent at the White Memorial Church. One was the occasion of the general meeting in November. As God’s servants read from the Bible and the Testimonies statements relating to the war and our work at this time, a deep solemnity rested upon the congregation. It was a great privilege to be present at the rededication of the Portland church on January 2, and to have part in the celebration of her “jubilee.” Prophecy is certainly fulfilling in regard to this place. The company here is verily entering upon the experience of Isaiah 61. Just think of it, only about fifty members have raised $542 for the Harvest Ingathering! This is a wonderful triumph. It seems as if the Spirit of God in a special way has been brooding over this.18 place ever since Brother Haskell and wife came and planted their standard in the name of the Lord in response to the call of God’s servant. It was a glorious day for God’s pilgrim people in Portland when Brother Sanderson stood up and waved in his hand a bunch of canceled notes, to the value of $6,000, saying he was glad to have the enemies of the Lord by the neck. He then related the several dates on which they had been captured, and it was a thrilling story. Then as he burned them, he said, “So may all the enemies of the Lord consume away into smoke.” As you can imagine, there was weeping for joy, also a glad and generous response when the call was made for an offering to pay the last interest money. Three hundred dollars was quickly raised for that, and fifty-five dollars with which to paint the outside of the building. Many of God’s people who have waited long and struggled hard for the accomplishment of their hope, now feel like the Israelite captives when they returned to Zion, as described by David: “When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” “Bible Readings for the Home Circle,” Revised
By E. R. PALMER.
AFTER nearly five years of earnest, painstaking effort in revising, “Bible Readings for the Home Circle,” it is a great encouragement to see the splendid reception of this book by our people, and especially by colporteurs. Two editions of ten thousand copies each have been printed by this office, and a third edition of twenty thousand will soon be on the press. Duplicate sets of plates have been made and shipped to the Pacific Press Publishing Association, the Southern Publishing Association, and the International Tract Society of England. These houses are supplying their respective territories. The revision of this standard book is a matter of no little interest and importance to this people. It seems fitting, therefore, that a statement be made concerning the extent and character of this revision. “Bible Readings” is a book in which our people have been deeply interested since it was first issued, about twenty-five years ago. Like our other literature, it is a product of the movement known as the third angel’s message. The story of its authorship and production, its plan of teaching Bible truth, and its wide range of subjects, impress the fact that in a special sense “Bible Readings” is a product of denominational thought and enterprise. Many of our people will readily recall the interesting experiences of ministers and Bible workers when the plan of teaching the truth by the use of Bible readings was being generally adopted as a denominational method of work. Laborers were appointed to visit schools, camp meetings, and the larger churches, to give instruction in this method of labor. Probably no other method has been more fruitful of good results than the giving of Bible readings from house to house. “Bible Readings” had its origin in that department of gospel ministry. Thirty years ago, when the writer was living in the family of one of our ministers, a call was sent out from the General Conference for every laborer in the field to contribute at least two Bible readings to a collection which was then being made for public use. I shall never forget the days of careful study by that minister in the production of his two Bible readings. Doubtless there are many who still have a copy of the old “Bible Reading Gazette,” which was issued previous to the larger subscription book, and which served as a sort of textbook in the Bible-reading work. Over twenty-five years ago, after the success of selling books by subscription had been partially demonstrated by the sale of “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,” “The Marvel of Nations,” and “The Great Controversy,” the managers of the Review and Herald Office, at Battle Creek, developed the plan of issuing an illustrated volume of “Bible Readings,” covering practically the full scope of the threefold message, to be sold by agents as a subscription book. A large number of readings had been collected, many of which had previously been published in other forms. Other readings were gathered in from many sources. The Review and Herald Board, through its managers, took immediate charge of this enterprise from its very beginning, planning and superintending the shaping up of both the subject matter and the illustrations. Elder George I. Butler, president of the Review and Herald Board, took a deep interest in the plan and promotion of this far-reaching enterprise. Elder J. O. Corliss was employed as editor. The work that was done at that time stood the test of many years. We believe that few religious books, the Bible excepted, have had so large a sale as “Bible Readings,” about 1,250,000 copies having been sold. During recent years, while the colporteur work was being revived and was developing rapidly in other countries, there sprang up in all parts of the field an urgent demand that this book be thoroughly revised and brought up to date. On the recommendation of the General Conference Committee and the Publishing Department, the Review and Herald Publishing Association entered upon this revision. As in the case of the production of the original edition, all features of this work have been directly in the hands of the Review and Herald Office. A strong representative committee on revision was appointed, whose work extended over a period of nearly five years. Elder W. A. Colcord, who at that time was book editor in the employ of the General Conference, was engaged as editor. The committee on revision did thorough work. Each member was supplied with a copy of the manuscript, and gave it private study. The committee met from time to time to compare notes and make suggestions, and for weeks at a time was in session from two to four hours daily. As secretary of the committee, Elder Colcord, with the utmost care and faithfulness, incorporated into the manuscript the results of the criticisms and the suggestions of this committee. The work of revision was so extensive and thorough that it amounted practically to the making of a new book. About two hundred pages, including a large number of new subjects, were added. The entire range of denominational literature and research was drawn upon to make this book as complete and representative as possible. Valuable contributions to the readings were made by experienced laborers and Bible students. The unique reading found on page 725, entitled “One Hundred Bible Stories and Where to Find Them,” was prepared by Mrs. Anna L. Colcord, of Washington, D. C., who some years ago read the Bible through for the purpose of making a list of stories in it to read to her children. Nearly all the illustrations are new. There are two hundred and ninety halftone engravings, eighty of which are full page. All these illustrations are either original or are copies of the world’s most famous Bible pictures, redrawn and improved by Charles Mente, of New York. A plain, unillustrated edition, which contains five hundred and seventy-six pages, has been published. It is printed on thin paper, especially for the convenience of field workers and other Bible students. It is with great joy and hope that we have placed this revised edition of “Bible Readings” in the hands of our colporteurs. This line of work is rapidly growing, and extending to the ends of the earth. Everything possible should be done to place a high class of literature in the hands of this army of workers. We have confidence that “Bible Readings,” in its revised form, will fill a most important place in the colporteur work. Those who have had a part in this important enterprise will follow the future of this book with the utmost interest, and will remember at the throne of grace the colporteurs who labor in all lands for its circulation. E. R. PALMER. A NEW church of eleven members has been organized in Toronto, Ontario. RECENTLY Elder J. S. James baptized seven candidates in Pondicherry, India. ELDER R. I. KEATE reports ten baptized and added to the church in Birmingham, Ala. EIGHT of the students in Oak Park Academy, Nevada, Iowa, were recently baptized. ELDER D. H. HANSON reports the organization of a new Sabbath school in Darby, Mont. ELDER G. B. STARR baptized eleven new believers in Boston, Mass., on a recent Sabbath. THE new church building in Florence, S. Dak., was dedicated January 10 to the service of God. AT a service held in the Claremont (South Africa) church recently, five persons were baptized. ELDER STEMPLE WHITE, who is laboring in Duluth, Minn., reports the baptism of nine adults on a recent Sabbath.19 ON Sabbath, January 16, thirty-six persons were baptized and united with the Seventh-day Adventist churches in Chicago and Joliet, Ill. SIX persons have recently begun to observe the Sabbath in Maxwell, Ind., and a Sabbath school has been organized with a membership of twenty-seven. A NEW company of believers has been raised up in Bandon, Oregon, by Elders T. G. Bunch and C. L. Lingenfelter. Thirty-seven have decided to keep the commandments of God. SEVEN new members have been added to the colored church in Portsmouth, Va. Elder L. O. Gordon recently visited the company in Republican Grove, and from the effort put forth, three persons began to observe the Sabbath, making a company of eight. They have organized a Sabbath school. Thy People Are Freewill Offerings
By E. M. GRAHAM
“Thy people offer themselves willingly in the day of thy power.” Ps. 110: 3, A. R. V. In the footnote, this rendering is given: “Thy people are freewill offerings in the day of thy army.” When is “the day of thy power”? “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice.” Rev. 18: 1, 2. This angel, like the three angels of Revelation 14, is a symbol of God’s work in the earth, which is carried forward by his people. At this time the work is attended with great power, and therefore it is in a special sense the day of his power. At this time his people are to offer themselves willingly, or to be freewill offerings. We should expect then, at this time, to see all God’s people offering themselves willingly for service. There should be no urging, no persuading, but simply an organizing of a people who are freewill offerings to the Lord. Do we find it so with our church members? “Why are there so few who bear the yoke and carry the burden of Christ? Why do persons have to be urged to take up their work for the Master?”—“An Appeal to Our Churches,” page 5. “Not one one-hundredth part has been done or is being done by the members of the church, that God requires of them. They will, in that great day, be self-convicted and self-condemned for their slothfulness.”—Id., page 11. The word of the Lord is true; therefore the people of God will offer themselves willingly in the day of his power. Those who do not offer themselves willingly thereby prove they are not God’s people, though their names may have been for years on the church books. They have a name to live, but are dead. Truly the line is being drawn “between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.” Mal. 3: 18. For those who offer themselves willingly there is abundance of work. Some may circulate tracts in various ways. For others there are the inexpensive Extras that are being issued on various points of faith. There are the weekly Signs of the Times, the monthly magazines,—the Signs, Watchman, Life and Health, Liberty, Protestant,—and the Temperance Instructor, which will appeal to others. Some will desire to sell the small books, others to distribute the Berean Library. Some who cannot take an active part in the circulation of literature, will do missionary correspondence, and so send forth the truth. Many will win hearts by acts of kindly service, ministrations to the sick, visits to the shut-ins, and so open channels for the truth of God. Others will open the Bible to truth seekers, and study with them. All will be watchful for opportunities to speak helpful words that will draw souls to Christ and his truth.20 There is no lack of opportunities for service, or of material with which to work. The only thing needed is the people who offer themselves willingly for service, and they are coming forward everywhere, as the call is going forth, “Go work today in my vineyard.” Among Our Schools
By Frederick Griggs
UPON leaving Union College, I visited the academy at Redfield, S. Dak. I found the school in a prosperous condition. The attendance is equal to that of last year, and the students are somewhat older and more earnest. Principal G. C. George has been asked to take up other educational work, and Prof. H. J. Sheldon, for years principal of Maplewood Academy and who last year finished the college course at Union College, has been asked to take the principalship of the academy this next year. This school, located about thirty miles west from Minneapolis, Minn., is enjoying the largest enrollment in its history. Many of its rooms are overcrowded, and the management has been obliged to refuse admission to several applicants, for lack of accommodations. Because of this crowded condition, Principal R. A. Hare and his faculty are taxed very heavily, but the prosperous condition of the school lends a natural enthusiasm and strength to their work. It is an inspiration to visit these schools,—all of them in flourishing condition,—and meet such strong, purposeful classes of students. One cannot but feel that these sturdy, devoted young men and women will aid, in a vigorous manner, in the finishing of this great second advent movement, when they shall have completed their courses of study. This is the school of the North Dakota Conference, and is located at Harvey, N. Dak. Like the Maplewood Academy, it is in a very crowded condition. This school has been steadily growing, and for two or three years the accommodations have been sorely taxed. The conference has been contemplating increasing the provisions for dormitories and schoolrooms, but has delayed undertaking this because of financial obligations resting upon the school; but from the provision made at the meeting of the conference last June, it is hoped that these will soon be discharged, and the work of enlargement can then be undertaken. Prof. A. F. Schmidt, because of the heavy responsibilities as principal and business manager combined with full class work, broke down in health last year, and was obliged to be absent from the school for weeks. He has fully regained his health, and with his work readjusted is vigorously leading his faculty in their heavy duties. One encouraging feature of this school is the growth of the Russian department. Starting four or five years ago with but five or six students, it has steadily grown until now it has thirty-one enrolled. As several Russian church schools are being started, from which this school will draw students, Prof. S. G. Burley, who is in charge of the department, is very enthusiastic regarding its future. The Alberta Industrial Academy
This school, located at Lacombe, Alberta, was next visited. I also met here with the Western Canadian Union Conference Committee for its annual audit, and the transaction of other business incident to the work of the union. When one sees the large number of soldiers in the larger places and on the trains, it takes no stretch of imagination to recognize that Canada is engaged in war. These war conditions are felt in our work in this union in a marked way; but the courage of those leading in it seems to have inspired all connected with it, and the returns in practically all departments of the work show an increase rather than a decrease, as would naturally be expected. While the Alberta Industrial Academy belongs to the Alberta Conference, yet it now is, and probably will remain, the training school for the union, and as a consequence the union committee takes a special interest in it. The enrollment at present is nearly one hundred and seventy. The school now carries twelve grades, and fourteen grades are contemplated as soon as conditions will warrant. The students who complete the work of this school and desire to pursue advanced work, naturally attend Walla Walla College. The academy is located on a large farm, the buildings being situated on a high hill which commands a very beautiful view for miles in every direction. The school has at the present time over ninety head of horses and cattle, mostly young stock. There is manifested in all these schools a determination to meet the standards of scholarship, and to provide themselves with libraries, laboratories, and those general facilities which have been outlined in the requirements of our general department of education, and by means of them, together with a strong, spiritual atmosphere, to be not only a means of saving their own members, but, through them, of bringing the good story of salvation to the honest-hearted of all lands. As I write, I am on my way to Walla Walla College, where its board and the committee of the North Pacific Union will hold their meetings. After visiting this college, it is planned to visit the several schools of this union. Of these I hope to write later. F. GRIGGS General and N. Am. Div. Secretary W. E. HOWELL N. Am. Div. Asst. Secretary Home Missionary Department
E. M. GRAHAM - - - - General Secretary F. W. PAAP - - - N. Am. Div. Secretary