READING the book of Job, I find recorded that once the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy. Since that time there has come a great change; yet there are few persons, even now, who are not charmed by the proper kind of music. I say proper, for what is entrancing to one may not appeal so strongly to another; but when the right chord is sounded most hearts respond. Ezekiel tells us of Lucifer, perhaps the most noted of musicians, his tabrets and his pipes being prepared at his creation. Is it any wonder, then, that he now employs his agents to charm in this way those whom he would lure into sin? Through glitter and music many a soul has been thus led away, only to find, as did Solomon (Eccl. 2:8, 11), that these gifts, perverted, give little satisfaction.
Paul tells us that music properly rendered teaches and admonishes. Col. 3:16. And I sometimes wonder what the books will reveal when this talent is called in question, and our cases appear. In our unguarded moments, or when we feel overjoyed, we are prone to forget the admonition that psalms (not sentimental songs) are in place. James 5:13; Ps. 105:2. In the days of Samuel and Saul music was found beneficial for mental disorders, and it is employed in the asylums of our day. The invention of organs dates back to the days of Lamech (Gen. 4:21), while the number of instruments used in Nebuchadnezzar's orchestra seems to have been quite as complete as those used in modern orchestras. Anciently, also, a pretty custom of sending away friends with music was in vogue. Gen. 31:27. Music was also used in sacred processions. 2 Sam. 6:4, 5, 15.
In "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. IX, pages 143, 144, I read: "We are not to oppose the use of instrumental music in our work." "Let singing be accompanied with musical instruments skillfully handled." "Let all take time to cultivate the voice, so that God's praise can be sung in clear, soft tones, not with harshness and shrillness that offend the ear. The ability to sing is the gift of God; let it be used to his glory." "When human beings sing with the Spirit and the understanding, heavenly musicians take up the strain, and join in the song of thanksgiving."
The service at the Feast of Tabernacles was most impressive. "With sacred song and thanksgiving the worshippers celebrated this occasion. . . . O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever," rose triumphantly, while all kinds of music, mingled with shouts of hosanna, accompanied the united singing. . . . Ranged on either side of the white marble steps of the sacred building, the choir of Levites led the service of song. The multitude . . . took up the strain, and echoed the chorus; and again the melody was caught up by voices near and afar off, till the encircling hills were vocal with praise."—"Desire of Ages," pages 530, 531.
God has placed music everywhere in his creation, but man often fails to catch the sound. The feathered songsters are always in tune, the song of the brown thrush being rendered in three flats, and that of the meadow lark in two. In old age the voice of music leaves, but it will return to the faithful when even the tongue of the dumb shall sing. "As a youth, Jesus often expressed the gladness of his heart by singing psalms and heavenly songs. Often the dwellers in Nazareth heard his voice raised in praise and thanksgiving to God. He held communion with heaven in song: and as his companions complained of weariness from labor, they were cheered by the sweet melody from his lips. His praise seemed to banish the evil angels, and, like incense, fill the place with fragrance. The minds of his hearers were carried away from their earthly exile, to a heavenly home."
And just before his suffering, before leaving the upper chamber, he led his disciples in a song of praise. How often, when things go wrong, we get out of tune and get the pitch too high; but when the chorus of peace is sung by the redeemed, there will be no discordant notes. Heaven's arches will ring with the joyous refrain.
Self-Worship
By Mabel Corinne Craker
MABEL CORINNE CRAKER
Morning came with radiant splendor,
Wrapped the earth in healing rays;
Nature paid to God her tribute,
Everything seemed filled with praise.
Then I turned to seek the altar
I'd erected to the One
Who upholdeth all creation,
Who my heart I thought had won.
As I neared the place, a creature
Seemed to stand before my view.
She was clothed with pleasing beauty,
And her graces were not few.
I was charmed with her demeanor
As she cast her eyes toward mine;
And before I half suspected,
I was kneeling at her shrine.
With head bowed, I there adored her,
Her swift actions did not see;
She had moved before the altar,
Stepped between my God and me.
Once again I met this fair one
As the vespers filled the air;
And disconsolate and lonely,
She was weeping sadly there.
She had been so sore offended,
Some had failed her worth to see,
And I quietly assured her
She was all the world to me.
Then I paused for just a moment,
Tried a glimpse of Christ to see;
But she'd moved before the altar,
Stepped between my God and me.
Some time passed. When next I met her,
She encouraged thoughts unkind
Of my friends, in fact, seemed jealous;
To their virtues made me blind;
Pride seemed fixed within her nature,
Unbelief within her reigned.
I resolved to leave her presence,
Ne'er to venture there again.
I would seek the sacred altar,
Lay my sins at Jesus' feet,
Freely would he there receive me,
I should find forgiveness sweet.
Quickly turned I to a bypath,
From this traitor I'd be free;
But I found her near the altar,
There between my God and me.
'Twas but Self,—this horrid creature
I adored, but now despise,—
Full of evil and corruption,
An abhorrence to my eyes.
Could I crucify this monster
And inter her ugly form,
Naught I'd fear in all creation,
Nothing could my progress harm.
Weak indeed is human nature,
Frail the bark in which we sail;
Helpless as a bird mid tempests,
When it strives against the gale.
Christ alone, with power supernal,
Strength imparts so full and free;
When through him vain Self I conquer,
Naught there'll be 'tween God and me.
Turk, Wash.
Importance of Ventilating Our Living Rooms
By Charles Henry Hayton, M. D.
CHARLES HENRY HAYTON, M. D.
AIR is the most important element in the maintenance of human life. One can live without water for many days, and also without food for many weeks, but one cannot live without air even for a few moments.
It is most essential, therefore, to the health of every individual that he be able to obtain a plentiful supply of pure, fresh air every hour of the day and night, the night especially, for that is the time when the system needs an abundance of fresh air. The lungs are so constructed that the air which is inhaled is taken into the small air sacs, and there transferred to the blood, and carried to all parts of the body. If the air is pure and fresh, the blood assumes a bright red color, and the organs bathed by it are stimulated and invigorated. If, on the other hand, the air is bad and vitiated, the blood turns a darker color, and the organs are enervated and depressed. The general effect of impure13air is usually very quickly seen upon individuals, producing heaviness, sleeplessness, lassitude, headache, and oftentimes sickness. The continuous breathing of vitiated air induces a general lowering of the bodily tissues with gradual loss of strength and nutrition. It is only too apparent to a casual observer that much of the impaired vitality and health of the poorer inhabitants of the crowded towns and cities is due to the constant inhalation of impure air.
Impurities of Air
An ordinary individual at rest breathes from fourteen to eighteen times a minute. At each inspiration he takes in from twenty to thirty cubic inches of air. The air passing in contains, with the nitrogen, which is always a constant factor, about twenty-one per cent of oxygen gas and .04 per cent of carbon dioxide. The air passing out contains about fifteen per cent of oxygen, three or four per cent of carbon dioxide, besides water vapor and organic matter. The exhaled air therefore contains about one quarter less of oxygen and five times the amount of carbon dioxide. The watery vapor given off by the body amounts to about thirty ounces a day, ten from the lungs and twenty from the skin. The organic matter generally consists of fatty particles, dead epithelium cells, scales of hair or skin, and germs given off by the body. It is this moisture from the lungs and skin and the organic matter shed by the body, together with the excessive amount of carbonic acid gas, that makes the air of crowded and unventilated rooms so close, ill smelling, and uncomfortable.
Proper Ventilation
Of all the methods of natural ventilation, the open doors and windows are the best. This arrangement, however, except in the warmest weather, is likely to cause considerable drafts. To secure perfect ventilation all windows should be placed opposite each other. Each of such windows should be open from the top. This is necessary to guard against drafts, as all cold air should enter the room above the heads of the inmates if possible, and leave it at the same height.
Among the many devices for inlets of fresh air is the simple plan of raising the lower sash of the window and fitting in a board about six inches wide. A space is left between the meeting rails in the middle of the window, through which currents of fresh air are constantly flowing in and are directed upward toward the ceiling.
There are many such simple devices that can be arranged to ventilate the living rooms without causing drafts. Again, those who have anything to do with the care of public buildings should see that the inmates are plentifully supplied with fresh air. Caretakers of churches, schools, and halls should never close doors and windows as soon as an audience has passed out, and shut up the poisoned air to be breathed over again. Doors and windows should be thrown open, and these places well aired.
No lesson, sermon, nor concert can be understood or enjoyed by a sleepy, heedless audience,—sleepy and heedless because of the poisons breathed in. A wise caretaker will see to it that the company is well supplied with fresh air.
The sources of air contamination in a sick room are many. The patient himself, the nurse, the light, the bedding, sink, closets, all contribute to vitiate the air. If constant ventilation cannot be had, cover up the patient, and open the doors and windows for a short time every few hours.
Conclusions
1. Fresh air is essential to health.
2. The body is continually unloading poisons into the atmosphere.
3. All living rooms should receive a constant supply of fresh air, day and night.
4. Churches, schoolrooms, and halls should be properly ventilated.
Of One Mind in the Lord
By T. E. Bowen
T. E. BOWEN
"I BESEECH Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord." Phil. 4:2. So Paul wrote the church at Philippi.
Probably these sisters had had a "falling out," as we might speak of it now. Some little thing had come up, so that the love they once had for each other was not only all gone, but in its stead ill feeling and hatred had sprung up. Down at Rome, Paul had either been told about it by some Philippian brother or the Lord had shown it to him; and so this gentle rebuke, this beseeching of each personally, individually, near the close of his letter to that church, to become once more of one mind in the Lord.
And still there may be some Euodiases and Syntyches in the church scattered here and there. They are far from being of the "same mind in the Lord." And the church is made the sport of Satan's buffetings to just that extent that these persons are at enmity. There is no evading it. Every such division weakens the body structure, and it can never do its appointed work, nor be filled with the Spirit, until all such become "in the Lord" of "one mind."
Notice that it is all to be done "in the Lord." When each puts away his own stubborn willfulness, and in humility of heart yields himself to the Lord, in the Lord they become of one mind.
Why carry about a load of old grudges as if they were valuable keepsakes? Why be seen with such a load of worthless trash? A thousand times better consign without mercy the whole bunch to the scrap heap, yes, even better yet, the bonfire. Get the worthless rubbish out of sight forever.
"But he said some very mean things about me. I did not hear him, but it came straight." Yes, he may, and it likely came straight to you; such things usually find their way quickly to the one who never should hear. But what of it?
What have you said since? This, too, likely has gone straight to him. This is the devil's work to keep something going to stir up strife.
"Do all things without murmurings and disputings." Two brethren or sisters in the same church, known by those within the church as well as without the church to be unfriendly like this, can counteract all the good ten good men might accomplish. Before the latter rain can do its work either these elements will become of "one mind in the Lord" or they will be shaken out of the church entirely. Euodias and Syntyche must become one in the Lord or be lost altogether. There is no other alternative. But how much better it is to get together "in the Lord." It is wonderful what earnest prayer together will do in fixing up things like this. And it is astonishing how abundantly the Scriptures teem with expressions calculated to unite hearts in the tender bond of Christian love and fellowship, tender expressions of the Holy Spirit, seeking to melt our hard spirits into the tender-hearted compassion and love with which God wants us to regard one another. Here are a few of them:—
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another." "Let love be without dissimulation." "Be of the same mind one toward another." "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another after the example of Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God." "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." "Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you." "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."
Surely this emphasis placed upon unity in the church by the Lord means something to us who have come down to perilous times here at the end. Some earnest attention must be given to it by us all in our everyday living if we are to perfect characters to stand in the day of Christ's coming. And it is none too early to be developing these graces now.
Prayer Overcomes Worry
"Whatever the difficulty, trouble, or work, there is only one end of the matter in our own hands, and that is all we are responsible for. We do a great deal of worrying about the end of the line that is out of our sight and beyond our control, and all our anxiety is useless. Prayer reaches a long way and sets in motion forces we do not know, but worry only falls back on itself and eats up courage and strength."
The Revival at Mount Vernon College
By B. G. Wilkinson
Through some misunderstanding, the report of the splendid experiences of the week of prayer at Mount Vernon College failed to reach the REVIEW for publication. As many of the friends of the institution and parents or relatives of the students are looking for some word concerning that occasion, I shall give a short account of the deep spiritual experience which came to all, both faculty and students, at Mount Vernon College.
Some of the leading brethren at Mount Vernon say they have passed through twenty weeks of prayer, but never through such a one as in the closing days of 1913. The church held special meetings in the evening, apart from the college. Preparations had been made some time previous for this season, so the students held their meetings in the morning. All began earnestly to seek God, and were convinced that they must have a deep infilling of the Holy Spirit.
The members of the college faculty surrendered themselves entirely to the work. The leading students of the school also met together on the first Friday night, at which meeting the Spirit of God came in immediately with great power. In the social meeting of the evening quite a number raised their hands for prayer, among whom were many who had manifested little or no interest in the work of the Lord.
On my arrival the last Thursday evening in the week, I learned of the many things which God had done during the preceding days. That evening Professor Salisbury requested that the next morning might be given up entirely to revival work. Though we felt that revivals were things which could not be manufactured to order, yet when the services began the next morning, it was very evident that the Spirit was present in great power. The meeting began at 8:45 and lasted till 12:45.
At the beginning, Professor Salisbury had a list of some thirty-five students who were not members of the church, and for whose conversion teachers and students had been praying earnestly. At the close of the meeting while all the students were before the altar, completely broken and surrendered, Professor Salisbury drew a line through the last name on the list, saying that all the thirty-five were in. There was not one left in the whole student body who had not surrendered to Christ. The next Sunday the First Baptist church in the city was secured, and was filled to its utmost capacity. The pastor came to assist in the service, and thirty-five of the students were buried with their Lord in baptism. This is all the more encouraging when we note that the attendance at Mount Vernon this year is the largest in the history of the school.
The annual offering was taken up that Friday morning. When the envelopes were opened and the money counted, the contributions of the faculty amounted to $86, while the students had given an offering of $71.45. The offering of the church also was very large.
The Thursday night preceding had witnessed a great movement on the part of the church. The elders and officers had been laboring earnestly that all might be brought into the fold, and it was a blessed experience to see some present the following Sabbath morning who had once been prominent and active in the service of God but who for some time had been cold and in the background. Never had there been so complete and entire a sweep made to bring all, both church members and students, into the fold of Christ. Since then the work has gone on deepening and solidifying.
The brethren of the neighborhood, as well as the conference, deeply regret the necessity of changing the institution from a college to an academy, but all are endeavoring to take the change cheerfully. It will be of interest to all to know that whereas four years ago the indebtedness of the institution was about thirty-two thousand dollars, this year the indebtedness has been reduced to twenty-three thousand dollars. At the same time, the building has had expended upon it between six and seven thousand dollars for repairs, so that now everything in connection with the institution is clean, spick-and-span. The work in the classrooms is inferior to none done in the same subjects anywhere. All are determined to continue this good work and to keep on the forward march.
Last year the students of Mount Vernon College sold about ten thousand dollars' worth of our truth-filled literature throughout the union. A large number are preparing to rally again to the work this year, and we look for good results.
B. G. WILKINSON.
Spain
By Frank S. Bond
Our general meeting for the believers in Spain was held at Barcelona the last of August. The churches and various groups were all represented at this annual gathering. Elders A. G. Daniells, L. R. Conradi, L. P. Tieche, and P. Meyer, Brother W. E. Hancock, and Brother L. E. Borle (representing the publishing work) were also with us.
This was Elder Daniells's first visit to Spain, and our Spanish brethren were very glad for this privilege of becoming acquainted with him, and hearing him tell how God has blessed in this great movement in other lands.
God blessed his servants in the presentation of his word, and nearly every one in attendance renewed his consecration to the service of the Master. We feel that a new impetus was given to the work in this field.
On the closing day of our conference four dear souls followed their Lord in baptism. Since then, two others have taken this important step. Including these, I had the privilege of baptizing twelve during the third quarter. We realize that this is very few, but are thankful that this much has been accomplished.
We believe that brighter days are ahead for the work in Spain. Our working force is small, but we are determined to let God work through us for the salvation of souls.
Since our general meeting, several persons in different parts of the country have begun the observance of God's holy Sabbath.
Brother J. L. Brown is working hard to build up the canvassing work. He has met with a number of difficulties, but much has been accomplished. Much of the material with which he has been compelled to labor has not been of the most substantial character. If four or six young men from America would volunteer to join our book force in Spain, there is no doubt but that they would be a great blessing to the work in this field. We have several good books, and "Practical Guide" should be ready within a few days.
It has already been demonstrated that this is a self-supporting field for canvassers of the right kind. We ask the readers of the REVIEW to unite with us in praying that the Lord of the harvest will raise up more laborers for this part of his vineyard. FRANK S. BOND.
Industrial Education the Need of the South
By M. Bessie DeGraw
IN Rabun County, in the northeastern corner of the State of Georgia, in the very heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, hedged about by mountain barriers on its southern and western borders, in one of the most isolated and inaccessible spots of all the mountain region, there is an industrial school founded and conducted by Prof. Andrew J. Ritchie. Professor Ritchie was born in this county, but was more fortunate than his neighbors, because he had the advantages of an education outside of the county. He is a college graduate and a college professor.
Several years ago Professor Ritchie, on visiting his home county, found that there was not a single advanced school in the county, that the public schools were open only from sixty to ninety days during the year, that the children were taught in most wretched schoolhouses and by teachers with little more training than those schools offered. The average child attended school about forty days in the year. This condition appealed so strongly to Professor Ritchie that he forsook his employment in the world, and he and his wife dedicated their lives to the betterment of the people in Rabun County. He visited every home, riding from place to place on horseback. He talked school work, he wrote about school work, and finally with his own means and the little help he could get from his neighbors, he began to build a school.
His school is an industrial school, for he says: "The old education fails to reach the mountain problem. The goal it sets before the mountain boy or girl15is too often an escape from the work and environment of the mountain community and a change to the life of the town or city. The kind of education needed is education that shall have a larger bearing upon the life which the people are leading." He says there must be established a practical connection between education and work. "The students must study the industries of their environment. The mountain boy needs to be trained in agriculture, forestry, dairying and animal husbandry, and in handicrafts in woodwork and other industries for which the materials lie at hand unused."
He says further that the girls in the mountains need the training to become orderly housekeepers, successful home makers, which, combined with the pure mountain air and water, will give these people the physical health they need.
Professor Ritchie says that the mountain school must be an evangelizing, spiritual force in the community. It can do a work in these mountain districts that the church and the evangelistic preacher cannot do. "It must set in motion influences which will soften the mountain temper and displace the spirit of feud. It must banish the evil of whisky and the attendant social degradation."
These mountain children must earn their own living with the labor of their hands. Their wealth must come from the soil, and the products they can make with their hands. They must be their own carpenters, their own blacksmiths, and to a large extent their own weavers. Since these are the lessons the mountain boys and girls must learn, there should be schools offering these same subjects to train teachers for these mountain districts.
Hon. W. J. Northern, an ex-governor of the State of Georgia, says: "The work undertaken by Professor Ritchie is, in my judgment, one of the greatest educational needs of the State."
In the description of Professor Ritchie's work, in the quotations from him concerning the needs of the mountain districts, in Mr. Northern's tribute to Mr. Ritchie, we have the world's invitation to establish in the South industrial schools in many isolated districts.
The spirit of prophecy has for years invited Seventh-day Adventists to do this very work. It has outlined for them an educational system which will meet these needs. True, this calls for a reform in education, but we read: "I have been shown that in our educational work we are not to follow the methods that have been adopted in our older-established schools. There is among us too much clinging to the old customs, and because of this we are far behind where we should be in the development of the third angel's message. . . . Years have passed into eternity with small results, that might have shown the accomplishment of a great work."
Our attention is called to the work of the Australasian Missionary College, at Avondale, Australia, as an example of what should be done in many places in the South. We are told that men and women who receive an all-round, practical education will find standing room all through the South and in foreign fields. We are told further that in carrying out the Lord's will concerning industrial training, many men and women from the common walks of life will have a part.
Sister White, writing for the Review and Herald, under date of June 27, 1912, says: "Under the ministration of angels, common men will be moved upon by the Spirit of God and led to warn people in the highways and byways. These workers are to be strengthened and encouraged, and as fast as possible prepared for labor, that success may crown their efforts. . . . There are lay members who are fitted to bear responsibilities, and who would do so if there were some one with patience, kindness, and forbearance, who would teach them how to work." This same article from the pen of Sister White tells us that we have lost much in our missionary efforts because we have not recognized the part that the layman is yet to play in the spread of the third angel's message. We have lost much because we have not encouraged our lay members to attend schools offering a source of study that will prepare them to do a simple work in needy fields which God says with his blessing they can and will yet do.
The world, especially our Southern States, is extending to us an earnest invitation to spread the truth of the third angel's message through industrial schools. The spirit of prophecy is instructing us to do this same thing. The Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute was established to train workers to do this very work, and as the course of study for this school is compared with the needs outlined by men of intelligence who are facing the mountain problem, we are led to exclaim, Surely the hand of God is in this!
West Pennsylvania Conference
By W. F. Schwartz
We now greet the readers of the REVIEW AND HERALD from the city of Erie. Leaving Hollidaysburg, we came to this place to follow up the good work of Elder West, and also to water the seed sown by Elders Lukens, Longacre, and Robbins.
We began the work November 15, and have already met a number who have learned to love these brethren, and in whose hearts the seeds of truth are still alive. We pray that we may be able to lead them on, and that they with others will soon take their stand for the truth of God.
We found the church membership to be forty-six, two brethren and the rest sisters, who have done nobly in carrying the spiritual and financial burdens of the church.
For the year 1912 their tithes and offerings amounted to $792.31. The year just closed shows the active spirit these women have had in the things of God. Their tithe has increased over three hundred dollars, their tithes and donations amounting to $1,023.65. They have also raised on the mortgage and other expenses to the amount of $219.99, making a total of $1,243.64 for the year 1913. This month shows the same good spirit, and we look for greater blessings the coming year.
There are seven classes in the Sabbath school, with an attendance of fifty. The Sunday evening services are well attended, with a goodly number present who are not of our faith. Each week we are receiving new names of those interested in the truth. We hope by faithful search and diligent labor to be able to add to this church such as shall be saved. Last week two new members were received into the church. We praise God for what has already been accomplished, and for the spirit of love and willingness to serve that we find among this people.
Before the last quarterly meeting we suggested that a new outfit of articles for use in the ordinances of the Lord's house would be very acceptable, and there followed a liberal donation of linen, granite ware, and an individual communion set. The quarterly occasion was one of special blessing to all. God came very near.
There are forty-two thousand Catholics in this field, and already some are beginning to study this truth. Pray for us that God will give us much of his Spirit, that faithful work may be done.
I have visited Albion, North East, and Meadville since coming here, and in each place we have those who are interested, and a field ready to work. The harvest is great. There is a cry for laborers on every side. May God raise up workers to harvest the souls that are waiting for the truth. W. F. SCHWARTZ.
Self-Supporting Work
By Mrs. H. A. Jenks
"GoD calls for Christian families to go into communities that are in darkness and error, and work wisely and perseveringly for the Master. To answer this call requires self-sacrifice. While many are waiting to have every obstacle removed, souls are dying without hope and without God in the world. . . . Where are the men and women who will move into regions that are in need of the gospel, that they may point those in darkness to the Redeemer? Many of God's people are to go forth with our publications into places where the third angel's message has never been proclaimed."—"Testimonies for the Church," Vol. IX, page 33.
"In humble dependence upon God, families are to settle in the waste places of his vineyard. Consecrated men and women are needed to stand as fruit-bearing trees of righteousness in the desert places of the earth. As the reward of their self-sacrificing efforts to sow the seeds of truth, they will reap a rich harvest. As they visit family after family, opening the Scriptures to those in spiritual darkness, many hearts will be touched. . . . The amount of good that these workers accomplish will never be known in this world."—Id., Vol. VII, pages 22, 23.
For the encouragement of those who may be contemplating answering this call, I write of how God has blessed our family in this work. Resigning my position as a Bible worker for the Western New York Conference, I joined my husband in Ridgway, Pa., where he was then nursing. This town is the county seat of Elk County, and is a very conservative place. It is styled the "city of churches," but the third angel's message had never found entrance.
I began active work in July, 1911, by canvassing, and delivered $370.15 worth of our publications. After my last delivery of books we started a Bible class in our home. I also followed up some of the interested ones whom I had met while canvassing; and in June, 1912, we organized the Ridgway Sabbath school, with three new Sabbath keepers. These16at once began to send offerings to the conference treasury, and two of them were soon paying tithes.
I have had my household duties to attend to, and have taught our home school, but still have found time to hold a number of Bible classes each week. Two young ladies care for our baby when I am out, and I pay them by teaching them music.
June 30, 1913, completed our second year of active work in this place, and we are led to exclaim, "What hath God wrought?" Our Sabbath school then registered eighteen active members, and two in the home department, giving in tithes and offerings for one quarter $54.39. Our hearts were made glad as we saw a little company of Sabbath keepers meeting in our sitting room each week to worship and to pray, and to plan for the advancement of the message we all hold so dear. It is a good work, and we feel sure that God will bless others who may be led to enter new fields as self-supporting missionaries.
MRS. H. A. JENKS.
A Little Work at St. Anne, Ill.
By WM. COVERT
I STARTED from La Fayette, Ind., January 12, to go to St. Anne, Ill., to hold a few meetings. Arriving at the Big Four station about noon, I was told that I could not get a train that would stop at St. Anne until the next day at 8 A. M. But as I had an appointment at St. Anne that evening, I was deeply concerned about it, for I did not wish to disappoint the friends. Yet the agent positively asserted that their afternoon train would not stop at St. Anne. I then told him to sell me a ticket to Kankakee, which is twelve miles beyond St. Anne. He did so, and I got aboard the train, a fine vestibule one, which was intending to fly past the place where I wanted to go. But when we got within a mile of St. Anne, I discovered the train was slowing down, and when within twenty rods of the station it stopped still, and the brakeman opened the door, and he and the conductor got out. I then gathered up my baggage and went aground, telling the conductor that I was at my station, and would ride no farther with him. He said, "You are a lucky man, for we are blocked, and have to wait until the Eastern Illinois freight gets across our track."
Well, Providence stopped the train for me to get off and meet my appointments. It stopped ten rods closer to the place where I wished to go than if it had let me off at the station. I filled all my appointments on time, preached three times, and gathered $5.25 in money in the town for missions.
One evening while I was there, Brother Versailles, who is more than one hundred years old, came out to meeting and listened to the preaching. He carried a lantern to make a light for his path. I never before preached in the hearing of a man so aged. He told me that his wife, now dead but a short time, lived with him after their marriage seventy-eight years. He will probably soon fall asleep to lie beside the dust of his wife. But shorter will be their rest together in the tomb than was their sojourn together in life, for the Lord, descending from heaven, will call them from their graves on the resurrection day. Long, O, so long! then, will they live, for immortality will keep them from fading through all the endless ages yet to be enjoyed by the people of God.
These thoughts are inexpressibly sweet to feed upon as we behold the infirm steps of many pilgrims who have been long in the way of obedience.
WM. COVERT.
In North Mexico
By S. Marchisio
ON account of the blowing up of trains, burning of houses, killing of people, robbing and putting ransom on some, I was not able to visit our small companies north of San Luis Potosi from last July until I went to see them in November. However, I found they were getting along much better than I had expected.
It did me much good to visit the company in Visnaga, in the center of much trouble. They kept up their meetings as before; not only that, but some had begun to pay tithes on crops raised the year before. For nine years they had had very little corn, on account of drought. Last year they had a fair harvest, and some of them have faithfully paid their tithe. The tithe was not much, but it was all they could do, and all the Bible requires of them.
I risked my life to go to see these people, but I was glad I went. The day before I left Matehuala, two persons were hanged there. Everything in this part of the country is destroyed. My train stopped ten or fifteen meters from a place where the revolutionists had destroyed the road. Not in every state have the revolutionists done as they have here in San Luis. In this state they do much damage by blowing up trains, especially federal trains.
In the midst of all this trouble, the work of God is making some progress. We hope some day to have peace again, and then do a little better, if the Lord wills. But now, in the midst of all these disasters, we need your prayers that our faith fail not. S. MARCHISIO.