A MORAVIAN Christian heard of the sufferings of the West India slaves, and desired to be a missionary to them; but when he reached them, he found they were driven to the field so early and came home so late there was no life or strength in them to listen to his instructions; neither did they believe that any man whose face was white had a heart that was other than black, and they would not listen to him, and he found, at last, that there was no way to preach to them unless he suffered with them himself.
He sold himself, and was driven afield with them, that while he suffered and toiled as they did, he might have opportunity to preach to them the unsearchable riches of Christ. Now, I ask if there reigns a king upon his throne that was so lordly, so large a man, as that poor, sweating Moravian, who, for the sake of serving and saving these poor, miserable, dying slaves in the field, had sold himself into like estate to preach the riches of Christ? The largest conception of manhood is that which knows how to take itself as though of no consequence to those to whom it may make itself an offering, a power, an instruction.—Selected.
The British Field
By Ole Andres Olsen
We are pleased to be able to speak encouragingly of the work in this field. The blessing of the Lord is manifest in many ways. The laborers are encouraged by seeing souls accept the truth, and rejoice in the love and hope of the soon coming of the Redeemer.
Recently I made a brief tour in the north. I attended a workers' meeting held at Glasgow, Scotland, January 12-17. This was an interesting occasion. Nearly all the workers connected with that field were present, the larger number of them being canvassers. The time of the meeting was fully occupied with earnest work, and a careful study of the fields and of methods of labor was taken up. A part of each day was spent by most of those present in actual work in the city.
At this time a special series of meetings was also being opened by Elder Ritchie, in Glasgow, which will continue during the latter part of the winter and the spring. The Lord has greatly blessed the work in Scotland during the past year. The number of believers has been nearly doubled. The tent effort at Kirkcaldy resulted in the raising up of a goodly company of earnest people, and the prospect for the organization of a strong church there in the near future is very encouraging.
The number of believers at Edinburgh has also been increased. During the meeting at Glasgow, we had the joy of seeing eight souls follow the Lord in baptism, and fifteen united with the church.
We were greatly pleased to see the spirit of unity and harmony and of strong courage manifested by all who were present. This speaks well for the future progress of the work in Scotland. Aggressive measures are being planned for the summer's campaign. They hope to have at least two tents in operation. Scotland is an excellent field. In many ways it seems to be the most favorable one in the United Kingdom at the present ent time. The Spirit of the Lord is moving on the hearts of the people, and the way is opening most encouragingly for the work.
The brethren there have called earnestly for aid in obtaining another tent, and we can only encourage those who feel especially interested, by saying that now is the time to help. The old adage, “Strike while the iron is hot,” is especially applicable to the situation in Scotland at the present time, and certainly the time has come when whatever is to be done, needs to be done quickly. But while the field is favorable, we are lacking in means to meet the great needs of the work, and shall therefore be exceedingly grateful to all who will render us assistance in carrying forward the work of the Lord to its final consummation.
Leaving Scotland, I went to Ireland. This is in many ways a much more difficult field than Scotland. There are bitter prejudices to meet. The Catholic element is very strong; but the work of the Lord is also onward. Brother Hutchinson, with his assisting fellow laborers, opened up the work at Ballyclare, a small place near Belfast. From the very beginning, there was bitter prejudice to contend with, but by earnest prayer and persevering effort, the difficulties were mastered, and the people began to attend the meetings.
Then the opposition took another form. One of the strong religious men in northern Ireland came to Ballyclare to oppose the truth publicly. This created quite a sensation, and the town hall was crowded to its utmost capacity to hear his exposition and opposition of the truth, which they expected would utterly annihilate the truth that had been preached. But this effort, instead of hurting the cause of God, only helped it. This man spoke very strongly against the Sabbath, but in his closing remarks he admitted that there is no Scriptural ground for the observance of the first day of the week as the Sabbath. This statement set many good people to thinking, and some of the most faithful members of his own church decided to obey the Word of God, and the result is that a goodly number of substantial, earnest people have taken their stand for the truth; for this we thank the Lord.
Our meetings with the church at Belfast were very interesting and encouraging. Work is also being begun at Dublin, by means of the circulation of health literature. We pray that this effort may be successful.
The work in the North England Conference is making steady progress. During the last month, three new churches have been organized in that field,—one at Birkenhead, of twelve members; one at Leicester, with sixteen; and one at Manchester, with thirty-six. These advance movements are a source of much encouragement. There is prospect of one or two more churches being organized in that field before the time of the annual conference.
The Lord is also blessing the work in the South England Conference. Many who were troubled and perplexed in view of the apostasies that have taken place during the last year have settled down stronger and more firmly grounded in the truth and the work than ever before.
On Sabbath, January 6, we had the pleasure of reorganizing the church at Balham. The organization which had existed there for some time, had been so broken up by removals and other changes that the friends thought the best thing to do was to proceed with a definite organization, as that would establish the work more firmly.
We are also receiving encouraging reports from Wales. During the next few weeks a new church will be organized at Newport. This is the result of the tent effort there last summer.
While we rejoice in view of the advance steps that are being made by the work, still in the midst of all this there are many perplexities to deal with. Satan is making it just as hard as he can for people to obey the truth, but thanks be to God, who causeth us always to triumph in Christ Jesus.
We are also experiencing the blessing of the Lord in our institutional work. Our school, our publishing work, and our health work are all progressing encouragingly. The sanitarium at Caterham is full, and a number are waiting for admission as soon as there is a vacancy. February 8 the new sanitarium at Leicester was formally opened. The mayor of the city and his wife were present, and spoke words of encouragement and welcome, wishing the institution the best of success.
We are especially thankful for the blessings that we are enjoying in our school, and we know that the Lord will continue to bless this important branch of our work.
I wish also in this connection to express our sincere gratitude to the General Conference, and the brethren and sisters in America who have assisted the work in Britain during the past year. The General Conference, supplemented by several of the State conferences, has given us a liberal appropriation in money. Without this, it would have been impossible for us to have done what we have, and the encouraging report that we have been able to render is largely the result of the help we have received from our brethren and sisters across the water.
While the United Kingdom presents but a comparatively small amount of territory, still, with its teeming millions of people, it is an immense field. The Lord has wrought in this country in the past. Missionaries have gone from it to all parts of the world. Thousands and thousands of pounds of money have been consecrated to the sending forth of the gospel to the dark places of the earth, and the time has now come that this last message should also be given with power among this very people who have been so helpful in sending the gospel of salvation to others.
The number of believers in present truth is comparatively small in this country. They are devoted, earnest, and faithful in contributing of their means to help the work, but their abilities are not equal to the great needs. There are earnest, devoted people here, who ought to be encouraged, and would be successful in the work of giving the message, if we had funds with which to support them, but we have not at present. In view of all these things, we must17still appeal to our General Conference, and to others who have helped us in the past, to continue to remember the needs of the millions of this important field.
God has blessed the work here, and he will continue to bless, and we are having much to encourage us in the remarkable way in which the providence of God is going out before us. These things give us reason to look for more rapid advancement in the work in the United Kingdom during the present year than at any time in the past. For this we are earnestly praying and laboring, fully believing that God will verify our expectations. O. A. OLSEN.
Japan
By S. A. Lockwood
KOBE.—We are glad to report that four have accepted the truth since the beginning of the year, when our church was organized. There are two more who we feel quite sure will unite with us soon. One of the four mentioned is a young lady whom we are training as a nurse. Another is a man who has had considerable experience in colporteur work. He is having excellent success now, selling our tracts. We had an application a few days ago from a man not of our faith, to sell Owari. He has been selling the War Cry for the Salvation Army, and has disposed of as many as one thousand copies a month. He lives in Osaka. If he is as successful in selling the Owari, it will be the means of bringing the gospel to thousands in that city of nearly a million inhabitants. Our hearts are greatly encouraged as we see the evidences that God is at work.
S. A. Lockwood, M. D.
WM. COVERT
By William Covert
Michigan
BERRIEN SPRINGS.— It was my happy privilege to be present Tuesday evening, February 9, when thirty new students were received into Emmanuel Missionary College. Twenty-eight of these came from Battle Creek, and two from Owosso, Mich. There was some question as to whether such a large addition to the school could be made comfortable; but the faculty and the pioneer students were quite equal to the occasion. It was a true inspiration to learn that those who had been in the school could and did give up their rooms to those who had just arrived. The welcome given and the beautiful spirit in which it was received made the occasion very profitable and pleasant.
About twenty of the thirty who came on that day expect to enter the canvassing work after they have spent three months in preparation for this essential feature of the Lord’s work. Ten others from Battle Creek were planning to enter the same school one week later. This interest to enter the school for the purpose of receiving a training for the Lord’s work is some of the fruit of the late revival effort in Battle Creek. Many others desire to follow the example set by those who have lately entered the school, as soon as conditions will allow.
Dwelling conveniences are greatly needed to provide for the students who should be in the school. A most earnest effort should be made, especially by our people in the Lake Union school district, to do this as soon as possible. Every unsold copy of “Christ’s Object Lessons” should be disposed of before another quarter passes away. No efforts should be spared that would help to forward this very desirable end. No good can come from longer waiting. The Lord has been working to bring students to the school, and they are pleading for room in the institution. The providence of God is speaking to us on this subject in language more forcible than tongue can tell or pen can write. Do we hear? and shall we give heed to the call?
WM. COVERT
Report of Labor
By WALTER HARPER
I LEFT Oakland and San Francisco on Tuesday, January 26, for a trip to southern California, Arizona, etc., canvassing on the way. My first stop was at Tehachapi, Cal., on the summit of the Tehachapi Mountains, three hundred and sixty-two miles southeast of San Francisco. From a human standpoint it seemed useless to stop at that place; for there had been little or no rain there this season. It was dry and dusty; no green grass, no grain up yet, and the outlook was gloomy. But I had prayed much for the help of the Lord in my work before I left home, and God did hear and answer. The next day after my arrival there I took fourteen or fifteen orders, about thirty dollars’ worth. One woman even paid me in advance for a copy of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” A few days later at and near Mojave—on Sunday, too—I was favored in securing twenty-two orders for books, helps, etc., or over fifty dollars’ worth.
At one town in California where I was at work, some advised me not to call at a neighbor’s house, as the people were not just what they ought to be. I passed the house at first, and went to another house, and secured an order; but on my return I felt that I must go to the house I had passed by. I called, and the woman took me to the kitchen or dining-room, where her father was—her husband was not at home. She was so pleased with “Christ’s Object Lessons” that she ordered three copies, for presents for her sisters. Her father also gave me an order amounting to two dollars.
I feel that all the honor, glory, and praise are the Lord’s; for only he can crown our efforts with success. We owe all to him; without his continued blessings strewn along our path, we should soon utterly fail. I can see so many tokens of God’s love and tender care. I pray much for his blessing on my work. I find that to prevail with God on my knees in prayer, enables me to prevail with the people. O, it is a good thing to trust in the Lord, and lean heavily on his everlasting arms!
WALTER HARPER.
British East Africa
By THOS. H. BRANCH.
CHOLO.—I am truly sorry to write the sad word that Brother Watson is dead. Of course you know it ere this. He passed peacefully away after a fortnight’s illness of fever, Friday, December 11, at 5 A. M. Our hearts were made very sad to stand by that bedside and say good-by for a while to him who had come so recently to labor in this field. All was done that could be done to relieve his suffering, and to restore him to health, but we were called to bow our heads in humble submission to the will of a kind and loving Heavenly Father, who doeth all things well. We laid him to rest at the setting of the sun, in a beautiful green grove near the mission house.
“Jesus, while our hearts are bleeding
O’er the spoils that Death has won,
We would, at this solemn meeting,
Calmly say, Thy will be done.
Though cast down, we’re not forsaken;
Though afflicted, not alone.
Thou didst give, and thou hast taken.
Blessed Lord, thy will be done.”
I am indeed glad that Providence has given us such a splendid location in this great continent—a most beautiful spot, and quite convenient. Although the mission is very well furnished for work, we are in great need of a church and school building. At present we are holding our church services and school in a store-room, which is very unsatisfactory. I would be glad if more of our people would come to this part of Africa, to work among this people who are in heathen darkness, to help lift them up to stand as men for God.18
Many of the boys who were farthest advanced in English have left the station. Among them were several whom I baptized last April. They were all sorry to leave, and I was touched when one of them said to me, “Please give me a balata [letter] that reads, Charley is a Christian, and keeps the seventh-day Sabbath.” He said, “I shall show that to the people.” I could not help but think how often we fail to improve an opportunity to speak for Christ, when we might hand out a tract or paper, and draw the minds of the people to the message for this time.
A short time ago I visited a colored Baptist station forty miles from here. They are doing a good work. They have two American workers—a lady and a gentleman—and a native young man who was educated in America. The young lady has charge of the woman’s work, and is building a dormitory for girls. But notwithstanding all these advantages, many of the natives come to us, and ask to be taught here, because of the Sabbath.
I also visited several of the schools supported by this mission, and found them in good working condition, with steady young Christian native boys as teachers, who speak and write English well. I usually speak through an interpreter, although I am learning the language. My wife and daughter do well with the language, and the boys speak it very well, also quite a bit of the Yao tongue.
We are hoping to do much here in the strength of Christ. We are of good courage, and in good health.
THOS. H. BRANCH.
The Natal-Transvaal Conference
By W. S. Hyatt
QUITE a large number of our people came together at Maritzburg, and the brethren and sisters very hospitably opened their homes and gave them a hearty welcome. The church at that place is largely composed of brethren who have accepted the message during the past season's tent effort.
The meetings of the conference passed off pleasantly, a spirit of unity and harmony prevailing. Elder Edmed was chosen as the president of the conference, and Brother J. H. Camp was elected secretary and treasurer of the conference and tract society. He has some assistance in the office, which will enable him to spend some time in looking after the canvassing work also.
The tract society has purchased the Echo office at Durban, and it is to be located in a convenient place in Printing Office Street, Maritzburg. They have a good stock of books, also a supply of health foods. The outlook for both these branches of the work is good. They have several good canvassers. We thank the Lord for the work they have done in placing our books in the hands of the people.
There is a great interest in Natal on the subject of healthful living. Sister Webster has been doing good work among the people of Maritzburg, and the blessing of the Lord has attended her labors in a wonderful manner. They hope to have a doctor soon, to take charge of the medical work. We see many encouraging omens. The prospects are good for this little conference.
W. S. HYATT.
Our Training College in London
By H. R. Salisbury
OUR half year closed December 23, and many of our students who live away from London went home for a ten days’ holiday. This has been well earned; for the results of the examination show that faithful work has been done by all. Several who came for the first time at the beginning of the year, and who were backward because they had been so long out of school, have expressed themselves as greatly encouraged by the progress which they have made.
On Wednesday evening before Christmas, which marked the end of our half year, a very pleasant gathering of teachers and students was held in Holloway Hall. All the members of the board who were in London were present, together with a number of former students, some of whom had come from a distance. An enjoyable program was given by the students.
The half year has slipped quickly away, and we look forward with hope and courage to the work of the remaining months. We are cheered by the spirit of consecration and sacrifice shown by the students, and are encouraged by the determined efforts which they have put forth to prepare themselves for thorough and acceptable work in the great field.
I am glad to say that not one penny of the money from the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” or donations which have been made for the establishment of a permanent school in Great Britain has been used for the running expenses of the college. It is being kept for the purchase of a permanent institution. We hope the day is not far distant when enough will have been received.
H. R. SALISBURY.
Yukon Territory, Canada
By A. M. Dart
DAWSON.—Leaving White Horse, Yukon Territory, about the middle of June, 1903, in company with my wife and daughter, I sailed in a rowboat about one hundred and twenty-five miles down the swift, treacherous waters of the Yukon River. We then decided that the dangers of this way of travel were greater than it was wise to risk, so we exchanged our boat for one of the river steamers, which, during the short summer season, are very busy carrying freight into the interior of Alaska and Yukon Territory. We soon arrived at Dawson. A search for a place to hold meetings seemed to indicate that we would have to pay at least four dollars a night for a place at all suitable. At last, however, the Lord influenced a man to give us a good building in a good location for forty dollars a month. We did not succeed in getting the people to come out. The baseball players were more successful. Their gate receipts were from two to three hundred dollars a night. We left the city, and went up the creek to Bonanza, about thirteen miles from Dawson. Here we had an interesting series of meetings which lasted four weeks, and were well attended. A good interest was awakened. We feel confident that seeds of truth were sown in honest hearts, which will bear fruit in the kingdom. One evening we did up some packages of five tracts each, and offered them for sale at twenty-five cents a package. We sold four dollars' worth. We sold about twenty dollars' worth of books, mostly “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation.”
The approach of winter forced us to make arrangements for this long, cold season. I might say that Bonanza is the place where gold was first discovered in 1897, known as the great Klondyke gold discovery. Our place of meeting was just under Gold Hill, where millions of dollars have been taken out since then. Our hall at Bonanza cost fifteen dollars a week. Donations for the four weeks amounted to fifty-eight dollars.
Leaving this place, we returned to Dawson, secured a building with half for meetings, and living-rooms above, for sixty-five dollars a month. We fitted up a missionary room in the front part of the hall. The room has a table, chairs, lounge, nice mottoes on the wall, and is well supplied with books, tracts, and papers on present truth. An appropriate sign outside invites people in to read, rest, or write. The place is called Mission Home Hall. We hold services every night in the week except one.
One man who began reading “Daniel and the Revelation” when we first opened the place, soon began to attend the meetings, and is now thoroughly converted to the message, and is ably assisting others to see the light which seems to be filling his soul. Another turned over a new leaf for 1904, with these words: “I am through with the Babylon church. We have been knocking at the doors of the Catholic Church,” He, too, is thoroughly converted, and is helping others to see the light. Others are deeply interested, and are constant attendants at the meetings.
The missionary room is an excellent arrangement. It not only affords an opportunity for people to get acquainted and become interested in our work, but provides an excellent opportunity for those interested to study the message. Almost every evening the missionary room is quite well filled with people reading and studying for an hour or more before meeting time. Then, too, all day people come and go. Strangers frequently spend hours in that room, reading the message of God for our time.
The other day five or six friends of Mission Home Hall came with their saws and sawhorses, and in a few hours five cords of sixteen-foot wood was sawed and piled by my door. I had been doing this myself, to save expense, and I assure you it is not a small task to saw wood for Dawson weather. In a recent cold spell some of the thermometers registered as low as sixty-eight and seventy degrees below zero. Horses that drew the stages, and drivers that drove the horses, bled at the nose because of the intense cold. Two weeks ago last Sunday I walked two miles up the creek to fill a weekly appointment when the thermometer was sixty degrees below zero. My audience was there, and we had a good meeting.
Brethren, let us praise God for a Master who fits his servants for the work he puts before them. It was the Master who said, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Our lack of consecration and full surrender has left the glorious truth of the statement unproved in our lives.
I have never seen money scarcer than it is this winter in this land of gold. Many attending our meetings would be glad to give, but are without means. Hence donations are small, and the work is being carried on at large expense.
Flour costs four dollars a sack; potatoes, six pounds for a dollar; sugar, six pounds for a dollar. Purchasing these supplies in the autumn and taking advantage of a special sale, we secured somewhat better rates, but living is high indeed. Wood costs from nine dollars to eleven dollars a cord, in sixteen-foot lengths, twelve dollars to fifteen dollars sawed. We can scarcely pay our wood bill for the winter with two hundred dollars.
There are many weary, disappointed souls here, and Mission Home Hall is doing a good work in affording an opportunity for them to see the certainty of success in the race for true riches, the end of which is eternal life and the privilege of entering gates of pearl and walking streets of gold. We are pressed for means to carry on this good work which has been signally blessed of God from the start. Do not some who are enjoying a comfortable home, a pleasant fireside, feel inclined to part, even at a sacrifice, with some of the blessings God has bestowed upon them, for the purpose of assisting the work in this far-off field? Such contributions would cheer our hearts, and I know would receive the blessing of God. Contributions may be sent to the writer, at Dawson, Yukon Territory, Canada, Box 779.
A. M. DART.
The Work in Louisville, Kentucky
By Otho C. Godsmark
As we look back over the work that has been accomplished since our first coming to this place more than two years ago, we can but praise the Lord for what he has been willing to do for and with the little company of believers in this great city. Louisville is a city of the South, next to the largest in the South, and so far as educational interests are concerned, is pre-eminently the leading city of the South. To this place there come from all over the South the brightest and most intelligent youth of all the land.
The question before us, and it is a serious question, is, What are we doing to get the truth before this great people? The work in our large cities is becoming more difficult every year. The time is coming when the work will eventually be closed to all laborers in the South. The work will be closed here before it is in other portions of the United States.
What we do must be done soon. If we expect ever to help the South, we shall have to act in the very near future. This is why God is so earnestly calling upon our people everywhere to assist those of us who are here devoting our lives to the finishing up of the work in this field, which is the hardest field we have.
When we consider that in this great city of two hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants, we have only three conference workers,—one colored and two white,—and some of us have to be away in different parts of the conference a considerable portion of the time, it does seem like a small effort on our part to do the work that is so fast closing in on us.
Now brethren, why can not we have more laborers here in this great city of the South? We have never appealed for this before; but we feel that we can not hold our peace any longer. Something must be done, and that right early. If our people in the older conferences do not arouse to these pressing needs, we believe the Lord will raise up deliverance elsewhere.
We have among us men and women who are accustomed to the ways of the South, and who can reach the people of19their own land, and why can not these be brought into service? The whole thing is a matter of means. As a conference we are out of debt, and we expect to keep out of debt. We receive none of the appropriations that come to the South from the Mission Board. We cut our garments according to our cloth, so have not had to feel dependent; but O, how much good a few dollars would do in the city of Louisville! Our little company here purchased a respectable church building, and it has proved a great blessing to the work, as it has afforded a place in which we could hold meetings, and to which we have been able to invite the people to come to hear the message for these times.
By the strictest economy and self-sacrifice on the part of the little band of sisters here,—the greater portion of the time there has been but one brother besides the writer, to help bear these burdens,—this little company has been enabled to keep up the interest, and to make the payments as they have come due. Two of our members who were the best able to help financially, and upon whose help we depended so largely, have died during the past year, so the burden now falls very heavily upon the few who are left. We have but twelve hundred and fifty dollars to pay, and then we can be free, and dedicate our house of worship to God. This would be but a small amount for some of our churches in the North where we have brethren owning their homes, and living in comparative comfort, but it will take this little band here a long, long time to pay it all. Yet we have it to do, or have no place in which to meet for public worship; for we are not in the North where halls may be rented by any one. We are in a different field, working under different circumstances.
O, how we have prayed God that he would put it into the hearts of some of our people to give us the assistance we so greatly need! How often have we prayed that our people in the North and East and West would respond to the calls that have come to them from the pen of Sister White, and send us even their mites to help establish the work in these large cities. A few dollars from each church, a little from each believer, and the work here would be placed upon a firm basis. Our people here who have labored so faithfully and long could then sing the song of jubilee, and could give of their mites to help in the other calls that continually come to us, but which we are compelled to deny because we have all this great load of our own to carry.
We were never in a place where there was a greater interest to hear the truth than here. We simply can not meet all the demands that come to us, for the people are crying for the light. I long to see the time when we can place one or two of our devoted, intelligent young people here in training for this very work. We believe the Lord will hear our cries. We believe our brethren will respond and help us in this work. Our hearts were made glad when, but a short time ago, we received word from the pen of Sister White to feel perfectly free to appeal to our people for help in our work here. We praise the Lord that there is a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, and we believe that our brethren will everywhere respond to this call for help in this great city.
The Lord is going out before us, and our little band of workers—our people here all work—are of good courage. Quite a number have begun to keep the Sabbath this past year, and many more are interested and are studying the message for these last days. Our colored people here are also arousing themselves, and are making an effort to secure means with which to build them a place of meeting. O, we long for the time to come when we can get these forces in working order, and see the truth being carried forward to completion!
OTHO C. GODSMARK, President of the Cumberland Conference,2005 Magazine St., Louisville, Ky.
Philadelphia—The Third City in America
By WM. J. FITZGERALD.
Much has been said in the utterances of the spirit of prophecy, during the past few years, about giving the message of the “third angel” to the great cities in the eastern part of the United States. The evident purpose has been to turn the attention of believers in present truth who reside in less densely populated portions of the country to the teeming millions of humankind crowded into a comparatively small territory bordering on the Atlantic Coast of our own country.
Some financial support has been extended to New York and Washington. The work in those cities has been greatly encouraged. Our hearts all rejoice in this. We believe it has been and will continue to be a great blessing to the general work as well as to the local. For more than a year, hundreds and thousands have freely sent contributions to aid the work in our national capital. This has been because all appreciate the importance of Washington as the national headquarters of this great republic.
Within a few hours’ ride of Washington, is the city of Philadelphia, the third city in America, which embraces within its own limits, at the present time, almost one and one-half millions. Add to this the population of the cities, towns, and villages within twenty miles of Philadelphia, and the total population is increased to more than two millions. All must be impressed at once that this presents a great and important field for the operations of the various phases of the last message.
In the central and western portions of the United States, a city of several hundred thousand inhabitants stands by itself, a long distance from any other large city. Our work in such cities receives aid from the believers in a very extensive territory surrounding. But it is not so with the Eastern cities. Philadelphia is only two hours’ ride from New York City. Baltimore is about the same distance away in another direction, and Washington is only a little farther along the line, while many other large towns and cities lie within a few miles of its borders. Thus all can see that Philadelphia, as Washington or New York, stands in a position which pleads earnestly for aid from the central and western portions of the country, where there are many more believers in present truth proportionate to the population than there are in the eastern section. This is evidently why our loyal people in the different parts of the United States have been urged to contribute means toward a strong campaign to be waged among the multitudes of the many great cities of the East. This principle applies to all the very populous eastern portion of the country, but in a special sense to such great cities as Philadelphia. While other cities have been aided more or less liberally, scarcely a dollar has been contributed to the work in Philadelphia from any source outside of the local conference.
Philadelphia is a very important city for other reasons than its great population. It served as the cradle of liberty, both civil and religious, which all Americans have ever enjoyed. It was here that Jefferson wrote the great Declaration of American Independence, and here that far-reaching document was signed by the noble fathers of our country. The Constitution of the United States was also drafted and adopted in this city. American citizens from every quarter of this vast country visit the many points of historic interest in Philadelphia,—notably the old Independence Hall.
We have long believed that we have an unparalleled and unequalled message of liberty to proclaim throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof. Should not, and will not, our people gladly contribute something toward an offering for the work in Philadelphia, that this glorious last-day message may be properly sounded here?
Philadelphia is doubtless the most important medical center in the United States, when the number and prestige of the medical institutions and the distinguished physicians and surgeons are considered. For this reason the need has long been felt of having a properly equipped health institution established and conducted here. About two years ago a small institution was started entirely with borrowed capital. Scarcely a dollar has been donated to the enterprise. It has had a hard struggle for existence, in meeting its current expenses, besides the interest on money invested. The work is promising, the outlook is bright, if help can be extended. But aid in the form of donations must soon come, if the advantages already gained are to be maintained.
Are there not many brethren and sisters throughout the United States who will gladly aid the work in this great city by contributing from one to ten dollars? And will not some who read this statement of the situation here feel impressed to make contributions of even hundreds of dollars? There are doubtless many who feel a special interest in the city of Philadelphia. Now is the opportunity to send aid. May God stir up many hearts.
WM. J. FITZGERALD.
East Michigan Young People’s Convention
By E. K. Slade
The Young People’s Convention at Owosso, February 4-7, was the first meeting of the kind held in the conference. We are glad to report that there was a good attendance, notwithstanding the very severe weather at that time; and we have reason to believe that it was a most helpful meeting to all who attended. Many were heard to remark that they never received so much help at any other meeting.
The educational session was of special interest. Many helpful thoughts were presented in the self-improvement session20. Considerable time was given to considering various branches of work, and the relation of the young thereto. Through the influence of the Spirit of God, as precious lessons portraying God’s love were presented, many took forward steps in devotion to the cause, some, for the first time. The meeting proved a great blessing to the Owosso church and school. A few responded to a call for Christian canvassers, and are planning to devote their time to that important work.
The help rendered by Elders William Covert and Luther Warren contributed much to the interest and success of the meeting. Brethren Blosser and Cohoon did good work in public and personal effort in the interest of the canvassing work. Elder B. F. Stureman, of Flint, Brother A. J. Harris, of the Jackson Sanitarium, and Prof. C. E. Welch, Educational superintendent of Ohio, took part in the discussions, and rendered good help throughout the convention. We are making an effort to secure the name and address of every young person in the conference, and we will be thankful for the co-operation of the churches in this matter. E. K. SLADE.