p. 13 | Review and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 29. (6/10/1915)

Earlier text: The Gift of the Spirit of Prophecy

Ceylon

By M. M. MATTISON

M. M. MATTISON

LAST April while canvassing in the city of Bombay, my wife and I received the call to go to Ceylon to present our message to the people of that beautiful island. Soon afterwards we left Bombay by steamer, landing in Colombo, June 12.

We found the conditions and people in Ceylon quite different from those in India, so scarcely knew how to begin our work, especially as we were alone and knew no one on the island. However, we were soon comfortably settled in a suburb of Colombo, near the sea, and began to present our magazines to the people, trusting the Lord to give us subscriptions. We were surprised at the success which attended our efforts from the start. The Ceylonese people, whether Buddhist, Catholic, or Protestant, willingly subscribed, and the Lord gave us very interesting experiences.

One man, a Singhalese, after seeing the magazine and learning who I was, said he had heard of our truth, and what he knew of it he believed. He desired to know more, so I have sent him several tracts.

A man whom I met in the rest house at Negombo, upon learning that I was a missionary, was much interested in our views of the European conflict. He said that from what he knew of the prophecies he believed as we do. I also showed that we as a people were giving the world the Bible interpretation of these events. He then gave me ten rupees to help in the work. I also had the privilege of meeting his mother, who lives in Calcutta. She also is interested in these things.

Another very interesting experience was with the telegraph master at Kurunegala. I was wiring for magazines to our head office in Lucknow. Thinking possibly the censor would stop the telegram on account of my using our code, I explained to the telegraph master what I wanted, and went to the rest house for the night, leaving him to word the telegram to suit himself. The next morning I received the following note from him: “Have wired the following: ‘Great demand for Oriental Watchman magazine. Rush the order.’ Please book my name and my assistant’s as yearly subscribers.” He had never seen the magazine, and did not know the rate, but was impressed to subscribe.

Many other experiences the Lord gave, but space will not permit me to relate them.

Nearly every postmaster, telegraph master, and station master that I canvassed in Ceylon subscribed. I secured many subscriptions from doctors, lawyers, judges, teachers, government officials, and business men of every rank.

AT RIGHT, FIRST FRUITS AMONG HOTTENTOTS; AT LEFT, THE BROTHER WHO WON HIM TO CHRIST

As we were leaving the island in December for our conference at Calcutta, upon reviewing the five months spent in Ceylon, I found the Lord had given me over twelve hundred subscriptions in that land of which we have so often sung, “Though every prospect pleases, and only man is vile.” We thank the Lord that he gave us the privilege of seeing this beautiful island, but above all for the part in giving the gospel message to its inhabitants.

Another Door Opened

By HERBERT EDMED

HERBERT EDMED

Our great message is still forcing its way among the tribes of benighted Africa, whose dark-skinned people and heathen hearts are susceptible to the Lord’s soul-winning love. The above picture shows two colored men of far different types. The one on the left, Brother van der Westhuizen, is one of the Cape colored people, educated and refined. He is a member of our oldest church in South Africa, and has a family wholly devoted to the truth. The brother on the right is one of the Koranna tribe of Hottentots, that inhabits the western lands of this country, from Cape Town to German Southwest Africa, and of which there are about 100,000.

The Korannas are heathen, with no idols and few religious forms. They cherish some vague idea of a supreme being, but pay little regard to him. From babyhood, however, they are taught to venerate the moon as it first appears, and a well-without a snake to insure water does not suit their superstition. They are skillful hunters, and wear the skins of the animals they eat. Unclean animals are discarded, and roots form a large part of their diet. They are tender-hearted, exceedingly hospitable, and respect their women. As shepherds they rank high, and are generally regarded as excellent farm help. Like most wild creatures, they smear their bodies with fat, and in warm weather wear the leather side of their skin cloak to the body, turning the hair side in when the cold weather comes. In this way their cloaks are not only adapted to weather conditions, but are made to last almost a lifetime.

Last year, when the suggestion was made that our church members each seek to bring a convert to Christ during that year, Brother van der Westhuizen decided that he would attempt to bring a soul to Christ, so he began with his Koranna servant. The young man could neither read nor write. He drank and smoked, used profane language, and was as rank a heathen as any of his tribe. So the work had to begin from the bottom, and it looked as if it might be a long time before that young man could be fully restored to his Lord. But when God begins a work in these days, he often makes a short work of it. Our brother was rewarded daily as he saw the response of this heart. The alcohol disappeared, the pipe and tobacco gave place to better things, and the worship of the moon and snake were exchanged for the worship of God. Peter began to meet with the family to pray, and after a while could himself pray. Then, in August, after the great war in Europe broke out, our people in South Africa set apart a day for fasting and prayer for the success of our paper work and the conversion of souls.

It was on that day that Peter stood up in the meeting and fully surrendered his heart to God. October 24 the writer had the privilege of burying the first Koranna boy in the waters of baptism.

Peter Mashurna comes to Jesus, like the Greeks, to tell us of more open doors. The union conference had the book “Steps to Christ” translated into the language of the Korannas.

The second picture shows a village of the Korannas, in which there are about 30,000 living under normal conditions, right in civilized regions.

Home Ideals — No. 2

By Mrs. I. H. E.

THE ideal home has been defined as a place “where there is just a little more thinking of others than of self; where the child is not the unwilling slave of the older mind, but the loving and growing-in-wisdom companion; where over the doorway burns forever in letters of fire the greeting, ‘Ye who enter here, find Hope within;’ where without violating the natural sanctity of those who dwell within, friends, neighbors, and even the stranger are welcome as companions in toil for humanity’s cause; where Patience and Honor are handmaidens at the table, and Love bedews the roses by the portal; where through the serene light of family unity is discerned the still higher unity of loyalty, through faith and toil, to the community, the state, and the ever-present Master of the world.”

Such a home must be built in love. Without this grace it cannot exist. There may be all the outward trappings,— costly buildings, wide acres, lavish expenditure,—but there is no home. Things, no matter how artistic and rare and beautiful, do not constitute a home; nor are they even emblems of that most precious of earthly blessings.

Nothing in this world can make a home but loving hearts, nor can any dwelling place with other foundation be called by this name. It may be a place to stay in, to eat, to sleep: so is a hotel or a boarding house. But home is more: it is a place where kindred souls commune, where hearts united by the strong bonds of mutual confidence and self-respect and faith in each other, feel and suffer and rejoice and sorrow together.

The influence of a true home is far-reaching. “It is a live coal, which passes its light and heat to dead coals, kindling them into life; and they in turn pass their comfort to other homes, until finally a great circle of hope and comfort is created. No home can live unto itself, or ever was intended to. If it attempts isolation, it must become like the live coal which, giving no power of its own to the coal beside it, gradually chars and passes into ash.”

To be a real blessing to its own members and to the community, the home must be founded not only on love but on a respect for law—the law that governs our relation to God and to our fellow men. To be “law-abiding” in the highest sense does not mean simply to avoid the transgression of the letter, but to go deeper, and refrain from those minor infringements that so often seem unimportant because they go unpunished.

“All the law is not in the statute books,” says Professor Graham Taylor, of the Chicago Commons. “The hasty, unkind word uttered in the home is not law-abiding. False criticism of neighbors or strangers is not observing the law. Impatience with a child that is striving to grope its way into correct intelligence is not respecting the law. Unseemly clashes between husband and wife, to which children are unfortunate witnesses, are law-breaking. Ignorance of faith, hope, and charity in all relations with children, friends, neighbors, town, and State, is indubitable evidence that the corner stone of a home is not set upon the rock of the law.”

When we understand that home is not simply a sleeping and eating establishment, but an institution that was designed to be a place where love reigns, where law is respected, and where every Christian grace finds its highest and sweetest development, then will our homes be built in harmony with the divine plan. Mrs. I. H. E.

How to Do the Washing

By Georgie Boynton Child

THE secret back of successful laundry work is the loosening of the dirt which has become embedded in the fiber of soiled clothing. This is accomplished by means of chemical action, and of washing machines, which enable us to do the work in hotter water than was possible when we had to have our hands in the suds. Hot water expands, or opens, the fiber of textiles. The dirt, being loosened by chemical action, is then readily forced out into the water. The power employed to remove the dirt is provided by the machine, so that the process is no longer a fatiguing one.

We must first have the right conditions for the work, and the complete equipment, even if it is of the simplest type. Then we must have all the needed supplies on hand, so that the work can proceed without delay. Washing is one of the processes that must be put through without interruption, and early in the day, so that the clothes may have the benefit of the air and sunshine of the warm hours. Furthermore, the clothes must be in the best condition to be washed. This means careful looking over before wash day, removing fruit and vegetable stains that would be set by being washed by a hot-water method, and mending rents, as the garment might be badly torn if it were to be put through the wash without previous attention. It also requires the careful sorting of garments, so that the cleanest white pieces are washed first, and the very dirtiest done by themselves. Flannels and ordinary colored clothing and stockings require different treatment from the white pieces, so they are kept in separate piles.

Preparation

When getting ready for wash day, sort the clothes, remove stains, and cut up soap needed for next day's washing. Place in stewpan and cover with water. (From two to three cakes are needed, according to size of wash and hardness of water.) Where work must be done in the kitchen and with very simple appliances, the procedure is as follows:—

Necessities.—Clothes boiler resting on stove at convenient height for worker, so that high temperature of water may be easily maintained; vacuum hand washer; one portable tub, with clothes wringer attached, placed on low table, and moved near the stove; clothes basket and clothes stick; facilities for rinsing the clothes either at kitchen sink or in portable tub placed near sink, so that waste water may be easily emptied.

The clothes are not soaked beforehand, but any special stains are removed. They have been mended and sorted before being brought into the kitchen. The breakfast dishes have been washed and the kitchen put in order, so that the work may proceed without interruption.

Method.—Fill the clothes boiler one-half full of hot water, cover, and bring to near boiling point. Add the melted soap prepared the day before. If the water is soft, it may not require so much as two cakes. If very hard, it may require more. If the water contains organic impurities, it should have been purified and softened before being put into the boiler. Then add two tablespoonfuls of kerosene.

Begin with the cleanest clothes, filling the boiler two-thirds full, an amount of clothing equal in bulk to three sheets. Now, while clothes are in the boiler, operate the vacuum washer up and down in the suds, using a sidewise, shoulder motion instead of a direct up-and-down stroke. Very little strength is required to operate the washer.

A Very Important Point

Use the washer for three to five minutes, then with a clothes stick transfer the clothes from the boiler to the rinse tub placed on the kitchen table near enough to the stove to transfer directly from the boiler to the tub. The important point in transferring the clothes is to drain them well while they are wound round the end of the clothes stick, so that they carry as little as possible of the suds from the boiler to the rinse water. An old-fashioned stick with two prongs is better for this purpose than a straight-ended stick. The rinse water should be as hot as possible.

As soon as all the clothes have been transferred from the boiler to the rinse tub, fill the boiler with another load, taking the next cleanest clothes. Cover and leave while you put the first load through the rinse water. Use the vacuum washer in the rinse water. From two to three minutes will be enough. Then run the clothes through the wringer into the clothes basket or large pan placed at a convenient height below the wringer.

As the clothes are taken out of the basket, and shaken out for the next rinsing, examine each piece to see that all the dirt has been removed. If any very soiled parts have not been cleaned, dip them in melted soap, rubbing the soap into the fabric, and either rub on a small washboard or place in the boiler to be washed again. The rest of the clothes are then carried in the clothes basket to the sink to await another rinsing and bluing. The same amount of water must be maintained in the boiler as when you started washing, so, as it gets lowered by transferring clothes to the rinse tub, replenish from the tub, adding more hot water to the tub as needed to keep it up to the right height.

The second load is washed in the boiler with the vacuum washer and carefully transferred to the rinse water. A third load is placed in the boiler, covered, and left to heat while the second load is being rinsed. It may be necessary to add more melted soap to the third boiler load. A half cake more will usually be sufficient. Cover and leave while the second load is being rinsed.

The same thorough rinsing is given. using the vacuum hand washer, and the clothes are put through the wringer, shaken out, and laid with the first load at the sink.

The Flannels and Colored Clothes

Now the water in the first rinse tub is reduced in temperature, and can be safely used for the flannels and colored clothes. It should not be hotter than is comfortable for the hand, and should have soap enough to carry a good head of suds. Ordinary flannels may be washed in it, and the average run of colored clothes. For all-wool flannels and delicate-colored clothes, a special suds of mild soap should be prepared. Special directions for washing flannels and fine pieces should be followed. But for the average wash, begin with the flannels, using the vacuum washer for three to five minutes, running them through the wringer and then through two rinse waters of the same temperature as the water in which they were washed. Shake them out carefully, pull into shape, and hang in the sunshine at once. If the day is not pleasant, find a place in the kitchen where they will dry quickly.

The colored clothes follow next. Stockings are best done in fresh suds because they are very apt to get linty in the suds used for other pieces.

Now begin with the second rinsing of the white pieces that require starching, putting them through the rinse water, then through a bluing water, and then starching. Follow with the calicoes that require starching, so that all the starched pieces may be on the line next after the flannels. Then the largest white pieces are rinsed and blued and hung out. The washing apparatus is then put away, the kitchen table moved back into place, the scrubbing done, the boiler wiped out carefully and put away, and the little hand washer placed above the stove where it will dry quickly.

Points to Remember

1. Remember that melted-soap solution rubbed directly into the soiled portions of garments is far more effective in loosening dirt than twice the amount of undissolved bar soap.

2. That dirt that does not yield to the first application of soap solution and hot suds needs more soap solution in fresh suds, rather than boiling or rubbing longer in dirty suds.

3. That wash water should be clean and soft to get the best results.

4. That hot water causes the fiber of cotton clothing to expand, and thus frees the dirt embedded in its meshes.—Georgie Boynton Child.

Home Life Department

By Mrs. I. H. Evans; Miss Lora E. Clement

Conducted by Mrs. I. H. Evans, Takoma Park, Washington D. C.

Assisted by Miss Lora E. Clement

Through the columns of this department, hints will be given on all matters pertaining to the home life. Short articles and letters are solicited from home makers, telling of their everyday experiences,—their joys and sorrows, their failures and successes.

Have Faith in God

By R. Hare

WHY anxious for tomorrow and its need? And why forgetful of the hand divine? As yesterday, today his holy care Abundantly supplied your wants and mine.

“Sufficient for each day,” while days must pass, And passing number years, but to unfold His wondrous plan, that ever faileth not To turn the green of spring to summer’s gold.

Why fearful, since upon his mighty hand The world’s unnumbered evermore depend; Thy little life his might can well supply, And all thy goings perfectly defend.

Cease, then, to murmur or in thought complain; Walk in the light his love supplies today; Content that for tomorrow and its need The hand unseen will plan that guides thy way.

Be anxious only for the trust bestowed— The task assigned, to thee in kindness given, And in love’s duty, without anxious thought, Find the blest path that leads to life and heaven.

— R. Hare.

The Dropped Stitch

By Mintie E. Bodwell

MINTIE E. BODWELL

ISABELLA was knitting a pair of bedroom shoes, of beautiful old-rose pink and gray wool. Instead of beginning them at the top, stocking fashion, she began at the bottom, and worked upward. She thought them very pretty, and was taking great pains to have them, as she expressed it, flawless.

In one round of stitches she noticed what seemed to be a “slack stitch.” “I believe I can take that fullness up in a new stitch, this round, and next time I shall knit it in with one of the others, and it will never show,” she said.

Round after round of the beautiful pink and gray alternated, and she was fast narrowing off, when, spying what appeared to be a tiny opening near the seam on the foot, she examined closely and discovered a dropped stitch, that was slowly but surely making its way to the very end of her work.

This would mar the appearance of the shoe and spoil its usefulness. With a crochet hook she hastily began picking up the lost stitches; for with every round the stitch went down, another stitch was lost.

The little hole where she began picking up the lost stitch was quite evident, also a few stitches in line immediately above it were easily regained; but in order perfectly to rectify the mistake made, the first lost stitch must pass, thread by thread, round by round, from the tiny hole where it had dropped, to the very top, where the rest of the stitches were ranged in even rows upon the shining needles.

As she worked toward the top, she found that the worsted had closed in from either side, and about covered the track of the dropped stitch. Especially difficult to pass was the place where she had tried to cover up the defect. But with patience and care she succeeded in bringing the dropped stitch into line with the rest. In the process of narrowing, however, it had not been counted in, and so in order to avoid a misfit, it had to be taken in with another stitch, and so lost its identity.

In the web of our lives how often by an unkind speech or a thoughtless act we drop a stitch. In various ways, by being extra thoughtful or kind, we seek to atone for the past. We may seem to have reformed, and others may be satisfied, but the dropped stitch is there, and going deeper and deeper into our souls. The faculties that might have been developed, and used to the glory of God, are never fully restored, though we still hold a place among his children.

This is the day of God’s preparation. Every talent, every faculty, is needed to be used in giving the loud cry of the third angel’s message. Let us begin where we find our mistakes, and by God’s Spirit and power pick up the dropped stitches.

God Answers Prayer

“I know not by what methods rare, But this I know, God answers prayer. I know that he has given his Word, Which tells me prayer is always heard, And will be answered soon or late; And so I pray and calmly wait. I know not if the blessing sought Will come in just the way I thought; But leave my prayers with him alone, Whose will is wiser than my own, Assured that he will grant my quest Or send some answer far more blest.”

Elder Butler’s Personal Experiences

By George I. Butler

From Elder G. I. Butler

RECENTLY I was invited to write an article for our church organ, the dear REVIEW, relative to myself, my present experiences and conditions. It was expressed that I had formerly written considerably, and that my many friends would be glad to know more about my personal experiences, hopes, and views.

I thought perhaps it would be best to accept this kind invitation. It is true that of late I have written little, much less than formerly. But I assure my many friends that it is not because of any hurt feelings, or personal discouragement, or lack of faith in the groundwork of the message. My faith in this movement was never stronger than now. My interest was never greater nor my hope in God brighter. “Why, then, this protracted silence?” you ask. A train of circumstances and conditions seems to be responsible for it.

My last work officially in the cause was in connection with the Southern Union Conference, embracing nine large Southern States. I labored exceedingly hard during the six years I was president of that union, and came near suffering another nervous breakdown as I closed my labors there, and was very glad of some rest. Because of my absence from home so much in my work as president of the Southern Union Conference, my affairs became involved in debt. Hired labor costs much and is not always successful. So I have remained at home very busy. Recently I have been trying hard to sell my home place, praying much for the Lord’s help to dispose of my property. As yet I have not been able to do this. It would be a great relief to me and to my good wife if we could do so, but until we can I know of no other honorable way than to labor on.

But I want all my brethren to understand that I am not in love with this poor world of sin and death, where Satan is god and the mass of mankind is following his leadership. My hope is over yonder. I want to live in a better world than this, I assure you. I feel truly like a pilgrim and stranger here, and long for the coming of our Lord and Saviour. The numerous signs of his coming fill my heart with great joy. I can think of nothing in this poor world which I should be more delighted to do, if it were God’s will, than to be out with a tent proclaiming this glorious truth to those who have never heard it.

I received this truth from the real pioneers in this movement, I mean Joseph Bates, Elder James White, Mrs. Ellen G. White, J. N. Andrews, Uriah Smith, J. N. Loughborough, and J. H. Waggoner. Elder S. N. Haskell and I came in later. These pioneers were God’s servants who laid the foundations of this glorious work. I received the truth through their labors, and have believed it ever since, and expect to do so while life lasts. I believe this message without a doubt. I have never been one of the fickle-minded, changeable people, seeking for new paths. I stand firm on the old fundamental doctrines. Elder J. N. Andrews, one of the strongest men in doctrine we ever had, used to say in the later period of his life that it was a great comfort to him, after many years of burden bearing and arduous labor in the cause, that we as a people had never yet been forced to give up a position or doctrine we had accepted as truth. Not every people can say that. This fact loudly proclaims that God is in this work, and is leading this people on in the full establishment of this cause.

That servant of God whose ardent labors in this cause are now closing in the weakness of eighty-six years, has spoken of the excellence and perfection of that pioneer work. God was with her, giving through her heavenly light of vast importance in the development of this work. I have been very familiar with her labors for nearly seventy years, having labored with her in many meetings, and received many letters from her. I have been well acquainted with her writings, and have the most perfect confidence in their value. I know the purity of her spiritual life, the power of her prayers, and am greatly indebted to her for many counsels of great value. It is to me a very sad thought that she cannot be in our councils hereafter; but her precious writings are left to us as a people.

It is natural for one like me, who has labored long and earnestly, to look back over the past and scan our history with deep interest. Every work or movement which God has originated to accomplish his great designs has been best and purest at its beginning, when he himself was developing it by his own chosen agencies. As such works develop and pass into history, earthly influences more or less affect them, and they are in danger of being controverted by human influences. The great gospel movement was so affected. Christ and his chosen apostles laid a glorious foundation. Error soon crept in. One writer clearly presents this matter:—

“Toward the latter end of the second century most of the churches assumed a new form, the first simplicity disappeared, and insensibly, as the old disciples retired to their graves, their children, along with new converts, both Jews and Gentiles, came forward and remodeled the cause.”

In the great Reformation the same process appeared, and so in the rise of Methodism. It is very doubtful whether, if Luther and Wesley should rise from the dead, they would recognize the churches they originated. Are Seventh-day Adventists in no danger of being affected by similar influences? May God help us to cling to the old paths. He has led in the establishment of this work, and we believe he will continue to lead us if we humbly follow in the steps of the old pioneers.

GEORGE I. BUTLER.

Effective Way to Spread the Truth

By W. L. BURGAN

ONE of the most effective ways to give publicity to the second advent message over as wide a territory as possible, has recently been adopted by two of the brethren now holding an evangelistic effort in the city of Aberdeen, S. Dak. These brethren have arranged with one of the daily papers there to have synopses of their sermons published, and a circular letter has been sent out by the president of the conference to the members all over the State, calling their attention to the liberality of this paper, and requesting them to subscribe for it. The letter contains suggestions which might be of help to other brethren, especially as this is the season for tent efforts. It says, among other things:—

“The Aberdeen Daily News, a sample copy of which, containing last night’s sermon, has been mailed to you, has been very courteous thus far in granting free space for reports of the sermons, notices of future subjects, etc. Our brethren in Aberdeen feel very grateful for these favors, and I believe that you, as one of the believers and supporters of this wonderful movement, will feel as do the workers there, that we should like to show our appreciation in some tangible way. In counsel with the owner of the News, we learned that the regular subscription price of the paper is fifty cents for two months, but that they will send it to our people two months for only thirty cents. Think of it! A good report of these gospel meetings comes to your mail box every day—for half a cent. Can our people, who do not often have a minister to listen to, afford to miss this chance of attending a course of lectures?

“Besides this, the Aberdeen Daily News has taken a noble stand on the temperance question, and is battling to drive the home wrecker, rum, from our land.

“The cause of temperance lies close to the heart of every loyal Seventh-day Adventist, and when we choose a newspaper for our home, this should not be overlooked. The News is also the leading

daily of Aberdeen and of northern South Dakota, and you will appreciate the war and general news which it contains.

“It appears to me that this is a splendid opportunity to get the Lord’s message to those who do not know it. Do you not think so?

“Here are several plans that suggest themselves: Subscribe for one copy for two months, at thirty cents, read the articles and enjoy them, then hand them to a friend to read, or clip them out and send to a relative. You might get a club of two at twenty-five cents each, your own name and another, or a club of five or more, at twenty cents each, to one or more addresses.

“Thus in either case you help yourself and the cause we have espoused, and reciprocate in a small way at least to the Aberdeen Daily News for courtesy to our ministers in Aberdeen.”

This is an excellent way to do missionary work, and could be followed with profit wherever tent efforts are being held. These newspapers carry the message into homes where neither the living preacher nor the canvasser has ever been, and with the subscriptions that come in from our people, most any newspaper will gladly open its columns for the publication of the truth, and incidentally serve as the greatest agency we have for the spread of the gospel.

Not only has this paper in South Dakota promised liberal space for the publication of reports, but has also borne the expense of producing and mailing to the believers in that State the circular letter written by the president. Let others follow this plan, and thus greatly hasten the message.

W. L. BURGAN.

Advance in Scandinavia

By N. Z. Town

Elder J. C. Raft, president of the Scandinavian Union, sends the following encouraging word concerning the progress of the work in that field:—

“In spite of the war situation our book sales for 1914 exceed those for 1913. The total sales in our union amounted to 334,242 kroner, as against 325,533 kroner in 1913. Also the tithe was larger in 1914 than in the previous year. The same is true of the Sabbath school donations and the weekly and annual offerings, which totaled, in 1914, 44,147 kroner as against 32,380 in 1913.

“The Skodsborg Sanatorium also did well, when we take into consideration the troublous times of the year 1914. The institution had a net gain of about 20,000 kroner. The local conferences have also done well financially. Although we have not gained so many souls as we should like, still a larger number accepted the truth during 1914 than during 1913. 416 new members having been received last year, as against 402 the previous year. We trust by the grace of God, to have greater prosperity during 1915 than we have had any previous year.”

N. Z. Town.

West Pennsylvania

By B. F. Kneeland

POTTER COUNTY.—Since our last camp meeting I have spent most of my time in Potter County. This was one of the first counties in the State to hear the message, but for many years the work has been neglected, until some of the churches have almost disappeared. At Raymond two faithful sisters kept the light burning for about eight years, meeting together every Sabbath. Last summer the Lord led us to hold a series of meetings there and also at Gold, and as a result of the blessing of God on the effort, last Sabbath we organized a church of thirty-two members at Raymond. Some of our pioneer workers will rejoice to know that we again have a strong working church in that place. There has been some very bitter opposition, but God has blessed those who have not feared to meet persecution.

At Shinglehouse the work had been practically abandoned, and the sale of the church building was seriously considered. However, the Lord still had a work to be done there, and when we took hold of the burden he lifted it for us. Since the first of January, eighteen members have been added to the church, and we now have a membership of thirty-five, with ten others who are keeping the Sabbath but have not yet been received into the church. Four other young people have recently been baptized and received into the Port Allegany church.

The work at Coudersport is onward. During the last year and a half twenty-nine names have been added to our membership eleven of these later being transferred to Raymond. Three of our number have entered the colporteur work, and the loyal and faithful support of the Coudersport church has been a large factor in the success that has attended our efforts in Potter County.

God has wonderfully blessed us, and to him be all the glory. He has given us the money for a new tent, which we expect to pitch this summer at Galeton, the largest city in the county, and where none of our workers except some faithful colporteurs, have been. Pray that we may reach the honest souls there.

B. F. KNEELAND,

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