“The church of Christ has been organized on earth for missionary purposes, and it is of the highest importance that every individual member of the church should be a sincere laborer together with God, filled with the Spirit, having the mind of Christ, perfected in sympathy with Christ, and therefore bending every energy, according to his intrusted ability, to the saving of souls.” —“An Appeal,” page 28.
There are two ways in which we are required to carry out God’s purposes: one is by our personal efforts to give the gospel message to others, the other by our means to support workers and provide supplies. There are four main lines for which this support is needed: the gospel ministry in the home field, the missions in foreign fields, the running expenses of the local church, and the local missionary work of the church members. There are also special needs at times, for institutional work, conference supplies, and other things.
The gospel ministry receives regular support from the tithe, the foreign missions from the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund, and in most cases definite provision is made to meet all the running expenses of the church, and to provide all that is necessary for its well-being. In some cases not only are the necessities provided for, but what may be termed luxuries are also purchased.
Very little consideration, however, seems to be given to any definite or regular support for the missionary work of the church members. In many places there seems to be a feeling that if there is anything left over when everything possible has been provided for the comfort and convenience of the church, it may be used to buy literature to distribute in the district. If there is nothing left over, then the church cannot be expected to do any home missionary work, for it cannot afford it.
This seems to me an entirely wrong basis for the matter. We should not plan alone for the work afar off and neglect that which is near, nor should we supply our own needs and forget the needs of those living at our doors; not that we should do less for the regions outside our church district, far or near, or that we should fail to supply the real needs of our church, but that we should also plan definitely for the regular and systematic support of the work in our own district, the place which the Lord has given us for our personal labors.
For many years some churches have devoted the offerings taken at the morning service of the fourth Sabbath of each month to the support of the home missionary work. This is an excellent plan, as it gives the work a regular income. But to make it effective, the church officers need to give study to the work. They should find out how much literature can be effectively used each month by the members, how much of this can be sold, so as to procure its cost from the public, how much can be counted on from profits on sales turned in by the members, and what other supplies are needed for effective work. Then they will have a good idea of what they will need to raise each month. This should be set clearly before the church, so that the members can contribute intelligently.
Offerings may also be taken at the week night missionary meetings for the support of the work. Members who live too far away to attend meetings should be invited to contribute toward this fund. It should be remembered, however, that as these isolated members are too far from the church to get supplies from it, they have to support their own personal work, and therefore may not be able to give very largely to the church fund. There are cases, however, of isolated members who have very few neighbors they can reach, or who have been blessed with plenty of money, and these can materially assist the local work of their church by liberal contributions.
Plans should be laid to sell as much literature as possible, for two reasons. One is that persons usually prize what they buy more than they do what is given to them, and the other is that such work derives its support from the persons benefited. Many church members, not being dependent on this work for their living, can allow the profits on their sales to go to the church missionary fund.
There will also be much literature needed for free distribution,—tracts for systematic lending, leaflets and tracts for giving away whenever opportunity permits and for missionary correspondence, periodicals for reading racks, hospitals, and other institutions, for friends and neighbors who will not buy, and for missionary correspondence. Much reading matter should be systematically circulated in places where ministers are laboring. There will therefore be need to make liberal provision for the support of this work.
Brethren and sisters, let us not forget the souls around us. We are so used to seeing them, and they seem so well off and satisfied with what they have, that we do not realize their needs as strongly as we do the needs of those farther away from us. Yet under this outwardly satisfied appearance there are many aching hearts, many longings for better things, which only the truth of God can satisfy.
E. M. GRAHAM.
Home Missionary Department
E. M. GRAHAM - - - - General Secretary
F. W. PAAP - - - - N. Am. Div. Secretary
“Pen Pictures of the Face of Jesus”
What Others Say of It
“THIS dainty little book contains a unique exposition of 2 Cor. 4:6. It has seventeen half-tone pictures of Jesus, representing him in various experiences from his birth to his ascension. The brief chapters on “A Divine Face,” “A Glorified Face,” “An Intelligent Face,” “An Illuminated Face,” “An Engraven Face,” “The Transforming Face,” and “The Real Face,” are packed solid with beautiful and helpful thoughts. It is a book that ought to make the sad glad and the glad gladder.”—The Standard Bearer, Dayton, Ohio.
“A reverent, devotional study of the portraits of Jesus, seventeen being reproduced in the book.”—The Continent, Chicago, Ill.
Cloth, 50 cents. Order of your tract society.
News and Miscellany
Notes and clippings from the daily and weekly press
— The largest class West Point has graduated in a century, will have its commencement in June. There are 164 graduates.
— A serious famine exists in the province of Szechuan, China, according to advices received by the State Department at Washington. The famine is due to a protracted drought.
— It appears that the liquor question has been settled, so far as Great Britain is concerned, by a compromise which eliminates all duties on beers, and places the restriction on the sale of spirits.
— July 6 will mark the five hundredth anniversary of the burning at the stake of John Huss, the great Bohemian forerunner of modern Protestantism. The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America invites its various constituent organizations to observe the day appropriately.
— The great plant of Thomas A. Edison, destroyed by fire several months ago, has been rebuilt and is larger and better than before. Practically the entire force of 7,000 men are again at work, and many new ones have found places in the chemical plant recently built at Silver Lake to supply dyestuffs, and material for the diamond disk phonograph.
— In Santa Rosa, Cal., is a Baptist church building, the product of a single giant redwood tree which grew in the neighborhood of Guerneville, a few miles distant from where it now stands. Not only is the main structure built from the one tree, but the beams, pulpit, seatings, and all interior finishings — except the floor, which is of pine — are of the same wood, not a particle of plaster or other similar material being used in this remarkable building. The tree, when sawed, yielded 25,000 feet of lumber.
— There will be no war between Japan and China. An agreement has been reached, and the tension which has marked the last few weeks concerning affairs in the Far East has subsided. China gives her full assent to the transfer to the Japanese of all rights and privileges hitherto enjoyed by the Germans in Shan-tung. Japanese capital is to be used in the building of the Chifu railway, and China agrees to open numerous treaty ports in Shan-tung, after a consultation with Japan. Japan is also permitted to lease land in southern Manchuria for trading, industrial, and agricultural purposes, and her subjects are to be permitted to engage freely in industrial pursuits in that part of the country. While China agrees to give preference to the appointment of Japanese political, financial, and military overseers, Group V of the demands, which would give Japan a preponderance in the affairs of China, is withdrawn, being left for discussion at some future date. The official agreement is regarded generally as eliminating those features which officials of the United States government regarded as contravening treaty rights.
— Mrs. A. R. Canfield, seventy-four years old, has been elected mayor of Warren, Ill., defeating her opponent by four votes. Mrs. Canfield is the first woman in Illinois to have been made chief executive of a municipality. Warren’s population is about 1,500.
— Spain is preparing for possible war. A special commission of the Spanish government has opened headquarters in New York for the purpose of buying 250,000,000 cartridges, several thousand war automobiles, and a large flotilla of aeroplanes. The commission is also expected to order a number of submarines.
— The American Red Cross Society in its report of work done since the beginning of the war, August 2, states that during this period 292 surgeons, nurses, and members of the Sanitary Commission were sent to Europe to carry aid to the wounded and sick; that the sum of $1,243,189 was expended for these and other relief measures; and that thousands of pounds of food, clothing, medicines, and other necessities were purchased and distributed.
— President Benavides has issued, at Lima, Peru, a supreme decree accepting, with slight modifications, the contract proposed by Breitung & Co., Ltd., of New York, for the irrigation and colonization of Peruvian coast lands. The Peruvian government will issue $10,000,000 in bonds. The bond issue matures in thirty years; and when developed, the lands are to be sold on twenty-year payments. Approximately 100,000 acres will be added to the cultivated area of the country.
— The Panama Canal shows a net loss of about ten per cent in the comparison of tolls collected with the cost of operation and maintenance for the first eight months of its operation, according to an official statement to the War Department from Panama. Up to March 1, 1915, the cost of operation and maintenance from July 1, 1914, was $2,595,613.33. The total earnings of tolls in this period was $2,334,515.24. The March earnings cut the loss down to four per cent.
NOTICES AND APPOINTMENTS
Camp Meetings
ATLANTIC UNION CONFERENCE
Northern New England, Woodsville, N. H. ................. Aug. 19-29
CENTRAL UNION CONFERENCE
Wyoming, Crawford, Nebr. ........ June 3-13
Colorado, Boulder ................. June 17-27
West Colorado, Grand Junction ................. June 28 to July 5
Missouri, Columbia ................. Aug. 5-15
Nebraska, Hastings ................. Aug. 19-20
Kansas ................. Sept. 2-12
COLUMBIA UNION CONFERENCE
West Pennsylvania, Homestead Park, Pittsburgh ................. June 10-20
Eastern Pennsylvania, Emmanuel Grove, Allentown ................. June 17-27
Chesapeake, Hamilton Avenue Grove, Baltimore, Md. ................. June 24 to July 4
New Jersey, Burlington ................. June 24 to July 4
Virginia, Charlottesville ................. Aug. 5-15
Ohio, Mount Vernon ................. Aug. 12-22
West Virginia ................. Aug. 26 to Sept. 5
North Michigan, Mount Pleasant ................ Aug. 26 to Sept. 5
Northern Illinois, Joliet ........ Aug. 26 to Sept. 5
Southern Illinois, Springfield ........ Sept. 2-12
NORTHERN UNION CONFERENCE
Minnesota, Anoka ................. June 3-13
South Dakota, Watertown .......... June 10-20
North Dakota, Jamestown .......... June 17-27
NORTH PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE
Upper Columbia, Spokane, Wash. ... June 10-20
Western Washington, Tacoma ....... June 17-27
Montana, Great Falls ............. June 17-27
PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE
Northwestern California, Santa Rosa ................. June 17-27
Northern California .............. July 1-11
California, Richmond ............. July 15-25
Southern California ............... Aug. 5-15
Southeastern California, Huntington Beach ................. Aug. 26 to Sept. 5
Arizona .......................... Oct. 7-17
SOUTHEASTERN UNION CONFERENCE
Cumberland, Cleveland, Tenn. .... July 15-25
South Carolina, Spartanburg, July 29 to Aug. 8
North Carolina, High Point ....... Aug. 12-22
Georgia .......................... Aug. 26 to Sept. 5
SOUTHWESTERN UNION CONFERENCE
South Texas, Elgin (local) ....... June 10-20
West Texas (local) ............... June 24 to July 4
North Texas, Sacul (local) ...... July 8-18
North Texas, Grand Prairie, July 22 to Aug. 1
Arkansas, Hot Springs ............ Aug. 5-15
North Texas, Linden (local) ...... Aug. 12-22
Oklahoma ........................ Aug. 19-29
New Mexico ....................... Sept. 2-12
South Texas, Corpus Christi (local) ................. Sept. 16-26
SOUTHERN UNION CONFERENCE
Tennessee River, Hazel, Ky., July 22 to Aug. 2
Kentucky ........................ Aug. 13-22
Alabama, Birmingham (white) ...... Aug. 20-29
Mississippi, Laurel .............. Aug. 27 to Sept. 5
WESTERN CANADIAN UNION CONFERENCE
British Columbia, Vernon ......... June 7-13
Alberta, Lacombe ................. June 8-18
Manitoba, Brandon ................ June 18-27
Saskatchewan, Saskatoon .......... June 25 to July 4
NOTICES AND APPOINTMENTS
Tennessee River Conference
By W. R. ELLIOTT; F. C. BRUCE
THE twenty-eighth annual session of the Tennessee River Conference will be held on the camp ground at Hazel, Ky., July 22 to Aug. 2, 1915. The first meeting will be held at 9 A. M., July 23. A full attendance of delegates is urgently requested at the opening meeting of the conference. Each church is entitled to one delegate for the church organization, and one additional delegate for every ten members or fraction thereof when more than seven.
W. R. ELLIOTT, President;F. C. BRUCE, Secretary.
Tennessee River Conference Association
By W. R. ELLIOTT; F. C. BRUCE
THE annual session of the Tennessee River Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists will be held in Hazel, Ky., in connection with the State conference and camp meeting, to elect a board of trustees and to transact such other business as the constituency may elect. All accredited delegates to the Tennessee River Conference are delegates to the association. The first meeting will be held Monday morning, July 26, 1915, at nine o’clock.
W. R. ELLIOTT, President;
F. C. BRUCE, Secretary.
“America’s Place in the Centuries”
One of the leading articles contained in the July Watchman appears under the above title. Why was not America discovered centuries before 1492? What was the purpose of her discovery, and what part does she act with reference to the work of God in the earth? This article will be of special interest to those who are watching present developments.
“A New Declaration of Independence”
Our forefathers declared the political independence of this country because of certain wrongs which were inflicted upon the American colonists by the mother country, and therefore signed the famous Fourth of July Declaration of Independence. Are Americans being oppressed today? Would a new Declaration of Independence be in order? The article on this subject in the July Watchman will answer these queries.
Other important and timely subjects considered in the July Watchman are as follows:—
“Her That Halteth,” Dr. P. T. Magan
“England, Russia, and Constantinople”
“The Providential Hand of God in American History”
“Principle and Policy at the Vatican”
“Russellism” (Continued), Carlyle B. Haynes
“Vitamines and Pellagra,” David Paulson, M. D.
A Real Vacation Campaign Number
Students and other magazine workers will find the July Watchman a real vacation campaign number—one which will sell easily and yield large returns. The impressive cover design in three colors cannot fail to attract interest, and should appeal to every liberty-loving citizen. Appropriate illustrations. Prices: Single copy, 10 cents; 5 to 40 copies, 5 cents each; 50 or more, 4 cents each. Order through your State tract society.
Pennsylvania Tract and Missionary Society
By H. M. J. RICHARDS; LUCY PAGE EMERSON
THE annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Tract and Missionary Society will be held in connection with the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, on the Emmanuel Grove camp grounds, Allentown, Pa., June 17-27, 1915. The first meeting will be held at 10 A. M., Friday, June 18. This meeting will be for the election of constituent members for the ensuing year, and for the transaction of any other business that may come before the meeting.
H. M. J. RICHARDS, President;
LUCY PAGE EMERSON, Secretary.
North Dakota Conference
By S. E. JACKSON; C. D. HEIN
THE first meeting of the twelfth annual session of the North Dakota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, is called to convene in Jamestown, N. Dak., Friday, June 18, 1915, at 10 A. M., in connection with the annual camp meeting, at which time officers for the ensuing year will be elected and such other business transacted as may properly come before the conference. All delegates should be present at the opening meeting.
S. E. JACKSON, President;
C. D. HEIN, Secretary.
North Dakota Conference Association
By S. E. Jackson; J. J. Reiswig
The annual session of the North Dakota Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists (incorporated) is called to convene in Jamestown, N. Dak., Friday morning, June 25, at ten o'clock. The meeting will be held in connection with the annual camp meeting, and is called for the purpose of electing its trustees for the ensuing year, and such other business as may properly come before this meeting. All accredited delegates to the North Dakota Conference are delegates to this association. The camp meeting will be held June 17-27, on the fairgrounds, which include a beautiful park in the southern part of the city.
S. E. JACKSON, President;
J. J. REISWIG, Secretary.
The Chesapeake Conference Association
By Roscoe T. Baer; Windom T. Durst
THE Chesapeake Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists, a body corporate, under the laws of the State of Delaware, will hold its annual meeting in connection with the regular conference meeting and camp meeting at Hamilton Avenue Grove, Baltimore, Md., June 24 to July 4, 1915. The first meeting will be held Thursday, July 1, at 11 A. M., for the purpose of electing officers and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
ROSCOE T. BAER, President;
WINDOM T. DURST, Secretary.
Quebec Conference
By A. V. OLSON; F. E. DUFTY
THE thirty-sixth annual session of the Quebec Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be held June 17-24, 1915, in connection with the camp meeting at South Stukely, Quebec, for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing year and the transacting of such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Delegates' credentials should be sent immediately to the conference secretary, F. E. Dufty, 18 Calumet St., Montreal. Each church is entitled to one delegate for its organization and an additional one for each ten of its membership. The first session of the conference will be held at 9 A. M., Friday, June 18. All delegates should be present for the first session.
A. V. OLSON, President;
F. E. DUFTY, Secretary.
The Manitoba Conference
By E. M. CHAPMAN; B. L. GRUNDSET
The twelfth annual session of the Manitoba Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be held on the camp ground at Brandon, Manitoba, June 18-27, 1915.
The first business meeting will be held at 9 A. M., June 20. At this time the officers of the conference will be elected for the coming year, and such other business transacted as should properly come before the conference.
E. M. CHAPMAN, President;
B. L. GRUNDSET, Secretary.
New Jersey Conference Association
By A. R. SANDBORN; CLARENCE LAWRY
The annual session of the New Jersey Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists (incorporated) will be held in Burlington, N. J., in connection with the New Jersey Conference, June 24 to July 4, 1915. The first meeting will be held at 11 A. M., June 28. At this meeting the board of trustees will be elected for the ensuing year, and such other business transacted as should properly come before the association. All accredited delegates to the New Jersey Conference are delegates to the association.
A. R. SANDBORN, President;
CLARENCE LAWRY, Secretary.
For Sale for Missionary Work
Good farm of 104 acres all under cultivation near Fountain Head, Tenn. Good soil, most of it gently rolling, part deep black soil. Thoroughly tile drained. Fine corn and wheat land. All new wire fencing. An excellent house in good repair. Three large cisterns holding about 450 barrels of water. Two wells of excellent water. Large stock barn with eighteen-foot walls. Large building for grain, and all necessary outbuildings. Located one-half mile from depot on main line of Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Graded country road by farm. Good graded school one-fourth mile. Church school two and one-half miles. Telephone line. Everything convenient and in good repair.
The owner of this property has agreed to give a large share of the selling price to local and foreign mission work. Parties interested should address the Tennessee River Conference, 509 Cole Building, Nashville, Tenn., for further information.
Address Wanted
J. F. McIntyre, of Inland, Nebr., desires the present address of John Smith, formerly of Ketchum, Okla.
Publications Wanted
THE following-named persons desire late, clean copies of our publications, sent postpaid, for missionary work:—
Mrs. Cicero Holland, Mallory, S. C., R. F. D. 1.
Edward Quinn, Jr., 6 Hickory Ave., Takoma Park, D. C. Continuous supply of Signs, weekly and monthly, and Watchman.
Ernest Giles, Scott Hotel, Puyallup, Wash. Continuous supply. Signs, weekly and monthly, Watchman, Protestant, Liberty, Health and Temperance, and German as well as other foreign publications especially desired.
Mattie Hamilton Welch desires sent to her, immediately, copies of Review, Signs of the Times, Watchman, Health and Temperance, Instructor, and Little Friend, to give to the mountaineers at her fourth of July exercises. Address, Stanley, Page Co., Va.
