General Conference Daily Bulletin, vol. 8
February 20, 1899
33rd Session. - WORCESTER, MASS., MONDAY, - VOLUME 8. SOUTH LANCASTER, MASS. - NUMBER 4
The Daily Bulletin,
PUBLISHED BY THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF
Seventh-day Adventists.F. S. BLANCHARD & CO., Printers, Worcester.
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, - 50 CENTS.
CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER
| An Early Herald of Truth, | 33 |
| General Conference Proceedings, | |
| Sixth Meeting, Continued, | 33 |
| Seventh Meeting, | 34 |
| Eighth Meeting, | 36 |
| Lesson on Courtesy, | 36 |
| Church Unity, G. A. Irwin, | 36 |
| Report Keene Industrial Academy, | 38 |
| Preparation for Translation, | 39 |
DAILY PROGRAM
It is recognized by those in attendance upon this conference, who have been present at many other similar gatherings, that this General Conference has, at this early stage in its progress, reached a higher plane of thought and spirituality than any of the preceding. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 33.2
In view of the many and earnest prayers of which this assembly has been the subject, nothing less could have been expected. God has answered the prayers of his people, and is influencing and directing the minds of his servants in conference assembled. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 33.3
The subject of education as discussed in the proceedings of this conference is of vital importance to every parent among this people, and not less to all the youth. If parents would have their children properly educated, they must realize what proper education is, and how to lay the correct foundation for this in the home. The youth ought to have such an understanding of this as will lead them to desire to apply themselves to those things which are in the course of true education, as shown by the Spirit of God. They must be willing to be taught of God, and their teachers must be willing and able to be instruments through which God may teach. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 33.4
Study the discussion of this educational question! GCDB February 20, 1899, page 33.5
One of the greatest dangers to any gospel organization lies in the departure of its members from the simplicity of the truth. The gradual departure from this simplicity on the part of the members becomes engrafted upon the original organization in abnormal growths, in extra and intra organizations, until unconsciously the original organization is greatly or wholly perverted, and its life sapped by abnormal growths. The change has been so gradual that many do not realize it, and oftentimes a faithful warning or protest against the abnormalities which have grown over and into the original design is regarded as disorganization, and anarchy. The new tint which the banner has been painted is regarded as the original color, and a protest against the false color is denounced as rebellion against the genuine. It is well to discern the things that differ. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 33.6
PICTURE - ELDER J. H. WAGGONER
What is a failure? Did the martyrs fail? Did Christ fail? Is the plan of God in the creation of the earth, and of man, a failure? In the eyes of some men all these are failures. Humanity must revise its ideas of success and failure. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 33.7
In every generation there has been a remnant that has served God, and held up the standard of his truth. This has been the true apostolic succession. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 33.8
AN EARLY HERALD OF TRUTH
Joseph Harvey Waggoner was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1820. His parents being poor, his early advantages for schooling were very meager. At the age of twelve he was apprenticed to learn the printing trade; and in this practical school nearly all of his education was obtained. After working at his trade as a young man in Pittsburg, he went West, settling in Wisconsin, where he conducted a newspaper and naturally took an active part in politics. Though brought up a Presbyterian, he early united with the Baptists, after closely examining the various evangelistic creeds. In 1850, however, he read a little work on the Sabbath, written by J. N. Andrews, and at once accepted the conclusions there drawn. He soon gave up his business, and was an ardent advocate of the third angel’s message until the day of his death. From the first he was a constant contributor to the papers of the denomination, at various times editing one or another of them. He was the author of a widely circulated book treating on the atonement, besides many minor works. In January, 1887, he went to Basel, Switzerland, and was connected with the publishing work there until his death, which occurred very suddenly, from aneurysm, after a long, hard day’s work, April 17, 1889. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 33.9
GENERAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
Christian Education - Exalted Position of the Bible in Education - Practical Illustration of Teaching Methods - Church Schools. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 33.10
SIXTH MEETING, FRIDAY, 3 P. M., FEBRUARY 17
(Concluded.) GCDB February 20, 1899, page 33.11
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Now this word “moved” here is just the same word that you find in Deuteronomy 32:11: “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young,” hovereth over her young, trembles over them. This was the beginning, this was the origin, and this is the present power, of all force and of all motion. It was when the Spirit of God hovered - fluttered - over the earth, that the earth itself was filled with the properties of the Spirit of God. That is where the earth, by the word spoken, received all its power to bring forth; because the earth was without form, and void, and empty, and had no power to bring forth. You remember the statement in the 4th chapter of Mark: “So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself,” our version says, yet it seems to convey exactly the wrong idea from the word. If you will turn to Acts 12, you will get just the meaning of that word. It is where Peter was delivered from prison, and went forth with the angel. The record says that when they had passed the first and the second ward, and come to the iron gate that led to the city, it opened to them of its own accord. Did the iron gate have any power in itself to open? - Oh, no! Neither did the earth have any power in itself to bring forth anything. There was a power outside the gate, that took hold of it and opened it. When the seed springs out of the earth, there is no visible hand that takes hold of it, and pulls it up; but He makes the grass to grow over the mountain. He lifts it up, and it is the power, the original power, and the continual power of the Spirit of God, the source of all power, that causes it to bring forth. This is the source and the manifestation of all the power of the universe. Then let us make some very simple illustrations. Suppose you hold something up. It is held there by some power, and when it is no longer held by that power, it falls; and where it falls, there it lies until some power moves it. Now there is a force acting upon it, and we have been taught that that is the force of gravitation. But what is gravitation? - Gravity is simply a name applied to the force working in that way; but when the support that gives motion to this book [holding a book up] is removed, the same force moves upon it that moved upon the deep in the first place; and it is a drawing power. Now the truth that is behind all the teaching of the books about gravitation, is the drawing power of the Spirit of God. Now when that is taught in the day-schools in just so many words, - not simply talked about, - religion will cease to be a matter of theory and a matter of creed, and will become a reality, and will be taught as a reality. If man had always been content to remain under the movings of God’s Spirit, there never would have been any sin in the world, because God’s Spirit moves in an orderly way. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” In our version the words “the author” are supplied; otherwise it would read, Our God is not confusion’s God, but peace’s God. God is not of confusion. It is because the tongue runs contrary to the mind of God, and the hand moves wrong, that confusion comes in. That is sin. It was because Satan was not willing to be moved upon, but determined to be a mover, that he fell. No created being in this universe can successfully be a mover in the universe. God himself, the author of the universe, God’s Spirit, the beginning and the power of all motion and of all movement, is the only one who can successfully run the movements in this universe, including man. That is true of man’s brain. God says, “I know the thoughts of man that they are empty, vain.” No man can move his brain to evolve anything. It is nothingness, emptiness. Only when the Spirit of God moves man’s brain, and controls his tongue, can he speak the truth. When holy men of God spoke of old, they simply spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; and if we spoke in the same way, we should speak as the oracles of God. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 33.12
These principles, as you see, are as wide as the universe. The only thing to do is to apply them, and that is the thing of days, of weeks, of months, and of years. You may range the universe, and you won’t get away from that first principle in that second verse - you can never exhaust it. This is no theory. The motion that we see, when the hand moves, we see as a visible, tangible thing moving. What we see is called “motion;” but the thing itself, that we do not see, is the moving power of the Spirit of God. The truth of the fact that we do see, is the moving power of the Spirit of God. The truth of the fact that we do see, is the moving power of the Spirit of God. That is the difference between the truth and the fact. Men study what kind of lever causes the motion, and study the attachment of the muscles, and where these muscles are, and what the contraction of the muscle is. They are studying visible facts; but the truth that we do not see, which is the thing that is to be got out, is that it is the movement of the Spirit of God in man, and that he is the source, and origin, and power of all movement. But that is simply the question of movement. That is studied as a matter of fact, not as a side issue, not as something that is tacked on to a text-book on physics; but when you and I know enough, - not until we do, - under the teaching of the Spirit of God, to know what is in his book to be taught, there will not be any trouble about finding enough to teach. But this means more than a superficial knowledge of some texts of scripture. If it means anything, it means that the Word is once more made flesh, and dwells among us, and the Word is not so much quoted or read as spoken. That would be the word of God direct. And from that word must come the life of the soul, that reaches the heart; and that is education. But let those who have the word, give it, and trust to God that those who do not have the word will find it out. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.1
J. H. Haughey: I do not feel myself worthy to take the time of this conference, and I suppose that is true of the other teachers; and that is the reason they have kept still. I believe those who are associated with me in the work are interested as much as any one could be on this subject of education. I was not present when these recommendations were drafted. At first it suggested itself to me that they were wholly unnecessary; that they were axiomatic truths; that they were self-evident in their nature. We need school boards who are sufficiently interested in our work to visit the schools, and know just what we are doing, and thus be able when they come before a general conference like this, to speak understandingly as to whether we are doing the work that ought to be done; as to whether they ought to have other men fill these places. The members of our school board are supposed to be Christians, or they would not hold their positions as presidents of conferences, and district superintendents. But when they come from the field, we desire that they should bring a knowledge of the field to us. I thank the Lord that now we have instruction that we as teachers are to go out with our pupils into the field, and thus bring them into a knowledge of it. Let us come a little closer together. In regard to our teachers, I know that they are Christians. If you were with them as much as I am, you would know it too. That would be all that would be necessary. No teacher can give to his students the word of God, unless that word is first within his own heart, a living, active principle in his own soul. And we can bring God close to them only as he is close to us. It is not so difficult a thing for our teachers to be thus, when the Spirit of God is striving in the soul, in the heart, in the life. It just flows out naturally. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.2
C. M. Christiansen: I wish to speak a few words in regard to the importance of agricultural training. The Lord has plainly told us that he would rebuke the devourer for our sakes, and restore the earth, and heal our land. Now if it were possible, I should like to see a farmers’ meeting before this conference closes. I believe we have light on that subject. We have discouraged our boys from farming, and, so to speak, have driven them into the large cities to seek for employment. This is entirely contrary to the Lord’s will. The reason why we have thus discouraged them from farming, is because there is no profit derived from farming. The Lord has told us that now is the time for us to move our schools onto our farms, and that he will restore the land, and we shall receive such crops as we have never received before. I know the Lord has blessed us in our work in this line in connection with Battle Creek College. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.3
The Chair: We have only a few moments before the time for adjournment. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.4
C. P. Bollman: I hesitate to rise to speak on this question, because my experience in educational matters is limited. I believe it is true that our schools have not been doing all they might have done; but I think all will admit, when we see the number of men in the cause to-day, who have been trained in our schools, that they have done a grand work. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.5
As Professor Prescott said, you can not resolve these things into anybody. We want to get the truths of this message into our hearts, and I believe that our teachers desire to get them into their hearts, and the way to do it is to study this question, and keep on trying to get right, and I believe the Lord will open this up before us. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.6
I. H. Evans: I suppose the time to adjourn has come? GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.7
The Chair: Yes, sir, almost; only a few minutes more. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.8
I. H. Evans: I do not see some of these positions quite as do some of the speakers. Is it not a known fact to the delegates present that a new era, a sort of revolution, took place in educational work about two years ago? And did we not endeavor to adopt a plan of making the word of God the basis of instruction, and endeavor to enlarge upon the industrial plan? And may it not be possible that those who are the most closely connected with the schools may have noticed frictions between members of the board, or parts of the faculties, that you and I who have not been in such close touch do not know? And if we are going to be divided on the board on a policy, and then have the faculty divided on a policy, can it be that we are going to succeed very well? We ought to have a policy in our schools that those who manage the schools are united in, in order to make them succeed; because if a part of the board stands on one side of the question, and says, I am not in favor of industrial work, it is a financial loss; and another part of the board says, We must have industrial work, because the Testimonies teach it, there is a division. Now you will not succeed with that division. In order to have success in this work, there must be co-operation. It is better, therefore, to have a board either one way or the other. It is the same in the faculty. If a part of the faculty is not in favor of taking the word of God as the basis of all instruction, and another part of the faculty is in favor of doing so, there is a division, and that faculty will not prosper with that division. It does not seem to me that this recommendation is out of place when it suggests the propriety of having boards who believe in the Testimonies, and who believe in conducting our schools in harmony with them. If it does reflect upon anybody, let us pray that they may have grace that their feelings may not be hurt, in order that the schools may succeed; and then get a board that believes in the Testimonies, believes in these methods and then get a faculty that believes in these Testimonies and will act upon them unitedly. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.9
The question was then called for. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.10
The Chair: The question is on the adoption of the resolution. The last one has not been read, that is, re-read. We have considered only the second recommendation. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.11
M. H. Brown: I move that we now adjourn. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.12
The motion prevailed. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.13
SEVENTH MEETING, SUNDAY, 9:30 A. M., FEBRUARY 19
After the usual routine of opening exercises, President Irwin stated that the pending question at the adjournment of the last meeting was the order of the morning. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.14
W. W. Prescott: I would like to call the attention of the friends a little further to some of these principles that we have already referred to. I do this especially at this time because one of the brethren, after the close of the talk the other afternoon stated to the conference that there was another phase of this question in the matter of manual training. This question of manual training has been before the world for years. Manual-training schools have been established in an elaborate way. We have been to these schools, and tried to learn manual training from them. I am firmly convinced that we can not find in these schools the truth of manual training, but that it is in this message. What is the truth of manual training, and what is the relationship between manual training and the third angel’s message? If it has not a place in these principles of the message, what is it for? Let us take a simple fact, and see. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.15
Suppose you wish to make a straight-edge, what difference does it make whether you do it with a saw, or with a plane, or with any other tool? What has that to do with this message? What is the message? - Why, the commandments of God. The commandments of the Lord are right. The difficulty that we have is to bring these commandments into our lives, and let them make us right. This may be done by discipline, by training. Here is an instrument that produces music. Here are the keys, and there on paper are the characters of music. I can sit down at a piano, and run my hands over the keys as rapidly as any one, perhaps, but in it all there is discord. Why? - Because my hands have not yet been trained to translate through the mind what is expressed on the paper. It is a matter of discipline, of bringing the flesh under the control of the spirit, before it can be done. The bringing of the flesh under the control of the spirit, so that I can make and recognize a right line, is simply putting into visible form righteousness by faith. To make a right line simply for the sake of getting up an exhibition, simply for the sake of completing a course of study, and doing a certain number of models, and then exhibiting them as my work, is righteousness by works. We ought to get right down to more earnest, prayerful application to the very principles of this message. It will put the truth into education; it will put it into manual training. For instance, it is not simply to saw a certain distance with a saw; but it is to learn to do the thing perfectly. “The law of the Lord is perfect.” It is not to do a great amount; but it is to learn to do the one thing perfectly. The training that comes to the flesh, from holding one’s self to perfection in a straight line, when it is done as a training in the commandments of God, when it is done simply as a matter of the training of the being, that righteousness by faith may be revealed to the world, is just as much a part of religious training, and a great deal more so, than some religious gatherings. There is the thing, the discipline, the training of the flesh. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.16
Our difficulty is that the flesh breaks down. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Take the lesson of yesterday, in our Sabbath-school, - the temptation of Christ. It was by the power of the Spirit that the temptations were met and conquered. There is no question about the power of the spirit being sufficient to conquer; it is whether the flesh will endure the contest. There is no question about the righteousness of God. The question is whether the flesh will endure the discipline, and so experience the righteousness of God. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.17
If there is any desire that moves me to-day, it is that every one of us may grow in these things. The one desire that I had about this conference, and about coming here, was that we might have the fullest opportunity to get down underneath the forms and the names, to be able to throw aside precedent, give up routine, and take the thing. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.18
C. C. Lewis: It seems to me that there was, the other day, in the discussion of this question, a misapprehension in the minds of some of the delegates. They seemed to think there was something in these recommendations that implied censure to the teachers. Some of the delegates did not wish to have them passed because of this supposed implied censure. Perhaps some have forgotten that the Committee on Education, which presented these, is composed almost entirely of teachers; and that these recommendations could therefore hardly come as a censure upon the teachers. I would like to speak concerning the standpoint from which we teachers view this question. Of course, it is a little different from the standpoint of the ministers. Those of us who have been in the schoolroom for years, and have been dealing with this question face to face, must of necessity look at these things from a different standpoint than if we had seen them differently. I believe the great mass of the teachers are thoroughly loyal to the cause of present truth, and are endeavoring in their sphere to put into practical operation the principles we have here; and I think we can all say, in the language that is painted on the walls of the academy, “That which I see not, teach thou me. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more.” I think we are all of one accord in these matters. I have not for a long time heard of any disagreement with reference to these general principles, and I was in hearty sympathy with the remarks of our brother the other day when he said that we have had these general principles as a basis for five years, and there is no disagreement with reference to them. What our teachers need is something definite, something practical, something to show just how to put these principles into operation; and I hoped we should receive something that would help us. I am sure my brother will not feel unkind toward me if I say that even after what we have heard, and while we have been instructed on general principles, we are still discussing principles that we all believe. The brethren who have talked to us along these lines are accustomed to teach men and women of mature years, of thorough understanding. They go from place to place, where they teach for two or three weeks, once or twice a day. But we in the schoolroom have to deal with this question month after month, and year after year, and we meet difficulties. If one of these brethren would take a class of children before this conference, and put into practical operation the principles they have set before us in a general way, then they would give us some help. What we want to know is how to do the thing. We already believe in the general principles. There are questions that the teachers would like to ask, and I presume there are questions which these ministers would like to ask. If we could ask them face to face, I believe it would help us. [Elder Jones: Do it. Dr. Waggoner: Try it.] We want to see these things eye to eye, and that does not mean eye through eye. It is so natural to want to make my eye the one through which the other person sees. But in seeing eye to eye, we stand before one another and look one another right in the face, and that implies confidence in one another; it implies frankness toward one another. Take this principle: “The Bible is the foundation of our educational work.” It seems to the teachers as if some of the brethren wanted them to take the Bible and nothing else. Now I would like to ask whether that is what they mean or not, - whether there is to be no other book used. I sympathize very heartily with Brother Prescott in not wanting to be in the mist or in the fog. My question is, What do you mean when you say take the Bible as a foundation? Can we use nothing else but the Bible? GCDB February 20, 1899, page 34.19
W. W. Prescott: May I answer that question? GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.1
C. C. Lewis: Certainly. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.2
W. W. Prescott: I shall not speak for any one else, or for any school, but will speak from my own conviction and experience in the work, and this is the very thing I had hoped would come; for it is the thing that is wanting. The question is, Shall we simply use the Bible in our schools, and no other book? Now let us make it, as it were, concrete. Take, for instance, the question of teaching any particular subject. What will bring it out best? We will say physical geography. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.3
C. C. Lewis: Take the multiplication table. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.4
W. W. Prescott: No; I will not start with that: I will take that a little later. Brother Lewis says to start with the multiplication table. Now that is not the thing to start with. What is the thing to consider? - Truth. Truth is not an abstraction; it is a living reality. Mathematics has its place in the truth; and I understand that the truth involves an understanding of mathematics, but we do not get at the truth by a study of mathematics simply. Before the children can read, what is the thing? - Teach the truth to them. Well, what is the truth? - The truth is that which is. But teach the children right from the start to recognize that which is truth apart from that which merely seems to be truth. Now let us be concrete again. Before children are old enough to be taught the words of a book, and before they are old enough to go into any kind of school, the grand truth, the endless and whole truth, can be taught them, and that truth is the truth of service. That would be the beginning - the thing itself. Then we come to the school. The thing to be learned and the thing to be taught is the truth. In order to know the truth in words, one must learn the vehicles by which the truth is conveyed in language. The truth may be learned before one knows language, and children should be brought in contact with the truth, and be brought into a conception of the truth, before they know terms and signs or sounds, as applied. At the proper time teach language to the children. I would not teach language as an independent thing. I used to do that way, and thought it was the right way. I would take the Bible and teach the truth that is conveyed in the Bible in those simple words, and I would teach them the truth and the language of the truth at the same time, so that they would receive the language itself. I would not take a book and study about language, and learn how to tear down what somebody has built up, and apply technical terms to it; but take the language itself, the vehicle of truth, and learn the truth and the language of the truth in learning the truth. I would have the students read the Bible, but not as a reading-lesson. Now, the question as to whether I would use any other book besides the Bible. I would not lay down any rule as to that. If, as I went on with the Bible, I found the need of any other book, I would use it. But I would not use it until I found the need of it. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.5
J. H. Haughey: You would find the need. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.6
W. W. Prescott: I think so. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.7
C. C. Lewis: Now, excuse me, but we are consuming considerable time here, and it does not seem that we are getting at the real point. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.8
W. W. Prescott: Let us come right at that then. I would start with the one book. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.9
C. C. Lewis: That is, with the child learning to read? GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.10
W. W. Prescott: Yes; that is where I began with my boy. I began with the first chapter of John. The first reading-lesson I ever gave him - GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.11
C. C. Lewis: And the multiplication table? GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.12
W. W. Prescott: Don’t hurry that multiplication table. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.13
C. C. Lewis: I am not hurrying it; but twenty minutes of my time has already been consumed. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.14
W. W. Prescott: Now, as I went on with the Bible, I would use any other book, or any source of information I found necessary or desirable. But until we know the truth ourselves from the Bible, we do not know what books to use and what not to use; and when you get a book, you do not know what part to use and what part to omit. You do not know what you are after, or want. Now, as to the question of mathematics, the multiplication table, and everything that goes with it. When God thought, and made his thought visible in what we see about us, he thought mathematically. When I am going to follow his thought, I must think mathematically. Therefore, the further I want to go with his thought, the further I must go with mathematics. Pure mathematics is simply a discipline of the mind, - simply the mathematics that go into thinking, in order that I may think the thoughts of God after him, and may see his thought clearly where he has expressed it. Then I would study mathematics. I would not try to twist a text in some way, so that I could appear to be studying the Bible. There is something I want; I want to be able to think mathematically. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.15
The Chair: We will now have a recess of ten minutes. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.16
Mrs. S. M. I. Henry: The Bible is to use every other book in the world. We are not to use other books with the Bible; but we are to allow the Bible to use every other book. It has to do with every book ever printed; and if the child is properly taught, he will be taught how to deal with every line that was ever written, in accordance with the principles that are here taught, and not only that, but everything else. The thing is to teach the child how to use these, and to teach them out of the Bible. The Bible was the one book out of which I was taught. Other books were compared with it, - everything in fact which came into our hands in those days. And the reading-lesson which I first remember, and with which I first started, was the first chapter of Genesis. I will give you a lesson. That which I have placed on the blackboard (the letter “I”) is one word. It means a great deal. As I pronounce it, it might mean this [pointing to the eye]; and if it was in a picture, it would look like this [drawing diagram of an eye]. When you come to pronounce it so, what is it? - It is “I.” What does it mean? Written in that form, it means the individual. In the first chapter of Genesis, it is the first thing there. But there is something else there [writing “In”]. Now we have these two letters, - I-n. This character (n) makes another word for us, and I would have to tell the child what that means, unless I should go through with a process of object-lessons. You know a child will learn a word just as quickly as it will a letter, every time. I would show the child a picture of a hotel, or inn, and connect this with the inn in which Jesus was born, and so teach the pronunciation of the word. But I would also teach the child the difference between the two words “in” and “inn“: “in” - something that is within, or inside of something; and you can see how this is in, and this is out [illustrating]. Now, that word is the first word in the Bible, and from that I would go on with the lesson. Now I will give you another reading-lesson [writing “I am”]. I would have to tell the child, of course, what this word “am” means. I would teach the child the combination of words; and to bring in the proper mathematics, I would teach the child to count with the first word. I; how many? That is one, etc. So we go on, - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, - and you can adapt this method to any number of principles, and teach any number of principles of mathematics. Addition, subtraction, the whole system, can be taught through this; that is, the difference in the characters, and the proportion of words. Now I will give opportunity for questions. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.17
C. C. Lewis: I think the idea is good. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.18
Mrs. S. M. I. Henry: My children were sent to a university, and O, the disappointment and sorrow which come to me now, as I see the truth; because that school was not what God intended a church college to be! The system of education was all wrong; it was contrary to the principles which I had learned, and which I had tried to teach. Everything was turned bottom side up, wrong side in, and wrong side out, because of the pagan system employed; and I recognized it, even then. I feel that the question now before this conference is a vital, living question, and that we ought to come to an understanding of how to apply these principles of teaching from the Bible standpoint to little children, and the questions of these teachers ought to be practically answered. What Brother Prescott has been saying has seemed like a revelation to me. My father taught me that everything in the world moved because of this statement that was made in the second verse of the first chapter of Genesis: “The Spirit of God moved.” I do not remember the time when I did not connect the movement of the trees, and the movement of my own body, with that fact. We rode in a carriage. The horse moved because the Spirit of God first moved on the face of the waters. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.19
H. F. Phelps: It seems to me that the relation of the Bible and other books should be explained a little more fully. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.20
Mrs. Henry: I will do so. My father recognized the fact that there had to be a reason for things, and that I had to be established in truth; so he procured several worldly books, and we studied these together in the light of the Bible. In this way I was able to learn what is truth, by making the Bible the foundation of truth, and judging everything by this. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.21
W. T. Bland: I think that as teachers we are in harmony. I have a little girl seven years old. She has been taught right in these lines. That is home teaching. But we have something that is a good deal more perplexing to deal with. For instance, in Union College, we have three hundred students. Many of them have never made a profession of Christianity. Some do not know whether they believe in the Bible or not. Some have been in the public schools; some in private schools, colleges, and academies before they came there, and they want different things. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 35.22
Of course, if we had only little children, that would be a different thing, and it would be the best thing in the world. But as the Testimony says, we must take the students just as they come to us. What shall we do with those who come to us, if they don’t want to be taught from the Bible? Shall we make a rule that we will take none into our schools but those who have been taught by Christian parents, and who themselves will enter heartily into these methods and be taught from the Bible? This is a question that we have been wrestling with for years. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 36.1
C. C. Lewis: I don’t think that I ever took a moment’s time in any General Conference before this present day. I hope I shall not be considered ungenerous, if I use the few minutes remaining to me. These questions that have been asked, have drawn forth remarks that have done all of us good. This encourages me to ask another question. There are several that I would like to ask. From the remarks of some of the brethren, and also from articles that have appeared in our papers, it has seemed as if some of our people thought that we ought not to have anything like courses of study. We would like to be told exactly what is meant. I have felt that there is danger of our coming into a sort of educational anarchy. Now I grant that those who, like Sister Henry, have had experience in these things, and in teaching according to these principles, might carry them out at once. But most of our teachers do not know how to do this work, and they must learn how, and we must give them some time in which to learn. I do not believe that we shall accomplish this by a sudden reformation, a turning of everything upside down, but we shall come to it in a gradual way. The following are the subjects that are set forth as preparatory to the work of a Christian worker, or a minister, in the Avondale school: the Bible, church history, English language, English literature. It is possible that these brethren know how to teach English literature from the Bible. If they do, I would be glad to have them tell us how to do it. I do not mean to say that the teacher would not have opportunity to instill the truths of the Bible into their minds in the exercises of the class; for there would be abundant opportunity to do that; but how to teach English literature from the Bible alone, is what we want to know. But this is one of the studies in that school. I continue reading the others: physiology, Bible hygiene, physics, chemistry, botany, astronomy, methods, reading, writing, spelling (common branches), voice culture, Latin, accounts, Biblical Greek, moral philosophy, mental science, methods of teaching and preaching. As I read that, I took courage. It seemed to me that there was a good, thorough course; and I could not help comparing it with the course set forth by the leading educational institution among us. Let me read the subjects: Bible doctrines, language, Bible hygiene, the elements of the sciences, public speaking, accounts, trades, moral science, mental science. In making the comparison, I could not help feeling that the first course is the stronger; and yet it comes from our youngest school. Now, how shall we decide in what order these studies shall be taken up? One way is for those who have had experience in these matters to kneel down and ask the Spirit of God to direct them as they shall try to arrange these studies in a natural order, so that one will lead naturally to another, and help prepare the way for that next one. I cannot see, brethren and sisters, why it would not be just as reasonable, and just as consistent, to ask the Spirit of the Lord to direct us in that course of study, as it would be to ask him to direct us in deciding the matter by lot. Even suppose we should take them by lot, when we are through, what have we? The term universally applied by those who use the English language, is that that is a “course of study.” I am not a stickler for terms. If the brethren know of any other term that is better suited to convey that idea, I should be glad to use that term. But does not the thing remain, in spite of you, - that we have a certain course of study to pursue? And what is the harm in pursuing that? Further (and I wish this last remark to bear upon the last suggestion that is before us that has not been passed, - the matter of starting church schools), there should be thorough preparation on the part of the teachers, before these schools are started. I have been away at one side of the field, and I do not know much of the other schools; but I understand that there have been from forty to sixty church schools opened, started suddenly all over the country; and I have wondered whether all the teachers that go into these schools have had a sufficiently thorough preparation to make a success of the work. I know that the Spirit of the Lord can do wonderful things for us; and yet we are told plainly by the Spirit of God, that we need not ask the Spirit of God to do for us that which he has left us to do for ourselves. He has placed in our hands certain means, and unless we use that means, it is not consistent for us to ask him to do the work for us. I plead for a thorough preparation on the part of these teachers, that as they go forth to their work, they shall all make a success of the work, and not leave room for a reaction to come on account of an insufficient preparation. It seems to me that this paragraph, setting forth what can be done in a three-months’ study in one of our educational institutions, falls short of a thorough preparation. It seems to me that it would be impossible to receive this much in three months. I read it: “As the program now stands, in a three-months’ stay the student may receive a drill in healthful living, language study, arithmetic and bookkeeping, history, geography, and pedagogy, as taught from Christ as a teacher, and one line of manual training, or a short course in nursing, cooking, and cutting and fitting healthful dresses.” I can not see how that would be possible in three months’ time, unless the student had a sufficient preparation beforehand in the common branches, which lie at the basis of all education. This leads me to make another comparison. The studies set forth in the calendar from Australia, as preparatory to the work of a teacher, are: common branches, Bible, pedagogy, psychology, school management, history and philosophy of education, child study, music, and drawing. I regard that as a thorough course of study. Here is a course of study, taken from the announcement of one of our leading schools in this country; common branches, Bible, bookkeeping, Christ as a teacher, history, healthful living, nature study, farming, trades. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 36.2
C. W. Irwin: The question proposed by Professor Bland, as to what shall be done for those students who are of more mature years, is worthy of consideration. If we had the children from the very earliest years up to the time that they should finish their school work, then we would know what to do. But what will you do with a young man who comes into the school, perhaps twenty years of age, who has never attended any of our schools before, has not been converted, and has no desire to study the Bible or know the truth? I believe in being practical, and hence will tell you of my experience: A young man about twenty years of age came into our school who had a disposition just such as I have described. He came to my office to be classified. I asked him what he wanted to study. He said, “Spelling, geography, arithmetic, grammar.” I said, “All right,” and wrote them down, telling him that four studies were all he could well carry. There was no Bible in that. Should I have said to him, Here, you must drop one of these studies, and take up the Bible? I never said a word about Bible. I told him the studies chosen would make him a good course, and I hoped he would like it, and progress in his studies. He started in his school work. He attended prayers regularly every morning and night, but he felt no interest in religion. After a time we had some meetings; that young man was impressed with the truth, and finally made a profession of religion, and was soundly converted; now it is not an uncommon thing to call upon him for prayer. We went through the first term, and at the second term what studies do you suppose he took up? He is now in my Bible class, and is one of the most interested pupils I have. He sits there and drinks in everything given in that class. Now suppose I had gone to him and said, You can not know anything till you know God, and you can sit here in my office an hour a day, and we will begin with this subject first. You know there is a good deal of stubbornness in human nature; and do you suppose I could have presented the thing before him in that way? I put him right in the regular classes, and used the regular text-books, and he went on with them, and by the end of the term he was soundly converted, and now takes Bible, and is getting all he can out of it. These are some of the things we have to meet as teachers, and I am heartily in favor of this method of teaching. I am perfectly in harmony with everything that has been said here, but we who have to confront these things for five hours a day, five days in the week, week after week, want to understand these things in a way to help the pupils get at them in the best way. Now if some one has learned something else by his experience, let us have it, and it may help us. This example of the young man in our school is a type of many. Now did I adopt the right method with him, or not? If I did not, I want to know it, because this is a thing we have to meet in our actual experience; and if I did not meet this question rightly, I want to know how to meet it in a better way. It succeeded in this case all right, and that young man is converted. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 36.3
At this point the meeting adjourned. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 36.4
Benediction by J. N. Loughborough. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 36.5
A LESSON ON COURTESY
The following notice was posted in the rooms of a certain Y. M. C. association: “Gentlemen will please remove their hats.” One young fellow was discovered walking about the rooms, wearing his hat, apparently oblivious to the notice, or other surroundings. Being reminded of the posted notice, he said that he had seen it. When asked why he did not conform to its requirements, he replied: “See here, friend; I have been around this place for three weeks, and no one has spoken to me. I thought that I would compel some one to speak to me to-night, so that I might get a little acquainted with the members.” There is a moral in this for some other religious societies. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 36.6
BIBLE STUDY. CHURCH UNITY. Synopsis of Address by Elder G. A. Irwin
The Strength of Unity - Effort - Our Work all Denominational - Dangers Pointed Out. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 36.7
Text: “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33. It is quite clear, from the reading of this text, that wherever we find confusion and unrest, they must come from some other source than the Father, because this plainly says that he is not the author of confusion, but of peace. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 36.8
We have been repeatedly told, through the Spirit of God, that we should study the history of the children of Israel, because in that history we find that of God’s people down to the end of time, and the true Israel of God to-day can learn lessons of profit from the history of ancient Israel. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 36.9
From the 10th chapter of Numbers I will read something to introduce the thought I have in mind this morning: “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps. And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee. When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward. When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys. But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm. And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance forever throughout your generations.” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 36.10
You will notice that there were two trumpets blown to announce different calls. In the same chapter of our text, eight verse, we read that “if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 36.11
In the calls to Israel, the right trumpet had to be blown at the right time; if a wrong trumpet was blown in the camp, confusion was the sure result. If at a time of emergency, when they desired a rally, the wrong trumpet should be blown, the people would not understand the situation. It is the same now; if the trumpet shall give an uncertain sound, how shall the people know what is wanted? Note how this tenth chapter of Numbers reveals the order of the work of God in those days. Not only did they have two trumpets, but these trumpets had certain blasts, which the people understood; and when those blasts were blown, they knew exactly what to do, and there was no confusion. You will read this in the fourteenth verse and onward. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 36.12
Sometimes we think that that was in a different dispensation, and have little or no interest in it, only as a history of God’s dealing with his people. But the same God lives to-day who lived back there; and on the authority of the Spirit of God, the same order that characterized his work among his people in ancient times should characterize it in these last days, and even more so. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 36.13
In Gospel Workers, 158, I read: “I was pointed back to the children of Israel. Very soon after leaving Egypt, they were organized and most thoroughly disciplined.” Some may say that was necessary for them because they, as a nation of slaves, had just come out of Egypt; but down here we are an enlightened people, and therefore do not need this thorough discipline. But what does the Lord say of this? “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” Has God changed from a God of order to one of confusion? - No; he is in this dispensation as he was in the former. He is as particular now as then. The same God that organized those slaves, and disciplined them, is here in his remnant church; and he wants the same order and discipline in the church now that he had there. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 36.14
A good deal depends on the sound given by a trumpet or drum. Those of us who were in the Civil War know something about that. We knew that at a sudden attack of the enemy, the “long roll” was beaten. When we heard that, a thrill ran through us, because we knew that it was the business of every man to get on his accouterments and fall back into line as quickly as possible. But suppose an attack had been made suddenly by the enemy, and instead of giving the “long roll,” “taps” should have been sounded, which is the signal to go to sleep, - what would have been the result? GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.1
Listen to this statement: “The conviction is gaining ground that Seventh-day Adventists are giving the trumpet an uncertain sound; that they are following in the path of worldlings.” May God help us in this conference to give the trumpet a certain sound. I do pray, from the bottom of my heart, that some of that old-time ring that was once in the message, and that thrilled our souls to the very depths, may come back again into it. [Voices: Amen.] GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.2
There is at present a spirit of independence coming in among us, that forebodes no good to the third angel’s message and the cause of God. There are just two extremes that can be maintained. This is so tersely stated by the first president of the General Conference that I quote his words: “Between the two extremes of church force and unsanctified independence, we find the grand secret of unity and efficiency in the ministry and in the church of God.” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.3
While God wants system and order in his work, he does not want anybody to lord it over God’s heritage, or to establish a system similar to the papacy. That would be the devil’s church, and his method of management; but the Lord has a church, and he has system and order in that church. The devil, in order to make a counterfeit, goes to extremes along the same line. What we want to know is just where the truth is. I believe we shall find it in perfect organization. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.4
God has a visible church in this world. It is not some visionary, unreal thing. It is just as much a reality as is the work Satan is carrying forward in the earth. The church in the time of the Israelites was a reality; and God’s people, when loyal to him, were made the fear of nations around them. Just as truly as God had order and system in the church at that time, so truly it is necessary to have order and system in the remnant church. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.5
To bring out this work of the church, I will illustrate it by the diagram on this chart. [The chart was then unfolded. See illustration]. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.6
PICTURE - DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANIZATION AMONG SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
Further to elucidate the matter, I read the following statement from an unpublished Testimony: “The proclamation of the third angel’s message - the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus - is the burden of our work.” Again: “The mustard-seed has grown to a great tree.” From this sentence I conceived the thought of making this chart, which illustrates the third angel’s message, grown from a mustard-seed into a great tree. From time to time these branches have grown out from the parent stock. To illustrate the thought I had in mind, I will explain that the body of the tree represents the burden of our work, which is the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus. In other words, the body of the tree is the church; and the burden of that remnant church is the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus. As the church has grown up like a mustard-seed into a great tree, these branches have grown out from the parent stem. Those of you who can see the chart clearly, will notice that I have had the branches named in the order in which they have come into existence. The first branch represents the publishing work, dating its existence from the year 1850. The next branch was the line of health work, - sanitariums, etc., the first institution of this character being founded in 1866. As the message progressed, other branches came out, such as the educational work, which was placed on a firm basis by the establishing of Battle Creek College in 1874; the organization of the International Tract Society in the same year; the Sabbath-school work, begun in 1877; the Religious Liberty Association, 1889; the organization of the Foreign Mission Board in 1890; and the last of these branches, the Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, organized in 1893, having charge of medical, Christian Help, and philanthropic work. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.7
Of course the young man who pictured this tree, in order to make it symmetrical, had to put in other branches above, in order to top the tree out; and I believe that before the end comes, we shall have other branches; and I am not so sure, Sister Henry, but that your work will come in as another branch on this great tree. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.8
You will notice that this tree has grown symmetrically, and presents a symmetrical whole. By considering the work of each for a moment, you will readily see that all the branches are all intimately related to one another, and to the parent stock. While they are separate, each is dependent upon every other. No one of the branches can become independent of another branch, or of the main tree, without losing its life; for the moment one of these branches separates itself from the main tree, it dies. Suppose this branch representing the publishing work should separate from the tree, - what would result? - It would die at once; for it is the life that flows into these branches from the parent stock, that makes them live. It is the blessed Spirit of God in the sap in this tree, which flows into these branches, vitalizing every one of them. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.9
In this connection I read this extract: “There must be a well-balanced, symmetrical development of the work in all its parts.” The parts are before you, represented on the chart. I believe the Lord has led in the division of the message into these parts, and that they have not been the work of man. The Testimonies will bear me out in this assertion; for the Lord has spoken in regard to every one of these organizations. Thank the Lord that this is to be a symmetrical tree, and that no one branch is to assume undue proportions, thus causing the tree to become “lop-sided.” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.10
There comes to me a beautiful thought in connection with the foliage. You notice that as these main branches spread out from the trunk, other smaller branches spring from them, and on these, in turn, are dependent twigs, bearing leaves; and the branches are so commingled, the one with the other, that there is formed a dense foliage. When those who are not acquainted with the organization of our work, look upon the church, or tree, - to carry out the figure, - as a whole, what do they observe? - One whole tree, in all its symmetrical beauty of unity, and not independent branches extending from the tree. To carry the thought still further, just as the foliage protects a symmetrical tree from the piercing rays of the midsummer sun, so the foliage upon this symbolical tree, vitalized by the Spirit of God, protects the third angel’s message from the fiery darts of the wicked one. Praise the Lord that in his tender mercy he has made provision for our protection! GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.11
I think you can all appreciate the force of this illustration as to what relation the various branches of our work sustain to the truth as a whole. All these branches have been prospered by the Lord. Why? The Lord raises the question: “What is the secret of our prosperity? - We have moved under the order of the Captain of our salvation. God has blessed our united efforts. The truth has spread and flourished. Institutions have multiplied. The mustard-seed has grown to a great tree. The system of organization has proved a” - failure? [Congregation: No.] “The system of organization has proved a grand success.” Not merely has it proven a success, but a grand success. This quotation, and many others I am reading, you will find in the GENERAL CONFERENCE DAILY BULLETIN of 1893, pages 21-24. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.12
The following, from Elder White, in 1881, is true: Those who drafted the form of organization adopted by Seventh-day Adventists labored to incorporate into it, as far as possible, the simplicity of expression and form found in the New Testament. The more spirit of the gospel manifested, the more simple and efficient the system. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.13
While looking over the files of the Review, in order to find something regarding the organization of our General Conference, I was pleased to find that in the constitution first recommended by that body for the government of the State conferences, less than five words had since been changed. Brother Loughborough was a member of the committee that framed that constitution. I believe the Lord was in the framing of that constitution, and that we would better let that constitution go on to the end, rather than begin to tinker with it, and abolish some portions of it. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.14
[J. N. Loughborough: I want to say right here that before that constitution was framed, more than half a day was spent in solemn prayer to God. The Bible was open before us and studied for hours. Brother Uriah Smith was on that committee, and I had the privilege of being a member of it; and if ever I felt the Spirit of God guiding, it was there. That was in the old Review editorial rooms. God was in it, and if God was guiding them, I do not see why we should tinker with it now.] GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.15
Now let us revert to another thought in connection with the importance of thorough organization. The Spirit of the Lord takes this figure: “An army in battle would become confused and weakened unless all worked in concord.” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.16
You know, from the history of the civil strife in America, that there was one army where there was jealousy between the generals; and when the plans of battle were drawn, some general would fail to execute his part, for fear that somebody else would get the glory. As a result, they were defeated again and again. And, brethren, such a course will always bring defeat, whether in a civil or an ecclesiastical army. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.17
“If soldiers should act out their own impulsive ideas, without reference to each other’s position and work, they could not do the work of an organized body. So the soldiers of Christ must act in harmony.” When I was made prisoner during the war, it was simply because there was a gap of about half a mile between the corps that I belonged to and another corps, and our general, not knowing of this gap, in going from one place to another, rode right into the enemy’s ranks, and was killed. Confusion was the result, and three or four thousand of us were taken prisoners. Now, brethren, if there is a gap between our companies, some are going to ride right through it to their death, and others will be captured by the enemy. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.18
If there ever was a time when we needed to press together, and step and act together, that time is now. “They must not stand apart. A spirit to act independently and alone must not be cherished. If they do this, the Lord’s people, in the place of being in perfect harmony, of one mind, one purpose, and consecrated to one grand object, will find their efforts fruitless, their time and capabilities wasted. Union is strength. A few converted souls acting in harmony, acting for one grand purpose, under one head, will achieve victories at every encounter.” In the case of Gideon we see this: three hundred men in perfect accord and in perfect harmony, under one leader, achieved a signal victory. “If men will not move in concert in the great and grand work for this time, there will be confusion. It is not a good sign when men will not unite with their brethren, but prefer to act alone; when they will not take their brethren into their confidence because they do not exactly meet their mind. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 37.19
I shall not have time to read all this; but here is another suggestion: “I am very sorrowful when I see things that I can not endorse and I feel pained over the matter. I begin to be afraid. Some have entertained ideas, and without waiting to bring these before a council of brethren, have agitated strange theories. They have brought before some of the people, ideas in regard to organization that ought never to have had expression. I supposed that the question of organization GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.1
PICTURE - KEENE ACADEMY HOME
was settled forever with those who believed the Testimonies. Now if they believe these matters, why do they work contrary to them? GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.2
Satan’s angels are wise to do evil, and they will create that which some will claim to be advanced light, and will proclaim as new and wonderful things; while in some respects the message is truth, yet it will be mingled with men’s inventions, and will teach for doctrine the commandments of men. If there ever was a time when we should watch and pray in real earnest, it is now. There may be supposable things that appear as good things, and yet they need to be carefully considered with much prayer; for they are specious devices of the enemy, to lead souls in a path which lies so close to the path of truth that it will be scarcely distinguishable from the path which leads to holiness and heaven. But the eye of faith may discern that it is diverging from the right path, though almost imperceptibly. At first it may be thought positively right, but after a little while it is seen to be widely divergent from the path of safety - from the path that leads to holiness and heaven. My brethren, I warn you to make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way.” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.3
The object of organization is thus stated: “To provide for the support of the ministry, for carrying the work in new fields, for protecting both the churches and the ministers from unworthy members, for holding church property, for the publication of the truth through the press, and for many other objects, organization was indispensable.” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.4
[W. D. Curtis: Can any of the branches shown on your chart, - health, publishing, missionary, etc., - be said to be undenominational branches?] GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.5
I do not understand the matter so. They all come out from the tree, which represents the remnant church. The burden of our work is the proclamation of the third angel’s message, - the keeping of the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus. Hence anything that God has connected with that is denominational, in that it is connected with the third angel’s message. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.6
Last year there was some talk of abolishing the International Tract Society, and some have thought that the International Religious Liberty Association has filled its purpose; and consequently some have thought that these two branches ought to be sawed off the tree. I do not believe it. I believe God has a work for both these branches; and what we want to do, instead of tinkering with what God has placed in that order, is to strengthen these things that are weak and languishing. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.7
The Religious Liberty Association is coming to the front. It will be an important part of the message from this time forward. Any one who has the time could dwell on this branch of the work, and show how it connects with all the others. I must read a little more: “We sought the Lord with earnest prayer, that we might understand his will, and light was given by his Spirit, that there must be order and thorough discipline in the church, that organization was essential. System and order are manifest in all the works of God throughout the universe. Order is the law of heaven, and it should be the law of God’s people on the earth. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.8
“Let none entertain the thought, however, that we can dispense with organization. It has cost us much study, and many prayers for wisdom that we know God has answered, to erect this structure. It has been built up by his direction, through much sacrifice and conflict. Let none of our brethren be so deceived as to attempt to tear it down, for you will thus bring in a condition of things that you do not dream of.” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.9
If we tear down order and organization, we simply have anarchy. An army that is disorganized becomes an easy prey to its enemy: “In the name of the Lord, I declare to you that it is to stand, strengthened, established, and settled. At God’s command, ‘Go forward,’ we advanced when the difficulties to be surmounted made the advance seem impossible. We know how much it has cost to work out God’s plans in the past, which has made us as a people what we are. Then let every one be exceedingly careful not to unsettle minds in regard to those things that God has ordained for our prosperity and success. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.10
I will read a statement now from a Testimony that came about three weeks ago, bearing on this point, - just one sentence, which expresses volumes: “You must never, never seek to lift one pin, remove one landmark, that the Lord has given to his people as truth.” Here another statement in this other one: “There is to be no change in the features of our work. It is to stand as clear and distinct as prophecy has made it. We are to enter into no confederacy with the world, supposing that by so doing we could do more work.” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.11
“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and his teaching in our past history. We are now a strong people, if we will put our trust in the Lord; for we are handling the mighty truths of the word of God. We have everything to be thankful for. If we walk in the light as it shines upon us from the living oracles of God, we shall have large responsibilities, corresponding to the great light given us of God. We have many duties to perform, because we have been made the depositories of sacred truth to be given to the world in all its beauty and glory. We are debtors to God to use every advantage he has entrusted to us to beautify the truth of holiness of character, and to send the message of warning and of comfort, of hope and of love, to those who are in the darkness of error and sin.” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.12
[S. H. Lane: May I read a statement?] GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.13
Yes, sir. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.14
[S. H. Lane: It is found in “Testimony for the Church,” No. 33, page 55: “Nothing is gained by cowardice, or by fearing to let it be known that we are God’s commandment-keeping people. Hiding our light, as if ashamed of our faith, will result only in disaster. God will leave us to our own weakness. May the Lord forbid that we should refuse to let our light shine forth in any place to which he may call us.”] GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.15
[Voice: Elder Irwin, are the quotations you have been reading, all from the Testimonies?] GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.16
Yes, sir. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.17
Well, the time is now up, and I have hurried rapidly over this. The subject is a broad one, and of vital importance to the interests of our work. We must not let the enemy come in now. The wrath of the dragon is against the remnant church, and he is trying in every way to overthrow this church, and the work it is doing. I do not know of any more effectual way that he could accomplish that purpose than to divide us in sentiment, and break us up into little integers. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.18
“In union there is strength. There should be union between our publishing houses and other institutions. If this unity existed, they would be a power. No strife or variance should exist among the workers. The work is one, superintended by one Leader. Occasional and spasmodic efforts have done harm. However energetic they may be, they are of little value; for the reaction will surely come. We must cultivate a steady perseverance, continually searching to know and to do God’s will.” - “Testimony for the Church,” No. 33, page 63. All should be perfectly united in the work, just as these branches are united in the work in this symbolical tree. May the Lord help us to think on these things. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.19
REPORT FROM KEENE INDUSTRIAL ACADEMY
The last two years have been a time of growth and organization in Keene Academy. The enrollment of pupils was ninety-one the third year, one hundred and thirty-two the fourth year, and it has been one hundred thirty-five thus far the present year. This number does not include the model school below the seventh grade, nor the public school of nearly one hundred and fifty pupils. Two years ago forty-two students entered the home, seventy-one last year, and seventy-eight are now boarding there. Last year eight new rooms were provided, and were nearly filled; the present year five more have been added, and all were filled before the end of the first term. There are now three rooms that contain three students each. There has been no serious sickness in our home. No epidemic has interfered with our work. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.20
At present the departments of instruction and industry each have their head, with subdivisions, each having a foreman. Of industries the following are organized: the farm, garden, orchard, stock, wood-yard, broom-shop, blacksmith shop, carpenter shop, store, and boarding department. An account is kept with each department. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.21
The department of instruction has a carefully graded course of study consisting of twelve grades. Graded Bible instruction is given in every year’s course, and each student is expected to take some line of Bible study. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 38.22
A barn, a blacksmith shop, and a carpenter shop have been built. A cistern with a capacity of over a thousand barrels has been dug, a windmill and storage-tank have been erected, and the Artesian well has been cleaned and deepened, so that an abundance of pure, soft water seems to be assured. The academy has been canvassed, papered, and wainscotted throughout, and a good supply of furniture has been made. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.1
The store is doing a thriving business. It employs two student clerks, and enables us to secure wholesale rates on all supplies. The broom-shop employs ten hands three hours each day, and can scarcely keep up with its orders. Two students work in the blacksmith shop, doing all the repair work for the farm, and considerable custom work besides. The farm raises principally broom-corn and feed for the stock. The orchard is beginning to bear. Last year there was a general failure of fruit throughout the South. This year ought to give us a good crop. About ten thousand strawberry-plants have been set out this winter. Preparations are going forward for extensive gardening. A hotbed has been built without expense, except for student labor, and plants are up at this writing. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.2
From a literary point of view the school has also made progress. An increasing number of men and women are entering the school to stay two or three years, and to prepare for the work of God. Our first class, numbering eight members, was graduated last year. Three entered the ministry, one is the principal of the public school at Keene, one is teaching a church school in Indian Territory, and two are doing secretary work. Of the four or five who expect to finish their work this year, two, and perhaps three, will give their lives to the ministry. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.3
During the last year some attention has been given to industrial training; and sewing, dressmaking, cooking, household economy, wood-work, iron-work, agriculture, and horticulture have been introduced. Suitable text-books have been found for sewing, cooking, wood-work, agriculture, and horticulture, and classes have been formed in the four studies first named. We have made only a beginning, however; and hope to do more and better work in this direction another year. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.4
While the spiritual condition of the school is not what we would like to see it, we find some reason for encouragement as we look over our register for the last two years. Fifteen persons who came to us unconverted have found Christ, and continue faithful. A number of these give promise of becoming acceptable workers. Fifty-eight are in school with the definite purpose of preparing for the Lord’s work. We can see improvement in the deportment of most of the students. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.5
Our greatest present need is a ladies’ home. Every room at our command is full. We have not dining-room enough. Could we secure a ladies’ home, consisting of a basement and three stories, capable of rooming forty ladies, and furnishing dining-room for one hundred persons, all our students would be under more favorable circumstances. We would then be able to accommodate one hundred boarding students. I should not want the school to become larger than this. Church schools could be started to meet the wants of our people nearer home. We ask not for luxuries; we plead only for necessities. C. C. LEWIS. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.6
Repentance which is unto salvation must be with an unfeigned sorrow, which reaches unto God. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.7
PREPARATION FOR TRANSLATION. Sermon, February 18, by Elder J. A. Brunson
Before Christ Comes, Some Must Live without a Mediator - Character-building - The Sure Method by Which It Is Done. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.8
I often wonder if we do really believe that the coming of the Lord is near, - if we actually realize the solemnity of the times in which we live; and sometimes I am troubled when I look out upon God’s professed people, and see the spirit of levity not infrequently prevailing. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.9
I want to speak a few moments on the qualifications of the candidate for translation. Do you believe that the coming of the Lord is near? If you do, then you are a candidate for translation; and if you are a candidate for translation, you must understand what the qualifications are; because it will be a sad, sad day for you and me if we come up to that day when the Lord shall come in the clouds of heaven, and we shall see him, and there be told that we are not prepared to go with him into his home. It will then be too late to make the needed preparation. That preparation must be made between this Sabbath day, the 18th of February, and the coming of the Lord, whenever that is. And therefore if you and I are careless and indifferent, and allow the moments of time which God has given us in which to prepare, to pass unheeded by, just as surely as we live, we will not be ready for him when he comes. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.10
We are assured in the Scripture that somebody is going to be alive when he comes. I will read the scripture that is so familiar to us all, in 1 Corinthians 15:51 and onward: “Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” It tells, too, the time that will be consumed in the making of that change: “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we [that is, we living ones] shall be changed.” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.11
We naturally want to know what is the nature of that change. Philippians 3:20, 21, makes that plain; and so I read thus: “For our conversation is in heaven: from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Now Paul, in Corinthians, tells us that there shall be a change: we shall not all die; but we who are living and prepared for the Lord’s coming shall be changed; and in Philippians he tells us that this change is a change that takes place in our bodies; or, as the Revised Version expresses it, the bodies of our humiliation shall be conformed to the body of his glory; and that will take place in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.12
So we see that all preparation of a moral nature, all development of character, must have been made prior to this physical change which takes place at that time, whereby we become clothed with the garments of immortality. And so now the gospel of peace is being preached in our ears, and words of warning are being given to us through the Spirit of God, for the express purpose of cleansing our hearts from all defilement, that you and I may be ready for the Lord when he comes. That demands of every one a high degree of perfection; it involves a preparation far more thorough than it seems to me many are seeking to make; and for this reason I frequently am distressed. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.13
Just here I am reminded of a statement made in the Spirit of prophecy, Testimonies for the Church 5:213, 214: “Not all who profess to keep the Sabbath will be sealed. There are many, even among those who teach the truth to others, who will not receive the seal of God in their foreheads. They had the light of truth, they knew their Master’s will, they understood every point of our faith; but they had not corresponding works.” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.14
Now God himself thus tells us that there are those among us who are Sabbath-keepers, and are acquainted with the truth, but who will not be prepared for the Lord when he comes. Their characters will not have reached that degree of perfection in Jesus Christ that entitles them to translation. It is a glorious thought that we may go into the kingdom without passing through the valley of the shadow of death; but it does involve a great responsibility. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.15
More is required of the candidates for translation than from any other people. We are to live, you know, without a mediator. The Scriptures make that plain. Let us look in the last chapter of the Bible, verses 11, 12: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Now there it is expressly declared that a decree goes forth, the nature of which is that those who are unrighteous and filthy are to remain so. If from that point any are to remain in their unrighteousness, their probation must have been closed: but there are some of whom this decree declares: “He that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Then the probation of these is also closed, and there are but the two classes of people, - those who are unrighteous, on the one hand, inseparably connected with sin; and those who are righteous and holy, on the other. With only these two classes of individuals, and their destiny all being sealed, probation having closed, the gospel message ceases. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.16
We read the next verse: “And, behold, I come quickly.” These two verses show that the close of probation takes place at a time just prior to the coming of the Lord. How long a space will intervene between the two, I am not prepared to say. When the decree which closes probation has gone forth, the Lord has not yet come; but he will come shortly. Between the closing of probation and the coming of the Lord, a brief space of time intervenes; and during that time, brethren, those of us who are to be translated must live without a mediator before God. Did you ever stop to think why we are to live without a mediator? - Because there is no necessity for one. When did Christ begin his mediatorial work? - Just as soon as Adam sinned. When man fell, there was made a breach between God and man. A mediator is one who stands between the two parties that are at variance. Man, having transgressed God’s holy law, of his own accord fled from the presence of God. We are told that man hid himself from God. It is the nature of a man with a condemning conscience to hide himself from one against whom he has sinned. Man having sinned, and being stricken with guilt, he fled from the presence of the Lord. A breach occurred between fallen man and the most holy God. Then the necessity for a mediator arose; and Jesus Christ, the Son of God, stepped into that breach; he began the work of mediatorship, and he has continued that work from that day to this, and will continue it until every child of God is sealed for heaven. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.17
Therefore if the time is to come in the history of our religious experience when we are prepared to live before God without a mediator, it is simply because we have been cleansed from all defilement of the flesh and spirit, and stand before God holy and righteous, and therefore need not the work of a mediator. If that is the case, brethren, - and I believe it is with all my heart, - you and I must do a work of preparation between this day and that which we have never yet done. It must be done. We who expect to see the Lord when he comes are the only real candidates for translation who have ever yet been on this earth; and being the only real candidates, God has given light especially applicable for us, to prepare us for translation. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.18
Now consider the difference between one who is to be translated and one who died in Christ years before. That individual at the time of death had not reached the state where he could live before God without a mediator. His spirit, it is true, was guileless. He was willing to walk in the light just as God revealed it to him; but he had not developed sufficiently for translation, so he died in his fleshly imperfection, yet with a guileless spirit. Having died in the Lord, his life was hid with Christ in God. On the morning of the resurrection, when the voice of God is heard, that pious sleeper in Jesus Christ will awaken from the tomb, and come forth in all the perfection of immortality. But at the day of his death, there was one to mediate in his behalf. You and I are to get beyond that point. We are hoping to enter the kingdom without death. That being true, we must get to a point of perfection such as the world has never yet seen. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.19
What is it, then, that will be translated? What is it that will entitle us to a part in his kingdom? - It is character. Character is immortal, that is, character in Jesus Christ. Then it is perfectly clear that if you and I are to go home without dying, our characters during the last moment of our mortal state will be in no wise different from our characters the first moment in the immortal state; because, as we have already seen, the change is not one of character. Christ will, however, come from heaven, to change our vile bodies; or, as the Revised Version expresses it, the bodies of our humiliation shall be conformed to the body of his glory. But our characters will then undergo no change. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.20
We may speak of union, of harmony; we may pray for it, and really desire it; but there never will exist that union and harmony that Christ describes in the seventeenth chapter of John, and which the Spirit of prophecy tells us must be realized before he comes, until every one of us has received, in full measure, the baptism of the Spirit of God. The one thought to-day, the one great desire of my heart, is that we may be filled with God’s Spirit. How can we ever hope to be translated without it? How can we ever hope to pass through the time of trouble and trial that is in advance? GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.21
And just here a thought comes to me, that gives me encouragement (Testimonies for the Church 5:215): “No one need say that his case is hopeless, that he can not live the life of a Christian. Ample provision is made by the faith of Christ for every soul. Jesus is our ever-present help in time of need. Only call upon him in faith, and he has promised to hear and answer your petitions.” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.22
Another thought comes to me from the same volume, page 264: “You can attain to the high standard set before you in the Scriptures, and you must if you would be children of God. You can not stand still; you must either advance or retrograde. You must have spiritual knowledge, that you may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ,” that you may be “filled with all the fulness of God.” So then, brethren, there is no necessity on our part to become discouraged in the matter. The only thing that will produce discouragement is a spirit of disobedience; and just as surely as that spirit of disobedience reigns in your heart, you will become discouraged. If the spirit of disobedience is not removed, discouragement will continue to increase until darkness covers you; and when darkness covers you, you will call truth error, and error truth, and will call darkness light and light darkness; you will wander away from God, and finally wake up to find yourselves lost, when it is too late to recover yourselves. We can not afford to be disobedient. I will tell you, brother, you can not afford to neglect a single ray of light that God has given you. You can not afford to pass by, as something of no importance, anything that God has seen fit to reveal to you, simply that you may receive it and enjoy it yourself. He does not give it to you simply that you may stand forth before the world as one possessed with superior ability and light, and therefore lifted a little higher than your fellow men. God gives you light that you may walk in it; and when you are walking in the light, you are doing God’s will, and the Spirit of Christ dwells within you. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 39.23
The characters that we are forming are the very ones which will determine our destiny. These we shall take with us into the kingdom the morning that our Lord appears. Then what is the nature of the character, brother, that you are forming? Did you ever stop to think that every thought you think, every word you speak, and every deed you perform, enters into the composition of your character? It is true. You will not have the same character when you leave this building, that you had when you came in. You will not have the same character at the close of the General Conference of 1899 that you had at the beginning. You can not help forming character; it is an impossibility. If you say, I will not form character, then the very resolution itself gives you a negative character. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.1
An impure thought is just so much impure material entering into the composition of the character. A selfish act will tend to the formation of a selfish character. An envious word, or a sharp criticism about your brother, enters into the formation of an envious, critical character. So you are forming character every moment that you live; and that character is determinative of your destiny before God. Therefore it is a very responsible thing to live. Brethren, sometimes when I think about this thing, I almost wish I were not alive, and then in my humility I call upon God, and ask him to use me as he wills. Oh, I am so glad I do not have to save myself! There have been things I tried to save myself from, but I made a most conspicuous failure every time, and I praise God now for every such failure. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.2
Brethren, brethren, in God’s name, we must wake up! Do we believe that we are candidates for translation? Let us look again. We are to receive the mark of the living God upon us before we can go into the kingdom. Notice this from Testimonies for the Church 5:214: “Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them.” Brethren, look at your character. Do not look at mine. God will take care of mine, if I put it in his care. Do not look at your brother or sister. You can find plenty to condemn in every one. Oh, how much can you find to condemn in yourself? GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.3
Hear what God says: “Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them.” How is it left to remedy this defect? - “It is left with us to remedy this defect in our characters, to cleanse the soul-temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost.” Do you not see, brethren, why the latter rain is deferred? Do you not see why God is not working in our midst in great power and wonder? Brother, does it not glorify God to manifest his power? Does it not glorify God to hear the prayer of his children? - Certainly. Then if God is glorified through the manifestation of power, why does he not glorify himself through the manifestation of power in his people? - Because his people are not cleansed from all defilement of flesh and spirit, and he can not do it. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.4
Every bit of selfishness must be eliminated from our character; and I tell you, my brethren, that while I do not know how it is with you, the very hardest battle that I have had to fight in my life is that battle against self. The greatest trouble I have ever had to contend with is that which arises from selfish desires and selfish motives. How many times have I fallen on my knees before God, and wept, begging him to cleanse my heart from this awful abomination. It would seem at the time that God had heard my prayer, but before I was aware of it, I found that self had returned, and that I spoke and acted from the standpoint of a selfish man. I know from my experience that God can not bless me as he wants to until all of self is dead. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.5
Everything that tends to alienate the character from the living God must be taken out of our hearts before God can translate us. “Oh, but,” you say, “you must consider the weakness of the flesh.” It is not for me to consider the weakness of the flesh. God considered that before he ever made the plan of salvation. When God made the plan of salvation, he made a plan that was fitted for sinful, weakened human beings; and I praise God that he did. And if God in his infinite wisdom and power, planning as he did, has given to us the standard of perfection, it is not for you and me to stand and excuse ourselves because we are still in the flesh. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.6
Brethren, I beg God just to cleanse me. I do not care how he does it, I want him to do it in his own way. I am not going to prescribe. I am tired of selfishness. I am a selfish man, and God knows it; but God knows I want to be delivered from it. I am a vain man, and I know it, and God knows it; but God knows I want to be delivered from my vanity. I am going through to the kingdom, and I want you to go through with me. I am not going to stand back. I am willing to do anything that God requires of me. All I ask of him is to take me and use me. When I think of the morning that is coming, when Christ will come in the clouds of heaven, I wonder if my wife and daughter will be there; I wonder if you will also be there. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.7
I can answer this question affirmatively upon the authority of God, provided we put ourselves in his hands. We believe that time is short. We are here together not on our business, but the business of the Lord. Now let us come together as one man in Jesus Christ. Let the Spirit of God do the teaching; and if the Spirit of God convicts any of us of anything in our hearts that is contrary to his will, then let us see to it that it is put out of the way immediately. It does not pay to tamper with sin any more than to handle hot iron. We can not handle hot iron without having scorched fingers. We cannot tamper with sin without having a sin-hardened heart. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.8
Now, brethren, do you believe what we have said? Do you believe the Spirit of the Lord? Do you believe the teachings of God’s word? Do you believe that we are his children? Do you believe that we are here to do his work, and that we are here to be instructed and guided by his Spirit? Then in the name of God let us get self out of the way, that the Spirit of God may help us act according to our profession! Let us come together as one man in Jesus Christ, looking to God for help and wisdom and strength; let us press onward. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.9
I close with this thought from this same volume (page 216): “When the decree goes forth, and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity. Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God, candidates for heaven. Go forward, my brethren and sisters. I can only write briefly upon these points at this time, merely calling your attention to the necessity of preparation. Search the Scriptures for yourselves, that you may understand the fearful solemnity of the present hour.” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.10
May God help us, is my prayer. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.11
ERRATA
On page 28 of the BULLETIN, third column, the paragraph beginning, “A little recollection of the history of the Reformation,” and the two following paragraphs should have been credited to E. J. Waggoner. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.12
In answer to the question by H. W. Cottrell, found on page 26 of the BULLETIN, with regard to the indebtedness of the Mt. Vernon Academy, read: “There is no indebtedness so far as the General Conference is concerned. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.13
FOR FOUR CENTS
In stamps we will send to any address, a copy of our recent Premium Number of the INSTRUCTOR. It contains 40 pages besides the cover, and is full of splendid offers, which will be open to every INSTRUCTOR subscriber or agent during 1899. Besides offering over six hundred of the best books published, there are also offered, as premiums, over a score of useful and attractive articles, household or otherwise. By mentioning this offer to your friend or neighbor, you will be doing both him and the publishers a kindness. Address YOUTH’S INSTRUCTOR, Premium Department, Battle Creek, Mich. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.14
PLEASE BEAR IN MIND
That you should procure a copy of our latest book, “The Abiding Spirit,” by Mrs. S. M. I. Henry. Why? - Because it is just the book you need to help you in your every-day life. It is a small book, and is so full of good things, that many will read it through at one sitting. There are doubtless many things in regard to the Holy Spirit and its mission which this book can teach you. Send for a copy to your State tract society, or to the Review and Herald Pub. Co., Battle Creek, Mich. Prices, in cloth bindings, 40 and 75 cents, post-paid. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.15
SMITH’S DIAGRAM AND PARLIAMENTARY RULES
THIS is a complete compendium of parliamentary law and practice, and just the book you need. It is highly recommended by State governors, senators, editors, city mayors, and by presiding officers almost everywhere. The great feature of this little book (size 4 x 7 1/4 in.) is the folding diagram, or chart (7 x 13 in.), which shows the relation of any motion to every other motion, and answers at a glance over five hundred questions in parliamentary practice. Bound in muslin; pocket size. Contains 34 pages. Price, 50 cents, post-paid. Order of your State tract society, or the publishers, Review and Herald Pub. Co., Battle Creek, Mich.; Chicago, Ill.; Atlanta, Ga.; Toronto, Ontario. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.16
OPINIONS WORTHY OF NOTE
AFTER a careful perusal of “A School without Books,” by Martha Watrons Stearns, Dr. J. H. Kellogg, superintendent of Battle Creek Sanitarium (Mich.), says: “It is one of the most delightful and charming books I have read. The writer is evidently an artist in the broadest sense, and wields a very facile pen. This book will be found a treasure in any home. It ought to have a very large sale.” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.17
Also, the following statement from the noted educator, Col. Francis W. Parker, principal Chicago Normal School, will be of interest: “I have examined the book carefully. Mrs. Stearns has some excellent ideas in regard to manual training and the teaching of children. It is very suggestive indeed, and I am sure will be very useful for teachers in their manual-training work.” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.18
Again, the opinion given by Prof. Wilbur S. Jackman, Department of Natural Science, Chicago Normal School, is well worth reading: “It is suggestive and useful to teachers who wish to bring their pupils face to face with interesting things in nature.” GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.19
These are but a few of the many testimonials received in behalf of this book. It contains 194 pages, 8 x 9 inches in size. 26 full-page half-tone engravings, and 16 pattern drawings. With each book there is also furnished, free of charge, 20 full-page pattern diagrams. These diagrams are separate from the book, and, when sold separate, cost 40 cents. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.20
Price of “A School without Books,” $1.50, post-paid. Address your State tract society, or the publishers, Review and Herald Pub. Co., Battle Creek, Mich. Descriptive circular. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.21
AN IDEA
Of our new book, “The Abiding Spirit,” just issued, may be gained from the following table of contents:- GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.22
Chapter I, The Sword of the Spirit; II, The Breath of Life; III, The Signal of Light; IV, The Spirit of Wisdom; V, The Spirit of Burning; VI, With Other Tongues; VII, The Unity of the Spirit; VIII, The Message of Liberty; IX, The Likeness of the Heavenly; X, The Spirit of Peace; XI, The Spiritual Birthright; XII, Points of Light. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.23
Bound in cloth, 316 pages. Plain edition, 40 cents; presentation edition, 75 cents. Sent, post-paid, on receipt of price. Address your State tract society, or the publishers, Review and Herald Pub. Co., Battle Creek, Mich. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.24
Gracious Invitation; Blessed Promises. No. 61, price 25 cts. per 100. (25 in a package.) GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.25
One of the most attractive and earnest little appeals to the sinner that we have ever published. Its first page is a reproduction of that beautiful engraving showing Christ standing at the door, knocking for admittance. The scripture, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock,” is used as a text. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.26
In addition to the regular matter, this number includes a full description of each number in the Bible Students’ and Apples of God Libraries, giving the inquirer or interested reader an opportunity of reading farther. Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal.; 39 Bond St., New York City; 18 W. Fifth St., Kansas City, Mo. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.27
It is just as necessary for the ministers to revive their faith as it is for them to inspire faith in the hearts of those whom they would bring to Christ. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.28
Those who nurture suspicion, a spirit of criticism, dignity of self, selfishness, do so to their own hurt. 41 The Daily Bulletin Of the General Conference “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14. GCDB February 20, 1899, page 40.29