General Conference Bulletin, vol. 7

From Former Sessions

W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, C. C. Crisler, T. E. Bowen, H. E. Rogers, J. N. Anderson

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT

WASe

(Read during fourth meeting of Conference session, May 16, 2:30 P. M.)

The Ministry of the Press

The story of the advent movement is largely a story of the preparation and circulation of literature wherever the message has been proclaimed. The leaders in this movement have recognized in the ministry of the press not merely an auxiliary to which they could look to supplement their gospel labors, but an evangelizing agency in itself, which often could penetrate farther and deliver a more effective message than they could in person. GCB May 21, 1913, page 65.1

A Success From the First

After the disappointment in 1844, when the Sabbath truth first came to the Adventists, they at once began to print and publish it, the first treatise on the Sabbath appearing in February, 1845. In November, 1848, Elder James White received the following testimony:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 65.2

“I have a message for you. You must begin to print a little paper and send it out to the people. Let it be small at first; but as the people read, they will send you means with which to print, and it will be a success from the first. From this small beginning it was shown to me to be like streams of light that went clear round the world.”—“The Great Second Advent Movement,” page 274. GCB May 21, 1913, page 65.3

At that time, although there were less than one hundred Adventist Sabbath-keepers, all of whom were practically penniless, their faith in the message was strong, and with the assurance that the publishing work would be a success from the first, they soon launched the little paper, a four-page sheet, five inches by seven. From that small beginning, the publishing work has grown and spread until the rays of light that began to shine back there in 1849 are now penetrating even to the darkest portions of the earth. GCB May 21, 1913, page 65.4

The Press the Pioneer

The place that the printing-press has occupied in this movement is indicated by the following statement from Elder O. A. Olsen:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 65.5

PHOTO-Representatives from the Asiatic Division

“So far as I know, our literature has pioneered the way into every country where the third angel’s message has gone.” GCB May 21, 1913, page 65.6

Evidences of Prosperity

Since the last General Conference each succeeding year has been the best in this department. Especially in the mission fields, encouraging progress has been made. In 1909 we were issuing literature in sixty-five languages. In 1912 this number had grown to seventy-one. In 1909, of the 1,660 colporteurs engaged in the circulation of our literature, 752, or 45%, were outside of the United States. At the close of 1912, out of a total of 2,194, there were 1,243, or 56%, in fields abroad. GCB May 21, 1913, page 65.7

The total value of literature circulated in this period was $6,425,000, a gain of $2,716,000 over the previous quadrennial period. 1912 was our banner year, the total value of sales reaching $1,836,500. This is an increase in four years of $434,000, an amount greater than the total sales of the denomination in 1902. GCB May 21, 1913, page 65.8

A Retrospect

As this is the jubilee year of the General Conference organization, it may be of interest to take a brief glance at the progress that the publishing work has made during these fifty years. GCB May 21, 1913, page 65.9

The figures we give represent the sales, first, during the eighteen years from 1845, when the publishing work began, to 1863 when the General Conference was organized, and then for each decade since that time. The figures are as follows:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 65.10

1845-1862	$13,500
1863-1872	56,000
1873-1882	278,000
1883-1892	3,350,000
1893-1902	2,950,000
Totalfor58years	$ 6,647,500
1903-1912	11,036,000
Grand Total	$17,683,500

From these figures we are able to make the following interesting comparisons:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 65.11

1. The Last Decade. The value of literature circulated during this decade is,— a. Nearly double that of the previous fifty-eight years. GCB May 21, 1913, page 65.12

b. About four times greater than during the decade known as the “good old times,” from 1883 to 1892. GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.1

c. One hundred ninety-six times greater than during the first decade after the organization of the General Conference. GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.2

2. The Last Four Years. The amount of literature circulated during the last four years is,— GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.3

a. Nearly equal to that circulated during the previous fifty-eight years. GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.4

b. More than one third of the total for the sixty-eight years since our work began. GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.5

While giving a report of the progress of the publishing work in 1874, Elder S. N. Haskell said:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.6

“To obtain a correct view of the remarkable progress of this work, we only need to go back twenty-five years, when the whole edition of our works printed in two weeks was carried to the post-office in a carpet-bag; whereas, now in one week seven cart-loads of reading-matter, allowing thirty bushels to the cart-load, are sent from the office of publication to the different parts of the world. Do you ask for evidence of prosperity? Here it is.” GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.7

At the present time our publishing house managers are obliged to use a phraseology different from that used by Elder Haskell. Instead of reporting bushels and cart-loads, they tell of tons and car-loads. Some time ago the manager of one of our branch houses wrote as follows:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.8

“Recently we made inquiry of the railroad company as to their car-load rate on books. Finally, with no little amusement, we were told that there was no such rate, and that they never heard of books being shipped in car-load lots. However, the matter was taken up with the State railway commissioner, who granted a car-load rate, and last week we received a car-load shipment. This car contained 80 cases, weighing nearly 13 tons, and yet it lacked 4,380 books of filling our orders. So far as we have been able to ascertain, this is the first car-load of books ever shipped into this State.” GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.9

This branch house sent the home office at one time a $20,000 check in payment for books. GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.10

Since the last General Conference, one of our publishing houses has shipped from its factory over 1,400 tons of literature. Another reports a shipment of over 6 tons in one day. GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.11

This splendid progress has not been confined to North America. The sales of the Australian house during 1912 amounted to $112,000, a gain over 1909 of $37,000. The sales from Hamburg, Germany, during 1912 were $261,000, an increase in four years of $96,000. The British Publishing House has circulated over $413,000 worth of literature during the four years. In 1909 the South American Union Conference sold $4,850 worth of literature. During the next three years their total sales amounted to more than $80,000. GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.12

Magazines and Periodicals

Our missionary magazines and periodicals are very important factors in our colporteur work. They make up about one third of the total value of literature circulated by our publishing houses. This part of the work is being signally blessed. The two papers published in England had an average monthly circulation during 1912 of over 150,000 copies. Herold der Wahrheit, a semimonthly, published in Hamburg, takes the lead among our missionary papers. Its total circulation for the year 1912 was 2,280,000 copies, nearly as many as the total number of all the ten-cent magazines circulated in the United States combined. Its average circulation each issue was over 95,000. GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.13

PHOTO-First office of Review and Herald Battle Creek, Mich, 1855

In 1911 an advance step was taken in the organization of the magazine work in the United States, combining this work with the book work under the same leaders. This plan has proved successful in Europe since the beginning of their colporteur work, and it is now working well in this country where it has been adopted. In 1912 the magazine sales in North America increased from 1,400,000, in 1909, to 2,300,000. GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.14

In India three new magazines have recently been started in as many native languages, and their circulation has increased from 3,000 to 20,000 a month. The Chinese paper has grown until it has a circulation of over 60,000 monthly. GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.15

A Forward Move

The most inspiring experiences in this department since the last Conference have been in connection with the organization and development of the colporteur work in the mission fields, with experienced leaders in charge. The following is a list of the fields that have been partially manned with leaders in this time:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.16

Argentina	Mexico
Bolivia	Panama
Brazil	Peru
Chile	Philippine Islands
Cuba	Porto Rico
India	Spain
Japan	South Africa
Korea

The enthusiastic discussion and passing of the following recommendation at the last General Conference, has formed the basis for the activity and inspiration in this forward move to the mission fields:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.17

“We recommend that we move forward with all possible haste in the work that has been begun of selecting and training general agents and field missionary agents, and of placing them where they are most needed, until all the great fields of the world are manned for the circulation of our literature.” GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.18

Since 1909 this call in behalf of the regions beyond has been repeated many times to the union and local conferences in the home land by the secretaries of the department. The ready responses have brought cheer to your secretaries, but more especially to the fields where the men have gone. Before the close of 1909, ten experienced young men had responded to the call and had turned their faces to the mission fields. Eight more followed in 1910, and seven each year during 1911 and 1912. GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.19

Among those sent out who are doing successful work either as managers of mission printing plants or as pioneers and leaders in the field, might be mentioned: W. E. Perrin, C. E. Weaks, Milton Mattison, and Peter Rick and their wives, in India; Charles Lake and his wife, in Japan; H. A. Oberg and Frank Mills, in Korea; G. H. Clark, in Africa; Max Trummer, G. D. Lorenz and his wife, R. B. Stauffer and his wife, William Kirstein and his wife, Otto Schulz, and Henry Tonjes, in South America; John L. Brown and his wife, in old Spain; Floyd Ashbaugh, in the Philippine Islands; J. A. P. Green and W. P. Martin, in Mexico; H. A. Robinson, W. H. Spicer, and the two Shidler brothers, in Cuba. GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.20

Words of Cheer

From the following words of cheer received from some of these workers, we get a glimpse of the joy they are experiencing in service in the mission fields. Here is a word from Brother Mattison, of India:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.21

“I cannot express to you how I enjoy the work here. India is my home and my heart is in the work for these people. The work here certainly has attractions which the work in the home land has not. I enjoyed my work at home, but here I enjoy it much more.” GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.22

After telling of how one of the colporteurs in Spain was unable to deliver his books on account of opposition, and of how he was escorted out of the town in a cart by the police authorities, Brother John L. Brown writes:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.23

“However, in spite of these things, the boys are of good courage. They want to press on till the end. Notwithstanding the difficulties, we see that God is for us, and that no man can stop the good work. While Satan is at work in one part of the country, we attack his forces in another part.” GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.24

Brother Trummer, in Argentina, says:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.25

“I am so encouraged over our success from the very beginning that I feel like praising the Lord out loud. I believe there is a bright future before the book work here in Argentina and in other South American countries.” GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.26

The following expression of cheer from Turkey shows that the progress of this work is not dependent upon favorable circumstances. Brother Voigt writes:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.27

“1912 was the most successful year that we have ever had in our canvassing work. It was also the most difficult year that our canvassers have had. Wars and revolutions, epidemics, famines, earthquakes, and difficulties in communication do not serve to make canvassing an easy work. It took all the faith and courage of our canvassers to continue their work. They sold 27,350 piasters’ worth of books and tracts, about 2,000 more than in 1911. On an average each canvasser sold every hour 3 1/2 piasters’ worth. This is much better than in 1911, when each canvasser sold 2 piasters’ worth an hour. Since 1909 our canvassers have sold in the Levant 70,835 piasters’ worth of our books and tracts. Praise the Lord for this, and never cease to pray for our canvassing brethren and sisters.” GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.28

Brother C. E. Weaks, of India, writes:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 66.29

“We have much to encourage us in this field. Two years ago the combined circulation of our English and vernacular journals was about 3,000. Prospects are that the combined circulation by this fall will be upward of 20,000. We are glad for what the Lord has done for us, and we want to push on and accomplish far more in the future than we have in the past. Where there is such a mixture of languages, religions, castes, etc., the problems confronting us in organizing this work are tremendous, but the Lord is back of this work and success is assured.” GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.1

Spanish Work

At the time of our last General Conference, Spanish was a new language in our colporteur work. The success of our colporteurs in Spanish-speaking fields since that time has been, in many instances, phenomenal. During these four years the Pacific Press printed 108,000 Spanish books, 92,000 of which were shipped to the fields. From 1909 to 1910 their Spanish business increased from $11,000 to $58,000. Some of the largest reports of orders taken that have ever come to the department office have been received from Spanish-speaking countries. One young man in Uruguay, South America, took $322 worth of orders in one week. Another in Cuba took $311 worth. Others in Mexico have done nearly as well. Recently a man in New Mexico took $415 worth of orders in one week among the Mexicans, and $900 worth in three weeks. Three young men in Cuba each have taken over $90 worth in one day. The workers in these fields have also been able to make very successful deliveries. GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.2

Best of all, many souls are being brought to the truth among the Spanish-speaking people as a result of the work of the colporteurs. During the past few months Elder G. W. Caviness has baptized eighty persons in Mexico, all of whom accepted the truth principally through the reading-matter supplied to them by the colporteurs. Two companies are also keeping the Sabbath in Cuba as a result of the colporteur work during the past year. GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.3

New Books in Spanish

Encouraging progress has been made in the translation and preparation of books in the Spanish language. “Home and Health” was completed in 1909, and has already had a sale of over 36,000 copies. “Daniel and the Revelation,” by L. R. Conradi, has been translated and published in Barcelona, Spain, and is being successfully sold. The type is now being set for “Practical Guide,” in Spanish, in Barcelona. The Pacific Press has just finished setting the type for Spanish “Great Controversy.” We feel very grateful for the signal blessing of God that has attended the work among the Spanish-speaking people. GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.4

In Many Tongues

During the last four years the Hamburg House has issued one hundred twenty-eight new publications in seventeen languages. Among these was the Gospel of Matthew in the Chassu language, the first portion of the Bible to be published in that language. The missionary printing plant in Constantinople, Turkey, also added four new languages during the year. GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.5

At the bookmen’s convention held in Mountain View, Cal., in January of this year, the following recommendation was passed:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.6

PHOTO- CANVASSERS’ INSTITUTE, INDIA, 1912

“We recommend, That steps be taken at once to publish ‘Patriarchs and Prophets’ in Portuguese, Italian, and Polish, and ‘Great Controversy’ in Finnish and Russian, and that as soon as possible subscription books be published in the other predominant foreign languages in the United States and Canada.” GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.7

Already the Pacific Press is planning with the Brazilian mission field to publish “Patriarchs and Prophets” in Portuguese, and steps are being taken to secure a translation of “Great Controversy” into Russian and of “Coming King” into Italian. Investigation is also being made in regard to the needs of, and the possibilities of book sales among, the Bohemians and Finns in North America. GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.8

The Future

While we feel grateful for what the Lord has enabled us to accomplish, we desire to see even greater things done during the four years upon which we are now entering. In order that this may be done, we would recommend:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.9

1. Leaders for Needy Fields. That the same policy which has been followed in furnishing leaders for needy fields be continued. It seems impossible for such great fields as China and India to conduct their literature work in an aggressive manner with only the one or two experienced leaders for whom they have modestly been asking. We believe the work in these fields should be strengthened with several strong, experienced men. GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.10

In Spain, Brother John L. Brown, with only native help, is making an effort to build up the work. Now that they have published two large subscription books in that field, we believe it would be wise if one or two experienced men, perhaps from Germany or England, could be sent to Spain during the present year to help establish the work in that field. Then there are many fields where there is as yet no representative of this cause. In Latin America, from Mexico to Peru there is not a single colporteur engaged in circulating literature among the Spanish-speaking people. GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.11

2. Development of Leaders. In order that men be developed for leaders in the mission fields, we believe that the good work which has been begun in giving instruction to colporteurs in our schools during the year should be strengthened, and that special attention should be given by conference officials to the selecting and training of young men for this branch of the work. GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.12

3. Plan of Support for Disabled Colporteurs. Urgent requests have come to the secretary of the department that some plan be devised whereby colporteurs who have given long years of service to this branch of the work may receive financial help when they are disabled. As the present Sustentation Fund does not include colporteurs, we believe that some action should be taken at this Conference to provide such a fund for this class of workers. GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.13

4. Cheap Literature for Free Distribution. From time to time our publishing houses have been urged to prepare for free distribution a series of small tracts and leaflets on the cardinal points of our message. We hope that steps may be taken to print such a series of leaflets. GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.14

5. Circulation of Literature by Lay Members. A good beginning has been made in some conferences in enlisting lay members in our churches to circulate our smaller books and periodicals. We sincerely hope that definite plans may be laid for developing and strengthening this branch of the work during the present session of this Conference. GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.15

6. Home Missionary Department. That an active campaign in missionary endeavor with our literature may be inaugurated and continued in all our churches, we recommend the organization of a home missionary department, with a live secretary in charge. GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.16

As we look out upon the fields and see the loyal company of leaders in charge of this branch of the work in the home land; the earnest, enthusiastic band of generals who are organizing and developing the work in other countries; the magazine work being well organized; and above all the spirit of devotion and consecration of the two thousand loyal men and women who are carrying the printed page from door to door throughout the world, we thank God and take courage for the future. GCB May 21, 1913, page 67.17

N. Z. TOWN, Secretary.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY DEPARTMENT

WASe

(Read during fourth meeting of Conference session, May 16, 2:30 P. M.)

This report covers a period of one year, the time during which the present secretary has been in charge of the work of the department. GCB May 21, 1913, page 68.1

In view of the intimate relation between the work of the Roman Catholic Church in carrying out its announced purpose “to make America Catholic,” and the general purpose for which this department was created, it was deemed advisable one year ago to broaden the field of work of this association so that it would include the Roman Catholic question, in both its religious and political phases. It was also decided that the Protestant Magazine and Liberty should be edited in this department. Both of these magazines were then published quarterly, but commencing with October, 1912, the Protestant Magazine has been issued monthly. The work of editing these two magazines has occupied a large proportion of the secretary’s time, and has kept him quite closely confined to the home office. GCB May 21, 1913, page 68.2

On assuming his duties the first of May, 1912, the present secretary found that there was pending in Congress a proviso attached to the Post-office Appropriation Bill, forbidding the opening of first- and second-class post-offices on Sundays “for the purpose of delivering mail to the general public.” The Appropriation Bill with this proviso attached had already passed the House, and in the Senate had been referred to the Committee on Post-offices and Post-roads. Repeated efforts were made, both by personal interviews and by correspondence, to secure a hearing before this committee, but no such privilege was granted. At the request of the chairman, Hon. Jonathan Bourne, Jr., your secretary submitted a statement setting forth the grounds on which this association was opposed to this proviso, and at the suggestion of your secretary letters of a similar import were written by many of the religious liberty secretaries of the various conferences throughout the country. In the face of these protests, the committee in its report to the Senate called special attention to this Sunday-closing proviso, and recommended its adoption. GCB May 21, 1913, page 68.3

PHOTO-HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, LONDON

As soon as this report was laid before the Senate, a communication was addressed to each senator, in which reasons for opposition to this legislation were again set forth. All efforts to prevent the passage of this Sunday-closing proviso were, however, unavailing, and the new regulation went into effect soon after the Appropriation Bill became a law. GCB May 21, 1913, page 68.4

At the biennial session of the Columbia Union Conference, held in Pittsburgh, Pa., in April, 1912, action was taken recommending that a religious liberty institute for the religious liberty secretaries of that conference be held as soon as possible, and that the religious liberty secretaries in the Atlantic Union Conference be invited to attend this institute. In harmony with this recommendation, and under the counsel of the General Conference Committee, this institute was held at Takoma Park, May 14-16, in connection with a convention for the benefit of evangelists and city workers. There was a good attendance of religious liberty secretaries, topics of practical value were considered, and the result seemed to be helpful. GCB May 21, 1913, page 68.5

At the opening of the camp-meeting season of 1912, an eight-page leaflet was prepared, entitled “Seventh-day Adventists and the Roman Peril: Some information concerning the plans and purpose of the Roman Catholic Church in America; what these things mean to those who are giving the final message.” Copies of this leaflet, together with a supplementary sheet containing further information upon this subject, were furnished for distribution at almost every camp-meeting in this country, and an accompanying letter urged that a canvass be made of the camp to obtain subscriptions for the Protestant Magazine and Liberty. As a result of this campaign a large number of names were added to the list of each magazine. GCB May 21, 1913, page 68.6

Toward the close of 1912 the negotiations which had been in progress for five or six months to secure the services of Prof. C. S. Longacre, principal of South Lancaster Academy, as assistant secretary of this department, were brought to a successful conclusion, and immediately upon being released from his duties at the academy, Professor Longacre went to the Pacific Coast, where arrangements had already been made with the executive committee of the North Pacific Union Conference for conducting a religious liberty campaign. Elder W. F. Martin, the religious liberty secretary of the union conference, had already done the necessary preliminary work in cooperation with local conference committees, and public meetings were held at which addresses upon the various phases of religious liberty were given in the leading cities of the Northwest, including Walla Walla, Spokane, Seattle, Tacoma, Wash.; Portland, Salem, Roseburg, and other cities in Oregon. Elder J. O. Corliss, of California, assisted at the opening of this campaign. GCB May 21, 1913, page 68.7

Later, on invitation of the Pacific Union Conference Committee, Brother Longacre delivered similar addresses in some of the leading cities of California, including Oakland, Berkeley, St. Helena, Lodi, Mountain View, Glendale, and Los Angeles. The attendance at these meetings was generally good, and in some instances especially large and enthusiastic. The satisfactory results of this campaign have emphasized the desirability of similar efforts throughout the whole country. GCB May 21, 1913, page 68.8

In the early days of the Sixty-second Congress three Sunday bills were introduced, two in the House and one in the Senate. The latter was the Johnston bill, which in one form or another has been before Congress for over five years. The two House bills were referred to the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, who reported adversely upon both of them, and the House Committee on the District of Columbia seemed to give them no further consideration. GCB May 21, 1913, page 68.9

The Johnston bill, which was introduced into the Senate April 6, 1911, was considered at various times in May, June, and July of that year, and on July 18 it was placed under Rule IX, sometimes called the morgue rule, which requires a notice to all opposing senators before a bill can be brought up for a vote. From that time until January, 1913, no effort was made to pass this measure, and there was no public agitation of the question. About the beginning of the year, however, announcement was made that the friends of this bill would attempt to secure its passage before the adjournment of Congress in the following March. The secretary of the Lord’s Day Alliance of the United States, Dr. George W. Grannis, interested himself in this matter, and attempted to substitute in place of the Johnston bill a bill drafted by the legislative committee of that association, and printed in his annual report for 1912. A mass-meeting was also held in the New York Avenue Presbyterian church in this city, Sunday evening, January 12, addressed by Dr. Grannis, and by Dr. W. W. Davis, the secretary of the Lord’s Day Alliance for Maryland, who earnestly advocated a Sunday law for the District of Columbia. GCB May 21, 1913, page 68.10

In opposition to the passage of the Johnston Sunday Bill your secretary entered upon an active campaign. An effective interview was published in the Washington Post of January 9; a remonstrance was prepared and sent out to be adopted in all our churches and forwarded to individual senators; two leaflets, one dealing with the Standard Bill for One Day of Rest in Seven, urged by the Commission on the Church and Social Service, a department of the Federal Council of the Churches, and the other dealing with Dr. Grannis’s bill, were prepared and sent out; blank petitions against the Johnston bill were sent to the elders of all our churches and to all religious liberty secretaries, with the request that signatures be secured and the petitions sent in to individual senators; at three different times a letter was sent from this office to each senator, drawing his attention to the pending legislation, and presenting reasons why it should not be enacted. This active campaign was kept up until Congress adjourned, March 4, without taking any action upon the measure. GCB May 21, 1913, page 68.11

It is fitting that mention should be made of the hearty cooperation on the part of religious liberty secretaries, the church elders, and others, to which we attribute in a large degree the defeat of this bill. Many personal letters received from the field testified to the interest taken in this work, and to the desire to render all possible assistance in opposing any kind of religious legislation. GCB May 21, 1913, page 69.1

The fourth Sabbath in February was set apart as Religious Liberty day, and for use on that occasion readings were prepared and sent out from this office. GCB May 21, 1913, page 69.2

On Sunday, March 16, the secretary united with Elder C. H. Edwards, the religious liberty secretary of the Southern New England Conference, and Elder J. E. Jayne, the religious liberty secretary of the Atlantic Union Conference, in a religious liberty institute for the benefit of the New Haven church and other believers in that vicinity. GCB May 21, 1913, page 69.3

On invitation of Elder K. C. Russell, religious liberty secretary of the Northern Illinois Conference, seconded by the conference committee, the secretary spent four days in Chicago, April 11-14. Addresses upon the general subject of Protestantism and Romanism were delivered before large and appreciative audiences in the church in which Elder Russell had been conducting evangelistic services. GCB May 21, 1913, page 69.4

The first session of the Sixty-third Congress commenced on Monday, April 7, and on April 12, less than a week after the opening of the session, Senator Johnston introduced a bill (S. 752) “for the proper observance of Sunday as a day of rest in the District of Columbia.” This is an entirely different measure from the one which Senator Johnston has been urging for the past five years, and was, in all probability, introduced at the request of the secretary of the Lord’s Day Alliance, as it is word for word the bill that he sought to substitute for Senator Johnston’s bill in the last Congress, with the exception of the penalties prescribed. This bill makes it “unlawful in the District of Columbia for any person to labor or to employ any person to labor, or to pursue any trade or wordly business on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, except in works of necessity or charity, and except also newspaper publishers and their employees, and except also public service corporations and their employees in the necessary supplying of service to the people of the District.” No exemption is made in favor of those who observe another day of the week than Sunday as the Sabbath. This bill also makes it “unlawful for any person, partnership, firm, corporation, or municipality, or any of their agents, directors, or officers, to require or permit any employees to work on the said day, excepting in household service, unless within the next succeeding six days, during a period of twenty-four consecutive hours he or it shall neither require nor permit such employee to work in his or its employ.” If this bill should become a law, it would, with a few exceptions, make all individual Sunday labor in the District of Columbia unlawful, and would require one day of rest in seven for all employees of firms, corporations, etc. GCB May 21, 1913, page 69.5

As soon as this bill was introduced, application was made to the chairman of the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia, Senator Smith of Maryland, for a hearing where opportunity would be given for presenting reasons against the enactment of this measure. The chairman of this committee has given assurance that in case any hearing is held opportunity will be given for representatives of this association to appear, but up to the present time no definite appointment for a hearing has been made. GCB May 21, 1913, page 69.6

With the change of administration a new District Committee has been appointed, and it will be no longer necessary to argue with the introducer of a bill against the passage of his own measure. GCB May 21, 1913, page 69.7

By a recent decision of Judge Pugh of the Washington Police Court, an old ordinance requiring the closing of barber shops within the limits of the old city of Washington was declared void, and since that time there has been no legal hindrance to the opening of barber shops in the District of Columbia on Sunday. Soon after this decision was announced a petition, signed by two hundred ten barbers, was presented to the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, asking that they prepare and introduce into Congress a bill closing all barber shops in the District of Columbia on Sunday. As soon as he learned that such a request had been made, your secretary arranged with the president of the board of commissioners for a hearing upon this petition, and the hearing was held on Tuesday, April 29. Elder G. B. Thompson, Prof. C. S. Longacre, and your secretary represented the association at that hearing, and others, including the proprietors of the leading barber shops of the city, joined them in presenting reasons why the petition should not be granted. Reports of the hearing were printed in the city papers. Up to the present time the decision of the commissioners has not been announced. GCB May 21, 1913, page 69.8

The friends of Sunday legislation have been especially active in many States during the last winter. Bills of various kinds designed to regulate the conduct of citizens on Sunday have been introduced and urged. As many as fifty-three measures of this character were presented in the State legislatures in New York and New England alone. Of special interest has been the campaign in California, where there is already a law providing for one day of rest for working men. Not content with this, however, the Sunday-law advocates have made a most earnest effort to secure the passage of some kind of law which would distinguish Sunday from other days of the week. The religious liberty secretary of the Pacific Union Conference, Brother J. F. Blunt, assisted by other brethren, has conducted a strong campaign, not only in California, but also in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. Letters have been written to the various members of the legislatures, documents bearing upon the question have been prepared and furnished to them, and hearings have been held. The defeat of all proposed Sunday legislation in these States is doubtless due in a large degree to these efforts. GCB May 21, 1913, page 69.9

The religious liberty secretary of the Atlantic Union Conference, Elder J. E. Jayne, in cooperation with various State secretaries, has done a similar work in his territory. In some other union conferences religious liberty secretaries have been appointed, but they have been unable to give attention to the duties of this position on account of other work assigned to them. The State secretaries have, therefore, been obliged to do their work with little, if any, outside help. This situation ought to receive attention at this Conference. GCB May 21, 1913, page 69.10

Acting in harmony with a resolution adopted at the second quadrennial meeting of the Federal Council of the Churches, held in Chicago last December, the Commission on the Church and Social Service, a department of that organization, is urging in every State the passage of what it terms the “Standard Bill for One Day of Rest in Seven.” While purporting in its title to be an act for the promotion of the public health, this bill mentions Sunday five times, and the secretary of the commission has frankly admitted that it “means the strengthening of Sunday.” This bill has already been introduced in quite a number of States, and its religious features are so successfully concealed that it seems to meet with general favor. This movement on the part of the Federal Council of the Churches calls for a nation-wide campaign in opposition to this and all similar legislation. GCB May 21, 1913, page 69.11

A most significant feature of the present religious situation is what has been designated as “the invasion of Protestant lands by Rome in a spirit of fierce aggressiveness, resolute determination, infinite craft, rigid exclusiveness, and uncompromising intolerance.” The program “to make America Catholic,” as announced by the Roman hierarchy, has been followed with much earnestness, and has aroused strong opposition on the part of those who are opposed to the triumph of Roman Catholicism in this country. Many of the religious papers have joined in this opposition, and some publications have been established for the express purpose of furnishing anti-Catholic reading-matter to the public. In response to many suggestions from the field, and from a sense of duty on our own part to make the most of this opportunity to present the principles of the threefold message, the Protestant Magazine, which was started four years ago as a quarterly, was changed to a monthly last October, and the price was raised from twenty-five cents to one dollar a year. There was, of course, a temporary reduction in the list as the result of so radical a change, but the number of subscribers has steadily increased from month to month until, at present, the same number is printed each month as was formerly printed each quarter. On the subscription list are found the names of a very large number of clergymen of various denominations, who, as teachers of the people, make use of the material thus furnished, and in this way the influence of the magazine is widely extended. As the struggle for religious liberty will finally turn, in a large degree, upon the action of the Roman Catholic Church, it seems eminently proper that this phase of religious liberty effort should receive increasing attention. GCB May 21, 1913, page 69.12

Your secretary submits for the consideration of the Conference the following recommendations:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 70.1

1. That each union conference appoint a religious liberty secretary who can give his whole time to the department work. GCB May 21, 1913, page 70.2

2. That suitable persons be selected from various parts of the field who, in cooperation with the union conference secretaries, shall conduct lecture campaigns during the winter of 1913-14, in which special attention shall be given to the fundamental truths of Protestantism from the standpoint of the threefold message, and to the fulfilment of prophecy by the Papacy. GCB May 21, 1913, page 70.3

3. That an institute be held for the benefit of such speakers as soon after the close of this Conference as can be arranged. GCB May 21, 1913, page 70.4

4. That special literature, consisting of leaflets and pamphlets of various sizes, be prepared for use in such a campaign and for general sale and distribution. GCB May 21, 1913, page 70.5

5. That the magazine Liberty be sent to the legislators in every State. GCB May 21, 1913, page 70.6

6. That a continuous campaign be conducted throughout the whole country in order to prepare the people to meet intelligently the crisis which is evidently so near at hand. GCB May 21, 1913, page 70.7

In the limited time allotted to this report, it is impossible to deal with all the features of the work, and a mere outline has been presented. God’s care over his work has been very manifest, and those forces which, if unhindered, would be employed to delay, if possible, the progress of the truth have been held in check. For this every believer in the truth should be thankful, and should give himself with renewed earnestness to the proclamation of the closing message. GCB May 21, 1913, page 70.8

W. W. PRESCOTT, Secretary.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

WASe

(Read during eighth meeting of Conference session, May 19, 2:30 P. M.)

The past four years have been a period of growth in attendance and of increase in the efficiency of our schools both at home and abroad. Chief among the results of this advance are: (1) Reflex influence of the rapid missionary extension, especially in foreign countries. This has acted as a strong stimulus to our educators and young people to do their best to qualify for better and wider service. A constant need and demand for helpers has made its impression upon those whose business it is to recruit the gospel forces of this denomination. (2) The help it has been to the work of the department to have for the first time its own organ, in the form of an educational journal. Through this medium we have been able to set before our less experienced teachers some better standards, and provide some very definite means of helping qualify to meet them; such as the Teacher’s Reading Course, the Round Table, and serial outlines and articles on the most needy features of the normal work. (3) Another productive cause of progress is the perfecting of the educational organization throughout the field, especially that part which pertains to the work of union educational secretaries, educational superintendents, the issuing of certificates to teachers of church-schools, and the management of summer schools and institutes. This has resulted in uniformity practically in all sections of the country, so that both teachers and students, in moving from one place to another, avoid the confusion and loss they have often suffered in the past. GCB May 21, 1913, page 70.9

Conventions and Councils

Each year an educational convention or council has been held. The council which met at the time of the last General Conference was followed, in the summer of 1910, by a general convention at Berrien Springs, Mich., for ten days. There were over one hundred delegates present, representing every one of our training-schools in America and a larger number of our academies. Special attention was given to the problems of our advanced schools. GCB May 21, 1913, page 70.10

In 1911 a council of educational secretaries was called at College View, Nebr. It is doubtful if we had ever before held a meeting of educators where so much was accomplished in behalf of church-schools. Every union secretary was present, and the entire time was given to working out those details which mean better church-schools and more efficient elementary teachers. Much study was given to the question of the reorganization of our church-school work, with a view to bringing about closer and more efficient supervision. Plans were laid for a uniform system of examinations of students and the certification of elementary teachers throughout America. GCB May 21, 1913, page 70.11

A year ago, at Loma Linda, Cal., there was held a council of the heads of our training-schools in this country. All but three of these institutions were represented. The time was given to the consideration of matters looking toward the upbuilding and strengthening of our advanced work, and six commissioners were appointed, which were to prepare reports to be presented at this General Conference. The purposes of these appointments were: (1) “To formulate a plan for increasing the efficiency of our Bible teaching.” (2) “To consider the present arrangement of our Bible courses, with a view to their improvement.” (3) “To define the standard of a Seventh-day Adventist college.” (4) “To recommend a list of books that would make a suitable library for our academies and colleges.” (5) To specify “the proper equipment for science teaching in our colleges.” These commissions have been working during the year, and at our departmental meetings which are being held in connection with this General Conference, their reports are being given. GCB May 21, 1913, page 70.12

These councils and institutes have helped greatly to unify our work, bringing about closer and more sympathetic relations between general, union, and State organizations, and between our various schools, and have raised the standard of our educational work in all its branches. GCB May 21, 1913, page 70.13

PHOTO-TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, LEVANT SCHOOL, CONSTANTINOPLE, TURKEY

Summer Schools and Institutes

During the past four years summer schools have been held annually in the stronger unions, and in most cases they have been permanently established. These gatherings are proving a great help to the church-school teachers, for they receive practical instruction in the subjects especially required of them. At the close of these sessions examinations are given, and teachers’ certificates granted. GCB May 21, 1913, page 70.14

Elementary Schools

Twelve years ago, when church-schools were just beginning to be established in America, I was told that if educators advocated the starting of these schools throughout this country, the money required for the buildings, equipment, and teachers’ salaries, would greatly reduce our mission offerings, and retard our work in foreign fields. At that time the amount necessary for the annual maintenance of our church-schools was little more than $3,000, and our offerings to missions were $135,000. Last year our church-schools required $138,320 for their support, an increase of more than 4,000 per cent; and $472,000 was sent to foreign missions, an increase of 350 per cent. This proves that the success of any department which is a rightful part of this organization will in no way retard the work of any other department, when each is doing its own appointed work. GCB May 21, 1913, page 70.15

Four years ago there were 10,487 students in our church-schools. The present enrolment is 17,796, an increase of 7,309. However, it should be stated in this connection that this includes the mission schools and out-schools as well, and the increase in these has been greater than the increase in the church-schools in the home land. At the beginning of the quadrennial period $101,371 was required for the maintenance of our primary schools; the last year, $138,320, an increase of $36,949. GCB May 21, 1913, page 70.16

As the number of our church-school teachers has not increased in proportion, it shows that our church-schools are being better equipped, and our teachers paid larger salaries, which means that we shall be able to secure better teachers. It is only fair to say in this connection, however, that elementary teachers have left positions paying much larger salaries, with much easier work, because of their interest in our denominational schools. GCB May 21, 1913, page 71.1

It has been reported to the department from some States that government inspection of our church-schools will soon be made. This ought to cause no alarm, except to stir us up to do our best to so increase the efficiency of our work, especially through our normal schools, that a corps of teachers of such recognized ability will be developed that we shall welcome rather than fear inspection, making it the means of bringing the value of Christian education to the attention of those who are deploring the lack of moral training in State schools. GCB May 21, 1913, page 71.2

Secretaries and Superintendents

We have never been better provided with union educational secretaries than at the present time, most of these being men of experience and resourcefulness. But our educational organization is suffering greatly from a lack of a sufficient number of conference educational superintendents to look after the schools properly. In some conferences we have superintendents who are normal graduates or experienced teachers, and, as a result, the work is developing and improving, because they are able to give their teachers practical assistance and instruction. In other conferences, however, superintendents have been appointed who are nowise fitted for their duties, not being able, either by education or experience, to give advice to the teachers or to the church-school boards. The conferences doubtless have done the best they could; but it would have been better to let the union educational secretary carry the work until a properly qualified superintendent could be found; in fact, in conferences with a very small constituency and few church-schools, the work could better be carried on by a competent union educational secretary, and so allow the tithe to be used for evangelical work, rather than for the multiplying of officers. We are making earnest effort to educate, through our normal schools, a sufficient number of experienced teachers so that our conferences will not suffer from this present serious difficulty. GCB May 21, 1913, page 71.3

Academies and Colleges

During the past quadrennial term the enrolment of our academies has increased from 6,521 to 8,205, an advance of 1,684. In the same period our colleges and academies have increased their resources from $1,339,421 to $2,081,208, or 53 per cent, which is highly gratifying. However, in increasing the resources, they have increased their indebtedness $7.46 on every one hundred dollars of assets. It is to be hoped that during the next four years the aggressive policy will be not an increasing of the number of our advanced institutions, especially in this country, or in the buying of land or adding of buildings to those already purchased, except where actual growth makes it a necessity, but, rather, the hearty joining of the schools in the movement which is being set on foot by the denomination for the reduction of institutional indebtedness, and letting more be used for the betterment of the scientific equipment, libraries, and general appearance. And, while we hope that the attendance in our church-schools will greatly increase during the four years, so as to gather into our own schools a larger per cent of our boys and girls, yet great care should be taken not to increase these schools more rapidly than efficient teachers can be found to operate them, or than money can be procured to guarantee, a proper salary. It would be well, perhaps, in this matter, for us to heed the time-worn motto, “Not how much, but how well.” GCB May 21, 1913, page 71.4

Mission Schools

The past term has seen the rapid increase of our mission schools in foreign lands. Four years ago we had 2,779 students. The number has increased to 8,630. When it is understood that in many countries our schools are the most effective means of reaching the people, and that those who have accepted Christ while in attendance have been among the most loyal adherents to the faith, it will be seen that the mission schools have been, and will continue to the end to be, one of the great factors in mission fields in bringing souls to a saving knowledge of the truth. While the evangelist gathers about him an audience which is continually changing, the Christian teacher has before him day after day, and in some cases, year after year, the same persons, so that he can continue to impress upon them, by example, by lesson, and by sacred song, the story of Christ and the blessed news of the soon-coming Saviour. GCB May 21, 1913, page 71.5

There is no land so dark but that the Word of God, when heard day after day, especially by young and receptive minds, can win souls for the kingdom. In some mission fields, such as Africa, the greater number of our baptisms during recent years have been among students. In some fields the only baptisms have been of students from our mission schools. GCB May 21, 1913, page 71.6

It has been my special and greatly appreciated privilege, within the past three years, to visit all our schools in Europe except the one recently begun at Constantinople; the mission schools in India and Burma, and the training-schools in China, Korea, and Japan. What I saw and heard on these visits impels me to bring to the home land the demand for more and better trained teachers, whose qualifications are, first, a deep Christian experience and a thorough knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, and, second, a careful preparation for the work to be required of them. The total enrolment of all our schools in all lands—elementary, mission, and advanced—is twenty-six thousand. GCB May 21, 1913, page 71.7

New Enterprises

Besides the growth in church- and mission schools, the past four years have seen three foreign training-schools started in the United States, for the Danish-Norwegian, German, and Swedish nationalities. All three were established in the year 1910. There is no doubt that in the providence of God they were led to the right location, where they found suitable, well-built educational institutions, which they purchased at a great reduction from the original cost. This was not true in regard to the Swedish Seminary, but they were able to remodel buildings, and have been very comfortable to the present time. Their continued growth, however, will soon demand a main school building. The attendance at each of these schools has increased from the opening. GCB May 21, 1913, page 71.8

At the time of the last General Conference the Pacific Union purchased 1,784 acres of land near St. Helena, on which were buildings which could be used for beginning school work. The school has had a healthy growth from the first, and now, besides the buildings already on the property, there have been completed a large dormintory for ladies, containing a dining-room, and also the main school building. The lumber was cut from the forest on the estate, teachers and students felling the trees, sawing the lumber, and erecting the buildings. GCB May 21, 1913, page 71.9

The year 1910 also saw the establishment of a training-school in Constantinople, where a favorable beginning has been made to educate the young men and women converts of the Levant, so that they may help to extend the message in that difficult but interesting field. GCB May 21, 1913, page 71.10

The same year, the Chinese training-school was started at Nanking, and at the present time land has been purchased, and steps taken for the erection of a permanent building. This, we trust, will result in establishing a strong training-school in the world’s largest mission field. In Korea a successful school has been in operation for the past three years, and a very desirable site has been procured by the purchase of land in Soonan, on a hill overlooking the city. Plans are being drawn and work is about to commence on buildings for both the men’s and women’s schools, and for the dispensary which has been operated in connection with them. While in Japan we have been unable, up to the present time, to purchase land, and to erect buildings, yet in rented quarters a small but encouraging school is being conducted. GCB May 21, 1913, page 71.11

Correspondence School

By a vote of the General Conference at its last session, a Correspondence School was started. This has been successfully conducted, 576 having been benefited by its service. The present enrolment is 311. GCB May 21, 1913, page 71.12

The patronage of the school represents a wide range of ages and occupations, and leads us to look for much wider usefulness during the future. Its enrolment is drawn from every continent, and the islands of the sea. Its course of study ranges from the grammar school to the college. The possibilities of the school are just beginning to show themselves, and when its usefulness is better known, more advantage will be taken of its opportunities. GCB May 21, 1913, page 71.13

The Educational Journal

The educational journal, Christian Education, also established by a vote of the last General Conference, was first issued as a bimonthly; but, because of the demands of its readers in the field, it was changed last September to a monthly journal, and, as a result, the subscription list has shown an encouraging increase since that time. While it is for all grades, it has been especially useful to the elementary teachers and the parents. It is the purpose, in the coming term, to deal more largely with advanced education than in the past, and to strengthen the department of Home Education. This introduces the important subject of— GCB May 21, 1913, page 71.14

Home Schools

There is a growing demand from mothers whose children do not have access to a Christian school, for definite help in the instruction of their children at home. Some such home schools are already being carried on, and action has been taken by the department to prepare and conduct a Mother’s Normal Course, through the Correspondence School. And it is the intention of the educational journal to make more efficient its department of Home Education. GCB May 21, 1913, page 72.1

Scholarships

At the last General Conference the scholarship plan was just coming into operation. Since then it has grown steadily each year, and has become one of the most practical agencies for assisting young men and women in gaining their education. Its success has been threefold: First, by enabling the students, during the summer months, to earn their full tuition for the school year; second, it brings into the school a class of students with a missionary spirit and a purpose to labor; third, it assists the publishing houses by increasing their sales, and by creating a healthy sentiment for the canvassing work. It has become a regular part of the school work to have the canvassing agent hold an institute with the students toward the close of the year, sending out from our advanced schools a large number of well-trained and enthusiastic young people. God has wonderfully blessed this plan; may it claim a larger number each year. GCB May 21, 1913, page 72.2

Normal Work

It has been evident that if our church-schools are to have trained teachers to carry out methods of Christian education, we must strengthen our normal departments and greatly increase the enrolment. Perhaps no branch of our work the past four years has received more attention or shown more real, substantial progress than our normal work. New normal buildings have been constructed at Walla Walla College, at South Lancaster Academy, and at Keene Academy, and steps are being taken for one at Union College. GCB May 21, 1913, page 72.3

A reading course for teachers has been put into operation by the department, and is compulsory for those receiving certificates. GCB May 21, 1913, page 72.4

Recommendations

In view of the great benefit that comes to our educational work through conventions, I would recommend that a general convention, to represent all parts of our educational work, be held in the summer of 1914. GCB May 21, 1913, page 72.5

I would further recommend a higher standard of education and preparation by the teachers in our academies, and a closer cooperation with the union educational secretary. GCB May 21, 1913, page 72.6

That, as far as possible, conference superintendents be only those who are normal graduates, or elementary teachers of tested experience. GCB May 21, 1913, page 72.7

That fewer colleges attempt to carry students to the completion of a degree course, but, rather, give themselves to building up more thorough work to the fourteenth grade, and that those colleges which attempt degree work strengthen their faculties by employing only qualified teachers of mature experience, and by bettering their facilities. GCB May 21, 1913, page 72.8

Improvement of the Ministry

The ministerial institutes which have been conducted by the members of the General Conference Committee the past two years have been attended with remarkable success. We are profoundly thankful that so large a number of ministers have been permitted to receive this uplift. This department is now working out a plan which it hopes will result in much good in the building up of the ministry. It was recently voted by the General Conference Committee “that we approve of the plan of bringing together in institute the Bible teachers in our training-schools, at such time as may be arranged by the educational secretary.” This gathering of our Bible teachers this summer now seems assured, and I feel sure the result will be a more efficient ministry. GCB May 21, 1913, page 72.9

The General Conference Committee, at its last autumn council, requested the Department of Education to prepare a reading course each for licensed and ordained ministers, which will be presented at this meeting. No more important work lies before this denomination than the training of an efficient gospel ministry. We have required a standard of our bookkeepers, teachers, nurses, and physicians, but not of our preachers, and we are reaping the results of our short-sightedness. The strongest and most inviting course in our colleges should be the ministerial, and its teachers should be men of strong spiritual leadership, who have a clear conception of the “faith once delivered to the saints.” Then there will be attracted to these classes in large numbers our young men of promise. Let them be held there until the training of head, heart, and hand fits them to go forth to preach the word with force and conviction, which will bring again to the church that apostolic power which caused sinners to cry out, “What must I do to be saved?” GCB May 21, 1913, page 72.10

Conclusion

While this report shows that steady growth has been made in the educational work in our denomination, yet we ought not to be content until a far greater number of our children and youth have found a place in our own schools—schools better organized, better disciplined, and better equipped. We need these schools so that our children may be surrounded in their daily work by a Christian atmosphere. In the years of childhood, impressions are easily made, but not easily effaced; the clay is pliable in the hands of the potter, and, by painstaking effort and constant prayer, can be molded into vessels for the Master’s use. GCB May 21, 1913, page 72.11

We need to strengthen our academies, refusing to employ as teachers the untried, unskilled, and uncouth; for into these institutions come our youth at that age when thorough work and firm discipline attract, when laxness and shallowness disgust, and discourage, and turn them away from us for all time. We have left too much to the training-schools, forgetting that it is in youth we win or lose our boys and girls; that it is during this time that seventy-five per cent of the converts to Christ are made, the time when boys and girls are changing to men and women; when they are leaving trifling play for thoughtful work; when they stand at the parting of the ways, hesitating in their decision whether to join the multitude in its pursuit after wealth, wanton pleasure, and vanity of the world, or to turn to the nobler and enduring things of life which give promise of a life beyond. As our academies increase in spiritual and intellectual excellency, they will be able to pass on a far larger per cent of their pupils to our training-schools. GCB May 21, 1913, page 72.12

PHOTO-Santali teachers, India

In these training-schools lies our hope; for from them are coming and will come the men and women who are to be God’s colaborers in finishing the work in our own day. These schools must be strong—but strength must come from the power given to men who do God’s bidding. The scholarship must be excellent, but that excellency must be measured by the Word of God, and not by “rationalistic instruction or secularized education,” to which men are bowing down to-day. GCB May 21, 1913, page 72.13

Our educational work is ever in danger, on the one hand, from those who would substitute ill-guided religious fervor for hard work; on the other hand, from those who insist that the efficiency of our training-schools must be measured by worldly criterions. We need the help of the all-wise God, that we may profit by the grand principles of Christian education which he has graciously given us in this our day through the spirit of prophecy, that we do not circumscribe it by our narrow interpretation, but be broadened and sanctified by its instruction. This department needs your help and counsel, that in all our plans for the educational work of this denomination we may reach a standard of excellency which will satisfy men because it is thorough, and which will please God because it is wrought out in the fear of the Lord. GCB May 21, 1913, page 72.14

H. R. SALISBURY, Educational Secretary.

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” GCB May 21, 1913, page 72.15