THE	I
MINNESOTA WORKER
	“Whatsoever thy Hand	findeth to do, do it with thy Might.”	
Volume 8. -	MINNEAPOLIS,	MINN., JANUARY 20, 1897.	Number 10.
TtfE l^OTTESOTiL ¥0^rEI},
---ISSUED WEEKLY BY THE-
MINNESOTA TRACT SOCIETY.
Subscription Price, 35 cents a year.
Send all Communications and Subscriptions to THE EDITOR,
L. B. Losey, -	- Box 989, Minneapolis, Minn.
Entered at the post-office at Minneapolis as second class mail matter.
Farming with the Lord.
Our brethren are interested in the progress that is being made in paying of the indebtedness that fias rested heavily upon our conference. We are glad to say some progress is being made although not as much as we had hoped. But we know times are close and money hard to get. Less money has come in on the Gen. Relief Fund than during the two previous years. Since Camp Meeting $680.00, have been paid on non interest bearing obligations, $895.00 on an interest bearing obligation, and the indebtednes to the Review aud Herald Pub.Co. has been reduced more than $1000.00. We are now paying interest on about $1400.00, which amounts to $84.00 a year, as against about $600 interest 4 years ago. We are glad that we see a gradual decrease in this indebtedness. Those who pledged to pay so much per month haVe been faithful, but unless many more adopt this method it will take some years more to pay off all. Now we wish to prtsent an additional plan to cfar brethren believing many will adopt it, and together with those whose circumstances make it favorable to continue the plan of monthly payments, will provide for the payment of these obligations.
An interest bearing note of $1000falls due inSept. next. All others are due now. It will be necessary to meet these obligations. To do this requires planning and work. We shall present plan of farming for the Lord.Many did not feel free to name any definite sum to be paid monthly or otherwise as they knew not how crops or work would turn out. We shall ask ohr brethren all over the State to devote,an acre or mol e of crop next year, and thus labor with God for the advancement of his work. We believe if all will tafce hold and lift on this line our debts will disappear. Some we believe will gladly donate an acre, sorile more, whatever crop you desire to plant, wheat, oats,
flax, corn, barly, potatoes,beans,—whatever crop you prefer and you think will succeed best in your locality. We believe by thus calculating much more will be done than not making any effort. Those who have trades, professions, or other occupations and employment, can do as they have in the past, pay so much per month, quarter or year. A short time ago I met a brother of a small church who remarked that when they made no calculation to aid in the work and when a call was made for means, they could scarcely raise $10; but by calculating, and preparing by gardening etc, they raised considerably over $100. This company lives in the north part of the State where farming is on a smaller scale, more difficult, and crops often fail. We trust that our brethren will begin to pray over this matter and be ready to respond when some one, appointed to solicit, calls upon them. We expect to give every church, company, and individual the privilage of doing something on this Fund. We call it General Relief as it was created to relieve our indebtedness ,and provide for the advancement of the work in general. The sick, worthy poor, publications for general missionary work have had ^ limited assistance from this fund. There would have been a more generous supply if the fund had been larger. $935.93 have been recieved from the plan of monthly payments since April 1, 1896 to Jan. 1, 1897.
We hope to see a general response for next year. As soon as arrangements can be made solicitors will begin to call on the brethren. In the meantime we trust the brethren will be deciding bow much they will do.	N. W. Allee.
Canvassing for' the ‘Signs’.
We are real glad that we can say, “canvassing fortheSi£»j” as a number of brethren and sisters are now engaged in this work. Ecouraging letters are being received from those at work and others who will do it. In two recent meetings with our brethren the question was asked,“How many present, had seen the time in their experience when they would have given five dollars to have been able to preach an acceptable discourse”. Several hands were raised. Well here is an opportunity to have fifty most excellent discourses preached during the year in any part of the United States you may choose for one fifth of that amount, and the other fellow will pay it at that if the subject is presented to him. This able minister, ready to go to any place a U.S. post reaches, is the “Signs of the Times”. Many houses are waiting to become acquainted with this excellent messenger. Many hearts are longing for the message that fill its pages.
THE MINNESOTA WORKER.
Dear brethren, shall we not put forth every rea-sponsible effort to get the truth before these perishing souls? No work of the message is more important than.this. TheSpirit ofGod says, “If there is one work more important than another, it is that of getting our publications before the public, thus leading to search the scriptures’’. Vol. 4 p. 390. “The great lack of men to go from place to place to preach the word, may, in a great degree be supplied by tracts and papers and intelligent correspondence”. “The silent preacher, the Signs, enriched with precious matter, should go forth on the wings of prayer, mingled with faith, that it may do its appointed work in shedding the light and truth upon those who are in the darkness of error”. Signs Sup’t. Feb.24,87.
The Lord is gracious to us in giving such invaluable and important instruction at this time.Brethren, I appeal to you, that we carefully consider this work, and with earnest prayer let us go forward. We have written personal letters to church elders and leaders; and Sister Ellis to Librarians, asking them to take hold of this work in earnest. Dear brethren and sisters, will you now “come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty” Tlease read Judges 5: 23. Then read verses 12 to 18. and make the application.
We must make a choice now. There is no neutral ground. We are for or against the Lords work. If we are for it, we are in it. The battle is “oh”. The enemy is in the field. His publications are being widely scattered everywhere. “We have no time to lose”. As Jan. is nearly gone, and our brethren and sisters are getting ready for the work, we trust this special work may continue through Feb.	N. W. Allee.
MISSIONARY WORK. $
One of our workers sends the following :— “Six years ago, while I was doing eolporter work in the southern part of the State, I called at an elegantly furnished house. The lady invited me in, and I introduced my work and secured her order for the Signs one year. Last Sabbath, I met the same lady in the church in Minneapolis. She came to me and said she had taken a paper of me six years ago, and that for five years she had been keeping the Sabbath of the Lord. Many other incidents of like nature have come to my notice. Surely God watches the seed sown, and waters it with his spirit of love. ‘Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days.’ ”
A letter just received says : “I thank you very much for the paper you have been sending me, the Signs. I like to read it, and I know it will benefit me or anyone who reads it under-standinglv. I have not kept the Sabbath yet, I
but if there is anything in religion, I believe the Adventists are right in their belief”.
Another w rites : “I have neglected w rit-ing you in regard to the papers you have been sending me, longer than I intended ; but will say I am w^ell pleased w ith them. The Signs of the Times is the best and cleanest religious paper I know of. My teaching has alwrays been that Sunday wras the Sabbath. Your side has the best of the argument and all the proof as to which is the Sabbath of the Lord our God. Neither do I approve of the arrests I have read so much about. Had it not been for the papers you sent me, in all probability I would never had heard anything about this religious persecution, and several other things being done in this country and in Roman Catholic countries. 1 thank you for the light received in the papers”.
I do not knowr of any more available w ay of getting the principles of the truth before the people than by extending the circulation of the Signs. The price of the paper has been put at the lowest possible figure that all might have the opportunity of using it. IIowT many, like the one mentioned above, have received light through its pages ; and howr many more are still walking in darkness because we do not realize our responsibility in the matter and the privilege we have of bringing the light within their reach.
A. E. E.
* THE SABBATH SCHOOL. *
The Teacher’s Work.
Satan is working with all the cunning of his master-mind to thwart the plan of salvation. Our Sabbath-schools are watched with his most intense interest. If he can get but one human idea advanced, his wedge is entered by which he will separate souls from Jesus. But how can we keep this mold from coming in, and purge that which has already come in from our midst ? Let the Psalmist answer—“Wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his way ? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. Ps. 102 : 9 Then that which will dispel all the clouds of darkness, and will bring the sunlight of God’s glory into our schools and lives is taking heed thereto, not according to our own ideas—according to God's word. As teachers in the Sabbath-school, God has called us to a responsible place. When we accept the trust that is placed into our hands, we take upon our selves sacred vows. By the act of the superintendent asking us to teach, the charge is given, “Feed my lambs” or sheep, as it may be. By
THE MINNESOTA WORKER.
our acceptance, we virtually say, “I will do it”. £>o we realize what it means ? “Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.” Can we as teachers expect to bring- the heavenly manna to our classes when our hands are stained with known sins ? Can we expect that God will work through our efforts to touch their hearts ? David says—“If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me”. Ps. 66 : 18. The command is, “Be ye clean that bc^.r the vessels of the Lord”. It is as true of spiritual things as of earthly things, that the stream can rise no higher than its head.	I
If we are not prevailers with God, how can we expect the hearts of our scholars will be drawn to the fountain head of all purity. If we never have been there, how can we indulge the thought that 'we can lead them theife. And if we have never drawn from the blessed wells of salvation, can we imagine that we can teach others how to draw ? What we all need is to fall in love with God, and when we are really in love with him, then we will have a failb that will work by love.
Let us come a little nearer to Jesus, and then we can come closer to those in our classes. Let us allow Jesus to pour his love into our hearts, then we will love as he loveed, and work as he worked. Let us be men and women who will prevail with God upon our knees, and not be satisfied with a mere superficial knowledge of his word. May each one of us study to show ourselves approved of God workmen that need not be ashamed, and those who will rightly divide the word of truth to those in our classes as they severally are in a need.
Can we not do more personal work from this on than we have before ? May God help us to be so interested for those in our classes that we will pray for them. As they go out from our presence to the temptations and testing trials of the week let each of us hold them in the arms of faith to the great heart of love that yearns over our weaknessess. Let us single out this one or that, whom we think is in special danger from lack of Christian influence in his home or among his companions. Let us remember the hot-tempered, in-pulsive one, who is so likely to fall in the hour when he feels strong and self-confident. Let us ask for particular guidance that we may be able to give each soul the food which it needs to strengthen and make it grow. “Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh, shall find so doing.”
C. H. Parker.
The Society of Christian Helpers, of St. Paul.
The society held its annual meeting Wednesday, Jan. 13, th 1897. Officers were elected for the ensuing term of six months, which are a president, three vice-presidents, treasurer, secretary and assistant secretary. These constitute a board of management of the workings of the society; and no money is paid out except on the express order of the president. The society is also one of the auxiliaries of the Associated Charities of this city. Some of its members have attended the parlor conferences of the Associated Charities, with profit; and some are associated with
the Friendly Visitors of St. Paul, and attend their conferences, held each week in the New York Life Insurance building. We are sure that these are avenues for good. At the last Parlor Conference of the Associated Charities held in the Commercial Club Rooms, the subject for discussion was the pro and con of the curfew. There was a large attendance; and the writer found opportunity to present some of the principles of truth, which semed to be appreciated, if we judge from the applause at the close.
Several topics of interest were discussed by the Christain Helpers, and a committee was appointed to examine the matter of doing missionary work at the jail in the hospitals of the city; also a committee to district the church for mothers* meetings and the reading of the “Testimonies”. May the blessing of God be upon this work.	H. F. Phelps.
® NOTES FROM THE FIELD. ®
Dear Worker :
Please excuse me for calling attention of the brothers and sisters to how much has been done to aid the Osakis church in their struggle to retain their house of worship. The debt, interest and all amounts to $850. Sometime ago there was an appeal made through the Worker and some of the dear friends have responded nobly to whom we are very thankful indeed.
While in Minneapolis last week I found that L. B. Losey had received $17.75 in all. I was in hopes that there would have been more, and I was a good deal cast down and discouraged, but Bro. Everest encouraged me to try again and so I do knowing that we have in Minnesota brothers and sisters, loving and true, who will help us all they can. With what we have raised and can raise in our own vicinity we need at least $65 right away in order to pull through. We aie pulling hard. Will sixty-five brothers and sisters pull with us to the amount of one dollar each ? You may, to save time, send the money direct to me at Osakis and we will receipt for the same.	Your brother,
W. B. Hill.
The quarterly meeting of the St. Paul church was appointed for the last Sabbath in the year. But as our Swedish brethren could not have a minister of their own language, and as the writer had been requested to hold services with them, it was arranged to hold a union service at thh Wacauta street chapel, where those of the English tongue have met for nearly a year past. By the blessing of the Lord,
THE MINNESOTA WORKER.
good weather prevailed, which was favorable for a large congregation. I spent a little time in a bird’s eye review of the work of Seventh-day Adventists, calling particular attention to the rise of the work among the Scandinavians by our dear Bro. Matteson. This was followed by a social meeting in which a large number, old and young, took part, testifying of the goodness of God to them. This was followed by the ordinance of the Lord’s house, which was a very interesting occasion. A few visitors were in attendance, who paid close and respectful attention. At the close of the meeting a unanimous vote was taken expressing the desire for more union meetings in the future, in anticipation of the grand reunion of all the saints of all ages in the everlasting kingdom, so soon to be given to the saints of the Most High. All in all it was an excellent meetingjand we thank the Lord for what has been accomplished in this city.	H. F. Phelps.
Tupelo, Mississippi.
In company with several others, after having said the many good-byes to the dear ones at Medford, for they are indeed dear to us, we left Medford for Owatonna where we attended, their Christian Help Band meeting that evening which we enjoyed very much. Monday eve at 5 . 49 p. M. found us seated in the car bound for Chicago over the North Western road. The waving of handkerchiefs and the last good-byes were again repeated and we were off.
But we never shall forget the dear faces and loving hearts we left behind. We passed through Dodge Center and Winona, and of course we thought of the dear brethren and sisters there. And as we came to the great bridge crossing the river at Winona we wondered if we should ever see Minnesota again. Then I thought to my self, if faithful a little longer we shall see Minnesota again, perhaps never as it now is, but when earth is brought back to her Eden beauty Minnesota will be there. Oh what can we not afford to do in the little time that remains, when we have the promise of so soon inheriting all things.
As we gazed out into the dim twilight we saw hills and valleys, cities and villages ; went on and on till 8 a. m. Tuesday morning found us in the great depot at Chicago, a distance of 387 miles from home. We were at once transferred, bag and baggage over the buss line to another depot. And oh, the great, busy, crowded, smoky city, we just saw a little of it; saw at a distance the large Ferris wheel that we have heard so much about ; and at 11 : 8 a. m. took the train over the Chicago and Alton road for East St. Louis 280 miles farther. In passing through the State of Illinois we saw grand scenery and fine cities, and at Springfield got a view of the State Capital building. At 6:48 p. M. we arrived at East St. Louis where we waited until 7 : 43 p. m. Tuesday eve. on our third and last division of the road for Tupelo, a distance of 364 miles, making a total distance of 1,031 miles by rail-road.
We arrived at Cairo on the Illinois side of the river when the moon, for the first time since leaving home, came out so clear and bright and full. It was then 1 : 50 a. m. ; train whistled, and we looked, and there we were, train and all, on a great steam-boat. The steamer whistled, then steadily and smoothly and safely, those two great engines plowed their way across the deep, dark waters of the great Ohio River; and landed their burden safely “over on the old Kentucky shore’’.	The view from the Kentucky
shore as we looked back across the sparkling waters —the lights on the opposite shore reflecting into the waters like so many great fiery pillars into the deep, and the great boats and forests—was indeed beautiful.
Passing through Ky. and Tenn. down into Miss., cities were smaller, houses many of them were only huts, and some of them without	windows.
Soil looks lighter, much of it, than in Minn. Wis. and 111. The people generally less enterprising. At 10 : 30 Wednesday morning, Dec. 16, we all arrived safely at our destination in the city of Tupelo, Miss., a place of 3,000 inhabitants. We were met and welcomed by my husband and brother, and with team and lumber wagon, conveyed us out to our Miss, home so far away, which is situated about four and one-half miles north of Tupelo, and about seven miles south of Saltilla, on the main traveled road. As we look around us it seems tq me we can already begin to realize better than ever before why God is calling so loudly in this direction.
We are glad that we’re here.
God is calling, and we leave yon,
Native Home and friends so true,
Leave you, dear old Minnesota,
For a work elsewhere to do—
Leave our home and many loved ones,
With its joys and comforts all,
Not to seek for earthly riches,
But in answer to God’s call.
In the byways and the hedges,
Mid the briers and the thorns;
For to seek the unenlightened,
In the cotton fields and corn.
Any where, oh precious Saviour,
Where thou wilt we’ll go with thee ;
Only take our hands and lead us,
Safely o’er life’s troubled sea.
Should life’s angry, tossing billows Rise to heights, we know not where;
Should our faith begin to waver,
Teach us, Lord, that thou art there.
Should sand-bars of persecution Threaten our small bark to strand,
Pilot us, oh blessed Saviour,
Safely to the promised land.
Even though this life be given,
Thou hast bought, us, one and all;
Help us to be ever faithful,
Answering to thy every call.
Brethren, dearest, now we leave you,
And will bid you all adiew;
God is calling, and it may be Soon lie’ll call for some of you.
M. E. Kraushaar,
Tupelo, Miss.