THE MINNESOTA WORKER “Whatsoever thy Hand firtdeth to do, do it with thy Might.” Volume 6. MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., AUGUST -ji, 1805. Number 41. TffE AftJSrjSTESOTiL VOIJ^EIj, ---I88UED 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. Kite red at the post-office at Minneapolis as second class mail matter. CAMP MEETINGS. Since the last issue of the Worker, we have heard from more of the friends in the north-western part of the State and it seems impractiable to appoint a Camp-meeting- in that part for the present, on account of the number of the brethren who are away from home and in Dakota harvesting. They suggest general meetings later in the season for them, and so we have concluded to wait and not appoint a meeting for that part until the matter is further canvassed and if the way does not seem more favorable general meetings may be appointed for that part later. The other meetings have been provided for. Sauk Center, Sept. 17 - 23. Mankato, Oct. 8 - 14. These meetings are centrally located, so as to accomodate the largest number of our brethren, and we trust that there will be as general attendance as consistent with the circumstances. Those desiring to rent tents should write immediately to L. B. Losey, stating size, so that we may have an idea how many to ship to each place. This will aid us in providing for the meeting. Rent will be the same as last Camp-meetirtg. 10x12 $2.00, 12x14 2.50, 12x16 $2.75 We hope to have efficient help at these meetings. As there will be no regular conference business to transact at these meetings, the time can be employed in seeking the Lord and receiving instruction from his word and by his Spirit. The persecutions are increasing in number and extent and the spirit of bitter opposition to the truth and people of God are more marked and decided. May the Lord help us as his servants to take the place that has been graciously provided for us, and manifest the true spirit of the gospel, which is patience and forbearance ; but to do this for the Lord will require the Spirit of Him who bore the curse for us. We hope that a full attendance will be seen at these meetings. Some important matters pertaining to the work will be considered and all should be acquainted with the nature of the work. N. W. Auke. •§► MISSIONARY WORK. 4 It is encouraging to notice, in the last quarterly report of the offerings for Foreign Missions, that the amount of First Day Offerings from Minnesota is somewhat larger than for the corresponding quarter of 1894. I think if we would all more earnestly study into the condition and needs of the people in foreign fields, there must be a much greater demand for- our First Day Offering boxes, and they would be used instead of being stowed away in some neglected corner. It is not so much the lack of means that makes our offerings for the foreign work so small, as ignorance of the needs which these offerings are intended to supply. Dr. Pierson says, “Facts are the fingers of God. To know the facts of modern missions is the necessary condition of intelligent interest.’’ I believe this to be true. Would the dear Saviour have made the wonderful sacrifice for, our sakes if he had not known our needs? His heart of love lived and suffered with dying sinners before he gave his life to save them. If we could enter in, through even a meagre knowledge to the hopeless condition of those who have never known the gospel, even human pity would move us to action in their behalf ; how much more the love of him who gave his life for them as truly as for us. I hope all, children as well as parents, will make a thorough study of the articles in the Home {Missionary on the foreign mission fields, and may the Lord move our hearts to do all we can to help in this work. This does not imply any neglect of the constant work in the home field, for I believe our efforts at home will only be increased by trying to send the gospel to those who have’ “never yet heard.’’ God will place means in our hands if we are truly consecrated to him, and if his cause would be advanced by doing so. We are every week receiving good reports from the work in the State. We are informed that the tent company at Waseca sold 100 copies of the extra Sentinel of July 18, in one day, at 3 cents apiece. A brother in another place, who had ordered a good number of the “extras’’ lent them out and gathered them up twice, and at last accounts had them out the TIIE MINNESOTA WORKER.' third time, and had sent for more. One small society had used a hundred, and found them but a “drop in the bucket,” and so ordered again. Several are making a trial of selling the Signs, and we hope soon to hear from some of them in reference to this work. The librarians quite generally express thanks for the helps sent out for the missionary meetings. One says, “The young people are so pleased with the pieces. They are taking a lively interest in the missionary work both in meeting and out, and it does my soul good to see the young folks take hold of the work.” Another writes, “I know the missionary meetings are better, both in attendance and interest.” Still another says, “I have found the selections very helpful and instructive for use in our meetings. Our members are poor and hav’nt much money, but are doing all that seems possible to further the cause in the community. We had 270 copies of the Sentinel of July 18, which I think arc doing more in their silent way than any thing else at the present tirpe.” May the Lord help us all to see and use our opportunities. A. E. E. i THE SABBATH SCHOOL, i CHINA. For some time we have been studying about the Missionary Boat and the places it is to visit and the people to be reached by the workers ; now we wish to turn our attention to the other missionary field and learn of it. This is the vast Chinese Empire occupying the south eastern portion of Asia and covering one third of that continent and one tenth of the habitable portion of the earth. 1. How is the Chinese Empire bounded? Ans. It is bounded on the north by Russia, on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the south by India and the ocean and on the west by India and Russia. 2. How large is this empire? Ans. It contains over four million square miles or more than one million more than the United States, and is, next to Russia, the largest connected empire in the world. 3. What is the climate? Ans. It extends through almost the entire width of the temperate zone and into the torrid zone ; so it has all the varieties of climate, from extreme cold in the north to hot in the south. It is hotter in summer and colder in winter than corresponding parts of our own country. 4. What noted river flows through this empire? Ans.The Hoang Ho or Yellow River, which is about three times the length of the Ohio. 5. Why is it called the Yellow River? Ans. From the color which it takes from the yellow clay through which it passes. 6. What other name is it sometimes called? Ans. China’s Sorrow, for it often breaks through the strong enbankments built along its path and destroys the crops, drowns thousands of people and cattle,and sweeps away whole villages. It has changed its bed no less than six times, the last time being in 1863. 7. What other great river can you name? Ans. Yang Ste Kiang. It is more than three thousand miles in length. 8. How are these two rivers connected? Ans. By the Grand Canal. 9. What are the principle mountain ranges? Ans. The Nanling in the_ south, the Snow in the center, and the Shan and Khin Gan in the north. - 10. What minerals are found in the mountains: Ans. Gold, silver, copper, lead, iron and coal? Iron and coal are found in almost every part of the land, and it is said that the coal beds are the most extensive of any in the world. 11. What prevents these mines from being worked more extensively? Ans. They have very little machinery, and very poor means of transportation. When the coal has to be carried very far overland it is too expensive to be used by poor people. Most of them that are worked at all are worked in the same slow manner that they were hundreds of years ago. 12. What can you tell of the soil in China? Ans. In the northern part is a vast rainless region known as the Great or Gobi desert, but the greater part of the empire is well watered and fertile. The land especially in the eastern part is highly cultivated,and none of it is allowed to lie idle. 13. What are the principal products? Ans. Wheat, Indian corn, barley, and millet in the north, and in the south rice. Sugar is also an important product. Tea is grown in the south and west, 14. What are the chief exports? Ans. Tea, silk, and opium. 15. Of what is opium made? Ans. Opium is made from the poppy which of late years has been extensively grown, so that some have feared it would take the place of wheat and rice as it pays better. When the poppy fields are in bloom they are said to present a very beautiful appearance.. 16. How commonly is opium used? Ans. Opium seems to have a greater attraction for the Chinese than for any other people on earth. Quite80 percent of the men, and 50 per cent of the women use it. When once the habit of smoking is formed it is very difficult to break it off. It has been called, “China’s great curse,” and threatens to change an industrious people into a nation of helpless idlers and imbeciles. “Oli, Church of the living God! Awake from thy sinful sleep! Dost thou not hear yon awfnl cry Still sounding o’er the deep? Is it naught that one of every four Of all the human race Should in China die, having never heard The Gospel of God’s grace? Can’st thou shut thine ear to the awful sound, The voice of thy brother’s Mood? A million a month in China Are dying with out God!’’ A. L. L. Special Notice. ;£***” A few weeks ago we sent out blanks to our delinquent subscribers to the Worker, to be filled out and returned with the price of subscription, and we have received quite liberal responses. But we wish to say to those who do not care to renew to drop us a card to that effect at once. THE MINNESOTA WORKER. Holes bu the lag. HY E. HILLIARD, MID OCEAN, SHIP PITCAIRN, lat. 19o 11 :s. lono, 144o26’ wesT. It was decided, soon after the General Conference, that my wife and myself go to the South Sea Islands. We left Minnesota for this field of labor, April 13. Our journey to the Pacific Coast was a pleasant one in many respects, although a little wearisome. We went by the way of the Union Pacific and passed over the Rocky Mountains. The scenery of these mountains is very monotonous. On all sides were all manner of shaped mountain peaks. Some stood out in bold relief against the blue sky, others rose peak above peak until their ragged heads seemed to pierce the passing clouds. Mountain sides and table lands were covered with sage bush shrubery for hundreds of miles. Occasionally with lightning speed the train would swoop around a curve on the mountain side, sweep over a high trestle bridge, and dash across a small farm settlement. Scarcely would we gain sight of the little whitewashed farmers’ shanties before they would disappear from view. We passed over the highest point of the Rockies on the Union Pacific line, at Freemont station. The Ames Monument registers the altitude of 8,247 feet above sea level. We reached the Sierra Nevada mountains in the night, so we did'not have much of a view of these mountains. The moon was shining bright, and we could see that they were dressed in their pure mantle of winter white. The next morning we looked from our car window to behold one of the grandest scenes we ever saw. For miles in every direction were wide, extensive plains, dotted here and there with fine, white farm houses, barnes and other buildings. The verdant fields, the green trees, and the beautiful flowers were a delightful contrast to the bare trees and fields of Minnesota at this season of the year. The scene inspired praise in our hearts to the God of nature for his loving kindness in pouring forth such manifold blessing upon his sinful creatures. Our ride through this pleasant land was short. We reached Oakland, California, Wednesday, April 17. Sabbath, April 20, Eld. 0. A. Olson was in Oakland, and spoke to a congregation of about 400. Eld. A. J. Breed addressed the people on the following Sabbath. These brethren in connection with others arranged matters for the ship Pitcairn for her voyage to the South Sea Islands. Every thing was duly provided, and April 30th, the missionaries and their crew em-. barked for their ocean trip. oontineed. The Language of the Scandinavians and the Circulation of their Papers. God has ordained that the message shall be preached to every nation and people. Rev. 14 : 6. The Scandinavians have shown great willingness to receive the message. We have at present in America about two million Scandinavians who use their mother tongue. In this field we have only ten active preachers and a few Bible-workers And book-agents. We need many more laborers ; they must come from the young people ; but this cannot be brought about unless they learn their mother tongue. This they must learn at home and in the Sabbath-school, and we must take pains to get some of them to attend Union College. The young people among the Scandinavians are very quick to learn the English language. In order to adapt themselves to this the parents speak English to their children. But it does not last long before the children understand that the parents speak poor English. The children do not like to be instructed in such a language. They prefer to go among the Americans where they can learn to speak correctly. Thus the mother loses her influence over the children and it is evident that it causes a separation between her and them. This could in a large degree be avoided if the children learned to .speak and read their mother tongue, and learned to love and honor the Word of God in this tongue. The same is seen in the Sabbath-school. We find but few Scandinavian Sabbath-schools. They are English with one or two Scandinavian classes. But few of the teachers speak English well. The children often notice their poor pronunciation and laugh at them. Thus they lose respect for them. If the teachers would study their mother tongue and instruct the children in the same they would have a.better influence over them and could do much more good. It is high time to bring about a change among us in this direction and we believe our American brethren will help us when they understand the reasons for it. * • The next point to pay attention to is the papers. Let all who can read Danish or Swedish take the papers in one of the two languages, and let them not work any less to extend the circulation of the Scandinavian papers than the English. Our American brethren can work for our Scandinavian papers by taking clubs and buying extra numbers when they are published and extending the circulation of these papers where you, find Scandinavians dwelling in your neighborhood. They will, as a general thing, prefer to read papers in their own language. In some cases you can help our Scandinavian brethren THE MINNESOTA WORKER. to pay for clubs. And above all you can encourage our Scandinavian brethren to work for their own papers. In spite of all that has been done for Evangeliets Sendebud this year it continues to lose subscribers. The list is now less than 1,500. Thus the paper runs in debt every week. Now it is right and proper to work for the Signs of the Times, and if it has 15,000 names to raise the list to 20,000. Would it not also be right to work some for the Scandinavian papers before they run aground altogether? They have proved to be a means of enlightening thousands and of gaining souls for Christ. Will you do what you can to help increase their circulation? J. G. Matteson. APPOINTMENTS. Prof. Lewis and myself will meet with churches as follows: Redwood Falls .....................Aug.21 - 22 Brookville .......................... “ 23-25 Kasota .............................. “ 26-27 Mountain Lake ....................... “ 28-29 Worthington ......................... “ 30-31. N. W. Allee. C. C. Lewis. THE BOOK WORK. CANVASSERS’ REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING AUG. 9th 1895. Book Ord. Hrs. Val. Vul. Helps L. H. Christian G. C. 17 50 $35.50 $1.25 W. H. Moore 44 44 11 33 24.50 3.15 P. O Johnson 4 4 44 9 32 21.00 K. O.Sjaahem 4 4 4 4 29 53 70.00 .25 C. Nelson 4 4 4 4 7 30 19.25 6.00 Christine Hanson “ “ 4 22 8.00 1.00 N. G. Henrikson P. J. 24 56 39.50 1.90 H. E. Sjelstad ti tt 4 27 9.30 1.70 S. H. Wing “ “ 29 40 63.25 1.00 Iver Hilda tt tt 10 34 17.00 1.20 Albert Nelson tt tt 2 30 3.00 1.30 David Quinn B. R. 4 11 7.50 H. E. Nash D.&R. 4 28 10.00 N. Mortenson tt tt 7 28 14.50 C. Edwardson Steps&c. 12 6.05 G. E. Nelson “ 12 7.20 9.25 Victor Brickey S. S. 6 11 7.00 Maggie Walde < Glo.App. 21 21 6.75 John A. Lindin 4 4 4 4 14 24 3.80 Totals 19 226 530 $373.10 $28.20 BOOKS DELIVERED. N. Mortenson* 3 value $7.00 H. E. Nash 3 41 9.00 Maggie Walde 5 4 i l 1.85 John A. Lindin 11 4 i t 2.20 22 $20.05 Bro. Quinn writes that his eyes have been troubling him the past two weeks so he could do but little, but they are better now and he expects to be able to put in full time this week. Aug. 9 to 1* I was at Grove Lake, met Brn. Patch and Johnson who have been canvassing in Kandiyohi Co. It has been rather a hard field owing to some prejudice and lightness of crops, but Bro. Patch expects to continue the work. Bro. Johnson has gone home. I also enjoyed meeting with the Grove Lake brethren on the Sabbath. They were of good courage in the Lord. C. M. Everest. ITEMS. We quote from the (Mantorville (Dodge Co.) Express, the following item of news that will be of interest to the readers of the Worker. MARRIED. Hillman—Olive, Aug. 8, 1895, by Elder N. W. Allee, at Dodge Center, Minn., W. F. Hillman of Dodge Center, to Harriet Olive of Prescott, Wis. * * * Our conference treasurer, A. G, Adams, has just returned from a short vacation and visit to the scenes of his childhood and home in Wisconsin, where he shook hands once more with old time friends and acquaintances, and enjoyed the privilege of eating at father’s table as in days of yore when the heart was light and free from the busy cares of life. * * * Bro. T. A. Eoller has just finished painting the Minneapolis English Church at the corner of 4th ave. and Lake St. with two good coats of paint which materially changes the appearance of this, the Lord’s house. This has been quite an expense for the members, but they feel amply re-paid for the outlay of means. The Minnesota Tract Society office and buildings are now being given the same treatment as it has been some years since they were painted. * * * We notice in the Florida "Bulletin a clipping from the Louisville Ky. Times, that our old friend and brother, J. W. Collie has awakened a deep interest in that large city in the truth, having audiences numbering 700 at the tent, and expects soon to put up a large pavillion with a seating capacity of one thousand or more to accomodate the increasing interest. Let the good work go on ’till every soul has heard the good news of a soon ooming Saviour. *** We learn that our Conf. Sec. Eld. D. P. Curtiss, has also taken a vacation by taking a trip to South Dakota, and with it a Home Maker, the real name of which was Mrs. Gibson, now is Mrs. Curtiss. Surley a home cannot be called such without some one to make a home, and we trust that our beloved “Father Curtiss” may not be disappointed in the choice of one who, above all others, has the opportunity of making a‘ beautiful home even with limited environment—a loving, faithful wife. The future address of Bro. Curtiss will be Dodge Center, instead of Pine City.