MINNESOTA WORKER
"Whatsoever thy Hand findeth to do, do it with thy Might.’*
Volume 8.	MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., MARCH 10, 1897.	Number 17.
---I8SUED 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.
"STATESMEN WHO FEAR THE LORD."
Ex-Senator W. P. Tolley of Tennessee, recently addressed a letter to the American Sentinel in which he warmly commends that paper for its able vindication of the principles of. religious liberty. In words that burn as with fire, he declares his strong purpose to engage his influence in the maintenance of freedom of conscience. Connecting with this incident a few facts, we have before us an important lesson.
When Mr. Tolley was a member of the Tennessee Legislature a few years ago, the Sentinel was sent to the members of that body, and he thus became acquainted with the mission of the Sentinel. Ilis admiration for the principles advocated by our people has continually increased since that time, and he will be gratefully remembered as the staunch friend and able advocate of our persecuted Tennessee brethren.
Remembering that the Sentinel is now being delivered weekly to about 5,800 of our legislators, can we not confidently expect that it will reach many in this large number who will imitate Mr. Tolley’s noble example? Let us be assured that statesmen now reading the Sentinel will yet appear as the defenders of the oppressed, and loyal friends of freedom. Reader, remember there are today in our legislative halls, “Statesmen who fear the Lord”.
‘‘So long as Jesus remains man’s intercessor in the sanctuary above, the restraining influence of the
Holy Spirit is felt by rulers and people. It still controls, to some extent, the laws of the land. Were it not for these laws, the condition of the world would be much worse than it now is. While many of our rulers are active agents of Satan, God also has his agents among the leading men of the nation.
The enemy moves upon his servants to propose measures that would greatly impede the work of God; but statesmen who fear the Lord are influenced by holy angels to oppose such propositions with unanswerable arguments. Thus a few men will hold in check a powerful current of evil. The opposition of the enemies of truth will be restrained that the Third Angel’s Message may do its work. When the final warning shall be given, it will arrest the attention of these leading men through whom the Lord is now working, and some of them will accept it, and will stand with the people of God through the time of trouble.’’—Great Controversy, page 610.
Do we pray that these men may be reached, and do we labor to that end ?
International Relioious Liberty Ass’n.
CANVASSERS ATTENTldk
It has been decided to hold the Canvassers’ Institute in Minneapolis, March 30 to April 13, 1897, at the church, corner of Lake St. and Fourth Ave. S. Those coming should bring bedding. Board will be furnished at $1.00 per week.
I hope all who expect to canvass will endeavor to attend. We are living in a very solemn time, and need to prepare to do all we can to save souls.
A late testimony says : “If they put their trust in the Lord as they go'from place to place the angels of God will be round about them, giving them words to speak which will bring light and hope and courage to many souls. Were it not for the work of the canvasser many would never hear the truth”.
Let all seek God for his special blessing upon this work.	C. M. Everest.
"Having entered the school of Christ, the student is prepared to engage in the pursuit of knowledge without becoming dizzy from the height to which he is climbing.’’
THE MINNESOTA WORKER.
# MISSIONARY WORK. $
As the following letter kindly sent us by the International Tract Society, reached us just too late to be sent out with the last circular to librarians, I give it through the Worker, knowing that all will be deeply interested in hearing again from our missionaries in Africa.
A. E. E.
I take a moment this afternoon to write to you. I find my time quite closely occupied, hence do not write as much as I otherwise would.
There is a crisis upon us here in Matabelaland, and it is for us to exercise faith and go forward. The war is practically over as regards fighting, but the awful results are more apparent than at any time before. Starvation is an actual fact in our land, and while those living on the farm are not starving, they are getting hungry. Those from a distance come daily, and some have already died within a few miles of us.
We ourselves are getting quite low in food stuffs, as we have to feed something over thirty persons daily. A few more weeks, and we will reach the end, and how to meet the demands that will then be made upon us, remains to be seen. But the promise is, “I will supply all your needs”. We believe, and press forward.
By the time people can get here from America, we hope th& crisis will be over, and plenty reign. But if not, we need the help we have asked for, and ten times more. I can not emphasize our wants so as to properly set them before the brethren in America. So will not try, but trust to the Holy Spirit to impress hearts, and send the relief needed.
At present we have ten children in our family, supported by our own funds. Bro. Anderson has six, and we have taken three at the expense of the mission, .and the Doctor has three.
The people are so pressed with hunger, that it is hard to keep things. We have lost about one dozen goats already. We learned last nig-ht that a man whose boy is herding for us took two of them. We hardly know what to do about such things : to attempt punishment seems quite hard to a hungry man ; but not to do it means a letting down of discipline that is taken advantage of by all the natives.
We need more workers. This is seen in the weary footsteps at the close of every day, as we gather for our evening devotion ; also by the lack of attention many things receive. The worker, as the saying goes, tries to spread himself over everything that needs to be done, and as a result, fails. Then no time is found to devote to the study of the language which we must, in a measure at least, master if we become successful workers. My heart aches as I see so many things neglected ; but what can we do ? Work hard,—that, we are willing to do from morning until night ; but we are grieved to be
obliged to neglect so much. Nevertheless we see the Lord’s hand as it has led thus far, and rejoice that, notwithstanding the lack, much has been done.
I fear many at home do not fully realize the situation here. Some may be inclined to say, ‘‘limit your operations, so that you can do justice to what you do”. Well, we lack wisdom to enable us to do this, and do anything at all toward meeting our expenses, and providing food for our company. True, we could sit down and study the language and thus be enabled to reach more quickly a stage of efficiency in the work; but under the present conditions, to do this means to go hungry. We would be required to spend much time in active, physical work, even if means were plentiful.
Then we need buildings. Last night we had a light rain, sufficient to wet the ground about three inches. It was enough, however, to wash the mud from our huts, and cause a mud puddle within. Well, this would not be so unbearable, if only we could preserve our goods, to replace which would mean a great deal to us.
But I will say no more on this line, lest you accuse me of murmuring, which is not the case. We are glad to be here, and only ask that our needs may be considered as far as consistent.
We have been blessed in a financial way, so that our heavy loss has been partly made up ; but this money may have to be largely used in procuring food. For sometime, rice has been fifty cents a pound, and flour the same. However, when I was at Buluwayo last, it was slightly less, about thirty-six cents per pound.
Our workers are of good courage in the work, and we are all spending all the time we can in hoeing, as that is the only way for us to get a crop. We hope to get in a few acres in this way ; but I tell you it is not like working with a plow.
I would say for the benefit of those who may be sent to this field, that they must make up their minds to get along with just as few things as the actual necessities of the case requires. A sufficient amount of clothing to last one year should be brought. It should be mostly rather light, firm goods ; yet as the winter nights are quite cool, good thick clothing will not come amiss. Only a few dishes are needed, and they should be substantial ones. A light No. 7 stove, and some simple furniture would about make up the list. Good woolen blankets and rugs can be bought in Buluwayo. In the line of clothing, I would include a supply of good strong shoes.
It is my prayer that the coming General Conference may be a season of the outpouring of the Spirit of God, and that measures may soon be taken to more rapidly herald the gospel to the world, and not least to darkened Africa.
By the time the company can get here, I think the railroad will be within two hundred miles of Buluwayo, this will greatly lessen the tediousness of the journey.	With love, I remain,
Your brother
G. B. Tripp.
THE MINNESOTA WORKER.
* THE SABBATH SCHOOL. *
Sabbath School Work at the Conference.
In addition to the regular meetings of the International Association, the report of which has been printed in the Bulletin, several council meetings in the interest of the Sabbath-school work have been held. At these meetings such subjects as Sabbath-school Conventions, Sabbath-school Lessons and Donations to Missions have been discussed with much interest.
The general opinion is that Convention or Institute work has been of much value to the schools. Different methods in conducting these have been followed in different States. Some have tried the plan of holding Institutes of a week’s duration, topics being previously assigned to different persons for presentation.
Others have found it a good plan to hold conventions in different parts of the State every three months, lasting only one or two days, usually over Sabbath and Sunday. The programs for these conventions are sent out by the State Association, and in many cases the work is all done by the lay members. One feature of this program is usually a series of five minute talks on the same topic, by several different persons. It is thought to be a good plan to have all take part in these exercises as officers are constantly changing and so all should have the benefit of the instruction and be thinking along these lines.
In other States, Sabbath-school Institutes have been held in connection with Church and Missionary Institutes.
On the question of Sabbath-school lessons, quite a difference of opinion was noticable, some thinking that our present plan of uniform lessons was best, others being in favor of a return to the old custom of having lessons from the Old Testament printed in book form, but all were agreed as to the necessity of a more earnest study of the Bible, and that the practice of the family spending some time each day in studying the lesson together was commendable and should be everywhere encouraged.
The matter of whether we should send all or a part of our Sabbath-school donations to missions called forth the most lively discussion of any of the subjects. It was quite evident that all were greatly interested in missions, which is as it should be, but the opinion of those who have given the most thought to the subject seemed to be that the cause would be best served if the schools were furnished with needed supplies, from the regular donations, and that the surplus be given to missions.
Much interest has been shown in all these meetings and the workers would have been glad if there could have been more time devoted to these interesting subjects.	A. L. L.
“God has no use for lazy men in his cause.’’
Roseau. We are studying the lessons by topics, and think it a very good plan. Surely we can never study these precious lessons too much, for they are words of salvation to us.
Cambridge. Our Sabbath-school is prospering. During the last quarter the attendance has increased considerably. . The. children especially < are very much interested in the s-chool and a number of outsiders attend. We have the A. B. C. text drill, and most of the members say it is a good plan to learn a verse every Sabbath. We take five copiesiof the Youth's Instructor, and they all like it very mfth. I have been trying to get the school to study the book of John by topics.
® NOTES FROM THE FIELD. ®
Pipestone.
Since reporting to your columns last I have closed my meetings in the country, and have held a short series here in Pipestone. The result of the work in the country was that three precious souls decided to keep the Sabbath and believe kindred truths. All three have met with bitter opposition from their husbands. It is impossible for them to meet with us, as their husbands will not allow it. One of the men threatened to burn books and tracts that Bro. Glem-bin and I had loaned to his wife, if we did not take them away within a few days. She had subscribed for the Review, but her husband sent a very disrespectful card to the publishers in which he told them to discontinue it, and send it to Bro. Glembin. The same man threatened to kick me off from his place if I should step on it. Truly, the dragon is wroth, and has gone to make war with the remnant of God’s people, who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus.
The outcome of the meetings here, Pipestone, is that one man and a lady have decided to lay all on the altar. There are a few others that are under deep conviction, but we cannot decide for them, yet God has given us the avenue of prayer, and we will hold them in arms of faith before the throne of God. The Lord has come very near to us in these seasons, •and we have had the privilege, as never before, of seeing the stately steppings of God in our midst. Our heart’s language is, ‘/Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon the earth that I desire besides thee”.
Our hearts are filled with praise day by day as we see the blessed Spirit of the Master moving the hearts of those who have accepted the message here, with a deep burden for souls. I give a quotation from a remark left last night by a certain sister who was a leading society woman, before she gave her heart to the Lord this past summer : “It is so strange, I do not understand it, but I am in prison if I cannot get out and tell some one of what Jesus has done for my soul. Oh! if I had more time.” We are trying to do systematic work for the people; and the seed is
THE MINNESOTA WORKER.
tiding" sown each week by visiting-, reading, and leaving the printed page, at the homes of the people. How true, that “a working church is a growing church”. All that has been done, has been accomplished by the mighty power of God. But we are so glad that we can have a part with Him in helping lift our fallen brother. A special request was made by the Knights of Labor for me to address them last Sunday on the labor question. How little I felt when I stood before them. Their hall was filled. I never had a better audience. All through, the best o,Jp.ttention was paid. Heads would nod in assent zre points would be made. Not one left the building, but contrawise they were coming in till the very last. I presented the condition of the world from 2 Tim. 3 and James 5 : 1, concluded with presenting Jesus before them as their only help in this hour. After meeting was over they crowded around to shake hands, and expressd themselves as being glad for the opportunity of being there. One striking feature of it all is, that these men are not a church-going class. I know from the expression on some of their faces that some of the seed fell in the good soil, and, though they profess to be infidels, yet some will receive a crown from Jesus’ hand when he comes. Thursday night I begin meetings at Russell. Pray for me, brethren, for I must have the power of God or all my labor will be in vain.
C. H. Parker.
notice
All correspondence relating to the work in Minnesota should be directed to Eld. C. W. Flaiz, Box 989, Minneapolis, Minn. He takes the presidency of the Conference.
N. W. Allkk.
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1 iTems. *
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The most of the Minnesota delegation returned from the General Conference yesterday, with the cheering report that a feeling of harmony and love prevailed in all the meetings ; and that the Spirit of the Lord was present to bless every heart that wab susceptable to its influences.
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A big contract is soon to be let to Eastern parties for a new power plant for supplying and pulling the cable of the electrical transmission plant which will carry the electricity from the new dam, across the Mississippi, to St. Paul and to the Minneapolis power houses. When completed it will be the largest and most powerful plant of its kind in existence, and will continue to be so until the Niagara plant is entirely finished.
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In President McKinley’s Inaugural Address last week, under the heading of ‘‘The Return of Prosper-
ity”, he says; “We may have failed in the discharge of our full duty as citizens of the great republic, but it is consoling and encouraging to realize that free speech, free press, free thought, free schools, the free and unmolested right of religious liberty, and free and fair elections are dearer and more universally enjoyed today than ever before”. Did he state the truth ?
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The readers of the Worker will be surprised to learn of the many changes of the laborers in Minnesota. Bro. Alway is to go to Utah, Bro. Allee to the Southern field as director of district No. 2, Bro. Adams secretary and treasurer of General Conference, Alberta L. Little, secretary of International Sabbath-school Association ; Eld. J. J. Graf is sent to Wisconsin. Space forbids any further comment except that we pray the Lord’s will be done. Bro. Adams and Allee leave for Battle Creek tonight.
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In the United States alone there were published 5,189 books during the year 18%, and England published more. Of the above number 1,433 were books of fiction, and good authority says, not 100 of the last number were worth preserving. Undoubtedly the 100 that are worth reading are the ones that will be read least. The Devil has many agents distributing worthless literature all over the world, and we hope our brethren will kindly receive our canvassers as they call on you, believing that they are the Lord’s agents, struggling against odds, to counteract the evil influence on every hand.
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Sabbath, April 3, is the date set by the General Conference for the semi-annual collection for the Haskel Home for orphans. The inmates of the Home now number more than 100. It is impossible to receive all who apply, for the reason that the funds contributed are not sufficient to maintain a larger number. Dr. Kellogg says nearly all connected with the Home are working without salary. The children are making grand progress in their studies and in character development. All connected with the work feel greatly encouraged by the results seen. We hope the churches and Sabbath-schools throughout the State will remember these little ones who are being trained up for God.
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At the last Sabbath meeting of the Minneapolis church the writer read the article in the Review from Bro. Tripp ; and it so touched the hearts of the audience that at the close of the meeting they came forward and donated $15.00 to assist Bro. Tripp in helping to feed those starving children in far off Africa. One little girl gave all she had with her and hurried home and soon returned with all she had at home.
The writer explained that as undoubtedly they did not come prepared to give, they could bring their offerings next Sabbath as that was the day collections were taken up for foreign missions; but their hearts were so touched with the piteous appeal, that they wanted to give just then.