After the opening devotional exercises and remarks by the chairman, J. S. Wightman read a paper on “The Importance of the Public Press in Teaching the Principles of Religious Liberty, and How to Use It.” He traced the history of printing from the earliest times to the present, and showed what a powerful factor the public press is in reaching the people and molding public opinion. He urged making large use of this means of disseminating the principles of religious liberty, giving examples from experience of the effective use of the press in reaching large numbers.GCB May 23, 1909, page 107.5

S. B. Horton followed with a carefully prepared paper, in which he stated that this is a reading age. We have a great work committed to us. We are, so to speak, a corps of publishers. There will doubtless be found in the kingdom of God many who received the first rays of light from the public press. He cited a case in which a person now in the truth had first become interested through reading, in a secular paper, an article which he had written.GCB May 23, 1909, page 107.6

Elder C. H. Keslake drew a lesson from God’s instruction to the Seer of Patmos, “What thou seest, write.” It would seem that God had prepared the public press of to-day especially with a view to publishing this last closing message. Many of our people, he said, might become useful in this work if they would only prepare themselves for it; especially should the students in our schools receive instruction upon this subject.GCB May 23, 1909, page 107.7

The chairman emphasized the dangers as well as the advantages of the public press, in consequence of articles carelessly written or improperly prepared.GCB May 23, 1909, page 107.8

Elder Allen Moon stated that at the Catholic Congress held in Chicago last fall, a Catholic Press Agency was established. From this we can see that the Catholics expect to make use of the public press.GCB May 23, 1909, page 107.9

Elder J. S. Washburn gave some interesting experiences in the use of the public press at Memphis, Tenn.GCB May 23, 1909, page 107.10

Mrs. E. H. Bramhall, of Minneapolis, Minn., related how, twenty years ago, articles were sent out by our Religious Liberty Association to be duplicated by our press agents in the field, and published in local papers. This she thought an excellent idea, and a plan well worth reinaugurating.GCB May 23, 1909, page 107.11

Elder L. S. Wheeler thought we had suffered a very great loss by not making more use of the public press, not only in our religious liberty work, but along other lines. Our workers out in the field, he said, ought to become acquainted with the editors of the local papers where they labor, and secure the publication of articles in their papers as far as possible.GCB May 23, 1909, page 107.12

The departmental tent was again crowded, as on former occasions, not half of the people present being able to find seats.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.1

MEDICAL MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT

WASe

Seventh Meeting, May 21, 8 A. M.

The subject of “Uniformity in Curriculum and Text-books” was presented in a paper by Dr. Lucinda Marsh of the Wabash Valley (Indiana) Sanitarium. In order properly to outline a nurses’ training course, it is necessary to consider the objects of that course, which are,—GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.2

1. To prepare students for the treatment of medical and surgical cases.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.3

2. To teach health reform scientifically.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.4

3. To win souls to Christ.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.5

It is important that our standard should be kept high; and, for that reason, entrance requirements should be definite and strictly adhered to. Among the requirements of prime importance are thorough conversion, adaptation to the work, and a preparatory education of not less than nine grades of work. If for any reason some are taken in with less than nine grades of work, they should have drills throughout the course to make up such deficiencies.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.6

The paper suggested a full three years’ course in those sanitariums having the facilities for giving the advanced studies. Sanitariums not so fully equipped should attempt to give only a two years’ course, but to give this thoroughly; and then be so affiliated with some sanitarium giving a three years course that students can go to this latter institution and complete their work without loss of time. Then followed an outline of suggested curriculum for three years of work, with the names of textbooks and comparative merits of each.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.7

Among other suggestions contained in the paper were that there be maintained in connection with each nurses’ training course, a library and reading table, having books and magazines on nursing and kindred topics. That there be nurses’ societies having monthly meetings, officered by members of the senior classes, at which papers shall be presented by different nurses to discuss cases arising from time to time in the institution, and other matters of interest and profit. Another suggestion was that of visiting nurses’ departments to be conducted in connection with those of our sanitariums which are favorably situated for this work. A special course of one year for Bible workers, ministers, and canvassers, in which the principles of health reform and medical missionary work can be grasped by a brief but practical training, was advocated as a means of uniting the evangelical and medical departments of the work. Another measure suggested was the establishment of wards in our institutions, making it possible to accept more patients who are unable to meet the usual expenses of treatment, and to give more nurses the opportunity of studying the cases coming for treatment.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.8

Dr. Lauretta Kress suggested, as a change desirable in the proposed curriculum, not less than 48 hours on “Daniel and the Revelation” given the first year. She would give more importance to the principles of health reform during the first year, and would devote more time to gymnastics, teaching the students especially to stand and sit correctly. Another topic to be given more attention was cooking.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.9

Dr. W. A. Ruble: I move that a committee be appointed to consider this curriculum, and recommend the same to the committee on plans and resolutions, said committee to consist of one representative from each of our sanitariums at this meeting. This motion was carried, and the following committee appointed: Dr. Lauretta Kress, Dr. A. B. Olsen, A. W. Semmens, Dr. Lucinda Marsh, Dr. W. E. Bliss, Dr. J. H. Neall, L. A. Hansen, Dr. J. R. Leadsworth, Dr. H. F. Rand, Dr. Orville Rockwell, Dr. A. C. Selmon, Dr. R. H. Habenicht.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.10

Dr. J. R. Leadsworth: It is difficult for us in the West, on account of the large call for young people by various institutions, to secure sufficient material for our training classes, and in that field the union conference has recommended that we give one year preliminary work, equipping these young students in methods of study and methods of work.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.11

Elder Nelson: One reason why we have such difficulty in obtaining young people is because after they graduate, we do not employ them. They go to the cities, fall in with the ways of the world, and are lost to the cause. Our fathers and mothers hesitate to send their children to our sanitariums with this prospect before them.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.12

Elder Geo. B. Starr, of Australia, urged close contact between conferences and sanitariums by which our nurses may be saved to the direct work.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.13

Dr. D. H. Kress: By means of field work, such as selling our health publications, we can take a much larger number into our training classes, and this field work will give them an experience which will be most valuable to them in beginning work in a foreign field.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.14

THE PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT

WASe

Seventh Meeting, May 21, 8 A. M.

The meetings of the Publishing Department are being well attended. This morning a large number were unable to find seats. A great interest is being manifested, especially by our visiting brethren from abroad, in the discussions of topics relating to the more rapid circulation of our literature in the future.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.15

The time was largely occupied in a continuation of discussions relating to the holding of bookmen’s conventions. The following were some of the points emphasized:—GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.16

1. That these conventions have been a fundamental and most important feature in the revival of the publishing work.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.17

2. That since the first of these conventions was held in Mountain View in 1905, a large number have been held, and that success has very largely come as the result of plans and training given our general men at these meetings.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.18

3. That instruction in these conventions should be made as thorough and practical as possible.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.19

4. That the work of the convention should be confined very largely to the actual training for field work so as to make union and State agents more competent in the actual work of training their canvassers in institutes and from house to house.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.20

5. Brother Bryant, general agent of the Atlantic Union Conference, gave valuable suggestions on the importance of drill in the actual experience of letter-writing, teaching classes, handling the prospectus, etc., and advised that such training be not theoretical, but entirely practical, each member of the convention being expected to do teaching and letter-writing, and have his work criticized by the convention.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.21

6. Brother Richardson, general agent of the Columbia Union Conference, urged that special attention be given to the training for house-to-house work. It was his conviction that much more attention should be given to the personal training of agents from house to house, even at the expense of institute work.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.22

Brethren Weaks, Eastman, Blosser, and others also gave many important suggestions.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.23

SABBATH-SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

WASe

Fourth Meeting, May 21, 8 A. M.

Elder C. A. Hansen, Sabbath-school secretary of the West Michigan Conference, read a paper on “The General Review, Length and Method.” He said: “I see before me a nice little Sabbath-school called at ten o’clock. It has been opened with song and prayer, and the school has listened to the minutes of the last session, and now a cheery-faced person steps to the front of the audience. He speaks in a clear-toned voice, calling first on one person and then on another to give some point in the last lesson. His questions do not suggest the answers unless to some aged person or stranger who has not had an opportunity to study the lesson. He asks only such questions as bring out the strong points of the previous lesson. He is careful to avoid arguments or arouse discussions that chill the soul, but carefully leads the minds before him in peaceful paths. He often asks the children a question, thus keeping their attention, knowing that if he keeps the minds of the children, he seldom fails to entertain the older ones.”GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.24

He also suggested that those who review should avoid sermonizing; that timely illustrations would serve to emphasize important points; that there is danger of making our Sabbath services too long; that if no time were spent in useless apologies, and the person reviewing had made careful preparation, ten minutes would be sufficient time for the review.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.25

Mrs. W. O. Howe, of Maine, led the discussion. She emphasized the following thoughts: that if the review is so important in secular school work, it must be of much more importance in the Sabbath-school, as the study of the Word of God is more important than the study of secular things; that officers give sufficient notice to the reviewer, so that a thorough preparation may be made; that while an excellent review can be conducted in ten minutes by a person of experience, the majority of those on whom we have to depend for our reviews are not persons of great experience; that we do not cut the review period too much, lest the time expire before the average reviewer gets fairly started.GCB May 23, 1909, page 108.26

In the general discussion which followed many good thoughts were presented concerning methods of reviewing. There seemed to be a general call for printing in the Worker a review outline of each lesson for the aid of inexperienced reviewers.GCB May 23, 1909, page 109.1

Miss Katherine B. Hale, normal director in Walla Walla College, occupied the remainder of the time in presenting kindergarten methods of teaching and reviewing. She illustrated her talk by displaying home-made picture cards which effectively bring to the mind of the child the lessons studied. Getting her patterns from magazine advertisements, and from the many sources which are ready to the hand of every teacher, she cut figures of sheep, horses, men, women, children, out of black and white paper, and pasting these on cards of suitable colors to form a background, presented silhouette pictures illustrating easily and effectively the lesson to be taught. Much emphasis was given to the thought that care should be taken that each picture presented should properly illustrate the lesson. This method of reviewing is very practical, the children remembering the entire lessons of the quarter, and perhaps of one year, when they are brought to mind by the exhibition of the card used in the lesson.GCB May 23, 1909, page 109.2

DEVOTIONAL MEETING

Bible Study. REFLECTING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST