Olive Trees 1916 - Rparchives.org

5eco«6 (Tburcl, of lb* (Covenantersseventeenth St.. below Race St.J C McFeeters, D. D., MinisterJ. c.ivii.» Philadelphia649 N. 22nd St.

Spring Communion, 1916Rev. R. J. Dodds, Coldenham, N.Y., AssistantServicesApril 3rd 7thMonday, 8-30 p.m.Meeting of the Session.Tuesday, 8 p. m., Prayer-meeting"The gift of God is eternal life through JesusChrist our Lord." Rom. 6:23.Wednesday, 8 p.m."And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvationcome to this house." Luke 19:9.Thursday, 3 p. m.Meeting of the Women's Missionary Society.Thursday, 4 p.m."And we believe and are sure that thou art thatChrist, the Son of the living God." John 6:69.Thursday, 8 p.m."And when they were come to the place, whichis called Calvary, there they crucified him."Luke 23:33.Rev. R. j. Dodds.Friday, 8 p.m."The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven,which a woman took, and hid in three measuresof meal." Matt. 13:33.Rev. R. j. Dodds.Friday, 8-45 p. qa.Explanation of the Terms of Communion, andGiving of Tokens of Admission to the Lord'sTable.

CommunionApril 9, 1916Sabbath9-30 a.m.. Sabbath School"In all things showing thyself an ensample ofgood works." Titus 2:7.10-30 a.m.. Action Sermon -"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar,he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head,and gave up the ghost." John 19:30.12 m.. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper"Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified,and God is glorified in him." John 13:31.7-15 p.m., Prayer-meeting"And these are they which are sown on goodground: such as hear the word, and receive it,and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty,and some an hundred." Mark 4: 20.7-45 p. m."Forif we believe that Jesus died and rose again,even so them also which sleep in Jesus will Godbring with him." 1 Thess. 4:14.Rev. R. J. Dodds.April IOthMonday, 8 p.m."If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment topledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by thatthe sun goeth down." Ex. 22: 26.Ref. R. j. Dodds.

PreparationSabbath(Sabbath before Communion)April 2nd10-30 a.m."And in this mountain shall the Lord of hostsmake unto all people a feast of fat things, afeast of wines on the lees, of fat things full ofmarrow, of wines on the lees well refined."Is. 25:6.7-45 p.m., "And truly our fellowship is with the Father,and with his Son, Jesus Christ.'I 1 John 1:3.ThanksgivingSabbath10-30 a. m.(Sabbath after Communion)April i6tli"I charge thee before God, and the Lord JesusChrist, and the elect angels, that thou observ ethese things." 1 Tim. 5:21.7-45 p. m."I press toward the mark for the prize of thehigh calling of God in Christ Jesus."Phil. 3:14.

^Jg'i'g:g-'g"Ttti':*:g .^i( § i m ^ n m\ VOL. XXXi'JANUARY. 1916 No. 1A MONTHLY MISSIONARY JOURNALPublished by The Board of Foreign Missipnsof the Reformed Presbs^terian Church ofNorth America in the interest of Mission WorkSttl>0crii>tion 0,rice®ne 2>oIlar a^earPostage Freb to All Parts or the worldCoivr'BjvrsEditorialsSpecial ArticlesMonographs .I3IITithing . . .News from the FieldWomen's DepartmentCirculation Department 28131723

O L I V ET R E E SA Monthly Missionary JournalPUBLISHED BYTHE BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS OFTHE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NORTHAMERICA IN THE INTEREST OF ALL MISSION WORK .AT 4031 LOCUST STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA.REV. McLEOD MILLIGAN PEARCE, D. D. I gj;j„,REV. ROBERT ANDREW BLAIR, M. A, »Address all Comniunications toR . f\. BLfllR4031 UOGUST STKEBT - - PHlUflDEUPHlflTelephone: Baring 7304 L. Cable Address : Metheny, PhiladelphiaEntered as Second Class Matter atPost Office, Philadelphia. Pa.OFFICERS FOR 1915-16 OF W. M. S. OFPITTSBURGH PRESBYTERY, vPresidents—Mrs. R. W. Wallace, 108 Lafayette Avenue, N. S.,Pittsburgh, Pa.First Vice-President—Mrs. R. M. Pearce, 3115 Fifth Avenue,Beaver Falls, Pa.Second Vice-President—Mrs. D. C. Mathews, New Alexandria, Pa.Recording Secretary—Mrs. H. A. Calderwood, 5510 KentuckyAvennue, Pittsburgh, Pa.Treasurer—Mrs. S. R. Wills, 814 Pitt Street, Wilkinsburg, Pa.Corresponding Secretary—Mrs. R. A. M. Steele, 321 LehighAvenue, Pittsburgh, Pa.Superintendent of Literature and Mission Study—Mrs. H. A.Fisher, 3444 Fleming Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa., N. S.Superintendent of Children's Bands—Mrs. D. C. Ward, 7004Lemin^n Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa.Thank Offering Secretary—Mrs. J. K. M. Libby,Ridge Avenue,Crafton, Pa.Temperance Secretary—Mrs. W. R. Porter, 218 Burgess Street,N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa.

R. M. SOMMERVILLE, D, D, MRS. R, M. SOMMERVILLEO I j I V E T R E B SA Monthly Journal devoted- to Missionary Work in the Reformed PresbyterianChurch, U. S. A.VOL. XXX JANUARY, 1916 No. 1EDITORIALSWe are glad to give our readersthese pictures of Doctor and Mrs.Sommerville. Doctor SommerviUefounded and has edited Olive Treesfor twenty-nine years and Mrs. Sommervillehas been the silent but notinactive partner.We know what it means to get outone copy, but when it comes to multiplyingone by twelve and then bytwenty-nine we hardly want to thinkof it. Then all these years Mrs. Sommervillehas written the addresses onthe wrappers and kept the mailing listand all the accounts. None but themselvesand the Lord know the worktljey have done. Added to the workis the fact that they have given it allfree and never a complaint and thatthey have put of their own money intothe magazine more than would buythem two fine Packards. When wethink of all this as only a small partof the work they have done we realizethat they were working for and withtheOne Who said: "My Father workethhitherto and I work."We hope to be able to give our readersa number of messages during the*year from the pen of Doctor Sommerville.Our prayer is that they mayboth be spared many days to still helpby their words and counsel and weknow when their work here is finishedthat the "Well done" awaitsthem. It is hardly necessary to saythat these pictures were secured withoutthe knowledge or consent of Dr.and Mrs. Sommerville.We know 'there are some who thinkwe ought to have only one paper inour Church. We heartily agree, how^ever, with Mr. Pritchard that it isbetter for all our Church work to haveOlive Trees continue.When we remember that our ForeignField has a population of over

OLIVETREES8,000,000 and that we are carrying onabroad all the different lines of workthat we are at home and in some instancesdoing more kinds of work, aMonthly Visitor to help us keep intouch with all this is not too much.We desire to co-operate with theChristian Nation in every way possible,and we will continue to furnish allnews of an immediate character tothe Nation for publication.Our readers will notice that the cutby which we recognized Olive Treesis absent from this number. Our printerin Philadelphia felt he could notmake any changes on the cut withoutspoiling it and the time was so shortthat we were not able to make anyfinal decision as to what we should doabout it.However, if the absence of the cutwill impress upon all our readers that.there has been a change in the publishingoffice we will be thankful. Wewill be glad to have you write to Dr.Sommerville and we are sure that hewill be glad to hear from you butplease do not trouble him with anybusiness about Olive Trees. Thesubscription list and all the Editorialwork will be handled in Philadelphia.If you send Dr. Sommerville moneyfor Olive Trees or manuscripts tobe printed, it merely costs him timeand money to send them over to us.Please mail all correspondencewhich has anything to do with OliveTrees to 4081 Locust Street, Philadelphia,Pa.We are sorry that two letters fromDr. A. I. Robb, one from Dr. CalvinMcCarroll, a card from Rev. A. J. Mc­Farland, and some other items whichwould have appeared in the Newsfrom the Field, were lost in local postoffice and so did not reach Mrs. Wilson,Dr. Robb reported a fine communionseason at Tak Hing when 11adults were baptized. The women whowere received were mostly from theschools. There were special featuresin connection with the Communionwhich we hope to give to our readersnext month.* H= *An article on The Tithers' Leagueof the Winchester Congregation, receivedtoo late for this number willappear in The Tithe and Every MemberCanvass Department for February.The Scorn of Job (Job 31-17)—"If Ihave eaten my morsel alone!"The patriarch spoke in scorn. Whatwould he think of the church were heshown Heathendom, huge, forlorn,Godless, Christless, with soul unfed,While the church's ailment is fulness ofbread.Eating her morsel alone?"I am debtor alike to the Jew and theGreek,"The mighty Apostle cried;Traversing continents, souls to seek,For the love of the Crucifled.Centuries, centuries since have sped;Millions are famishing; we have bread.But we eat our morsel alone.Ever of them who have largest dowerShall heaven require the more.Ours is affluence, knowledge, power,Ocean- from shore to shore;.4nd East and West in our ears have said,Give us, give us your living bread., Yet we eat our morsel alone."Freely, as ye have received, so give,"He bade, who hath given us all.How shall the soul in us longer live,Deaf to their starving call,For whom the blood of the Lord was shedAnd His body broken to give them bread.If we eat our morsel alone?—The Ch'd.rch Bhhop Missionary of Derry and Intelligencer. Raphoe in the

OLIVETREESSPECIALARTICLESCOVENANTER MISSIONSRev. Findley M. Wilson, D. D.Having listened to Dr. Watson inallusion to the heroic and unprecedentedsacrifices of the nations ofEurope in this War, each strugglingfor its very life, my mind has turnedto the program of our gracious Saviour-Kingfor beneficent and life-givingworld conquest. Those fondlyfamiliar words ring in my soul withnew meaning and power:"His large and great dominion shallFrom sea to sea extend;It from the river shall reach forthUnto earth's utmost end.They in the wilderness that dwellBow down before Him must;And they that are His enemiesShall lick the very dust."The Covenanter Church is called toWorld War. Yet she is summoned toa war of destruction only of thewrong. The primary aim is to givelife from the dead. We gladly takeour place witb other parts of the armyof our Lord Jesus Christ, and assumeour full share of responsibility in thecampaign.Our field is proportionately larger,perhaps, than that of any otherChurch. In Cyprus, in Syria, in AsiaMinor and in China there are withinthe territory, for which we have assumedresponsibility, 3,000,000 peopleliving without the gospel. No otherChurch will enter these parts whilewe are occupying them, at leiast untilafter their own tasks elsewhere havebeen finished. There can be np reasonabledoubt, then, that if these peopleare to receive the gospel before theydie, they must look for it to the CovenanterChurch. I come to say thisevening that we must firstof all seeand face this as our responsibility, forwhich we, as no others, must giveaccount to our Lord.What are the needs for such afield?Only in general terms can we statethem. Men who have made a carefulstudy of the conditions on all foreignfields have concluded that one missionaryshould" be sent out from the homebase for each 25,000 to be reached.That would meap that the Covenanterchurch should send out 120 missionaries.Can we do it? We now haveunder commission 30. According tothe accepted estimates we ought toarrange at the earliest possible momentto send out 90 more. For thesupport of these there must be suffi-' cient contributions for salary, outfitand traveling expenses, building ofhomes for the missionaries, churches,schools, hospitals, etc., and the employof native helpers in ever increasingnumbers. Among these 120 missionariesthere should be ministers,physicians, teachers (both men andwomen), nurses, evangelists, Biblereaders, perhaps even carpenters andpersons with a knowledge of scientificagriculture. These missionaries areto be not only heralds of the cross inrestricted sense, but the forerunnersand builders of a new social order. Onfire with the spirit of John 8: 16, theymust certainly be; none the less mustthey interpret the Great Commissionin the light of John 3: 17—God's provisionfor the salvation of the worldsocially. Are we staggered and over-

OLIVETREESwhelmed when told that to carry outthis program will cost approximately$30 per member annually? Then bereminded that, according to the dailypress, England is today expending—beside human life—her material treasureat the rate of $200 per annum forevery man, woman and child in GreatBritain. And she says she must unhesitatinglyand unflinchingly spendmore. It is a challenge of our loyaltyto Christ and the Kingdom.Let us then next inquire: How canwe meet these needs ? I answer, Onlyin the inexhaustible resources of ourLord Jesus Christ. The world, itsdwellers, and its fullness belong tothe Lord. "Belong" to Him. Then hecan put His hand on them, turn them,use them as He will. Only the freedominvolved in the vice-gerentshipof His people limits His operations.It is not a question of our resources.I am persuaded we think all too muchthat it is. He never conditioned Hisprogram on our possessions but onHis. "All power is given unto Me—therefore go ye." Does He not warrantus in believing that if we will butobey, and trust Him not to fail us,He will, out of His undoubted resources,entrust to us all that may berequired to follow the way of obedienceto the end?If, then, only from the fullness ofChrist can we meet these needs, aboveand before everything else we mustemploy the ministry of intercession.God works in answer to our believingprayer. "I the Lord have spoken it,and I will do it... I will yet for this beinquired of by the house of Israel, todo it for them."—Eze. 36: 36, 37."Ask me of things to come andconcerning the work of my handscommand ye me."—Isa. 45: 11. "Yethat are the Lord's remembrancers,keep not silence, and give Him norest, till He establish, and till Hemake Jerusalem a praise in theearth."—Isa. 62: 6, 7. The live coallaid on the lips of the Prophet Isaiah(6:7) was either from off the altarof burnt offering or the altar of incense.What if it was from the altarof incense, intercession! If so, J.Campbell White did not overstate itwhen he said a band of intercessorsat home wielding the power of prayeron behalf of the missionaries on thefield, regularly, definitely laying thembefore the Lord would increase theirpower in service two fold. How inspiringto think that our intercessions,live coals on the altar of incense,may be taken by the Spirit ofGod and laid upon the lips of our missionariesto purge them and fitthemfor speaking the message with thevery power of God!Another essential to the meetingof these needs of our fieldis the dedicationof our youth to the Lord forthis work. A man who had spent theearly "years of his manhood on theforeign field,yet in the providence ofGod back in the home land, was asked: "How many children have you ?""Five," said he, "five future missionaries."We must begin holding thishigh calling before our youth. Parentsmust come to realize that there isno higher honor for their childrenthan to become missionaries of theCross of Christ. At the fireside itmust be a chief topic of earnest conversation; at the family altar it mustbecome a specific subject of prayer; inour young people's societies it must be

OLlVfetRfifigopenly and seriously discussed; fromthe pulpit the call for volunteers musthabitually be issued; our congregationsmust become recruiting stationsfor our Lord's army. We heed notexpect the Spirit of God to "lay holdon our children and thrust them outinto the field" unless we exalt thiswork to the place which we know it tooccupy in the mind of the Master. TheSpirit of God works in harmony with—not contrary to—^the laws of childnature, the principles of parental andfilial psychology.Then, if we older people do notrealize it, the children will teach usthat the dedication of our children tothis cause involves also the dedicationof our entire manhood and womanhoodto it. Boys and girls take naturallyto X-Rays. They were usingthem long before the modem scientistsdiscovered them. They are verylikely to turn the X-Rays on us olderpeople when we talk about the dedicationof the youth to the cause of missions.They will soon discover whatmanner of spirit we are of. Hence itmust be true, then apparent, that weare living our lives in the very a.|;mosphereof the Great Commission. Nothingshort of a dominant life passionto carry the gospel to earth's utmostbounds will suffice.And as we think of how the needsof our fieldsshall be met we may recallthe equipment God has given usfor the work. Think for a moment ofthe congregations, the churches; theministers, the elders, the deacons, themembers; the Sabbath schools, themissionary societies, the young people'ssocieties, the family altars; thewealth, the farms, the factories, themills; the wealth of faith and prayerpower;the strength of manhood andwomanhood; the enthusiasm, courageand outlook of our young men andyoung women. If placed in the handsof God, what marvelous resources!We need 90 of those young people for'missionaries. We need the rest of thepeople of our church to agree to supportthein on the field. We need 1 missionaryout of every 72 of the adultmembership of the church. Germanyboasts her ability to put a soldier inthe fieldfor every eight of her entirepopulation, counting every child in theempire. We need one missionary outof every 20 homes in the church. Weneed 90 more missionaries out of our8634 adult members. Will any oneseriously assert that there are not 90homes in our church that can spare,each of them, a son or a daughterfor this work of Christ ? Does anyone believe for a minute that if these90 young people volunteer, the Lordcannot, through the rest of the churchat home, support them?When considering our equipment wemust not overlook what we alreadyhave on the field. In Cyprus there isthe American Academy with its nearly200 young men and women, gatherednot only from the island but from differentparts of Turkey under Christianinstruction. There are the preachingstations, the doctor and his dispensary,and his itinerating routes. InMersina and Latakia there are theschools for boys, for girls; the hospitals;the theological classes. Thereare the out-stations for preaching andthe many outlying schools. In Chinathe main stations, numerous out-stations,the boys' school, the girls'

OLIVETREESschools; the hospital; the Seminaryclass, the medical class; itineratingroutes for evangelistic work; nativeworkers preaching, and others teachingChristian schools in out-stations.Then, there are now in the nativechurch 818 members. These have thelaudable zeal which characterizes thosewho have accepted a new faith. Theyall have the spirit of evangelism.Unlike our members at home they canalmost all be counted on to do personalevangelistic work. There is—and thisis a most noteworthy fact—1 nativeChristian among our 3,000,000 toevery 3667. Really it does not looklike an impossible task were the Spiritof God poured out upon those nativeChristians, for each of them, if supportedby a volume of prayer by thehome church, to reach with the simplegospel message, 3667 of their ownpeople within a few years. With a sufficientnumber of missionaries sentout to teach, organize, direct and oversee,the native Church will soon becomea mighty power. Whatever otherexcuse we may plead, we cannot saythat God has withheld an adequateequipment.To meet the needs of our field onething more is necessary; the total readjustmentof the basis of our businesslife, frain the property basis tofhe service basis. Perhaps we will allagree that we are not conducting ourbusiness in the interest of the Kingdomof God. It is a simple concession.But is it not also a singular admissionthat Christians are not conductingtheir business for Christ? In a conferenceof Christian business men thespeaker proposed the following questions: First, How much would you beworth to the Kingdom of God if yourproperty were all swept away? Haveyou faith? Can you love? What servicecould you render? Can you pray?Second, what would your property beworth to the Kingdom of God, if youwere called away from it? (This isworth considering.) Third, what areyou and your property worth here andnow to the Kingdom of God ?Man's God-given sovereignty overnature implies debtorship and trusteeshipin all nature's resources andbounties. "The Lord God placed manin the garden to dress it." The earthis the Lord's. All its resources, itsmysterious forces, its reproductivepowers are to be used for Him. Manis to master nature, discover her secrets,gather her harvests in the dischargeof a trusteeship for God. Especiallyis this true of the Christian.Christ hath washed us from our sinsand hath made "us to be kings untoGod and His Father." We are readyto magnify the great blessings of thefact that He made us priests unto God,but do we stop seriously to ask whathe meant to be served by making uskings unto God? What can it meanbut that God wants His people to rulethis world, nature, business, commerce,politics—everything unto God?What is that, but that the people ofChrist are by their purchased sovereigntyto subordinate everything theytouch to the hastening of His gloriousKingdom ?Let our minds be centered, as Iclose, upon the thought that the non-Christian has an inherent, God-givenright to Christ and His grace. Theunsaved have rights purchased by theblood of the Son of God, rights which

OLIVETREESthat Son of God has placed in yourhands and mine in trust for them; butrights which—God help us—we haveappropriated to ourselves, contentthat the men and women beyondshould die in ignorance of them. Weare even now sitting at the table ofthe Lord, feasting to the full—andmore—on His bounties while 3,000,-000 Lazaruses are lying outside ourgates, without even the dogs to licktheir sores, dying ignorant that Jesusa Saviour was ever born.Willis R. Hotchkiss was for twoand a half years in a savage tribe incentral Africa, which had no writtenlanguage, listening and talking andstudying their speech in the hope thathe might catch an expression fromtheir lips that would express themeaning of "Saviour" and how He"saves." It was in his thought byday and in his dreams by night. When"Earth's remotest regions shall Hisat last, in listening to a story of rescue empire be?" This is life's highestfrom a lion he got the word, his heart calling. This is eternal success. Canleaped with joy. His tongue, tied for we make other investment so enduring?For—30 months, was unloosed. The wholenight following he could not sleep forjoy. He spent the night thanking the "His name forever shall endure;Lord Jesus that he could now tell these Last like the sun it shall;people about the "Saviour." Hotchkisssays he dwelt four years prac­blessedMen shall be blessed in Him, andtically alone in Africa. He was 30 All nations shall Him call.times stricken with fever, three timesattacked by lions, and several timesby rhinoceri; he was a number oftimes ambushed by the natives, fourteenmonths he never saw a piece ofbread, and ate everything from antsto rhinoceri; but says he, "I wouldgladly go through "the whole thingagain, if I could have the joy of againbringing that word 'Saviour' andflashing it into the darkness thatenvelopes another tribe in CentralAfrica." And his appeal he puts inthese words: "I don't ask you to pitythe heathen tonight, but I simply askyou before God, to treat Jesus Christright. Is it right to receive eternallife at those scarred hands and thengive Him the spare change we happento have left over after we havesupplied our luxuries? Is it right toreceive heaven at the price He paidfor it, and then give Him the odds andends, the things that cost us nothing?"How much do we love Jesus Christ?What is our loyalty to our gloriousKing? Are we willing to give ourselvesto Him for this World War?Do we not hear the drum-beat of Hismarching hosts? Who will enlist?Who will rally to the colors ? Who willfollow the Cross and the Crown untilNow blessed be the Lord our God,The God of Israel,'For He alone doth wondrous works.In glory that excel.And blessed be His glorious nameTo all eternity;The whole earth let His glory fill,Amen, so let it be."

OLIVETREESQ U R M I S S I Q N FIELDShave a population of about 3,000,000.We have 30 Missionaries, (10 Ministers)and 818 ChurchMembers.P H I L A D E L P H I Ahas a population of about 1,500,000.It has 745 Protestant Ministers and 254,812ChurchMembers.

OLIVETREESThanksgiving Dinner in Larnaca. Left to right—Miss Linheart(Mrs. Martin's sister), Mr^Conner, Mrs. C. McCarroll, - Dr. Martin andMrs. W. McCarroll. The waiters are school boys—they are both white.-CHINARecrudescence of Paganism.After the revolution in China, saysa writer in the Christian Herald, multitudesseemed to lose faith in theiridols, and many developed iconoclastictendencies. Temples were desecrated,and idols torn from their positions andthrown in the river or trampled underfoot by jeering crowds. However, althoughthe temples were swept oftheir idols, the missionary force wasnot adequate to take advantage of thenew conditions, or to meet the opportunityfor Christian teaching whichthe new order afforded. Gradually theold customs have b^en revived. Newtemples have been built, old ones repaired,and the idols, once despised,have been rescued from their places ofbanishment, repainted, re-robed andamid great pomp carried by admiringcrowds to their old temple homes andagain placed in the seats of honor. AtLiuchow, recently, an old idol that twoyears ago had been pulled from its ancientseat, badly battered and thenthrown in the river, was recentlypatched up, repainted and placed inthe seat of honor in the renownedtemple of the Southern Plains. Hun^dreds have flocked daily to do ithonor.—The Missionary Review.THE LIGHTHOUSEBy John Thurlow Kommer.Dedicated to S. R. B..It stands upon a rock-bound coast,A warning light;And flashes o'er the angry seaIts signals bright;And many a sailor, toiling there.Is saved from danger and despairAnd when the storm is at its worst,The night most dark;^Its steady gleam is beckoning homeSome trembling bark;Some vessel with its human freight.Some vessel all biit lost, and late.Hard beaten by the wind and tide,Its sails all torn;With tales of long and sleepless nights.And courage gone;But safe within the port at last.All fear, and gloom and anguish past.

10 OLIVE TREESUpon the rock-bound coast of life.Year after year.Has stood a Lighthouse warning menOf danger near;Built to endure the stress and strainOf lashing wave and troubled main.And with the Lamp of God aglow,And bright within;This wondrous Light is beckoningsouls.All lost in sin;Who, through the struggle and thestrifeSail homeward to the Port of Life.These verses were dedicated to Mr.Samuel R. Boggs, who is a member ofour Foreign Board, after he had madean address on "The Lighthouse" in amission is New York city.Mr. Boggs has a large number ofmounted views from the Levant andChina. He uses these in holding parlormeetings in the interest of Missions.He travels as far West as Denver,and it would be interesting and profitablefor any of your congregations tohave him meet with them for an evening.Write to him as to when he will bein your neighborhood. His businessaddress is Model Mills, Ontario andKensington avenue, Philadelphia, Pa..American Academy, Larnaca, Cyprus. Foot-ball, February, 1912-13.Who will take Dwight Conner'snlace at the 1916 Thanksgiving dinnerand help Charles Stewart mouldthese young men into active followersof our Lord Jesus Christ?

STRAY MEMORIES OF A CHILD­HOOD PASSED IN THELEVANTApologetic and Explanatory.OLIVE TREES 1!MONOGRAPHSI love the word "stray." It lives forme with those winds that come suddenlyfrom immeasurable distances,to pass as suddenly forever. Most ofall, the word seems to me to belongto the winds that used to wanderdown from the Arctic across Russiaby way of many-domed Moscow,across the Euxine and all the loftyplateau of Lesser Asia to driftthrough the passes of the Taurus,cooling my hot forehead on theirsouthward way, and setting medreaming of what all my life I havenever found.The word reminds me, too, of thegossamers that one sees sailing withairy canvass set through the summerair. For who knows why this lightflotilla is being borne to some gainfulhaven, while other gossamers liebeaten to earth by heavy showers, andstill others are wrecked in the greatwebs that brown and gold spidersspin from mint-stalk to purple thistleacross the water-courses.So, like the winds and the gossamersthey bear, memories blow acrossmy middle age from the far fieldsofchildhood. I cannot call them whenI will, nor could I stay them if I would.They come and they go. But as mygossamers drift past, let me, a child,catch you other children by the handand call you to watch them with me.INHARVESTSyrian summer and I was threeyears old. Men and women were draggingtheir sickles through the stiffwheat-stalks. Old women, bent halfdouble, were toiling towards thethreshing-floor with great sheaves ontheir backs. On the threshing-floor aman was driving a blindfolded horseround and round. The horse waspulling a rude wooden drag, insetwith sharp flints, over the grain.Children sat on the drag to weigh itdown—a dizzy joy. I have no recollectionof seeing all these things, butI know they piust have been so sinceit was harvest time in the mountainsof Northern Syria.I know, too, now that the youngmen's eyes were always following thegirls that rea,ped, and that the girlsdid not for a moment forget that thegirl whose sickle, took the widest andmost rhythmic curves would not lackfor suitors; would probably know thetingling delight of being carried offto some fastness by some desperateboy and a band of his friends, and ofbeing held there until everyone shouldhave decided that Fate had decreedthe marriage, and that it remainedonly for parents and priest to blessthe pair. For even among the Christiansof those wild, seaward lookingmountains marriage by capture stillsurvives.Memory of all this begins where Ifind myself walking through drowsysunshine along hedges of'pomegranateand myrtle, holding my nurse'shand. Everything had a smell of itsown; aromatic plants that grew alongthe water-course; the wet earth onthe margin^ the fig-trees,the dust—0

12 OLIVE TREESbeloved dust of the Orient in whichthere mingles sweat of horses, milk ofgoats, musk from the veil of Beautyand the perfume of roses witheredages ago. All this I smelled andsmelled and was happy.The rare sound of running waterwas in my ears; water running in ashallow, two-foot trench, the smoothnessof the sound broken here andthere by clods or stones, or by somedownward-dipping twig. Somewherea cicada was chirping. The endlessrasp pervaded all the air just as thesunshine did, and I thought it wasthe voice of the heat.We turned into a fieldwhere reaperswere sitting on the ground refreshingthemselves with bread soppedin vinegar. They made room forus, and we, too, sat down and Ruthlikedipped our morsel in the vinegar.The following, taken from theBritish Weekly, the Editors hope tokeep in their own minds during theyear.We would also recommend it to thethoughtful consideration of all ourcorrespondents:He hurried to the telegraph officeand "queried" the editor of a NewYork daily."Column story on . Shall Isend?"The answer arrived promptly—"Send six hundred words.""Can't be told in less than twelvehundred," he wired back.Then came this reply—"Story ofcreation of world told in six hundred.Try it."DO MISSIONS PAY?It is sometimes asked, "Do missionspay?" A satisfactory and convincinganswer to this question has recentlybeen given by the experience of aBoston man who sent his check for$500 for mission work in Fuchau,South China. This sum, as reportedin the Missionary Herald, supportedfour Chinese pastors and preachers.One of them is the minister of achurch seating 500 people, where hepreaches to at least 200 every Sabbath.Twenty-eight people unitedwith the church in ten months. Twoof these pastors organized Bibleclasses, one of them bringing into thechurch 50 men. Another visited thecities where the meetings that followedup the work of Mr. SherwoodEddy were held, and to date 9230people have decided to study the Bible.Besides supporting these four nativepastors, this fund of $500 supported 8theological students. This Boston manthought that missions do pay and hesmilingly sent in his check for another$500.—37ie Missionary Review.We will specially emphasize theTithe and Weekly Offering secured bythe Every-Member Canvass. See thespecial article by Joseph M. Steele inthis issue.We commend their zeal and methodsto other Presbyteries. We hopeto give you more concerning this worklater.See February Olive Trees for anarticle giving the present addressesand fieldsof labor of all our furloughedmissionaries.We hope to give our readers regularinformation concerning the work atour Special Home Mission Fields.

OLi Ve tRees 13TITHINGEVERY MEMBER CANVASS They should consider a worthy policyfor the congregation and set a defi­Joseph M. Steele.nite financialgoal for the congregationand resolve to raise the amountAn annual, every-member canvassis the only way to reach and enlist theentire membership of the church. Aby an appeal for subscriptions on thefew members are unable to dischargeweekly basis from every member ofthe congregation, man, woman andthe whole obligation of the church.Every member must do his or herchild.part, if the church is to discharge itsThe financial goal for Missionsfull obligation to the non-Christianshould bear a reasonable relation tothe amount expended on local churchworld.work.The church owes it to every memberto give them the opportunity toMany churches are unwilling togive less to Missions than they spendshare in the work of the church, andupon themselves. This is a standardto persuade them to become partnersthat shoud be reached by all.of Jesus Christ in the work of savingThe Committee should divide thethe world.membership of the church into groupsIn organizing the committee and and arrange for the teams to visitteams for 'this work, great care those homes most convenient to theirshould be exercised to secure leaders locality.who are in full sympathy with and After the teams have been thoroughlyprepared and are ready for theenthusiastic for the extension of theKingdom.work of canvassing, definite datesA sufficient number of canvassing should be fixed for beginning andteams of two members each should be closing the canvass.enlisted to enable the work of canvassingthe entire membership of the receive frequent reports from theArrangements should be made tocongregation to be done in two weeks, teams while the canvassing is in progress.There may be a few membersand so that each team will not be requiredto visit and canvass more than who may not be seen personally andten or twelve homes.these should be reached by correspondence.The Canvassers should allAfter the teams have been carefullyselected and before any canvassing is be tithers or become so before startingout. They should seek to enlistdone, the members of the teams shouldmeet together each week for at least all those canvassed in a tithers' league.a month's duration for prayer and It should be explained that the titheconference and to receive instruction is only the lowest limit of our giving.and education on the various phases That it merely recognizes God as theof missionary work and the methods Owner of all we have. It is only whenand plans of the Boards of the church we give more than the tithe that weand also the subject of Christian begin to give as a partner. "The titheStewardship.is the Lord's." The privilege and

H OLIVE TREESblessing of partnership giving shouldbe clearly pointed out.The canvassers should be providedwith subscription cards to be filledoutby the members, giving the date, thename of the subscriber, the address,and the ampunt of the subscriptionand when and how payable—alwaysurging the weekly offering, first,becauseit is Scriptural. "Upon the firstday of the week, let every one of youlay by him in store as God hath prosperedhim."—I Cor. 16: 2. This injunctionwas not concerning localchurch expenses but referred to a missionaryoffering.Second, it is educational. It keepsthe church's work constantly beforethe people. It enlists many more givers.It secures much larger aggregateofferings. It replenishes the Board'streasuries regularly, preventing indebtednessand financialloss throughinterest payments.It does not decrease, but actually increasesthe offerings to current expenses.It promotes prayer; eachweekly offering becomes an act ofworship.Systematic, proportionate, cheerful,weekly giving is the most Scriptural,fair, businesslike and productivemethod.Where properly introduced andconscientiously worked, it secures thelargest possible results, educationally,financially and spiritually.The canvassers should pray for thepersons they visit before their interview,that they may be led to a fullsurrender to Christ and to His planfor the world.Seek to enlist their interest in thework as well as their subscription.Avoid argument as far as possible.Endeavor to secure immediate decisioneven though the amount be small.There will be very few congregationswhere the average subscriptionto Missions will fall below ten centsper member, per week, yet this meansa great deal more than many membersare giving on the old annual plan.Many a person will gladly give tencents a week who would not give over$1.00 in an annual collection. Manya church has solved its local financialproblems by becoming aroused on itsduty to support Missions more largely.An offering every week, by everymember, according to their ability, iswhat is needed. The weekly offeringhas great educational value. Any subjectthat is brought to our attentionweek after week in this practical way,soon comes to have enhanced importanceattached to it.Nothing less than a weekly offeringis adequate to the support of the particularchurch in which we worship.Is the evangelization of the world lessimportant or urgent?The weekly offering promotes frequentprayer and it enlists a largernumber of systematic contributors.Many people with small incomes, cangive only in very limited amounts. Inan annual collection, these amountsappear so small that they seemscarcely worth bothering with, butwhen they are shown that a contributionof fiveor ten cents a week is acceptableand that this average fromthe whole church would vastly increasethe volume of the work, whichthe church is now doing, for Missions,people are willing and often glad tobecome systematic contributors.

Where people are able and willingto give large sums, of course, theyshould be encouraged to do so, buteven with these, the weekly plan hasmany advantages.The every-member canvass promotessociability among the membersof the church. Appeals should be madefor regular attendance on church servicesand Sabbath schools.Lapsed members may be reclaimedfor the congregation through visitingthem and getting them interested inMission work, and it is an invaluableinspiration to the canvassers and tothe congregation.At the close of the canvass, afterreports are completed, hold a thanksgivingand prayer service.November 26, 1915.To the Friends of the Syria Missionaries:I am sending this short letter sothat you may know that we are thinkingof you all in relation to your desireto keep in touch with the thingsthat are transpiring in the Syria Mission.Unfortunately, I must again reportthat we have to patch together veryskimpy news items in order to sendword at all about the Syrian affairs.The censorship is more rigid witheach day, and the restrictions uponthe correspondence are likely to increaseif Turkey becomes victoriousin her struggle.At the present the price of gettingcorrespondence to Syria and gettingletters from Syria is that the lettershould be practically colorless exceptfor the ordinary expressions of courtesyand interest. Fortunately by thehelp of the government we are able toget purely business mail through toMr. Charles A. Dana. The sum of ourinformation is:OLIVE TREES 15First, That the missionaries are allwell.Second, That the work is being carriedon as usual at a somewhat slowerpace.Third, That there are the usualharassing obstacles put in the way ofwork and service, and that there haveeven been threats of arrest of someof the missionaries who have beendoing Red Cross work.Dr. Hoskins in a letter which hewrote when he was at Constantinoplespoke of the possibility that theyinight have to bring the women fromthe outlying stations to Beirut as amere matter of precaution. We havenot heard that this was necessary,but, on the contrary, have had intimationsthat it will not be necessary.The missionaries, however, are instructedfrom the office to run norisks whatever.We have not been able to verifysome of the rumors that have cometo us about the attempt to create anuprising against Turkey in Syria.You have probably already been informedthat Dr. Hoskins and Mr.Bliss have completed their visit toConstantinople, where they saw theTurkish Minister of Education, andthat they have returned to Beirutthrough the courtesy of the government.They were not able to havethe laws modified but drew up a sortof armed neutrality or truce underwhich the schools could open. Thefuture of Syria and Mission work inSyria is so largely dependent uponwhether Germany and Turkey win outin this struggle that one hesitates toprophesy.While I am writing, I know you willbe glad to hear that Dr. Mary Eddy,who has been at home on furlough, isvery much better, and by advice ofthe doctors is hoping now to spend amonth or two in Florida, where she

l6 OLIVE TREEScan rest. I wish sincerely that I hadmore definite news to give you.With kindest regards, I remain,Sincerely yours,Stanley White.February Olive Trees will containthe second in the series of "StrayMemories of a Childhood Passed inthe Levant."MORE RUM FOR AFRICAPursuing the subject of the shipmentof American rum to WestAfrica, the Missionary Heredd says:"We take from a Boston daily this reportof the continuance of the traffic:"Laden with the fourth cargo ofrum, tobacco, lumber and fiour thathas been shipped from Boston withinthe past few months, the four-mastedschooner Florence Thurlow sailed todayfor ports on the west coast ofAfrica. Her shipments include 830puncheons, 1770 kegs and 392 barrelsof rum, 2099 barrels of fiour, 290tierces and 1018 cases of leaf tobacco,and quantities of pine boards.The barque Ruth Stark, which recentlyarrived from Liverpool, willsail with a similar cargo in about twoweeks."The business seems to be growing.Before we throw any more stones atEngland for her forcing of opium onChina, we may well refiect on whatthe United States is doing by fortnightlyshipments of rum to Africa."—The Missionary Review.We are doing much Mission Workat home. We have the promise of anumber of articles covering the differentsections of the church. Lookfor some of these letters in the Februarynumber.Scene during floodof June, 1914, the steamer sailing over what a fewdays before was a public highway.This year, 1915, the water was 6J4 or 7 feet higher than last year, andthis picture was not taken at its highest by several inches.

OLIVE TREES 17N E W S F R O M T H E FIELDEdited by Mrs. F. M. Wilson.Larnaca, Cyprus.—Extract from aletter from Rev. Walter McCarroll,dated November 6th:"School opened on September 27thand we now have an enrollment of 150students, 50 boarders and 100 dayboys, so we are all busy. Have alsostarted a girls' school on a small scale,which is doing well. The total numberof pupils under instruction isabout 185, a big increase over lastyear.I was in Kyrenia last Sabbath andhad encouraging services there, bothin English and Greek."•? *!» ^ "T"Latakia, Syria.—Owing to war conditions,communication has been practicallycut off with the Syrian field.The readers of Olive Trees will beglad to know of a card recently received'TayDr. Balph. It was writtenby Miss Maggie Edgar on October 12:"A card from you yesterday datedJuly 9th. We opened day school lastweek with good attendance. Kessab isempty. Gunamia empty, too. MissWylie far from well. Some of ourpeople are passing through a time oftrial. Sadeek (the pharmacist, Dr.Balph's assistant at the Latakia hospital)called to serve in the hospitalat Hunes. Went this morning. WishI could write more. We are quiethere. We know you are praying forus."* * * *Word has been received indirectlyfrom Dr. Chambers, of Adana, wholanded in New York last week. Heleft our missionaries at Mersine welland busy. Dr. Chambers ^say theyseem perfectly safe.Tak Hing, China A recent letterfrom Dr. A. I. Robb, under date ofOctober 1st contains items of interest:"You will have word a good whilesince giving some particulars of thefiood and the damage done by it. Weare not giving out any rice now. Whilethe price of rice is high, and thepeople are having a hard struggle,there is no actual famine here. Asecond crop has been planted, thougha second rise in the river that wouldordinarily be called a fiood, delayedthe planting until September, a monthlate. The weather has not been goodfor it and the chances are that thecrop will be small, so we may facefamine yet before a sufl[icient harvest.There is an enormous amount of illnes.Malaria and dysentery are on allhands, though the missionaries havefor the most part escaped. We allhave abundance of work on hands andnot much time to think about anythingelse.We learn with regret (Miss Stewartwith a great deal) that Miss Dean willnot be here for another year. 1 thinkshe is wise to stay as "nerves" is aworse malady here than malaria. Miss_ Stewart is putting herself without reserveinto the work and has largeplans.We are looking forward with anticipationto the fall communion whichbegins on the 10th and culminates onthe 17th. Some of the native workersare working out some plans which

t8 OLIVE TREESwe hope will result in good, but wewill await the result before publishingthe plans."A number of our missionaries arenow in the home land, war conditionsmaking their return to the foreignfield impossible at present. Most ofthem have sought employment, in thisway relieving the church of their support.Their present addresses andfields of labor will appear in Februarynumber.We are glad to give reports fromDr. Balph and Miss French thismonth.Dr. Balph writes: "I began workin the Syrian school here about fourteenmonths ago. With the idea oftemporarily helping Mr. Khouri outin the work I began by taking a numberof the classes, and have continuedthe work up to the present. Later anumber of young men who wished tostudy English requested me to givethem lessons; and during the greaterpart of the time I have spent from2.30 to 4 P. M. in this work. Sometimes I have had as many as four takinglessons at one time, for some timepast have had only two, and part ofthe time one. The regular schoolwork begins at 4 and continues until6 P.M.The number of pupils on the rollat present is about 40 with an averageattendance of 35. The pupils rangefrom 5 years to 18. There is aboutan equal number each of boys andgirls. The Greek Catholic priestshave opposed our work with all theirpower. Some two months ago theystarted a school in which they teachArabic, hoping to draw away ourpupils. They succeeded in taking afew of their own people but did notdraw away any of the Greek Orthodox.We hear complaints that theschool is not giving satisfaction, andit would not be strange if it shouldnot continue long.The Sabbath services are held at10 A. M., at which time Mr. Khouripreaches in Arabic. We generallyhave from 8 to 12 adults and a numberof children. This is immediatelyfollowed by Sabbath School, at whichthe attendance varies from 20 to 25.There are many difficulties in theway of the work, but it also has itsencouragements. There are severalthousand Syrians in Pittsburg and noone except ourselves working amongthem, They need the truth just asbadly as their brethren in Syria. Itseems to me that we are responsiblein a special sense. The hope of thework is in getting hold of the children.We cannot do what we might,did we have them under our care formore of the time, but we trust thateven the little that is being done willbe a blessing to many of them.* * * *Of the work in New Castle, MissFrench says: "The Syrians rented ahouse about the middle of October. Ittook a long time and much searchingto get a house which suited and in theSyrian quarter. After the house wasrented it must be furnished. All thistook time. The Syrians have notquite finished fittingthe room whichis to be used for a school room duringthe week and a place of worship onSabbath, but we hope another weekwill find it comfortable. The congregationhere has very kindly helped mefurnish the other part of the houseand I am comfortably located.

The children have been coming tostudy their own language for almostthree weeks. Those who are tooyoung to go to public school comefrom 10 to 12 o'clock in the forenoon.There are 10 little tots enrolled. Theolder children who go to public schoolcome after school hours from about4.45 to 6.40. There are 17 enrolledand 2 more came to ask for lessonsthis evening. There are five womenleaming to read. Four of these aremothers and seem anxious to learn.We hope the church will pray thatthe teacher may be taught of theGreat Teacher that these women maybe brought to Him. There are onlyfive men studying but they say thereare a good many others who expectto come later. They have diflferentturns at work and this makes it necessaryto change my hours of teachingmen,and women as well, each week.I had expected to visit in theirhomes more but they are coming tome so well that my time is nearly alloccupied.They have suggested that we tryand organize a society for the womensomething like our L. M. S. Thispleased us. We had thought of thisbut were glad to know they want it.We hope to do this as soon as we can.We have had services here the lasttwo Sabbaths. The room was quitewell filledboth days. If I rememberright there were about 30 there eachday. The children have turned outwell and the firstday there were agood many men. There were fewermen last Sabbath but we hope theymay come more regularly when theysee it is a steady place to worship.They seem to have fallen in love withOLIVE TREES 19Rev. Mr. Johnston and say he givesthem such nice talks. He has beenpresent both Sabbaths and expects tocome whenever it is possible."The following interesting items aretaken from December number of Goor Send:NEWS FROM MRS. KENNEDYWriting on 14th October from Rasel-TinConvalescent Home, Alexandria,Mrs. Kennedy says:"We have all been a bit cast downhere over Bulgaria going against us;but reaction has set in, and everyoneseems more determined than ever topush ahead and win the day. Many ofthe Australians are delighted that theyare being sent to the help of Servia, asit gives them what they are longingfor—'a lick at Germany,' as they expressit."Dr. Mackie is a fine Scotchman.He is doing fine work among the soldiers.He visits the hospital regularly.Then his congregation have openedthe basement of their church as aplace of recreation for the men, andthe ladies serve tea every evening;they often have as many as 500 of anevening. On Friday evening Mrs.Mackie serves porridge to them. Themen call it 'porridge night.' There isalways a crowd on hand that evening.The Sabbath evening service is givenalmost entirely to the men, and thevery pulpit steps are crowded, and Ihave seen Dr. Mackie hand out hisown chair for a soldier to sit on. Hewas twenty-five years in Syria beforehe came here. They have two daughtersmarried and living in Beyrout,and they have not heard from them

20 OLIVE TREESsince June. They are feeling veryanxious about them."Mrs. Walker (Cunningham) cameover and spent her half-holiday withme yesterday. She is enjoying herwork very much, and has entered intothe true spirit of it."One of the volunteer helpers diedyesterday morning. It will be verysad for her family."Mr. Kennedy isoflf this morning tothe new Y. M. C. A. building, to theirweekly meeting of the workers forprayer. He is to lead the meeting thismorning at 9.30. The Y. M. C. A.leaders come in from the diflferentcamps."I am feeling very much better, andam enjoying the work greatly. I keepup the mending in the forenoons, andI am pleased to say that my willingnessto do this work has brought forwardothers to oflfer their services forother places. There were many willingto do work if the work was outwhere there was some show about it,but not in the mending rooms, so consequentlymany of our soldiers werevery untidy and often uncomfortablefor lack of 'stitch in time.' "In a letter (dated SOth October)Mrs. Kennedy first tells of inquiriesshe made about soldiers for friends inBelfast ,and then says:"We are still unable to send anythingto Alexandretta. We have nothad any word from there. In mydreams last night I was back therewith them, and 1 had succeeded in gettingall the members of the congregationaway except Sitt Florence and herhusband, who were staying on to helpme. I awoke, and it was all a dream.I cannot help wondering how they allare. What the Armenians have sufferedis appalling."Our Home here has had a big upset.Scarlet fever broke out aboutten days ago, so it is now a scarletfever hospital. There are at presentabout sixty cases—several new onesthis morning. There are about 500men in the place, so there is no knowingwhen it will all be over. There isstrict quarantine on, and none but thestaflf are allowed to go out. We comeunder staff regulations. We decidedto stand by our guns, as the staflfneed us more than ever now, as entertainmentmust be found for the men,who are not allowed out. Mr. Kennedyhas got cricket and games of thatsort started in the yard ,and the matronand I have been buying poundsof wool, and have started the men towork on canvas. I am to start themalso to knit socks, as I am the only onehere who knows how to knit—^thanksto my mother. I used to think motherwas a bit hard on us when we wereyoungsters, making us learn to doeverything women were ever supposedto do, but I have blessed her for itmany a time since. I am afraid we arein for a long siege, but neither Mr.Kennedy nor I are a bit afraid of anythingof this sort, and can both workaway and feel quite happy over it all.'"rtie Sphere comes regularly. Weand the men enjoy it very much. Weare so grateful for all the paperswhich are sent and to those who havecontributed towards these."The following was on a post cardsent to Dr. Metheny by Mr. McFarland.It was dated November 8 andwas delivered in Philadelphia December9:

Dear, Friend:Am surprised to find how long it issince I last wrote to you. Vfe managestill to keep busy enough to make thetime pass rapidly, although when wethink of our work it seems prettymuch like "marking time" as one ofthe Beirut missionaries reported.However schools are full up exceptstanding room, and we are managingto keep force enough to give most ofthe youngsters something to thinkabout. Weather delightful all autumnwith a good rain or two as weneeded it. Hone you will meet Dr.Chambers, of Adana, who is due inNew York on Themystocles, November14 or 16. He and six ladies andsix children left here on Des Moines,October 18. Spent a week here waiting.Clinics not so large and fewcases for hospital yet. Just as wellsince Red Cross has cutoflf support,perhaps. Had a nice quiet little weddinglast Friday evening. Our Adanaabsentees in Kir of Moab seem to becomfortable. All circle in usualhealth. No salaries yet but statementreceived. Kindest regards.Yours,A. J. McF.MISSIONARIES' LETTERSMoney Seriously and Urgently Needed,Writes Miss Mattie Wylie, andAlso Dr. Chambers, of the AmericanBoard.The following items of interest aretaken from a letter written by ourSenior Missionary, Miss Mattie R.Wylie. The letter is dated Latakia,October 15th, 1915:"We are out of money and badlyOLIVE TREES 21oflf. .We have been drained personally.Miss Edgar and Dr. Stewartmore than me, as I am at more expense,Having three servants. Wecannot write how we are situated asyou know. Dr. Stewart once sent acable for help, which I suppose younever received. Day schools are openand we need money for teachers andour own salaries. Did you ever readwhere the sons of Sennacherib fied?(II Kings 19:37.) The tables havebeen turned fbr that people."I do not know if my brother hastold you that I have been sick. I havefelt that I have been going back sinceMay. The weather was very warmand I thought I was weak from wantof sleep, but I took malaria. Dr.Stewart took breakbone fever and thefever did not break for ten days. Iwas not so bad, but I have no fevernow, but I have neuralgia in my weakhip, though the pains begin in my welllimb. I would take spells of intensepain, but I do not have them so badnow, but I have a good deal of painyet and it keeps me weak and I amnot able to sit up yet, only the fewminutes they fix my bed. The doctorthinks that I strained the hip tryingto raise myself, but that my nerveshave given way listening to so manytales of distress and want. They donot let the people come now. I prayfor patience for whatever God wills tosend me. I do not think death has anyterrors for me, only the pain of dying.Psalm 17, last verse, is my comfort.I wonder if we will sing Psalms inheaven? There will not be the needof the comfort in them, but it seemsas if it would be lonesome withoutthem. Affectionately, Aunt Mattie."

32 OLIVE TREESExtracts from a letter from theRev. W. Nesbitt Chambers, D. D.,American Board Missionary at Adana,Asia Minor:"S. S. Themistocles, approachingAlgiers, Nov. 4th, 1915. We leftAdana October 9th, and waited inMersine a week, waiting for the U. S.steamship to come and take usoflf.Finally the Des Moines came and wegotoflf. The friends at Mersine were'as good as pie' to us. They took usin and made us perfectly at home forthe week. Then they all came to theCustom House to see usoflf and spentthe day with us while the militarywent through our trunks and boxes.They shook out almost every articlethat we had, and there were 20 largetrunks and 12 to 15 pieces of handluggage. Then they examined ourpersons, going so far as to have someof the ladies takeoflf their shoes andeven open up their corsets. We weresupposed to have not more than tenliras each (a Turkish lira is worthabout $4.40). However, by hook andby crook we got oflf with about 50each. The Mersine missionaries devotedthe day to us and helped us torepack our boxes, etc. We feel deeplygrateful to them all and will not forgetthe great kindness they showedus."The circle was well and work continuing—ofcourse under difficulties.Miss Sterrett and Mr. Carithers werebusy in their schools and they did notanticipate any interference with thatwork except the impressing into thearmy of some of the men helpers. Mr.McFarland had visited Tarsus andAdana and other places, including,Alexandretta. The untoward occurrencewas the deportation of teachersHanna and Shemon from Adana. Theywere sent without their families, thereason was not given. They were theonly Syrians I know of being deported,and it is supposed that 'an enemyhath done this' on the score of theirpreaching to Moslems. A card wasreceived from Hanna from Kerek,near the Dead Sea."Dr. Peoples is working hard forhis hospital, which he has in very goodshape. Having oflfered for Red Crosswork he had treated a good many soldiers(300 I think) sent to him by officials.He is sadly in need of funds.The Red Cross has not been able toassist him. He keeps up his dailyclinics, but can't get much out of that.Drugs are very expensive. Consequently,any funds you can forwardto him would be a great boon to himand a great impetus to a good work.It is, I think, good policy to sustainthis hospital work, not only becauseof the work done, but also because it isa means of securing recognition bythe Turkish Government. A greatpoint gained where no Firman exists.Money will be necessary, for addedgovernment expense and taxes arelikely to be largely increased as theyhave already been. I think probablythe easiest way for transmittingmoney would be through our treasurerin Boston and Mr. Peet at Constantinople.I rather think communicationbetween Adana and Constantinoplewill be easier than between Mersineand Beirut."We have had a good journey sofar, considering the circumstances—a week in Mersine, fivedays on theDes Moines, a week at Pireus andAthens."(Signed)W. Nesbitt Chambers.

OLIVE TREES 23W O M E N ' S D E P A R T M E N TEdited by Mrs. J. S. Martin and Mrs. T. H. AchesonMISSION STUDYConducted by Dr. James M. Balph.Lesson X.Review.In what year were the first"missionariessent to Syria?Where was work firstattempted?When was work begun in Latakia?To what class were mission eflfortschiefly directed in the beginning?How many Nusairiyeh are there inthe Latakia field ?Who was the firstmale convert fromthe Nusairiyeh ?The firstfemale convert?Have the Nusairiyeh been, in themain, friendly or unfriendly ?What has been the chief hindranceto work among them?In what year was work begun inAsia Minor ? By whom ?Where has it chiefiy been carriedon?Who was the firstmissionary toCyprus? When was work begunthere ?What is the present character of thework there?What two large centers of work arethere in Cyprus?What mission buildings are there inthese places?What work is carried on in the Mersinefield?Who has had charge of the girls'school there since the beginning ?What missionaries have at varioustimes labored in Suadea?What mission buildings are there?How obtained?Where was mission work firstdoneamong the Nusairiyeh ? By whom ?Give names of thos'e who have beenlicensed to preaeh the gospel in eachof the stations? How many are activelyengaged in that work now?What mission buildings are in Latakia?How Vnany schools in Latakia ? Whohave charge of them ?How many communicants are therein Latakia field?In Mersine? In Cyprus?Who was the firstmedical missionaryto Syrian field?Where, and how long, did he labor?What other medical missionaries havelabored in Latakia? In Mersine? InSuadea? In Cyprus?What hospital is in operation?When opened ? How many beds ? Howsupported ?SIDELIGHTS ON FIFTY YEARS OFMISSION WORK IN SYRIAEARTHQUAKE EXPERI­ENCESI suppose one who has ever experiencedan earthquake shock can neverforget the feeling. It came withoutwarning that shock in 1892, of theearthquake which destroyed a greatpart of Antioch, the firstof a series.The mission family in the third storyof the mission building had just finishedsinging at morning worship. Allat once there was a jarring and grinding,as though a troop of horses wasgalloping through the story below.Thinking it was the school children,Miss Crawford rose to go down and

24 OLIVE TREESquiet them, when the cry arose "hizzy,hizzy!" To "hiz" is to shake, and"hizzy," a shaking, is the commonname for earthquake.It was but a few moments till thehouse was emptied, and we spent therest of the forenoon in awaiting developments.Nothing further happeningby noon we were tranquilagain. After dinner all the familyexcept Mrs. Metheny and Miss Crawfordwent across the town to see )iowit fared with the Beattie family. Wefound that their experience and thatof their neighbors was much the sameas our own, except that their housesnot being so high as our own, they hadnot so far to rpn to reach their gardens.On retuming home we foundMrs. Metheny and Miss Crawfordagain in the garden^ there having beenanother shock in onr absence. Presumablyit took place while we werewalking and thus we did not feel it.However, night found everyone inthe house again. I cannot be sure howlong it was till there was anotherheavy shock in the middle of the nightwhich took us all down to the groundfloor, and some nights later a stillheavier one in the middle of a thunderstorm.After this one it was consideredimprudent to risk staying in the house,and a niimber of shelters were put up.in the garden for the missionaries andthe school. Posts were driven in, lightscantling laid across for rafters, andtiles covered these. The sides of thebooths were made of all the availablematting tacked on the sides of theshelters. In the American tent a bedroomwas made by putting a largestone hewn for building under eachcorner of the box mattresses of themissionaries. A sheet between thetwo mattresses made the room intotwo bedrooms, and two sheets made awall between bedrooms and livingroom. The west side of the livingroom was formed by the rough stonewall which fenced in the compound.For six weeks we lived in the garden,when at last the shocks having becomeinfrequent, and almost every one havingmore or less fever we returned tonormal conditions.The Galbraith family was the lastto move out; they occupied two roomsin the second story, and I had a third.Mr. Galbraith had been ailing forsome time, and was disinclined tomake any extra exertion. After aterm of quiet, being unable to sleepon account of sandflies and mosquitoes,I announced my intention ofspending the night in my own room.in the middle of the night I wasaroused by a vigorous pounding on mydoor, and heard the Doctor exclaiming,"This is the last night you are goingto spend in the house." With thehelp of some of the teachers he thencarried Mr. Galbraith to a place ofsafety and the next day erected a"tent" for him and Mrs. Galbraith,where they stayed until Mr. Galbraithwas carried to the steamer for Byrout,where he died.There are amusing incidents evenin earthquake times. Mr. Beattie usedto tell with great gusto of coming tothe mission house one day when MissCrawford and the Doctor were takinga lesson from their teacher in fanciedsecurity, when just as Mr. Beattiereached the top of the stairs there wasa familiar tremble, and the Doctorflinging his book away rushed out ex-

claiming "I'm always in the thirdstory of this house when there's anearthquake."I feel sure that if a bona-fide earthquaketook place in such circumstancesit would be useless to attempt to escape.Having gone up one day to escapethe heat, I was lying on a loungestudying when all at once I saw thepicture opposite me swing out almostat right angles to the wall. My firstimpulse was to jump, but an instant'sreflection convinced me that if thehouse should fall it would be gone longbefore I could reach the ground, andI lay still. At the same time that Antiochwas destroyed the stone buildingserected in Suadea by Dr. HoltYates were so badly injured that theywere useless. Under the oversight ofMr. Easson temporarily light woodenbuildings roofed with tiles were putup. Miss Crawford and I spent someweeks with the Eassons in the summerof 1894. During an absence ofMr. Easson in Latakia, a shock ofearthquake occurred on a very darknight. The tiles danced over our headsand we sprang from our beds and raninto Mrs. Eassons' room. Her littleboy was in bed with her, and her babyin its cradle. As one will be, on wakingin the dark, we were all confused.Mrs. Easson groped about and couldnot find her baby. We had with ustwo Ausairee girls, and by the timewe had found our bearings and got tothe porch the shock was over. Whenmorning came, we found just wherewe intended to take refuge, a numberof huge stones which had fallen fromthe ruins of the old building. In allprobability the detention had savedthe lives of at least some of us.Mrs. Mary E. Metheny-O LIVE TREES 25JUNIOR DEPARTMENTSubject for January meeting:"Jesus' Last Words"—Matthew 28:16-20. Let one of the children ask thefollowing questions in the meeting,to be answered after the reading ofthe Scripture Lesson for the day. Ifthe questions are read over at the beginningof the meeting it will be easyto answer them later.How long had Jesus been on theearth ?Where was He now going?Had He told His disciples that Hewas going away?What work was He leaving forthem to do?What work has He left for us to do ?Where were the disciples to preach ?To how many nations were they tocarry the good tidings ?How cah we do our part in carryingthe good news?Parallel Verses—John 17: 1, 4:15,18:11, Matt. 26: 39-41, John 18:86,19: 11, 27, 28, 29, 2o': 13, 21, 27, 6,Acts 1:8, Luke 22: 15-19, 22:70, Luke22: 31-32, Luke 24: 45-51.Review the names and locations ofall the Missions and the names of themissionaries in Syria and Cyprus.Give the names of the missionariesin China. They are Dr. A. I. Robb,Rev. J. K. Robb, Rev. Julius Kempf,Rev. Wm. Robb, Dr. J. M. Wright, Dr.Kate McBurney, Dr. Ida Scott, MissAnnie Robinson, Miss Mary Adams,Miss Ella M. Stewart, Miss RoseHouston, Rev. D. R. Taggart, MissJennie Dean, Rev. E. C. Mitchell, Dr.E. J. M. Dickson.By referring to the last page ofOlive Trees you will see how many ofthese missionaries are in America and

26 OLIVE TREEShow many in China. Tell the childrenof the trying climate in China, andhow many of our missionaries becomeill because they live there. Tell wherethese missionaries lived in Americabefore they went to China and recallthe faces and speeches of any of themwho have visited your own congregation.Topic cards are being prepared forthe whole year for Junior Societies.They will have the name of the month,date to be filledin by each society.The subject and Scripture referencefor each meeting, spaces left to fillinthe name of the leader, the leaders' assistant(who should prepare the generalexercises for each meeting) andthe name of the member who will givethe latest mission news.The cost will be 1 cent each.Mrs D. C. Ward.CONFERENCE OF W. M. S. OFPITTSBURGH PRESBYTERYThe Woman's Missionary Society ofthe Pittsburgh Presbytery met in conferencein the Eighth Street Church,Friday, November 12, 1915. Its attendancewas unusually good, and interestwas sustained throughout theday. The devotional exercises wereconducted by Mrs. W. J. Ward, of theWilkinsburg congregation. In opening,the 67th Psalm was sung, afterwhich Mrs. Ward read the 15th chapterof John and led in prayer.Miss Emma McFarland, for manyyears a worker in our Indian Mission,gave a very entertaining and instructivesketch of the Mission, its work,its workers and its converts. Her personalacquaintance with those ofwhom she spoke, gave an air of realityto them and a feeling of nearnessto her hearers.Mrs. D. C. Ward, daughter of Dr.Carrithers, who had just returnedfrom a visit to the Mission, also spokein regard to it, emphasizing the desirefor, and need of, earnest prayeron its behalf, not only by our society,but by the Church at large.Outlines of their work for the yearwere given by the following secretaries:Literature and Mission Study—Mrs. H. A. Fisher.Thanking Oflfering—Mrs. J. E.Dodds.Temperance—Mrs. M. R. Porter.Children's Bands—Mrs. D. C.Ward.Syrian Work—Mrs. T. H. Acheson.The principal speaker of the daywas Miss Evangeline Metheney, of theSyrian Mission of the Irish Synod,who was forced to leave the fieldbyevents of the war.Miss Metheney gave a most vividand interesting account of her fieldand the work. Her description of thepeople, their manner of living, the oppositionof the local sects and otherdiflficulties to be overcome gave us aninsight into the life of a missionarywhich was most helpful and inspiring.The keynote of the Conference maybe said to have been Prayer. It wasnotable that every speaker emphasizedthe need for prayer for the differentdepartments of the work.Mrs. H. a. Calderwood.SOME REASONS WHYHave you a Women's MissionarySociety in your congregation? Is itflourishing or languishing? Are therethree or four women striving to keepthe fireburning and are you helping

OLIVE TREES 27or by your cold indiflference smotheringthe flames ?The happy, successful family is thatone which is united, each member interested,alert to every opportunitythat will advance the welfare of thefamily. Just as unhappy is that familywhere there is division, a lack ofinterest in each other, a holding back •when any proposition comes beforethe family that will be for its bestwelfare, and where united eflfort isnecessary to bring it to a successfulissue. One cold, indiflferent, uninterested,unhelpful person in the homecan quickly dispel all the joy and enthusiasmin the rest of the household;what is true of home life, is true ofcongregational life.If you are not a member of theWomen's Missionary Society of yourcongregation, you should be. Becausethey need your sympathy and help.Because they need your faith and enthusiasm.Bulwer says: Nothing is so contagiousas enthusiasm. It is the geniusof sincerity, and the truth accomplishesno victories without it. Anotherhas said: "It's faith in somethingand enthusiasm' for somethingthat makes life worth looking at."This is a very busy world, and theweeks have not days enough, nor thedays hours enough in which to performall of our tasks, we always plead^'lack of time." When any great workis to be undertaken, it is not put intothe hands of idlers, that class is neverconsidered. When the Master wascalling his disciples he called busymen, and we do not read that theyoflfered an excuse, but immediatelyfollowed Jesus. You are needed inyour society, because you are busy.There is so much we do from asense of duty, but "duty" is a coldword, and when duties are performedapart from love, they are irksome andbecome drudgery. With our heartsfilled with love for those in our home,duty changes and we go about thedaily routine of housekeepers andhomemakers, with a light heart andbecause of love we can say, "Blessedbe drudgery." There are duties "whichGod requires of us; if we performthem simply as duties, that is the letterwhich kills, but if we have that greatlove toward our Heavenly Fatherwhich lifts us up to the plane of privilege,that is the spirit which givethlife, because it is a great privilege-The Master has not called us to go tothe foreign field; but he has privilegedus to work in this organized way inmany parts, of his vineyard, throughour representatives, as we employ ourtime, means, brains and prayers inHis service we shall be using the talentswith which we have been endowed,and for which we must give anaccount.We have professed Christ; we havea name and a place in His house; webelieve in Him as the Saviour; wehave accepted Him as our Saviour—Why? Surely not for our own benefits,that we may enjoy all the blessingsthat come from such a union, thatwould be most selfish. If we do notpass on our blessings we lose the joyof living, and the blessings cease to beblessings, but we have not so learnedChrist. "By grace are ye saved,through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." We haveaccepted this gift with joy; if itmeans anything to us, it means thatwe are saved to serve; it means a devotedlife; a consecration to His service;it means that we must come tohim with full hands, and we can onlycome thus through service. Anotherreason why you should be a member,because it is an avenue for service.For these reasons we ask you to becomea member of the Women's MissionarySociety. It is a great privilegeto do a service for the Master, to beco-laborers with him.Mrs. Robert A. M. Steele.

28 OLIVE TREESCIRCULATIOND E P A R T M E N TThe plucky little magazine. Wecould not do without it.Cannot' get along without OliveTrees.It is the best dollar's worth thatcomes into our home.One of our Missionaries who himselfpays for fivecopies in sending usa check for five dollars says: "I hopeyou may be able to secure a large listof subscribers for the coming year. Icannot see how any Covenanter familycan aflford to be without OliveTrees in their home."The above are only a sample of themany kind expressions received duringthe past weeks. If we would printall we received during the past year itwould take a special edition.Dr. Sommerville's modesty wouldnot allow these commendations to appearwhile he was editor. We are givingyou these few now as we may nothave any next year.One subscriber, who paid for twocopies last year, again writes: "Enclosedplease find $2, one for myselfand one for some one of whom youknow, that would like to have themagazine but who cannot aflford topay for it."Last year this friend's extra copywent to a widow, who supported herselfand family at the wash tub. Shewanted the magazine very much, andwhat do you think was one of the reasonswhy she wanted it? It was thatshe might pray more intelligently forthe missionaries and their work.Aletter to hand today from onewho daily prays for the work and whoregrets so much that he cannot takethe magazine this year.Who will help make the prayers ofmany in our church more intelligentand, therefore, more effectuM, and bepartners in unloosing a greater volumeof prayers by enabling us to send"Olive Trees" to such homes as above?We are putting no expiration dateson addresses this year. The fact thatyou continue to receive Olive Treestells you that your subscription hasbeen received or that we have heardfrom you, asking us to continue thepaper.Almost all our subscriptions are forthe calendar year and we hope all willrenew promptly. If we do not hearfrom you within a reasonable time, wewill notify you so that you will be ableto communicate with us before themagazine stops.We have sent a circular letter to allwho have not paid for 1915. As thetime is short we will send the Januarynumber to all, hoping that you willcontinue your subscription. We wantyou to get the magazine.If you have paid and we have notgiven you credit, please let us knowand we will make it right.We are sorry that it was impossibleto send the list to our agents until themiddle of December. We are thankfulto the many who have already renewedtheir subscriptions for 1916.We will get some extra copies of theJanuary number printed so that newsubscribers may be able to secure it.

R. M, SOMMERVILLE, D. D, MRS. R. M. SOMMERVILLEDR. SOMMERVILLE founded "OLIVE TREES" and edited it for 29 years.OLIVE TREESA Monthly Journal devoted to Missionary Work in the Reformed PresbyterianChurch, U. S. A.VOL XXX FEBRUARY, 1916 No. 2EDITORIALSWe have received many expressionsof appreciation and encouragementand some friendly criticism of JanuaryOlive Trees. We heartily thankyou one and all. No one knows itsshortcomings as we do, and the creditfor its good points belongs to Himwho doeth all things well.The paper neither outside nor inwas what it ought to have been. Thenthere were a number of mistakeswhich we think it is customary toblame on the compositor. The dateof the Latakia earthquake in "Sidelightson Fifty Years of Mission Workin Syria" should have been '72 insteadof '92, and the visit to Suadea in thesame article should have been '74 insteadof '94. In Miss Edgar's cardthe name of the place to which Sadeekwas sent is Hums, not Humes.In speaking with a friend sometime ago about some money that wasneeded in the Covenanter Church hesaid with quite a little pride, "Oh! wewill get it. I never knew the CovenanterChurch not to come forwardwith any money that was needed forany good work that we had to do."This is something to be thankful forand yet is it a thing that ought to giveus any satisfaction ? The friend abovereferred to did not think that afterwe had paid this extra money neededthat We were even paying a tithe ofthe income of the Covenanter Church.If all we have belongs to the Lord, isit very creditable to keep from givingHim what specially belongs to Him(the tithe) until the need becomes sogreat that we just feel it is a necessityto give it? Then think of thevast territory yet in possession of theenemy and is it a time to keep moneystored away? What does the Lordthink about it? What do we think ofa debtor who always pays only after

30OLIVETREESwe have dunned him a dozen or moretimes and then sent him a finalmessagethat the amount must be forthcomingor something else willhappen?The articles on Covenanter Missionsby Dr. Wilson,' and Every-MemberCanvass by Mr. Steele, which manyhave read with much profit in JanuuaryOlive Trees, were given at theCovenanter Rally in connection withthe Laymen's Convention in Novemberlast. They were requested forpublication by the editors and kindlywritten out from notes and memory.We have passed on to the Treasurerof the Syrian Mission, thirty shillingsreceived from Dr. Sommerville, andwhich was sent to him through Mr. J.B. O'Neill, Belfast, from a friend inmemory of Miss Meta Cunningham,whose body lies at Suadea.month (and those who have heard thepastor speak will know that it is notbecause of uninteresting sermons)clippings from letters, from OliveTrees and other sources relative toour Fields. They have a series ofcharts of their own making that keepever driving home facts concerningthe advancement of His Kingdom. Wehope to tell our readers more of thiswork later.Under the leadership of Rev. D. H.Elliott and Rev. J. D. Edgar, theKansas Presbytery has been puttingthrough an epoch-making campaignin the interest of the Tithe and Every-Member Canvass.We expect the work will be so faralong that we can give you an accountof it from the pen of one of theleaders in March Olive Trees. EveryUve man in our Church look out foritand read it and get every other manto read it or read it to them.We have appeals from the American^olish Relief Commission, 12 and14 East Forty-sixth street. New YorkCity, and from the Hon. Treasurersof t'le "W^ounded Allies Relief Committee,Messrs. J. P. Morgan & Co.,3 Broad street. New York City.The need in both cases is great, andany contribution from 25c. up willbe gratefufiy received at above addresses.The Staflford congregation has organizeda "Mission Publicity Committee,"whose business it is to read beforethe congregation twice eachWe are sorry that on account of thestringency caused by the war and thefact that all the work of the Irish andScotch Mission Fields is closed, thatthe most interesting little Scotch magazine,Go or Send, has been discontinued.We join with the Editor inthe hope "that when the war is overand our missionaries have returrled totheir posts in Syria the magazine maybe revived." God grant that this maybe sooner than appearances would indicate.We are glad to see that "What isThy Name?" a book for girls, by thelate Rev. J. P. Struthers, has been editedby his wife. There are eleven

portraits in the book, beautifullydrawn by Mrs. Struthers. This bookis unique among all books for girls.We hope that many parents on thisside will secure copies for their daughters.The book will cost a little less thana dollar and I think should come freeof duty. The publishers are Messrs.James McKelvie & Sons, Ltd., Greenock,Scotland.An article on the Foreign MissionWork of the Winchester congregationwill appear in March Olive Trees.We have asked some to send usshort articles of Special work the Lordhas been doing in and through them.We know that there is a natural hesitancyto speak of one's' own work,whether it is personal or in the congregation,and yet when we think ofit rightly, it is the very thing weought to do. No Christian or body ofChristians do anything themselves. Itis the Lord working in them Who doesall good things. We do not-blame theLord for telling us of the work of Salvationthat Jesus worked out for menand no more should anyone be blamedfor telling what Jesus is still doingin and through His people. Let Jesusdo things through us and then let ustell it for His glory and the help ofothers.The following interesting letter waskindly sent to us by Dr. Sommerville:Onua, Malekula,New Hebrides,25th November, 1915.My dear Dr. Sommerville;Thank you for your loving and interestingletter of June 28th, whichOLIVE TREES 31came here two months ago. We arenow having a 5-weekly service, whichis quite satisfactory, considering thewar. We get an additional mailthrough French sources, but that ismore uncertain.I noted with interest all you wroteabout the Missionaries in Syria. Thewar should end in a great open doorin that region.My second cousin, a lad of greatpromise, both as scholar and athlete,and who was editor of the collegepaper, and wrote one of the best recruitingpoems of the war, enlistedfrom Australia, and was killed at thefront. The mission is well representedin the fightinglines by its childrenand relations, and we feel thatafter the war, these islands will becomeeither entirely under British, orunder French control, and naturally,we hope it will be the former. Thingsare specially bad just now, as nativeswho are evily inclined can at presentdo as they like. We have reportedcases of rape etc., to the British Resident,who does nothing. He can donothing.At our last Communion gathering,we had the collection for the BelgianRelief Fund, and half for Widows andorphans of French in this war. Thenatives have received much less fortheir copra since the war started, andhave had to pay far more for clothes,rice etc., so that their money is muchless. But I was pleased when theygave $71.64, and through our BritishResident was received the heartythanks of the French Resident.At the Communion we admitted 27new members, and 10 were furtheradmitted for the firsttime from the

32 OLIVE TREESAmbrim Refugees who have settledon Malekula. Over a score of themjoined in, and the share of the collectionabove from Ambrim natives was$11.40.The war has prevented any hope ofstarting a new hospital in place of theone destroyed by the Ambrim outbreak.Dr. Bowie has temporarily resigned,so that there is no missionaryfor the island of Ambrim, at a timewhen the natives most sorely needone. Owing to vacancies our missionariesare overworked, but that mustbe the case everywhere at present.Lately in a big sea a missionary,who is in temporary charge of Ambrimand had been weeks toiling fromvillage to village, ran here in a nativeboat. The sea was too big for themto beat to the next island with him.I have a little twenty-two-foot openboat with a Kelvin motor in it. Thisdoes an extra amount of work, andin a rough sea we ran him to his nextdestination, eighty-five miles thereand back. The steamer considered itrough, so you can understand that itwas lively in the little boat, especiallyin tide rips.Several of my teachers have brokendown in health lately, necessitatingchanges. The staflf has had a loss, butit has given an opportunity for twoof our younger men to show whatthey could do. A man who in theearly days did splendid work, but subsequentlygave up school, returned lastSabbath. I went to his house, and hecould not slip away as he usually doeswhen I go. He said he was doingnothing wrong, and I pointed out thathe was doing nothing at all, whichwas wrong, and asked was it shamethat kept him from joining. He saidyes, and I told him that that was justhow white men felt, and he shouldcome at once, which he did.I trust that Mrs. Sommerville andyou are enjoying good health. Pleasegive my kindest regards to all friends.I had cheery news from my youngestbrother, who is enjoying the missionwork in the Aborigines station atN. W. Australia.With grateful thanks for all yourkind and never-ceasing interest in theNew Hebrides.Yours very sincerely,Fredk. S. Paton.JESUS AND IJust to walk beside the Savior,Just to linger at His feet;Just to hear when He instructs me.Just to make Him my retreat.Just to be alone with Jesus,Just His ways to understand;Just to make Him my companion,Just to have Him hold my hand.Just to feel He is within me.Just to think we'll never part;Just to know that He is seatedIn the throne-room of my heart.Just to do whate'er He bids me.Just His pleasure to fulfill;Just to go, or wait, or suffer—Anything! that is His will.With Christian aflfection,D. H. Elliott.The October, 1899, Olive Trees hasbeen obtained through the kindnessof a friend in Delhi, N. Y.

OLIVE TREES 33SPECIALTHE BASIS OF INTERNATIONALPERMANENT PEACE.*By J. Boggs Dodds, D. D."The work of righteousness shall bepeace; and the effect of righteousness,quietness and assurance forever."—Isaiah 32:17.At the suggestion of the NationalReform Association, there will bepreached in thousands of pulpits thisfirst Sabbath of December, sermonsthat bear on the general topic of theright relations of nations to God andHis Law. During this and the nextthree days, the Annual Conventionwill be held in Pittsburgh, Penna. TheAssociation enters on its fifty-secondyear of constantly growing infiuence,now a world-wide influence for nationalrighteousness. At their request,I take as my subject this morning,The Basis of International PermanentPeace.Among men, peace, desirable as itis, must have certain qualifications tomake it acceptable. This is in harmonywith what we read in James 8:17, about "the wisdom that is fromabove (it) is firstpure. Then peaceable."Purity is greater than evenpeace. Better the thunder-storm thanan atmosphere laden with hurtfulatoms. Peace among nations cannotbe permanent if it rests on other foundationthan that of InternationalRighteousness. One of the most unquestionableteachings of the Bible isthat war is sent from God upon men*Preached at Greely, Colo., and requestedfor publication in Olive Trees bymembers of the congregation and sent toDr. Sommerville.ARTICLESbecause of sin, sin personal and national.Man's wrong done to his fellow-manis the cause of strife. Eventhough it be a fancied wrong it leadsto war.Who, then, is to blame for thisstruggle? Ex-Vice President Fairbankssays in a recent article, "We livein the bloodiest age in all human history.Let us hope that the very savageryand horror of it may lead mento forsake war for the ways of peace."So we all most fondly hope.Our firstinquiry will be: What internationalsituations of the past,show uprighteousness among thenations ?In 1904, the world was advised of asecret agreement made between Englandand France by which the latternation gave up her rights in Egyptianfinances, certain fishingrights in NewFoundland, and some other lesserpoints of controversy, upon conditionthat England allow France a free handin appropriating Morocco as a "sphereof influence." Spain was privy to thisdeal, but Germany was ignored. WilhelmII visited Tangiers and expressedhimself so forcibly that a conferencewas held in Algeciras by whichcertain things were agreed upon byGermany, France, Spain and GreatBritain. But soon after, Casa Blancawas bombarded by a French man-ofwaron certain pretexts, and still later,in 1911, France sent an expedition toFez on a very filmy excuse and in atrice established "a protectorate" overa great independent country, in spiteof the futile resistance of the inhabitants; Spain was left unmolested in herdesigns in Morocco; England held undisputedsway in Egypt; Italy laid

34 OLIVE TREESfeverish hands on Tripoh; Germany,fearing British sea-power, bided hertime, but hurried forward those deeplaid plans for aggressive warfare thathave come out since August, 1914.The Balkan volcano burst into a dreadfuleruption, and then into a secondconvulsion that thwarted for a time atleast Germany's dream of a Teutonichighway to the further East throughConstantinople, because of Russiansupport to Serbia. Then came thePapal intrigue by which Duke Ferdinandwas to be imposed upon theSerbs without their consent and inspite of their determined opposition.Without this Teutonic, pro-Papal tool,Russia could not be checkmated in herpan-Slavic plan by which, since thedays of Peter the Great, she hadsteadily worked toward a Mediterraneanport that would give her free accessto the markets of the world, andgive her chiefly an avenue for worlddominion in the century to come. Butall this dream of potentates was rudelyruptured by the assassin's bullet.Serbia held the smoking weapon, butthe Teuton was not deceived. Heknew that the hand that pressed thetrigger was the century-long foe of apower that had divided Christendomin centuries gone by. The War Lordof Berlin imagined that the psychologicalmoment had come. The embersthat had been smoldering for fortyfouryears, left by German campfiresaround Paris, must firstbe drenchedso that no baflfling conflagration mightflame up in his rear while he wouldbe engaged in cleaving his pathwaythrough Southeastern Europe to Constantinople,and on to the Persian Gulfwhere he would be able to dispute theright of Great Britain to the exclusivemarkets of Asia and Africa, and atthe same time provide for the colonialopportunities made so imperative bythe annual birthrate of a million Germansa year. The unexpected happened.Belgium insisted that a treatyof neutralization was more than "ascrap of paper;" England, the "unprepared,"interfered; Russian mobilizationwas accelerated to an incredibledegree; "decadent" France manifestedan unsuspected virility; Italy,the third party to the Triple Alliance,held back. The giant of Militarismexperienced a paralysis little dreamedof. Belgium, the desolated, now hastime to reflect on the desolations ofthe Congoese rubber gatherers whosebodies had been mutiliated by Belgianoflficers in years gone by. England,besotted by drink, is scarcely yet ableto realize that her Indian opium wasintroduced into China by force ofarms. The Russian retreat from (Jaliciaand the Carpathians should remindher of Jewish massacres, Stundistpersecutions, of Siberian exilesand of prisons glutted with men andwomen who loved the right of freespeech and a free press. German sciencehas led in that destructive criticismof God's Word by which millionshave been estranged from its sacredtruths, so that "ME and Gott" assumethe role of arbiter for the well-beingof the whole world's "kulture." Everynation involved has a history in whichGod is omitted; righteousness hasbeen outlawed; mercy has been dishonored;Christianity has been traduced;civilization is chaos. Such isin part the situation and such havebeen some of many more causes thathave led humanity into the greatestdisgrace of the ages. Calvary with its

ending rocks and blackened sun sawthe foul murder of the Prince of life,but the twentieth century is avertingits shamed face from the rape of theBride of the Lamb in the house of herbrothers. A thousand million heathenhearts are made to loathe the name ofChristianity. Well may they make theApostle James their mouthpiece andask, "Whence came wars and fightingamongyou?" And he will answer unerringly,"Come they not hence evenof your lusts that war in your members?"There is no truth more clearlytaught in Scripture than that nationsare morally responsible to the God ofheaven, and that He judges them fortheir treatment of one another. InJeremiah, chapters 44-51; in Amos,Hosea and other prophets the judgmentsof God against the nations areplainly declared.Well may a voice out of the non-Christian world call' a halt on thisspeech and say, "Is America clean?Is America blameless among the nationsthat one of her sons should pointout the shortcomings of Europe ? HasAmerica no indictment to answer forthe way in which she despoiled theRed Man ? Is she guiltless in the territorytaken from Mexico? Has she agood clean title to the land throughwhich she has built the PanamaCanal? Has she no responsibility forrefusing to join other nations for theprohibition of the traflfic in rum andfirearms among the child races of theworld, and thus perpetuating thesedestructive traflfics among the helplesspeoples ? Is she clear of unkindness inthe exclusion of the Chinese and ofspiteful aflfrontery to the Japanese?Has she no responsibility before Godfor her continued liquor traflfic amongOLIVE TREES 35her own inhabitants and in the exploitingof the stranger millions whoflock to her shores? Does she anymore than other nations honor theGod of nations and His Law? Doesshe keep His Sabbaths, care for thepoor, repress greedy speculation, andrestrain her great moneyed kingsfrom taking advantage of the warbegotten necessities of desolated Europe?Does she not ignore the Godof heaven and His Royal Son whomHe has exalted high above all principalitiesand powers, to whom Hehas promised that "every knee shallbow and every tongue confess thatHE is Lord, the Governor among theNations?"To all this indictment and to muchmore that might be said we must humblyplead guilty, but this' may not hinderus in crying aloud to the nationsof Europe that the only way to divinefavor is through a righteousness thatis in accord with the teachings of theWord of God to nation as such. Toevery nation we may bring the wordsof Daniel to the haughty king of theonce great Babylon. "Break oflf thysins by righteousness and thine iniquitiesby showing mercy to the poor, ifit may be a lengthening of thy tranquilty."(Dan. 4: 27.) "There is nopeace, saith the Lord, to the wicked."(Is. 57:21.)A very common proverb teaches thatthe darkest hour is just before thedawn. This being true, we should lookup, for the day of our redemptionfrom the tyranny of militarism mustbe near as this is the darkest hour ofhistory.Thomas B. Reed is credited withsaying, "Wrong is never so weak as inits hour of triumph." It may be re-

36 OLIVE TREEScalled that in 1860, Alexander H. Stephens,in a speech at Charleston, said,"Slavery is a positive good; the cornerstoneof our civilization." Generalvon Bernhardi, Germany's most insistentdefender of her military program,declares in "Germany and theNext War,"p. 94, "But it (war) is notonly a biological law, but a moral obligation,and as such an indispensablefactor in civilization." Then on page47 he quotes his teacher of PoliticalPhilosophy, Tritschke: "Among allpolitical sins, the sin of feebleness isthe most contemptible; it is the politicalsin against the Holy Ghost."Such expressions indicate that thelast word has been said when men aredriven to such extremes of falsehoodagainst the teachings of the Bible.We have seen some of the causesthat precipitated the awful cataclysmnow desolating Europe. We see someof the extremes to which men aredriven who would defend those whoare responsible for this situation.(To be continued)THE ARMENIAN MASSACRESToday provision has had to be madefor the Armenians who are the latestto arouse the ire of the Turks, andwhom the French cruisers have rescuedfrom their fury. About 4800refugees are now in Port Said. Ofthese 915 are men, 1408 women, 702boys, 539 girls, and the rest infants,some of whom were born when theTurkish atrocities were at their worst.All the refugees, who are a most respectable,well-educated set of people,come from Suadea, the port of Antioch,on the northern bank of theOrontes river, in the vilayet of Aleppo.. And a fine story of heroic resistancethey have to relate!It appears that at the end of Julythey received orders from the authoritiesto sell up their possessions andprepare to be deported within a week.They had already heard what hadhappened to their compatriots inother parts of Asia Minor, and sinceit was evident that they would meetwith the same fate if they obeyedorders, the inhabitants of Suadea decidedto die fighting. All but 300 accordinglytook to the Gebel Musa, themountain behind Suadea,taking withthem all the cattle and provisions theycould lay their hands on.Of the 4300 odd who took to thehills, only 600 were fighting men, andof these but 150 were armed withrifles. The rest had only muzzleloadingguns. But they put up a magnificentfight. They divided their organizationinto two parts—military,with four leaders to arrange for theirdefence; and civil, with a commissionof eight to deal with their internal administration.The hills were guardedby detachments of from 10 to 40 men,who were relieved every twenty-fourhours, whilst on the coast—the refugeesheld all the hills around the towndown to the sea—were posted tenmen, whose duty it was to watch forany friendly ship, and notify to ittheir critical situation.During the seven weeks they werein the hills they repulsed four determinedattacks; though, as a matterof fact, isolated fighting continuedthroughout. Only a small force ofregulars was sent against them on thefirst occasion, and it was easily repulsed.A larger force was then sent,

ut after a fightof eleven hours, itwas driven oflf. Troops were nextrequisitioned from Aleppo, and withthem came a horde of scallywags, includinga well-known Pan-Islamic agitator.Sheikh Maaruf (who had gatheredthe horde together and came withthem-to egg them on to attack). Themost desperate fightof all took placeafter this. It lasted continuously for26 hours, and so severely were theregulars handled in this aflfair—inwhich, by the way, the Armenianscaptured a welcome supply of gunsand ammunition—^that they left therefugees alone for nearly three weeksBy the time the next attack was madethe Armenians had established communicationwith the French cruiserswhich had been blockading the Syriancoast and were attracted by the wavingon the shore, by the above-mentionedwatching party, of a hugewhite flag,having a red cross paintedon it.OLIVE TREES 37turned up in the nick of time, for thesituation of the Armenians in the hillswas becoming desperate; they wererunning short of food and ammunition,and the time was approachingwhen the weather would have forcedthem down from the hills. Duringthe whole of the fightingthe Armenianslost 21 killed and 16 wounded—the latter are now in hospital at PortSaid—and they estimate the losses ofthe Turks at over 800 killed andwounded. One cannot help admiringthe determination of these unfortunatefolk to die fightingrather thanaccept deportation, which spelt deathand mutilation in the end, and themarvelous resistance that they put upagainst such odds. At the same timeit does not say much for the qualityof the troops now in Syria and AsiaMinor that, with numbers and suppliesin their favor, they should havebeen held at bay and worsted by sucha handful of men.That the Suadea Armenians werecorrect in their expectation of the fatethat awaited them and theirs, if theyhad obeyed the authorities and allowedthemselves to be peacefully deported,is proved by the authentic reportsthat have reached here of thetreatment of their co-religionists inpractically every part of Asia Minor.The cruisers lost no time in startingto rescue the Armenians. It took gone forth from Stamboul, and theA fiat determination seems to haveone and a half days to get them all extent of the massacres far exceedson board, and the embarkation took any that were perpetrated underplace under cover of shell firedirected Abdul Hamid, whom the Young Turksat the Turks. The French vessels are so fond of holding up as the murdererof defenceless women and children,and as the originator of all thatwas abominable and uncivilized inTurkey; whilst the manner of the executionof the fiatfar excels in ingenuity,brutality and callousness anythingthat has occurred in Belgium orthe North of France.—The NearEast.

38 OLIVE TREESFour of our boys who won the dual meetwith the English School in 1914. Cyprus.These boys with their companions, andlike boys at Mersine, arestill calling forteachers.If Olive Trees is helpful and interestingin your home, why not see thatevery home in your congregation hasthe same blessing.HELPING THE ARMENIANREFUGEES IN CAIRO.Rev. Stephen Trowbridge, of theWorld's Sunday School Association,now acting as secretary of the ArmenianRelief Committee operating inEgypt, writes from Cairo:"The relief work is now well organizedand the $6200 sent fromAmerica is being used for a numberof very useful purposes; for example,providing 1200 loaves of sweetenedbread for 1200 school children betweenthe ages of four and fourteen.We are building eight hot baths andproviding 1200 towels, and are seekingto engage a superintendent nursefor the hospital. We have also senta shipment of ten sewing machines forthe women to make up winter clothing.We have sent this week a wheatcrusher,which will be exceedinglyuseful in providing the food which thepeople are accustomed to. We are alsobuilding two hospital sheds, as therehave been cases of dysentery, opthalmiaand typhoid. We are providingtwenty-five tons of coal for the baths,and are holding a reserve fund forhospital equipment, supplies and soforth, as well as for industrial work.Most of the people are comb-makersby trade, and we are endeavoring toco-operate with the Armenian Cominitteein getting the industriesstarted."Q O D h a d a n o n l yFor Qod so lovedthe world, that hegave his only begottenSon, that whosoeverbelieveth In himshould not perish,buthave everlasting life.S o n , a n d H e w a sa M i s s i o n a r y .fohn 3 t 16.L. Il K.. p. O. box 216. HARRISBURG. PA.

OLIVE TkEES 3^M O N O G R A P H SDISILLUSIONMENTThe Taurus Mountains are part ofa range that, broken here and there,runs across Asia Minor from west toeast, and thence away across Asia to"the backbone of the world." Oftenstanding on some vantage point I havewatched the snow-topped ranges rollingeastward like giant breakers, andhave thought awfully that what I sawwas part—so small a part—of theHimalayas, the Hindu Kush, and theAltai ranges. Nor is it only our mountainsthat remind us of the barbariceast, but our mountaineers. The citydwelling Ottoman of the upper classesis not to be distinguished from Europeansby his appearance. But amongthe Turcoman mountaineers are manymen with slant eyes and high cheekbonesand almost hairless faces, survivalsof the Tatar inruptions. In mychildhood those in our district werealmost entirely tent-dwellers, movingas the changing seasons and pasturefor their fiocksrequired. They hadwinter villages where they took refugefrom the rigors of winter in flatroofed,stone and mud houses of onestory, set back into the side of somesouthward facing mountain slope. Butit was in summer that I knew them.At that season they lived in tents—just two uprights with a ridge-polejoining them, and a goats' hair carpetthrown across and drawn out taut atthe sides with pegs and ropes. Thelittle boys herded the goats on themountains, whiling away the hours byplaying on single reed flutes. Theother day I heard Altschuler's orchestraplay one of those very airs in acrowded concert hall, and I was backin my old home. The little girls areusually somewhere within call. Theold people spend their time, whethersitting or afoot, spinning goat-hairyarn; it has this advantage over Wool Sthe moths, fastidious as their fellowmothHorace, will not touch it. Althoughthese Turcomans were Moslems,their women did not veil; theyare frank, yet modest, and the sweetTurkish falls sweetly from their tongues,despite the peasant barbarismsof their pronunciation and grammar.They cook the simple food, churn themilk into butter, or curdle it with aferment originally procured from amountain flower. Usually there is ababy tied on their backs, and the littlecapped heads bob against the mother'sshoulder as she walks. The men arestrong, clean-living creatures, able totramp great distances in their redleather boots, up and down over stonesand boulders. Of these men was Abdil Kerim, one of the heroes of mychildhood. He was not of the Tatartype; rather he resembled the kingssculptured in Asyrian bas reliefs, withhis black, curhng, square-cut beard.He turned an honest penny in summerby acting as a muleteer, leading hishorse loaded with merchandise orhuman beings, up from the hot plainsto that divine coolness of the Taurus.Probably the more because I was apuny mouse of a thing, I admired hisgreat strength—the way he strode upthe mountains, his power to lift heavyboxes without eflfort.The white turban around his fezproclaimed him a Moslem. Wheneverthe call to prayer was heard, or theshadows told him that one of the fiveprescribed times had come, he—who

4-0 OLIVE TREESwas so careful how he led the horseacross whose back two boxes containingus small fry were slung—wouldnevertheless leave us and turn asideto make his ablutions and say his prayers.If water was not to be had forthe ablutions, dust had to do. It is awonderful thought how five times aday from China to Gibraltar whiteturbanedheads are bowing in the samegenuflections before Him whom theyterm the Compassionate and Merciful;with the moving sun, the long linemoves on, so that when those in thewest are rising from the evening prayer,those in the east are already kneelingagain in the morning devotions. Iwas quite well aware of the religiousdiflferences between Abdil Kerim andme. I did not at that time know theChapter Concerning the Unbelievers,which is, I think, the one hundred andninth of the Koran, by heart, theshort, but important, chapter thatruns,"Say, 0 ye infidels; I worship notwhat ye worship; nor are ye worshippingwhat I worship; nor am I a worshipperof what ye worshipped nor areye worshippers of what I worship; yehave your religion and I have my religion."But I knew the gist of it, and thatthat was the fact of the case. Mypeople were allowed but one wifeapiece, he had more latitude; theymust go to church of a Sabbath, he tothe mosque of a Friday. Well, hisreligion and ethic for him, and oursfor us, this was the practical conclusionof my infant mind on the matter.I knew no Turkish, he no Arabic, soour means of communication was limited.Do such limitations tend to heroworship?It might well be. Howeverit was, he was Hector, Achillesand Bayard to me.To this happy state of things disillusioncame. I did not go to seek it,it came to me. I had climbed thethorny wild-plum tree down by the biggate. The round crimson and ochrefruit might be ripe enough to eat; atleast a little manipulation might makethem soft enough to pass my father'sscrutiny. In any case there was alwayssap to be found exuding fromthe crevices of the bark in dark amberlumps. It was some time before midday,and I was perched in the tree,carefully so as not to impale myselfupon the big thorns. Suddenly I wasaware of Abdil Kerim under the tree.He sat down, took out flint,steel andtinder and lighted himself a cigarette.This matter of smoking was a seriousoflfense by all my training, but myfaith was unshaken. This, too, wasanother of the diflferences that madeno diflference. Besides, the fact thathe did not see me, made a little mysterysuch as pleases young children.Then out of a clear sky came the bolt.Abdil Kerim had occasion to blow hisnose. Of course he had no pockethandkerchief.I doubt if he had everseen one used. Calmly he blew hisnose, just as Hector or Achilles wouldhave done. I had seen dozens of otherpeople do the same thing in the sameway and scarcely noticed it, they werebelow my level, that was all. But thiswas a hero. That he should not knowthe use of a handkerchief was intolerable.It was all over for me. Itsounds ridiculous, but it really hurtvery badly. I wanted to scrambledown from the tree and gooflf into thewoods whre no one would see me. Butif 1 moved he would see me. So I satin my tree very still until he had goneaway.

^:^"OLIVE TREiES +i_5^ •APPEAL FOR THE JEWISH MIS­SION—FUNDS NEEDED ATONCEThe churches are asked to respondat once to the immediate needs of theJewish Mission. The treasury is overdrawn,and the Board has no fundsfrom which to borrow. The urgencyof the situation can be seen by comparingthe condition of the treasuryfor the past eight months with thatfor the corresponding period of 1914:Balance to Synod, 1914 $524.51Receipts from all sources toNovember 30 2383.34Balance in Treasury Nov. 30. 793.11Balance to Synod, 1915 $890.41Receipts from all sources toNov. 80 1468.46Balance in Treasury, Nov. 9. 76.56And on January 4, 1916, the Treasurywas overdrawn $97.45. By comparingthe figuresfor the autumn of1915 with those of 1914 it will be seenthat the receipts fell oflf in 1915 almost$900. Why this shrinkage? Onewonders after the report to last Synodof the conversions, baptisms and communionat the Mission last spring, whythe church should decide to invest somuch less in the work this year. Perhapsit is an oversight, or perhapscongregational treasurers have not yetremitted the contributions. Who willcome to the help of the Lord amonghis ancient Covenant people? Mr.Blair and Miss Forsyth—our missionaries—anda corps of volunteers areworking, the former to the very limitof their strength—even beyond theirstrength. They are strong in faith,unsparing in their devotion. We praythe Lord to put it into the hearts of hispeople to consecrate of their means tothis work. If we may judge the futureby the past we may be confidentthat the Church will supply our needs.Findley M. Wilson,Secretary.•^ •tE-fititjii^|Ap^gg|4r^HHHpwSHBBB^^B^^?!- ^5,t-%i£^Xm h I^^^"'" 'rJH^ ^ $ ^ By^~m. »^ ^ mm ^ MM ^ rf*< '^^^^^^dl^^^pil^^ll i ^ ^ Hn ^ ^Flood scene,^China, 1914. Showing Women's School and other buildings.In 1915,,water was in second story.

+2 OLIVE TREESThe above are the statistics for theCovenanter Churches of Alleghenycounty and Philadelphia as given inthe recent Laymen's Conventions.In the weekly average per memberto all Missions and Benevolences westood far and away above all otherDenominations in both conventions.Our membership is our weak point.The other denominations mostly hadlarge increases in their membershipand large increases in their totalamounts during the ten years given,but this naturally decreased their percapita.We ask you to give these statisticsand those of your own congregationyour prayerful consideration. We areincreasing in our gifts to both Homeand Foreign work and we shouldthank God for this, but after all trueMission work is in reaching men andwomen with the gospel message. Arewe doing this as we ought?Number of CongregationsReporting1904-19148 91905-19153 3PITTSBURGHNumberof CommunicantChurchMembers1904-1914885 802PHILADELPHIA1905-1915j 545 554PITTSBURGHContribuhons ro Mis- jcnlributions to Forsionsand Benev. m ^j^^ MissionsAmerica ;1904-191414,965 17,884Contributions to CongregationalExp.Inc. Bldg. Funds1904-1914Not Reported1905-19156344 9906Total toall Miss.and^Benev.1904-1914 1904-19142,438 3,636 17,403 21,520PHILADELPHIA1905-1915 I 1905-1915 1905-19154 269 12,285 I 2,669 4,615 6,938 16,900Weeldy Average perMember to LocalChurch Expenses1904-1914Not Reported1905-1915.22 .34PITTSBURGHWeekly Average perMember to all Missionsand Benevolences1904-1914.38 .52PHILADELPHIA1905-1915.24 .58A CANVASS TO TALK SALVA­TIONA struggling city church of smallmembership was so encouraged by theevery-member canvass that the Sabbathfollowing the canvass the canvasserscovered the fieldthe secondtime for the express purpose of talkingsalvation. The report at conferencetime revealed 40 per cent, increasein membership, benevolencesand the local expense paid in full, andwith the request that the pastor bereturned at an advance of $850.00 insalary. This in spite of a two months'illness and enforced absence of thepastor. Every department of thechurch was greatly helped by the canvass.—Menand Missions.NO EXCUSE FOR HAPHAZARDGIVINGIn 1914 Protestant church membersin America gave to all home missionwork an average of 54c. per member;to all foreign mission, 71c. per member,or an average for both of $1.25.During the same time our populationspent:For confectionery,. $290,000,000.00,or $3.15 per capita.For soda water, $415,000,000.00, or$4.46 per capita.For tobacco, $1,200,000,000.00, or$12.91 per capita.For hquor, $2,000,000,000.00, or$21.50 per capita.—Men and Missions.

OLIVE TREES 43TITHINGWINCHESTER TITHER'S ASSO­CIATION.*Recognizing that the tithe is theideal basis of giving, our pastor proposedto the Session and Board ofDeacons that a Tither's Association beformed. He received their unanimousapproval. On December 22nd, 1911,in a sermon to the congregation onthe tithe, an outline was made ofwhat was regarded as the ideal systemof financingthe church.The system is this: That everymember tithe his income and bring hisoflfering into the Treasury week byweek according to 1 Cor. 16:2; thatall the tithe be placed in a commonfund; that the domestic expenses bemet firstand that the remainder bedivided according to the appropriationsof Synod; that the Deacons makean every-member canvass each year tosecure pledges for the tithe, and anynot pledging the tithe be asked topledge a definite amount for the work,payable weekly. A package of envelopesis left with each member ofthe association, children as well asadults.At the next congregational meeting,early in 1912, the single fundsystem was adopted and the Tither'sAssociation was organized to helpcomplete the system. The articles ofagreement are as follows:1. This organization shall be called"The Covenanter Tither's Association."2. The object of this Associationshall be to promote and encourage ourpeople to bring all the tithe into God'sstorehouse.3. The membership shall be composedof those who will agree to paythe tithe of their increase into theLord's treasury.4. The supervision of the Associationshall be left in the hands of a committeechosen annually, composed of*By one representative special request from from each the of the editors.various organizations and boards ofthe congregation.5. This committee shall appoint achairman and secretary, prepare aframed roll of membership, solicitnew members, distribute literature,and arrange for at least one publicmeeting each year for the discussionof the tithe.6. All those whose pledges are receivedby January 1st, 1913, shall becharter members of the Association.A box containing literature on thetithe was placed at the rear of thechurch and one member of the committeestands at the box to distributeliterature at the firstof every quarter.One conference is held each year,at which diflferent phases of the titheare discussed and a Question Box isconducted at the close of the conference.The records of the Association haveshown an increase in the number oftithers. After the firstcanvass thenumber was fifty-six. At the end ofthe year when the Association wasformed we had one hundred andthirty-seven names on the roll ascharter members. Now there are onehundred and fifty-eight. A framedroll of the membership hangs on thechurch wall.The Deacons say the present financialsystem makes their work mucheasier. They always have money tomeet the demands. They make onlyone canvass a yjear where hithertothey had to canvass for special things.The collections increased over 100per cent, the firstyear, and have continuedto increase every year until1915, when the eflfect of three successivehard years caused a slight decrease.In addition to the tithe it was decidedin March, nineteen thirteen, toundertake the support of a foreignmissionary and now one thousandand the fiftydollars support of Rev. a year Samuel Mary are'raised Craig. Edgar. for

+4 OLiVfiTREEST H E C O V E N A N T E R C H U R C HNeeds 89 more Foreign Missionaries, togive One to Every 25,000 Heathen in ourFields.C a n w e d o ttlI V t l l w e d o tt ?PP^tll y o u g o ?W e sent 350 men to fight in theCivilWar.

OLIVE TREES +5N E W S FROM T H E FIELDEdited by Mrs. Findley M. Wilson, 2517 North Franklin Street,Philadelphia, Penna.In view of the unusually large numberof our missionaries now in thehome land we have thought it mightbe of interest to our readers to knowsomething of their whereabouts. Thewar conditions jn the Levant havemade the return of some to the fieldimpossible. Most of these have soughtemployment here, thus relieving thechurch of their support, and theBoard of Foreign Missions has madefree to co-operate with such as arephysically able in securing work.*? ^ H* H^The Rev. Robert E. Willson, of theMersine field, is serving the Southfield,Michigan, congregation as statedsupply. His address is Birmingham,Michigan.

46 OLi VE TREESSyria, since Mrs. Edgar is a British here ar^ moving along slowly. We aresubject. In a recent letter Miss all in about usual health. Miss SterrettMearns says she hopes to return toSyria in the early autumn. She willsoon be visiting relatives near Buelah,and Mr. Carithers are carry­ing on their departments with littlechange from the usual. Last SabbathNebraska. Miss Mearns' home we had our communion season hereaddress is 508 East Roy street, Seattle,Washington.at Mersine. Next Sabbath, God willing,Tarsus will enjoy the same privilege.It is pretty hard for Mr. Mc­Rev. J. K. Robb and family are locatedat 1221 Clay street, Topeka,Kansas, and are enjoying their wellearnedfurlough. Mrs. Robb has recentlyhad the grippe. Mrs. Robb'smother is living with them.• ,J; * ^Dr. Ida Scott is with her parents atWalton, N. Y. Her ever-wilhng handsare constantly busy with loving ministriesto the sick and sorrowful.* :i :[: JijMiss Annie Robinson, of the Chinafield, is with her home folks in Ireland.She has not been in good healthsince coming from China. Letters forher should be sent in care of Mr. Jas.Foster, Ballymoney, County Antrim,Ireland.* * ;!: -•;:Owing to derangement of the Pacificmails as well as those from theLevant, news from the fieldsis scarcethis month but we are glad to be ableto give the following:Mersine, Asia Minor.—Under dateof November 15th, Dr. John Peoples,of Mersine, writes to Mr. Jos. Steele,Treasurer of the Foreign MissionBoard, "Cash as per your letter ofSeptember Srd was received today,coming via the American express viaBerlin. It was thankfully received.We have had no word from Latakiafor a number of weeks. We are wonderinghow Miss Wylie is. ThingsFarland, for the burden of the servicerests on him, as there is no otherministerial worker near here."Tak Hing, China.—Miss Rose Huston,a teacher in the Girls' School atTak Hing, completes fiveand a halfyears of service in China, and is tocom_e home on regular furlough thisspring. Relative to arrangementsfor her transportation, Miss Hustonwrites: "At present there are fewboats to choose from, though two ofthe C. P. R. boats begin their regularsailings next month and two othersare now in dock having their warpaint takenoflf in preparation for thetrans-Pacific service. The northernroute is preferable, mainly because itis cool and invigorating, and asidefrom that and the fact that I havesome relatives and friends in Seattlewhom I should enjoy visiting, I haveno special choice of boats, as I am agood sailor. I will admit, though, thatwhen that "awful longing feeling'catches me sometimes, an eighteen ortwenty days' trip looks good in comparisonto a whole month."In any case, 1 do not care to go beforethe firstor middle of May on accountof the work here, unless theBoard thinks best for me to go sooner.That sounds as though 1 were not veryanxious to go home, but I AM—I'dlike to go tomorrow. So wheneverI am supposed to go, and on whatever

OLIVE TREES 47route, I shall be quite satisfied andvery, very happy to go."^ ^ ^ ^Lo Ting, China.—We have a letterfrom the Rev. D. Raymond Taggart,who has recently taken up the workin Lo Ting. We give this letter in itsentirety that our readers may enjoyits bright newsiness and also by readingbetween the lines, get an idea ofthe courage and earnestness that arethe daily needs of our workers inChina. The special evangelistic servicesin Lo Ting will be over beforeOlive Trees goes to press but we aresure many earnest prayers have ascendedfor an outpouring of God'sblessing on these meetings. Mr. Taggart'sletter follows:Another year of work is well underway. Miss Stewart led the advanceattack, leaving the coast about Septemberfirst. We followed about aweek later, but were two weeks laterthan she in arriving at Lo Ting. Dr.and Mrs. Dickson prolonged their staya little longer so that they might havea better opportunity for uninterruptedlanguage study. There were noneof us there to watch him, but judgingfrom the improvement in his Chinese,he must have worked overtime.But all departments are running fullnow, and we think we are graduallyaccumulating a little momentum.Our communion at Lo Ting washeld October 6-10. There were threeaccessions, one woman and two youngmen. One of these young men is employedas janitor and man of all workat the boys' school and the dispensary,and the other one formerly held thisposition, but is not employed by themission now. After leaving the missionlast year, he entered school outin the country, and later his teachercame in and registered as an inquirer,but has not been back recently, probablyfor the same reason that Nicodemuscame to Jesus by night. Thisboy also has brought his friend toask for baptism. Nearly every Sabbathday he brings in one or more tohear the doctrine. Won't you praythat he may not be discouraged if othersfail to see in Jesus what he hasseen, or better still, pray that theymay see.But the work has had its discourgagements,too. It is a hard matter tobring the Christians to see—eventhose who have been in the churchfor a long time—that to attend serviceregularly is not only a virtue, butis essential to maintaining spirituallife. For two months now we havebeen dividing the list of absenteesamong those who come, and askingthem to visit them. The results havenot been all that we have desired, butthey have been enough to encourageus. I think some have been redeemedfrom an utter falling away. Whenpatience and admonition cease to bevirtuous I am not sure that we willwait for the angels to gather out thetares.After this campaign is over, wehope to raise the standard of giving,for we find we cannot keep up interestwhere there is no investment. TakHing has made great advance in thisline during the last year, and we hopethey will provoke the brethren hereto jealousy.October 29 to 31 were the days forthe communion at Ch'e Tsai. Thisvillage has been without an evangelistfor some years, and not only werethere no accessions but some of those

48 OLIVE TREESwho should have been there did nottake the trouble to come. The mostencouraging thing about it was, thatthose who came felt quite discouragedover those who did not come. OnSabbath evening two of the brethrenand myself were appointed a committeeto visit those who had stayed away.I was planning to start for home earlyMonday morning, but concluded thatthis work was more important, and7.30 A. M. was fixedas the hour forstarting on the trip. But Sabbath'srain continued over Monday, and myone pair canvas shoes protestedagainst such treatment, over andabove the fifteen-miletrip home. Thebrethren asked if I were willing togo, and I said, "Yes, if you will findme a pair of grass sandals." Theysoon produced them, and we startedout, sockless and trousers rolled tothe knees. We must have looked thepart of lost sheep hunters, as wetramped through the mud and wadedthe river up to our knees. Had theweather been fair, I think our visitwould not have produced half the effectthat it did; for I saw the tearsstart in one man's eyes at least whenChung On Tai told how we had nottaken account of the weather to comeand findhim. It made a good startingpoint to remind them of the Onewho had given up His life for thesheep. I was delighted with the wayin which Chung On Tai conducted thismeeting, for he took the lead withoutsolicitation, gave his own admonition,and then waited for the rest of us.Leung Kwai followed, then myself,and then each of the others took asecond turn, and, finally,he asked twoof us to follow him in prayer, and weclosed with the Lord's Prayer, inwhich those we had come to see joinedvocally and, I trust, sincerely. Wecalled on others, but they were awayfrom home.I came home that day by sedanchair. I have never seen Chineseroads more slippery and ugly. Thefirst set of bearers were excused atthe half-way station, and the set thattook their places looked as thoughthey might both be consumptives. Asthe rain was still coming the last halfproved far worse than the first,and Iwondered if the Lord would have allowedtwo human beings to have carriedHim over such roads. Indeed,under the best of conditions, all one'sprinciples of democracy rise up in indignationagainst this mode of travel.The road is a high path between ricefields, fioodedwith several inches ofwater, and when the road was extraordinarilynarrow, and the bankhigher than usual, and the men hadthrown away their broken sandals,nothing seemed to remain between meand sudden destruction except thepromise, "Thy foot He'll not let slide."It was a constant source of wonderthat the men did not throw up theircontract and refuse to go further.Either they must have been unusuallystrong characters, or else He, who preservesour going out and coming in,must have kept them from suggestingsuch a thing to one another. Thoughthey received a good deal more thanthe contract called for, my consciencestill tells me they were underpaid, forI was not the only one who chilled asthey set down the chair at the chapeldoor.Special evangelistic services areplanned for Lo Ting January 10 to 17.We hope for results from these meet-

ings that shall be eternal, so that althoughthe date may be past whenthis goes to press, it will not be toolate to pray that the seed sown maygrow and bear fruit.Yours,D. Raymond Taggart-"UNTO YOU—I CALL"Attention is invited again to thecall of the Board of Foreign Missionsfor laborers. The months are goingby and no response to the call hasbeen received. As the usual time forstarting to the fieldswould now benext August or September, the interveningtime will be none too long forthe young people to reach their decisions,lay their plans and make preparationfor going.OLIVE TREES 49as letters are very scarce these times.By next Fall we will need a youngman for the Boys' School in Mersine,one in Cyprus, one for opening aboys' school in Lo Ting, and twoyoung women for evangelistic workin China. Young ministers and physiciansalso who are prepared for thegreatest investment of their lives possibleshould correspond with theBoard. An indefinite number couldbe sent to China any time, and to theLevant as soon as world conditionswill permit. We believe the Churchwill be ready to furnish the means;for the Lord has promised to providethe resources when His people becomewilling and obey.people finishingtheir preparation forlife's work is most earnestly called tothis appeal. Those who think of respondingfor the service should correspondwith the Board, as we wishto suggest some necessary preparation,especially a course in the EnghshBible.Findley M. Wilson,Corresponding Secretary.2517 N. Franklin St., Phila., Pa.The following was sent to Dr.Balph in Arabic and kindly translatedand forwarded by him. It is thelatest word from Latakia.Latakia, Nov. 17, 1915.Dear Brother:Your card of October received, andwe were very glad to hear from you,We are all well except Miss Wylie,who is not well most of the time. Somedays she is pained and others she iscomfortable. The work is going onas usual, and we have great reason tothank God for this and renew our energy,but our hearts are very sorrowful,and we need your prayers verymuch for us, and specially for ourbrethren here. Our sincerest regardsto Mrs. B., and to all the friendsthere; specially to Mr. Khouri and hisfamily. I have not heard anythingof his people for a long time, but donot think they have met with any difficultiesother than are common here,as there has not been any specialLet prayers be oflfered in homes trouble and in that village. Mr. Fattal hascongregations that the Spirit of Christ been appointed to work in Jerusalem.may call whom he will to this glorious All the brethren send salaams.service. And the attention of youngM. B. Edgar.

50 OLIVE TR EESMr. Tibby has still a few copies ofDr. Balph's book, "Fifty Years ofMission Work in Syria." They canbe secured while they last for 35ceach, postpaid. We know some familieswhere the parents have securedcopies for all their children so that inthe years to come they will have themin their own homes. A few morefamilies doing this would soon exhaustthe edition.The Central Allegheny MissionarySociety desires to pay loving tributeto the memory of our friend, Mrs.Martha Graham Russell, who wassuddenly called home on July 28,1915. She had been a faithful anddevoted member of our society fortwelve years, ever ready and willingto help in the Master's work.We rejoice that we have had somany years of sweet fellowship withher, and sorrow most of all that weshall see her face no more.We extend our sympathy to her bereavedhusband, and while we mournher loss, we know "to be with Him isfar better."Committee.The L. M. S. of Oakdale congregationdesires to place on record a tributeof love to the memory of Mrs.Ehsabeth Auld Beai, who passedpeacefully away Sabbath afternoon,August 29, 1915, in the 79th year ofher age. In the calling away of this—our oldest—member, our society haslost a faithful worker. She loved thehouse of God and her seat was seldomvacant. She was always ready to doher part as long as health permitted.May we hear God's voice calhng usto higher and better service. As asociety we extend loving sympathy tothe sorrowing daughter and sister.Mrs. Lizzie Carson,Miss Eva C. Murry,Mrs. Lena M. Carson.TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORYof Anna W. O'Brian, From the L. M.S. of New Alexandria Congregation.The Angel of Death came suddenlySeptember 27, 1915, and took fromour midst Miss Anna W. O'Brian, asister greatly beloved. •Her love for the Master was suchas dwelt in the Betheny home. Manyof our ministers will recall the kindnessreceived at her hand.As a Society we wish to bear testimonyto her love, her devotion, hersincerity. Her life was fragrant withthe fruit of the Spirit. The love ofGod was shed abroad in her heart.We saw it in the light of her countenance; we felt it in the clasp of herhand. To each of us she was a friendthat loveth at all times.She labored with zeal and earnestnessfor the welfare of the Society.For a number of years she served astreasurer.We extend loving sympathy to thebereaved friends, especially to thesisters remaining in the home, asthey daily miss the sound of a voicethat is still. May they be comfortedby the thought that the departed hasreceived the "Well done" and has enteredinto the joys of her Lord.May we, the members of this MissionarySociety, be inspired to hoherliving and better service for theMaster, because this life has touchedours.Mrs. J. R. Steele,Miss Isabella Hart.

OLIVE TREES 51W O M E N ' S D E P A R T M E N TEdited by Mrs. J. S. Martin and Mrs. T. H. AchesonSIDELIGHTS ON "FIFTY YEARSOF MISSION WORK IN SYRIA"During the summer of 1872, fromearly in July till time for the openingof the schools, Miss Dodds andTeacher Katrina occupied the Missionhouse alqne. The rats held high carnivalin the attic, and at times thenoise they made was so like that ofhuman beings that the occupantswould rise in the middle of the night,and go through the attic with a lightto make sure that there were notthieves there. Convinced that all thedisturbance was due to rats, they procureda pair of kittens and turnedthem loose upstairs.The greater part of the attic wasfloored, but in one part under theeaves there were no boards. A fewnights after the cats came a wailingwas heard, and on going up only onecat was to be found. The other hadcrept in between the flooringand theceiling of the room below. All eflfortsto dislodge it were unavailing, and theteachers went downstairs. WhenKatrina entered her room on the secondstory, there sat the kitten on atable in front of the chimney. Anopening had been left in the chimneyfor the insertion of a stovepipe, andthe kitten had evidently tumbled downthe flue,lodged on some projection,and crept out on the table.Some time in the late summer wordcame from Kessab that Mr. Powers ofthe American Board there was quiteill. His daughter had gone to the U.S. in charge of Miss Wood, who wasill, and was returning. Mr. Powerssent to ask the Latakia missionariesto set her on her way to Kessab. Mr.Beattie procured horses, and as soonas the steamer anchored, went out andbrought Miss Powers in, and he andDr. Martin accompanied her to Kessab.She was too late to see her fatherwho died a little while before she arrived.She afterwards visited us inLatakia and a friendship was begunwhich continues to this day.School opened at the usual time,with teachers Miriam and Katrina todo most of the work, and help andcorrect the mistakes of the new Sitt(lady), who was still very lame inArabic. However by teaching whatshe learned she was able to advancefrom the A, B, C and the primerclasses to arithmetic and geographybefore the end of the year. This Ithink is the best way to learn the language; each branch has its own vocabulary,and in the sewing room onelearns the names of the implementsused, and the diflferent kinds of sewing.After keeping house alone fromJuly till the firstof January, it was apleasant change to have the Eassonscome into the mission'house, and becomeonly a boarder, or rather, a memberof a family.Some time after their arrival wehad quite an alarm. Georgie camein spitting, and making a great fuss,and saying "It's bitter." His motherfound in his hand some morphia pills,and there was no way of knowinghow many he had eaten. Dr. Martinwas sent for in haste, and administeredan emetic and we all sat aboutwaiting for signs of drowsiness in

52 OLIVE TREESthe child, but at midnight he was stillthe widest awake of all so we dispersedand went to bed.After the arrest of the teachers, asrecorded on p. 52, the children wereslow of coming down to school, butwhen they did begin we had morefrom the mountains than ever before.A suit had to be made for each oneas he arrived; the children and theirfriends were isolated, until garmentswere ready, then they were thoroughlywashed—quite a new experience—andtheir heads anointed withgermicide, and the new clothing donned.In anticipation of the return ofDr. Metheny's family and Miss Crawfordthe Eassons moved to a housein the town, but the illness of Mrs.Metheny in New York detained themso that it was not till December 24ththat they landed in Latakia.The rearrest of the men who hadfled and the arrest of Asaad Canaan,Ibraheem Khalafy and Khaleel Rahjehin October, 1874, brought theirfamilies to stay in the school. All thecorrespondence that had been carriedon between the Turkish and Americanauthorities about this case had producedno result. Some time late inDecember a Mr. Baratsky from thelegation in Constantinople was sentto Latakia to examine into the matteron the spot. Mr. Beattie and Dr.Metheny accompanied Mr. Baratskyto Bhamra, took testimony and examinedthe premises. This done he decidedto go to Tripoli to sail for Constantinopleinstead of going back toLatakia. Dr. Metheny sent his horseback to town with Mr. Beattie, andhired horses for himself and Mr. Baratsky.On New Year's day—Saturday—theDoctor's cook. Uncle Gurgis,took the Doctor's horse down to thewharf when the steamer came in.Alas! when he came home he broughtword that the Doctor had not come.Knowing that he was in very ill favorwith the Turks at that time we werealarmed, and Mrs. Metheny fearingthe worst, fainted. As soon as sherevived, however, she insisted thatwe go on with our preparations forour little New Year celebration thatthe children's pleasure might not beclouded.On Sabbath while seated at breakfast,a man came bringing her a letterfrom the Doctor, who had at the lastminute decided to return by land, andwas then at Jebily, only six milesaway from home, waiting till the rivershould fall and became fordable. Itwas not till the following Tuesdaythat he reached home. , The ladies hadtaken the children over to Mr. Beattie'sand were seated in the parlor.Now in those days it was very commonfor the Doctor to address Mr.Beattie as "Pap!"As we sat chattinga horseman rode under the windowand called "Pap!"Quick as aflash came Mr. Beattie's answer. "Isthat thy voice, my son, David?"The upshot of the Bhamra case wasthat no satisfaction was ever made bythe Turkish Government for the illegalseizure of the teachers; as to theviolation of domicile the decision wasthat as the premises were not occupiedby Americans, there had been noviolation of American domicile.Mary E. Metheny.

OLIVE TREES 53THE FAMILY OF BOGUS.Father, mother, boy (Musa)and two girls ; other two girlswere in school when this picturewas taken.A family of the 5,000 Armenianswho defied the Turks in the Name ofthe Lord. Read of the father's wonderfulconversion through the eflfortsof our own missionaries.On October 16th, 1529, "The Turkhad reached the farthest limit of hisprogress westward. From Viennahis slaughtering hordes were to berolled back. While the cities andprovinces of Germany waited in terrorof the tramp of his war-horses andthe gleam of his scimitars, there camethe welcome tidings that the Asiaticwarriors had sustained a severe repulsebefore Vienna, and were now infull retreat to the Bosporus. Lutherrecognized in this unexpected deliverancethe hand of God, and the answerto prayer." Could Luther have lookeddown through four centuries of thefuture, and have seen his fellowcountrymenjoining hands today withthese same assassins of Europe, hewould have cried again, "Pray againstthe Turks and the gates of Hell." Hadthe Germans heeded the call of Lutherthen and now, the Tartar hordes ofAsia could not wreak their vengeance,unrestrained, against the helplessChristian Armenian race, as now theydo, with all the pent-up barbarism ofthe past centuries, bursting forth infury upon the innocents of today.The Egyptian Gazette sent to us byDr. S. H. Kennedy from Alexandria,liigypt, two months ago, contains thethrilling account of the rescue offive thousand Armenians from MountMusa, near Suadea, the field of ourmission work for years. This miraculousrescue brings joy to our hearts.We are glad that the Sunday SchoolTimes, and other papers, have publishedthe story so that people at homemay have some idea of the terror ofthe Turk.We have visited Yogonolook, thehome of the brave pastor, who is theauthor of the report to which I refer,I am sending a picture that I myselftook of Bogus, his wife and familywhen we visited them in their mountainhome in Yogonolook, no doubtnow desolated, as are all those beautifulmountain villages. They had atthat time two bright, pretty daughtersin our Mission School. Boguswas a typical Armenian of the mountains,quick and full of quiet ambition.He had a flouring mill near our homein Suadea. He became interested inthe Bible and asked Miss Cunninghamfor one, which she gave him. He keptit in the mill, lying on a windowsill,and as the slowly turning wheel

54 OLIVE TREESground out a grist for each waitingcustomer, Bogus would read hisBible. One night, Mr. Dodds had ameeting with him in the mud-brickhome of our Bible man. As they satupon the floor reading the Word ofGod and praying, the light suddenlycame to Bogus and in his joy he shouted:"Praise the Lord, I see!" and atthe same time, he grabbed oflf hisTurkish cap, his tarboosh, and flungit up to the roof (there was no ceiling),manifesting great delight overthe new-found light. He loved thehouse of God, and found his greatesthappiness in its services. He wasdevoted to his family. He sent hisdaughters to school and took muchpleasure in their progress. His onlyson "Musa" (Moses), the pretty littlebrown-eyed boy standing between hisparents in the picture, was thefather's constant companion. Onenight this little three-year-old lookedup at his six-foot-two father, whowas smoking, and said:, "0, myfather, when I get big I will smokehke you." This came as a shock tothe thoughtful father. He went outinto the garden and emptied his pocketsof all tobacco and quit smoking.Many fathers in America would bewiser and safer parents to their childrenwere they to follow his example.When we think of this splendid family,a blessing to any community, beingdriven from home so dear to them,out to desolation and probable death,we think of the persecuted Covenantersof Scotland:"Every hour they stood prepared todie;A people doomed to death;Old men and youth, and simple maid,"Death, death!Most reverently, we would say withthe fathers and brothers of those Armenian"simple maids," would to Godit had been death for them rather thanthe awful fate that overtook thousandsof them in the brutal harems ofthe bloody butchers of their race.One by one we think over thosewhom we knew and loved in that desolatedland and wonder what has beenthe fate of each. In Mrs. Kennedy'slast letter from Alexandria, Egypt,she echoes the anguish of many a missionary'sheart in these words: "Allthe Armenians have been driven outfrom their homes into the wilderness!Poor Katrina (her old Bible woman,faithful and most helpful) and Boolus(Katrina's husband) among the rest.Dear old Katrina, who lived in thehouse with me for twelve years! Itwas she who put her arms about meand wept when my mother died. Shehas stood by me in sickness. She hasalways rejoiced with me when I rejoicedand wept with me when I wept.It breaks my heart to think of herdying of starvation. I would be gladto hear that she were dead, for I knowshe would have rest, sweet rest. WhenI think of our bright young girls beingsold to Moslems it makes me tremble.I wish we could get back and try torescue some of them."The "Call of the Hour" is that theChurch may be ready to send outtrained young men and women, strongand brave to help those older workersexperienced and schooled in the varyingvicissitudes of mission hfe, just assoon as the King of Kings opens upthe way. There will be two greatlines of work: To reinstate these exilesand to help them to recover thehomes, the churches and the schools

now in ruins; also, to inspire themwith that spirit of loving forgivenessas by which they may help to win thecruel Moslems to the Christ whomthey honor as a prophet, yet reject astheir Saviour and their King. Whowill be ready to say, "Here am I; sendme?'Myrta May Dodds,Greeley, Colo.JUNIOR DEPARTMENTSubject for February meeting:"Trusting in Christ."—Jer. 17: 7, 8.Begin the meeting by repeating theLord's Prayer in concert, then haveroll call to which each member is torespond by reading or repeating averse on the subject of "Trusting inChrist." Some one should be appointedbeforehand to secure these versesand distribute them before the meetingopens. The usual exercises shouldfollow with perhaps a series of Biblereadings on the subject, following thereading of the passage for the day.These verses might be on the diflferentsides of trusting. For instance,trusting for salvation, for strength,for safety, for joy, for hope, for forgiveness.Give out the following questionson slips and ask each to answer asthey are called upon by the leader.The answers will perhaps need to bewritten out unless the children canget special help from home folks.What is trust?Why is not our own strength enough ?How should we show that we aretrusting in Christ for strength ?Tell of one person in the Bible whotrusted in Christ for strength andwho kept faithful.Who wrote the verses we are thinkingabout today ?Did Jeremiah ever have special trialswhen God delivered him because hetrusted ?What did Jeremiah say a trustingman is like?What did he say of one who trustsOLIVE TREES 55in man but not in the Lord ? Verses5, 6.If the members of the Band havenot yet learned to ofifer a prayer intheir own words, have a number ofpetitions from Bible prayers printedon felipsof paper and give these outto be read during a season of sentenceprayers.Take to the meeting some sand anda large stone. Talk to the Juniorsabout building a house and the necessityof seeking a sure foundation.Show them the sand; tell them that ahouse built on sand will not stand ifthe floods come. Show them thestone; a rock foundation is best. Ifwe trust we must trust One who willnot fail us. We must look to the foundation.If you trust yourself you willfail. Trust friends, and they will disappointyou. But trust Christ, andHe will stand by you, bless you, help•you, listen to you when you pray. Heis always ready to help. The driverof the locomotive is on the lookoutall the time he is running the train.The passengers in the train trusthim. They know he is watching fordanger. So Jesus wants us to trustHim, for He is our Leader and Hewill guide us aright, if we obey Hisword.Trust in God does not mean thatwe have nothing to do, or that wemiist not use common sense. There isa story of a man who said: "I trust inGod," while he turned his horse loose.Of course when he came for his horsein the morning it was gone. Hisfriend said: "I also trust in God," buthe tied his horse and in the morningthere it stood. We must trust thatGod is doing His work through us, andGod will honor our faith.Before beginning to study the HomeMissions have a day of general reviewof the names of all our Foreign Missionsand the location of the Missions.It would be a good plan to have someitems Missions.—C. of interest E. World. from Mrs. D. each C. of Vv^ard. these

56 OLIVE TREESCIRCULATIOND E P A R T M E N TWe are not going to publish at presentany of the kind expressions sentto us but we would be very grateful ifeach one, who has written to us orwho thinks that Olive Trees is worthreading would constitute himself orherself an agent to secure as manymore subscribers as possible. We wantto thank our regular agents for thefine work they have been and are doing.The work has been especiallyhard on account of the season of theyear and the fact that so many arelaid aside by the epidemic of grippethat is sweeping our country. Wehave received many new subscribers,and are sorry some have had to bedropped from our list. We are sureour regular agents will only welcomeany volunteer help.We are thankful to be in a positionto oflfer you all good pay for yourservices. Write to us about it. It willnot interfere with your regular workbut just when you meet a friend youcan tell them the good things theywill receive from reading Olive Treesand ask them to become a subscriber.If they do not have the money then,take their correct name and address.You can get the money later and giveit to your congregational agent, or ifthat is not convenient send direct tous. This can be done by agents andthose who are not agents in almost allcongregations. A friend in a congregationwhere it was thought no moresubscriptions could be secured has alreadysent us in nine new names. Hoivmany of our friends will show theirappreciation in a like manner?We wish to thank those who havesent us funds to send Olive Treesinto homes where they could not affordto take it. There are a few suchhomes in our Church but, after all,not many. The greatest reason whyOlive Trees is not in every home isbecause every home is not interestedenough in the work represented. It isgood to give Olive Trees to a personwho is interested but who cannot affordit, but it almost useless to givethe paper to one who is not interested.Such a one will not read it. The thingto do for most people who are not takingthe paper is to tell them of thegood things to be seen and read in itand, through prayer to God, arousetheir interest and then they will payfor their own paper and read it.To New Subscribers whose subscriptionswe receive before February22d we will send Olive Trees fromMarch to December inclusive for 75c.All friends please keep this in mind.We have less than half a dozen copiesof the January number left.The January number of OliveTrees was sent to all the old subscribersand also to all new names receivedup to time of mailing. However, wehave heard from some who did not getthe paper. We are sorry and have rectifiedthis as far as possible. Thepapers were mailed during the Christmasrush and after the magazinesought to have reached their destinationwe found quite a number of themstill held in the post oflfice here. Weliope all will receive the Februarynumber promptly.

R. M. SOMMERVILLE, D. D, MRS. R. M, SOMMERVILLEDR. sommerville founded "OLIVE TREES" and editedit (or 29 years.OLIVE TREESA Monthly Journal devoted to Missionary W^ork in the Reformed PresbyterianChurch, U. S. A.VOL. XXX MARCH, 1916 No. 3Over 175 souls in our Foreign MissionFields are dying each day.Most of these have never heard theGospelMessage.M^hat if youf Father,Mother, Brother and Sisterwere aniong them?H o w can they hear without a preacher?

58 OLIVE TREESEDITORIALSRead the reports from a number ofthose who have taken part in theKansas Presbytery Every-MemberCanvass Campaign, which will appearin the Christian Nation.The Chairman of the Committeesays that all the reports from the congregationsare not in yet but thosethat have come in make him feel fine."Some of the congregations are nowmade up almost wholly of Tithers."The chairman will tell us about thewhole campaign and sum up the resultsin April number of OLIVE TREES.This campaign has well been describedas epoch-making in our Church.Every Board of Deacons should secureenough copies of the April OLIVETrees to put a copy in every home.It will be the best literature on theTithe and Every-Member Canvass youcan get. It will show you what hasbeen done in one Presbytery of ourChurch, where they took the Lord'swork seriously and put into actionsome of the resolutions which havecost Synod over fiftythousand dollarsto make. Better still: See that OliveTrees goes into every home for therest of the year. Each issue will containup-to-date information and latestreports on the Tithe and Every-MemberCanvass.Special attention is called to thegreat need for relief funds in theLevant.Our missionaries are helping out oftheir own pockets. The money whichhas been sent to them by Mr. Steeleis for their salaries and the regularmission expenses. The Board has nofunds to send for the special rehefunless the members of the church andfriends respond heartily with specialcontributions.One, who by long residence on thefield knows well the terrible situationsays, "anyone who comes out of thiswar richer than when it began, willforfeit all claim to be called a humanbeing."We are being spared the awfulhorrors of war. Will we not helpthose who are in such dire need ?At the invitation of the Ladies'Missionary Society of the SecondChurch, members of the threechurches and their friends metThursday evening, February 17th, tohear Dr. Chambers speak on "Conditionsin Turkey."Every heart was stirred with themessage. An impromptu oflfering ofover $60.00 was turned over to Mr.Steele to forward for the relief. Someof the congregations had alreadytaken up oflferings for the cause andall three expect to do so again.The ladies served refreshments,and all had the pleasure of meetingDr. and Mrs. Chambers, who havebeen so closely allied witli our workersin Turkey.SPECIAL EXTRAThe Philadelphia members of theForeign Board, feeling the unspeakablehorror of the conditions in Turkeyand the great need for immediaterelief, voted unanimously to cablemoney from the general funds onhand in the confidence that theChurch would heartily sustain themand respond, so that we can evensend "once and again to their necessity."We may send all the thousandsof dollars we can and still therewill be terrible suflfering unreUeved.How much will we give as a thankoflferingthat we enjoy peace?

THE FIRST OF AUGUSTHowever long the world may lastit is unlikely that any day of its calendarwill be associated with the occurrenceof more important eventsthan those which are already associatedwith the firstof August. Onthis day, if Jewish chronology be correct,the first temple built by Solomonwas destroyed, and on this daylast year was commemorated the twothousand five hundredth anniversaryof this event. On this day, too, theJews have long been accustomed tocommemorate the martyrdom of theseven Maccabean heroes who died inthe cause of religious and.political liberty.On this day also, in the year1834, the abolition qf slavery throughoutthe British Empire introduced anew era and proclaimed aloud theequality of all races and of all individualsin the sight of God. Lastly,this same day witnessed the beginningof the present war, the issues ofwhich must profoundly afifect the subsequenthistory of this earth.The destruction of the Jewish templeand the dispersion of the JewsWhich followed was the first steptowards widening their outlook andof rendering it possible for them tobecome a blessing to all the nationsof the earth. The martyrdom Of theMaccabean heroes witnessed to theircontemporaries and to those whocame after that even in death thosewho put their trust in God were morethan conquerors. The' abolition ofslavery heralded from afar the freeingof all the races of mankind. Weclaim no gift of. prophecy, but we believeand are sure that the-war whichbegan on August the first;last yearOLIVE TREES 59will result in securing both for thenations of Europe and for the racesoutside .Europe a larger measure offreedom and greater opportunities forself-development than any of us whosurveyed the world prior to the bejginningof this war conceived to be possibleof realization within our timeand generation.—The East and theWest.THE WAR AND THE JEWSThe Rev. Dr. Norman Maclean, ofSt. Cuthbert's Parish Church, Edinburgh,when opening a Sale of Workon 'beha,lf of the Edinburgh JewishMedical Mission a fortnight ago, gavehis impressions as to the meaning ofthe War as aflfecting the Jews. Hesaid people could not but feel howgreatly indebted they were to theJews, and how greatly impoverishedlife would have been but for them. Tothe Jews they owed what was best,noblest, and greatest in life. Anybodywho said he did mot beheve in Jewishmissions must also say he did not believemuch in Christianity. Tod^aythey felt .they had a: further i reasonwhy, they- should, take an added inter-. est in the condition of, the Jews. Theywere in the midst of the-greatestoalamitythat had-ever overtakenthefworld, and .as .they-looked out upon itI they could see the very hand of, God.The nerve-centres of the War wereever changiiig. First ithey were, inFlanders and, France,; then in:,Ru,ssia,and now, they had) gone straight downto.-SalQnika,i.a city with a. great Jewishpopulation. ^Steadily towards the East. thoiheart of the War was flitting, andhe thought the purpose of Xjod,,waspartiy this,'.ithat. the end: of;,ithe War'would.?be, that Jerusalean. should no

6o OLIVE TREESlonger be trodden of the Gentiles, thatsome reparation should be made to theJew, and that his own land should beopen to him once more. His own hopeand dream was that they should see aJewish State once more constitutedunder the beneficent shield of the BritishEmpire, and that when reparationhad been made by Christianity to theJew, there would also be found a roadby which Christianity should get tohis heart as Christianity had not beenable to do for many centuries. Whenthey considered how the Jews hadbeen persecuted in the past, was it surprising,he asked, that they as a bodyhad not become Christians ? It wouldnot be by argument that they couldhope to win the Jews to Christianity;it would rather be by such work asthat Mission was doing in visiting theJews in their own homes and showingthem love, tenderness and sympathy.—Go or Send.A CHURCH REJUVENATEDA city church in a district of clerks,railroad employees, etc., with an indebtednessof $1000, payment and interestdefaulted, many of the peopleout of employment, and others workingshort hours on part pay, was thoroughlydiscouraged. Seven teamsmade the every-member canvass andbrought back such favorable responseon the part of the people that theynot only made provision for currentexpenses, but decided to pay their indebtedness.Eighteen hundred dollarswas subscribed for debts andmuch-needed improvements, $400 beingpaid in cash within a few days.Men and Missions.During 1914 the workers of theChina Inland Mission baptized 5017converts, the largest number for oneyear in the history of the mission, andmore than the total number baptizedin the firsttwenty-five years of thework.—Men and Missions.THE POPE AND THE PRESENTWARWe regret more deeply than we canexpress the attitude which the Popehas taken up, after mature consideration,in view of the moral issueswhich are at stake in the present war.The eyes of many Christians who donot accept the Roman obedience havebeen fixed upon the present occupantof the papal chair in the hope and expectationthat he would make someprotest against the inhuman atrocitieswhich have been committed in Belgiumand on the high seas, but theyknow now • that they have looked invain. When the history of this warcomes to be written the most distressingand pathetic incident which thedispassionate historian will have torecord will be the great refusal of thePapacy to allow the consideration ofmoral obligation to outweigh that ofits material interests. How definitelythe Pope has ranged himself on theside of Germany may be gatheredfrom the fact that on the occasion ofthe German Emperor's birthday a TeDeum was sung in honor of the eventin the church of Santa Maria dell'Anima, which was attended by RomanCardinals as a body, whilst on theother hand when a funeral Mass wascelebrated for the Belgian priests whohad been murdered by the Germansthe only cardinal present was theFrench Monsignor Billot.—r/ie Eastand the West.

OLIVE TREE S 6iSPECIALARTICLESTHE BASIS OP INTERNATIONALPERMANENT PEACEBy j. Boggs Dodds, D. D.{.Continued from February Olive Trees.)We may well inquire in the secondplace, "How may another such worldcatastrophe be averted?Foremost of all there must be a politicalphilosophy taugh to our sons anddaughters that is founded on the Lawof God. So long as we hear the doctrinethat religion and politics shouldbe kept apart, we may expect the sameresults in the nation that obtains whenan individual rejects all moral restraints.So long as the will of thepeople is made the supreme law of anyland we may look for the outbreak ofhuman passions, misguided by faultyhuman reason. Men will do in themob what they would never consent todo as individuals. National leaderswill sanction policies for an empirethat they would hold as utterly reprehensiblein private individuals. Themoral law is just as obligatory on thenation as on the individual. Societylives securely only so long as menmaintain the rights of the weak, andof the minority. Confidence is essentialto the business of the world. Golddust is never as good security as thegold of character. Nations have hadmany lessons to this end. When Americahad the chance to receive the millionsof Chinese gold as indemnity, shegave it back to that distracted land,and asked for good-will, and she hashad it with splendid interest. "Lovethey neighbor as thyself" is as bindingon nations as on individuals.''God * * * hath made of one bloodall nations of men to dwell on the faceof the earth." To live and to let liveis the divine theory.When a correct theory of the relationsof nations to God and to menobtain we will have no cause to decideon How to secure, or to maintainpeace among nations. Our text is ourguide as to what is now necessary;"The work of righteousness shall bepeace." But where so much wronghas been committed there must be arighteous recognition of the wrongsdone and rectification of the evils.Robbery demands restoration. Crueltydemands amelioration. When thiswar issues in the final peace conferencethere will be a mutual rearrangementof territorial boundaries. Therecan never be a basis of permanentpeace until the nations recognize thatthis earth is the Lord's to give towhomsoever He will. The world willsurely have learned that "the forcibleannextion of the territory of antagonisticpopulations breeds lastinghatred and eventual revenge." Anessential part of this basis of permanentpeace will be the surrender ofthe claims of men in authority to disposeof populations and territorywithout any reference to the wishesof the subjects of their barters. Inother words, democracy will have tocome into its own. Not only therights of God must be recognized butthe right of His children must besafeguarded as well.In that final adjustment by whichthere will be a basis of InternationalPeace, there must be such concessionsas will prove that treaties will hereafterbe regarded as sacred, inviolate.

62 OLIVE TREESThere will be applied the Bible principle,that though a nation "swear toits own hurt, it will not change." Thedictum of at least one strong Europeannation, is this: "We regard noprevious agreement as binding on usin the face of an immediate militaryor naval necessity."In that happy hour when the basisof permanent peace will be broughtforth in the councils of men, the exampleof our own country and Canadawill be a deciding argument. Bymeans of a simple treaty of but fewwords we agreed with our Northernneighbor that neither fleets nor fortsshould ever allure us to fight again.We disarmed what, ships of war wereafloat on the lakes, dismantled theforts and have lived one hundredyears in peace. The one satisfactoryexplanation of this exceptional experiencebetween nation and nation liesin the fact that in our democratic livingwe have given larger place to theGospel of Jesus Christ in our publicconscience than can be found amongmost nations.We must recognize that so long ashuman nature is corrupt and corruptingas it still is, there must be someprovision for the application of forceto such nations as may be lured intounrighteous ways by some forcestrong enough to overcome the betterteachings of God and man. Here againwe may be guided by divine precept.In II Thes., third chapter, we have arule of action that can be applied tonations as well as to individuals."Now we command you, brethren, inthe name of our Lord Jesus Christ,that ye withdraw yourselves fromevery brother that walketh disorderly* * * have no company with him.that he may be ashamed. Yet counthim not as an enemy, but admonishhim as a brother." Here we haveChristian discipline in its simplicity,in its kindness, and in its eflfectiveness.No less a personage than JusticeBrewer, of the Supreme Court,in an address (Lake Mohonk Conference,1905, p. 38) advocated this veryprinciple of action. He said in part,"If the nations * * * shall agreethat any nation which refuses to enterinto arbitration * * * qj» refusesto abide by the award of arbitrators* * * shall be isolated from allintercourse with and recognition byany other nation, can you imagineany compulsion more real and peremptorythan that ?" Nor is this procedurewithout examples of itseflficiency,although the principle wasnot put into operation by any concertof nations. Some years ago the peopleof China were incensed againstthe Americans on account of someanti-Chinese legislation enacted inCalifornia. They retaliated by refusingto buy American fiour and cottongoods, causing much trouble and theloss of many of thousands of dollarsfinally brought some modification ofthese discriminating laws. Call thisboycotting or ostracism as you likebut for any nation to incur internationaldiscipline of this character tothe extent of severing all diplomaticrelations, all postal facilities, all socialand commercial intercourse, notwith one lone nation but with theleading powers of the world would bea measure so drastic as to cause thestrongest nation to reconsider her obstinacyahd yield to the concerted demandsof her sister nations.It must be conceded that there

would be an insurmountable difficultytoday in getting the nations to acceptsuch a plan. But this idea eliminatescoercion that is to be spelled in blood.Will we be wrong in praying that thismay not end until, once for all, thenations become willing to concedewhat every student of history mustin all honesty now concede, and thatis that war has never really settledmatters of dispute. War has many atime proven its futility to accomplishthe desired thing for which it wasbegun. But now that the Almightyhas permitted the lust of war to glutthe nations until, like the Israelites inthe wilderness when they demandedmeat, He gave them it until it wroughtits own detestation in their souls, itwill be most probable that they willso hate armaments that there will bea general demand,, not a simpleacquiescence, but an imperative demandthat the enginry of war be absolutelyrelegated to the scrap heap. Toask God for such a consummation isquite within the bounds of brotherlylove.Peace can never be established solong as we in private life demand aChristian standard of men, and atthe same time permit a pagan standardto control in aflfairs of State.There is hope that such ideas as nowprevail will not always hold sway. Itis considered unChristlike for mento settle personal diflficulties even bya fist fight,let alone by the sheddingof blood. We regard a fisticsolutionvery ungentlemanly. Shall we notapply this same standard to nationaldisputes? We have some notable examplesof the Christ standard in theaflfairs of state. It is related ofGrover Cleveland that on one occasionOLIVE TREES 63a few weeks before he retired fromoflfice he and a friend (L., Mo.,1915, p. 161) were talking togetherwhen a Senator called to tell Mr.Cleveland that Congress was about todeclar war against Spain over theconditions in Cuba. The Presidentsaid: "There will be no war withSpain over Cuba while I am in oflfice."The excited Senator reminded thePresident that the Constitution gaveCongress the right to declare war.But the President replied, "Oh, yes,but I am commander-in-chief of thearmy, and I will refuse to mobilizeit."When President Wilson was urgedto fight with Germany after the sinkingof the Lusitania, he said, "Americadoes not need to fight for herhonor, but she is under obligation tostand for the rights of humanity."The experience of the ages preventsme from thinking that any veryradical change will likely be made inthe manner of handling internationalquestions at the close of this war, butthe teachings of God's Word lead meto suggest that it is possible that thevital Christianity of America can sointercede at the throne of mercy, thatGod will tum the hearts of the fathers,the rulers, to the children, thesubjects, in such a manner that rulerswill be willing to confess their terribleblunders, and submit to sanercounsels about their diflferences.Another thing we can do is to praythat the Spirit may be so poured outon "all people" that the crushed andbleeding peoples of Europe will demandof their rulers a "better way."And, further, we can so humbleourselves, confessing our own nationalains that we may "be vessels

64 OLIVE TREESmeet for the Master's use" in leadingthese broken-hearted to the Source ofinspiration and into permanent pathsof peace.We must, if we succeed in the missionbefore us, shut our eyes resolutelyagainst the lure of the goldthat we might garner from the necessitiesof ruined Europe, and in thespirit of the Master, become the GOODSamaritan nation to the wounded inthis horrid strife.As followers of the Nazarene, webelieve in prayer, not that God wouldchange His purposes which are everholy, just and good, but that He byHis power, all His own, change thehearts of war into hearts of love andgood will. Every recorded prayer ofthe Bible warrants us in believingthat if the Christians of America willonly lay hold on the Mighty to Save,nations as well as to save individuals,if we are willing to be used of Himin the rehabilitation of devastatedEurope, if we are willing to help themin a most unselfish way, we may havethe joy of seeing International PermanentPeace established among thenations of the world, in such a wayas to yet demonstrate to the worldthat the Galileean has conquered Europeand America, and that He willyet draw all the world into His Royaltrain of devoted followers.nation, and through it to all nationsof every age that fall away fromright relations to God and His Anointed.When the cry of "Preparedness"is raised as it is today, we wouldbe faithless both to "the Lord of thewhole earth," to the nation that givesus a home, and to all nations of earth,if we fail to carry this and otherforceful messages to them. The dayof individual missionary enterprise isnow, as never before, crowded with awider plea to nations, as such, to bowbefore the King of Righteousness.Only as the nations accept Him andHis Law and live in its light, havewe any assurance of PermanentPeace. America has never beenforced to decide this question of"Preparedness" as the nations of Europehave felt themselves to be compelledto be prepared for the "inevitablewar." Righteousness is moreimperative than "preparation," forwe read (Prov. 16:7), "When a man'sways please the Lord, he maketh evenhis enemies to be at peace with him."This is as true of nations as of men.Is the U. S. brand of Christianity virileenough to dispute firstplace with"Preparedness?" What will Jesushave America do ? Lead in army andnavy preparedness, or in nationalrighteousness? "The eflfect of righteousnessis peace;" Europe says thatthe eflfect of preparation is war anddisquiet continually. We may leadnations but to which: To a possibihtyof war, or to a certainty of Peace."The eflfect of righteousness ispeace," but without this nationalrighteousness international peace isimpossible. But "with God all thingsThe First Church, Philadelphia, hasare possible."been making an Educational CampaignThe Church has the message ofGod to the nations as well as to the on the Tithe by sending week­ly a selected tract from "Layman's"individuals of the race. That wonderfulfirstchapter of Isaiah, so fulllist. This is to be followed by a canvass.We have the promise of a shortaccount of the work for April Oliveof God's evangel, is addressed to aTrees.

O LI V E T RE E S 65M O N O G R A P H SWe are sorry that on account ofsickness we are not able to give ourreaders the third article of the serieson "Stray Memories of a Childhoodi assed in the Levant." Read over thefirst two and enjoy again their beautyand whet your appetite for the third,which will appear in the April number.OUR SOUTHERN MISSION FIELD(Written specially for Olive Trees byRev. H. G. Foster.)Readers of Olive Trees may be interested,in connection with other missionnews, in a few words concerningthe work among the freedmen of theSouth. It was our privilege to assistour brother, the Rev. S. F. Kingston,pastor of our Selma congregation, thesecond Sabbath of January. This isa congregation of special interest, asit is the only congregation of ColoredCovenanters in the world. They havea membership of 88, and between 60and 70 gathered about the Lord'stable at this time in commemorationof their Saviour's death. There is inconnection with the congregation aSabbath School with an enrollment of200, and there was an attendance of195 the firstSabbath we were there.I wonder how many of our congregationscould report such a large proportionof their enrollment in actualattendance? Brother Kingston is arrangingto organize a class under hispersonal care, for the study of our distinctiveprinciples, with such materialin hand as the "Reformed PresbyterianCatechism" prepared by Dr. Edgar,or the tract by Rev. D. H. Elliot,perhaps both, together with the testimony.A permanent class such asthis will result in the development ofan intelligent, conscientious membershipthat will make the church a powerfulinfluence in the spiritual life ofthe community. There is a strong andactive young people's organization,that is attracting a number from without,and drawing them into a sympatheticattitude toward our forms ofworship, as well as toward the principlesand practices of the church. Amission Sabbath School is maintainedin East Selma under Miss Kingstonand her niece, another in PleasantGrove under Mrs. Kynette and daughterAnna, and the third in ValleyCreek under Mrs. S. F. Kingston. Thisis the fruit of the mission work of thechurch, maintained these many years.It is of great interest to visit ourschool, Knox Academy, Rev. G. A. Edgar,D. D., Principal. He has an eflficientcorps of teachers, six of whomare white, and five colored. It hasbeen rightly described as "more thanimpressive" to see the pupils marchtwo and two into the building, and oninto the chapel for prayer and praise,till more than 500 are gathered in aroom supposed to seat 450. It isgrand to see them rise, section by section,and repeat large portions ofScripture or Catechism; this is requiredas their task every Thursdayand Friday morning after devotionalexercises. It is thrilhng to hear themunite in their "Knox Song." It is inspiringto look into their faces kindledwith interest, as you speak a wordthat you would fondly hope would be

66 OLIVE TREESblessed of God in shaping their soulsfor eternity.As we were privileged to sit in thevarious class rooms, and listen to theChristian instruction, we felt thatGod had in progress a great and gloriouswork in moulding the men andwomen of tomorrow, for the greatwork they would be called upon toperform for him in the uplift of theneedy race.In the city of Selma are several coloredschools of great interest. TheBaptist Church have established theSelma University; a school of nearly300. This school has connected withit a boarding school, where somethinglike 80 girls live during the schoolyear. When we remember the homesfrom which these girls come, it is recognizedas a special privilege and benefitin preparation for their future.The A. M. E. Church has estabhshedthe Payne University, which has atheological seminary connected withit. The university has an enrollmentof about 400 and is under the supervisionand control of Dr. Archer,a graduate of Wilberforce, and amost earnest and thorough Christianpreacher and educator.In some respects the school of greatestinterest is the Clark Memorial,with an enrollment of between 600and 700. Professor Huston, the coloredsuperintendent, is well known asan educator and is a good disciplinarian.This school is supported bypublic taxation and is the first andonly colored school to be supported inthis way. Its board of trustees iscomposed entirely of white men andfor many years had, as its president,a man who was formerly a slave holder.He had once been bitterly opposedto the education of the coloredpeople, but in time was convertedand, like Paul, became an ardent advocateof what he formerly opposed.My attention was called to one of theteachers in this school, a daughter ofone of his slaves in former years.This suggests the marvelous revolutionGod is working in the south land.Multitudes of those who were drivenout of the practice of slavery are todaybecoming devoted to the educationand general uplift of the negrorace. In Selma, a city of 18,000, about2000 negro children are receivingChristian education. What must thismean for the future? What infiuencethese lives will exert in the uplift oftheir race, as they become the menand women of their generation! Today,although they are in the vast majority,they are the servants of thesouth; tomorrow they will be the educated.Christianized Masters oi theirland. The churches, that have beendoing the pioneer work along thesehnes will more and more have thesympathetic co-operation of the peopleall over the South."Those that be princes great shallthenCome out of Egypt lands;And Ethiopia to GodShall soon stretch forth herhands."In the providence of God we havethis race in our midst sorely in needof redemption. In accomplishing thiswork the Saviour looks to his people.Who are willing to pray and labormore earnestly for this great work tosucceed ?

OLIVE TREES 67STAFFORD PUBLICITY COMMIT­TEEThe Mission News Publicity Committeeof Staflford Congregation is gettingits work well under way now andStaflford Congregation is informing itselfregularly and systematically onthe mission news of the church. Onthe second and last Sabbaths of themonth ten minutes are given by thepastor at the time of the announcementsin the morning service, to amember to give us all the mission newswhich can be crammed into the allottedtime. Really it is interesting andquite helpful. And the pastor mayJiave a fit of jealousy if things keepon, for the members of this committeeare getting a better hearing than he.The committee puts up a carefullyprepared chart every time a report isgiven and explains it and leaves it tillthe day of the next report. By thattime what failed to get in through theear when it was explained, gets in|;hrough the eye.There are three members on thecommittee who take turns reporting.They plan to have a^ few letters from^Alissionaries to read during the year,and glean much for this work from theOlive Trees each month. Why ofcourse we read the Olive Trees in ourhomes (not all of us) but if we did therepetition would be worth while. Infact the newsy little messenger alwayshas some things which need repeating.There are some things which we forgetand when they are repeated in ourhearing we remember them better.This work was taken up by theLadies' Missionary Society and themembers of the committee are ladies.Where do they get the suggestions forthe charts, did you say? Some goodones from the OLIVE Trees, others areto be found in Doughty's "Call of theWorld," others can easily be thoughtout from one's knowledge of the fieldsand work. The idea is to make themshort and striking usually as epigramaticas possible. It is interesting,too, to the committee.If your congregation has not triedthis or something equivalent, give it atrial. You will findthat it will increasethe interest and I believe will increaseyour contributions.J. D. Edgar.Making noodles. They grind rice into flour,mix into dough, cut into strips about a foot longhangon these racks and stretch into long stripswhich are left to dry and then cut into lengthsand sold.One of the chief industries of Do Sing. TheChinese eat a great deal of this.

68 OLIVE TREES2 CORINTHIANS VII I, 16 TO 23Great living sayings of missionarieswill best bespeak the missionary'sgreatness.We can do it if we will.—The Menof the Haystack.Fear God and work hard.—DavidLivingstone.All the world is my parish.—JohnWesley.Let us advance upon our knees.—Joseph Hardy Neesima.I see no business in life but thework of Christ.—Henry Martyn.The bigger the work the greater thejoy in doing it.—Henry M. Stanley.The prospects are as bright as thepromises of God.—Adoniram Judson.The world has many religions; ithas but one Gospel.—Georgre Owen.I am not here on a furlough; I amhere for orders.—Hiram Bingham.Tell the king that I purchase theroad to Uganda with my life.—JamesHannington.I am in the best of services for thebest of Masters and upon the best ofterms.—John Williams.Prayer and pains, through faith inJesus Christ, will do anything.—JohnEliot (on the last page of his Indiangrammar.)The word discouragement is not tobe found in the dictionary of theKingdom of B.eaven.—Melinda Rankin.The work of winning the world toChrist is the most honorable and blessedservice in which any human beingcan be employed.—C. F. Schwartz.Every church should support twopastors—one for the thousands athome, the other for the millionsabroad.—Jacob Chamberlain.Engage me a place before the mastand my ovm strong arm will pull meto China and support me while there.—Judson Collins.I cannot, I dare not, go up to Judgmenttill I have done the utmost Godenables me to do, to diffuse His glorythrough the world.—Asabel Grant.The Great Commission includes thefoflowing elements: Go, get others togo. Let others go, support otherswho go.—Record of Christian Work.Dr. H. L. Hargrove, a Baptist layman.Ph. D., of Yale, and ex-professorin a Texas college, is now teaching inthe school in China where boys areprepared for advanced study in theUnited States as the charges of thereturned Boxer Indemnity Fund. OnSundays Dr. Hargrove gives his boysChristian instruction, and although hehas been in China only about twentymonths, a dozen of the brightest ladshave become Christians. A numberof these have already been baptized.—Record of Christian Work.The Lo Ting District in China is awell-to-do, well educated district, asfar as Chinese education goes.There are about one million peoplein the district.We need a well-trained teacher whois also a soul-winner, to manage aboys' school at Lo Ting. No greateropportunity possible for a young man.Who will go?$2500 a year will send a teacherand pay all expenses connected withhis work. Who will give this amountfor six years out of their capital ornine-tenths ?"To have is to Owe, not Own."

OLIVE TREES 69TITHING^"FOREIGN MISSION WORK OFTHE WINCHESTER CONGRE­GATION"For many years the congregation atWinchester has been noted throughoutthe church, on account of its size,but it has not been until the last fewyears that we as a congregation haveawakened to our fuller responsibilitiesand capabilities, and we feel deeplyhow weak we were in active service,before the awakening came. We givemuch credit to our good pastors whohave been placed over us during thepassing years, for their untiring effortsto stir us up to greater usefulness.Above all, we thank God thatHe has helped us to see more clearlythe fields "white for the harvest."Our interests in Foreign Missionswere especially aroused when one ofour own number. Miss Elma French,departed for active service in the foreignfields. Then later, we were representedby one of our young men,Mr. Esmond Smith, as teacher in theMission school in Cyprus. No congregationcan have the deep heart interestin mission work, as can the congregationwhich has given of its ownmembers for that work.For eleven years our Junior C. E.Society has been supporting a girl inthe school in Syria, for which purposethey pay thirty dollars a year, alsothey help to pay the tuition of a littleboy in Rev. Kempfs school in China.This fund the junors call the DaleSmith Memorial Fund, it being startedby three dollars in pennies belongingto little Dale Smith, two-year-old-sonof Elmer and Myra Smith, who diedthree years ago. Dale's mother contributesto the fund each year andthe remainder is made up as far aspossible by the pledges of severalsmall boys in the junior society. Therest is made up from their societytreasury.the also Our salary they Young of pay being a native People's twenty-five fiftydollars Chinese Society dollars teacher, a year; pays ayear for the tuition of a boy in theChinese Mission school. One memberof our society pays for another boy'stuition in China.The Ladies' Missionary Society supportstwo girls in Syria and one girlin China, all of which amounts toeighty-five dollars a year.Quite a few years ago Mr. A. M.Mitchel's Sabbath School class pledgedthemselves to support a boy in ourschool in China. This young manfinally became a preacher of theGospel and the class paid his salaryas a ministerial laborer until his deathseveral years ago. Now the class isgiving one hundred dollars yearlytoward the support of the station atTung On.A young ladies' Sabbath School classsupports a boy in Syria. This class isbroken up now, and the members arescattered, but they still keep up theirpledges. But the work in which weas a congregation take especial interestis in having in the Levant MissionField a representative. Rev. SamuelEdgar and his family, for whose salarywe hold ourselves responsible.Our weekly Sabbath oflferings whichhave been sent to forward our ForeignMission Work amounted the pastyear to $914.00. Then the diflferentorganizations of the congregationhave freely given to various calls thathave come from time to time from ourforeign fields.All these things we do not relate ina boastful way, for, doubtless, thereare still avenues of service which wehave never discovered. But on requestwe give this account of what we aredoing for Foreign Mission Work, onthe thought that it might interest andhelp other congregations. Ours is acongregation of families with children.May it be that all vacancies onour foreign mission fields may soonbe filledfrom congregations of manyyoung the great * greatest By service people special gifts for such request. the we as Master. Mae ours! can oflfer E. Lives Keys. in this are

70 OLIVE TREESJAPANESE CHRISTIAN BUSINESSMENDr. Dearing's 1914 Yearbook, of"The Christian Movement in Japan,"is, as usual, full of good things. Perhapsthe most novel chapter is that entitled,"Christianity in Industrial Enterprisesin Japan." This is a littleportrait gallery of Christian businessmen. First comes Mr. Homma, ofAkiyoshi, who has a marble quarrywhich serves as a sort of reformatoryfor wild fellows. Mr. Homma givesthem work, and is their pastor, fatherand friend. Christian hymns areheard where obscene songs are ordinarilyheard. Mr. Homma is a profitsharer.His business is prosperingand he ships marble abroad. He hasbought a Gospel ship to run along theYamaguchi coast.The Yamato Silk Store, a large concernin Yokohama, is also in Christianhands. Its proprietor, Mr. Oba, wasbrought up in a Christian orphanage—that of Mr. Ishii at Okayama—andin sixteen years of business life hasbecomes a prosperous merchant. Heis a deacon of the Congregationalchurch, and trustee of the orphanagewhich sheltered him as a lad. The firmemploys forty clerks. A prayer, songand Scripture service is held in thestore between 7 and 7.30 each moming.Mr. Oba is making interestingexperiments in the direction of employees'insurance.Then comes the Kobayashi DentrificeCompany, of Tokyo. Its founderwas of a family of Buddhist devoteesand sake distillers but became a tirelessChristian and temperance worker.The company continues in the spiritof its firstleader. It provides nightschools, dormitories, athletic fields,lectures, savings accounts, assistancefor sick, injured and new mothers. Itredeems its empty toothpowder bagsat the rate of one-half a mill each andthe savings thus eflfected are devotedto good works. In this way alone infourteen years it has distributed 200,-000 yen to 150 charities. It maintainsa traveling lecture bureau with movingpictures for the purpose of educatingthe public, especially upon thehygiene of the mouth. These lecturesand entertainments are given gratisto hundreds of towns and villages andhave undoubtedly contributed muchto the health of the nation.—Record ofChristian Work.DO YOU KNOWThat Synod's Board of Trustes waschartered by the State of Pennsylvaniain 1871 ? This charter gives theBoard the power to take, receive, holdand sell all manner of lands, annuities,personal property which has beengranted, sold, assigned, transferred,devised and bequeathed to the Board.The total assets of the Board on January1st, 1916, were $674,068.10.The Books of the Board containthe names of several members of theCovenanter Church who made gifts tothe foreign mission work in China andthe Levant with the proviso that theywould receive a regular income eachyear during their life. The interest ismailed promptly on May 1st. Neverin the history of the Board has therebeen a default in the payment. Whynot try this plan to avoid worry andhelp in the Lord's work?For full details writeJames S. Tibby,408 Penn Bldg., Pittsburgh, Pa,

FOREIGN MISSION STATISTICSFOR 1915Substantial Gain in Receipts in Spiteof the WarOLIVE TREES 71year. Two boards, the Northern Presbyterianand the American Board(Congregational) acted as agents inforwarding more than $1,000,000 toSyrians, Armenians and other suflfererson account of the war. SeveralGifts to foreign missions through boards also aided, from their ownthe 192 foreign mission organizations treasuries certain missions, chiefiyof the United States and Canada increased$1,625,379 during 1915, or ously disturbed.German, whose work has been seri­9.43 per cent. This fact was announcedtoday at the annual meeting upon by the Home Base CommitteeOther important matters reportedof the Conference of Foreign Mission were the Laymen's Conventions nowBoards in Garden City, Long Island. being held throughout the country,The statistics for this conference are the problem of financingunion workprepared annually by a committee of abroad, a proposed religious pressthe Conference, known as the Home bureau, the interdenominational missionaryeducational plans for the nextBase Committee, whose chairman.Rev. Fred. P. Haggard, D. D., stated two years, an administrative arrangementwith the World's Sunday Schoolthat the total oflferings for religious,educational and medical missionary Association, a standardized form forwork outside of the United States and summarizing the financialreports ofCanada last year, through the organir all the boards.zations comprising this Conferenceamounted to $18,793,990. In additionHIGH TESTIMONY$594,260 was expended by certainhome mission organizations for work A letter with the signatures ofin Mexico, Central America, Philippines,Cuba, Porto Rico, Alaska and three marshals of the British army,Lord Roberts, Grenfell and Methuen,Hawaii. While considerable anxiety is now being circulated among Britishprevailed at the beginning of the year oflficers. Among other things it remarks:as to the eflfect of the war upon oflferings,the returns show that the eflfecthas been favorable rather than other­"Holding his Majesty's commission,you will probably before long servewise. Two of the leading boards. abroad among non-Christian peoples.Baptist and Episcopalian, succeededin wiping out large accumulated debtswhile others were equally successfulwith smaller obligations or materiallyreduced them. Only a few boards increasedtheir debts and these are inthe South, where the price of cottonis held responsible. Of the 192 boardsWe should venture to remind you ofthe great influence of such a positionand the serious responsibility it entails."Whether we recognize it or notour personal .lives materially aflfectthe estimation in which the claims ofChristianity are held by numbers ofreporting to the Conference 83 show natives around us. A thoughtlessan increase in income for the past word or careless behaviour may give

72 OLIVE TREESthem wrong and unfavorable impressionsas to beliefs and institutionswhich we are sure you, at any ratein your heart, really value and wouldwish to honor. Respect for the ChristianSunday and the attitude of a Britishofficer toward Christian worshipare closely observed and have greateflfect on the native mind. Duringhis recent visit to India the high exampleof his Majesty the King inthese two particulars has made a profoundimpression."Besides this (somewhat unconscious)personal influence there is thefact that you will almost certainlycome into contact with the representativesof various Christian missionarysocieties whose special work it isto show to non-Christian peoples thelove of the Christ you profess to serve.We commend these missionaries to youas a body of men and women who areworking helpfully with the govemmentand contributing to the elevationof the people in a way impossibleto official action. Some object to Christianmissions in ignorance of their realvalue. We would suggest that you useall opportunities of making yourselfpersonally acquainted with the workthey are doing and the character ofthe converts. Most missions will bearlooking into and we are convincedthat if you do this you will neverafterwards condemn or belittle them."Some of the noblest characters wehave met have been missionaries, andthe friendships we have made withthem are among our cherished memories.We venture to hope you willmake the acquaintance' of such menthus showing a fellow-countryman'ssympathy in what is very frequentlya very diflficult and discouraging effort,sometimes sorely trying to health andspirits."This suggests a diflferent story fromthat which Carey and the other pioneershad to tell of the officials of theEast India Company a little over acentury ago.—Record of ChristianWork.Rev. Gordon Poteat, going to China,explains his purpose as follows: "TheStandard Oil Company has adoptedthe slogan, 'Standard Oil tin in everyvillage in the Orient;' the AmericanTobacco Company is using the motto,'A cigarette in the mouth of everyperson in China;' so I, as a promoterof the Church of Jesus Christ, havetaken the watchword, 'Christianityand its teachings in every hamlet withinthe boundaries of the Chinese Republic'"—The Missionary Review ofthe World.THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR ACHRISTIANV. K. Weflington Koo, the new ChineseAmbassador to the United States,is a graduate of St. John's University,Shanghai, a college of the ProtestantEpiscopal Church. In 1904, he cameto America, entered Cook Academy,and after taking two years in oneand graduating with high honors, heentered Columbia University. Fromthere he returned to China to becoraesecretary of Yuan Shih Kai. Whilein Cook Academy he was a member ofa Bible class in the Baptist Church atMontour Falls and attended churchand prayer meetings. Professor Norton,now of Elmira College, who wasformerly president of Cook Academy,states that while he was there Mr.Koo made public confession of hisfaith in Christ.^-r/ie Missionary Reviewof the World.

OLIVE TREES 73N E W S F R O M T H E FIELDEdited by Mrs. Findley M. Wilson, 2517 North Franklin Street,Philadelphia, Penna.Our mail bag is unusually full thismonth, and we are glad to share itscontents with the Olive Trees family.Mail has been received from themissions in the Levant. It has beena long time on the way but not solong as our letters dated August 17th,which got to Mersine about the firstof December.Latakia, Syria.—It is with regretthat many will leam of the continuedillness of Miss Mattie Wylie, oursenior missionary in Syria. On November27th, Miss Maggie B. Edgarwrote of her that she was confined tobed and suflfering pain much of thetime. On December 10th Dr. Stewartwrote, "Miss Wylie is not sitting upany except to have her bed made up.She, sufifers a great deal."* * * *Jn a letter to the CorrespondingSecretary of the Foreign MissionBoard, Dr. Stewart says: "I wrote toyou last on September 29th but havereceived nothing yet from you. Wehave not yet received any funds fromTreasurer Steele. The Latakia schoolsboth in town and country are doingwell. Nothing doing at Suadia thisyear. All our people who belongedoriginally to the Gregorian sect havebeen sent away both from Latakia andGunaimia, thus greatly reducing ourmembership. Prices are soaring andmerchandise of all sorts is becomingvery scarce." Both the Treasurer andCorresponding Secretary have writtenrepeatedly within this time to differentmissionaries in the Syrian andAsia Minor fields. So far as is known,but two or three of these letters reachedtheir destination.* 5{i * *After trying in vain all other knownmethods for transmitting money toour Syrian missionaries, Mr. JosephM. Steele, Treasurer of the ForeignMission Board, applied to the Secretaryof State for his aid. On Januarythe 3d the Secretary cabled money toDr. Stewart through AmbassadorMorganthau at Constantinople. TheAmbassador is not supposed to cablereceipts in return; so, while there isevery reason to believe the money hasreached Dr. Stewart ere this, we willhave to wait on the very uncertainmails for his acknowledgment.* * * *Mersine, Asia Minor.—A fine newbaby boy has come to Dr. and Mrs.Peoples. His name is Samuel Sterrett.. * * * *Miss Evadna Sterrett, whose furloughis due this spring, has written,"I had made up my mind long beforethe Corresponding Secretary's letterarrived that I would remain until MissFrench's return, but later developmentsmay render it unnecessary.After a delightful two months' rushof work things came to a suddenstandstill. In my own department Ihad an enrollment of 165 pupils andMr. Carrithers had well nigh a hundred.Our vacation commenced onThanksgiving Day."•i* ^ w* -PThe government closed the mission

74 OLIVE TREESschools at Mersine, locking them andplacing seals on the school rooms aboutThanksgiving Day. Writing about iton December 21st, Rev. A. J. McFarlandsays, "The seals are still there,though we hope to see what is to bedone soon. Am still giving relief toabout two hundred persons from myown pocket, as I can't forsake themnow while I have anything to givethem. Many others are just as needybut we can't enlarge our list withoutsome help. It costs thrice as muchnow as when we began in June. Thecry of the needy is so loud and so general,every one must hear it who isnot wilfully deaf."many houseless ones in the variouscamps. Still no response to plea forrelief funds. Our slender purse willbe empty soon."^ ^ 'f* ^Tak Hing, China.—We are-indebtedto Dr. J. M. Wright for our last newsfrom China. His letter was writtenon December 21st, and reads in part,"You have no doubt heard a great dealof the floodin this part of the countrylast summer. After the firstthree orfour weeks there has not been a greatdeal of suflfering from the lack of food.Since cooler weather has come on,there has been considerable suflferingfrom lack of suflficient clothing asmany sold their clothing which theyhad for winter in order to get food,and also to get money for rebuildingthe huts destroyed by the high water.Rev. Mr. Kempf was appointed by theMission, chairman of a committee tosee what may be done to relieve theAnother message from the samesource has just reached us. It bearsthe date of January 5th. "We feelquite like saying Happy New Year toeverybody now, as schools are openingafter a month's vacation, and bythe same kind of an order that closed lack of warm clothing among thethem. We were preparing to make needy. There is a great amount ofanother trip to Adana about it when sickness due to the flood, and as thethe order came with keys enclosed. hospital was given $600 (Mex.) forThe authorities here informed us thatthe new rules for foreign schools arenot to be applied to us Americansnow. For this we are thankful to allmedical or other relief work, we havebeen doing, as time will permit, someitinerating work. $300 was given bya company of Canton Christians, andwho contributed to bringing it about, $300 was given by the Canton Y. M.but the real credit, we know belongs C. A. Thus far the number of casesto the King of Kings. We are complyingas far as we can with the newrules anyway."Found Adana brethren as comfortablegetting medical aid on these trips isabout 2700, and it is a safe estiraatethat in each place from three to sixtimes the number of those receivingas could be expected. Have not medicine heard the good news. Theheard from Tarsus school but thinkthe order would include it. All circlework is done by a band of warmheartedChinese Christians composedwell. Mrs. Peoples and baby doing of three women and two men, and byfine. Weather continues unusually two who carry supplies and are justfine for the season though enough rain as eamest and make themselves veryfor the crops. A great boon to the useful.

Some places the people are verymuch afraid of us at firstand refuseto have much to do with us as theyfear we are spies for some robbergang. Usually some one who has beenin the hospital comes to our relief andthen the work is begun by giving outleaflets with the Lord's Prayer andJohn 3:16.Several thousand of such have beendistributed this way. After the distribution,a talk on the Gospel isgiven; after which medicine is dispensed,teeth extracted and so on. Nomedicine is dispensed at night as arule, but the entire evening is givenup to the evangelistic explanation ofthe doctrine. It is a fine work andwe are thankful to have a trained bandwilling and eager to do the work, andif you could only walk around a shorttime with them and see and feel theirspirit, you would be filled with enthuisam,and have faith in Chinese Christians.Miss Annie J. Robinson, our nursefrom the Gregg Memorial Hospital,Tak Hing, China, who is at presenton furlough in Ireland writes, on January14th, "I have already greatlyimproved in health since I came home.I have not begun to do any studying,although I had some ambition to try.I have been getting good letters bothfrom America and China which encouragedand helped me much."* * * *OLIVE TREES 75Am trying to keep busy with thehospital, hospital training class, medicalitinerating work, which is evan­there very much.gelistic, and overseeing the finishingof Rev. Mr. Taggart's house."^ ^ ^ SfCThere are doubtless many privationsin the lot of a missionary, but allwill acknowledge the rare privilegethat fell to Dr. Wright. He said inhis letter, "Spanked the firstkid I everspanked in China yesterday. It wasraising such a disturbance in classthat none could work, and its mothercould not manage it. I felt a littleout of place, but the kid and itsmother both thanked me for the 'instruction,'as the mother termed it.""Breathes there a man with soul sodead" who would not upon divers occasionscheerfully have done as muchfor the cause of Christian education?But—alas and alack! America is notChina.We are in receipt of a letter fromMiss M. Florence Mearns containingsome interesting pictures from ourSyrian field,but they came a little toolate for this number of Olive Trees.Miss Mearns has been a student atthe Los Angeles Bible School for severalweeks and enjoyed her courseShe met missionariesthere from Egypt, Africa andChina.Larnaca-Cyprus.—Rev. Walter Mc­Carroll has had Olive Trees in mindand has written a most interestingletter from the American Academy,Larnaca, January 18th:"We have just passed through anothercommunion season, and foundtherein some grounds for encouragement.Five persons were receivedinto full membership, two Greeks, twoSyrians, and one Armenian, in additionto another Greek who had withdrawnfrom membership some timeago but has now returned. Twentythreepersons communed which is

76 OLIVE TREESrather more than we have sometimeshad."The school began work about theend of September with quite a 'boom'when the total enrollment went up to150, of this number fiftybeing boarders; but, unfortunately, we got in toomany big boys unaccustomed to restraintand strict regulations, so the'boom' was followed by a collapse inwhich we lost from fifteento twentyof the boarders. We were able totake it philosophically, however, astheir presence was inimical to spiritualwork in the school. And thishas been a disappointing feature ofthe school work all along. We havesucceeded in building up an educationalinstitution second to none inthe Island, and have pumped the headsof the boys full of Scriptural factsand history, but the results in conversionsand changed character havebeen disappointingly small.Though we are in the storm centreof the titantic struggle that is goingon in Europe and Asia, yet it has beenprofoundly quiet here, no disturbancesof any kind. Greece's refusalto accept Cyprus has put a quietus forthe time being to the agitation engineeredby politicians. Though theCentral powers have gained somestriking successes, yet there is nothingbut a calm confidence in the mindsof all so far as the Enghsh communityis concerned, as to the ultimate triumphof the allied armies over theCentral Powers and Turkey.We were greatly relieved when Mr.C. A. Stewart finallyput in an appearance,after an adventurous voyageon the Sant Anna, and he wasaccorded a hearty welcome by all.The Sacrament of the Lord's Supperwas observed in Nicosia on December12th when two young menapplied to be received into membership,one a Turk, a former student inour school, but both were advised towait for further instruction.I have spent four Sabbaths in Kyreniaduring the past few months, visitingthe villages in that district andholding meetings with the brethrenthere.There has been some sickness inthe mission circle but at present writingall are well."The Report of the Congress onChristian Work in Latin America,which has been holding its meetingsat Panama February 10th to 20th,1916, will be published in three volumesof about 350 pages each.South America is one of the greatbattlegrounds for Christianity. Toall who wish reliable information concerningwork and opportunity in thisgreat country, these volumes will beinvaluable.Eight commissions, composed ofsuch men as Dr. Homer C. Stuntz,Dr. Charles L. Thompson, PresidentHenry C. King, of Oberlin; Dr. JosiahStrong, President W. Douglas Mackenzie,of Hartford; Mr. Harry W.adeHicks, etc., have been working formonths on these reports. The volumeswill contain besides the reports,the discussions and findingsof thePanama Congress.These three volumes will be soldat $2.50, carriage extra. For all setsordered in advance, the price is $2.00,carriage extra.Detailed information can be securedfrom Dr. Wilson, our CorrespondingSecretary.Send all orders to Missionary EducationMovement, 156 Fifth avenue,New York City

ADAPTED FROM TRACT "SUPPOSE"By REV. J. D. EDGAROur foreign missions are not as successful as they should be, partiallybecause the Home Church is not exercising her prayer privilege as sh« should.Few of us are practiced Prayer Wrestlers. Until we learn to take hold andpersistently hold on and say, "I will not let thee go till thou bless me," wecannot expect to succeed thru our representatives in the foreign field,as- weshould.Will you not then, Dear Reader, CAREFULLY and PRAYERFULLYread and study the following, and do as it suggests, that YOUR LIFE MAYBE RICHER, and THROUGH YOU. OTHERS MAY BE BROUGHT TOTHE MASTER BY YOUR REPRESENTATIVES IN THE FOREIGNFIELD.GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TOEVERY CREATURE. Mk. 16:15.ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK IN PRAYER, BE­LIEVING, YE SHALL RECEIVE. Matt. 21:22.SUPPOSEthis command and this promise are true, what is your duty and privilege?SUPPOSEthey are ADDRESSED to YOU PERSONALLY, what is your Master expectingof you ?SUPPOSEyou were asked if you are NOW OBEYING this COMMAND and dailyPLYING your PRAYERS to Soul-winning in China and The Levant, what.Brother, Sister, MUST you reply?QTJppQC'C]of the 10,080 minutes for which your Master HOLDS you ACCOUNTABLEeach week, you are devoting only about one minute each morning and one eachevening, to prayer for a lost world, HOV/ shall you RENDER your ACCOUNTto the MASTER, at the LAST DAY ?SUPPOSEyou have been remiss in your Prayer-duty, and your attention has been calledto your neglect, HOW shall you ANSWER to your JUDGE unless your Prayerlifetakes on PROPERPROPORTIONS?SUPPOSEyou should devote fifteenminutes each day, AGONIZING for a LOSTWORLD, instead of the careless, hurried. "Lord bless the Missionaries ofthe CROSS," WHAT would be THE RESULT? THINK! What gain toyou?To the Cause of Christ? The Eternal srain to the soul at the Master's feetthroueh your prayer?SUPPOSEyour Master should ASK you to devote l-96th of the 10,080 minutes of eachweek, or 15 minutes per day, during the remainder of this year, to definite,parn est prayer in behalf of the resolute, self-sacrificing, devoted army offorty-seven at the front, will you do it FOR JESUS' SAKE?SUPPOSEvou look for a moment into the Master's fare and as vou look s iv to Him Mastpr.I have UNDERVALUED THY SUFFERINGS, I have UNDERESTI­MATED THY GIFT to men. I have FAILED TO REALIZE that mv BROTH­ERS and SISTERS across the seas are PERISHING for ETERNITYSUPPOSEin VOU token HANG of your ME desire IN and A CONSPICUOUS purpose to pray at PLACE least fifteenminutes IN YOUR ROOM each day INORDER for the work THAT and I the MAY workers REMIND in China YOU and EACH the Levant, MORNING you AS sign YOU your RISE nameAND on the EACH line below. EVENING AS YOU RETIRE, OF YOUR SOLEMN PROMISETO YOUR LORD JESUS.

78 OLIVE TREESTO PRESERVE THE PEACETo quarrel is easy; but when it issuch a simple matter to findpoints ofagreement, why should there be somany quarrels? Many years ago,when there was threat of a seriousdisagreement at a station on one ofthe foreign mission fieldsof the PresbyterianChurch, U. S., Dr. A. L. Phillips,an intimate friend of one of themen involved, wrote to him that hewished to say two things:"One is that it always takes two tomake a quarrel. It is simply impossiblefor one. If you shut your mouththere will be no quarrel."The second thing is that nothingin the world will so injure that missionand the high favor with which itis regarded by the church, as a quarrel.It makes no diflference whateveras to who is right and who is wrong;there will be always those who thinkwith both parties. The Holy Spiritwill not abide in a place where thereis a quarrel."And I think I will add a thirdthing, viz.: that you are judging yourbrother. Are you quite sure you havea right to do this ? Are you sure youknow both sides of everything ? Howcan you, when you are so widely separated?''My unequivocal advice to you is—and I have tried to act on it myself—do not let there be any quarrel. Suflferinfinite wrong, first!"Let those in authority manage anymisdoings. If you start that muss,you bring the displeasure of God uponthat work. Go on with your splendidwork. Let • go on with his. I beseechyou, for the love of Christ, keepquiet. Study to be quiet. Study thethings that make for peace. Thus onlycan you lay claim to the promises ofthe great, good Father which is inheaven."The advice was good for the missionworker. Is it not just as good for theworker in the church at home?—TheWestminster Adult Bible Class.-HUIE KIN AND WU TING FANGThe Rev. Huie Kin, a Chinese Christianpastor in New York, was readinga daily paper. Seeing that a distinguishedcountryman of his was to bein New York over Sabbath he telephonedhim at his hotel inviting himto attend the service at his church.The invitation was promptly accepted.After the service was overthe guest said to the pastor:"When I was a boy in China I wasacquainted with some Christian peopleand I thought highly of Christianity.I had never identified myself with it,but, when I was appointed to AmericaI. decided I wanted to throw in ray lotwith Christian people there, and raadeup my mind that I would accept thefirst invitation which was given me toattend a Christian service."There was a pause which wasscarcely perceptible, then he continued:"This is the firstinvitation I havehad!"The man who spoke was Wu TingFang.This was not his firstbut his lastSabbath in America. Before anotherhad dawned this man, who had beenMinister from China to ChristianAmerica, was on his way home.Who can say what would have beenthe results if the invitation to go to aChristian service had been given himon his firstinstead of his last Sabbathin America ?—Woman's 'Work.*Huie Kin is a product of our OaklandChinese Mission and Geneva College.

OLIVE TREES 79W O M E N ' SD E P A R T M E N TEdited by Mrs. J. S. Martin and Mrs. T. H. AchesonSIDELIGHTS ON "FIFTY YEARSOF MISSION WORK IN SYRIA"P. 56, par. 3.Two incidents stand out in the memoriesof the building of this house.The firstoccurred in the early stagesof the work. If I ar.A not mistaken,Mr. Easson had not yet returned fromSuadea. Dr. Metheny was in Kessab,and the place had no man to protectit. The lumber for the building waspiled in the mission yard.Some time after midnight a cryarose from the girls' dormitory in thesecond story, "Haramy! Haramy!"("A thief! A thief"). A houseful ofgirls can make a good deal of noise.My room also was in the second story,and Miss Crawford rushed in andasked me to go upstairs and stay withMrs. Metheny while she quieted thegirls. She was afraid the frightmight be too much for Mrs. Metheny'sstrength.I found Mrs. Metheny dressed, andin the act of carrying the Doctor'srifle across the hall to Miss Crawford'sroom to a window facing the yardwhere the lumber was stored. Wecould not imagine what a thief shouldwant there unless it might be thelumber.Mrs. Metheny rested her rifle onthe window sill, and pulled, orthought she pulled, the trigger againand again, but no report followed. Byand by Miss Crawford got the disturbancequelled. To this day I donot know whether there was a thiefor not. In the morning we discoveredthat the rifle had emptied the magazineon the floor and there lay all thecartridges, which we extracted at ourleisure.After Mr. Easson had moved intothe lower story of the new house, andsome of the Doctor's things had beentaken over, there was another nocturnaladventure.I do not know whether I can makeit clear or not. The second story wasentered from the roadway by a shortflight of steps, at the top of which wasa landing opening on a paved courtround which the rooms were built.There was no door at the head of thesteps. Going through the court almostto its farther end, one reachedan enclosed flightof stairs to'the flatroof.This night also there arose a cryof thief. Dr. Metheny ran downstairsand Mr. Easson came out of his house,and there, sure enough was a man. inplain sight. When he saw them heran up the steps and soon appearedon the roof. Mr. Easson and theDoctor followed him and called to himto come down but he paid no attention.They went to the foot of thestairs leading to the roof and hebegan to throw things at them. Therewas quite a collection of things piledon the roof. The Doctor called to himto "come down or he would fire," buthe did not heed. Among the missileshurled at them was an articulatedskull, which the Doctor used in givinglessons in anatomy to students. Therewere boxes of glass, and he threwpanes at the men waiting at the footof the stairs, and fearing serious injury,the Doctor twice tried to fire,but for some reason the revolver didnot go oflf, for which he was very

8o OLIVE T R E E Sthankful when the man's actionsbegan to show that he was not ofsound mind. Sitting on the edge ofthe wall he began to sing "Buttekh,howa usfer!" ("Musk melon, cholera!")A man was dispatched to the policeoffice, and two policemen came. Amongthe other things on the roof were anumber of large paving stones. Aninstant later after the last policemanhad passed the landing the crazy manthrew one of these huge stones onthe landing. Had the policeman beenthere he would have been crushed aswas Abimilech, for the stone wentthrough the landing clear down intoMr. Easson's kitchen. One of thepolice wrapped himself, head and all,in a thick cotton comfort, and thetwo succeeded in seizing the man,whom they took away. What becameof him we never learned, for therewere no asylums or provision madefor taking care of people thus aflfiicted.Mary E. Metheny.JUNIOR DEPARTMENTOur topic for this meeting is: "MissionWork in Our Own Country."Deut. 11: 12.References: Matt. 26:11, Psa. 10:14, Psa. 35:10, Psa. 86:1, Matt. 29:21,Gal. 2:10, Acts 4:2, 1 Cor. 1:23, Matt.3 :1, Eph. 2 :17, Isa. 52: 6-7, Deut. 15:11.God told the Jews that their landwas one which he cared for, and thathe kept his eyes always upon it. Hehas blessed our own land so richly thatwe can say the same thing about it.There is no other country in theworld which has the opportunity todo the foreign missionary work athome as has ours.There are fifteen million foreignbom parents and their children in thiscountry. A great many of them cannotread or write, are housed in closeunsanitary rooms and have no conceptionof what a home should be, andare brought up amidst poverty anddegradation such as we have littleknowledge of, and have never heardthe name of Jesus, and of His greatlove for the little children. Theseneed schools. Christian teachers toteach them English, home keepingand tell them of Our Father's love.We Juniors, especially, can do homemission work by studying about ourhome missions, and praying hard forthem, for the more we know aboutthem the more earnest our prayersfor them wifl be, and the more weshall give to them when we have themoney to give."Blessings which tarry long withthe receiver become stagnant." Letus get so filledwith the wonder andbeauty of the Kingdom of God thatwe must pass it on to others, and letus realize that Home Missions are also"World" Missions, and if we are faithfulin our work we shall reap anabundant harvest.See how many diflferent classes ofpeople in the United States who needto know about Jesus the Juniors canname.What can we do to help home missionaries?Name our diflferent home raissionstations, and, the missionaries incharge of each.Have different Juniors appointed tocome prepared to tell of work done inthe missions or any little item of interestabout them they can find,andmake it a real home missionary meeting.Gertrude S. MacGregor.

OLIVETREESWANTED, A WOMAN!(Reprint from The Lutheran MissionWorker, Catasauqua, Pa.)A woman who can see things; whocan feel needs; who can be stirreddeeply by lacks; who will refuse to becomplacent where chaos reigns; whosuflfers when good causes suflfer; whosays it is too bad about bad conditions,and who means to her heart's corewhat she says; who believes with allher might that bad things and deadorganizations and lame methods andindiflferent people and languishing enterprisesand untouched opportunitiesneed not remain such; who never despairsover any situation, where whatought to be is not; who hopes, always;who has insights; who sees the wayout, or is out seeking the way; whodares to say, I know, on the basis ofher faith; who is always sure, thoughnever dead-sure; who spreads a contagionof hopefulness wherever shegoes.WANTED—A woman to see andfeel and believe in things.A woman who can do things, anddoes them every time she gets thechance; who, having seen a worthyend, works towards it, though it beten thousand miles away; who cannotstand the reproach upon herself ofgood things left undone; who believesthat anything worth believing in isworth working for; who marshalsforces, and produces forces wherethey are not at hand; who has a knackor is hunting for one; who, chargedwith energy, charges others; who putsginger into all she sets at, and leavesout the mustard and vinegar; who isall on fire,yet never scorches people;who is humble enough to accept "nobody'sbusiness" as her business; whosays: Come on, let's do it; and thendoes it, whether anybody comes ornot; who takes hold, and lets go onlyfor a new hold; who undertakes allshe ought, neglecting to ask whethershe can.WANTED—A woman to do things todo them hard and long and today.One such woman or something likeher in each Church! What could notthe Church get accomplished? Oneisa host. There is no Church so deadthat one such cannot bring it to life,and set it upon a divine ministry.How is it in your Church ? Perhapsthe ranks are not so crowded but thatyou yourself might slip into thisplaceSent by Literature Department ofthe Woman's Missionary Society, ofthe First Church of the Covenanters,Philadelphia, Pa.SUGGESTIONS FOR TEMPER­ANCE SECRETARIESEvery missionary society shouldhave a temperance secretary, whoshould keep posted on the latest temperancenews.Have non-alcoholic and anti-cigarettepledge cards in your missionbands and Sabbath schools. Everytemperance day have a special programwith at least three speakers.Give out leaflets on alcohol, cigarettes,peace, or Sabbath observance. Sendto Rev. W. W. Carithers for postersand stickers. IJse the stickers onyour Sabbath school papers and on allmail. Visit your schools and leavecopies of the cigarette law with the

82 OLIVE TREESprincipal and teachers. Good workcan be done through the teacher, forshe is awake to the evil effects thecigarette has on the boy's memory.Place blotters with the anti-cigarettelaw on them in the schools and askthe boys and girls to sign the pledges.Write to the publishers of magazinesand papers and protest against theirusing the smoking hero in their storiesand ask the cartoonist not to picturethe cigarette, the cigar or thepipe. Ask your minister to preach ontemperance. Work among foreignspeakingpeople should not be overlooked.The number of men seekingcitizenship papers is many times thatof any previous year. In Pennsylvaniaalone 235,000 were granted lastyear. We can secure Bibles and portionsof Scripture, such as Mark,Luke and John in almost every foreignlanguage, also temperance papersand leaflets. We can visit the homesand through the children we can influencethe mothers and help makeconditions better for the entire family.Let all societies secure petitionsfor National Constitutional Prohibitionand have them signed. Do notfail to hold one meeting devoted entirelyto temperance. Pray earnestlythat the time may soon come whenthis liquor traffic will be blotted out.Mrs. W. R. Porter,Temperance Secretary.THANK OFFERING FOR 1916In a very few weeks the variouswomen's missionary societies of thePittsburgh Presbytery will be takingup their Thank Offerings for the Presbyterialmeeting to be held in NewGalilee in May. At a recent meetingof the Executive Committee inthis Presbyterial it was unanimouslyagreed to recommend, to these societies,the Pittsburgh Syrian Mission asthe special object for our gift thisyear. There were several reasonswhy this mission was chosen.In the fi-rstplace it is distinctly thework of the Pittsburgh Presbyteryand we cannot expect any other presbyteryor the Synod to assume the responsibilityfor our special work, alsoas the work is now conducted there isa monthly expense of $105.00, and theexpansion of the work which maysoon be necessary will involve greaterexpenditure.The work in our foreign field is notso active now since the outbreak ofthe European war. Our foreign Syrianmission has been greatly handicappedbut in the providence of Godwe have right at our door this samekind of work, which may properly beconsidered both foreign and home.Then again, we have in addition toMr. Khouri, our efficient and experiencedmissionaries. Dr. and Mrs,Balph, rendering valuable assistanceand wise counsel in building up thiswork—surely a most propitious timeto give it our heartiest support.In the last place, it is a new work.Right now it needs to be well establishedand it calls for special help asany enterprise does at its beginning.It is a hard field and our missionaryneeds prompt and efficient financialencouragement.A sewing school has been startedon Saturday aftemoons with the hopeof interesting both women and childrenand so increasing the attendanceat the other services. Let us remembersthat ours is the only organized

OLIVE TREES 83Protestant work anaong two or threethousand Syrians in Pittsburgh.As each woman of this Presbyteryplaps for her Thank Oflfering willshe not show the spirit of devotionand sacrifice to her loyal commanderand king equal to that of the Europeanwives, mothers and daughters,who give their best on the altar oftheir country and so make this oflferingfor 1916 commensurate with thegreat blessings that have been pouredout upon the women of this nation ?The treasurer of the Presbyterialrequests that the oflfering from eachsociety shall be serit in one lump sum,either by check made payable to Mrs.S. R. Wills, treasurer, or by one generalamount iri cash. Please do notsend the individual thank oflfering envelopes.Place your oflfering in anenvelope, seal it and write on it thename of the society, the amount enclosedand the object or objects forwhich it is intended.-Mrs. John K. Tibby,Thankoflfering Secretary.clock, and looking out over the surgingmillions of London, the big clock.gaid to the watch, 'Little sister, thereis a man down there on WestminsterBridge who wishes to know the hour.WiH you tell him, please?' And thelittle watch said, 'Oh, I could nevermake him hear. My voice is so smallit never could begin to carry in sucha whirlwind of noise as this.' The bigclock said, '0, yes, little sister, I hadforgotten, yet the man wishes to knowthe time, he requires to know, andyou cannot tell him, but I can andwill. So let us henceforth not criticiseone another. You will not flndfault with me nor I find fault withyou, but each of us in our own place,you for your mistress, and I for thegreat city, will teach men everwhereto redeem the time.'" This illustrationof Dr. Joseph Parker is takenfrom Dr. Chas. Blanchard's book,"Getting Things from God."THE BROADER VIEW"A little gold watch was one daycrossing Westminster Bridge at thetime when Big Ben tolled out the hourof noon from the clock tower inthe Parliament Buildings. The littlewatch looked up at the big clock andsaid, 'I do not like you; your face istoo broad, your hands are too big,your voice is too coarse. I do notlike you.' And the big clock said tothe gold watch, 'Come up here, littlesister; come up here.' So the littlewatch toiled painfully up the stonesteps, and at last stood by the biga Cheung Chau scene, showing the laundress,with her "Merry Widow" hat, the cook with abroom and her son with the inevitable fan.

8+ OLIVE TREESCIRCULATIOND E P A R T M E N TThe following are a few of the manyexpressions of favor concerning OliveTrees:"January OLIVE TREES fine,Februarybetter still.""January Olive Trees to hand. Itis easy to read and worth reading,""Congratulations on Olive Trees.It is fine. I have heard many veryfavorable comments on it.""Cannot see how anyone can dowithout Olive Trees.""May Olive Trees long continue.We pray God's blessing on all yourwork."We thank all our friends for theirkind expressions. It is to those whothink the magazine is "worth while"that we must look for help. Would itbe too great a task for each one tosecure one new subscriber. Some aredoing much more. Will you do it?"OLIVE TREES" IN EVERY HOMEIN THE COVENANTER CHURCHThe above is still our motto.Since the last issue, one congregationwhere we had no regular hst lastyear has already sent us Nine newsubscriptions, and they are endeavoringto put Olive Trees in every home.Another congregation where wehad no regular list last year has sentus in Four new subscriptions. Twoand three new names are being addedfrom a great number of congregations.A decrease in one or two listscomes from the fact "that the oldpeople are dying and there are noyoung people to take their place."Brethren, take notice.We are still having requests forJanuary Olive Trees. We will bevery thankful to anyone who will letus have the January number, so thata new subscriber can read it.As long as the March number lasts•w^e will give it with the remainder ofthe year for 75c.HOW CAN I KEEP INFORMEDABOUT MISSIONS?1. By spending some money on myown missionary education. Howmuch has it cost thus far?2. By reading Missionary books andand magazines. How manyhave I read this year?3. By joining a Missionary DiscussionGroup. Is there one in mychurch ?4. By attending Missionary Conventions.How many have I attended?5. By contact with Missionaries.How many do I know?6. By acting on what I know now.Am I doing this?7. By passing on what I learn. Howmuch have others learnedthrough me?—Men and Missions.Olive Trees will help you do all ofthe above."A little six-year-old Greek boy inSyria, who had attended the missionarykindergarten, spent the summerin the mountains and became dreadfullywild and profane. On his returnto school the teacher asked why he hadbeen so naughty. He replied. 'I didn'tpray during the summer. Now I amgoing to pray and be a good boy.' "—Child in the Midst.

R. M, SOMMERVH-LE. D. P. * MRS. R. M. SOMMERVILLEDR. SOMMERVILLE founded "OLIVE TREES" aod editedit for 29 yan.OLIVE TREKSA Monthly Journal devoted tp Missionary Work in the Reformed PresbyterianChurch, U. S. A.VOL. XXX APRIL. 1916 No. 4EDITORIALSWe are apt to feel discouraged atthe fact that God is not workingthrough our Church as we would liketo see. Well, the fault is not withGod, Read with joy ahd thanksgivingMrs. Dickson's letter of the wonderfulwork in China, the report of the HomeMission work of the Winchester Congregation,the experiences of one ofour pastora in doing personal work,all in this number of Olive Trees, andlet us resolve that Jesus will have Hisperfect work in us. There are othercongregations and other pastors whoare having such experiences of Grace.Send us short accounts of His work inand through you for the encouragementof our whole church and theglory of His Name.mean that they will be more on yourhearts and in your prayers.We cannot say that it is with sorrowthat we report the going home ofMiss Mattie Wylie. She has fought agood fight and the crown of glory wasawaiting her. We are thankful toGod for her life, inspiration and service.We feel thankful that He has removedher from further suffering andtrial, and pray that her going homemay call forth from the young peopleof our church a consecration to Hisservice wherever He calls.We hope to give our readers shortaccounts of her life and work from thepens of those fitto write, in the Maynumber. However, no mourning forMiss Wylie.We are glad to be able to give thenames of the workers in our HomeMission Fields. We hope to have somenews items from the diflferent fieldseach month. May the fact that theworkers' names appear before youHave you sentYour Offeringfor the suffering peoplein Turkeyto Mr. Steele?Address on back cover.

86 OLIVE TREESWe wish to' call special attention tothe three articles from the Winchestercongregation: "Tither's Association,"in the February number of OliveTrees, "Foreign Mission Work" inthe March number, and "Home MissionWork" in this number.We requested these articles becausethey are a fineexample of a truth thatwe have long held. Namely, thatwhen an individual or congregationacknowledges God as the Owner of allby faithfully paying one-tenth thatthey will soon go beyond that and giveto God's great work of evangelizingthe world as partners with Him, andthat-when once thoroughly interestedin Foreign Mission work those aroundour doors will be brought to Christ.Winchester's experience as set forthby these articles is that they becametithers, then they supported a foreignmissionary over and above their titheand then they let God use them tobring the gospel to the heathen athome.We will be glad to hear from othercongregations and individuals havingsimilar experiences.—Malachi 3: 10.We would cafl to mind the fact thatApril closes the Synodical year. Wifleach member not ask himself and herselfin the presence of God whetheras much has been given to the schemesof the Church this year as the needcalls for and as the Lord has blessed?Then let us during April make up forany shortcomings. Will the treasurersof the congregations not make aneffort to have their reports with thechurch treasurers as early as possible,so that the work of all may be lightenedand all reports may be in goodshape for Synod.Remember that money to be countedin this year's report must be withMrs. Wallace, Mr. Steele or Mr. Tibby.before midnight April 30th. Don'tkeep them out of bed that night.We rejoice with our workers inChina at the presence and power ofGod's Spirit in their midst. May it bebut the beginning of those millionsflocking into the Kingdom.We would call attention to the closeof Miss Houston's letter where shehopes that there will soon be a womanto give all her time to home visitation.The Board has been asking for twoyoung women for this work for sometime.Who will go to Lo Ting? We needa trained teacher at once for a boy'sschool. Then when Mr. Taggart comeshome this Spring there ought to be atleast another minister there. Thinkof that large fleldof over 1,000,000people. Think of the wonderful opportunityand of how God is workingthere. Will it not be criminal to leavethe burden upon Dr. Dickson and MissStewart; both new workers? We oughtto have a dozen more workers there."Pray ye therefore the Lord of theharvest; that He will send forth laborersinto His harvest."We thank friends in Winchester,St. Louis, Newburgh, Ray and thePhiladelphia congregations for lettingus have January Olive Trees free tosend to new subscribers. We stillhave requests for the January numberand will be thankful to any others whocare to send us their copy.

OLIVESPECIALTREESARTICLESREVIVAL AT LO TING us that in every store they were themain topic of conversation.Lo Ting, South China, Jan. 21, 1916.Dear Friends:Mr. Cheung would preach, and atthe close of his talk would ask thoseThese last two weeks have beeninterested to stand, and give in theirbusy and exciting ones. We had ournames if they cared to study the Bible,evangelistic campaign and I don't believeany of us ever enjoyed anythingand as soon as they stood up, the ushers,who were Christians, would givemore in our lives. A Chinese evangelist,Mr. Cheung, conducted a numberthem cards on which they wrote theirnames. In the firstmeeting that wasof the meetings and he was just fine.Dr. Robb conducted some Bible classesand the Chinese liked them so wellthat they urged hiiri to stay longer,and these were Chinese who were notChristian and who had seldom, if ever,been in the chapel before. The firstmeeting was held every morning at 8o'clock and from that time until about8.30 or 9 o'clock in the evening ourtime was nearly full of meetings andwe just had time for two meals a day.Six of the foreigners and a number ofthe Chinese from Tak Hing were here.Each day they had conference meetingsfor the Christians, evangelisticmeetings for the heathen, and meetingsin the evenings for the boys ofthe government schools. We knewthat these services were being prayedfor by a number of people at home, buttheir prayers were answered beyondall our expectations. And prayers areneeded just as much now to help theChristians here take care of those whogave in their names indicating thatthey would like to study the Bible.Over 180 people gave in their names,and these were among the prominentpeople of the city. More Bibles weresold during the week than in the wholeyear before, and the meetings werethe talk of the city. The Chinese toldheld in the evenings for school boys,the principal of the governmentMiddle school was the first man torise. What was surprising in this isthat he has refused to let his boyscome down here to Sabbath School,and is a strong Confucianist.Dr. Robb had to hold several extraclasses for these boys, and at one ofthese a boy who was very hot heartedabout the Gospel told him that hereally believed, and seemed so earnestand sincere that Dr. Robb had nodoubts about him. He said that hewas very anxious for a friend of hisin the country to come in to the meetingsand become a Christian, too, andthat the night before he had prayedtwice that his friend would come in,and the next morning in he came. Hefeels very sure now that the HeavenlyFather answers prayer.It seems queer to have these menask one how to pray. But they do notknow any more about praying or aboutthe Bible when they firstcome, that is,the majority of them do not, than achild three years old at home wouldknow.Several weeks ago we had a youngman join the church who has morezeal than a great many Christians

OLIVETREEShave. The Christians have been tellingM'i that this Mr. Wong has beentalking to everyone he sees about theGospel and everyone seems willingto listen to him, and they all havethought it was very wonderful to seeso much enthusiasm in anyone evenbefore he had become a member at all.He has been urging the boys of theMiddle school to become Christians,and one fellow who joined the churchlast week argued against this Mr.Wong ten days before he would admitthat he was wrong. This Mr. Wongis only 24 years old and that is probablyonly 22 years old the way wereckon. I thought it was pretty goodof him to stick to a job like that tendays, and I think some who have alwayshad the Gospel would have beendiscouraged before that.This same Mr. Wong sent over wordone day asking that Miss Stewartwould go over to his house and talkthe doctrine to the women as he hadtalked to them without effect and hethought a woman might do better.Several of us went over with MissStewart and we found his old grandmother,who was a dear old lady, wasworrying herself sick because he was24 years old, and not married. Hewon't conform to Chinese custom andlet his folks buy a wife for him whomay please them, but he says he is goingto have no one but a Christian,and he is going to know what she islike first.His mother is fairly frigid.She came into the room and looked usover and went out without sittingdown at afl. I wish you would prayfor his grandmother and mother andalso for himself, for he has a big influenceover the young people, and yet heis in a family and also a country whoseinfluence will be to raise doubts in hismind and turn him from what he isnow doing if possible.It was most interesting to watch theway Mr. Cheung handled his audiencesduring the meetings. He is betweenforty and fifty years old, and hasthe kindliest face, and most winning,and he has the childlike heart that goeswith real big people. I wish I couldhave understood all he said, but soraeof the good things that I missed Iheard later from the other foreigners.One day when we were up street inthe big silk market that was loaned tous for the meetings, he was invitingthose to stand up who wished to studythe Bible and who would be pleased toleam more of the Gospel. Quite anumber stood up and he was rauchpleased, and he says, "Oh, but theHeavenly Father will, be pleased today; He will be so happy that He willlaugh till the tears run down Hisbeard." Needless to say the foreignerswere somewhat startled at thatconception of joy in heaven, but wedidn't need to be for the Chinese aregetting their own ideas of God andHeaven, and because they are notalljust like ours, doesn't mean theirs arenot as true. They say that in the Chinese,laughter is very near to tears,and sometimes they will laugh at themost serious thing, but it is only becausethey do not want to cry beforeothers, and it has no disrespect initat all.Another time he told them howpleased he was to think they were interestedin such an important thingas the Gospel, and it made hira veryhappy to be able to bring anyonenearer his God, and he knew that

when he went to Heaven the HeavenlyFather would pat him on the head andsay he had been a good son in bringingothers in.The students thought a great dealof him and he liked them, too. A lotof them went down to the boat to seehim off when he went. One night inthe chapel when he was holding ameeting for them, he told them thatwhen he was a small boy he went to ameeting that was being held by a missionary,Mr. Graves. He got hold ofMr. Graves' hat and ran off with it.Some people ran after him andbrought him back, and a number weretalking about beating him for doingit. Just then Mr. Graves came alongand told them not to hurt him, andsays: "Maybe you'U be a preachersome day, too." And Mr. Cheung says"And you see that is just what happened,and now I'll tell you boys thatsome of you may be preachers someday, too." They had a great respectand admiration for Mr. Cheung andI wouldn't be surprised to see someof those that heard him that nightbecoming just what he said. It wasworth a lot to our church and to thiscity, too, for the Chinese to see oneof their own race, a finelyeducatedman, fearlessly preaching the Gospelof Christ, that doctrine that they oftenthink belongs only to "foreign devils."Mr. Taggart has since received aletter from a man saying he hadheard Mr. Cheung and had wantedto put down his name as an inquirer,but had been called out of the city,and when he came back Mr. Cheunghad gone, but he wanted to be countedas interested in studying more of thedoctrine. While no doubt some areOLIVE TREES B9hot hearted for the time, and laterwin not care, there will be a goodmany, like this man who wrote toMr. Taggart, who are truly interested.Ellsworth [Dr. Dickson] andMr. Taggart have classes of inquirersnow, and the Chinese also are helpinga good deal. These boys wantedclasses every night in the week, butso many cannot be held to their ownadvantage, or that of any one else,so they have them three nights aweek besides the Wednesday eveningprayer meeting and the Sabbathnight meeting. The other two nightsthat are left, usually some of themshow up, and a number frequentlycome to the regular evening Chineseworship that is held in the Chapeleach night.It has done the Christians no endof good. Those who never had a greatdeal to say, now talk the doctrine asthe popular thing to do, and they putlots of emphasis into their talks, andurge people to accept before it is toolate.Last Sabbath was Communion andeight new members were received,four girls and four men, and we hopesoon to have some more members.These meetings were held here fromSaturday night until Thursday afternoon.About 3 o'clock that afternoonthe Tak Hing foreigners and Chinese,with Mr. Cheung and the friend whocame with him, left for Tak Hing.They invited Mr. Cheung to hold meetingsthere on Sabbath and Saturdaynight, and in that time over 100 signedcards and the Chinese as well asthe foreigners are already busy teachingthem.•This interesting and inspiring accountof the revival at Lo Ting is

90OLIVETREESfrom a letter written by Mrs. Dicksonto the Lo Ting Club of Cambridge.We are grateful to the club for sendingit for publication.RECENT EXPERIENCES IN PER­SONAL WORK OF ONE OFOUR PASTORS"I am going to try and bringto the meetings." Sure enough oneevening they came together. As soonas the invitation was given I went tohim and said: "Do you know thatyour mother is crying over you andpraying for you?" The man wasstartled and seemingly a little nettled.He came a second night but no impressioncould be made upon him. Thelast night of the services he was thereagain and after five minutes' earnesttalk he took a stand for Christ.While the services were being concludedthe Spirit said: "Go out andsee him tomorrow." So I went to himand said: "I am coming out to see youtomorrow." Taking dinner with our.member who had been instrumentalin bringing him to the meetings 1learned that his wife and childrenwere all unconverted. As I sat downand explained to more fullythe way of salvation, suddenly Mrs.burst into tears. "Wouldn'tyou like to be a Christian and have aChristian home?" "Yes, I would/'And there in the dining-room the wifewith the three children, the eldestbeing fifteen, all gave their hearts toJesus. The father, mother and eldestI was attending a Bible conferencelast summer and during one of theSabbath morning services a youngman came in and took his seat besideme. He sang the songs heartily, listenedattentively to a sermon by PrincipalO'Hara; so that I concluded thathe was a Christian. After the serviceswe chatted for a few minutes andthen I said: "You are a Christian?"To my surprise, his face took on a lookof intense earnestness, his eyes lookedfrankly and fearlessly into mine ashe replied: "No, I am not." "Wouldn'tyou like to be?" "Yes, I would.""Would you be afraid to get down onyour knees right here and give yourselfto God?" "No, I wouldn't."So in the midst of 2000 people thisyoung man prayed the prayer of thepublican, asked God's forgiveness andgave himself to the Saviour. A fewminutes later he left to motor backhome to a distant village with his parents.As he was leaving he said:"My, how glad I am that I came today!" A soul j ust ready to be plucked daughter rose with tears in their eyesfor the Lord.but it was a new home, a whole newhome for Christ.Revival meetings were going on inSabbath after church the meraberour village. One day a mother cameplucked my coat, "Say, was downto me with tears in her eyes and asked working in the road with a gang ofme to pray for her son. About a weekor two later one of our members said:men. And say, I could see a changein him." Isn't it worth while?

OLIVE TREES 91STRAY RECOLLECTIONS OF ACHILDHOOD SPENT IN THELEVANTIII.Going to the Mountains.M O N O G R A P H SThere was more than one reasonwhy we children yearly hailed the daywhen we started for our summer sojournin the rnountains. In town welived on the third floor,and there wasno place for us to play in downstairs.Turkish streets and highways arerarely very good for winter walks,so our outings were some two walksand one drive during the seven monthswe spent in town.. As there was noschool to attend, we did our lessons-at home, so the change and exercisethat other children get in that waywas denied us. Attending churchsimply meant going down to thefirst floorof the building in whichwe lived. So, here, too there wasno break in the monotony. No wonderthat the thought of the mountainsaffected us as the thought of thetunnel did Colonel Rose and his companionsin Libby Prison. For upthere we had acres of hill and rockywoodland in which to play and scramble,knocking each other about like somany young goats.A reason personal to myself, anduncommunicated, was the certaintythat at that distance and altitude fromthe sea no tidal wave could reach me.Not that such a thing had ever comeinto my experience, but the story ofthe great tidal wave at Lisbon hadso affected me that it was one of theterrors of my childhood—a very realterror during the winter months whenwe had the sea for our backyard, soto speak."As the Venetians draw up theirships on the shore," so were we wontas the month of May drew near topull our traveling boxes out of thedark corner into a sunny part of theattic for inspection and re-fitting.These boxes, in which we rode twoand two, looked like little four-postbedsteads without any legs. Whenyou children have to sit four hoursat a stretch in a box four feet by twoand a half, with their legs stretchedout flaton the floor,the sensation of"pins and needles" becomes acute. Ofcourse we sat one at each end, facingone another, but even so there was noroom to spare. Our dream was tohave nothing, wrap or lunch-package,on those fidgetylegs. So each sprngwe devised racks and hooks, girls, aswell as boys, taking Joel, the wife ofHeber, the Kenite, for patron saint,and stretching forth our hands to theworkman's hammer. We made elaboratesketches of the proposed improvementsand discussed them hotly.All this weeks before the day of starting.When the grown people began theirpreparations, and boxes of clothingand tinned food stood about the househalf-packed our fever went up anotherdegree. The next stage was the arrivalof the camels to take the loads.Camels are slow-moving beasts, andas bent on doing things at their ownpace as any prima-donna, so we alwaysgave them a start of a day ortwo. In those days they carried heavybells that boom - boom - boom - boom-

92 OLIVE TREESboomed when they got into theirstride, as well as the little tinklingones. We used to stand on the balconylistening and watching for themto come down the street tied head totail in a string with the driver in fronton a mouse-like donkey leading them.It v/as jolly to see them kneel on theirkeel-like breast-bones, with their legsfolded up like jointed foot-rules. Theyused to look around with such ahaughty and outraged turning of theirlong necks as the loads were beingput on, grumbling in their hoarse burblethat they were going to writeabout it to the London Times, asnearly as I could make out. Thenwhen nearly everything was tight, upthey v/ould get, hind-legs first,with adislocating jar that set afl the bellstinkling and booming.But the night before our own start!Oh! That night before! As a greattreat we were let sleep without undressing,and pretty much where wechose. And we chose the most extraordinarylairs; bags of clothes putdown in camphor, steamer-chairs balancedon top of other chairs, the topof the upright piano. With the firstdawn we were stirring, eager to see ifthe horses had come for us. Whenthey did, the loading process took twohours, at least. It seemed ages untilthe boxes in which we were to ridewere slung across the horse, and otherages until we were packed into themand had started. Perhaps some day Imay write a poem in the rhythm ofthe pack-horse's walk, and the counter-rhythmof the squeak of the ropesthat held our boxes on. It is all on aphonograph in my brain.Our road soon took us into opencountry; but firstone passed the Maroniteand Orthodox cemeteries, withtheir broken walls and defaced tombstones,where stinking asphodel, belovedof poets and black beetles, grewrank and tall. Then came olive orchardswith siiver-smoky masses offoliage and twisted trunks, and theroad to the far-seen mountains. Therewas a village near town, throughwhose water-courses abundance ofwater fiowed. High hedges of pricklypear castus grew along the watercourses, and orchards of pomegranate,lemon, orange and fig made thevillages a tuft of green on the redplain. The fig-tree has a fragranceof its own, as delicate and distinctiveas the fragrance of young grape-clusters.At noon one reached the half-wayhouse, well up in the mountains andset among great plane trees by astream. When we were lifted out ofthe boxes, our feet seemed to havequite independent ideas of their own,for our elaborately-devised racks werealways swept away, even as the hopeof the spider, by the hairy hand ofour fat old cook the morning of thestart; and not only our own impedimenta,but extra odds and ends of hiswere jammed around us and piled ontop of us. But our legs, after alittlestretching, answered to the helmagain, and by the time we were tiredof watching the black skippers whiskingabout in the clear water of thestream, lunch would be ready—^breadand butter and cold chicken and hardboiledeggs. It was good. Then camea siesta abominable, grown-up institution,loathed of our souls, and then,when the shadows began to lengthen,the second start.One long, treeless, stony pull up-

hill, and then the best part of ourjourney. In the memory of thatmountain road one tries to find a moment'srespite from a world at war.There were great crags above one, andprecipices dropping down into silentdistances below. Scrub-oak and mockorangeand Judas-tree, alder and ivycoveredrocks lined the path. Nowand then one came on a fountain withits prayer-platform for the use of thefaithful, shaded by secular planetrees.And there were gardens aslovely as the gardens of the Hesperides,deep in the gloom of walnuttrees. From one turn of the roadone got the firstglimpse of the ruinedcastle that overtopped our summervillage.By the time we reached our ownhouse, solitary in its wide circle offields and woods, evening dark anddewy was over all the high valley.Again we were lifted out of our boxes,and stood among lush cold grasses.There was unloading and the turn ofthe key in the rusty lock; the mustyair of the closed house; the half-fearthat one might tread on a snake orscorpion; the scratch of a match andthe quick flare,lighting up faces thatno light of earth shall ever shine onagain.PRAY FOR YOUR MAGAZINEThe Editors Need Your Prayers,So Do the Contributors,And the Subscribers,And the Convassers,Few People Pray for the Magazines.WILL YOU?—Missionary Review.OLIVE TREES 93A YOUNG MAN'S ANSWERWhich shall it be. Oh my soul ? Ansme—Friends, home and loved ones, my owndear country.Position and honor, prosperity, pride,Or the far-away lieathen for whomthe Christ died.Soul, there are many in this land tosave,Why should I leave it, new perils tobrave ?What is that? Many helpers at home?Yes, 'tis true.While the fleldsthere are white, andthe laborers few.But to me, soul of mine, God has givin trustTalents many and varied, so surely Imust.To repay His great love, win a bit ofworld fame,And leave on the tablets of Time agreat name.JWhat is this that you whisper, sosoftly and sweet?Lay thy gifts in humility at the Lord'sfeet;He gave, and He takes, and He saysunto thee,"As ye do to the least, so ye do untoMe."True, again, soul of mine, but 'tisbreaking my heart.To think that from loved ones I mayhave to part.What is that? Oh, soul I had surelyforgottenThat God sent His Son—His OnlyBegotten.To live and to die for us all—EvenBore my sins and my sorrows on Calvary'stree.Up, up and away; to the fieldsthat arewhite;I've too little to give, butI'll give inHis might.L. M. Adams.

94 OLIVETREESLAST YEAR 1914-15T H E C O V E N A N T E R C H U R C HGave 18c. per Week per Member for AllSchemes, Home and Foreign.In the light of the many, who cannotgivemuch,Did you giveyour share ?This year's Synod asks for 25c. per Weekper Member for All Schemes.In the light of what God has given you,How much does Heexpect you to give ?This Month Ends the Year.

OLIVE TREES 95KANSAS PRESBYTERY'SEVERY-MEMBER CANVASSAt last Fall's meeting of Presbytery,a committee was appointed, anunwifling committee, too, to conductan every-member canvass campaignthis year and report at the next meetingof the Presbytery. We had a newjob, the pay was poor, the prospectswere not very bright and we hesitatedto "face the music." Fortunately, Presbyteryplaced enough money at ourdisposal, so that our expenses were tobe paid even if we failed to get a hearingat the firstplace or two. Yes, andthey gave us suflficient authority thatwe were to be insured a hearing. Butlet me say to the credit of KansasPresbytery that authority is not usuallynecessary. And when the situationwas suflficiently understood, wewere not refused a hearing in a singlecongregation. We may be a "bad lot"but there is one sin which cannot belaid at the door of our congregations.They are willing tq give Presbytery ahearing when it comes v?ith a causewhich in their judgment is right andgood, and will be beneficial to our congregations.And, of course, our committeegot a courteous hearing everywhere.What did you say? 0, yes,some thought we were trying to get achance to bleed them, but they soonlearned that we were there to help andnot to harm. In one instance, possibly,it was the opinion previous to ourcoming that we were going "to laydown the law to them." But when weleft the,meeting to the leading of theSpirit, and went about it prayerfullywe believe any such ideas vanished,and we got ori capitally. Quarrel?Why, of course, we did not quarrel.People do not quarrel with those theygo a long way to help. And listen!It was one of the most pleasant andsatisfactory tasks we have ever beenengaged in.How did we do it?Presbytery'scommittee of four was given the privilegeto add to its number a suflficientforce to carry out the work satisfactorily.We were eight, four ministersand four deacons, when we were organized.The chairman divided usinto four teams, each consisting of adeacon and a pastor. Plans perfectedby the chairman were put before theteams; each team was assigned its partof the Presbytery, and was given alimited amount of time in which to doits work. For most part the work wascompleted in schedule time. We wereassisted by Brother W. M. Robb, whowas so long Synod's Chairman of theEvery-Member Canvass Work. Bro.Robb carried on the work in severalcongregations more satisfactorily thanwe could have done it.How did we proceed in each congregation? We wrote ahead asking for ameeting with Session and Board ofDeacons. In this we prayerfully putthe whole plan of the Every-MemberCanvass before them and on bendedknee, usually, all who were willing,signed Tithe Cards, after they hadeach prayed to be guided to do God'swill.. And very few officers got offtheir knees without signing the cards.A few did, certainly, but we have noquarrel with them, and we have all respectfor them and their opinions. Inthis mfeeting the Board of Deacons wasasked to take action to make the canvass,and if they did this the sessionwas then requested to take action assuringthem of their hearty co-operatipn.This done we were ready for the

96 OLIVE TREESmeeting with the congregation as awhole. In this the whole matter wasput before them; they were told of theaction of the session and deacons, andwere usually asked if they desired adeeper spiritual life. The responsewas hearty. Tney were then asked toreceive the canvassers with courtesy.Judging from some reports whichwere received from canvassers, theywere received with kindliness andChristian love.Did all the congregations adopt theplan ? No, but t^ie most of them did.We found one which has practicallyhad the plan for several years. Wefound another which had a systemworked out which touched almostevery member of the congregation,just as the Every-Member Canvass isdesigned to do. While we believe ourplan would make their work a littleeasier and more complete, we had noquarrel. By and by they wifl fall inline, for they want the very best. Wefound only two congregations whichhave no plan worth speaking of, whichrefused to take up the plan and try towork it out.There is one thing worth emphasizing.Any congregation which undertakespart of the system without thewhole, may faii. Don't blame it onthe system. The universe cannot berun without each star in its place.That is the reason the Lord put themthere. And this system cannot be runby a Board which picks out part andtries to make the rest go. Give thesystein a trial, a fair trial, and it wiflsucceed. There is not one unnecessarything in it. Any congregation whichconscientiously uses it will find contributionsincreased and its Board ofDeacons taking fufl breaths, and itsmembers wifl love the Deacons, too.Try it and find out for yourselves.Your deacons do not have to comoaround every few days to be snubbedand abused. And both you and theyfeel better.What has been the result of the variouscanvasses? An improvement ismentioned in every report received.In some congregations it has beenquite marked. In three congregationsalmost the entire membership hassigned the tithe pledge at the time ofthe canvass or previous to it. Thinkof it. We are going to have this theprevailing condition we trust in a veryfew years in every congregation. Whynot get right with God in this as wellas in other matters? We cannot expectto carry on his work successfullyby substituting a man made plan forthe Divinely made one. The CovenanterChurch does not believe in substitutionsin worship, why, then, one inthe finances of the Kingdom? In afew instances there has not been themarked progress we desire, but wewonder if the work has been thorough'arid conscientious. Possibly theseBoards did not thoroughly understandjust how to do the work. 'In most instances Boards requestedSessions to appoint helpers to accompanythe deacons in the canvass. Reportsshow that this has proven to bebeneficial in several ways. These helpershave a sympathy for the deacon inhis work.wnich they did not experiencebefore. Usually the canvasserswent two and two. A deacon and ahelper often together. In some congregationsthe reports show a closerbond between the people. This in itselfis worth while.Where did we get the plan for workingit out ? We went to God in prayer.He directed the chairman to one of themost eflficient E. M. C. (Every MemberCanvass) workers in the State.Then we went back to God and Heguided us. We always left the meetingsto the Spirit's guiding. We hadno doubt of His presence.The increase in contributions remainsto be seen. But we have faith.We trust the Presbyteries may havesimilar helpful and satisfactory experiences.J. D. Edgar.Chairman of Committee.

HOME MISSION WORK OF THEWINCHESTER CONGREGATIONAgain we are asked to tell youthrough the medium of Olive Treesa bit of our experience in the serviceof our Master. We would not relatethis as though we had accomplishedsome great thing, for we know thatwe cbme far short of what we mightdo, but if our experience will help us,each one, to get a broader view of thepossibilities there are in a life givenover to the Master's use we shall beglad to tell of how He has been pleasedto use our poor little efforts in Hisservice.We believe that the prayer circlesthat were organized in our congregation,together with our evangelisticmeetings, and the untiring efforts ofour pastor, to this end, have been themeans of making us feel that we mustwork for the salvation of the unsavedaround us. One cannot long prayevery day for the salvation of a soulwithout feeling that he, himself, mustwork for the salvation of that soul.Our children are being taught thisin our Junior Society and are alreadyseeing the, responsibility that restsupon them, to reach out after theirlittle outside friends and bring themin under the influence of the Gospelwhich they themselves enjoy.OLIVE TREES 97Our Winchester Gospel team is composedof eight laymen, who haveworked steadily on the team, severalothers, mostly young men, have workedwith them at different times. Thisteam was organized in August, 1914.During the remainder of that year,fifteen meetings were held, resultingin nine people professing conversion.During the year 1915 thirty-two meetingswere held in different places, resultingin thirty-nine people confessingChrist, and many who had beforeconfessed their Lord being stirred upout of the careless state to which theyhad fallen.A memorable meeting was one heldat Buck Point school house, a distanceof fourteen miles. The Spirit waspresent in power. As one of the teamafterwards remarked, "We stood inawe at the wonderful workings of theSpirit of God." Seventeen came forwardwhen the invitation was givenand confessed Christ, also one whohad wandered came back to the fold.A meeting held one Sabbath afternoonat Pleasant View chapel resultedin a great reviving in that congregation.When the question was asked"How many would like to live closer toChrist from this time on?" the entirecongregation, old and young, rose totheir feet. Many faces were wet withtears.We mention these instances just totestify that the Master's "Lo, I amwith you," stands good if we are onlywilling to "Go and teU."The team has held its meetingssome time in the evenings but mostlyon Sabbath afternoons, often beingengaged for two or three Sabbathsahead. This shows us that there is anopen door for gospel work if we areonly wilhng to enter in, and thatpeople are wflling to listen as neverbefore.Our Sabbath School at GraysonSchool house has been carried on fortwo summers. The first summer theschool was organized by members ofthe congregation, the second summer

98 OLIVE TREESby the Gospel team. The superintendentand teachers have been of our ownpeople. There has been an averagedaily attendance of twenty-eight. Thishas been a hard field,the people areindifferent and do not readily respond,although those who attended manifestedgreat interest, a number ofthem being those who at the Gospelteam meetings had confessed JesusChrist as their Saviour.The past summer a Sabbath Schoolwas organized by the Gospel team, atWilhelm School house, with a memberof the Gospel team as superintendentand teachers from our congregation.This school was encouraging from thestart, the average daily attendancebeing forty-three. The school was toclose the last of September but by avote of the members, was carried onuntil the last of the year. In nearlyall the homes, one or both parentswere church members but had growncareless and ceased to attend, so thatthe children were growing up withlittle or no religious instruction.Almost every Sabbath a preachingservice or gospel team meeting washeld at the close of the Sabbath Schoolhour. These meetings were not alwaysconducted by our own preacheror our own Gospel team. The peoplewere greatly interested and manyhave been awakened to a new senseof their responsibility as parents andas professed Christians. One greatencouragement to work was the classof little folks, twenty-two being enrolled.A few of these came only occasionally,as they received no encouragementat home. We also come intouch with other little ones who camein from time to time. The first fewdays the children were unresponsive,but soon this reserve wore off and wefound them both willing and eager tolearn. They rarely missed a goldentext. Two little girls learned eachgolden text and were perfect in attendance.They received a reward.The responsibility seemed great indeedwhen we thought of the possibilitiesof that little class. At the closeof the school we purchased, withmoney left in the treasury, a NewTestament for each of the larger childrenand to the tiny tots we gave agood book of Bible stories.We almost forgot to mention thatan elderly couple who came under theinfluence of the Gospel team and laterof the Sabbath School are now happymembers of our congregation and declarethey are "Covenanters throughand through."Much more could be said but wefeel that too much space has alreadybeen taken.' Let us remember thatJesus Christ wants our unsaved neighborand that our unsaved neighborhoodneeds Him.Vera A. Curry.In the article on the "WinchesterTither's Association," in FebruaryOlive Trees, occurred two mistakesfor which the author. Miss Craig, isnot responsible. The date in the firstparagraph should be 1912 instead of1911. The next to the last paragraph,stating the increase the firstyear isinaccurate. While there was a largeincrease in contributions it did notreach 100 per cent.

OLIVE TREES 99N E W S F R O M T H E FIELDEditedbyMRS. Findley M. Wilson, 2517 North Franklin Street,Phfladelph ia, Penna.Through the goodness of our friendsin China, we were able to give somemost interesting news this month.Mrs. Julius Kempf has supplied quite abudget from Tak Hing and everybodywill want to read Miss Rose Huston'saccount of her itinerating trip. Wordreaches us in a roundabout way fromSyria. The situation there is pitiable.For obvious reasons, names cannotbe mentioned. Our informant says,"Sometimes a very little gets the workersinto trouble."Latakia, Syria. A postal from Dr.Peoples, of Mersina, dated January 21,announces the death of our belovedMiss Mattie R. Wylie. No particularsare known and the exact date ofher passing in not.given. We awaitfurther details with deep interest.-J! ^ fl- ^Armenians have been driven fromLatakia: "This means that a numberof our own members have been takenaway. Miss Wylie's house servant, anold white-haired woman, who had beenwith her for years, was among them.Along with her must have gone a numberof our beautiful young girls and anuraber of mothers and littie children.Thoughts of what may have happenedto them along the way harrows theheart."* * * *"A teacher in the Boys' School isamong those deported. He was agraduate of our school in Cyprus anda leading helper and worker. He hastwice paid the government the soldiertax but to no avafl. It is thought heis now in Aleppo, whether in serviceor as one of trie mob to be cut down,we know not."^ ^ 5{S -!-In spite of these occurrences themission work goes on mucn as usual inLatakia. We must not forget that thismeans additional burdens on thosethat remain. They are having a mildwinter. Tne schools are fuU of boysand girls.The missionaries pieaa: "Rememberus and our people specially in prayer.. . . "Let us all remember tne workersin this special hour, and tneArmenians. Tne Lord knows theirwnereabouts and tneir needs." . . ."May the Lord soon give peace tomultitudes of broken hearts."Tak Hing, China." There is at presentan epidemic of mumps.* ^i * *The hospital students were voted aNew Year holiday from studies..•i: * * *Some of the foreign papers reportthat Yuan Shai Kai has indefinitelypostponed ascension of the throne, butas far as the local Chinese are awarehe is king now.* * * *On Wednesday, January 17th, theChinese Christian women of TakHing gave a tea to invited guests whohad shown wiflingness to learn moreof the gospel. The refreshments werefurnished, prepared, and served bythe native women.* * * *Today, January 28th, Dr. Wright,Miss Adams, and a number of the Chi-

lod OLIVE TREESnese Christians, walked to Ma Huiwhere there is a market. The plan isto reach as many people as possiblewith the gospel message. A few daysago at a similar meeting, seven put uptheir hands to show that they wereinterested and ready to leam more.^ ^ 'I' n^Every one is busy now preparingfor Chinese New Year, which comes,according to our calendar, on February3d. Schools are closing this week.The girls' school closes on Wednesday.The advanced class of girls each hada speech on some given subject. Onewas, "The floodsof the last two years."Another began her talk by saying thatwhatever opportunities and blessingswe have come from the True God. Asshe is the daughter of the city, judge,who is a man of prominence, and asnone of her household are believers,it took courage to make such a statement.The women's school closed yesterday.The blind teacher from Cantonconducted the exercises. Songs weresung, the singing of which she accompaniedon the organ. She has taughta number of the women to knit socksand shoulder wraps. These pieces ofhandiwork were arranged neatly on asmall table and all visitors invited toexamine them.* * .'fi :;:The boys' school closes today. Invitationswritten on red paper havebeen sent to the men, although someof us less favored are going anyway,as we have been invited in person.Diplomas are to be given to severalboys who have finished the GrammarSchool course.Many of the Chinese believe indevils and are much afraid of them."Bartimeus," the blirid beggar, convertedthrough Dr. Jean, heard one,one night some time ago, which placedhim in a great state of fright. Hehad been told of several Scriptureverses which, if quoted, would preventany harm being done by them, butfright drove these out of his mindand the only one he could rememberwas Mark 1:1. This he repeated,which he says dispersed the evilspirit.H: :{: ^ #The evangelistic spirit is taking holdof some of our people. At a meetingheld at Ma Hui, January 24th, Mr.Chue Hon Shang cafled for a show ofhands of all those who wished to knowmore of the Doctrine, and seven re;sponded.* 5{: * *For several years, Taai So, a Biblewoman, has done much of the work forthe lepers at Do Sing, dealing out bothtemporal and spiritual help as theirneeds require. But she doesn't believein wasting any temporal gifts whenshe thinks there is something better insight.A few weeks ago one of the lepersneeded a new boat as the old one waspast repair, and unsafe to live in; soTaai So was given some money fromthe fund for lepers to add to a smallsum promised by the man's father.When she went back the next weekto make the purchase, she found theman very ill. After praying about it,she said to him, "It's no use spendingall this money to buy a boat for you,for I think the Heavenly Father isgoing to take you to heaven soon, sowe'll just wait till next week and see."On returning from her next trip, her

first words were, "How fortunate wedidn't buy a boat for that man, for hetruly has gone to heaven and we stillhave the money to use for some oneelse, thank the Heavenly Father."* * * *It may be interesting to the Churchat home to know how the use of theenvelope system has helped our ChineseChristians in their giving. Beforethe envelopes were used an averagecoUection was sixteen pennies andseventy-seven cash (a cash is onetenthof a cent). On a recent Sabbathwhen many of the Christianswere away at Lo Ting attending theNative Conference, the Chinese gaveone dollar and twenty-six cents andsix cash.We are indebted to Miss Rose Hustonfor the interesting letter that follows..It is no small task for a busymissionary to write at such length,but we feel sure if Miss Hustoncould know the pleasure with whichher letter wiU be read by many, shewould feel repaid, at least in part,for her trouble.Some of the most pleasant experiencesof my hfe in China have beenduring the last few weeks when Iwent with Dr. Wright, part of hishospital staff and a Bible woman, oncountry trips for flood relief, andRed Cross work.Part of our territory has neverbeen visited, to our knowledge, bya foreigner, and, perhaps, not evenby native Christians, so we planneda trip covering the larger towns andvillages, taking ten days or two weeksfor it. Dr. Wright and I dressed innative clothes, which made us muchless of a terror or curiosity, and weOLIVE TREES IOIwere also much more comfortable.After going twenty or twenty-fivemiles to the northwest, we were advisednot to go any farther inland asit is nearing Chinese New Year'sand robbers had begun their annualdepredations, so we took a shorterrouteand got home in less than aweek.Within an hour or so after starting,we were among people whoseemed to consider us foreigners ascuriosities, and by the middle of theafternoon we were a real "frightfulness;"though I doubt if they hadever heard of the Germans. Afterwalking some four hours, we beganto feel the need of something wet, soasked at a little wayside restaurantfor "chook" (rice gruel), but as soonas the man saw the "foreign devils"his soup suddenly ran out, and heseemed so anxious for the next restaurantto get our trade, that we decidedto go on to a village a mile orso away, and try again. They gotour scent before we reached the suburbs,and the whole population suddenlydisappeared, though a fewcourageous ones ventured a glancethrough a half closed door, or arounda corner. We were tired and decidedto stay in the village all night, butthey were afraid to give us a placeto sleep, and said the people were sopoor that there was no rice or food tobe had in town, and when we said wehad food with us, they said they hadno cooking utensils. They wouldn'teven sell us anything as they wereafraid our money had some magicpower that would make them followus and they would never be heard ofany more. Taai So was just famished,-so she started out to get some-

102OLIVETREESthing to drink, by hook or by' crook.She started into a house without ceremonyand asked the old grandmotherfor some tea or rice water, but theold lady pushed her back and bracedherself across the door. She thenran around a corner, where theydidn't yet know what a terrible lotwe were, and rushed right into thekitchen, where she found some hotchook still on the stove. The womenstarted to run, but she told them notto fear as we were honest and righteous,and would pay them for whatwe ate, meanwhile helping herselfand the rest of us.By this time some of the men hadgotten their courage worked upenough to ask for some medicine, butPaak Man, our "Billy Sunday," skid,"Give you medicine after the wayyou treated us? Indeed we will dono such thing. It wouldn't do suchpeople as you any good if we did giveit to you." So we shook the dust oftheir streets off our feet, and wenton our way, hoping to find bettertreatment, and also certain that ifwe ever go that way again, we willreceive a welcome.As we neared the next village, wemet a woman,, who told us to go rightto her son's home, where he wouldbe "no one knows how glad" to seeus, so we soon found the place, andhe was so glad to see us that he shookhands all around, even with thewomen. He proved to be a formerhospital patient, and his treatment ofus showed what kind of an influenceis exerted by the hospital. We werehardly seated till we were surroundedby dozens of men, women and children,and all went to work talkingthe Doctrine and teaching the commandments,the prize pupil being alittle blind lad, who learned the wholeten before supper. After a good Chinesesupper, we each had a tum atthe foot tub and then we went to thecity hall, an open pavillion twelve orfifteen feet square, where more thanthree hundred people gathered tohear the doctrine preached as onlyChue Hon Shang and Taai So canpreach.Next morning we had a sunrisebreakfast, and stfricd at once for alarge market town twelve or fourteenmiles farther on, though the heat,hunger and broken blisters made itseem much farther. We made ourway through the crowded streets tothe central market place, where weimmediately became the centre of attraction,while Paak Man went to payour respects to the village elder, andget permission to camp out in thelarge temple, which is also the cityschool building. We women decidedto go outside and find a cooler placewhere we could sit down and rest.As soon as I was discovered, therewas a grand scatterment, especiallyof the women, as they said I wouldgive the "evil eye" to any womanI set eyes on. But their curiositysoon overcame their fears, and wewere again the centre of an enormouscrowd, all stretching their necks fora peep at the "foreign devil woman."It was very entertaining, if not alwaysflattering,to hear the remarksthat were made about me, my whiteskin, yellow hair, gold teefi, mylooks, and my possible age as wellas the price of my clothing, the possiblecontents of our baggage, andour purpose in coming. They wererather taken aback when they found

that I could talk Chinese and understoodall they had been saying aboutme.Before long a delighted voice washeard above the roar of the marketand it proved to be another hospitalpatient of three years ago, who huntedus up as soon as he heard thatthere were foreigners in town. Hesaw that we were comfortably settledin the temple, where we wereconsidered guests of the city. Thedoctors then began dispensing medicine,and before dark had treatedover three hundred patients, for almostevery disease known to man.The medical students are able to treatall the common cases, but Dr. Wrightwas on hand for the diflficult cases.Taai So kept a record of the patients,while I did the Billy Sunday act tothe best of my ability. We were aflquite willing to stop when the callcame for supper, after walking a goodpart of the day, then standing forthree hours or more in the thickestof a mob of the lame, the halt, theblind, the rheumatic, and those afflictedwith malaria, boils, sores,hookworms, toothache, itch and otherstoo numerous to mention.After supper the men preached toa large crowd in the market place.Next morning the patients began tocome before we were dressed, andbefore we left the number was increasedto over seven hundred. Mostpitiful were the eye cases; many ofwhom were children hopelessly blind,and others too far gone for help, onaccount of neglect or ignorance onthe part of the parents.During the remainder of the trip,though we ran across no more acquaintances,and had to make ourOLIVE TREES 103own way among strangers in theother towns visited, but, on the whole,we were very well treated.In all we traveled no farther thana two hours' trip at the Americangait, but we gave medical aid to morethan twelve hundred, distributedhundreds of slips containing Bibletruths, verses, and commandments,and told the Good News to many hundredswho had never heard it, besidescreating a friendly feeling that willopen the way for further work.It brings a new realization of thevast multitudes yet in darkness, andalso of the fact that the salvation ofChina depends on the Chinese.But when you see the spirit ofChristian love, sacrifice, and service,in which this "Gospel Team" carryout the three-fold) command of theMaster, to preach, heal and teach, youare convinced that they can and willsave China, and our work is to trainthem for the work. Our doctors aretraining a band of consecrated andefficient workers, and have instilledin them the same high ideals of Christianmanhood and womanhood andservice that has made their own livessuch a power, and that gains the loveand respect of all who come in contactwith their lives.It was a great privilege to be withthem and work with them, and theyare real brothers and sisters to us.Paak Man is developing wonderfulexecutive and business qualities, andhas already made himself almost indispensablenot only to the hospitalbut to the church, and other departmentsof the work, even the foreignerscoming with willing hearts underhis powerful sway, as he is no respecterof persons when it comes to

104OLIVETREESgetting the Lord's work done properly.Both natives and foreigners goto him for help and advice, and henever shirks a duty no matter howhard and unpleasant it may be. Hecan hold a great crowd with an exceflentgospel speech, and he can dothe work of a doctor with a good degreeof wisdom and skfll, but he canalso do the most menial labor withoutimpairing his dignity or his selfrespectin the least.Another thing that was brought toour attention many times as we talkedwith people in the different localitieswas the unimportance of TakHing as compared with other partsof the district, commercially, industrially,and educationally. It seemsto be regarded as practcially dead inthese respects, and pretty far gonemorally, even according to Chinesestandards. One man said that the majorityof men in Tak Hing have solittle ambition and self-respect thatthey are willing to do nothing andhve off their wives' scanty dailyearnings, and also that they were"less honest" or perhaps it was"more dishonest" than other people.A great many of them certainly seemto us to be Gospel hardened, and it ismost refreshing, and inspiring to getout among new people who are waitingto hear but "how shall they hearwithout a preacher?" Of course thewomen and children specially appealto me, and I hope the time will sooncome when we may have a foreignwoman to give her wholetime toitinerating wprk for women. It willbe hard, trying work, but full ofblessing and good fruit.Tak Hing, December 22, 1915.Nicosia, Cyprus.—We are glad tohave a letter from Dr. Calvin McCarroll,our missionary at Nicosia, Cyprus.Dr. McCarroll writes underdate of February 1st:The winter was very slow in its approach,not arriving until Christmas,but since then has been unsually coldand rainy so that the prospects forgood crops of wheat and barley arequite satisfactory. The barley cropis very important, as there is no hayand very little corn raised in Cyprus,so that barley straw crushed andground is the only fodder avaflable foranimals. Enemy submarines havebeen upsetting our mail service, soour mails are rather irregular andsome find their way to the bottom ofthe sea, as in the case of the "Persia"and the "Vflle de la Cirtat," in whichwe lost both letters and parcels containingmedicines. And now there areso few vessels carrying freight comingto these waters it is almost impossibleto get goods out from England.We sent an order for goods to Londonsix months ago, which were ready forshipment weeks ago, but has not yetleft London. In addition to the freightdiflficulties the prices of nearly alldrugs is dafly advancing, many articleshaving gone up from fiveto tentimes the prices they were even a yearago; and quinine, which is so necessaryhere, and of which we use largequantities, has advanced from 25c. perounce to $1.25 per ounce. We, on theother hand, have not changed ourslight charges but collect rather lessthan in ordinary times. As a resultour balance sheet this year wifl notshow much surplus.Our little circle has been greatly saddenedthe past few days by the death

on January 26 of Doros, the eldest sonof our evangelist, Mr. Dimitriades.He was nearly eight years of age andwas a playmate of our children, andhe is greatly missed by us all. Hisfather had dedicated him to the Lord,to be a preacher of the Word. But Godhad other plans for him and he hasgone to Him who said "Suffer littlechildren to come unto me and forbidthem not, for of such is the Kingdomof Heaven."My brother came up from Larnacaand conducted the funeral servicesand we laid him to rest in the EngflshCemetery here in Nicosia, to awaitthe Resurrection morn.The reason for burying in the EnglishCemetery was that, although wehave a burying ground in Larnaca, unfortunately,we have not yet securedone in Nicosia.The number of people attending theclinics the past month was rather lessthan usual, probably owing to thecold, wet weather (villagers come inon donkeys) and also that money isnot any too plentiful these days.The Word is read and preached regularlyat the clinics before beginningwork, as well as the services whichare held every Sabbath in the chapel.We still hope that the seed sown wiflbring forth fruit.TRY THE WORDAre your labors tense and heavy?Try the Word!Would you on the Saviour levy?Try the Word!If your burdens you would flee.And a restful Christian be.Try the Word IOLIVE TREES 105Is your heart fifledup with sorrow?Try the Word!Would you happy be tomorrow?Try the Word!When you feel the pangs of sadnessAnd would findthe source of gladness.Try the Word!Is the Adversary growling?Try the Word!Day and night about you prowling?Try the Word!If you're met with great temptation,And yielding is in contemplation.Try the Word!Would you triumph in the Valley?Try the Word!Afl the Hosts of Heaven rally?Try the Word!Will you yonder say "Good Morning"After night has closed its warning?Try the Word!Delber H. Elliott.Jan. 20, 1916.OLATHE, KAN.Our L. M. S. has held twelve regularmeetings and one called meetingduring the year. Five of these Xvereall-day meetings for work. The averageattendance at our meetings duringthe year was ten. We have addedfour new names to our roll, and wenow have a membership of forty-four.During the year we have had thepleasure of having some of our missionarieswith us. They have beena great help to us, and an inspirationto greater work in Christ's service.We have made comforts and quiltsduring the year. Some of these wesent to the Indian Mission.We sent a box to the Southern Missionto help them with their holidaygifts. Our study for the year was Dr.Balph's book. May we be enabled topress on in the Master's service.Anna E. Wilson,Secretary.

O LI V ET RE E STREASURER'S REPORTReceipts.Cash, January 1. $57.64Dues . . . .. . 46.05Donations. . 65.16Proceeds of saleWork and Sale of Quilts. .. .Sale of Carpet and Mops . .. Box to Indian Mission . . .Box to Southern Mission. .12.077.25, 5.6012.5013.45Expenditures.To Olive Trees" Material for work . . ." Freight on cards ... .$219.72$1.008.665.45" Box Indian Mission .. . . 12.50" Southern Mission Box .. . 13.45" China4.00" Church repairs .. 122.10$203.16Balance in treasury, Jan. 1,1916 $16.56Mrs. M. j. McGee,Treasurer.HOME MISSION FIELDSSelma, Ala.The workers at our Southem Missionreport that they enjoyed thepresence and work of Mr. Foster verymuch. Afl are well and busy. Thework is going on in a satisfactorymanner.Apache, Okla.The report from our Indian Missionis that the work is going on asusual. On March 1st they had "weatheralmost like summer and flowerswere beginning to appear." TheSpring Communion is March 3d, Sabbath.Our prayers are, that a richblessing will accompany and followthe presentation of the Word at thistime.Philadelphia, Pa.The work here this winter has beenmainly among the children. We havefairly good attendance at SabbathSchool (fifty-four were present lastSabbath). There is a class held forboys and girls at seven o'clock Sabbathevenings and an iflustrated sermonis given at eight o'clock. LastSabbath night we had about twentyfivepresent. We have no Jewishhelper this winter and so our adultaudience is not large. Twelve tofourteen mothers attend the mother'smeeting Tuesday afternoon. Theylisten attentively to the message, buthow much they understand it is hardto say. Perhaps like some othersthey understand more than they putto practice. The Thursday and Saturdayclasses are well attended. Thekindergarten teachers are a greathelp at all these meetings, as themothers and older girls in order tocome have to bring the younger childrenalong.The children still encounter muchopposition. Only a few weeks agosome were beaten by older boys andgirls. The Rabbi and the Priest havealike made a number to swear on theBible that they will never come intoour building again.

OLIVE TREES 107W O M E N ' S D E P A R T M E N TEdited by Mrs. J. S. Martin and Mrs. T. H. AchesonSIDELIGHTS ON "FIFTY YEARSOF MISSION WORK IN SYRIA"It was not so much for the sake ofeducation as for food and clothing thatparents sent their children to schoolin the early days of mission work.Each child at the close of the term wasgiven a suit of clothes when startinghome for the summer. I remember afather who had two boys in school;when he came to take them home helooked them up and down and said:"Is that afl you are going to give them,and they have been all year in yourschool?" Food, clothing, teaching,and medical attendance, all countedfor nought, or rather we were underobligation to him for the loan of hissons.The elder of the boys was aflfiictedwith scaldhead; we had quite a numberwith that disease. It is commonand hard to cure, though a little careon the part of the mother in infancyand childhood might prevent. One ofthe native methods of treating it isvery severe. The head is gashed witha razor, and pomegranate juice rubbedinto it while raw. Then a coating oftar is spread over it, and after a certaintime forcibly removed, bringingthe roots of the hair with it. I haveheard of cases where delicate childrenhave died under the treatment.Our method was much easier, thoughrather disagreeable to the administrator.The medicine used was Iodineand Tar Ointment. I have forgottenthe formula, but Miss Crawford andI compounded it ourselves. In thosedays we did not have Tincture of Iodine;we had to dissolve the crystalsin a mortar with a pestle. The prescriptionsaid so much iodine and somany minims of water. On our firstattempt we did not know how much aminim was, but thought we would besafe in counting it a teaspoonful. Itwas tedious work getting the crystalsdissolved, which was accounted forwhen we found that a minim was adrop. The ointment compounded, itwas applied to the head with a fiatwooden paddle, and a clean cloth tiedover the head. (I hope I will be pardonedif I tefl you that on one occasiona careless boy let his head coveringfall in the cistern.)The unfortunate teacher who hadhalf a dozen of newly-anointed headsin her class room was well nigh stifled.This anointing had to be done twice aweek. The cure took longer or shortertime according to the progress the diseasehad made when the cure wasbegun. Some of that class subsequentlyspent useful lives in missionwork.Many of the children were diseasedin one way or another, and were sentso that they might receive medical attention.One little girl was an inveterateclay eater, and her face had thehue of the clay. Her eyes were lacklustre,and she was often found lyingabout on stairs or in corners sleeping,and it was not tifl she had been somemonths in school that she began tobrighten up and learn. Her name wasHamamy-Dove. The younger of thetwo boys of whom I spoke above, diedin the school of Hydrocephahs in1872.

io8 OLIVE TREESOplithalmia was a common aflfiiction.This disease may be contractedby the milk of the skin of the freshfig coming in contact with the eyes.Children peel the figs with their fingers,and of course are not alwayscarefulto wash their hands; then theyrub their eyes with unwashed hands,and in a little while infiammation setsin and then suppuration, and the childwakes up with eyes glued together.In fig season, though the disease isnot confined to that time of year, weused to have as many as ten or elevenat once, to lay down three times a dayon the floorin a row, when we administereda solution of sulphate of zinc,nations shafl do Him homage." Thequestion before us is what agenciesshall be employed in bringing aboutthis glorious day for which we labor,wait and pray. For an answer we goback to the day when our Saviourcalled His followers to that notedmountain of Galilee to give them hisparting command and benediction.Before leaving His disciples to jointhe heavenly throng. He gave to themthe plan by which the world mighthear the glad news of salvation andbe brought into saving relationshipwith Jesus Christ. Through the GreatCommission, He commanded thosewho had gathered around Him at thissolemn hour to ''Go into afl the worldand preach the gospel to every crea­dropping it into the eyes. One girlof thirteen always kept up a vigorouspounding on the floor with her heelswhfle enduring the smart. Manylose their eyesight from ophthalmia,though if properly treated in the beginningit is easily cured. It is verycontagious. We have had cases wherethe patient had to be kept in a darkroom for weeks, and leeches or blistersapplied beliind the ears. Onesuch case was the older of the boysspoken of above. He lives now in Detroit,and I hear has a finefamily. Ason of his was married last year to adaughter of Mr. Christley, of NewCastle, formerly of Antioch, Syria.Another was Mr. Easson, whose caseture."was particularly stubborn because ofhis powerful frame and sanguine temperament.He was confined to hisroom for a long while, and almoststarved in addition to the blisteringtreatment. The mission lot used tohave quite a number of fig trees butthey were all cut down because it wasimpossible to keep the children fromclimbing the trees, and contractingthe disease.I shall leave for another time apaper on the disadvantages of a lowwall around mission premises.Mary E. Metheny.WOMAN'S PART IN THE WORLD'SEVANGELIZATIONMrs. Ella M. George.Address Delivered at the NationalW. C. T. U. Convention.There is no doubt in the minds ofChristians as to the evangelization ofthe world, because we have the sureword of prophecy that "All ends ofthe earth shafl turn to the Lord; allTo whom was this commandgiven ? Was it to Peter and James an(iJohn with the rest of the eleven only,or to all that company that gatheredwith Him on that memorable day ? Werejoice that woman was representedin that select company, and to her, aswell as to the others, was given thecommand.As Frances E. Willard gazed intothe future, her keen eye caught theclear vision of a world redeemed, fromsin and sorrow, when "Jesus Christ

OLIVE TREES 109should be recognized as King of kingsand Lord of Lords; when every kneeshould bow to Him and every tongueshould confess that He is Lord to theglory of God the Father."At the Convention of the NationalWoman's Christian TemperanceUnion, held at Nashvflle, Tennessee,in the year 1887, when thisorganization was in its "teens," MissWillard declared in her annual addressthat the organization over whichshe presided had one vital organicthought, one absorbing purpose, oneundying enthusiasm. "It" is thatChrist should be this world's King—King of its courts, its camps, its commerce; King of its colleges and cloisters;King of its customs and constitutions.Christ and His law, the truebasis of government and the supremeauthority in national as wefl as individuallife."The Woman's Christian TemperanceUnion has not left its moorings for westill cling to these eternal principlesand believe that woman has an importantpart in bringing the world totheir acceptance.We have heard a great deal of lateabout woman's inability to bear arms,but God has given her the distinguishedhonor of bearing the army that wfllfollow the Lord as He goes forthconquering and to conquer, and onher shoulders rests the responsibilitylargely, of training the soldiers of thecross for service. She is doing thisin her efforts to build up the churchat home. You have never seen thework of a congregation carried on successfullywithout the help of woman.She is greatly in evidence in the Sabbathschool and in the Missionary society.Through her plans, her contributions,and in answer to her prayers,doors have been opened and the gloriouslight of salvation has shined uponthose who sat in darkness and.in theshadow of death. Yet it is in thehome that her influence is most telling.Here God has given into herhands the training of her own children.She looks after the physicalneeds of the household—food, clothingand the hygienic conditions. She alsokeeps in touch with their mental development,but she is most deeply interestedin the development of thecharacter of those committed to hercare. She is fittingfuture citizenswho will take their place in society tostand for righteousness and truthagainst all odds. When the Hobsonbifl was before the House I wrote toa young man—a member of Congress—commending him for his stand inmanfully defending the measure. Inreply he said, "I owe it all to my mother.She taught me these principles."This mother had been trained in theCovenanter Church. It is Mother whotrains the Christian citizen, and it isMother who inspires the young menand women who bid farewell to homeand native land, old associates and allthat is dear to them, to put foot onthe gallant ship and cross one oceanand perhaps another to carry the gladnews of salvation to those who arewalking in darkness. She is constantlymoulding the character of her littleones, sloughing off an excrescence hereand building up a depression therewith her eye fixed on the perfectmodel, Jesus Christ. Her desire is tofashion her little ones into His likeness.She joins the psalmist in the request"That our sons may be as plants.grown up in their youth; that ourdaughters may be as corner-stones,polished after the similitude of a pal-

IIOOLIVETREESace." This is an impressive picture.Plants and cornerstones are both symbolsof usefulness and beauty. Herdesire is not so much for beauty offace and form as beauty of character.When Jesus was on earth He madeit plain that His work was not only toseek and to save the lost but to destroythe works of the devil. Womenmust follow in His footsteps. BeforeChrist's kingdom can be estabhshed,Satan's kingdom with all its propsand piflars must be destroyed. Removingthe evils that stand in the wayof the advancement of Christ's kingdomis a potent factor in the greatwork of world-evangelization. Whatare some of these evils? One mightybarrier to be removed is Sabbath desecration.Through greed of gain,strong corporations compel men andwomen to surrender their God-givenday of rest and worship to worldly employments.The Sunday press, theSunday train, the Sunday mail, andwe might add, the Sunday automobile,are building great obstructions in theway of Christ's kingdom.Another formidable enemy to be destroyedis impurity, whether it presentsitself in the unholy divorcesystem that is spreading so rapidlythroughout our land, whereby God'slaw of marriage is set aside and man'slaw set up, or polygamy, that poisonouscancer that has its headquartersin the western part of our country, butis extending its roots to every part ofthe land, or the vile debauchery that isin many places carried on under thesanction of law in the Red Light Districts.And last, but not least, we speak ofthe liquor traflfic—the giant evil that isdestroying souls, wrecking homes, andproducing misery and crime everywhereit exists. The liquor businesshinders the work in mission fieldsathome and abroad. The United Statessends out 13,000 barrels of whiskey orrum with every missionary. BishopNewman has written that shipboardsof rum are the despair of the missionary.Rev. Walter Day, of Africa, amissionary for twenty-five years, offeredto come home and fight rum tothe death; then to go back to blackAfrica to carry on his missionarywork. John G. Paton came home toplead with the government at Washingtonto stop the rum traffic. Hesaid, "Whfle the Church is spendingprecious lives and money for tlie evangelizationof the heathen it is sad tosee the enemies of the Cross followingin the wake of the missionary destroyinghis influence—so-called Christiannations making ten drunkards to oneconvert." It is a sad fact that theUnited States spends for liquor intwenty-seven days and for tobacco infifty-four days as much as has beenspent for the spread of the gospel ineighty years. The cost of liquor inone month and twenty-seven daysis three times the sum spent in thenineteenth century for mission work.Woman has girded on the armorand gone forth in the battle'againstthese dangerous evils. The Woman'sChristian Temperance Union has specialistsemployed who through theirdepartments are dealing sledge-hammerblows at these evils. Every strokecounts in the evangelization of theworld. We know that our efforts wfllbe crowned with success because weare going forth under the banner ofour King, who never lost a battle."He has sounded forth the trumpetthatShall never call retreat;He is sifting out the hearts of menBefore His judgment seat;0 be swift, my soul, to answer Him;Be jubilant, my feet;Our God is marching on."JUNIOR DEPARTMENTSubject for Aprfl meeting: "Howcan we make the best use of theBible?"—Ps. 119:33.Years and years and years ago therewere no Bibles; in fact, no books at

OLIVE TREES IIIall. The different pepple had theirown customs and their own beliefsabout a god. But the Israelites insteadof worshipping idols believed in theone true God. Parents taught theirchildren about this one great God, andthey, in turn, their children; and sofor many years the people were taughtin this manner. Finally they learnedto write down what God told them.The Bible is just a great storehouse ofstories and rules and sermons andmessages from God, to help us in ourevery-day lives. Since it is the wayGod tefls us what we are to do we mustread it very carefully so that we mayknow what he has to say to us. Thiswould be a good time to give the chfldrena list of passages to be learnedthis year. Give them something definiteto. learn that they can always keepin their minds and have one of thesepassages repeated by all the Juniors inconcert at each meeting during theyear.Be ready also to suggest to the childrena definite plan for their own Biblereading for the rest of the year. Tellthem that the Bible is the most wonderfulstory book ever written, andthat all the stories are interesting toread and are meant to help us. Speakof the Bible as our Father's letter tous and ask the children what theywould think of anyone who wbuld leta letter from his earthly father go unread,or only read a small part of it,and yet there are many people, evenamong Christians, who do not readGood's letter to them very often. Becareful to urge that they shall not tryto read a great amount and have nothought of what they are reading. Ifthey wfll read one story, or one talkthat Jesus gave, or the account of onething he did to help some one, andthink of what they are reading thatwill be better than to try to read toomuch in a hurried way. Tell aboutTimothy, who had been taught from alittle child the work of God and howit prepared him to be a great helperfor the apostle Paul. Tell the Juniorshow the Bible makes our conscienceable to guide us rightly. Show them acandle unligbted. It is not much use.Light it. Now you can use it. Thecandle is like our spirit. When youare tempted yqu hear a voice saying,Don't do it. But how do you knowthat the voice is telling your rightly?Some people do not know; they dowrong and don't know it is evil. Why?Their spirit, their inner candle is notlighted. But ours is lighted and it isthe Bible that has lighted it. It tellsus what is right and what is wrong.So when we study the Bible we lightour spirits, which are God's candles,but the candles cannot be flghtedif wedo not come to the light.Help your Juniors to realize howmuch we need the Bible and what agreat difference its teachings havemade in the world. Show them thatfor us it is a lost book if we seldomor never read it or if we fail to followits teachings. Close with this prayer,which the Juniors may repeat slowlyand reverently after the Superintendent.Ask them to make it their ownprayer as they repeat it:0 Lord, open Thou mine eyes thatI may behold wondrous things out ofThy law; make me to understand theway of Thy precepts; make me to goin the path of Thy commandments;Thy word be a lamp unto my feet anda light unto my path. Amen.Mrs. D. C. Ward.

112 OLIVE TREESCIRCULATIOND E P A R T M E N TWe are almost daily receiving wordsof encouragement from readers ofOlive Trees. Better even than wordswe are receiving new subscribers. Wehave added over Fifty names to ourmailing list since the February numberwas mailed. We still have somecopies of the March number, and wewill be glad to send them (to new subseribers)with the remaining ninemonths of the year for 75c.One of the most encouraging thingsis, that a number who had discontinuedtheir subscriptions are alreadyrenewing. We know that there is somuch to read these days that we haveto draw the line somewhere, but ifwe cannot give to every Covenanterhome many times the worth of thesubscription in information and inspirationthat you cannot get otherwiseand which you cannot afford to bewithout, then we are ready to stop.Our Justification in asking for YourSubscription is the Worth of the Magazineto You.We know that no one wants to receivethe magazine unless they havepaid for it or are going to pay. Lastyear we found we were sending thepaper to some who were dead. Wehave kept on the mailing list thenames of all who paid for last year,unless asked to discontinue. We aredaily receiving remittances from subscribers,and we thank you all verymuch.There are still about two hundrednames on our list from whom we havenot heard this year. We do not wantto rush anyone for the money. Weare willing to trust you, but we dowant to know if you want OliveTrees.We propose to send a letter to allfrom whom we have not heard byApril 15th. Then if we do not hearfrom you within a reasonable timeafter that, we will take it for grantedthat you are dead.Will you not save us the time andexpense of this letter by paying yoursubscription before April 15th, or bysending us a card that you are goingto pay?We hear sometimes that some ofour subscribers are not receiving themagazine. A copy of each monthwith the name of each subscriberclearly stamped on it has been deliveredat the local Post Office. If anyone knows that a subscriber is notgetting Olive Trees promptly, wewill consider it a favor to be notified.It is impossible for us to have themailing list more perfect, but weknow that mistakes can be made inpreparing for the mafl and by thecarriers.We cannot make changes of addressunless notified. We need two weeksadvance to make the change for anyone month.The regular size of Olive Trees hasbeen twenty-four pages and the covers.This was the contract we hadwith the printer. We have eachmonth so far paid the printer for fourextra pages which we have given toour readers. If the new subscriptionswill justify it we will be glad to giveyou twenty-eight pages and covers allyear.

O L I V E T R E E SA Monthly Journal devoted to Missionary Work in the Reformed PresbyterianChurch, U. S. A.VOL. XXX MAY, 1916 No. 5MISS WYLIE G O N E H O M E "We are glad to give a great part ofOlive Trees this month in memory ofMiss Mattie R. Wylie.Miss Wylie, as has been said, wasthe last link between our firstmissionariesto Syria and the present workers.Dr. Beattie lived and laboredabout eight years after Miss Wyliewent to the Field.Some of our present missionariesremember Miss Wylie as the first missionaryknown to them and the firststimulus in their aspirations to Missionwork.There are two planes of life. Theone is the selfish plane, which tries toget, at the cost of happiness and lifeto others. A plane which is the causeof the present world-wide war. Theother is the plane which gives, in orderthat others may have a chance to live.This is the Christ plane, and it is theone chosen by Mattie R. Wylie.The Foreign Mission Board feelsthat a worthy co-laborer has been promotedand the hope is that this promotionmay be the occasion of all ouryoung people dedicating their lives tothe service of Jesus Christ, Whom sheloved and served.The Editors' prayer is that thiscopy of Olive Trees may be used ofGod to help bring about this result.THE HOME LIFE OF MATTIE R.WYLIEMartha Rachel Wylie was born December14, 1846, in MuskingumCounty, Ohio, the second child of PrestonHarvey and Mary Ann Wylie. Theoldest child, Robert Wallace Wylie, atthe age of four and a half years wascalled home. Mattie, at that time buttwo and a half years old, had a distinctrecollection of her brother, who hadpreserved her life when in danger ofbeing drowned in a spring of waternear by the home. Four youngerbrothers were given to the home, thenan infant sister, who lived but a fewhours. Being the only daughter, shewas the special delight of father andmother and the boys were required toshow deference to her and to renderall possible assistance in her homeduties.Mattie always loved the child namegiven to her by her brothers and sometimesby parents. Usually, however,they called her "Martha Rachel." Evenwhen she went away as a missionaryshe requested her brothers always toaddress her by the chfld name. Shedesired others to call her Mattie andalways signed her name "Mattie R.Wylie."Our parents planned that she should

"4OLIVETREESenjoy the same educational opportunityas that given her brothers. Williamand Martha were to go to college.In the fafl of 1860 mother was laid onwhat proved to be her death bed. Wewere living in Rushsylvania, Ohio, atthe time and enjoyed the blessing of asplendid graded school taught by thelate Mr. A. G. Trumbull and MissEllen McCollough. Mattie was not allowedto miss a day of school, father,Mattie and the boys looking after thehousehold cares. Father was appointedto supply a congregation requiringhis absence from home for nearlythree weeks. Mother, evidently consciousthat her time was not long, andfearing that Mattie might not havethe opportunity of school afterwards,planned for the writer to remain withher and take charge of Joseph, thebaby brother. For this providence Ihave in my manhood days been deeplygrateful. Mattie made good use ofher time and I was afforded an insightof the spiritual life of my mother thatotherwise I would not have enjoyed.On the death of my mother, February1861, Mattie was the companion ofWifliam and myself. She always valuedvery highly my judgment and heraffection toward me remained to thelast. She wrote in the last but oneletter, "There wifl be one unfulfilleddesire, that I may see you once morebefore I go—it will be a comfort toyou to recollect that we have neverquarreled." She became a mother tothe two younger brothers. Her care.anxiety and help for these two boyswas wonderful and extended to theirfamilies after they were removed, andtheir attachment to her while theylived was equally strong. If they everdetected a fault or error in her lifethey surely did not mention it.Our home was a godly one. Ourparents always held before us thenobility of a useful life. A mercenarylife was never suggested. No doubtfather and mother had planned andprayed that Mattie should fill a usefulsphere. I remember that on a certainSabbath afternoon, father absent fromhome, mother was reading in thechurch magazine. Her eye lit uponthe account of the Rev. R. J. Doddsbeing driven by a mob from his fieldof labor. She was much affected. Shecalled her children around her andengaged in prayer. After we hadarisen from our knees she askedMattie and William if they would not,in after years, become foreign missionaries.They both responded in theaffirmative. William died at collegewhen he was eighteen years of age.In the years that immediately followedmy mother's death Mattie may haveforgotten the promise she made hermother but God did not forget. Thecall from the foreign field came, thepromise to her mother also came toher mind. Divine grace was given herand she gave her life to the foreignwork.In her school days Mattie seemed afavorite among friends. Not only aleader in her studies but also in thesports of the school. A close friend togirls of her own age and a companionto many who were much older. Especiallywas she the confident of hermother. I remember her especiallyas we went to the seminary in Northwood,Ohio, under the supervision ofthe late Dr. Strang. A jolly crowd ofyoung people attended that school.Hard study, it is true, was the rule.The young people improved well theirtime. Nevertheless, the social side ofschool life was not neglected. On manyan evening the girls of the seminarywould come to our home or Mattie

OLIVETREES115would go to their rooms and planswere laid for enjoyment in the daysto follow.In the community life of the congregationand neighborhood of Rushsylvaniashe was a useful factor. Inearly life she connected with theChurch by profession and always tookan active part in the Christian workof the congregation and neighborhood.She was acquainted with everybodyand ready to speak a kind word andrender assistance in the time of need.At the age of eighteen she became asuccessful teacher in the districtschool and won many warm friendsand afterwards she attained a permanentposition in the Bellefontaine, 0.,graded schools and thus she was ableto obtain the means to finish her collegecourse in Geneva, graduatingwith honor in the year 1875. In collegeshe was distinguished as an essayistand letter-writer, oftentimes assistingher companions with their literaryproductions and sometimes givinghints as to their very special letters.The people of Rushsylvania andNorthwood never forgot her andkindly receptions were always givenher on her return visits. When shereturned from the hospital at Beyroutto Latakia, she was rejoiced with thepostal card shower sent her from theold home. But the friends in LoganCounty, Ohio, on this and many otheroccasions rendered assistance to herin substantial ways.By the grace of God we are whatwe are, but when the records areopened it will be found that the homelife and the community life of dear oldLogan County, Ohio, were powerfulfactors in making Mattie R. Wylie thedevoted worker that she was for ourLord and Saviour and the undyingfriend of the poor Syrians.In her letters to me she frequentlymentioned the exceeding kindness ofthe Board of Foreign Missions, hercompanions in the field of her laborand friends throughout the Church.J. R. Wylie,AUNT MATTIE"Aunt Mattie"—so we think of her,so we call her, we children of her colleaguesin the Latakia Mission, frommy eldest brother, who was a boy ofsix when she landed in Latakia in1875 to flttle James s. Stewart whois a chfld there now.1909.Only twice did I meet Aunt Mattieduring the twenty-seven years thatelapsed between my father's transferfrom Latakia and the weary springand summer of 1909: only twice, andfor a few hours each time. But thatsummer my mission shipped me, awornout rag of a thing, down the Syriancoast to Aunt Mattie, to be coddledinto a human being. It was on aMay morning that my steamer anchoredoff Latakia. Who came out inthe little boat to meet me, whetherwe walked from the port up to thegirls' school where Aunt Mattie lived,or drove in one of the battered Victoriasthat are the only mode of wheeledtransportation in the town, I haveno idea. I only remember hearing, asI entered the big gate in the high stonewall around the compound, a manyvoicedcry of "She's come, she's come,"and seeing fluttering forms of Syrianschool girls running to announce myarrival.I had felt some diffidence about droppingdown on Aunt Mattie so unceremoniously,but her welcoming kiss putme at my ease. That moment therebegan between us a warm, personalfriendship, never to end. She had thegift of allowing a guest absolute freedom,while at the same time attendingto every detail of one's comfort, andher helpers and subordinates took

ii6 OLIVE TREEStheir tone from her. The two visits Imade her are fragrant with gracioushospitality.Her living-rooms were on the thirdfloor, the dormitories on the second,and the class-rooms on the first. Soto avoid climbing the two long fiightsof smooth-worn, hollowed stone steps,she was accustomed to spend the dayfrom breakfast until supperj on thefirst floor,only coming up for the middaymeal. I can see her now, bustlinginto the dining-room at meal-time,with her short, quick, busy step, andlooking at the table before she satdown, to make sure that everythingher guest wanted was there. Indeedshe was a doughty trencher-womanherself, and thoroughly enjoyed therich, highly-seasoned Syrian dishes,eating them like a native. The younggirl—^half pupil, half maid—who "did"for her was not over particular aboutsetting the table. Often Aunt Mattiedid not notice the erratic arrangementof things, but if she did, she wouldlook across the table at me over therim of her spectacles mischievously,like one naughty child at another andsay, "I never was much of a housekeeper,but I know you're not a bitmore particular than I am, so I don'tcare a bit." Neither, indeed, did I.It was after school was out, the daygirlsgone home, and the boarders attheir tasks or play, that she had timefor me. Sometimes we sat in her sitting-roomin the southwest comer ofthe third floor,looking out over thesea that makes one think of ships andletters and friends at home. Oftenher talk was of them, especially ofher brothers, afl of them, but one, longyears in their graves, and that onehimself the father of grown sons. Herheart still saw them as the boys herdying mother had commended to her,as the little brothers who had died ininfancy, as young men going to schoolor college. Their schoolboy naughtinessand pranks, their quick repentances,their thoughtfulness of her, shesketched it all into the picture withloving touches until I saw her brothersthrough her eyes. As she rocked herselfcomfortably in her rocking chairand talked, the white curtains wouldflutter back and forth in the last eveninggusts blowing of the sea beforethe calm that precedes the land-breezesfell.Or we would sit in the barn-likecentral hall with the cool wind sweepingthrough it, and her young Syriannamesake would comb the long thickhair that it was the child's pleasure tobraid and unbraid. Aunt Mattie wasinnocently vain of her hair, thoughshe combed it in the plainest way;another very endearing trait. Aslittle Mattie's fingersplayed with herold friend's braids. Aunt Mattie'smind would leap from the young thingbeside her to her nephews and niecesin America, planning this or thatcareer for them, discussing theirtastes and aptitudes. Or she wouldtell me stories of the chfldren of hermissionary friends; which of us hadhad fair hair, which dark, the littledresses that we had worn, how we hadfaflen and bumped ourselves when wewere leaming to walk, the funnythings we had said and done. Morethan once she told me about the flttleFlorence who had won her wholeheart, and how when the family wentback to America her heart had nearlybroken with longing for the child, andfor a week she had hardly slept or

eaten. She had never dared, she said,to let herself grow so fond of any childagain. The most beautiful thing inher love for children was that if shehad known you when you were little,you never grew up for her. She stillsaw the light of youth on heads thatwere touched with gray, all possibilitieswere stfll open to you; your worstsins only a naughtiness that timewould better.Aunt Mattie's bedroom was in thenortheast comer. I think it was theone she had occupied ever since comingto Syria. Tall twin cypresses toweredup in front of the east windows.They are slow growing, but she hadseen them grow from settings togreat, slender cones among whosedark, close-set branches little owlscalled each other on summer nights.Between them against a backgroundof dawn, or noon, or starlight thererose in the distance the great moundthat is one of the conspicuous landmarksof Latakia, and the Sheikh ilMaghrabi Mosque with its minarets.As for the north windows, they lookout on the flowers and shrubs of thelittle mission churchyard where sheherself now sleeps, as she hoped tosleep. For more than thirty yearsthese were the sights that she saw firstin the morning and last at night.1911.If traveling together is one of themost searching tests of character, thenI ought to know Aunt Mattie's. Herlast voyage to Latakia, the one fromwhich she was never to retum, wasraade in company with me. As oursteamer slid away from her berth inNew York harbor, and the faces offriends ashore grew indistinct, it wasno small comfort to feel that my oldOLIVE TREES 117friend, the friend of my parents beforeme, was on the same ship, in thesame cabin with me, indeed.It was not long before she had madefriends with a great number of ourfellow-passengers, and the stewardsand stewardesses were hers to command.At Genoa the Turko-Italianwar, which had just broken out, threwthe sailings of steamers for the Levantinto some confusion. Both in Genoa,and a little later in Alexandria, it fellto my lot to run about to steameragencies to see about routes, sailingsand terms. It was soothing when onecame back tired to the hotel to findher taking the delays and uncertaintyas a matter of course, and giving mecredit for having done my best: nofidgeting, no fretting.1913The last time I saw Aunt Mattiewas in the summer of 1913, before hersecond big operation. At this timeshe was in charge of the Bible workfor women, and was living in a littlehouse in the same enclosure with theboys' school. I am glad to rememberher as she was that summer, somewhatfafled in health, it is true, notable to bear much strain, but still thesame Aunt Mattie: laughing heartilyat my poorest jokes; stifl fond of hersolitary Sabbath evening "sing" in thepsalter; still delighting in gatheringher friends, Syrian and foreign, abouther.During my visit, circumstancesmade it necessary for us to move overinto the first floorof the boys' school,empty at the time on account of thesummer vacation, and it was therethat the concluding weeks of my visitto her were spent. It was over there

ii8 OLIVE TREESin the big, stone-flagged hall, so cooland pleasant in the summer heat, thatshe had what I suppose was her lastaffair of the sort—a fudge-party forall the Americans. I think we weretwelve, all told. There were moreAmerican young people than had everbeen in Latakia at once before—"really,truly," six young American menand girls. Some of them cracked nutsby the light of a lantern and an oillamp, experts stirred the fudge on abrazier of glowing charcoal, and thedim light of brazier and lamp waslost in the deep shadows of the ceiling.Aunt Mattie went from group togroup, her kind face now in shadow,now in light, beaming on all herguests, but with especial warmth, Ithink, on the young ones. Did hermind go back to Northwood and theyoung brothers she loved? At anyrate, she was very happy.A few days later I left. She walkeda little way with me. I am glad nowthat after I had kissed her goodbyeand turned away, I came back againto kiss her once more. Kind blue-grayeyes that looked up tearfully intomine, tremulous old hand that lay solovingly on my shoulder. I was tocome back to see her soon, she said;the sooner the better, and I was tostay a long time. And I answered thatI would.Evangeline Metheny.MISS MATTIE R. WYLIEIt was not unexpected news whenword was received from Latakia thatMiss Wylie had laid down the burdenof life, and had gone to be in the Master'spresence forevermore.Many months of pain and wearinesspreceded her homegoing. To her itwas a glad release; a surcease of allsuffering; a happy transition. Shehad rounded out full forty years ofservice in her chosen work. Arduousand exhausting as this service oftenwas, she never regretted her choice;ever realizing the greatness of theneed, she exulted in the privilege oflaboring for the uplift of others. Evenwhen almost physically incapacitated,she continued in the attempt to dowhat she could to comfort and servethose for whom her life had been spentand chose to remain among them tothe end.Her work is done; the conflict isover; the crown of victory is hers; butthe lesson of such a life wfll never belost; it wifl continue to bear fruit inthe days to come; not only in the livesof those who through her labors havebeen taught the way of life, but inother lives, which through her influencemay be led to consecrate themselvesto a like service.Her work in the Mission was takenup at a time when the diflficulties attendingsuch work were greater thanthose of more recent years; she wasacquainted with the trials of the inceptivestage of the work; but these werealways met by a faith that conquered.As a teacher, she was privileged toexert an influence beyond human computation;but that influence did notstop there. She was always a welcomevisitor in the homes of the people;when sickness or death visited thesehomes, she was always there to bringcomfort and consolation to the sufferingor the bereaved; she thus came incontact with many lives, and exerteda wide influence for good.She did her work cheerfully and willingly; it was her joy to help make lifeeasier or happier for others. Couldshe speak to us, I feel that she wouldsay, that the life that is worth while,is the life that is given in full abandonto the service of God and fellow-man.A life thus consecrated goes on livingin other lives when the implements ofour toil have been laid away, whentired hands have been folded, and eyelidsclosed in that sleep that God givesto his beloved.J. M. Balph.

OLIVETREES119PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS in the spirit of dogged perseverance.However much of that spirit thereMy recoflections of Miss Wylie datefrom early boyhood. I think of heras one whom I always knew, for hername was a household word in ourfamily. And yet my association withher as a missionary extended over aperiod of only about two years, shehaving been on furlough for about ayear and a half of my three years anda half at Latakia. Of course I met herat intervals, too, during the remainderof my stay in the Levant. Andnow I am going to note, somewhat atrandom, some of the impressions ofher character, that remain with menow that she is gone.The firstquality I think of is devotionto duty. Latakia has never beena poetic mission field.It is one uponwhich has been bestowed a maximumof humdrum hard work, with perhapspretty nearly a minimum of encouragingresults. What enabled MissWylie to stand the strain of such conditionsfor the space of forty years?Devotion to duty, the result of relianceon her Lord.When we went to Latakia, and Ithink for quite a long while before.Miss Wylie was a sufferer from rheumatism;but she toiled away uncomplainingly,teaching her girls, laboringup and down that wretched roughstone stairway between the schoolrooms on the ground fioorand her livingrooms on the third. Her rheumatism,too, confined her to Latakia andthe heat during the summer, when therest of us got away to the mountains.But Miss Wylie did not give the impressionof enduring her discomfortsmay have been beneath the surface,her sunny disposition did not suggestit. Whatever she may have experiencedof its asperities, she alwaysgave the impression of one who thoroughlyenjoyed life. Friendliness wasone of her finequalities. Her hospitalitywill be gratefully rememberedby many. She was open-hearted, openhanded.No one could be more loyalto friends. She recognized the shortcomingsof those among whom sheworked, but she perhaps found iteasier than did some of the rest ofus, to view their faults with that charitythat covers a multitude of sins.In her tongue was the law of kindness.Aside from what may be called graciousqualifications for mission work,Miss Wylie possessed in a large degreethe prime natural qualificationof a keen sense of humor. Her eyestwinkling with fun as she relatedsome amusing incident, rise up beforeme as I write. And lying very closeto this quality was her capacity forsympathy. The girls of her school,naturally, in the course of years, grewup and married, or in many cases—for early marriages are common—married and grew up, and always intheir diflficulties and discouragementsthey found in Miss Wylie a sympatheticfriend, and a friend who alwaystried to direct them to the true sourceof help. She was a welcome visitor inthe homes of rich and poor alike, oftengoing by special invitation to homesinto which the angel of death had entered,and then the customary unseemlywafling so characteristic of

I20 OLIVE TREESOrientals, would give way to the quietvoice of "Sitt Mattie," as she expoundedthe word of life in the chamber ofdeath.Eternity alone will fully reveal thefruits of Miss Wylie's forty years inthe wilderness of Latakia's sin andsorrow.C. A. Dodds.SHE THAT WINNETH SOULS ISWISEAll the missionary chfldren of myday were the adopted nieces and nephewsof "Aunt Mattie." A woman ofkindly heart and of strong maternalinstinct, she mothered all of us. In aspecial manner did she t^ke to herheart the Metheny children when theywere bereft of their mother, and themotherless Beatties found in her awarm and sympathetic friend. Herway with children was not a grievousway; her rule was one of love, appealing,as she did, rather to our affectionsthan to our fears. On one occasiononly was her chastening hand laidupon me, and what affected me mostdeeply was not the weight of her hand—it pressed but lightly—but the factthat my misdeed had grieved herrighteous soul.Many years have passed since ourchildhood days in the old MissionBuilding in Latakia. The next sceneis laid in Philadelphia. Aunt Mattiehad just returned from the missionfield and had stopped in this city. Sheshowed me in her body the marks ofthat dread disease which was in theend to take her life. She acceptedwith Christian equanimity the verdictof the surgeon. After we had telegraphedfor her "brother Jimmie,"whom she had not seen for twelveyears, she went to the Howard Hospital.In the morning when she wastaken to the operating room, she heldmy hand and fell asleep, like a littlechild, under the anesthetic. It is intimes such as these that the child ofGod is able to conquer the fear ofdeath. She told me afterward thatwhat she dreaded was not the operation,but the fear that she might, whileunder the influence of ether, do or saysomething that would bring dishonorupon His Name.Ah, No! Aunt Mattie, during yourstay in the hospital you did but adornthe doctrine of God our Saviour, andthe influence of your patient trust andChrist-like living was not lost uponthose who long after made kindly inquiryfor the Missionary Lady. Forthe kingdom of God's sake you leftparents and brethren; for His sakeyou gave up that which is dear to theheart of woman—home and chUdren.He whom you served has rewardedyou an hundredfold. You are enshrinedin the affection of missionariesand their children; a mother toevery girl in your school, the name of"Sitt Mattie" wifl be an householdword to their children's children; youwill be had in loving remembrance inan hundred homes which were open toyou as the messenger of Life.Godhas granted the desire of your heart;your body lies at rest among those forwhom you spent your days and youhave received the gift of God, etemallife through Jesus Christ our Lord.S. A. S. Metheny.

OLIVE TREES 121The foiiowing Excei-pts were Compiled by by the steamer which takes the letdelphia,the Misses Willson, Fifst Church, Phila­ters."A letter on page 60 from MissFrom Glasgow's History, published Wylie under date of December 1:in 1888:Martha R. Wylie: daughter of Rev."Mr. and Mrs. Easson had intendedto be in Beirut to meet me, but LatakiyihPreston H. and Mary A. (George)was in quarantine. ... IWylie, was born near White Cottage,Muskingum County, Ohio, December14, 1846. In 1850 her parents removedarrived here about four o'clock Thursdayevening. Dr. Metheny, Mr. Eassonand Dr. Martin and two of theto Northwood, 0., in 1855, to native teachers were out at the steam­Winfield, Indiana, and in 1860, toRushylvania, 0., where she receivedher early education, graduating fromGeneva College in 1875.er to meet me. Mr. Beattie was waitingat the wharf to shake hands. Ithen got my firstdonkey ride to themission house. I was just six weeksAccepting an appointment to theand two days coming—nineteen of thisSyrian Mission, she sailed for thattime we were not traveling."field in December, 1875*, and with theexception of a visit to America in1880, has been actively engaged in theproper work of the Mission at Latakia,Syria.*She sailed on October 5, 1875.From Reformed Presbyterian, July1875:Page 239—"Additional teacher . .The work of teaching has grown upontheir hands until Miss Crawford andMiss Dodds are severely, if not dangerouslytaxedThe position. , . has been accepted byMiss Mattie R. Wylie. . . . It isintended to send her out in the Fall.Page 371, November, 1875, issue:"Miss Mattie R. Wylie left New Yorkby the steamer Wyoming, October 5,for Liverpool, on her way to Syria."February, 1876, issue, page 60:"Miss Crawford. . . . and MissDodds . . • • are g e 11 i n g allthings ready for receiving Sister Wylie,when she comes. We expect herJune, 1876, a letter from Miss Wylie:July, 1876, "Miss Mattie R. Wyfle. . . . traveled in company withRev. Dr. Eddy, of the PresbyterianBoard."April, 1877, letter from Miss Wylie: "We have only taken 50 boardersthis winter."July, 1877 (Miss Wylie) : "We havehad very good health in the school thiswinter, and we are having a verypleasant school."August, 1877 (Miss Crawford) :"We have got Miss Wylie to workevery day now."September, 1877 (Miss Wylie), ageneral letter.Letter from Miss Wylie dated Janurary3, 1878: "Miss Dodds is nowMrs. Metheny. Miss C. and I are nowkeeping house by ourselves. Mrs. M.stifl teaches "Miss Crawford, July 16,1878: "Youare aware, ere this, of the weakeningof our forces and that Miss Wylie andI are alone in Latakiyeh. The burden

122 OLIVE TREESof work has been very heavy since Mr. November, 1889, issue, page 411,Beattie and the Doctor left. . . ." Kessab, Syria, September 3, 1889,Miss Wyfle, February 4,1879 (May Mrs. J. S. Stewart writes: "It doesNo., 1879) : "I am not acquainted with not seem so necessary to write to theMiss Carson, but I am glad she is coming.Miss Crawford left us last week. lie among them to talk tosocieties now that they have Miss Wy­them.When you next address her it will beas Mrs. Martin. ... I am quitealone in the mission house and havebeen all winter, as Miss Crawford hasbeen so delicate that she could notcome up the stairs, so she moved overto Mr. Easson's. Miss C's work was toreview the classes in all the schools.Mr. Easson will hereafter attend tothat. I teach in the girls' day schoolfrom 9 o'clock till 4 except one hourat noon, etc."Miss Wylie, February 15, 1879, aletter describing her work.Another letter March 21, 1879, thesame.September, 1880, issue, page 311,under Items: "We announce the unexpectedreturn of Miss Mary E. Carsonfrom Syria. ... As she was notin a condition to travel alone or evenin charge of a stranger, Miss Wylie,at the request of the mission, consentedto accompany her home. . . .Miss Wylie expects to return after ashort period of rest and recuperation."September, 1881, issue, a letter fromMiss Wylie, Tripoli Harbor, Syria,April 27,1881: "We had a rough passageacross the Atlantic" (letter givesaccount of her journey).Other letters from Miss Wylie: September1, 1882; December 27, 1882;March 19, 1883; September 16, 1883;April 28, 1884; October 8,1884. Laterlie among them to talk to them."November, 1890, issue, page 433:"With Miss Wylie, October 14, went asa new missionary teacher, Mrs. MaryMcCarrofl."(So Miss Wylie left Syria theSpring of 1889 and returned October,1890).In May, 1900, Olive Trees, page158: "Miss Mattie R. Wyfle arrivedin New York safely and in good healthThursday, April 19, on the KaiserWilhelm II, direct from Alexandria,Egypt."July, of 1901, Olive Trees: "InMarch, 1900, when Miss Wyfle leftLatakia, the school was left in the careof Miss Edgar."August, 1901: "Arrangements havebeen made for the return of MissMattie R. Wylie to Syria. She willleave by the S.S. Germanic for Liverpoolon Wednesday, August 7."Olive Trees, May, 1910, page 101:"A letter from Miss Maggie B. Edgardated March 22, 1910. . . In afew days Miss Wylie leaves for hervisit home."In a later Olive Trees, September9, 1911,: "Miss Wyfle, Miss EvangelineMetheny and Dr. Calvin McCarroll,of Nicosia, sailed from New Yorkfor Genoa."After her return to Latakia, in1911, she was in charge of the workamong the women, and entered intorest Sabbath, January 9th, 1916.

The follpwing Minute on the Death ofMiss Wylie has been Placed on theRecords of the Mission in Latakia;On the afternoon of a bright andpeaceful Sabbath, January 9, 1916,our friend and fellow-worker, MissMattie R. Wylie, passed away fromthis world to be with her Saviour. Shehad just passed by a few weeks thefortieth anniversary of her arrival inSyria, and her sixty-ninth birthday.Of this long term of service in thisland, thirty-five years were spent inwork in the Girls' School in Latakia.Many of the girls whom she taughtin the earlier days she has seen inhomes of their own, and in the lateryears she has taught their childrenand their children's children.Miss Wylie gave her whole strengthand ability to the work of winning thegirls and women to Christ. Not onlyas their teacher and guide in schoolwas she known but in all their homesin times of sickness, sorrow 9.ndtrouble was she a friend and comforter.In conversation she had a specialaptitude in making every subj^c^turn to that which it was her desireto teach. She had also the faculty ofremembering all the relationships andconnections of each family, so thatshe not only knew individuals but alsotheir family history, and this oftenmade them feel near to her.Miss Wylie was very liberal; andher money as wefl as her time wasconsecrated. She was always readyto assist any one in need. She spentmuch of her means in making theschool building and arrangementsmore comfortable. Many times whenthe Mission thought money could notbe spared for certain repairs or improvementsshe used her own for thepurpose or added to the allowancemade.She had a special love for the SabbathSchooL of which she was superintendentfor many years, and often.OLIVE TREES 123after she could no longer attend, shesaid it was the hardest part of thework to give up.To her associates in the Mission,Miss Wylie was always a generous,helpful friend, and her friendship waslasting. Those of us, who were privflegedto be closely associated withher in our earlier days of service,know how kindly and sympathetic shewas when we were in the close relationshipof living together.The Word of God was always verydear to her and during the days ofher suffering and weakness she oftenspoke of the comfort she found in thePsalms especially. The last verses ofthe 90th Psalm and parts of the 25thwere favorites with her.Our friend's life on earth is finished,and she has entered into the rest andjoy of her Lord; her works shafl followher and her memory be blessedand fragrant for many years in thehearts of all who knew her; but thefull fruit of her labors will appear inthe resurrection time when she andthose saved through her service shaflrejoice together in the presence of theLord.Maggie B. Edgar,Mission Secretary.The following, prepared by R. M.Sommervifle, D. D., was placed uponthe minutes of the Foreign Board:"Miss Wyfle gone home." In theseexpressive words was announced tothe Foreign Board the passing of aconsecrated worker after forty yearsof successful service as a foreign missionary.This consecrated -Worker wasMiss Mattie R. Wylie, of Latakia,Syria.The daughter of Christian parents,who were distinguished above manyfor personal piety, praying for theirchfldren before their birth, and duringchildhood, and further holding constantlybefore their minds the claimsof God to their love and loyal service,Miss Wylie, when cafled in 1875 to goto the foreign field, did not delay

124- OLIVE TREESreaching a decision, and during a missionarycareer of varied experiences,she showed herself both as teacher andvisitor, exceptionally qualified for thework of evangelism. Her one aim wasto save souls and she was not disappointedby the results of her ministry.Loyal to the gospel trust and claimingthe promised endowment of power shehad the privilege of winning many toChrist as their Saviour and King.The closing years of her earthly lifewere marked by severe sufferings,borne with unaffected resignation tothe wifl of the Lord whom she lovedso well and served so faithfully; andon Tuesday, January 9,1916, the messengercame to conduct her to theplace prepared for her in the HeavenlyFather's home, where she restsfrom her labors and has entered intoeternal joy. It must have been a momentof exaltation when the summonswas heard: "The Master is come andcalleth for thee."We have received and passed on toMr. Steele $188.50 from Mrs. Sommerville,for mountain schools in Syrria,from some women in Second NewYork and their friends.Mr. Steele asks us to acknowledgethe receipt of a letter from Dr. R. M.Sommerville, enclosing a check for$60,00 from the Christian EndeavorSociety of Second New York, coveringtheir arjnual contribution for thesupport of a bed in the Hospital inLatakia, Syria.Rev. C. A. Dodds says: Last nightwe gathered in the firstfruits of thelabors of Mr. Mitchefl and his associatesand of those who preceded him—at Irving Place Chapel. Four werereceived and a fifth is in prospect.This is the work started some yearsago by Mr. Stewart G. Thompson.A CONTRASTDelber H. Elliott.Talk of the love of a mother!It is hardly to be comparedWith the love the Saviour bore me.When glory for me He prepared.Lord thou hast shown such loveFor me!What love have I, Lord, shownFor Thee?Others have made their offerings;Their gifts our lives may touch;But was ever another like Jesus,Whose sacrifice purchased so much ?Lord, Thou has given thine allFor me!What have I given, LordFor Thee?Some have left beautiful mansions;Few sailed the broad ocean's blue;But tell me; Who has gone further.Than the Master has gone for you ?Lord, Thou didst come to earthFor me!Where have I gone, Lord,For Thee?Some times one suffers for others;May be, life on the altar will lay;But only Christ's blood is suflficientTo wash our transgressions away.Lord, Thou hast even diedFor me!Am I living, Lord,For Thee?Denison, Kan.The death of Mrs. Nettie Robb, wifeof Elder George C. Robb, of DenisonCongregation, occurred November 4,1915. She suffered long and bore hertrials with patience and cheerfulness.Mrs. Robb spent three years in thework at the Indian Mission and was alife-long member of the Denison Congregation.Miss Mary Mann,Mrs. Anna French,Miss Dollie Patterson,Committee.

OLIVE TREES 125S E C O N D A N N U A L KANSAS PRESBYTERIALThe Second Annual Convention ofthe Kansas Presbyterial Women'sMissionary Society held its fivesessionsin the Olathe Church beginningat 2.00 P. M. on Wednesday, March29.Greetings, extended by Mrs. W. C.McClurkin, of Olathe, were respondedto by Miss Mary Boyd, of Kansas City.'Delegates were present from twelvecongregational societies, and letterswere read from some of the others.An impressive memorial service forMiss Wylie was held at the devotionalhour on Thursday evening, conductedby Miss Lizzie McNaughton, who wasemployed as a teacher in our Syrianfield for ten years. Dr. J. M. Wyhealso spoke of his long acquaintancewith Miss Wylie and of her sterlingcharacter and life of consecration.The following tribute was offered bythe Cbmmittee on Resolutions, and byvote adopted by the Convention:"We note with sorrow, and yet rejoicing,the death of Mattie R. Wylie,on January 9, 1916. Bom December14, 1846, she consecrated her life tothe service of Christ, and was forforty-one years a missionary in Latakia,Syria. She was courageous anddevoted, was especially favored ofGod during her time of suffering, andwas permitted to finishher work inher chosen fieldof labor. Her life is astimulus to us for more self-sacrificeand better service."Be thou faithful unto death, and Iwill give thee a crown of Life."Mrs. j. M. Wylie,Mrs. j. G. McElhinney,Mrs. Rebecca McAllister,Committee on Resolutions,It was decided to put all moneyspledged to the Presbyterial into a fundto be designated "The Mattie R. WylieMemorial," and tender it to our ForeignBoard, to be used at their discretionin the foreign field.We had the pleasure on Wednesdayevening of hearing the Rev. J. K.Robb in a very interesting address onthe work in China.Our president, Mrs. Dill, delivereda splendid address on "Preparedness"on Thursday evening, and if all do notexactly agree with her on the militarysituation we are sure all who heardher, heartily agree with her advocacyof a preparedness for meeting thegreat moral questions. The programon both evenings was enlivened bymusic, vocal and instrumental, andreadings by our Olathe people, youngand old. Letters were read from MissElma French, Mersine; from Mrs. G.A. Edgar, Selma; from Rev. Vv'^. W.Carrithers, of the Indian Mission.Miss Alice Robb wrote of some recollectionsof her childhood in China.Master Lawson Robb gave a trip upthe West River. These were especiallyinteresting to the chUdren.Papers on the following subjectswere read and enjoyed by the Presbyterialand we trust will be of lastingbenefit: "Why Do We Need JuniorSocieties?", Mrs. T. K. Tippin,Tabor; "Opportunities for MissionWork in Our Large Cities," MissLizzie McNaughton, Kansas City;"Our Covenanter Mission in theSouth," Mrs. Elmer Stevenson, Clarinda;"Some Problems of the CountryChurch," Mrs. Jones, Beulah;

126 OLIVE TREES"How Best to Conduct Mission StudyClasses," Mrs. George Tippin, Superior;"Our Work in China," Mrs. Geo.McBurney, Quinter; "How Shafl theCall of the Church That the MissionFields Be Fully Manned, Be Answered,"Mrs. Bertha Porter, Stafford;"The Essentials of a MissionaryChurch," Mrs. J. G. McElhinney,Sterling; "How May We, as Individuals,Local and Presbyterial MissionarySocieties, Become More Efficientin Obeying the Great Commission?",Mrs. Myrtle McDowell, Eskridge;"Zeal Along Afl Lines of theChurch's Activity Necessary to theSuccess of Her Missionary Enterprise,"Mrs. Fannie Holmes, Topeka;"The Financial Support of Missions,"Mrs. Elmer Russell, Denison.An interesting sketch of missionwork done by Topeka Congregation atIrving Place, was read by Mrs. AliceDifl Reed.The Jewish Mission in Philadelphiawas brought before us by a letter fromRev. R. A. Blair. Wifl not the variousPresbyterial organizations co-operatewith Mr. Blair in striving to acquaintthe church with the needs andwork of our Missions by seeking toput the olive Trees, our only MissionaryMagazine, in every Covenanterhome in 1916?Letters of sympathy were orderedsent to Mrs. J. R. W. Stevenson, ofHebron Congregation; to Mrs. E. C.Mitchell, whom we had hoped to havewith us but who was called East byher mother's illness; to the Workersat Latakia, Syria, who have laid torest our Senior Missionary; to Mrs.D. H. Coulter and daughter, of Topeka,who have very recently beenmade so lonely; to Miss Maggie S.Mitchell, of Topeka, our Superintendentof Mission Bands, who is veryseriously ifl; to Mrs. W. J. Efliott, ofSuperior, our Corresponding Secretary,who was prevented by sicknessfrom attending our convention.The report of the CorrespondingSecretary shows the foflowing condensedfacts:Congregations in Presbytery, 18.Societies reporting, 13.Total membership of these, 275.Total amount raised in the year,$1046.53.Number of letters written by CorrespondingSecretary, 37.Although this report does not includenearly all the work done by theWomen's Societies in Kansas Presbytery,yet it in some measure sets amark for us to go beyond for the nextyear.The Presbyterial asked that all theauxiliary societies make their fiscalyear begin January 1 that the reportssent in to Presbyterial may be uniformand conform with our congregationalwork, which usually is countedfor the calendar year.Two invitations were received forthe next annual meeting, Topeka andSuperior both extending their hospitality.The Executive Board will decideplace of meeting at a later date.Our Syrian Mission was not intentionallyomitted from our program as wehoped until near the time of meetingto have Rev. Samuel Edgar with us,but were disappointed. The new corpsof oflficers is as follows:President, Mrs. Margaret Difl, Sterflng.First Vice-President, Mrs. J. M.Wylie, Kansas City.Second Vice-President, Mrs. G. M.Robb, Quinter.Recording Secretary, Mrs. IdaMoore, Olathe.Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. W.J. Elliott, Superior.Treasurer, Mrs. Myrtle McDowefl,Eshridge.Superintendent of Mission Bands,Mrs. Elmer Russell, Denison.We consider the fine weather whichwe enjoyed a great blessing sent byour Heavenly Father to benefit andbless our Presbyterial.Ida B. Moore,Secretary.

OLIVE TREES 127N E W S F R O M T H E FIELDEdited by Mrs. Findley M. Wilson, 2517 North Franklin Street,Philadelphia, Penna.We have a very interesting letterfrom Mr. Charles Stewart, of Larnaca,Cyprus, giving an account of his visitsseveral years ago to our mission inChina and to the U. P. mission in thePunjab, India. This letter is for nextmonth's Olive Trees, but a few Cyprusnews items have been taken fromit for this issue.Dr. and Mrs. A. I. Robb, Dr. Wrightand the Misses Adams and Hustonhave contributed to the news budgetfor May. Mrs. Julius Kempf is "reporter-in-chief"for Tak Hing, and avery prompt, efficient one she is.Rev. Mr. Taggart sends the accountof the Lo Ting revival. All who readMrs. Dickson's letter in Aprfl OliveTrees will be glad to hear from Dr.Dickson. He sends the Lo Ting newsitems this month.Before the revival services began inLo Ting, Mr. Taggart wrote askingour prayers for the work. The peoplethen were apparently hardened, havingheard the gospel for many yearswithout responding. God answeredthe prayers in a wonderful way andan unexpected awakening has takenplace. Interests for years to comedepend on conserving the results ofthis revival now. "Pray ye thereforethe Lord of the harvest.""The weary ones had rest, the sad hadjoy that day.I wondered how!A ploughman singing at his work hadprayed"Lord help them now."Away in foreign lands they wonderedhowTheir single word had power.At home the Christians, two or threeHad met to pray an hour!Yes, we are always wondering, wonderinghow.Because we do not seeSome one, unknown, perhaps and farawayOn bended knee."* * * *Larnaca, Cyprus.—Our town is soonto boast of an electric lighting system.Most of the outside setting up hasbeen done, but the machinery has notbeen set up yet.* * * *Our mission circle is wefl. We havenot seen the Nicosia members forsome time. Although we are only afew miles from Latakia I have gottenonly one letter from there. It wasfrom my father, and was dated December13th. All were well then,schools were open, but they were shortof money.* * * *We are anxious to hear as towhether anyone is considering comingout to take Mr. Conner's place thisfall. We can promise plenty of hardwork, if that will be an inducement.Results along the line that counts mostare not encouraging, but we can onlywork ahead and leave it in the handsof Him who knows what is best.Our Turkish teacher now is one ofour own boys, a young Turk who graduatedlast Spring. Two of our staffare now old boys of the school, and athird boy teaches one class. Three oflast year's class are doing extra workwith us so that they will not be losingtime. They cannot go to Beyrout andcan get no work here.* * * *School work goes on as usual. Sometime ago we had an exodus of a certainunmanageable element, but theyhave been partly replaced by some refugeeOur Jews most and recent * others. * * event, * worthy of

128 OLIVE TREESnote was the visit of the English to be sent to the Board. To me it wasSchool of Nicosia, for the return game not very satisfactory as censorshipin hockey and football. In spite ofthe fact that our team had the enemydefeated in fieldwork, through our inabilityto score we lost the footballgame 1-0. We again outplayed themin hockey and managed to win 1-0.The games were keenly contested andworked up the enthusiasm of studentsand spectators to a high pitch. Largeregulations make it necessary to keepletters within certain limits. I hopeour associates at home will write ofher also, for the Church ought to haveit. Some of the rest of us might wellwish that when our work is done itwould be as well done through all theyears as hers was. We are few innumber now. I wish we could see thatcrowds now turn out to see the games. the way would be open soon for ourThe teams are made up of both mastersfellow-workers at home to be with us.and students, as we play regularly But doubtless the Lord will bring itwith the boys. It keeps us more closely about in His own time, which is alwaysthe best.in touch with the students, and servesat the same time to keep us in goodphysical condition.School work here goes on as usual.Our winter has almost passed, we had* * * *quite a continuation of cold days. WeOur second term fieldday excursiontook place last Wednesday. We wentto a new place, a village nearly fourare all in usual health.With kindest regards to yourselfand Mrs. Wilson,miles away. After lunch I took anumber who were keen on more exercise,for a nine-mile tramp. The daywas ideal for a long tramp. Springis with us now. The trees are in blossomand wild flowersto be found inthe fields. * * * *A Turkish Sports Club now has itsathletic fieldand games are regularlyplayed. Its existence is due to the factthat so many of the young fellowshave learned the value of games andregular exercises in our school here.The promoters of the club are students,old students, and their parents.The boys are far better off on the athleticfieldthan they would be in acoffee house. When I think back tothe firstyear that I was here, andrecall how Rev. J. D. Edgar and I hadto steadily fightwith boys and parentsto get them out to take part in theregular athletics, I cannot but wonderat the change and at the enthusiasmthat they now show for athletics.* :!; * *Latakia, Feb. 12, 1916.Dear Dr. WUson.I mafled you a few days ago a copyof the respect the records minutes to of Miss the we Mission Wylie. drew up as It to a was tribute put also onYours sincerely,Rev. A. J. McFarland Maggie B. writes Edgar, Mersine,January 19th:"Little Samuel Sterrett (Peoples)is doing wefl, gaining a pound a weeknow. That is more than most of usare doing these days. We are afl weljand trying to make a little go a longway in feeding a few of the most destitutearound us without distinctionas to sect. You will have heard ofMiss Wylie's entering into rest January9th. It would be a great relief forher and those who witnessed her sufferingswithout being able to help hermuch. May we all be as ready for thesummons as she was."Lo Ting, China,—Mr. Taam, theevangelist in charge of Lo King, hasraised one thousand doflars local currencyfor a public library, which is tobe housed in the upper story of theLo King chapel. This is not only apublic improvement that is needed inevery city, but it will be the means ofgetting a larger number of people intimatelyconnected with the Chapelwork of that city.

OLIVE TREES 129On the afternoon of February 18ththe Lo Ting congregation elected eightof their number to act as a Board ofTrustees for a hospital which theypropose to establish and finance themselvesin that city. This is going tomean considerable of a financialsavingto the home church, and what iseven more important, is that it willplace a responsibility on the nativechurch that will greatly aid in its development.•P "P ^ "POn the evening of March 9th thefirst night school in Lo Ting was openedunder the management of one ofthe native Christians. Reading, writing,arithmetic and Bible stories arethe courses mentioned in the curriculum.Each student brings his ownlittle lamp, books and writing material.It is a very modest affair, but an institutionthat should be a blessing tothe thousands in Lo Ting that canneither read or write. The teacher,Mr. Chung Leung Kwai, receivesabout fifteen cents gold each monthfrom each pupil for two hours' instructionsix nights in the week, andhe has promised to give 40 per cent.of this money to help in establishingthe new Lo 'Ting Hospital.* * * *Since the evangelistic campaign heldin Lo "Ting in January, the attendanceof inquirers at the Chapel service hasbeen very encouraging. Many of themare already earnest Christians andshowing a desire to win others,* * * *Both the boys' and girls' schools inLo Ting opened up after Chinese NewYear with increased enroflment; infact, both schools are filledto theircapacity.* * * *In June, 32 young men wifl graduatefrom the Lo Ting Middle (High)School, Since the first of January,three of these men have professedChrist, and others are interested inthe doctrine in a new way. Theseyoung men wifl in all probability returnto their homes to teach, go intobusiness, or farm. Their homes arescattered all over this district, someof them living a day or two days' journeyfrom Lo Ting. In all probabilitymost of them will go to villages wherethere are no Christians and wherethey will have little or no opportunityto hear the Gospel, If they are notwon to Christ before they leave thiscity, think what a great loss it will beto them, and if they are won and returnto their native village with regeneratedlives and a new vision of life,think what it will mean to their homecommunities. We appeal to the eightthousand Covenanters in the homeChurch to pray earnestly for theseyoung men.* * * *Writing of the rcivival at Lo Ting,Rev. Mr. Taggart says: "Tbe Lo TingBoard of Trade loaned us their silkmarket free of rent, and the Government,suspicious of trouble at thistime, sent thirty soldiers to occupyone-half of it. The Lord sent PastorCheung Lap Tsoi to preach for us atthese evangelistic meetings, and theHoly Spirit came on your invitationand others, and was present at everymeeting. No doubt the enemy ofsouls was there also, but was repulsedwith heavy losses at many points.From Sabbath until Wednesday, anoon session was held in this hallevery day, and four preaching serviceswere held in the chapel for thosewho could not attend the noon meetings.Two sessions of the native conferencewere held each forenoon fromMonday until Thursday, Dr. Robb givinga Bible study at one of them.What were the results ? Every man,woman and child in Lo Ting had anopportunity to hear the gospel andaccept this salvation for themselves.Of course there was not space forall of them, but there was roomfor one more, and any one of themmight have occupied it. At least twothousand must have been presentat one or more sessions; 135 signed

130 O LI V E T R E ESenrollment cards as interested inquirers.There were 18 boys from theMiddle School among them, one olwhom has since received baptism; fiveothers have asked for baptism, butare not well enough acquainted withthe doctrine to be baptized, and oneor two others have definitely decidedfor Christ. Frominent teachers areamong the inquirers, and though theyare not so enthusiastic as the boys,they may be just as open to conviction.There were old men and boys and menof every class. With many the impressionwas momentary and furtherinquiries show that in places the seedhas already been plucked away fromtheir hearts, but much of it will endureeven unto eternal life. How much willendure depends just as much on thechurch at home, as on us here, andwhile many no doubt will hold us responsiblefor the leakage from this135, we will hold every one at homejust as responsible. If they will prayfor us and for them, not one that hasbeen given to Christ shall be lost.One of those who has manifestedmost interest has a squad of thirty soldiersor so under him, and managesafl the executions in Lo Ting. Somethink he is a government spy, but atany rate you might risk praying forhim. I don't know any one that needsdivine grace more than an executionerin China. Some Elijah might take itfor his job to pray this man into thekingdom of God."* * * *Tak Hing, China.—The Wednesdayafternoon prayer meetings at the hospitalaveraged twenty in attendancelast year.•P ^ 'T' *!*Kerosene, 5-gallon cans are $4.20,and 1 1-3 pounds of nails 35c. localcurrency. Rice is said to be dearerthan usual.* * * *The hospital training class have enteredon their fourth year. They havefive hours a day class work besides doingthe hospital work, and one houra day in Bible study is done. The classplan to be responsible for Sabbathservices each week in some of theneighboring villages. They miss Dr.McBurney very much, and are countingthe months until it is time for herto return.Dr. Scott has some faithful friendswho frequently inquire for her return.We use her talking machine now andthen to cheer up the patients, and afew pieces on this will transfer agloomy ward into one of smiles,^ "P 'P *!'Lau Ying is the name of the littleblind boy in the hospital. He is learningto read the Brail system rapidlyfrom blind Bartimaeus under the supervisionof Miss Huston.* * * *The Chinese New Year vacation hasjust closed. It is the season of theyear when the Chinese have the mostleisure. Among the many visitors thisyear were some of the aristocracy whohave shown an eager desire to hearthe doctrine. Often a number of "readbook" men would come to the Missionasking to hear the Jesus doctrine. Theyhave listened for an hour and morewhile the truth was being explainedto them.One day two merchants came andsaid: "We want to find the Saviour,"After visiting for a while in friendlyfellowship they asked, "Who wasJesus' Father and also who was HisMother, how long does one need tobelieve before he can be baptized;what is baptism and how is a believerbaptized?" These same merchantshave been back to call several timesand have brought other friends withthem.* * * *Schools opened last week, the trainingclass with an attendance of ten,the boys' school with enrollment offorty-seven, the girls' school withthirty pupfls, and the woman's schoolthis week with an attendance of fourteen.All these departments will have

more students, as some old ones havenot returned and some new ones havebeen delayed for a short time. Themembers of the medical class are allat their regular class work again.Many of the boys and girls are gettingtheir first impressions of Christianity,th« Christ is yearning to livein the heart of each one. Pray thatthe Holy Spirit shafl fifl every heartso full that the love of God throughthese children will reach the homesfrom whence they come.* * * *We are still enjoying almost dailyvisits from lepers. They are quite aproblem often, especially the womenand girls. Recently a woman came tous who had been expelled from homeby her husband and four sons. Thecustom often prevails of expellingfrom the home and village those havingleprosy. They are left to beg andfail heir to all the attending evils, Aself-respecting woman or girl prefersto take her own life rather than livethe life thrust upon them. They hearof the good doctrine and come here,and then it is our privilege to showwherein our doctrine is more mercifulthan theirs. At these times we areglad that there is a small fund to meetthe needs of these cases,«|C ^ 3|C SfCOn Chinese New Year's Day morethan four hundred women and girlswere entertained that afternoon atthe Tak Hing Mission, The first whocame were served with tea and fruit,but when the crowd grew too largewe gave that up and played the Victor.All heard a little of the gospel andwere invited to the services for womenon Wednesday afternoon at the women'sschool, and also to the Sabbathservices,•!• T--P t'Mrs, Leung, the woman who wasransomed when a girl by the Olathecongregation, is doing very good workvisiting in the homes of the people of'Tak Hing, and teaching the womenand girls the way of life. There isOLIVE TREES 131one home where she goes every day,and three others where she goes oneday each week. On Sabbath afternoonsshe, Mrs. Kempf, and twowomen from the Women's School holda Sabbath School in Mr, Poon's house,which is attended by more than twentychildren and from eight to twelvewomen, all belonging in this one home,too. Please pray for this work,* * * *On February 20th, Mr. T. C. Leiwas baptized. He is a member of asurveying party that has been workingin this neighborhood for somemonths. He became interested in thegospel at the meetings held in Januaryand attended all public meetingsand Bible classes with evident delightwhile his companion workers were atthe gambling dens. He said, "I tryto get alone to pray but often cannotand then they make fun of me,"* * * *Gambling dens were reopened atthe beginning of the New Year andthe people have gone mad after fouryears of prohibition. The governmentneeds funds, and has become Westernenough to sell the virtues of its peoplefor gold,5p sp -p -pTen students are in attendance atthe Training School, one of the thirdyear, four of the second, four of thefirst and one taking part work. Somemore THE may PASSING enter later. OF "NEW JOY"INTO ETERNAL JOY*As the party of foreigners and nativeChristians left Tak Hing on January3 for Mission Meeting and Conferenceat Lo Ting, one of those onthe river bank to wish us God's blessingand a happy journey, was oneknown and loved by all as "TheBrownie's Wife" or "Grandma Chan,"and whom you have met in OliveTrees of September and December,1915.On returning to Tak Hing two

132 OLIVE TREESweeks later. Little Jean Robb was thefirst to greet us and her first wordswere "The Brownie's Wife is dead,"It was a great shock to us, as she hadbeen in the Women's School duringthe communion services just beforewe left, and in her usual health, exceptfor a slight cold. This proved tobe the beginning of her last illness, forshe passed away on January 13, Butour sorrow at seeing her face no moreis freely mingled with hope and joy,for we know it is wefl with her, andher Christian life has been a benedictionto us who remain.Her husband has been a Christianfor more than ten years, and until ayear ago she persecuted him bitterly,then she herself became a Christian,to his great joy, and was receivedinto the church in May, 1915. A fewmonths later I heard her tefling somewomen what a great joy it is to be aChristian. Then I asked her if shereally were more happy than beforeshe was a Christian. She seemed surprisedthat I would ask such a question,and answered, "Truly, truly, Iam happier, and the Heavenly Fatherhas blessed us so we don't have towork so hard. When I am out watchingthe cow I take my Three CharacterClassic and read the three or fourpages that I know, then I say themorning and evening prayers, and theLord's Prayer. That is all I know, soI just talk with Jesus, and my heartis very happy."She entered school last Fafl, butstayed only a few days, saying herhusband could not spare her. Buthere is the Brownie's side of it, as hetold it since she is gone: "I was surprisedwhen sho came home from theschool and asked what was wrong.She said, 'Everything is all right. Ilike the school and they all like me,and want me to stay, but I just thinkabout you all the time, over here alonewith no one to look after you or maketea or boil rice for you, so I just camehome to be with you.' When I thinkof those words, it is very hard to giveher up, then I think of how happy sheis in heaven and my heart is verymuch at peace."The funeral address by Dr, Robbwas very impressive, and his plea forthe Christian life was doubly so, becauseas he held up her life as a proofof the power of the Gospel, her daughter-in-law,the one best qualified tojudge from experience, gave mosthearty agreement to the statementthat her life and disposition had undergonea complete change.Before the service, Dr, Robb askedwhat name she was known by amongher own people, "Why, she's just'Grandma, " they said, then after alittle thought, added, "Yes, she did geta new name when she joined thechurch. It's 'Sun Hei,' " which, beinginterpreted, is "New Joy,"*A picture of "The Brownie's"Wife" appeared in Olive Trees forSeptember and December, igi2.ON OR UP?Shall we "get on" in the world, or "upin the world?"Said a brother to me one day;Shafl we choose the broad alluringpathOr the narrower, hilly way ?Shall we choose the cup of silverbright.Held out on the broad highway?Or the cup that the blessed MasterdrankIn quiet Gethsemane?Shall mother, father, sister, friend,Keep the heart so closely tiedThat we have no time to give to HimWho for us on Calvary died ?Shafl "getting on" in worldly pathsMake "getting up" to fafl?We only see the Master's faceWhen worldly pleasures pale.We only rise to deepest foyWhen we have borne our cross,Despised the shame and followed Him,Counting not our loss.S. M, Adams.

OLIVE TREES 133H O M E MISSION FIELDSApache, Oklahoma,April 4, 1916,On the third Sabbath of last monthwe had our communion. We had beenpraying and talking and working fora good while looking toward thatevent. While not all of the memberswere able to come and while some evenwho were present did not feel fittosit with the Lord at his table, wecounted it one of our best communions.There was a manifest presence ofGod's Spirit in the congregation. Therewas an earnestness of attendance andattention that meant much to thosewho were concerned about the welfareof the congregation.Two Apaches have been put in jaflfor gambling. One of them is a waywardmember of the church. Heneeds release from spiritual bondagefar more than a return to his people.Teryerper, the old-time MedicineMan of the Comanches, has died. Formany years he has had a great influenceamong them, holding many ofthem in darkness by the old superstitions.It is almost impossible even forthe Christians to get that superstitionclear out of their lives. It seems almostwrong that there should be rejoicingover the death of a man butsuch there has been.One of the members, a girl away atGovernment school, in sending backher tithe money, wrote that for twotimes she had neglected to take outher tithe and it had taught her a goodlesson. If we were all to learn thelesson from every failure we would bewiser.There are quite a number of youngfamilies living in their homes withina couple of miles of the Mission now.It means a great deal to have them soclose. It is encouraging to see themturning toward spiritual things. Itmeans quite a change in many of theirlives. There is very much to leadthem away even with this constantcontact with the Mission and the worshiphere. We are having some morerain and things look promising in thefields,O. F, Thompson,Dr, G. A, Edgar, of our SouthernMission, is busy arranging for the EducationalConferences which are toimmediately precede Synod,PHILADELPHIAOur work here is located in the veryheart of the Ghetto, The Jews withwhom we come in contact are mostlypoor and few of them can findan opportunityto earn a living. The workman'scompensation law is a boomerangto the inefficient worker. CanChristianity give these poor people anopportunity to work as well as tellthem that Jesus Christ will help them ?How will we show them Jesus Christ'shelp?The Jew who has been in this countrylonger and who has found workand made a little money generallymoves out of the Ghetto, He is to befound near most of our churches especiallyin our cities. He does not needmaterial help and is freerer from prejudiceand ignorance and is much lessliable to persecution than those amongwhom your missionaries are laboring.Will not our pastors and members tryand reach the Jew at theirs doors withtheThegospel?Synod of the Reformed PresbyterianChurch of North America is tomeet in Chicago, 111., Wednesday, June7, at 10 A, M. Sermon by the retiringModerator, Rev. John C. French.We are sure that the prayer of thewhole Church wifl be that the HolySpirit will be present in Power andthat every heart will be yielded to Hisguidance.

134 OLIVE TREESREPORT OF THE W. M. S., OFUTICA CONGREGATIONAn unusually successful year forour Missionary Society has passedinto history. A special effort had beenmade to have not only every memberof the society but all the church membersas far as possible present at eachmeeting.Three very enjoyable all-day meetingswere well attended, and the collectionsvery gratifying. At one ofthese the time was spent in preparinga Christmas box for the teachers ofthe Southern Mission. Eleven meetingswere held and a study was madeof "The Other House."One member, Mrs. Agnes Reynolds,the oldest in years, though not inmembership was removed by death,after many years of useful and cheerfulservice. Mrs. Fred. Hervey,Secretary.Receipts,Yearly Dues $20.00Monthly Collections 23.61Chinese Scholarship 32,00Sunshine 10.00Disbursements, $85.61Chinese Scholarship $32,00Armenian Reflef 10.00Syrian Mission 33.23Postage .38Sunshine 10.00$85,61Amanda Hervey, Treasurer.REPORT OF THE JUNIOR SOCIETYOF THE REFORMED PRESBY­TERIAN CONGREGATIONOF WINCHESTER,KANSASReport of the Junior Society of theReformed Presbyterian Congregationof Winchester, Kans., for the year1915:Again we are brought to the closeof another year's work, and we feelGod has blessed us.Death has not entered our ranks,and we have great reason for thankfulness.Our society numbers thirtysix.We have held twenty-four meetingduring the year, with an averageattendance of twenty-seven. Fourhave been present at every meetingduring the year. Eight have beenloyal, reading a portion of the Bibleeach day. We have eight differentcommittees. Flower Committee hasgiven out twenty-five bouquets withScripture texts, and twenty-one comfortpowders.We held an all-day meeting inhonor of our missionary, Miss French,before she left for New Castle andgave her a box of dolls, toys and picturecards to use in her work there.We are greatly encouraged in thework by our pastor and wife. We try^each year to have some differentmethod for raising our money. Thisyear we gave the children pennycards. We reahzed $29.96 from them.We have been supporting a girl inLatakia, Syria, for eleven years, alsokeeping up the Dale Smith Memorialfund to educate a boy in the boy'sschool in China. Our motto for thisyear: "In all thy ways acknowledgehim, and He shall direct thy paths."—Prov. 3: 6.Treasurer's Report.Receipts.Balance December, 1914 .. . $2.82Daily Offerings 14.37Birthday Offerings 4.06Penny Cards 29.96Off. from Senior Society.. . . 1.38Free Wifl Offerings 12.41Miscellaneous 1.50$66.50Disbursements.Syrian Relief Fund $5.00Girl's Tuition in Latakia . . . 30.00Dale Smith Memorial, Boy'sTuition in China 15.00Indian Mission 5.00Jewish Mission 10.00Miscellaneous 1.50$66.50Mrs. Weir. Superintendent.Mrs. Houston, Assistant.

Dr. F. M. Wilson Visits Geneva Collegeand Theological Seminary.Dr, F, M, Wilson, the CorrespondingSecretary of the Foreign MissionBoard, visited the Seminary on April5, and presented to the faculty andstudents the call of the foreign field.He said in part: "No other flne ofwork will yield such large results insouls as the foreign mission. Theneed is great, now is the opportunetime, the finances have been waitingfor a number of years because menand women have not offered theirservices and the missionary is pushinga winning cause, for souls are cominginto the kingdom at the rate of amillion in ten years, and the rate issteadily increasing, Christ, the MediatorialKing, to whom all power hasbeen given, is champion of, not a losing,but a winning fight against sin,and He wifl prove himself the triumphantking to whom every kneeshall bow and every tongue confess,gladly and willingly, that he is Kingof kings and Lord of lords."Dr. Wilson pictured to us a brightfuture for our foreign mission workiand cleared up many difficulties whichwere confronting us. His coming tous aroused our interest in missionsand already several books on the subjecthave been purchased at his suggestion.The Lord willing, several ofthe men now in the Seminary, willinvest their lives in the foreign missionfield.We hope and pray that the ForeignBoard wifl see fitto send a representativeeach year to the seminary to presentthe claims of the mission fi.eld,for we feel that much good will resultfrom this visit,—D. B. Adams.The students of Geneva Collegewere highly honored with a visit andinstructive address from Dr. F M.Wilson, of Philadelphia, Pa., Secretaryof our Foreign Mission Board,Wednesday, April 5, at 6,45 P, M,The Young Men's Christian Associationroom was packed to hear hisaddress on "The Preparation of theOLIVE TREES 135World for the Kingdom of Christ byan Ever-Widening Growth of Christianity,"He traced the growth of Christianityfrom its beginning and showedhow rapidly it has spread during thelast century compared to any previouscentury. This he proved by statistics.At the close he made a strong appealto the young people to enlist in thisgreat work. As one student put it:"It was a good address of a scholarto scholars. I could not help thinkingat the time that it would seem tomany a strange way of presenting theneed of the foreign field—a speechfull of statistics—but the figuresthemselves spoke so loudly that theycould not help making an impressionon us, and we realized it was not anemotional appeal. There was nothingto stir our feelings and afterwards letus drop. It was the kind of an appealthat should come concerning the missionwork because it presents the sidewhich should be presented—^the hardfact of the great need, A representativefrom a mission field would havebeen biased in judgment, or we mighthave thought s^, but we listened tohim as to a business man putting beforeus a business proposition,"At the close of this meeting Dr. Wilsonspoke to the Student VolunteerBand and others vitafly interested inmissions about the needs and opportunitiesof our own Foreign Missions.Dr. WUson knows his subject well andis full of enthusiasm which the hearercannot help but receive. He is a truefriend of young people and he doesnot have to be present long before thestudents find it out.The Student Associations have madevocational talks one of the features oftheir work this past winter and wefind them very profitable. We wereglad to add the vocation of ForeignMission work to our list. This is aday of advertising and the wide-awakestudent has many cafls for his talents.We hope this visit will be made an annualevent. —Sola Weir.

136 OLIVE TREESITEMS FROM GENEVA COLLEGEThe Y, W. C, A, has just closed theMission Study season, which has beenvery profitable. We had three classesconducted by student leaders with atotal enrollment of thirty-one. Moreinterest was shown than usual in thestudy. The books studied were "Overtakingthe Centuries" by Estelle Paddock,Miss Hildred Thomson, leader;"Students in Asia," by SherwoodEddy, Miss Jean Shuman, leader;and "Christian Standards in life,"by Murray-Harris, Miss Lola Weir,leader.Miss Evangeline Metheny, of ourIrish Mission, at Alexandretta, who isattending Geneva College this winter,is leading the Student Volunteer Bandin a study of the Moslem Koran, Thisstudy is proving very interesting andinstructiye, and we are learning howto truly appreciate Christianity,Miss Metheny made a very impressiveappeal for substantial aid for theArmenians in and about Latakia tothe student body in Chapel, Fridaymoming, Aprfl 7, She also read Dr,Stewart's appeal from the "Nation"for that week. As a result the studentbody raised by offering Monday morning$178.35 for that purpose.STATEMENT BY AMBASSADORMORGENTHAU, WRITTEN ANDSIGNED MARCH 18, 1916."A residence of over two years inTurkey has given me the best possibleopportunity to see the work of theAmerican missionaries and to knowthe workers intimately."Without hesitation I declare myhigh opinion of their keen insight intothe real needs of the people of Turkey.The missionaries have the right idea.They go straight to the foundationsand provide those intellectual, physical,moral and religious benefits uponwhich alone any true civilization canbe built. The missionaries are the devotedfriends of the people of Turkeyand they are my friends. They arebrave, intefligent and unselfish menand women, I have come to respectall and love many of them,"As an American citizen I havebeen proud of them. As an AmericanAmbassador to Turkey I have beendehghted to help them,"A CHINESE SCHOOLThe little boys in Chinese schoolsHave very odd and curious rules.To us it hardly would seem rightTo turn our backs when we recite.And fancy what a din and noiseA schoolroom full of little boysAll studying out aloud would make!Oh, how the teacher's ears must ache!Then, too, how qiieer their books mustbe,Written from back to front, you see.All up and down the page, insteadOf straight across, as ours are read.How strange to use a paintbrush, too,.And not a pen, as we all do!They'd think us dunces there, I fear,Our lessons are so different here,—Ex."That is a fine edition of OliveTrees. Each one better than the preceding.It cannot help but be of muchgood,""April number unusually good,""Let me say that the Olive Trees issplendid this month. The letters fromthe fieldsare fine and so is the letterfrom Winchester telling about theirHome Mission work. The magazine isone after my own heart,"We thank the many friends whohave sent their subscriptions or whohave let us know that they still wantOlive Trees, The letter we are sendingout is merely to bring the matterbefore the minds of those who havenot renewed for 1916, We know frompersonal experience how easy it is toneglect paying for a magazine whichis still coming to us and which wewant to come. We have been thankfulfor a reminder and we hope thatall who receive a notice will be thankfulto us and let us hear from themimmediately.

OLIVE TREES 137W O M E N ' S D E P A R T M E N TEdited by Mrs. J. S. Martin and Mrs. T. H. AchesonIN LIEU OF "SIDELIGHTS."Instead of retrospect, I wish thismonth to give you a little contemporaryhistory. 'The want and distressin the various countries involved inthe war over the seas are so vast thatit seems almost hopeless to try to copewith them; we cannot realize them.But when a concrete case affectingpersons whom we know, comes underour notice it brings the state of affairshome to us.When reviewing the book about theImmigrants I mentioned the case of aman who after a year or more of workin a Western Pennsylvania town sentback to Syria for his wife and fourchildren. Borrowing money fromsome connections who lived in thesame town he went to New York tomeet the steamer by which they wereto arrive. When they landed, the eldestchild, a girl of eight years or thereabouts,was found to have trachoma, acontagious disease of the eyelids, Ido not know who took charge of her,but she was sent back to Latakia, toher paternal grandfather. At thattime Dr, Balph was expecting to goback in a few months, and theythought with a year or so of treatmentthe child might be cured, and come onto her parents. But as you know, ithas not been possible for the Doctorto return and I presume the diseasehas made progress.While at the Island the babe died,and the father and mother arrived atthe end of their joumey with two littleboys; the elder was almost six and theyounger four. Hard work and someoutside assistance brought the familyout of debt, and when schools openedthe eldest boy entered.Their firstwinter was a hard one,and was particularly hard on foreigners,who were handicapped by theirlack of knowledge of English. Workwas of This sickness. scarce family and there was Orthodox was a great Greek dealwhile in their native town. The fatherhad when a boy attended our missionschool and learned to read, but marryingearly and taking on himself thecares of a family he had almost forgottenthe art; the wife had neverlearned. Through the influence ofsome Syrian brethren from the Latakiafield who roomed in the samebuilding they began to attend Covenanterpreaching, and by attendingArabic prayer-meeting, and readingthe Bible in that language, they wereled to give in their names, were examinedand received into the CovenanterChurch, A baby bom some ten monthsajro was baptized, and the two olderboys attended Sabbath School regularly,A more exemplary family accordingto their opportunities youwould not find. By reading verseabout on Sabbath afternoons thefather's reading has much improved,and they are distinguished from theother Syrian families living aboutthem by the way in which they keepthe Sabbath,For a year or more the father hashad steady work, and things began tolook up. The carpet which they hadbrought with them had become raggedand their chairs were afl more or lessdilapidated, being second or maybethird handed. Some three weeks agothe man asked me if I would go withhim and vouch for his character, thathe might buy a rug and half a dozenwhole chairs, paying for them inmonthly installments. We went andmade arrangements on a Saturday,and the rug was sent up immediately,and the chairs were to follow on Monday.You know how little communicationhas been between people in this countryand their friends in Turkey; evenword coming through missionaries hasbeen scarce. Well, that very day aletter—Arabic—cameme, for which, this man. on opening, It was addressed delivered we found to and to be

138 OLIVE TREESread on Sabbath day. It was thentwo months old and brought word ofthe death of his father, his mother, anuncle and a niece from fever inducedby scarcity of food. This leaves noone to care for his little girl except anaunt—his sister—31 years old andsingle. This points to a likelihood thatshe is not a very efficient person. Youcan imagine the feelings of the parentsas they read that their child lackedfood and clothing and was withoutshoes in January. At once they sentword to the merchant from whom theyhad bought the rug asking him to sendfor it, and they canceled the order forthe chairs. The mother said to me,when I went to see her on Monday: "Ican hardly eat my food thinking ofmy child going hungry."That evening after a consultationwith the man, the pastor forwardedfrom his own private means $25.00 tothe Treasurer of the Foreign Board inthe name of the congregation, to besent to Dr. Stewart in Latakia for theuse of the child. This we learn hasbeen cabled ^y the State Department.Had it been sent by post no one cantell how long it might have been onthe way, or whether it would havereached at all. The father from nowexpects to make monthly payments forthe child, but you can see that with awage of $2.00 per diem at the mostand a family of five to care for herehe will need some assistance.Since then comes Dr. Stewart's appeal,and his assertion that it wouldbe better to sell or mortgage the missionproperty than to let people starveas they are doing now. This givesone an idea of the seriousness of thesituation. One case illustrates this.An uncle of this woman, despite thefact that he was the sole support of hisfamily, was put in the army, leavinghis wife with four boys and three girlsto care for. Their ages range from 20to 8 years; the eldest is a boy of 20,but he is blind. In Syria there is littlefor a blind man to do but to beg.I have told you this story so thatamong the contributions that willdoubtless be made when people realizethat Turkey's population is starving aswell as Belgians and Servians, andthat it, too, is suffering from fevers,some may remember a child of Covenanterparents and set aside somethingfor her.FIRST THINGS FIRSTToo often our time and strengthseem altogether inadequate to theduties of the home and family, butthen we can't but miss something thatmight have been ours if we could havehelped in the fulfillment of our Saviour'scommand to disciple all Nations.We afl know Covenanter motherswho are really interested in thiswork at home and abroad, who cannotkeep actively in touch with itthrough the local society. If the disabilitiesand restrictions are divinelyplaced he will make up to those livesin other ways what they miss of thejoys of active participation in theevangelization of the world.But sometimes among our ownmembers, we find talents ably employedin other channels to the depletionof the ranks of faithful workersin the Missionary Society. There arewomen who find much time for fancywork, for club studies, for pleasureseeking, for elaborate entertaining,but neither time nor enthusiasm to putinto our congregational L. M. S. Whenall our work is tried by fire what willbe left to show for hours we have devotedto tatting. When this world haspassed away will our club work bringto us any eternal riches? When weare too old to longer go seeking pleasure,will the memory of our goodtimes satisfy our longing souls? WUIthe material ministrations we havelavished on our friends bring to eitherthem or us relief from soul hunger?How much of our time and strengthand talents, that should have beenused in the Master's service, in ministeringto his little ones, has been forr

OLIVE TREES 139ever lost to both them and us, whilewe spent hours in fancy-work, ormaking a new kind of cake or a novelsalad, or a jelly just a shade lighter incolor than our neighbor's. Don't misunderstandme and think that I behttlethe little niceties that take theedge off the drudgery of house work,that relieve the endless monotony ofcooking, washing dishes, sweeping,dusting, baking, washing, ironing,scrubbing and mending. If it werenot for the relaxation of a pieceof crochet, or embroidery; a newrecipe and an interestiijg book occasionally,we housekeepers would degenerateinto automatons, without anyinterest in or love for our lifework.And nothing is more depressing thanto see a woman growing old with endlesstoil and no visions to lift her eyesabove her tasks. She is a bond slaveto her endless duties and by this selfimposedtyranny, she is being relentlesslydriven to hopeless old age. Itwas one like her whom the poet tellsus of, who anticipated heaven as aplace where she "would do nothingforever and ever." What a conceptionof eternal happiness? But, on theother hand, we must be watchful thatour recreations and diversions do notbecome vocations in life. If we let ourembroidery, our recipe book, or ourmonthly magazine monopolize our timeand energy to the exclusion of afl interestin the Missionary meeting, weare elevating trifles to the importanceof essentials, and magnifying smaflpleasures to the greatness of God commandedduties. The ideal life is notwhere every moment of the day demandsthe devotion of the busy motherto a specific task. We always hope beforewe retire from active life toachieve successfufiy the almost impossiblefeat of so simplifying our modeof living, and so systematizing ourwork, that we wifl find hours in whichto follow our own ideas in relaxation.We know nothing so rests the fatiguedbody as to change employment, andthere is nothing so refreshing to themind or more of benefit to our souls,than a regular time to read and studyGod's word, and to make ourselvesfamfliar with the work his church isdoing in our own and other lands inour own times.If we could economize our time, andgain an hour a day to devote to higherthings; for a little while every day tosit at His feet and be taught of Him,would not such association give clearnessand strength to the light of ourfeeble candles and would not the pureatmosphere of such lives carry rays ofgreat power to the far East and theWest and the North and South, andthe returning light would so shine onour society that we would iflumine thewhole community,Mrs. R, M, Moore,Olathe, Kas.JUNIOR DEPARTMENTSubject for May meeting: For Christand the church, Eph, 2: 19-22,Questions on the lesson—What doesour subject mean?How many churches that wereChristian churches do you supposethere were when these verses werewritten ?How many churches are there nowin your town?Why were these churches built?What good do they do?Suppose there had never been anychurches in your town; what differencedo you think it would make?What can we do for Christ?How can we do afl things for Him?What can we do for our ownchurch?Why should we attend its services?Why should we help the church inmissionary lands?This lesson wifl be a splendid chanceto show the children the reason thatpeople are faithful unto death forfor what they befleve. It wfll be thetime ta impress on them that we must

140 OLIVE TREESbe faithful to what we have said webelieve as a denomination. Tell themthat this subject explains why somany missionaries are willing to giveup everything and go away into hardwork in foreign fieldsthat others mayknow also of Christ,Tefl the children about the epistleswhich are really letters written by theapostles to help poor people who weretrying to build churches as Christwanted them to do. Have the verses,for the day read again and tell themto what church these words were written,who wrote them and perhaps aword about the other letters by Paul.The stories of the Sabbath School lessonsjust past and the history of theearly church will be fresh in theirminds and can be reviewed in a fewminutes.Have the Junior, who is to bring inthe Mission news, either tell himselfor have others read the latest newsfrom our fields. If you have beencarefully over the names of themissionaries in the past months theJuniors will be wonderfully interestedto know what we have beenable to hear about Miss Wylie'sgoing home. You will find a greatabundance of most interesting news inthe last Olive Trees and parts of theletters could he read by different members.Bible references: Isa, 50: 5-6, Matt.9: 10-11, Matt. 11: 29, Luke 22: 27,Luke 23: 34, Phfl. 2:7. Matt, 28:9,Mark 11: 9, Luke 24: 52, Acts 7:59,Heb.: 1-6, John 12: 26, 1 Cor, 7: 22,Eph, 6: 6, Phfl. 1: 1, Col, 3: 24, Rom,14: 1, 2 Cor. 6: 14-15,Mrs, D, C, Ward.ANNUAL CONVENTION OF PITTS­BURGH W. M. S., MAY 17-18.Another year is almost gone, andit is time to talk and plan for ourPresbyterial Missionary Meeting, tobe held at New Galilee, Pa, The ExecutiveCommittee has had severalmeetings planning for the programand arranging the business so that wemay have a good meeting. We thinkour program is an interesting one, andthat it will be helpful to all who mayattend. We are planning for newsfrom our special fields,of labor, theIndian Mission and the PittsburghSyrian Mission, We expect to have aMemorial Service for Miss MattieWylie, who was endeared to all of us,and addresses in the evening by MissElma French and Dr, Kate McBurney.Then will be the usual business of ourPresbyterial and a specially arrangeddevotional service for each session.We have prayed for guidance in arrangingour program and also for oursocieties that they may send their delegatesand members and be ready togive and receive a blessing. Pray foran outpouring of the Spirit and theblessing of God upon all the officersand those who may take part. Planto be present at the meeting and sharethe blessing,Mrs, R, W, Wallace,We have added about 100 newnames to our mailing list this yearand new subscribers are still beingadded.Our Motto—Olive Trees in EveryCovenanter Home—some tell us is visionary.Well, it may be, but the GoodBook says: "Where no vision is thepeople perish," When we can get thevision of Jesus Christ for the Worldin the hearts of our people we will getOlive Trees in every home. May wepray and labor to this end.We will be thankful to hear fromany who are not receiving OliveTrees promptly. We hope to have themailing done as accurately as man cando it. The April number was delayedon account of the serious illness of theprinter.We are having some extra copies ofthis number printed, and we wfll beglad to furnish them, with Miss Wylie'spicture, to our friends while theylast. Single copies 10c, or the pictureby itself 10c, Picture taken March13, 1890,

R. M. SOMMERVILLE D. D. MRS. R. M, SOMMERVILLEDR. SOMMERVILLE founded "OLIVE TREES" and edited it for 29 years.OLIVB TREESA Monthly Journal devoted to Missionary Work in the Reformed PresbyterianChurch, U, S, A,VOL. XXX IUNE, 1916 No. 6The great call from all our Fields isfor more Prayer. Let us afl read theJunior Department of this monthfrom the pen of Mrs. D. C. Ward, whoherself knows of the great need andthe great result of prayer in the Missionfield and see if we cannot fill upthe volume of prayer that is necessaryfor God to bless us with the desiredblessings.We are constantly receiving obituarynotices that far exceed the limitof fifty words. Even when we dopublish these longer notices they haveto be held over from month to monthfor lack of space. An obituary noticeof fifty words will almost always be-printed the first month after beingreceived.At the meeting of the ForeignBoard held in New York, May 16th,Miss Nelle A. Brownlee, who comesto us from the Associated Churchthrough the Stafford congregation,was appointed as a Bible woman toChina. It is possible that a younggraduate of our Seminary and one ortwo others will be able to sail this Faflalong with Miss Brownlee and agoodly number of our returning missionaries.We would call special attention tothe report of the E. M. C, in the IowaPresbytery, Read it in connectionwith the report from Kansas in AprflOlive Trees, We hope other Presbyterieswfll be encouraged by the workthese two have done.Mrs. Walter McCarroll and two childrenlanded at New York Sabbath,May 14th. They were met by Mr. R,J. Bole, of our Foreign Mission Board.Mrs. McCarroll has gone to Pittsburghand vicinity. We hope she wfll soonbe completely restored to health.The Board of Foreign Missions callsattention to the fact that the cost ofhandling the funds and all the executivework only amounts to four-fifthsof one per cent. This means that99 1-5 per cent, of every dollar yougive go directly to the work on theField. This is a record that no otherBoard that we know off can show.

142 OLIVE TREESDR. J. BOGGS D O D D S"CALLED."Doctor Dodds was appointed as amissionary on October 3, 1892. Heand Mrs. Dodds sailed from New YorkDecember 21, 1892. They arrived atMersine, February 2,1893, and reachedSuadea March 31, 1893.In October, 1895, when the Churchat home was experiencing difficulty insecuring missionaries to go to China,Doctor and Mrs, Dodds wrote that ifsome one could be found to take theirwork in Syria they would be glad togo to China or anywhere else theChurch might want them to go.Dr. Dodds resigned from the ForeignField after ten years of serviceon account of health conditions in hisfamily. In 1906 he secured leave ofabsence from his congregation andwent back to Suadea and labored therefor two more years, during whichtime his family remained at Sterling,Kansas. Cooper College conferredthe degree of Doctor of Divinity onhim in 1905.Mrs. Dodds and their four sons areleft to mourn his loss. Will, the eldest,graduates from Kansas University,June 4, 1916. Torrence, the second,graduates from Greely HighSlchiool, May 26th. Walter, the thirdboy, will be a Junior in High Schoolnext year, and Kennedy, the youngest,is in the 5th grade in the publicschools of Greely, Colo., where Dr.Dodds has been pastor for two years.The following was prepared by directionof the Board of Foreign Missions:When the Board of Foreign Missionsmet on May 16th the announcementwas made that our brother beloved,the Rev. J. Boggs Dodds, D. D,,had been called to his heavenly home.The members of the Board were deeplymoved by the fact, and promptlyagreed to send expression of sympathyto the bereaved family; also to expressto them and to the church theBoard's high appreciation of Dr,Dodds as an efficient missionary of ourchurch in the Levant. We rememberwith special gratitude his leaving familyand congregation to return toSyria for several years untfl otherswere prepared to take up the work.The work in Syria has profited by hislabor and zeal whfle in the field andsince then while in the home land.Now, while in the vigor and fuflflower of usefulness, the Master hassuddenly cafled him away from hisfamily, congregation and large circleof loving friends. He alone knowswhy. We are dumb with sflence andask ability to say "Thy wfll be done."Our times are in His hands.The Board extends to the bereavedfamily and friends the sympathy ofits members, with assurance of theirprayers for divine strength and comfortin this sore trial.In behalf of the Board,A. A. Samson,Chairman.

OLIVESPECIALTREESARTICLES143A TRIP THROUGH THE FAREASTBy Charles A. Stewart,As I have not written anything forthe Olive Trees for nearly threeyears, it may not be amiss to mentionsomething of what I have done andmet with since I finished my first3-year term of service here, I may notseem so much of a stranger if youknow a little more about me.At the close of school, in June, Iwent over to Syria for a visit with myfolks. It was the last chance for myparents to have their three boys alltogether with them, for my brotherRobert left for America, and soonafter I started on my year's trip tothe same destination. On my way toIndia I was a week at Beirut, with aside trip up into the Lebanon mountains;then another week at Haifa,where I visited a German friend, whowent with me to Mount Carmel, Tiberius,Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee.Then followed a warm trip throughthe Suez Canal, Red Sea and IndianOcean, I landed at Bombay, where Istayed at the American Y, M, C, A.for a couple of days before taking a1500-mile railway journey up to Rawolpindi,in the Punjab. The trip tooknearly forty-eight hours.The nine months that I was in IndiaI spent teaching at the Gordon MissionCollege of the United PresbyterianMission, I was given a class in English,another in history, and a third inScripture, I enjoyed the college workand found the Indian student good materialto work with. There was muchmore of an opportunity for doing personalwork than we ever have here. Inaddition to the work at the college Itutored two boys, the sons of tlje Guru,or religious head of the Sikhs, Theirfather was almost worshipped by thousandsof Sikhs in the Punjab, Theboys also attended the Mission HighSchool, My cousin, a short-term professorat the coflege, and I, spent allholidays in visiting other mission stationsand points of special interest,such as Agra, Delhi, Lucknow, Cawnport,Banares, Hardwar, Lahore andPeshawar,It was a pleasure to have even asmall part in the great work that themissionaries of the United PresbyterianChurch are carrying on in thePunjab, A more devoted, earnest andthorough band of workers I have nevermet with. Since I have been withthem Christian mission work hasmeant more to me than it ever did before,I caught something of the spiritthat I found in every station that Ivisited. One was made to feel at homeanywhere and at anytime.The fieldthere is altogether differentfrom our own, either here or inSyria. Ways are open there that havebeen closed to us here in the Levant.Methods are used that could be usedto advantage in our own field on themainland, provided a free range isgiven to mission work at the close ofthis war. But there is an altogetherdifferent attitude on the part of thepeople, on the question of religion towhat we findin our field. There, theyare quite ready to listen to or discussreligious topics; here, religion is whatthey seem to care least to hear about.As the country is brought more closely

144 OLIVE TREESinto touch with Western ideas and improvementsthis attitude may changeso that, to me, the present appears tobe the critical moment for winningIndia for Christ, There is a fascinationabout the work in India thatmakes one want to go back again. Idid not escape it, and have not settledthat question yet. Before leavingIndia I had three offers of positions innorthern China. Two of these offerswere for work in the Shantung ChristianUniversity, I decided that myfield should be either the Levant orIndia.My cousin and I left India by wayof Calcutta and for company had aneleven-year-old missionary boy, whowas being sent home to school. Ourstops along the route home were atPenang, Singapore and Hong Kong.There we were met by Rev, E, C.Mitchell, who took us out to CheungChow, the summer retreat of ourChina missionaries. We did enjoymeeting the missionaries who werethere, and they certainly did give us ahearty welcome, and we were verysorry that our stay there had to be cutshort. Our Sabbath on the island wasa very pleasant one. The island iscertainly an ideal retreat for rest andquiet, but to us, who were used to ahot and dry climate, the nights therewere entirely too damp for us to feelcomfortable. Mr, Mitchell had intendedgoing up with us to Tak Hing,but we gave up that part of our tripon account of the high fioods thatwere then devastating that region,Dr. Dickson went up with us to Cantonfor a day's wanderings in thatgreat city.After leaving Hong Kong, our nextstop was at Keelum, Formosa. Fromthere we went to Shanghai and thenon to Japan, Leaving the ship atKobe we went by rail to Kyoto for aday, then on to Tokio for a couple ofdays, and we then joined our shipagain at Yokohoma,The trip across the Pacific was delightful,but we were glad to landonce more. The route across the CanadianRockies fumished us withscenes that we will long remember,My year at home was chiefiy spentin doing graduate work at Princetonand Columbia, At Princeton my workwas in Economics and Politics; and Isecured my Master's degree in Economics,As a preparation for mywork here, I attended the summer sessionat Columbia and took all mywork in education. My time therewas profitably spent.It was a pleasure to me to be ableto attend the opening and closing exercisesat Geneva, to be back thereonce more among old scenes, to seethe wonderful improvements thathave been made, to greet former professorsand comrades of college days,and to meet the new generation ofGenevans,To the two New Wilmington Missionaryconferences, whose closingmeetings I was able to attend, I owea great deal, I got there an insightinto what is meant by the VictoriousLife, What living that fife shouldmean to every Christian! The spiritof the conference was such as to makeone want to get out right away toserve somewhere. The testimoniesgiven at the "Say-So Meeting," thefinal day, were wonderful evidencesof the power of the spirit to work inthe young lives gathered there for theten days of the conference.Here I am now on the field,havingarrived on October Oth, after an excitingtrip out from home, I was delayedone week through the fire onboard the Saint Anna, and found thework here under way. In less than aweek it seemed a dream that I hadbeen away from here at all.

OLIVE TREES 145THE ADVANCE OF A DECADE, 1905-1915Religious Statistics Compiled for Laymen's Missionary Convention, LosAngeles, California, February 27-March 1, 1916,DENOMINATIONSOJatH 365Reformed Pres 1905 2Reformed Pres 1913 3igo*^01S.2O 01.-J •a OJ m•39UWce toogSaB.£f«i00OSoOJKJ 3" t>aso ad o OOM01o crCALIFORNIA STATE.uh67 $1,348 $156 $80 $236 $19.16 $3.52199 4,578 1,066 783 1,849 23.00 13.22LOS ANGELES CITY.Reformed Pres 1905 132 $705 $51 $50 $101 $32.00 $3.15Reformed Pres 1915 1E, Guy Talbott,90 3,366Executive613 538 1,150Secretary,36.30 12.78GREAT CONVENTION AT LOSANGELES54 Covenanters Registered.I am forwarding a statistical reportread at our Laymen's Missionary Convention,in Los Angeles, last week. Itshows that in the West as well as inthe East the R. P. Church is not behindin Missionary enterprise. About90 per cent, of our men were registeredin the convention. There werenearly 6300 delegates, of which 5900were paid registrations. The largestconvention of the kind ever held. Thelargest convention of paid, registereddelegates ever held in this country.Dr. J, S. McGaw gave a splendid reviewof the convention before the LosAngeles R, P, Congregation on theSabbath following.The Los Angeles Congregation havebeen greatly benefited by having twomissionaries, representing her twogeneral fleldsof Foreign Missions, tospend most of the winter among them.Their presence has been an inspirationand we hope may bear good fruit.Very sincerely,P. J. McDonald.fl ooMVa> «od.fla •^ UH CJai* cOCDW E». u

146 OLIVE TREESMy purpose in life shall include:I—The adoption of Christ'spurpose of world evangelizationand world warfare.2—An earnest effort to winmdn to Christ by personal testimonyand appeal.3—The adoption of a Scripturalstandard of giving as wellas system in giving.4—The daily renewal by Biblestudy and prayer, including thefamily altar.As we have been asked to tell you aboutour Mothers' meeting, we are thinking ofsending reports of them regularly.The meetings are held every three weeks,and the mothers are telling us that we donot hold them often enough, so that soundsencouraging, doesn't it?We started the regular meetings a littleover a year ago. Miss Margaret McCand­In all conventions of the Layman'sMissionary Movement held in theSouthem States the above bannerhung in front of the delegates, and theless, our Homemen present were challenged to acceptthat much, at least, of "a worthy lifeprogram." Many hundreds of mentook the cards prepared by Dr. D,Clay Lilly, fieldsecretary in charge,not in the way of a recorded pledge,but as a memorandum to keep themin mind of these fundamentals.The Sabbath School of the ThirdChurch, Philadelphia, reported to theBoard that foflowing a visit by MissJohnston, Field Secretary of the Missionto the Lepers, a number of classeshad taken "Pete Pig" banks and thatconsiderable money had been collectedfor the lepers. A number of classeswished to keep up this good work anddesired to know if the Foreign Boardwould receive the money to be collectedfor the work among the lepersat Do Sing, a goodly number of whomare members of our church. The Boardheartily commended the work and assuredthem that it would be glad toreceive their contributions for thiswork.The Mission of the Covenant SabbathSchool in Philadelphia has sinceMiss Johnston's visit collected over$20 for the lepers, but for reasons apparentto all, they took a "Bossie Cow"instead of a "Pete Pig" as their bank.MOTHERS' MEETING, THIRDCHURCH, PHILADELPHIAMissionary, visited thehomes of the mission scholars, and invitedtheir mothers to come to these meetings.Last March we had an average attendanceof fifteen. We now have from fiftyto sixtymothers coming to each meeting. A spiritof co-operation is manifest in the meetings,and each mother is trying to bring othersalong to enjoy the evening.We generally devote about ten minutesto the singing of the Psalms, which, althoughnew to many of them, they seem tothoroughly enjoy. Then, after requests forprayer have been made, there follows aperiod of prayer in which all are urgedto take part.After the prayers we have the Biblereading. The mothers read alternately withthe chairman, and we generally take timefor short explanation of the verses.Then we have the speaker for the evening,who talks to us for about flfteenortwenty minutes. Light refreshments anda social hour follow.Throughout the year we have had asspeakers, our pastor, Mrs, Wilson, Mrs,Jos. Steele, Mr. Samuel Boggs, Dr. BemusRev. Joseph Mackie, Mrs. Mercer andothers.They Olive have Trees given from us splendid June to help, Decemberfeel inclusive, that God to has New greatly Subscribers blessed for ourandweMothers' SOc, Meetings.Laura M. Adams,Chairman.

OLIVETREESH7MONOGRAPHSSTRAY MEMORIES OF A CHILD-HOOD SPENT IN THELEVANTIV.LESSONS.One of the commonest sights of mychildhood was my mother in her lowrocking-chair, one child standing onthe seat behind her, a baby and a bookin her lap, teaching me my lessons. Itsounds strenuous. It was. You motherswho send your little ones off toschool fivemornings in a week, andto Sabbath school a sixth, imaginewhat it would be like to have to teachthem yourselves. That is what mymother had to do, if we were to betaught at afl. She had, it is true, someoneto do the cooking for her, but wemore often than not had guests formeals, and guests to stay the night,for whom food had to be planned andbeds arranged. Besides, for yearssome of the unmarried women of themission boarded with us, and motherfound time to do a good deal of missionarywork besides writing a greatdeal for the church papers and carryingon a large private correspondenceand doing most of my father's writingfor him. Most of my women friendswould have thought that they had donequite enough without having theirchildren to teach in addition. But foreighteen years, at the least, elevenmonths in the year, she gave us threehours five mornings in the week, andwas our Sabbath School teacher in addition.At the time I was not, to putit mildly, particularly grateful tomother for her trouble. But in theyears since as I have traveled overmany lands and taught many chfldren,as I have watched other motherstrying to do what my mother did,I wonder more and more at what shedid for us. The inefficiency and slipshodnessof some of the teacher-mothersthat I have watched is due to awant in a sense of values. The perfectly-kepthouse seems more importantto them than the minds of theirchildren. Others do nothing becausethey have not the latest appliances ofthe Montessori system, or the latestmethods from Berlin, claiming that aperson should do a thing perfectly ornot at afl. My mother did her bestwith the appliances at hand, and as Iread the latest books on educationthese days, and this and that suggestionof up-to-date psychology, I seethat her sure instinct lead her in thevery paths indicated by modern researchinto the child-mind.History, to instance one study, wastaught us, not in meagre snips, sterilizedof all human interest, but in thegenerous pages of Dickens, Green,Prescott, Guizot, d'Aubigny, Henry C.Lea, to take a few names at random,and in articles in the best Americanand British magazines and reviews.She had not much money to spend ongifts for us, but the number of us whowere at home at the same time wasusually five, and she got us each a bookfor our birthdays and at the NewYear, Our prizes, too, for finishingour catechism and learning the hundred-nineteenthPsalm and the like,were always books, A great manyof these were historic novels by AlfredChurch, Mrs, Charles, Dickens,Bulwer-Lytton, Miss Yonge, Kingsley

i4S OLIVE TREESand other good writers of historicalromance, George Ebers was anotherwho did very .well for the uncriticalmind of a child. Perhaps the most belovedof afl these books was MistressMargery; a Tale of the Lollards, by anauthor whose name I do not know.The result was not that accuracy thatcarries ohe through examinations intothe next grade, but it was an enthusiasmfor certain noble names andmovements, and a hatred of base onesthat have been"The fountain light of all our dayAre yet a master-light of afl our seeing;Uphold us — cherish — and havepower to makeOur noisy lives seem moments in thebeingOf the eternal silence: truths thatwakeTo perish never;Which neither listlessness, nor madendeavorNor man nor boy.Nor all that is at enmity with joyCan utterly abolish or destroy,"For us, whom she taught, historywas not lines of words shut betweenthe covers of certain books, but a partof the same stuff with our own lives.The past touched us intimately. Withpoor Bernard of Clugny we longed forthe "Pax sine rixa," so unattainablefor him or for us this side CelestialCountry that he sang. Our gorge roseas we saw Guise kick the dead Coligny'sface. We stood among the crowdat the burning of Ridley and Latimerand heard Latimer's trumpet call fromthe heat of the flame, "Play the man.Master Ridley, for we shall this daylight such a candle by God's grace inEngland as I trust shall never be putout," The inefficient landlubber, MedinaSidonia with his Armada victualledwith weevils roused our scorn.We shook our heads like Mrs. Grundyherself over the masculine clothingand ways of Christina of Sweden, Wev/ent crusading, too, with more thanone crusade,I am debtor to many men andwomen of many nations for their fosteringcare of my Heart-Garden; butas I weed and water it, and tend theplants that I hope will some timebloom in beauty, I see hardly one thatwas not planted first,perhaps as thetiniest of seeds, by my mother's hand.Oriental mothers often say to me ofa son or daughter that I am trainingfor them, "The child's debt to you isgreater than its debt to me; I haveonly suckled its body with my milk,but you have suckled its mind withthe milk of instruction," To mymother I owe the double debt.CHINA—OLD AND NEWOld China had an obsolete system ofeducatioiiiNew China has a passion for moderneducation.Old China built pagodas to Buddha,New China builds school houses foryouth.Old China traveled by wheelbarrowand chair.New China travels by steam andelectricity.Old China did nothing for centuriesbut hold on.New China would do everything upto-date.Now is our time to help mold Chinafor Christ.—Ex.

REPORTS OF WOMEN'S MISSION­ARY SOCIETIES FOR THEYEAR ENDING APRIL,1916At this, the end of the season, 1915-1916, the Women's Missionary Societyof the Second Reformed PresbyterianChurch, New York City, is happy toreport a prosperous and profitableyear.The names of eighteen new membershave been added to the roll, andthe total enrollment now stands atfifty-six. About fivehundred dollarshave been taken in through this organization,and have been applied tovarious forms of charitable and reliefwork; these will be given in detail inthe treasurer's report.A conference on Child Welfare, aMissionary Pageant, and an InternationalConference of Women interestedin Christian Education, have beenheld by this society during the year,and have proved most entertain^gand instructive.We are indebted to our pastor for astereopticon lecture given by him, inour interests on May 27, 1915. Thesubject was "Northfield and the Conferences,"It was our good fortune to have thisorganization represented at the MissionaryConference in Northfield" lastJuly, by Miss Walker and MissRainey, who returned to us with messageswhich have been an inspirationin our work.On February 24th, an all-day meetingwas held, when various kinds ofbandages were cut and rolled, preparatoryto being sent to the Red CrossSociety. Luncheon was served at oneo'clock, and afterwards, the work fortheRed Cross was again taken up.Another meeting starting at 2 P. M.,on March 23d, was also held withwork for the Red Cross as its object,and more of these meetings are plannedfor the future, provided our treasurycontains sufficient funds for thepurchase of materials to be made up,"The King's Highway," by Mrs.OLiVE Trees t49Helen Barrett Montgomery is the bookwhich we have been studying thiswinter. The members of the society infour divisions, each division under aleader in separate class rooms, studya chapter an evening, for about fortyminutes. At the end of this studyperiod each class takes its turn inhaving charge of the program, tillthe business meeting is called.We take this opportunity to extendto the congregation our grateful appreciationfor their co-operation inour work, and also to urge the ladiesnot already identified with the Women'sMissionary Society to comearound and get acquainted.Respectfully submitted,Emma C. Linson,Secretary.Treasurer's Report.Receipts.April 2, 1915, balance on hand $9,34Dues and Contingent Fund.. . 97.20French Soldiers' Fund 53,25Armenian Fund sent by SundaySchool Times 145,00Armenian Fund sent by For,Mission Board 66,00Red Cross Fund 17,00Thank Offering Collection 109,40$497,19Disbursements.General expenditures $77,68French Soldiers' Fund throughMiss O'Neifl 53,25Armenian Fund through Sun,School Times 145.00Red Cross Supplies 8.78Jewish Mission through Rev,Mr, Blair 10.00Armenian Fund through For,Mission Board 165,40$460,11Aprfl 7, 1916, balance on hand $37.08Respectfully submitted,Margaret L. McClean,Treasurer.

I50 OLIVE TREESThe Woman's Missionary Society ofSecond New York has an HonoraryMembership and a Home DepartmentMembership, as well as an active membershipof fifty-six.The Ladies' Missionary Society ofthe Reformed Presbyterian Church ofKansas City, Mo., has held twelve alldaymeetings during the year, withan average attendance of twelve.The work of the year has been fillingorders for work, sewing for SwopeSettlement, a needy family and theMission Box, We made a comfort fora poor family, a quilt for the IndianMission, and sent a box to the SouthernMission valued at $10.00; value ofgoods to needy, $10.00,The study of "Home Missions inAction," letters, the presence and addressesof Revs, J, K, Robb and W,M, Robb on China, and Rev, SamuelEdgar and C, A, Dodds on Syria, haverenewed our interest in the Missionsof the world.On September 8th an "Open Meeting"was held at the "Marvin Home,"The attendance was large, A fineprogramon the "New America," interspersedwith vocal and instrumentalmusic, was enjoyed. Refreshmentsand a social hour followed the program.We have been called to mourn aswell as rejoice. On July 3, 1915, Mrs,S, J, Orr was called home. She wastruly "a mother in Israel," and deeplyinterested in the Missionary Society,May the Master who has taken thefather and mother especiafly bless thechildren left orphans.This year has been a cup of blessing,full and running over. We cannot expressour thankfulness to our "HeavenlyFather" that He has allowed usto accomplish so much,Lizzie McNaughton,Secretary,Treasurer's Report.RcCBVDtSApril 1, 1915, balance $ .01Dues $40.10City Mission 22,00Alum, Demonstration , . 2,45Aprons sold 17,60Aged People's Home. ,70Donations 16,00Sale of Quilt 5,00Flower Fund 1,11Birthday Offering .... 5,00109.96Total $109.97Disbursements.Pastor's Salary $30,00Citv Mission 48,00Material Bought 14.17Refreshments 2.00Rug for Rostrum 75Flowers 1.25Expressage on MissionBox 97Aged People's Home. .. 1.00Birthday Offering .... 5.00Presbyterial Dues 1.50104.64April 1, 1916, balance $5.33Value of box to Southern Mission$10.00Value of help needy family . . 10.00Mrs. D. M, Dodds,Treasurer.Mrs. S. R, Wills has resigned the office of treasurer of the PittsburghPresbyterial Women's Missionary Society,Treasurers of the Auxiliary Societieswill please take notice, and sendall contributions for Dr. W. "W. Carithers'salary. Contingent Dues and forPitts. Syrian Mission to the new treasurer,Mrs. W. J. Ward, 818 Wallaceavenue, Wilkinsburg, Pa.There is no fact more patent to anyone of us who reads the book of hisown life than that spiritual enthusiasmstend to evaporate, unless theyare translated into obedience to everydemand which they make upon us.—J. Stuart Holden.

OLIVE TREES 151TITHINGTHE EVERY-MEMBER CANVASSIN IOWA PRESBYTERYThe committee appointed to pushthe Every-Member Canvass in IowaPresbytery are such generous souls,that each one of us in turn generouslydeclined our appointment and all withone accord began to make excuse. Butfinally after much persuasion welaunched out and now gladly reportthat everywhere we went we were cordiallyreceived, royally entertainedand withal patiently heard in ourmuch talking. And, furthermore, totheir great credit, let it be said thatevery congregation in the Presbytery,with only one exception, has made atleast a smafl beginning in the Every-Member Canvass,The people of the Iowa Presbyteryhave been generally recognized ascomparatively liberal givers and astrong factor in the support of thechurch's work, but yet in the majorityof these congregations there isroom for large improvement. This,the' committee sought to obtainthrough the E. M, C. system.When the committee would findthemselves lined up in front of theofficial boards in the various congregations,then and there the bombardmentwas on. Rapid-fire guns, 42-centimeters, carbonic acid gas, andhot air, literafly and figurativelyspeaking, were used more or less effectivelyin storming the trenches.Generally speaking the elders wereusually found to be with the "Progressives,"while with few exceptionsthe deacons seemed to be "Standpatters,"We also noted that the larger,self-satisfied congregations in thepresbytery, which do not have to exertthemselves in order to be self-sustaininghave faflen far behind the weakercongregations in the amount they contributeon the average per member.Under similar conditions and havingequal wealth per capita the smaflercongregations are contributing from$10 to $15 per member more than thelarger congregations. The fact is thatthe smaller congregations by the verynecessity of the case have been drivento the E, M. C, in order to be able tolive. While the larger congregationsfor lack of some such up-to-date systemhave fallen $10 to $15 per memberbehind that which they could easilyhave done. And if, say 150 membersfail to the amount of $10 permember, then the Lord's treasury isbeing robbed each year of $1500 byevery such congregation.The late George Fitch has humorouslywritten that "Iowa is a largeand happy cornfield speckled withCarnegie libraries and half-ton hogs,which are exchanged by their owners,when ripe, for automobiles and victrolaplayers. After the Iowa pig hasbeen fed on Iowa com for a fewmonths he has to be hauled to andfrom meals on a truck. And whenthe farmer has sat on his porch onhot July evenings, and has heard hiscorn grow for twenty-five years, it ishard to interest him in such pifflishmusic as the grand opera produces,"If there be an element of truth in this,as regards prosperity, it has comeabout largely by seeking out and puttinginto practice practical up-to-datefarming methods, and why should notthe same sort of reasoning be appliedwhen it comes to financingthe workof the church? Why should some ofthese old financialsystems be like the"law of the Medes and Persians," unchangeable?Should we not seek newand approved methods by which todo our part in financingthe ever-wideningkingdom of our Lord?nresbytery least, Most the of E. are the M, trying congregations C. for out, the in firsttime part of the at

152 OLIVE TREESthis year. In our Washington congregation,however, we have a goodthe system and making the canvassagain this year. The Every-Memberillustration of how it works. We Canvass is a plan that certainly worksmade our firstcanvass a year ago. when it is worked. We are lookingBefore the canvass was made we had for good results from it in the Iowafifteen tithers; after the canvass there Presbytery now that it has been givenwere twenty-two. Before the canvass a start.we had forty pledged contributors;after the canvass there were fiftyS, E, Greer,Chairman of Committee.eight. That did not mean, however,that there were many new sources ofsupply to draw from, for a consider­A NEW DECALOGUEable number of these new contributorswere children in the home. Itdoes mean, however, that every memberof the congregation, with few exceptions,whether present or absent,has been brought face to face withhis or her responsibility for the successof the Lord's work as representedby the Washington congregation. Italso means that our young men andwomen and children, even down t(jthe little tots, each have their nameon the church book, have an individualnumber and a credit of so much eachSabbath in the Lord's treasury. Thusthey are receiving a splendid trainingand an intelligent interest for thelarger service of their tomorrow.When the Washington congregationon the firstof May, 1915, reported atotal of $2117, I think every one feltthat we had reached our limit, but onthe firstof May, 1916, after a yearof experience with the new system wefound we had raised $2138, Then, inaddition to that amount, our loyal supporter,David Love, gave a special giftof $1000 to the church schemes, makinga total of $3138 given by the membersof Washington congregation duringthe year ending Aprfl 30, 1916,Other years our treasurer has had toborrow money at the bank to pay billsthat were due and we have had tomake up a deficit at the end of thechurch year, but this year it was notnecessary to borrow any money, everybill was paid on time and there was asurplus less ury to at say the in the our close "Home people of the Budget" are year. continuing Need­treas­For Financing ChurchesThe principles of the moral law wereknown and practiced long before theywere formulated in the Ten Commandmentsto Moses, So most of the elementsin this new decalogue have beenknown in many churches, but a statementof them has been given by awriter in the Ladies' Home Journaland is forwarded by the Secretary ofour Board of Finance, It is as follows:1, Make out a Budget,2, Make it out on a liberal Basis.3. Secure written subscriptions tocover the entire Budget,4, Secure subscriptions from everymember of the Congregation.5. Duplex subscriptions and envelopesare indispensable.6. Pledges must be secured by apersonal canvass.7. Pledges must be made on theweekly basis and paid weekly.8. Numbered and dated envelopesmust be used or many subscribers willlose track of their payments.9. The Educational Campaign andthe Canvass must be repeated annually.10. A comprehensive business-likepolicy as to all details must be instituted.Like the older Decalogue this newone is of no use unless it is put intopractice; and as with the older it willnot do to pick out one or two commandsand disregard the rest. To beof service and help it must be kept asa whole.—Presbyterian Record.

IN MEMORIAMThe Ladies' Missionary Society of theFirst Church of the Covenanters, Philadelphia,records with sorrow, the decease ofan esteemed member, Mrs. William Stewart,whose earthly life closed September 7, 1915,The event was unexpected. Little did wedream that our first autumn meeting wouldfind Mrs, Stewart's place vacant. Only a•few short months before she seemed inbuoyant health, the picture of radiantenergy; but disease developed, progressedrapidly, and terminated fatally. "She isnot, for God took her." We do not understandthe mysterious dispensation that lefta bereaved husband, seven motherless children,and a sorrowing sister and brother.We do not need to understand. Our Fatherin Heaven does, and "He doeth all thingswell," We bow in lowly submission to Hiswill, "What we know not now, we shallknow hereafter,"We desire, as a society, to express ourappreciation of Mrs. Stewart's lovely Christioncharacter. An ideal wife and mother,a faithful friend, a congenial comrade inwork, a loving and loyal follower of theMaster, she aimed to "adorn the doctrineof God our Saviour" constantly. We erectno broken column to her memory, but recall,for our inspiration, her beautiful life,lived so unobstrusively and joyously in ourmidst;—"lived by the faith of the Son ofGod, who loved her and himself for her."This precious Saviour was, in life and indeath, "all her salvation and all her desire."She walks with Him in white now; for He,Himself, made her worthy.To the bereaved family and circle of sorrowingkindred, we would convey our deepand heart-felt sympathy, commending themin tenderest way, to the God of all comfort,the great Sympathizer of Bethany, that Hemay grant them sweet solace. Who cancomfort like Him? "Until the day break,and the shadows flee away," may these sorrowingones nestle in His love, and enjoyHis unfailing consolation.On behalf of the L. M, S.Mrs. T. p. Stevenson,Mrs. M, M, Pearce,Mrs. R. D. Dodds,Sallie Morrison,Cornmittee.OLIVE TREES 153The Ladies' Missionary Society of Syracusewishes to put on record its hearty appreciationof the faithful life and earnestlabors of Mrs. Mary Frances McAllisterwho entered into rest on Sabbath afternoon,January 23, 1916.Mrs. McAllister's missionary zeal kepther working and praying for the unsavedin every land; she made no difference betweenthe lost on her own street and thelost in the foreign fields.We feel that it is very proper to placethis loving tribute before the readers ofOlive Trees. Personally Mrs. McAllisterwas a happy woman who carried her religioninto every phase of daily life. Shecould be setious or jovial, ready to enterinto the joy of her Lord, or to make merrywith her friends here, in accordance withthe occasion. We would have had her remain,for years to come, but "He who doethall things well" has had a different plan.To His will we bow. Her life may besummed up in one sentence: "SHE keptthe faith." To the bereaved children weextend our heartfelt sympathy and commendthem to the God of all comfort, whocomforteth us in all our tribulation. Theprecious promises of His Holy Word aretheirs, and blessed hope of a happy reunionin the home above.Ella E. Scott,Julia B, Lynn,CoTnmittee.The American Presbyterian Missionat Elat in West Africa has beenat work only nineteen years. Of the7500 admitted to the church last year5000 were brought to Christ by nativeworkers. Every one of the 15,000contributing to church work in thismission have envelopes and a card,which is punched weekly for offeringsand attendance. There are two catechismclasses in the mission with 13,-000 and 2000 members, respectively,under instruction. The Elat churchemploys 107 evangelists and Biblereaders; also teachers in 70 villageschools with 4000 pupils,—Record ofChristian Work.

15+ OLIVE TREESThe following interesting sketch is sentto us by Mr. Eobert Harrison, whose brotheris a member of our First Church, Philadelphila.Mr. Harrison, although not a Convenanter,is ofttimes a welcome visitor atpreaching and prayer-meeting in our FirstChurch.Those that within the house of GodAre planted by his grace,They shall grow up and flourishallIn our Go(J's holy place.And in old age when others fade.They fruit still forth shall bring;They shall be fat and full of sap,And aye be flourishing.These verses were called to mind lastSabbath evening on hearing a sermon byRev. David King, D. D., a very remarkablesermon, by a man of portly form, who is73 years of age, and who preaches withwonderful force. He is as straight as ayoung man, has a fine clear voice, and didnot use any notes in any of the ten sermonsthat I heard him preach at Wildwood, N. J.By way of introduction to this sermon,which was based on the text, "Of Whomthe Whole Family in Heaven and Earth isNamed." Eph. 2:15, he said that the textwas suggested by a family reunion to whichhe was invited a short time ago. This wasa reunion of a North of Ireland Covenanterfamily by the name of Marshall, who cameto Pennsylvania near the middle of the lastcentury, and settled in Greene county. It sohappened in the providence of God, that Dr.King was adopted by this family, his fatherhaving died when he was only six years ofage, leaving a large family of eight boysto be cared for by a poor mother. Thefather was only a laboring man and themother was obliged to part with her boys,who were adopted into different families.Dr. King said, "I was taken by the Marshallfamily, I remember the day in 1843when Mrs. Marshall came on horseback, adistance of 30 miles, for me. I was calledin, my mother asked me if I would like togo home with Mrs. Marshall. I said I will.Mrs. Marshall mounted her horse and I wasput on behind her. I got a good hold ofMrs. Marshall and we rode to her home 30miles away. I was taken from the horse,and my old ragged suit was soon changedto a nice new one, I was sent to school,provided with everything to make me comfortable.And no boy ever had a bettermother than Mrs. Marshall was to me. Notso with my brothers. Some of them got noschooling, and when they became men couldnot sign their name. On the day when theMarshall family was brought together againin reunion, there were about fifty present,fathers, mothers, children, grandchildrenand great grandchildren. One sister wasthere whose husband had died, and as shehad not been .left as well off as some ofthe others, they made up a purse and gaveit to her." Dr. King said thafhe had thebest week at that reunion that he had everhad in his life. The Marshall family was adevoted Godly family.I am sorry I cannot give a full report ofDr. King's sermon. I will give some of theheads of his discourse, I can only do so frommemory. The firstis: That God's familyis a growing family; second, that it is aneducated family; third, that it has familytraits; fourth, that it is a benevolentfamily; and, fifth,that soon it will be a reunitedfamily in heaven. Dr. King waspastor for over a quarter of a century inthe First Presbyterian Church, in Vineland,N. J., and resigned a little while ago. I wasso much interested in his history as it relatedto the convenanters and to the secedingchurch, his bringing up by that familyfrom the North of Ireland, and to his gratitudeto the family of his adoption, that Iam sending you this little sketch,Robert Harrison.Mr, Mitchell Writes that Mrs, Mitchellis much improved in health andthat they hope to be able to returnto China in the Fall, We are surethe Church will thank God for answeringour prayers and we will stillseek that others who are home andwho are desirous to return may alsobe able. We hope there will be quitea number of both old and new missionarieswho will be able to go toChina this Fall,

OLIVE TREES 155N E W S FROIVI T H E FIELDEdited by Mrs. Findley M. Wilson, 2517 North Franklin Street,Philadelphia, Penna.The monthly news letter from Tak Hinghas just arrived and we have a very interestingpersonal letter from Miss EllaMargaret Stewart, of Lo Ting, from whichwe are pleased to cull "a morsel." Thesuffragette story by Miss Rose A. Hustonwas held over from last month.The news items from Cyprus are part ofa letter from Rev. Walter McCarroll, andthe letter at the close is from Mr. Chas.A. Stewart, of the American Academy atLarnaca.No communication of any sort has comefrom Syria or Asia Minor since our lastissue. Larnaca, Cyprus.—Rev. Mr, McCarrollwrites, "As far as events connected withthe great conflict are concerned, we arein the position of those who can say, 'Blessedare they who have nothing to report,'for here we enjoy absolute quiet even tothe verge of stagnation, Cyprus has remainedunaffected by the movements ofarmies and the clash of arms, except forthe stagnation in trade, the general rise inprices and, in some parts, the scarcity ofbread. The reports of prosperity inAmerica have drawn a considerable numberof men from Cyprus villages to trytheir fortunes in the West. Abundant rainshave just fallen, thus insuring a good harvest,and a sufficient supply of food for manand "A beast Sabbath during day's the work coming is as year." follows: Aclass for the study of the Catechism at 9A, M.; an English-Turkish preaching serviceat 10; Sabbath school at 8, in the churchbuilding; and a Greek-Turkish service at4.30, in the church; and in addition a servicefor the Syrians in one of their homes.Last of all an informal meeting with theboarders closes the labors of the Sabbath,"—Mr. McCarroll.Lo Ting, China,—Miss Stewart writes of"a fine little woman I have engaged to teachthe girls dressmaking and embroideringshoes. As it was before, girls who couldnot finishthe course and be able to teach,were no more independent than their lesslearned sisters, I wanted to find somethingto teach them that they could earn moneyby doing in their own homes. Very fewwomen in China can cut out their ownclothes, so a woman who learns to do thiswell could get plenty to do that is nowdone by the men in the up-street shops."Since few women understand it, I didnot know where to procure a teacher.Finally, the daughter of an ex-oflftcial, whois one of my best pupils, said she had anaunt who might do it. It is her father'syoungest sister, who, she says, is not at allhappy in her own home. She has all sheneeds and does not need to earn money, buther husband does not care for her becauseshe has no sons. Her niece said she wouldlike to come to learn about Jesus, so shemight be willing to help us. This provedto be the case, and, since she is verycapable, I am very happy over it. Sheseems quite eager to help the girls knowall she does, and is also a very earnestlistener The Rev. when we D. talk Raymond the 'Doctrine,' Taggart " andfamily, of Lo Ting, and Miss Rose A. Huston,of Tak Hing, were expected to sailfrom China, May i7th, on the Empress ofRussia. They are due in Vancouver, June3d. Mrs, Taggart's mother, Mrs, JesseW. Wilson, of New Concord, Ohio, is atpresent seriously ill, with but little, if any,hope of recovery. May the Lord spare herto see her daughter and family safe home.Tak Hing, China.—During three of thefour Sabbaths of March, ladies from the officialfamilies of Tak Hing were in attendanceat the chapel services.A young surveyor who was recentlybaptized and has since been away with hisparty, returned last week and brought twoof his fellow surveyors with him, who declaredtheir intention to learn the gospel,and who emphasized it by purchasing a NewTestament, Psalm book and two Christianbooks apiece.Robber bands have appeared in certainparts of our district, owing to the soldiersbeing sent to the frontier and leaving otherplaces unprotected.There were over seventy at the men'sprayer-meeting last Thursday night, largelystudents from the schools, with the teachers.

156 OLIVE TREESGambling is said to be prohibited again,as many of the people were being ruined byit. It seemed to be a mania with many.We had the pleasure last week of a visitfrom Dr. Boyd and family, of the PresbyterianMission, Canton, and are expectingDr. Hayes and family, of the Baptist Missionof Wuchow, some time this spring.A conference is held once a month withthe workers to consider the work of the pastmonth and to plan for the work of a newmonth. A golden text is chosen for eachmonth, the one for March is 2nd Cor. 5:15.The golden text for the year is 1st Cor.13:13.Threatened revolutionary troubles havecaused the greatest number of our hospitalpatients to go home, and more time is atour disposal for class work. The little blindboy is making satisfactory progress inlearning to read and write in the system forthe blind.The hospital Wednesday prayer-meetingscontinue to be attended quite satisfactorily.During the month four trips to villages tenmiles away have been taken by the hospitalworkers for evangelistic purposes. At thefirst over 100 were at the meeting, over 200at the second, over 150 at the third, over 40at the fourth. A boys' school was visitedin one place and all of the boys expresseda desire to hear again and to know more ofthe The doctrine. schools have all been closed duringthe past week, as it is grave worshipingtime. A very important time with theChinese, even for the Christians who do notworship the graves. They go and fix themup, dig around them, etc. It is a time whenthe whole clan gather together and settlefamily affairs and feast.A few of the women remained in thewoman's school and have been improvingtheir spare time going out to the villagesaround talking the doctrine.Wednesday evening one of the womencame and asked me if I would go with themthe next morning to San Hui, a villageabout a mile and a half out in the country.They had been out a few days before andthe people invited them to come again andbring a foreigner. I told her that I wouldlet her know the next morning. To mysurprise when I went downstairs the nextmorning to open up the house she was therewaiting to know if I would go. I agreed togo and we left about 9 o'clock, four ChineseChristian women and myself. It was thefirst clear day we had had in some weeks.We were received very nicely. It was amixed crowd of men, women and children.The men showed quite an interest and wereas eager for the picture cards wjth Scriptureverses written in Chinese as the childrenwere.The blind teacher was one of our number,she took charge of the meeting. We commencedby singing a psalm, she then led inprayer after which each of us taught versesof Scripture to the women and. childrenThe blind teacher then talked to them ofthe way of life. Kam Shui (the wife of thenative preacher who was executed by thegovernment last year for being mixed up inrevolutionary affairs) gave quite a goodtalk. We then sang another psalm andclosedIt isbyencouragingrepeatingtotheseeLord'sthe womenPrayer.willingto go out and talk the doctrine, especiallythe blind teacher. Of course, one of thewomen helps her.Word was received here last evening thatthe Province of Kwong Tung (that is thisprovince) has revolted with all its officials.Just what will come next is hard to tell,but we hope for peace.To the preceding note may be added thata recent letter from Rev. Mr. Taggart, receivedsince the foregoing, says all remainsquiet. It now seems unlikely that any serioustrouble will arise in the province whereour missionaries are.A few years ago, a man got his legbroken in a quarrel over some ducks. Hecame to the hospital, and the other fellowwent to jail to stay at least as long as ittook to get the broken leg healed and ablefor work. While in the hospital, the"broken legged man" heard and believed theGospel of Jesus, which is also the Gospelof Forgiveness, so he sent and asked to havethe imprisoned man released, as he wantedto forgive him.He is one of the happiest appearing Christianswe see, and very seldom misses a Sabbathat church. A few weeks ago, a littleweatherbeaten, poorly dressed old lady cameinto church, and sat down in the back seat.We did not recognize her, so were surprisedto hear her finishthe Lord's Prayer before

the rest were more than half through, andalso the excellent attention she gave to thepreacher.After church she came to see us and wesoon remembered that she ^^'as the "brokenlegged man's" mother, and has been tochurch once before. She said, "Did you hearme saying the prayer in church, and did Imake any mistakes ? And what is that oneabout, 'Now I awake, and see the light?'Won't you write it down so my son canteach it to me? He was so happy when hebecame a Christian that he wanted me tobelieve too, and I do, and my heart is veryhappy. We are very poor, and when Istarted to church this morning my neighborsmade fun of me and said, 'Oh, you areso rich you don't need to work, and can gooff and have a good time.' I said, 'We believein Jesus, and we don't need to worryabout food and clothing. If we truly worshipand serve Him He will belss us, andeven if we are hungry, what does it matterif our hearts are at peace?' When I was atchurch the other time I couldn't keep awake,so my son told me to ask the HeavenlyFather to not let me get sleepy, and Hetruly did keep me awake and the sermonwas very good to hear and easy to understand,"She wants to be baptized at the nextcommunion, and says her son has l^eenteaching some others who also believe. Shesays her neighbors are very hard-heartedand stiff-necked, and she was very happywhen she was assured that God wouldchange their hearts, if she prayed earnestlyfor them, and that prayer was simply talkingto God and telling Him your "heartbusiness." I am sure her prayers of suchtrust and faith as she shows will be heard.So the word is being preached in humbleplaces and being honored.When our neighboring province, KwongSai, revolted against the central government,last month, there were rumors oftrouble in the towns along the border, includingTak Hing, The mission felt quitehonored when we were asked if we wouldallow the women and children of the officialhomes of the city yamen to come herefor safety in case of trouble. EverythingOLIVE TREES 157has been quiet, so it was not necessary foi'them to come.Dr. A. I. Robb, Dr. J. M. Wright and Mis?Huston and Mrs. Kempf are the contributorsfor Tak Hing this month.A CHINESE CHARACTER STUDYSome expressions in the Chinese languagedefy translation or definition in our stiltedAnglo-Saxon tongue, and I wonder if thesuffragettes of other lands might not liketo adopt one very expressive word from theChinese.The women folk over here say—and themen don't deny it—^that the reason thewomen of China have been so long downtrodden,and kept in a state of ignoranceand degradation, is because the men wereafraid the women would "ha'' them if theywere educated.The dictionary translates the character"ha,'' to scold, to intimidate, but the dictionaryman evidently hadn't asked the womenof Tak Hing what it meant, for we findthatin common usage, locally at least, it alsomeans to humble, bring low, abase, humiliate,out-do, and even to "ta," which in boylanguage, is to lick.This story of one of our young suffragetteswill show one way to "ha" a man.Several years ago when Drs. McBurneyand Wright first began itinerating at DoSing, two girls in their teens watched dayafter day the wonderful healing theywrought, and determined to follow in theirfootsteps and become doctors. They weretold that they should first go to schoolseveral years before they could take up thestudy of medicine. This they agreed to doand entered the Girls' School at Tak Hing.After three days one of them was calledhome, as her mother, a widow, could notbear the slander and persecution from herson, parents and other relatives. Also theman to whom she was engaged, objectedto her reading books, and said anyone whowould go to the foreigners to live was worsethan the worst of Chinese women, and thathe would not marry her if she went backto- school. She was still determined, evenafter they had beaten her, bound her,threatened to kill her, and locked her up,so her betrothed husband sent back the papersmade out at the time of the engagement,leaving her free, and, in Chineseeyes, with a ruined reputation.

158 OLIVE TREESShe was closely watched lest she run offto school again, till her mother, who was insympathy with her from the first,said sheshould go and live with a married sister,but instead she came back to school, whereshe studied two years unknown to the restof her people. On finding it out, and seeingthat it had actually been a change forthe better, they began to encourage her,and now her brother, who was merciless inhis persecution, is very proud of her attainments,and urges her to get all the educationshe can."If your former fiance knew you nowwould he not be sorry for casting you off?"was asked. "Oh, he does know me, andlast year he sent a middle man to ask meto marry him. I said, 'You ask him if hehas forgotten how he slandered and persecuted,and 'ha'-ed me a few years ago?Does he think I would marry him after that.I wouldn't even talk to such a man.' Oh,I truly did 'ha' him, for he thought I wouldbe very much pleased to have him for ahusband, as he is a Judge in the Yamoon inSai Ning, and a big man. So long as themen 'ha' women. Just so long will othernations 'ha' China. I never intend to marrya man."A VOLUME OF EXTRAORDINARYINTERESTA verbatim report was taken of thespeeches and proceedings of the NationalLaymen's Missionary Congress, held atWashington, D. C, the last week of April.This will be published in a volume of fourhundred pages, which will be ready aboutJune 15th. Subscriptions for the report,which will be entitled "Men and WorldService," will be mailed postpaid upon receiptof $1. Address Laymen's MissionaryMovement, 1 Madison avenue, New York.SOME FACTS ABOUT CHINAPut the people in China in rank, joininghands, and they will girdle the globe tentimes at the equator with living, beatinghuman hearts.Every third child born into the worldlooks into the face of a Chinese mother;every third pair given in marriage plighttheir troth in a Chinese cup of wine; everythird orphan weeping through the day,every third widow wailing through thewatches of the night, is in China; everythird person who dies is a Chinese.One thousand five hundred and fiftysevenof the 3033 walled cities of Chinahave as yet no resident missionary. Tensof thousands of towns and villages have nocenter of gospel light. No province isadequately worked.Only one Chinese man in a hundred, takingthe empire through, can read, and stillfewer can write a letter. Of the women,not more than one in a thousand can reador write.The Chinese Government reports morethan 40,000 schools under its control, andhas primary and intermediate grades inevery province, with total enrollment of1,500,000 students.The mission schools are said to be farahead in quality of teaching, and 75 percent, of the text-books used in the governmentschools were prepared by Christiansor under Christian supervision.Leading Chinese affirm that while theyare Confucianists, they regard Christianityas the chief hope for China,Every great upheaval in China has, underthe overruling providence of God, been followedby the wider opening of doors for thepreaching of the Gospel,A province in Manchuria with 1,500,000has only one missionary. In Mongolia2,000,000 have none. Outer Karan provincehas none. Tibet has 6,000,000 with none.In China there are 2955 Christian congregations,548 ordained Chinese pastors,5364 unordained workers, and 470,000 connectedwith evangelical churches.From some fifteenof the most importanttheological schools in China it appears thatduring the past year about four hundredand fifty men have been engaged in preparationfor the ministry. These figuresaresignificant, because it is upon the Chinesepreachers that the ultimate success of thecountry's evangelization depends,—Ex.

OLIVE TREES 159his life and work as we knew himis not the intent of this article, butrather to introduce to the young peopleof the Church at home one of our boyswho was a soldier of the Turkish Government,and always a soldier of theCross since we knew him.It has been the plan of the Latakiaschool for years to gather out of themountain villages boys and girls andplace them in the schools in LatakiaCentre; mould them and make them,under the guidance of the Holy Spirit,and then send them back to their villagesor other places to be "burningand shining lights" in the midst of aspiritual darkness which one cannotbut feel at every step in the Syrianland. Amongst this ingathering ofpupils was Farah, of Gunamia,Well do we remember a Saturdayevening's visit, when we were stfll newThree generations : The old man is not aChristian, but an Armenian. The man sitting is on the field,over to Miss Edgar'sone of our servants and became a Protestant rooms in that little house of hers builtwhen a young man. All of his children are ProtestantChristians. The young man is Mallim pound ; built for her by Andrew Alex­in a corner of the Boys' School com­Farah, a teacher in the boys' school, and speaksEnglish very well. This shows the progress andander, of New York. It was in thatwork of the Mission.little house that Mattie R. Wylie passedher last days, and from which sheA GUNAMIA SOLDIERBy Rev. Samuel Edgar. was translated to the heavenly home."Maflim Farah is dead" were the On entering Miss Edgar's parlor thatwords that reached us recently from evening we were surprised to find aLatakia. Words that brought sadness circle of about a dozen boys sitting atand pain to our hearts. For somewhereout on the desert, near Aleppo, her parlor, for she had given that lux­her feet. Did I say parlor? No, notwe thought of Maflim Fajah, a soldier ury up that year that she might makeof the Cross, dead from disease or the room for eight more boys, who musthand of the Turk; that hand that in either be turned away or room maderecent months has known no mercy for them outside the dormitory, andtowards the Armenians,so her parlor was converted into aMallim Farah, for we always knew sleeping apartment for these boyshim by that name Mallim, it being our and her dining-room made to serveArabic word for teacher, was the head the double purpose of sitting-room andteacher in the Boys' Boarding School dining-room. We were glad to joinfor the past two years; aye, three, in the circle, though not on the floor,andLatakia. To present a full sketch of

i6o OLIVE TREESlisten to the conversation in that unknowntongue that we were not sureyet but it would be the "killin' " of us.We got flttleor nothing from the lessonsof the evening, save as we learnedthe lesson of sacrifice that has made somany of our missionaries great, andthe lesson of using opportunities as wesaw those boys on a Saturday nightafter a fufl week's work taking thishour out of their play time to learnmore of those things that had to dowith the making of their character andtheir future. They had come in forspecial lessons on the Sabbath Schooltopic that was to be before them onthe foflowing morning,Farah was one of those boys. Andwe might add, as memory serves us,out of that circle came six teachers foroUr schools.After Farah graduated from Latakiahe was employed as a teacher for thebeginners and a helper in the boardingschool. These early days of instructionsrevealed the traits of thesoldier. He had gifts that were worthyof developing and later Miss Edgarplanned, through the generosity offriends at home, to give Farah acourse in our own school in Cyprus.This was in English and would lethim into a deeper Bible study. Thosewere precious days to the Armenianpupil. He never forgot her who madethem possible and he never forgot tothank the men in Cyprus for whatthey shared with him of the things ofGod. On arriving in Latakia he wasarrested to be drafted into the Turkisharmy service. What concern?What disappointment ? His heart hadbeen set on teaching and serving hisown people and the Mission in extensionwork and now on the thresholdof that new day he is drafted intoanother service that offered no help orattractions in any way.Here again we see the ideals andsacrifices of the missionaries at work.She, who had prayed for him and withhim and had helped him to higherthings, comes again to the rescue andsomewhere, and somehow, she raisedthe money to buy him off the armyafter three months of service. Afterthose three months he takes his placein the boys' school with Dr. Stewartto teach the higher classes and as aninstructor in English. In this capacityhe lifted many burdens from Dr.Stewart as he Was a worker to betrusted with whatever was given himto do. He took a year's theology withDr, Stewart, which added greatly tohis preparation for service.During the summer of 1914 whenthe Turkish army was being mobilizedFarah was the firstto be cafledfrom his village amongst the reserve.He was up in the village of Kessabwhen the order came for him to report.And the order was that thosewho failed to report would be shotwherever found and no explanationstaken. Great was our concern together.Well we remember havingprayer together and then he startedoff to Latakia by night to report, andexplain that he was not in the villagewhen the cafl came. Arriving safelyin Latakia he and Dr, Stewart wentto report to the officer in commandand to see if there was any chance ofhis buying himself off again. Aftersome waiting, as usual, he wasgranted that privilege of paying againabout $250 that he might be free fromthe army and free for the service ofthe Lord that meant far more to him

in those days. Glad were we all whenhe sent us word that he was free andwould be with us for the year in theschool as usual.Well do we remember, one eveningafter our return from furlough, hiscoming into Dr. Balph's study, wherewe were busy with our work, and layingdown on the desk three pounds ingold and saying "Mr. Edgar, that'sthe last instaflment of the fiftypoundsthat Miss Edgar lent me to buy myselfoff from military service." Whatjoy was his? And we rejoiced withhim. Miss Edgar was on furloughand he said that I was to keep this forher until her return.After Miss Wylie did not care to beresponsible for the leading of thesinging in church our Licentiate tookit up for a little, sharing the honorat times with Farah. He did like tosing and he did like to lead in church.Mrs. Balph had given him valued assistancein this and when we weretaken away Miss Mearns was givinghim special lessons in music. We areaU glad for the wee bit that we had inthe drilling of Farah for the greatservice. Rev. J. D. Edgar, writing usrecently, said: "Since those days whenFarah was with us in Cyprus I havealways felt that there was a bit of myselfover there in Syria at work even.though I was far away."He was a Bible student. He was aman of prayer and helped lead manyof the younger boys into that closerprayer life. He loved the house ofGod and the ordinances. You couldtrust him in a prayer meeting or inthe pulpit or in an evangelistic servicein the vfllage. How he did delightto preach to his own people inGunamia!OLIVE TREES i6iWhen or why he was taken awayfrom Latakia we know not. All weheard was that Farah was gone withthe other. Armenians towards Aleppo,Then were our hearts heavy. Withhim went his father and mother, whomDr, Balph had left as caretakers ofthe hospital and yard in his absence.There were three girls and anotherboy in the family. Two of these werebeautiful girls and the whole familywere members of the church save thelittle girl of about nine years. Hiswas a short service, but he was a welltrainedsoldier. And we are confidentthat wherever he was his testimonywould be to the saving grace of hisLord and Saviour. His warfare was abrief one. We can say with joy aswe knew him he was a good soldier ofJesus Christ and "when the rofl iscalled up j^onder he'll be there." Wecan easfly. imagine him singing tohimself and to the loved ones if theywere near him those great words ofthe 79th Psalm:For thy name's glory help, 0 God,Thou hast our Saviour been.Deliv^ us for they name's sake,O purge away our sin,0 let the pris'ners' sighs ascend.Before thy sight on high;Preserve those in thy mighty power"That are condemned to die.So we thy people and thy flockWill ever praise thy name;And unto generations allWe will thy praise proclaim.Yes, Mallim Farah is dead but "he,being dead, yet speaketh," and thosewho are at home-who helped pray himinto the Kingdom and sent gifts to puthim through Cyprus school and to buyhim off the army have the joy of knowgiftsand the investment continues,and shafl continue, to bring in interestto their account.

l62 OLIVE TREESWHERE HE LEARNED THEBIBLE"I read the Bible for the firsttimeat my mother's knee," said the FirstSecretary of the Chinese Legation inLondon, Mr, Y, S, Tsao, speaking recentlyin London at the annual meetingof the British and Foreign BibleSociety,This is an encouragement to ourwomen missionaries in China, and tothe women at home who send them.Christianize the mothers in China andyou will make a new and ChristianChina,It is a lesson, too, to mothers athome. The boys that learn to readtheir Bibles at a mother's knee will bethe men who carry on the work of theKingdom in later years.—Ex.We thank a number of other friendsfor the January number of OliveTrees which they have sent us.HAD NO TIME FOR OVERWORKWorking in a government workshopon the Nilgiris Hifls is a young Badaga,who became a Christian and wasbaptized last year. During a press ofwork, most of the employees stayedto earn overtime pay. The young convertdeclined, and the manager sentfor him and asked: "Why don't youstay in the evening and get extra paylike the others? Do you know youcould nearly double your wages," Atlast came the astonishing answer,"Please, sir, I can't, I am holding Bibleclass every evening." The manager,himself a Christian, inquired further,and found that this convert of only afew months' standing was going every-avening to his own Badaga viflage toread the daily Scripture Union portionto the young men with whom hehad grown up, and explaining it asfar as he was able to do, and speakingto them, one by one, of his Saviour.Three of these young men havesince asked for and received, and afourth is under instruction for, baptism.—TheMissionary Review.MISSIONS OF THE MORMONSIt is reported that the Mormonshave some two thousand missionariesscattered throughout the world. AnAmerican minister, after a tour ofobservation and work through NorthernUtah and Southern Idaho, urgesthat no time should be lost in presentingthe truth to these deluded people.At a meeting in Salt Lake City heheard the way of salvation summedup in these terms: (1) tithing; (2)obedience to the priesthood; (3) feedingthe poor; (4) observing the sacramentsand fasting. This, he says, isthe essence of the Mormon Gospel;itis salvation by works. Alongside ofthese religious "principles" the peopleexhibit a dense ignorance of HolyScripture and Christian faith andpractice as properly understood.—TheMissionary Review of the World.MORMON MENACEOne year's seed sowing:Tracts distributed 10,892,122Conversations 1,744,641Famifles visited 3,532,273Books distributed 500,614Meetings held 92,072"But while men slept his enemycame and sowed tares among thewheat and went his way."

OLIVE TREES 163SIDELIGHTS ON FIFTY YEARSOF MISSION WORK INSYRIATHE TALE^F A WALLWhen the mission property was purchaseda wall of about four feet in height wasbuilt around it. This served very well tomark the boundaries, but as a means ofkeeping people out it was useless.Our children were confined to two suitsof clothing, to be worn on alternate weeks.Every Saturday one was doffed and theother donned. Perhaps you would like toknow what a "suit" means. Well, for thegirls it meant a long-sleeved chemise anda pair of drawers much like bloomers, andthese two garments were made of unbleachedmuslin. If it were winter each girl worea petticoat, and a jacket padded with cottonand quilted, a pair of shoes and sometimesstockings. The dress was made withfull skirt gathered on a plain waist.The dress of the boys was somewhat likethat of the girls except that the trouserswere much fuller, and the outside garmentwas a long straight robe reaching below theknees, and belted in at the waist. In coldweather they wore quilted jackets like thoseworn by the girls.The material, used for the girls' dressesand the boys' robes, was a native clothealled "ology," which had the advantage ofbeing alike on both sides and striped sothat there was no up or down, and nomatching to do when cutting out. It hadthe disadvantage of being rather narrow.It was striped in different colors, and somecombinations were quite pretty, and it wasvery lasting in quality.When the school grew large we attainedto a set of drawers and each child was givena number and its clothing marked with thisnumber; the clothing of three or four childrenwas kept in one drawer, and thisdrawer bore the numbers of the suits containedin it. On Saturday mornings thechildren came from their bath into theroom where the clothing was kept, and aseach child called out its number the teacherin charge handed out the correspondingsuit. The discarded clothes were put awayin the wash-room for Monday's wash. Themisery came on Tuesday when the clotheswere brought in from the wash, sorted andput away. Almost invariably there were anumber of garments missing, "Where isshirt 9?" "Where are drawers 17?" "Whereis dress 20?" And echo answered "where?"The garments had been secreted and handedover the low wall to some waiting relative.How many lost garments had to be replaced!In the same manner bread and other provisionswere tucked away in some remotecorner and presented to visiting relatives.The normal way for visitors to come intothe school was by the big entrance door,where the door-keeper announced them tothe proper authorities, and they were admittedor refused as the circumstances required.But the low wall made it possibleto come and go in a more informal manner.That was the way in which measles, smallpox,itch and other contagious diseases wereintroduced.' And they brought other guestsmore easily discerned than microbes. Youwould be busy hearing classes when all atonce you would see something crawling onsome small neck or arm. You look moreclosely—no doubt about it: a nasty graybeast with a black center. Books are castaside at once; word is sent to all the otherclass rooms, and a general search is instituted.No more study till each body andevery suit of clothes is examined, and theinfested garments carried off to be purified.One such visitor brought over the wall wouldin an incredibly short time make two orthree hours' work for the staff. Happily oneof the force was an ex-cavalry man, whohad served in the Civil War, and he taughtus how to get rid of these pests—by boilingcotton garments in salt water. An experiencedmissionary lady taught us to get ridof them in woolen by pressing all the seamswith a hot iron.Egress as well as ingress was easy, andseveral times a number of the children ranoff, choosing Sabbath evenings while theyhad on clean clothes and shoes. Their staywas not usually very long, as their absencewas discovered about bed-time when theteacher wished to collect and put away theshoes. Sometimes they were pursued andbrought back forthwith, at others theycame of their own accord.A man from the mountains brought hissister down as a pledge for some money

164 OLIVE TREESwhich he wished to borrow to get his goats God for things as it is to ask our friends.out of pawn. Mr. Beattie brought him to Show the Juniors a copy book with ratherme to see if I wished to invest. A paper poor writing. Tell them how we all mustwas made out setting forth that when theman should pay me the $4.00 lent him, withlearn to do all things that are worth while;we must learn to walk, to run, to read, tointerest from date, he was to have his sister.play ball, everything. Also to write. AtHe was given a mat and a little handlamp, and allowed to sleep in the room setflrst it is not easy, the letters are crooked,badly formed. Now show another copy bookapart for contagious diseases. In the morningwriting. Why? Because the writer hashe and the lamp had disappeared over practiced writing. Itis the same withthe low wall. I am still out of pocket theamount of the loan.But the wall became in war time notreading. It is practice that makes perfect.We must learn to pray as we learn to write,or read, or speak. At flrst we pray poorly,merely an annoyance, but a danger, and the stumblingly, imperfectly. By and by wemission wrote home asking for funds toput up a wall that would be a protection.The answer was that it was not consideredadvisable to build a wall, as the sight of itmight provoke an attack—a kind of pacifistdoctrine. The mission physician then madea professional visit to the Mersine district,gain confidence. We learn to know God better,and are not afraid of our comrades.We learn also to pray for the things we need.Why do we pray?To whom do we pray?Who has told us to pray?What is the difference between prayingthen to most us a terra incognita, and gatheredin a goodly sum by his practice. An­How do we know that God hears ourand "saying our prayers?"other substantial sum was given by Mr. prayers?David Gregg, of Pittsburgh, and the missionarieson the ground "reaped the cor­What prayer did Jesus teach His dis­How often ought we to pray?ners of their fields," and the high wall ciples?which now surrounds the grounds gave the Do you think He meant it for us as wellinmates a sense of greater security than as for them?they had hitherto enjoyed.Who has written the Lord's Prayer forMary E. Metheny, us in the Bible?Do you suppose that Jesus meant thatwe should pray always in just those words?Why do we need to learn to pray?Why is it wrong to pray carelessly orirreverently?What must we always remember whenwe pray? Heb. 11: 6.References: 2 Chron. 16: 11; Matt. 7: 7;26: 41; Luke 18: 1, 26: 36; John 16: 24;Eph. 6: 18; Phil. 4:6; Col. 4: 2; 1 Thess.5: 17; 1 Tim. 2: 18. (C.E. World).Mrs. D. C. Ward.JUNIOR DEPARTMENTTopic for June meeting: Learning topray. Matt. 6: 5-13.One morning a Junior asked his mothersuddenly: "Mother, why should we pray toGod?" The mother answered: "Because weneed things." "But God knows that weneed things, doesn't He? Why does He notgive them without asking?" The motheranswered: "Because He loves to have uscome to Him and talk to Him." And therethe matter ended. Later in the day the boycame into the house and said: "Mother, I'mhungry. Give me something to eat." Themother said: "I know that you are hungry.Why do you ask me to give you somethingto eat? Don't you believe that I will do itanyway?" Her boy understood from thesmile on her lips that she referred to theconversation of the morning. We mustlearn to pray for what we need. God wantsus to do so. It is just as reasonable to askE. M. C. APPLIED TO A WOMEN'SMISSIONARY SOCIETY"Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store as God hathprospered him."This text is the basis of a movementthat is sweeping through the entire churchand is called "The Every Member Canvass."

In this day, system is one of the main factorsin success. In the home, in the businessworld, in the political world, and evenin the church, where there are successfulresults a more or less perfect system is tobe found.As nothing is of more importance thanthe giving of our means to the Lord's work,a systematic plan should be adopted. Thishas been done by many congregations andorganizations in our own denomination andothers. The Women's Missionary Societyof College Hill, with the feeling that theirplan of giving might be improved upon, andwith due deliberation and investigation, haveadopted the every member canvass. Thisplan went into effect the firstof April. Abudget was formed of all the pledges andother expenditures of the society for theprevious year, and as each member wasinterviewed by the committee this budgetwas submitted to them, together with theamount that particular member had given,thus giving a basis on which to make theweekly pledge. This pledge is placed in anenvelope secured for the purpose and droppedin the basket every Sabbath when theregular offering is taken. To avoid confusionthe envelopes are a different coloror shade from those used by the congregation.Of course this plan is new in our society,but our treasurer is enthusiastic in its praisealready. We now have more paying membersthan before. This fact alone accomplishestwo things—it increases the Lord'streasury and is a stimulus to further activityon the part of the giver. The treasurersays it simplifies her work, which isno small item.Another advantage is that whether themembers are able to attend the regularmonthly meeting of the society or not, theOLIVE TREES 165an interest and enthusiasm we neverhad before.We wonder now if some of theYoung "People's Societies would not•enjoy taking up the study of theKoran at some of their meetings or ifa class might be formed for the purposeof studying the Koran. A verytreasury does not suffer. While the planis new with us, we are encouraged to hopethat more of our members may become activlySPECIAL interested STUDIES in the work OF of GENEVA the societyvaluable book to be used as an aid inthis study is the "The Religion of theand that we VOLUNTEERSmay be able to do more thanCrescent," by Rev. W, St, Claire-Tisdall.ever before to help send the Gospel to theIt was suggested that the Studentends of the earth.We would share with others theVolunteer Band Mrs. of F. Geneva W. Ransom, College broader view of the life and religionsend an article to College the Olive Hill L. Trees, M. S. of the people in other countries whichoutlining the work we are doing this we have gained.year.Hildred Thomson,In previous years we have been hav­A Student Volunteer,ing discussional meetings concerningour problems. In the fall we studiedDr, Balph's book, "Fifty Years inSyria," which was especially interesting,with Evangeline Metheny for ourleader. She is thoroughly acquaintedwith the country and the work in thebook, which helped us a very greatdeal.We are now studying the translationof the Koran by Sale, in the HomeLibrary edition, and we findthis moreinteresting and helpful than anythingwe have yet taken up. Miss Methenyteaches the class and we are now holdingopen meetings which the studentsattend. The interest they show inthese meetings proves how very interestingthey are.We first studied the five foundationsof Islam, which are Prayer,Alms, the Fast of Ramaden, Testifyingand the Pflgrimage to Mecca, Welook in the index for afl references onthese subjects and then discuss themat the meeting. We then took up suchtopics as Heaven, Christ, God, Womanand Society, studying what the Korangave on each. In this way we are enabledto see the strong points in theKoran and its many weak ones.This Koran study has given us avision of the wonderful opportunitiesand need in the field and has given us

i66 OLIVE TREESCIRCULATIOND E P A R T M E N TThe following are only a few of thekind expressions received during thepast few weeks:is only a little girl, but saysshe would not like to do without OliveTrees,The Foreign Board is giving us avery good paper. We certainly wouldnot like to do without it,Olive Trees is great. It is doing afine work for the Church,May Olive Trees is the best yet.The Foreign Mission Board is seekingto give the Church all the informationand inspiration possible.This number is greatly enlarged inorder to give the Annual Report toSynod, the table of statistics preparedby Mrs. Findley M. Wilson, andwhich we feel sure will be greatly enjoyed,the message from our treasurer,etc. The Board is sending thisnumber into every home in ourChurch. If any do not receive it apostal card will bring free copy. JulyOlive Trees will contain most interestingField Reports from our workerscovering the past year. Fifty centswill bring you "Olive Trees" for theremainder of the year.Wifl you not sit right down and returnto us the enclosed envelope andcard with your subscription or a subscriptionfor a friend?During the past month we sent outletters to all who had not paid theirsubscription for 1916, saying that unlesswe heard from them before a reasonabletime we would have to taketheir names from our list.We thank those who made immediateresponses. We have found, as weexpected, that some had been calledhome, some had changed their addressand we had not received notice,and a few had already paid but hadnot been credited by us.Some of these last feel aggrievedthat we have not kept our accountscorrect. We are very sorry that wehave hurt anyone and assure themthat all we want is a card saying theyhave paid. We have no regular officeor help for this work, but with thehelp of friends we are trying to furnishthe best magazine we can and wefeel that less than half a dozen mistakesout of 1300 names is not a badrecord.The Mission of the Covenant feel aloss in the "going home" of one of ourlittle'Jewish girls. She was just sevenyears old but had learned to love theMessiah, She was a sister of one ofthe girls who spent last summer atNorthfield, through the kindness ofMrs, Peebles, Rachel was a very attractiveand lovable little girl andquite popular at our last annual entertainmenton account of her Englishand Jewish songs.In her report Miss Forsyth says ofher, she was sent to the Children'sHospital, and after suffering withspinal meningitis, for fiveweeks, shewas taken to her Heavenly Home, theground of our assurance being, thatwhen she repeated the Twenty-thirdPsalm and was asked if Jesus was herShepherd, she replied, "yes; I loveJesus." She was one of our sweetestlittle singers and we miss her verymuch. We believe she is now singingthe Song of the Redeemed.

OLIVE TREES 167A N N U A L R E P O R T TO S Y N O D OF FOREIGNMISSIONBOARD-1915-1916.Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,today and forever. As nineteen hundredyears ago, so still wherever hisdisciples go preaching the gospel, theLord works with them confirming theword with signs foflowing. The earlyplan of work was to preach, to teachand to heal.No Report From Syria.The relieving of bodily distress hastaken a large place in our efforts forthe poor oppressed of Syria and AsiaMinor. The treasurer's report showsgenerous contributions for this purpose.And yet the missionaries inthis field have had great opportunitiesin the regular departments of missionwork. Reports are again this yearlacking and for the same obvious reason,the censor refusing to pass anythingbut the scantest correspondence.Yet we can report that theschools were open Vith but little interruptionall the year, Dr, Stewartat Latakia and Mr, McFarland at Mersinawere privileged to preach all thewhile, Dr, Peoples experienced no restrictionin the medical work at Mersina.Miss Edgar at Latakia andMiss Sterrett and Mr. Carithers atMersina went on, we are assured, withthe teaching. The only trouble hasbeen that, in their loneliness and isolation,they have had greatly multipliedduties and burdens beyond theirstrength. With characteristic devotionMiss Sterrett, whose furloughfalls due this year, has offered to prolongher term of service another year,if the interests of the mission requireit; and Mr, Carithers, whose shortterm appointment expires this spring,has accepted appointment for anotheryear, seeing the Board could not inpresent disturbed conditions hope tosend out another young man to fiflhisplace.We are called to report the death,January 9, 1916, of our senior missionary,Miss Mattie R, Wylie, wholabored for forty years at Latakia,She greatly endeared herself to theentire church in two generations, andin Syria left the lasting impress of herconsecrated life. Many who learnedthe way of salvation from her precededher to glory, and she being deadyet speaketh. She glorified God in sufferingas in service. Her works dofollow her. Her labor is not in vain inthe Lord. "The righteous shafl be ineverlasting remembrance,"CYPRUSReports from the Island of Cyprusshow faithful services in every department.Our missionaries here are: inLarnaca, the Rev. Walter McCarrolland wife, Mr, Chas, A, Stewart andMr, Dwight H. Conner; in Nicosia, Dr,Calvin McCarrofl and wife, Mrs.Walter McCarroll has been in fllhealthall year, and found it necessary to seeka change of location. Accordinglyshe passed over into Switzerland, accompaniedby their chfldren, the twooldest of whom had graduated fromthe Academy in Cyprus last June, andrequired school facilities other thanthose to be had on the island. Thehope that Mrs, McCarroll's healthwould improve was doomed to disappointment.She entered a sanatoriumfor three months, but stifl fafling togain the desired strength safled forAmerica, reaching New York May 14this year,Mr, McCarrofl, who is still on thefield, reports that "Cyprus so far asthe European confiict is concemed,has remained unaffected by the movementof armies and the clash of arms,except for the stagnation of trade, thegeneral rise in prices, and, ^ in someparts, the scarcity of bread,"Our work is carried forward mainlyin the three stations of Larnaca, Nicosiaand Kyrenia,The Preaching has been done by

i68 OLiVE TREESMr, McCarroll and native helpers,with the others doing what they couldas lay-preachers. Regular servicesevery Sabbath are held in Larnaca andNicosia, After the August vacationMr." McCarroll spent a few days visitingthe villages in the Kyrenia district,accompanied by Licentiate Dimitriades.Retuming to Larnaca, hemade a trip to the Carpass, visiting 20or more villages, and travelling 160miles. Three communions were heldduring the year—^two in Nicosia andone at Larnaca.Mr. Dimitriades is stationed at Nicosiaand is an earnest preacher of thegospel. While five united with thechurch and one was reinstated at Larnaca,through defection and removal,there was a net decrease of one. Thepresent church membership in Cyprusis 38,There are noiv three schools in Larnaca,one for girls, and boys too smaflto enter the Academy, having been theology and medicine.opened in the autumn, and one for Dr. Robb, although having the managementof the training school, wassmall Armenian chfldren (mostly ofparents connected with the church), the moderator of the session and actingpastor of the congregation at Takhaving been started this spring. LastJune there were 10 graduates from Hing, and had charge of the citythe academy. In September the school chapel and the country chapels atopened with the largest enrollment in Tung On and Lin Tan. Since the departureof his brother, the Rev, J, K.its history. In all the schools therewas a total of 177 boys and girls under Robb, for the home land, Dr, RobbChristian instruction.was responsible for the preaching atGratitude is due to God for the safe Tak Hing, A part of this he did himselfwhile the students and licentiatesreturn to Cyprus of Mr, Charles A,Stewart, After spending last year at did the rest. Three communions werePrinceton, and the summer in Columbiastudying teaching methods, he sail­attendance and good interest are re­held in Tak Hing within the year. Faired for the field.Only after a perilous ported. The oversight of the workvoyage on the Sant' Anna did he reach and part of the preaching at the twoport in safety.out-stations fell to Dr, Robb. HeIn the Medical Work Dr, Calvin Mc­ "preached over fiftysermons in chapelsduring the year," Communion wasCarrofl is alone. He is both efficientin his profession and deeply interested held once at Tung On, There are noin evangelistic work. He reports religiousservices every Sabbath in Ni­The Rev. Mr. Kempf also served themembers yet in Lin Tan,cosia, with better attendance than mission in the dual capacity of teacherusual, and gospel services prior to each and preacher. With the removal ofclinic, "On these occasions the patientsMcCarroll's give respectful office treatments attention," num­Dr. tion fell to work Mr. at Kempf Do Sing, the entire Fung out-sta­Rev, Mr. Taggart to Lo Ting thereTsuen,bered 8437; his out-visits 360; and histrips to the viUages involving 558miles of travelling, 22, He sums up inthese words: "No notable results havefollowed the work of the year. Stillwe believe the leaven is working, andthat in time we shall see the effects inthe leavening of the mass."CHINAIn China the year has been one ofgreat encouragement and unprecedentedadvance. In all departmentsthere are results greater than those ofequal physical efforts in former years.This would seem to indicate the Spirit'sworking in mightier power.The Preaching.Dr. A, I. Robb, the Rev, Julius A.Kempf and the Rev. D, RaymondTaggart have represented the homechurch in this department in the yearnow closed. In this work they havehad the assistance of native evangelists,the licentiates and the students of

and the country north of Tak Hing,The measure of his responsibilitiescan in part be appreciated when it isnoted that, in addition to full servicein the Boys' School at Tak Hing, Mr,Kempf made four preaching trips toDo Sing, travelling 120 miles; one toFung Tsuen, travelling 60 miles; andthree to Ma Hui, travelling on foot 60miles; one to Kun Hui, 40 miles onfoot; one to Mo Tung, 28 miles afoot;one to Sun Hui, 20 miles on foot; andhng 80 miles on foot. Once he assisteding 80 miles on foot. Once he assistedMr. Taggart with a communion at DoSing and another time dispensed thecommunion there, assisted by the nativepreacher. Added to all, Mr.Kempf, in the Rev, J, K, Robb's absence,has acted as treasurer of theMission, and given part time to concreteconstruction work about the missioncompound.The Rev. D. Raymond Taggart wasappointed to Lo "Ting soon after theRev, E, C, Mitchell and Mrs. Mitcheflreturned to this country in the interestof the latter's health. With his famflyhe removed to that station in time forthe opening of the work in the autumn,and has proved a valuable addition tothe force in that important station,Mr, Taggart had charge of three chapels—^thatin Lo Ting, one in Lo Kingand one in Che Tsai,Special note should be made of theSpirit's working in Lo Ting, Early inthe year some measure of discouragementwas in the minds of the missionariesby reason of a seeming spiritualapathy and indifference among thepeople. For years the gospel had beenpreached by our brethren of the Christianand Missionary Alliance andthose who had not accepted had apparentlybecome hardened, "Educationalaristocracy," "non-observanceof the Sabbath," and "covetousness"were named by Mr. Taggart as contributingfactors in the unpromisingsituation. Yet after much prayer andconference a native evangelist, it was decided Pastor procure CheungOLIVE TREES 169Lap Tsoi—a man of peculiar gifts forsuch work, and hold an evangelisticcampaign, sending to the churches inAmerica an appeal for special prayer.In January the meetings were held,the Lo Ting Board of Trade loaningtheir silk market, rent free, for thepurpose. The annual meeting of themission and the native conferencewere held contemporaneously, thisbringing a large number of the missionariesfrom Tak Hing into co-operationwith the work. The campaignbegan Sabbath, January Oth, and culminatedwith the communion, whichwas dispensed on the following Sabbath,'Fovir preaching services, besidesa noon meeting, were held eachday from Sabbath until Wednesday,"Two sessions of the native conferencewere held each forenoon fromMonday until Thursday, Dr, Robb givinga Bible study at one of them." Asa result thousands were given a chanceto hear the gospel. More than 2000attended more than one session, 135signed cards as interested inquirers,18 from the Boys' Middle School, Oneof them has since received baptism,and fiveothers have asked to be baptized.At the communion following,six persons were received into thechurch, two of whom were broughtto a decision in the meetings.Thus was broken almost entirelywhat had appeared to be a hardeningindifference to the gospel. Leadingboys and teachers in the govemmentschools are now publicly committed toa study of the gospel. Their influenceamong a people, so responsive as theChinese to their leaders, makes thefuture, by the adding of our prayers,bright with promise.Of the Lo King station Mr, Taggartsaid even prior to the Lo Tingrevival, "This station has caught thespirit of advance, and are not onlyurging an extension of our workamong them, but are planning andundertaking great things for themselves.community They have for raised a library, over $800 and are the in

170 OLIVE TREESplanning to put $1000 into it. Theyare enlarging and repairing theirchapel, partly on borrowed money tobe sure, but the repairs are extensive.They are planning a two-teacherschool for advanced pupils, which isto be almost self-supporting. Theevangelist wfll teach the Bible in thisschool. Communions were held inMarch and December, There werefour accessions and one death, the wifeof the evangelist. Present membership27,"Equally encouraging is his statementof the situation at Che Tsai:"This station is in a small village.They have had no evangelist for severalyears, and moreover they havefurnished a very large percentage oftrained workers and a good manypupils for our schools, so that thestrength of the community is beingcontinually drawn away for work elsewhere.There was one baptism andone transferred to Lo Ting, Also oneinfant baptism,"The Preaching of the Native Evangelistsmust be included in any fairand complete account of this departmentof the work. Perhaps, in thefuture and fi-nalresults their effortsmust take an even larger place. Evennow the value of their consecratedservices is incalculable. Among theirown people, employing the nativespeech, having in all things the Chinesepoint of view, knowing theirevery prejudice, sharing their aspirations,and perfectly at home in thatindefinable thing, which, for wantof a better name, we call "habit ofthought," they can in closeness of personalcontact and effectiveness of personalappeal surpass the best foreignworkers. These native preachers andevangelists are working constantlythroughout the year. During the vacationmonths of July and August,when our missionaries are necessarilyat the coast separated from the work,these faithful seryants are in entireLord charge, and preaching Master, Dr, their Robb's newly-found studentspreached 114 sermons aside from theirwork during vacations. Quoting fromDr. Robb's report: "Every Tuesdayevening and Sabbath afternoon therenave been services in the chapel in thecity, two speaking at each service. Theattendance will average about 30, Itnas been a valuable exercise for thestudents and much knowledge hasOeen disseminated, Witli one or twoexceptions all nave preached twice betorethe Sabbatn congregation at thenome cnapel and have ior tne mostpart managed the prayer-meetings,cnoosing suDjects and leaders and takingan active part tnemseives. Theynave also taugnt in the babbath scfioolas called upon and some nave nad regularclasses, lhe students spent tnesummer vacation at the country chapels,working wnere possible with menaiready in the field,and for tne mostpart with evidence of acceptablework," Tung On and Lin Tan haveeach, under Dr. Robb's supervision,been in tne care of a native preacher.One, under Mr, Kempf, is stationed atDo Sing, Here also every Saturdayand Sabbath during the year clinicalwork and preaching were done by twohelpers from the hospital. At Ma Hui,in the judgment of Mr, Kempf, aboutthe most promising station north ofTak Hing, there was preaching by thestudents almost every Sabbath, Stiflanother evangelist is stationed at LoTing under the supervision of Mr,Taggart. Dr. Wright's male studentsin the medical class preached 100 timesin the year; and the female students.were regularly employed in the Sabbathschool work.Viewing the entire fieldin Chinaone fact marks notable advance,namely, fifteencommunions were dispensedwithin the year, whereas butthree were being dispensed annuallywhen one of the missionaries, mostrecently appointed, reached the field.It is the privilege of Synod and thechurch to recall and plead the promise:void, "My but word it shall not accomplish return unto me that

which I please, and it shall prosper inthe thing whereto I send it,"The Teaching.In this department the force fromthe home church the past year hascomprised J. M. Wright, M, D,, Dr, A.I, Robb, the Rev. Julius A, Kempf,Misses Rose A. Huston and Mary R,Adams, the Rev, D, Raymond Taggart,and Miss Ella Margaret Stewart,Mrs. Robb, Mrs, Wright, Mrs.Kempf and Mrs. Dickson, associatemissionaries, and Mrs. Doig have renderedvaluable assistance as departmentteachers. Perhaps in no previousyear in the history of the missionhas the school work been so successfuland far-reaching in its results.The Medical Training Class, conductedby our physicians in the GreggMemorial Hospital, has met a realneed. It promises to become a factorof importance in relieving the distressamong the multitudes of sufferers. Noless is it proving itself an efficientevangelizing agency, as the studentsnot only help preach the doctrineamong those who seek bodily relief inthe hospital, but cheerfully make tripsinto the country and among the villagesto hold cUnics and preach theglad tidings,"The hospital medical class has beencarried on during the year," says Dr.Wright, "and been a source of satisfactionand inspiration to us. Thenumber present consists of threeyoung men and two young women—two young women having dropped out,as they seemed not to have the properideal or ambition. Two hours a dayare given in teaching this class, bothby Dr. McBurney and myself. Sincethe Doctor returned on furlough Mrs.Wright has taken her time. The classthemselves spend one hour in reviewdaily, and one hour a day in Biblestudy and preparing for evangelisticwork. They do also the hospital workand never complain of hard and ofttimesa those spirit offensive under which their work, we care hope but some in reflects afl of show the toOLIVE TREES 171love of the Master whose work theyhumbly try to do. The class work isdaily begun by the reading of a portionof Scripture and a prayer, andthe endeavor is to teach them the highideal of their cafling and to take astheir example the Great Physician.They have now entered on the fourthand last year of the work, at the endof which they will be given a hospitalcertificate specifying the work doneand the studies taken,"In the Theological Training Schoolthere was a total of thirty-three weeksof school. In regular work there wasan enrollment of ten, and two othersattended recitations part time. Twostudents completed the prescribedcourse, one in July, the other in December.The course of study is bothliberal and practical, covering muchthe same branches and such trainingin homfletics and sermonizing aswould be pursued by students of theologyin the home land. The attendanceon classes was good, averagingfor the year better than 91 per cent.In the Boys' School at Tak Hing, thework was much the same as last year,Mr. Kempf is in charge, Mrs. A. I.Robb teaching arithmetic and Mrs,Kempf, English, A portion of eachday is given to Bible study. Sevenboys graduated January 28th, whenthe school closed for the Chinese NeyvYear, The Mayor of Tak Hing andthe Superintendent of governmentschools were present at the graduatingexercises and the former made an address.Four boys have entered theTheological School and two wifl teachin out-stations and one wifl spend anotheryear in Middle School studies,The six who enter active work wereeach supported during the schoolcourse by Ladies' Missionary Societies,Sabbath Schools or Christian EndeavorSocieties in this land.The Girls' School in Tak Hina wasunder the snlendid sunervision of MissRose A. Huston and Miss Mary R,year Adams, in the and school's this has history. been the The banner work

172 OLIVE TREEScovered thirty-five weeks and the totalenroflment was 52, Two of the oldergirls taught, one in a day school in DoSing and one at Lo Ting, "while othersdo teaching in the schools here atthe same time carrying on their fullwork in school," Mrs. Doig and Mrs.Kempf have taught needlework, Mrs.Wright, music; and Mrs, Robb, drawing.In addition to the governmentcourse of study, daily work in theBible is given, A meeting for prayerand Bible study is held Wednesdayafternoons; and a Christian Endeavormeeting each Sabbath evening ofwhich the girls have full charge. Aclass of older girls and women meetsSaturday to study the Sabbath Schoollesson. They take turns teaching theSabbath School classes and in reviewingthe previous week's lesson. Fivegirls have been married during theyear, only one of them to a Christian,The others could not join churchowing to the opposition of their husbands'people. One pupil, the cookand the school mother died during theyear.The Women's School in Tak Hingenrolled twelve regular pupils, althoughtwo of them were children. Allthe women are widows, some with children,and they are entirely dependentfor support on the school. One of thechild pupfls is a little motherless blindgirl who is being taught the Braillesystem. Only two in this school, arenot church members. Three were baptizedin the year. More time is givento Bible study than to any other subject.Besides their regular work, thepupils have done visiting in the homesof Tak Hing and the surroundingcountry, sometimes accompanied by amissionary, sometimes not. On Sabbathafternoons several gospel teamswent to different places to speak. OnWednesday afternoons and Sabbathevenings prayer meetings are held forthe women. Owing to lack of teachersno new schools have been opened.The one at Do Sing has done very goodwork in face of some opposition. Inall these schools some attention hasbeen given to industrial work. Matmaking, the principal industry opento the women, was largely impossiblethis year because the flood destroyedthe grass.Let a closing word be said touchingthe school work in Tak Hing, Theappeal of our missionaries to the homechurch is for an increasing volume ofprayer. Mention is made of the boys'school, in which "there are 67 pupflsand only 5 Christians! The graduatingclass last fafl were all Christiansbut one," With the large number ofnew pupils, "above afl things," they entreat,"urge the people of the church toPray."At Lo Ting we have a boys' school, agirls' school and some work among thewomen, and a Bible seller—our missionfurnishing the man and the managementand the British and ForeignBible Society providing for his support.The Boys' School, although not yetfully established, is reported by Mr,Taggart in the foflowing encouragingstatement: "The school has greatlyimproved this year over last, owingto the releasing of an incompetentteacher and taking the full time of onewho was giving part time to the worklast year. Of this one I am glad tosay that he is the best all-aroundChinese teacher that I have heard inthe class room. He is a Christian, andhas agreed to give his services a flttlecheaper than the usual rate for men ofhis class, so that no additional costwas involved in the change." One ofthe greatest present needs on the fieldis for a thoroughly competent teacherfor this school.Miss Ella Margaret Stewart is theefficient head of what is happily called"The True Road Girls' School" at LoTing. There were 54 day and fourboarding pupils enrolled, the highestnumber at any one time being 50,There are no professing Christiansamong them yet, only eight being oldenough to understand what change a

public profession of Christ shouldmake in their lives in non-Christianhomes. Three of these have expresseda desire to come into the church. Thetwo girl teachers for the firstthreegrades are from the Girls' School atTak Hing. An adjoining building hasbeen rented which, though neitherlarge nor well ventilated, increases theclass room capacity from 40 to 65,and furnishes sleeping rooms for theteachers and a helper.Miss Stewart reports the Women's'Work: "With the exception of the time1 was away at the coast, two women'smeetings have been held each week,one on Wednesday aftemoon and oneon Sabbath. The attendance variedfrom 150 to 8, A fair average wouldprobably be 25, It is hard for you inAmerica, where women enjoy the sameeducational advantages as men, torealize how difficult it is to hold theattention of a crowd of Chinese womenwho feel that they cannot be expectedto understand a public speaker, leastof afl, a foreigner. Many times onefinds a majority of the strangers discussingone's personal appearance andmanner of talking Chinese rather thanUstening to the message one longs forthem to hear and accept, I muSt confessthat such meetings are a severertask for the writer than any other shehas been called upon to perform," Thework of the native teachers sent toLo Ting by the Tak Hing School hasgreatly increased the popularity of theschool. "The instruction in needleworkgiven by Mrs, Dickson has alsobeen a strong element in maintainingthe reputation of the school, "Theopposition to our Bible course," continuesMiss Stewart, "is not so pronouncedas it was. People are beginningto inquire why our pupils receivemore individual attention thanthose of other schools. In fact, wedare to hope that the Master has beenhonored by what we have tried to doin His Name, Will you pray with usthat hearts enter He our and may school homes come and of and chapel all reign those gates?" in who theOLIVE TREES 173The Healing.With Dr, Kathryn W, McBurneyleaving the fieldearly last summer fora well-earned furlough in the homeland, the medical work has rested withDr, J, M, Wright at Tak Hing and Dr.E. J, M. Dickson at Lo Ting, Theyreceived some help from the medicalstudents.The constant endeavor in the medicaldepartment, Dr, Wright declares,is to "heal the sick and say unto them,the Kingdom of God is come nigh untoyou," In a land where almost unboundedignorance of modern medicalscience prevails and where the consequentsufferings of the people are wellnighindescribable, the ministry ofhealing is almost an end in itself. Yetthe aim is to make the healing of thebody a means to saving the soul. Inthe efforts to this end the church wiflbe most interested.The Gregg Memorial Hospital is thecentre of the work in the Tak Hingdistrict. There are two departments,one for men and one for women, Dr,Wright, who conducts the departmentfor men, says the same general principlesare carried out in the departmentfor women, "and while there isnot the quantity of work done as whenDr, McBurney is in charge, yet shehas left faithful co-workers in twoChinese women who strive to carry outthe work in the same finespirit, andwith the same high ideal in view,"Daily religious services are held inwhich Psalms are sung, Scriptures areread and explained and prayers areoffered. "In this we take turns withthe native co-workers, all of whom areearnest and faithful believers," Aweekly prayer meeting is held Wednesdayafternoons. Religious books,tracts, papers and leaflets are keptconstantly before the patients. In themedical class one hour daily is givento Bible study. "It affords us greatpleasure," says Dr, Wright, "to beable to say that nearly all who havebeen exnressed able to in the themselves gospel, hospital and as as patients not being a few favor­have of

174 OLIVE TREESthem have said they believe." Thehospital has been open all year, beingleft in charge of the students whilethe missionaries are at the coast onvacation.The work among lepers is donethrough Tai So of the woman's school.She carries them food and clothingand medicine, and gets their boatsmended. The mission hopes to do anincreasing work among these pooroutcasts, so unfortunate and helpless,many of whom are joining the church.The hospital distributed severalhundred anti-tuberculosis calendarsfor the China Commission on Hygieneand Sanitation; and translated severalarticles for the Chinese MedicalJournal, and distributed thousands ofleaflets and tracts. Dr. Wright, witha conspicuous aptitude for investigation,has specialized on tropical diseases,to the benefit of our mission andall missionaries laboring in those regions.By request he delivered fourlectures in the Kun Yee Medical Schoolin Canton. After the floods much reliefwork was done and many opportunitiesfor evangelistic work in visitingthe flooded districts were improved.In the men's department at the hospitalthere were 110 in-patients; 2200dispensary patients, 9000 treatments;72 operations, 59 out-calls, 38 trips toDo Sing, where dispensary was heldevery Saturday, followed by evangelisticservices on the Sabbath, Forthe woman's department the reportapproximates 476 patients, 304 newpatients and 4598 treatments.The Medical Work at Lo Ting is fastdeveloping under Dr. Dickson, althoughhe has not yet had sufficienttime on the fi.eldto perfect his use ofthe language. Clinic days have beenincreased from one to three. The dispensaryand boys' school are well locatedin an old temple, rent free,During the coming year it is hoped tohave a gospel service at each clinic,heretofore an impossibflity owing tounfamiliarity with the language. Ateach clinic portions of Scripture andtracts were sold to patients and invitationsextended to attend the chapelservices. One of the governmentschool teachers, who talks English,was of great assistance to Dr, Dicksonin giving health talks in the governmentmiddle schools; also in arrangingstreet meetings on Sabbath afternoons.The number of clinics duringthe year was 98; patients 1065; operations11,The future for the medical work inLo Ting looks bright, as indicated bythis paragraph from Dr, Dickson's report:"Last spring Dr, Wright paidus a visit and laid a plan before a fewof the native Christians whereby theymight manage and finance their ownhospital without asking for more fromthe home church than possibly theservices of foreign missionaries. Thisplan has been developing in the mindsof these men and at present it appearsthat an effort will be made during thecoming year to procure a site andbuilding for hosoital work," Recentletters indicate that land may soon beprocured for this project.A tabulation of statistics for theChina and Cyprus fields has been preparedand is herewith submitted. Weregret the inability of the missionariesin Latakia and Mersina to forwardstatistics for those centres. Ourhope is that in another year completetables may be submitted, showing witha good degree of accuracy the statusin each field.The Board reports to Synod itsaction in accepting the generous offerof Dr. Sommerville, who tenderedOlive Trees to the Board, It hasthus become the property of theChurch, and the Board proposes, withthe Synod's concurrence, to continueits pulolication as the official missionaryjournal. The Rev. McLeod M.Pearce. D. D., and the Rev. Robert A.Blair, M. A., have been appointed toedit and publish it. The Board heartilycommends Olive Trees to theChurch and earnestly solicits the co-

operation of each pastor and elderirirealizing what is to us the laudableambition of placing the magazine inevery home in the Covenanter Church.In closing the Board continues tocall for needed missionaries. Shouldthe war clouds in the Levant clearaway, we shall need an additional ministerand physician in the Latakia district,and another physician in Mersina;two trained nurses, one in Latakiaand one in Mersina; a short termteacher in the English school for boysin Mersina; and a young man shouldbe sent to Cyprus this coming autumnto teach in the academy.We are calling for trained teachersfor China. An imperative need is ayoung man, trained for teaching, totake charge of a boys' school in LoTing. We are stiU asking and prayingfor women to do evangelisticwork in China. There is an openingfor a trained nurse in the Gregg MemorialHospital. And there is an everwideningfield for ministers of thegospel to break new soil in the outlyingdistricts and to keep in touchwith those who have been more or lessdeeply impressed with the gospel inthe hospitals, the schools and thechapels. These retum to unbelievinghomes, one, two or even three days'journey from the present centres.There are in this country on enforcedfurlough from the Levant, theRev. Robert E. WiUson and wife, theRev. Samuel Edgar and wife, Dr. J.M. Balph and wife; Miss F, ElmaFrench and Miss M, Florence Mearns.By reason of iU health, Mrs. McCarroU,wife of the Rev. Walter McCarroUof Csrprus, was obUged to cometo America this spring.Of our missionaries to China theOLIVE TREES 175Rev. John K. Robb and wife; MissJennie M. Dean and Dr. Kathryn W.McBurney are home on furlough. TheRev, W. M. Robb and wife and theRev. E. C. Mitchell and wife, Dr. IdaM. Scott and Miss Annie J. Robinson,R, N,, are still providentially detainedfrom returning to the field.It is expectedby the time Synod is in sessionthe Rev. D. Raymond Taggart andfamily, and Miss Rose A. Huston wiUhave reached the home land on furlough.Providence permitting, the Rev.John K. Robb, the Rev. Wflliam M.Robb and family, the Rev, E, C, Mitchelland wife, Dr, Kathryn W, McBurneyand Miss Jennie M, Dean hope toreturn to China this autumn. Others,the Board expects, will be under appointmentby the time Synod meets, orsoon thereafter, and ready to go toChina within a few months.The Board asks for an appropriationof $25,000.00 for the Mission in theLevant and of $30,000.00 for that inChina.The time for which the Rev. R. C.Montgomery, D. D., S. A. S. Metheny,M. D., Mr. Wifliam G. Carson and Mr.Joseph M. Steele were appointed tothe Board has expired. Their successorsshould be chosen by Synod,In the name of the Board, respectfullysubmitted,SUPPOSEFindley M. Wilson,Suppose some one were to offer meCorresponding Secretary.a thousand dollars, fot every soul thatI might earnestly try to lead to Christ,would I endeavor to lead any moresouls to Him than I am endeavoring todo now? Is it possible that I wouldattempt to do for m^ney, even at therisk of blunders or ridicule, what Ihesitate or shrmk from doing now inobedience to God's command? Is mylove of money stronger than my loveof God or of souls? How feeble thenmy love of God! Perhaps this explainswhy I am not a soul-winner.

COMPARATIVE REPORT OF TREASURER OF FOREIGN MISSION BOARDLevant Mission, General FundChina Mission, General Fund .Levant Mission, Special Fund-Syrian $331.20Asia Minor 210,00Cyprus 485,00China 3,182,13We desire to call special attentionto the Comparative Financial Statementof our contributions to ForeignMission work. We want each memberof the church to realize that thework is his or hers, and that the responsibilityof each one is "As Godhas prospered him,"We are thankful that there is a balancein the General Fund of both theLevant and the China Mission Fields,This, however, is not due to our increasedliberality or any increase inour gifts, as you wifl notice, in comparingthe statement of receipts, thatthe contributions this year are.lessthan they were for the prece'dingyear, and the reason that we have abalance instead of a deficit is due tothe war conditions existing in theLevant Field, which have seriously interferedwith the Mission work, anddue to the fact that some of our missionworkers are at home because ofsickness or because of their inabilityto go back to their fieldsof labor, andwhile in the home land they are engagedin work, thus relieving theBoard of their support.For the coming year, we are askingfor appropriations on the basis ofour actual needs, as we see them today.For the Levant, we ask $25,-000.00, which is less than we asked forlast year. If the appeal eomes formore help later in the year, we shallbe obliged to ask you to contributean additional amount to the regularfunds, as we have done in the past.If the war comes to an end before theyear is out, we may find it necessary1914-1915Receipts, Payments,$27,42067 $29,096.26. 16,182.72 18,236.291914-1915Receipts. Payments.1915-1916Receipts. Payments.$25,732.70 $24,192,3714,571,99 12,714.191915-1916Receipts. Payments.$331,20 $2,926.82 $1,938.58210,00 3,117.28 2,660,00485.00 60,00 20.003,182.13 2,063.02 1,809,26to ask you to increase your gifts tothat fieldto meet the expense of sendingout our missionaries.For the China Mission Field we areasking $30,000,00, which is an increase.We are expecting a largegroup of missionaries to go to theChina Field this fall. The support ofthe missionaries now in the Field andthe new missionaries and of the developmentof their work in order tomake the best use of their lives inthat great and important Field, willcall for the full amount asked.We desire your earnest prayers andco-operation in behalf of your representativesin all the Fields and inseeking that the conditions in theLevant may soon be more favorable,!thus enabling our missionaries to re-jturn to their fieldsof labor, and thatwe may be willing to go in and possessthe great fieldsin the far East,iwhich are imploring our help.We rejoice to see the ever-increasingresponsibilities which are beingassumed by the native Chinese. Theyare proposing to erect and sustaintheir own hospital in Lo Ting, we tofurnish them only the medical force.We have the great opportunity of givingthem the knowledge of JesusChrist in all their spheres of life. Theday is fast approaching when Chinawifl not need our help nor want it.Today is the day of opportunity inChina, Our Field is far from beingoccupied.How much of consecrated life andconsecrated money are we going toput into China in the very near future.Jos. M, Steele.

oCD4oo09tsa ff sPStationsh3oHCentral04Stationsstationsin^3 *^MissionariesT a k H i n gDistrictPhysicians• • •• • •• • •10W i v e s^stationsin»0MT e a c h e r sL o T i n gDiatrict2 ' B • •Natiyeteachers2 : B * •* •LicentiateBenMissionariesBible w o m e n'riiICOO r d a i n e d m e nServants3kaPhysicians,m e nUsCommnnicantsphysicians, w o m e nIncreaseMSingle womenDecreasefcOW i v e s'•' -m ,•.-eoMC o m m u n i o n sNative forceoa*eoMSchoolstoLicentiatesP r i m a r yschoolsOlEvangelists,Native3Girls'schoolsPPOlenMIO'fcObalotocnMTeachers, men,NativeTeachers, women00_ - M _ J A c a dPapils00 G r e e kpupilsobsIO»^ts• ! M*--flM -MCOJ^rf^OOBible w o m e n a n d w o r k e r sC o m m u n i c a n t sesS3Syrianpupilso• *.M-flm P SIncreaseiSISISArmenian pupilsa^nirkish pupils300cnt^"*•rf^.M .OlSDecreaseA d u l tb a p t i s m sP 3J e w i s hpupilsB a p t i s m s ,childrenOMtO»^S a b b a t hSchoolsMedicaltreatments^ g :gsCOWCOO M C PPrimary schools, boysC OeeGOSMedicalvisitsM»|ktooa I P r i m a r y schools, girlso10h9IOMedicaltrips09lOIO10G r a m m a r schools, b o y s! 3Miles traveled00G r a m m a r schools, girls1£447 10s. 8d. Boardln^r D e p t• ^•iC / 3Theological students£242 7s. % d . Tuitionri''1POlOlMedicalstudents£100 Medical D e p t .O )W o m e n ' sschoolP£05 138. 6 % d . B o o k s , etc.£53 13s. Id. B e n triQQMbPsIS^3 g :2 S&w^ ^ $B o a r d i n g pupilsD a y pupilsP£10 13s. 3 % d . S a b b a t h Collection£584 16s. 2d. W a ^ e s (natives)'aV>tdS5•t>•1 ^gs^HospitalsNumber of bedsOperationsC / 3P(/>£453 2s. B o a r d i n g D e p t .£222 19s. 4 % d . School supplies£58 4s. 2 % d . Repairsm£10 13s. 3 % d . Collection A c c o u n t£17 16s. 6 % d . Bal. April, '15£314 Is. 2d. CollectedrOHH^»OQ; t^tw4f\.J2t^td•dotd -R\ oC nICOcn0000OlIO* •* •• •• IO: 8K "SCOOlCD00S' CT• COIn-patientsT r e a t m e n t sDispensariesIndividual out-patientsPopulation for w h i c h themission is responsibleoO1 ^1O• *£39 16s. Sd. Bain n e eField villages visitedgR£100 Mission TreaBUier1• '£8 15s. C h u r c h p o o r.Mi^2oo-.»MsM^-4CO**•• • - ••.-'••.• . •: • • -• • ."'•.•••••..••.; • • . •• • • , •*; - • . •. • • - •• • . •H e a r e r s d u r i n gvillage visitsPatients treated onvillage visitsvo£30 13s. Bible W o m a n'^.UIl£33 9s. 6)6 d. H e l p a n d repairs0se;;;;•-;••• 55• • ' • • 1 • t • • 1*^• - . - - . - . . • oC h u r c hexpensesa »£3 7s. 2d. T a x e s a n d insurance£12 lOs. M o t o r r«palr' ri-,a09\«I I ' • " ' 1 ' I * -M: : : : : • : ; : : 8F o r e i g nmissions£183 Medical supplies«'^: : : : : rf^: : : :' • • • • J(k» • •• • • • • O ' • • •Building a n d repairsCO• . . • ; to. ; ;. . . . ; M . ; . 55r• ' • • ' CO' • * McnEl' • ' cnoE d u c a t i o nSi*CO: : : ; m: : : : ^• • • • CO- ; - ; rj• ' ; • b * • • • to• • • • M * • ' • COMedicalw o r knotdMSiF l o o dreliefdH9O4%QQ-1CO• o ' S ' ' • . toSelf-support• * • •* \ - !- • . •:.e?** • M• • • 2 '* •CharityLibrary4

R. M. SOMMERVILLE, D. D. MRS. R, M. SOMMERVILLEDR. sommervillefounded " OUVE TREES andeditedilfor 29years.OLIVE TREESA Monthly Journal devoted to Missionary Work in the Reformed PresbyterianChurch, U, S, A,VOL XXX JULY-AUGUST, 1916 Nos. 7-8EDITORIALSThe key-word of the late meeting ofSynod was Surrender, Not surrenderto an enemy or a foreign foe but toour Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Asurrender which is Victory,A friend has kindty given us the fol-•lowing thoughts on thc subject of surrender.Surrender to the Lord Jesus Christsimply means giving onr whole selves,in every department of our lives, tothe Lord Jesus Christ, We intrust toHim our bodies, minds and souls. Wehold nothing back, Phillips Brookstook the fiveletters of the word faithand defined it in this Way, "Forsakingall I take Him!" We forsake everyambition, every selfish purpose, everyevil desire and on the other hand wegladly open our arms to everythingthe Lord may send, even though it maymean Umitation, pain, sickness, changeof location or occupation. We giveourselves into the keeping of the mercifuland powerful hands of Jesus andHe moulds our thoughts and activities.His power comes flooding into oursouls. It rescues us from the deadeningcontrol of sin. It relives us fromanxiety and worry. It gives new directionto our plans. We surrenderall to Jesus but in the surrender webecome freemen in Christ, There iswonderful peace in such a life and ourdead selves are quickened into newnessof life.What a change there would be inthe Covenanter church tf ministersand members would only enter intothis life of surrender. Prayer wouldbecome a delight since all antagonismwith the Lord would have vanishedand we were in perfect fellowship;there would be no more rancor orstrife in the meetings of Synod butthey would become love-feasts, a desiredrealization which this year'sSynod very nearly approached; personalwork would enter into its rightfulplace; we would be more loyal toChrist and His claims; contention incongregations would die out; the membershipwould grow; above all wewould be blessed with the benedictionand favor of God as individuals, asfamifles, as a Church,Surely this is a consummationgreatly to be desired. May we notmake it our prayer this Synodical yearthat we may be led into this surrenderedlife, that God may work Hiswill through us for our own growth ingrace and the glory and honor of Hi?own dear name and cause?

178 OLIVE TREESWe thank the Pastors and Agents that would be consumed in discussingfor their response to the Board's requestfor the names and addresses of We are glad that Olive Trees isit each year at Synod.those not taking Olive Trees, in order paying its own way, and even withthat a copy of the June number, containingthe Board's Annual Report to tion the outlook is bright for a self-the greatly increasing cost of produc­Synod, might be placed in their hands. supporting magazine.Almost without exception, there was The time needed to discuss Oliveexpressed surprise at the many who Trees each year in Synod will dependv/ere not taking the Missionary magazine,and the hope that these would all tion of the editors and also somewhatlargely upon the wisdom and discre­become subscribers and so keep in upon the exercise of the same qualitiesby those who may open discussionclose touch with our Mission work.There are about 2000 homes in the upon the floorof Synod,Church that do not take Olive Trees. The editors' desire is to conductWe would be glad if all of these would Olive Trees in a way in which littlesubscribe for Olive Trees for the remainderof the year. The price, SOc. will be necessary, but we hope to pre­or no discussion of the magazine itselfQuite a number already have.sent topics during the year along theWho will put Olive Trees into anotherCovenanter home?Stewardship and our responsibilityline of Personal Work, Bible Study,and opportunity for advancing theOn account of the great amount ofmaterial on hand and the fact thatsome vacation is desirable we are publishingJuly and August Olive Treesas a joint-number. September wifllikely be a little late, but it will containfresh and interesting material. Amongthe mahy good things will be a SpecialArticle on Mission Study by MissLouise Carson, who is at present attendingthe Mission Conference atSilver Bay.Olive Trees came in for a share ofthe discussion at Synod, Its goodwork was highly commended and itwas most heartily made the OfficialMissionary Magazine of our Church.A few doubted the wisdom of theBoard and Synod in taking the paperunder their control, for fear: First, ofthe expense, and, second, wf the timeKingdom, as will give Synod muchmaterial for both discussion andaction.During the discussion, on Synodtaking over Olive Trees a motion wasmade by Dr. D, B, Wilson that theEditors be directed to exclude fromits columns obituary notices, as aChurch Missionary Magazine shouldbe confined to that which concemedmission work. Several notices arepublished in this number as they werereceived prior to this action. Friendswill hereafter please bear this actionof Synod in mind.We hope all will read and re-readthe beautiful account of the Communionat Tak Hing, from the pen andheart of Dr, A. I. Robb, It came tous in the news from the Field Departmentfrom Mrs. Wilson, but afterreading it we feel that owing to itsparticular excellence it deserves unusualattention.

OLIVE TREES 170The foflowing was received from the On account of the illness of the Moderatorof the Scotch Church the open­Rev, Samuel Edgar:Wyman, Iowa, June 2. ing sermon of the late meeting ofEnclosed is the best note I have seen Synod in Glasgow was preached byfor many days from the Irish Church, Rev. James Martin, M. A. M. D., ofGive it a big place and congratulations Antiock, Syria,deep and warm in your Olive Trees,It is worthy of it.Lytle seems to be a fine man and isno mean man in scholarship. We rejoicefor the hope of tomorrow for theIrish brethren.REFORMED PRESBYTERIANThe Northern Presbytery held itsquarterly meeting on 3d inst,, at Ballymoney,Rev, A. Holmes presiding.In addition to routine business thePresbytery licensed three studentswho had completed their coflegecourses—Mr, David Calderwood, B.A,, Mr, Wm, Lytle, B, A., and Mr. J-McFaU, B. A. Mr. Lytle has been acceptedby the Foreign Mission Boardfor ordination to foreign mission workin Syria, and is about to enter on thestudy of Arabic in preparation forthis work.—British Weekly.Still great n e e dfor relief in S y r i aSend your moneyto M r . SteeleWe are rejoiced that in a time when 1 f^f\f\ A r r h ^trPPfthe P work in Syria Svria is especially darka l U W W AAI Ull OLH^CLnew recruit comes to the front. Mr.Lytle, Philadelphia we understand is to study, inpreparation for his work, under thedirection of Dr, Martin, the veteranmissionary of Antiock, Olive Treesextends its congratulations to ouryoung brother and to the Irish andScotch Churches and hopes that theway will soon open for Mr, Lytle tobegin work in Syria,

i8o OLIVE TREESIt was the general feeling that ourlate meeting of Synod was the best wehave ever had. The feeling of uanimityand brotherly love was stronglymarked. While perhaps no one thoughtthat every question was decided as hemight have wished, yet there was manifestin the discussion and settlementof every question a respect for theopinions of others and the feeling thatafter all the other person might beright and that whether we got ourway or not we were going in to do theother person's way to the best of ourability. This is the only attitudewhich will enable us to work harmoniously.The spirit of harmony and brotherlylove was brought about largely,we believe, through the prayer groups,A number of these were formed assoon as Synod met and at least eachmorning ministers and elders met andpoured out their hearts to God, in confessionof sin and seeking the indwellingof the Holy Spirit in all His fuflness.When men pray together withall their heart they are likely to worktogether with all their heart also.The spirit of unity was shown fromthe very first when Rev, J, K, Robb, ofour Mission in China, was elected asModerator, no other being proposed.Synod honored itself and the cause ofForeign Missions when it elected Mr,Robb, He was a most gracious andefficient Moderator.We are glad to give our readers Mr.Robb's picture and a message fromhim which comes all the stronger fromthe fact that it was written two yearsago. We came across this messagelately in September, 1914, OliveTrees. We would ask you to read it,prayerfufly keeping in mind the recentrevival at Lo Ting and the greatingathering at Tak Hing when 26were received into church fellowship.We are only seeing the firstfruitsof our labor and how much need therestill is that the longing of the Moderator'sheart be realized more andmore. The longing was intense twoyears ago and we are sure it has onlyincreased, in his heart and in thehearts of all. That souls may be addedto the Church not only abroad but alsoin the home land.MR. ROBB'S MESSAGERev, J, K, Robb, in his letter of June24, 1914, reminds the churches thatprayer for and in the Spirit is a pressingneed at home and abroad:The Synod will be a thing of thepast with you by this time, I amawaiting tidings of it with very greatimpatience, I never was so desirousof knowing what has been done as Iam this year. Not that I am inany degree apprehensive. There havebeen times when we waited for Synodnews with no small degree of apprehension,I am most happy to statethat, so far as I have heard any ofour people express themselves, all areagreed that there is no cause for misgiving,and great reason for expectinggood news, I am now anxious tohear, because I am expecting goodtidings, and am desirous of knowingjust how good they are. I would liketo see our Church make constantprayer for a large ingathering of converts,a large numerical increase inour membership, as a special manifestationof divine favor. Upon us asa Church rests the responsibility forthe evangelization of the world, justas it rests on other churches. ThatGod can use us to accomplish that endwe cannot doubt. That we have notbeen fulfilling His purpose as weshould, is also evident. He has been

lessing us as a Church, in many hnes.The grace of Christian liberahty hasbeen greatly developed during the lastdecade. Growth has been made .indifferent directions, afl indicative otthe fact that God is blessing us. Butwe have not measured up to the requirementwhen it comes to the matterof saving souls from death. The man-.ifestations of His presence at ourSynod last year, and which we ferventlyhope have been experienced thisRev. j. K. Robb,Tak Hing, China, Moderator of Synod, 1916.year again, indicate that He has awork for our Church yet to do. So ithas been bearing heavily on my mindfor some time now, that we ought toask Him definitely to use us in bringinggreat numbers of men and womeninto His Kingdom. Would you thmkit timely to urge this matter upon theChurch through the medium of OliveTrees? Let it be made the burden otour prayers this year. "God shall usbless, men shall Him fear."

184 OLIVE TREESday. The four men receive baptism.The story of the crucifixion is readfrom John, We are told how "suchan High Priest becomes us;" perfectin character, with a perfect offering,and of infinitely exalted standing beforeGod, Then the sacrament is explained,the people are led in self-examinationon the basis of the Catechismas to knowledge, faith, repentance,love and new obedience.Then to the tune "Lyon" the twentyfourthPsalm is sung and the tablesare quietly and orderly filled.Nearlyfifty are seated. The sacrament isadministered. To the tune "Laban"the forty-fifth Psalm leads them awayfrom the holy place of communion.Again and a third time the tables arefilled. Nine missionaries and a hundredand twenty-five of darker hue butof a like pure faith have sat with theMaster at the feast.In the afternoon a dozen are absent,holding a service in the city. The restlisten with attention while another licentiatewho has been absent manySabbaths holding service at otherplaces tells us how "we are not ourown" because Christ has bought us.The night brings another meetingwhen all the new confessors who canfind the time tell of the duty of lettingyour light shine. The students whohad no chance to speak said ninetyminutes was not too long.A later night we stand out on theriver bank, Afl have gone to theirhomes. The daily task is ours again.The wind fans our cheeks, as it blowsup the river. In a day or two one ofour number with others from Lo Tingwill go down the river around thebend out of sight, bound for the homeland. Thoughts are busy and heartstrings quiver, as the image of lovedones we, too, would like to see, risesbefore us. But we speak of the communion.We remember the backsliderwho came back as soon as we showedGod we really wanted him. We speakof others who came when we carriedthe "glad news" to them instead ofwaiting for them to come for it. Wewonder what will come to these goingback to face the world as bearers ofHis name.The rippling waves flick back thefading light. In the western sky thenew moon and Venus blaze in silverglory. Night has fallen in a moment.The Southern Cross looks over themountain range. Overhead the myriadstars pierce the sky's black vefl.Somehow God seems here. His worksof glory are around us. His peace isin our hearts and a great joy. Refreshedby the breath of the river, weturn to our homes, thankful that inour approach to holy things, and inthe in-gathering of these preciouslives, we have had a far brighterglimpse of His glory than this tropicalnight.And we kneel at our family altarsfor worship and commend these, hislittle ones, to the Shepherd's tendercare, and claim a like care for theseour companions, in their journeyacross the deep.Infinite privilege! To claim God'sresources."Workers to­Unspeakable honor!gether with God."Opportunities for mission work inJapan are so great that the Protestantmissions have united in a call for fourhundred. and seventy-four new missionaries.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ONFOREIGN MISSIONS.OlIVe TkEES 185Your committee would respectfully church be overlooked of God's providencein depleting the ranks of thereport: Two papers have been placedin our hands. First, the report of the missionaries for various reasons.minutes of the Commission in China. Again, we wish to commend theAs the minutes of the Commission Board of Foreign Missions for placingwere not before us we have no cornwerenot before us, we have no com­magazine, the Olive Trees. By thisin the hands of the Synod our missionment upon them, only to say that means this paper, which has so longthey are, as far as we could judge been edited by one of the members ofby the report, to be embodied in the the Board now retired, is perpetuated.minutes of this court.Second, the Report of the Board ofForeign Missions. We desire to caflyour attention to the following factsregarding this report:First of afl, to the exceflence of thereport. It has been so prepared asto be understood not only by the informedbut by the uninformed. Notonly by the older in the Church but bythe younger. It can be read with interestby the children. And it is notonly simple in language but fufl andinteresting.It should be noted that in spite ofthe war in Europe and Asia, much ofthe work in the missions in Levant isbeing prosecuted with some vigor. Welament that there are very meagrereports from our work in the AsiaMinor and Syria fields. We regretthat so many of our missionarieshave been detained at home whenthey are so much needed abroad.The multiplied duties and burdensdue to isolation of the workers hasworked much hardship upon thosewho are still in the field. The self-sacrificeof those whose furloughs are duethis year, and who have expressedtheir willingness to stay on the fieldfor the present, for the sake of thework should not be forgotten by thechurch. Nor should the lesson to theIt is noted with great satisfactionthat the mission in China is reachingout as never before and grasping theopportunities presented. The largenumber who have been led to Christindicates the working of the Spirit ingreater measure, the open hearts, theincreasing missionary zeal. It is commendablethat the native church isbecoming more active and they arebeginping to undertake the erectionof tfe&ir own buildings, in some sections,the work of the ministry, evangelismand teaching, for their ownpeople. We believe that the work ofthe past year in evangelism is a decidedstep in advance, in that a nativeevangelist was looked to largely todo the preaching in the services atLo Ting and that the church in Chinais looking forward more each year tobecoming self-supporting. We againemphasize the need of prayer for ourwork in the out-stations of thechurch; the need for greater consecrationof children and money toChrist. The church should not forgetto study carefully the excellentchart submitted by the Board so asto acquaint themselves with ourmissions.

i88 OLIVE TREESity. Her father joined her and hereshe lived until 1888 when she removedto Parnassus. In the fafl of 1890 shemoved to Beaver Falls, where she liveduntfl 1898, when she went to Coloradoto join her daughter and her son, C.R. After the death of the latter in1908, the daughter having died in1902, she returned to Pennsylvania,and in June, 1910, became an inmateof the Aged Peoples' Home.But there were more changes in herlife than those of dwelling place. Whileon her voyage home to the UnitedStates in 1865, her mother, her youngestsister, and the infant of anothersister died of dysentery, and her firstexperience on arrival was of bereavement.In February, 1879, her eldestdaughter, a remarkably lovely girl,who had almost completed her twentyfirstyear, died of tuberculosis. Thenext great change was the departureof her eldest son to Syria as missionaryphysician. Four years later hereturned bringing to her his motherlessboy, whom he left in her care. Inreturning to the field,as all the churchknows, he was drowned off the coast ofSpain. In March of the following yearhis boy died of spinal meningitis. In1890 her second son went as a missionaryto Asia Minor, In 1896 the thirdson completed his medical course andoffered himself for Cyprus. Duringthe summer he went with a corps ofcivfl engineers to Central America,Two weeks before the work was completedhe was stricken with yellowfever and died there. In 1899 heryoungest son was appointed to theSyrian field. Her youngest daughter,who had been a successful teacher,both in Pennsylvania and in Colorado,died at La Junta, March, 1902. Mrs.Dodds made her home with ,her sonC, R, and his wife until the death ofthe former in 1908, Only two wereleft of the seven children whom shehad brought from Syria,Such a series of trials might havebroken the spirit and made her an unhappyand gloomy woman. This wasnot the case. Every one who visitedher can testify to her uniform cheerfulness.Her life was one of vicissitudes.Of an even temper and contenteddisposition she was neverknown to complain. All her friendswitness to her amiability and her enjoymentof the privileges of the Home.Her many bereavements were bornewith Christian fortitude. Her recordis remarkable; three sons in the foreignfield,their terms of service addedto her own fourteen making forty-fouryears of service in her own immediatefamily; adding her husband's fourteengives fifty-eight; a third son ready andwilling for the foreign field whencalled higher. The two sons who remainare both pastors of Covenantercongregations.So long as she was able to read andsew she kept busy. In 1912 she hada slight stroke which affected her• speech, and made conversation painfulboth to herself and to those who talkedwith her. I do not think her mindwas affected, for she enjoyed havingone tell her all the news, and apparentlyunderstood all that was said; butshe was unable to co-ordinate herwords so as to answer connectedly andthis annoyed her. This trouble increased,and by and by she seemed tobe confused as to the identity of herfriends and relatives. In December,1915, she had another stroke which affectedthe whole left side, and, made

speech almost impossible. She wasconfined to her bed and under the careof a nurse until her release came at6.45 A, M,, June 15, 1916,1 wish some one else might tell ofthe services and the concourse offriends present on the following day,I fear lest I exceed the space allotedto me. At 1,30 P, M, a number offriends took the train at Union Depotfor Carver's Ferry in WestmorelandCounty, the nearest station to the cemeteryat the old Brookland graveyard,the burying place of her husband'speople. As the carriages wound upthe long steep hill the rain began tofall, and increased in volume till at thecemetery it was pouring, A numberof friends had assembled for a lastlook. It was still raining heavily whilethe coffin was lowered into the grave,and during the short service conductedby Rev, Robert Park. Providentiallyher two sons had come on from Synodand were there. I remarked that itseemed more like a bridal than afuneral. So long had the spirit beenimprisoned in the body with all theflavor of life lacking that her deathwas like the freeing of Lazarus fromthe hampering graveclothes. Aftermore than eighty-two years of life onearth she had entered into life eternal.Thirty-seven years ago we laid Luluthere in the deep snow, now themother sleeps beside her daughter,and her flttle grandson. Scattered family!Some in Colorado, one in theOrient, one in the deep sea, and thesehere. I could but think of Bunyan'spilgrims waiting by the river, till theturn of each to cross over shouldcome, and of the joyous welcome thatawaited them on the other side. Happythe mother the most of whose childrenare there to greet her!Mary E. Methbny.OLIVE TREES 189The Woman's Missionary Society ofClarinda congregation desire to place onrecord a tribute of love and respect to thememory of Mrs, Elizabeth Scholes, who enteredinto rest April 12, 1916.Mrs. Scholes took a deep interest in thework of our society, but on account of beinga cripple caused by a fall, she enduredmuch bodily suffering, and was not able toattend many of our meetings. Her husbandhad been accidentally killed about threeyears ago, but Mrs. Scholes never uttered aword of complaint. No one will be missedfrom our church more than Mr, and Mrs.Scholes, as their seat was never vacant iftheir health permitted their attendance. Mrs.Scholes was naturally of a cheerful, sunnydisposition and bore her sufferings withgreat patience. She always had a smile foreveryone, and said, "Our Heavenly Fatherknows what is best." Old and young alikeenjoyed being in their home. They weregood company for the older and could alsoshare in the fun of the younger.To her sorrowing loved ones we extendour heartfelt sympathy and commend themto the care of Him who makes no mistakes.COMMITTEE.RESOLUTIONS ON THE DEATHOF ALEXANDER McCONAHYWhereas, It has pleased our HeavenlyPather to remove from our midst the seniormember of this court, Alexander McConahy;be it resolved,First—That we recognize the sovereignright of God to dp as seemeth good to Him.Second—That realizing his great worthas a member of this court we express ourappreciation of his character and a sinceresense of loss in his passing.Third—That we be admonished by hisdeath to be more earnest and zealous in theMaster's work, knowing that we, too, mustgive an account of our stewardship.Fourth—That we extend our sympathyto the bereaved family and commend themto the love and care of our Heavenly Fatherwho earnestly desires us to cast our burdensupon Him.Session of the R. P. Church of Princeton,Indiana.

igo OLIVE TREESA TRIBUTE BY A FELLOW-WORKERMy firstmeeting with Rev, J, BoggsDodds was about 1891. My firstimpressionwas, "here is a man out forwork." I have been more or less intouch with his life ever since and havenever had cause to change my opinion.He was always out on work for theMaster, Always too busy with thepresent to worry about the future.His firstpastorate was at Olathe,Kansas, where he gave great satisfactionfor the short time he was there.About that time the Church had beencalling for over a year for a ministerand doctor for Syria or Cyprus, Afterwaiting for others to go my wife andI decided to offer for the service. Iwent down to talk to Mr. Dodds aboutit, I found him in the barn. WhenI told him our decision he grabbed myhand and said: "You are the man Ihave been looking for. We will go together,"and he asked me to join himin prayer there on that barn floor. Heand Mrs. Dodds left that fall and wewent the next summer, as soon as wecould get ready.Mr. Dodds inspired all with whomhe met to a better life and service. Wewere together in the Suadea fieldforthree years, after which we weretransferred to Cyprus. Many of ourhappiest days spent in mission workwere passed at Suadea. He was a manwell fittedfor work among the poorand down-trodden for whom he alwayshad a tender heart and was ever readyto talk over their troubles and pointthem to a better way of life and helprelieve their distress. He had strongconvictions and a determined purposeto follow to the end what he believedto be the right, yet ever ready to considerthe views of others. Only thosewith such strength of character canstand the strain of mission field.Our families lived in the same buildingsduring our stay in Suadea. Wehad times of joy and also of sorrow.We had entertainments for the childrenof the school in our homes andwe trimmed little coffins, but in allMr. Dodds helped us to look, to thehand above and to trust the everlastingarms. After about ten years of servicehe was compelled for reasons ofhealth to give up the mission field.This providence of God is just as mysteriousas why he called him homefrom Greeley where he was in themidst of a great work.His work in the mission field is amatter of history and yet present inthe minds of many of us. His worksince coming home is known to thechurch. He had been in Greeley onlya short time but had become a powerthere for good. What I saw and heardfrom people out of our Church, as wellas in it, on my short visit to Greeleyto take a last look at the form of abrother we loved, impels me to say amighty man has fallen and a princehas been called home.WOMEN OFW.THEM. Moore,WORLDM. D,Christian 238,000,000Pagan 69,000,000Confucian 128,000,000Hindu 95,000,000Buddhist 73,000,000Mohammedan 100,000,000"To these 500,000,000 of women,only women can go. They are inharem and zenana; they are field laborersand burden bearers; they arecaste-bound and foot-bound and soulbond,in a bondage that you whobreathe this free air cannot understand.Who will go and tefl them ofthe world's Saviour, woman's bestFriend?"

The L. M. S. of the Evans congregationhave held eleven regular meetings duringthe year beginning May, 1915. Fourteenwere enrolled as members, and the averageattendance was nine.The society completed the study of Dr.Bolph's book, "Fifty Years of Mission Workin Syria." Our corresponding secretary,Mrs. Blackwood, conducted the study. Sixall-day meetings were held; the work consistedof sewing carpet rags for the IndianMission, also a black quilt was made andsent to the Aged People's Home.The society will take up the study of"The King's Highway" for the coming year.At our May meeting the following officerswere elected: President, Mrs. Jas. Beattie;vice president, Mrs. McBurney; recordingsecretary, Mrs. Grant; corresponding secretary,Mrs. Blackwood; treasurer, Mrs. JohnBeattie.Respectfully submitted,MRS. JAMES BEATTIE,President.MRS. GRANT,Secretary.OLIVE TREES 191Treasurer's Report of the L. M. S., of achievement. Khama and his peopleEvans, Colorado, for the year. May 1, 1915,to May 1, 1916:RECEIPTS.Balance on hand $ -06Dues for year 12.30Donations 14.10Received for work 4.10Total $30.56DISBURSEMENTS.Southern Missions $5.00Syrian Relief Fund 10.00Church expense 5.00Rugs (for Indian Missions) 2.10Postage and freight 2.41Work 1-80Aged People's Home (through quilt). .85Total $27.16Total receipts $30.56Total disbursements 27.16Balance on hand $3-40Respectfully submitted,MRS. J. F. BEATTIE,Treasurer,The W. M. S. of the Cincinnati congregationdesire to record their sincere appreciationand admiration of the faithful, capableservice of the late Miss Mattie R.Wylie, in her work in the Syrian Mission.We pray that we may follow her examplein more vital interest and active support inthe work of the Master among the unsaved."Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord,that they may rest from their labors, andtheir works do follow them."THE COMMITTEE.KING KHAMA'S NEW CHURCHThere have been few more strikingscenes in the native life of SouthAfrica than the opening of the newchurch at Seruwe, the capital of ChiefKhama's country.This Christian chief, who is now inhis eightieth year, has long been heldin high esteem by the British Government,but many feel that the completionof this church is his greatesthave been concentrating their energiesfor years upon the huge undertakingof building the church. It isbuilt of reddish limestone, quarriedfrom the surrounding hifls, and standsalone on a prominent rise at the southernend of the town.The opening ceremony was performedby the Resident Commissionerof the Beehuanaland Proctorate, andthere were from 200 to 300 whitepeople present, many having comefrom long distances in order to bethere. The natives in the audiencemust have numbered from 10,000 to15,000. After a religious service inthe buflding. Chief Khama presentedthe key to representatives of the LondonMissionary Society.—The MissionaryReview of the World.The Foreign Mission Board, whichheld its regular meetings bi-monthlyon the last Tuesday of the month, haschanged to the second Tuesday of themonth.

192 OLIVE TREESAPACHE, OKLAHOMA.H O M E IVIISSION FIELDSchool closed at the Mission on Maythe 16th. That was a week earlier thanwas firstplanned. It was to have goneontill the 24th, but Miss Wilson, whohad charge of the cooking this lastwinter, was cafled home on account ofthe sickness of her sister;. also two orthree of the children took the measles,so it was thought best to close schooland all the children were sent homeexcept the sick ones.Miss Wilson is expected to return tothe Mission some time this month.Miss Blackwood has stayed over totake her place until her return.After the children leave for theirhomes the quiet about the Missiongrounds is almost oppressive for awhile. Like all lively children theyplay with all their might.Last week there was a funeral.Patrick, a son of Weruqi, was buriedbeside the graves of four others of thatfamily who have passed away withina few years. They had all been schoolchildren here except this one, who wasnot old enough to enter yet. Therewas great wailing at the grave. Thefather is not a Christian, and thefriends who gathered were connectedvery intimately with the old road andso foflowed the old custom.All our hearts are rejoiced by thetranslation of two new Psalms by Yellowfishand his sons. Wednesday thePrayer Meeting was led by Yellowfishand the subject was the "Lord's MyShepherd." He explained it out veryfully, and then they sang it in Comanche.He had called for the singingof it in English first.In the course ofthe meeting they also sang the oldComanche Psalm (71: 1-2-17-18) andat the close he explained and sang thethird one that they have finished.Psalm 134. He also announced it to besung in English, which was done. TheIndians will soon get the Comanchewords so they will be able to sing togetherand then the Psalms will meanso much more to them.Another worker has been added tothe list at the Mission. His name isHarold Foster Thompson, He is inexperiencedas yet but is learning fast.PHILADELPHIAThe work at the Mission is of rathera scattering nature during the summer.Quite a number of our Italianfamilies have gone to the country,Mrs, Peebles and her daughter havetaken three of our brightest girls toNorthfield again for two months.Friends in Philadelphia have kindlyprovided for the board and travelingexpenses.Miss Forsyth has already sent twomothers and six chfldren to the countryfor a week, through the CountryWeek Association; and about fourteenboys and girls, for two weeks, throughthe kindness of the Bedford StreetMission, Mrs, Dodds, of our FirstChurch, has charge of the boys' campfor the Bedford street work.We hope to send others later. Thisopportunity in the country not onlyhelps them physically but also showsChristianity at work. It is encouragingto see Jewish fathers and mothers,even in the face of jeers andthreats, handing over their chfldren,with confidence, to the care of ChristianGentiles.Miss Emma McFarland, who wasformerly in our Indian Mission andwho has just finished,in the Universityof Pittsburgh, a special course ofstudy and practical work, dealing especiallywith the Foreign problem,will work in our Mission for twomonths during the vacation period ofthe regular missionaries.

OLiVE TREES i9iSPECIALARTICLESTHE RELATION OF THE WAR,UNDER CHRIST, WITH THEEVANGELIZATION OF THEWORLD.*By Rev, j. M, Coleman, D. D,One of the earliest facts in humanhistory is the advent of sin, andthrough it man lost communion withGod above him, with the earth beneathhim, with his fellows about him.Somewhere toward the end ofhuman history the announcement willbe made, "The kingdoms of this worldare become the kingdom of our Lordand of his Christ," Between these twofar-separated events comes in man'ssocial redemption through which bythe grace of God he regains communionwith God, with nature and withhis feflow-men, I need scarcely say toyou that this is not brought about bymeans of resident forces from within.Man lost the power to rise when hehid himself from God. It is the workof transformation by the Holy Spiritcoming from without. What is, then,the connecting link which joins eventto event, epoch to epoch, and age toage? It is the blood red line of theredemptive work of Jesus Christ. Hethat has fafled to read that betweenthe lines of his history has missed itsmeaning. Through all the rise ofbloody empires and the reign of cruelkings, over all the unjust legislation incriminal and civil codes by which the*Given at the Foreign Mission Conferenceat the late meeting of Synod and requestedfor publication.weak are surrendered to the lust ofthe strong, over afl the records ofman's inhumanity to man there standsin words that burn "the blood of JesusChrist cleanses from afl sin." This isthe divine factor in redemptive work.But as there is the divine and thehuman in the Christ, so"there is, in thehistoric proeess, the world's evangelization.In this you and I here tonightin this modern Babylon, each has hispart. We are not sent out to win, butto witness; not to achieve but to surrenderto the Holy Spirit so that hecan do mighty works through us. Nowwhat is the relation of this greatestoutstanding fact of human history;the social redemption through worldevangelization to the war. That it, asan historic event of world significance,must have a relation is evident. Whatisit?I feel no divine call to prophecy tonight.I remember that the propheciesbefore the war have fafled. Germanyexpected to be in Paris in threeweeks; she expected disloyalty inCanada, in Australia, and especially inSouth Africa; she expected rebelhon inIreland, India, Egypt and Russia; sheexpected that through the proclamationof a Holy War, Mahommedanswould become a sword of flame as inearlier times. The Allies also hadtheir prophecies. They are not mentionednow. Men tefl us what willcome after the war. Some see the fallof Hohenzoflern, the debacle of mflitarism,the disintegration of Mohammedanism,the downfall of Catholicism,I shall not try to read the futurefor you tonight farther than revelationwarrants, but I would say this;

194 OLIVE TREESthat after all these things the war hasput a question mark.One fact is evident to me, and Ithink to you tonight, that there is andcan be no direct relation between thisworld war and world evangelization.The relation is indirect, the two eventsare opposed to each other.God can fashion tools for heavenlyservice by the firesof hell, but that isAlong with that denial of humanbrotherhood which is the essence ofmilitarism, goes its correlative, denialof the supremacy of God in human. affairs. We have here the roots of theUpas that is bearing fruit in Europe.Not only does war deny the fatherhoodof God and the brotherhood ofmen, but it also denies salvationan indirect method. He makes thethrough Jesus Christ. Salvation demandsrepentance, it requires forgiveness.wrath of men to praise him. That is"He that loves not his brotherindirect.whom he hath seen, how can he loveLet us keep in mind that war is aGod whom he hath not seen." Andsymptom. It is not the disease. Thatas men look across the shell sweptis why men have failed, in their plansfield, with eyes half sightless withof conferences and arbitration treaties,to get rid of war. They were try­fumes of gas, and nerves shatteredwith the awful strain of battle, doing to cure symptoms. The disease isthey see brothers coming with fixedunbelief in God and unbelief and suspicionas regards our feflow-men. Thatbayonet? War is a practical denialof the bases of evangelization.is what made this war. Not the takingof that worthless life at Sarajevo;But there is an element that iscommon to both. That element isnot the Kaiser, not the general staff.sacrifice. We are not hearing muchIt is social atheism. We have a goodfrom France, but the mothers andmany reasons for the irrational preparednessmovement in this country.daughters of that country are sufferingwordless agonies. They haveIts cause is social atheism. There hasgiven fathers and husbands and loversand sons and they are not shed­been an intellectual atheism in Germany,in America. In Germany it becamepractical atheism in the declaradingtears. In supreme sacrificewomen do not weep.tion of war. The Universities of Germany,her press, often her pulpitshave been undermining faith in ourIt takes sacrifice for world evangelizationand the work falters becausefellow-men. That is what our press, it is refused. For each day of thissometimes our pulpits, sometimes ourreligious papers are doing, underminingfaith in our fellow-men.war there is a cost of $80,000,000 andten thousand dead and wounded. Itcosts $8000 to put a man out of theChristianity was and is international.ranks. Men could kill their enemiesIt was intended to break theline of race. What the German schooldid, what our preparedness advocatesare trying to do here is to build upwith kindness for a tithe of thatamount.With that expenditure of men andmoney how long would it take torace prejudice, get us back in Judaism,evangelize the world? War is ato the hating of foreigners. matter of years. We mightcount

world evangelization by days if thatforce which is inspired to kfll wereinspired to save.Here is the point where the miraclemust be wrought, it is the world problem.Let me state it more clearly.Our question, the world's question,God's question is how to mobflize mento save as they have been mobilized tokill. How shall the sacrifice to kfllour enemies be turned into the sacrificeto save.You say this is impossible; then Isay the evangelization and redemptionof the world is impossible. Ourfirst issue as a church is in America.We do not have to choose the issue. Ithas been chosen and is thrusting itselfat us in each morning paper. It is theatheism of force, the social denial ofGod and humanity, which we callmflitarism in Europe, which we callhere preparedness. And we must rememberthat "this kind goeth out onlyby prayer and fasting." I believe inthe world redemption and thereforein the means to this end, the worldevangelization. War is based on unbeliefin God; we must defeat it bythe larger faith; war instills hatredof our fellows, we must destroy it bya larger love, War demands the sacrificeof life and means to slay; wemust transform that into a sacrificewhich knows no barrier of color, nogulf of race prejudice, no caste,no aristocracy. There can be onlyequality, democracy and brotherhoodaround the cross, I do not knowwhether Constantine at the MilvianBridge saw in the heavens the signof the cross and with it the sign, "Inhoc sig no vinces." I do know that inthat sign the individuals and the kingdomsmust and shall be won to theOLIVE TREES 195Christ, Men must turn from theatheism which puts its trust "In reekingtube and iron shard," Afl valiantdust that buflds on dust and guardingcafls not thee to guard.There is a higher call thd.n fatherlandto kill the stranger at the gates.It is, if need be, to die with Christfor him.GOD OVERRULES EVIL FORGOODIn the United Free Church Assembly,Sir, Andrew H. L. Fraser, a retiredAnglo-Indian ruler of high reputation,speaking on behalf of theForeign Mission Report, said thatwhile the population of India had increasedabout 7 per cent, in the lastdecade dealt with by the census, thenative Christians had increased by 34per cent, in the same period. He declaredthajt Indians were not such foolsas to think it was Christianity thathad brought Europe into the presentterrible condition. He quoted from aletter which he had received from oneof the greatest MahrattaBrahminstatesmen, who wrote: "What a wonderfulvindication of all you and othershave done in favor of religious educationin India is found in the politicalinternational situation which hasbeen produced in Europe by a nationalsystem of education which has repudiatedreligious obligations of nationallife and policy."—T/ie Reformed PresbyterianWitness.

196 OLIVE TREESHAS THE LORD JESUS GIVENABILITY TO THE COVEN­ANTER CHURCH EQUAL TOTHE TASK UNDERTAKEN?*By Rev. Delber H. Elliot,The answer depends on whetherthe Lord Jesus has given her the task.If she has taken it upon herself and isasking God to conform to a standardof her own, we must answer in thenegative. We cannot tell God whatwe have decided to do and expect Himto furnish the ability to do it.But if the Lord Jesus by His Spirithas given the task, we can answer inthe aflSirmative, for God never lays aresponsibility on His people withoutthe promise of the power to carry itout, "Go ye" could not be completewithout the corresponding "Lo, I amwith you always,"' We take it that the CovenanterChurch has been guided by the Spiritof God. We believe the Lord Jesushas laid before us a definite task in theevangelization of the world. And theLord Jesus never fails to furnish theability commensurate with the task,.Ability and responsibility are twothings which God has joined together.One thing is certain; we will be heldresponsible only to the extent of ourability.WHAT IS OUR TASK?God has led the Covenanter Churchinto two great centers in the foreignworld—one in Turkey, the other in*Given at the Foreign Mission Conferenceat the late meeting of Synod and requestedfor publication.China, In the one we have a parishof nearly a mfllion souls; in the othera district comprising nearly two million.Two and one-half or three millionsouls to be reached by a littlechurch with less than 10,000 members! It has been calculated that atleast one missionary should be sentabroad for every 25,000 of the unevangelized.This would mean thatfrom the church universal one missionarymust be sent for every 1000members at home.The Covenanter Church has thirtyforeign missionaries on salary or oneto every 315 at home. But to manour fields we need 90 missionariesmore. This would mean that every78 at home must send a missionaryabroad. Do we have the ability to dothat? We sent 350 picked men duringthe Civil War to help free one miflionslaves from temporal bondage. Is itless important that we free three millionsouls from spiritual bondage?The Covenanter Church has beengiven her share of the world's wealth.To keep our 120 missionaries in thefield we would need about $100,000 ayear besides fieldexpenses. We gave$4.49 a member last year, or eight andone-half cents a week, a little morethan a penny a day, inaking nearly$39,000 for foreign missions. Multiplythis by three and we would havesufficient funds to keep 120 workerson the field.Would it be unreasonable to supposethat the average annual incomeof the members of our church is $350a year? We could hardly live for lessand we are expected to tithe our living.If this is reasonable, we shouldhave about $330,000 of tithe money.It costs about $200,000 to support the

work at home. We should have leftfor foreign missions $130,000. Thisamount would support our 120 missionarieswith an average salary of$1000 and leave $10,000 to spare.Haven't we the ability to do that?WHAT CONSTITUTES ABILITY?OLIVE TREES 197At once we think of the Missionary the means they have, when they areMiracle and say "What are theseamong so many ?" A similar situationconfronted the disciples. Five thousandhungry people out in a desertplace and only fivebarley loaves andtwo small fisheswith which to feedthem! The disciples were unable tomeet it. Some said, "Send the multitudesaway." Philip suggested thatthe disciples buy bread, but that wasout of the question. Andrew pointingto the few loaves and fisheshinted thatthey might use what they had, "Butwhat are these among so many?"It is Christ that solves the problem.There are four factors in His solution.The firstis Obligation. He says "Giveye them to eat." There was the commissionthough it seemed an impossibility.The second was. Organization."Make the people sit down and theysat down in ranks, by hundreds andfifties." Here was an orderly arrangementby which the work of feedingwas to be properly distributed. Ourchurch has had proportioned, hershare of the world responsibility. Thethird is Consecration. Christ says,"Bring them hither to me" and Hetook the loaves and fishesand lookedup to heaven and blessed them. Thenthe flttlethat they had was more thansufficient to meet afl their needs. Thefourth was Distribution. "He gaveto the disciples and the disciples tothe multitude." They were to giveout just what Christ gave them. Thissums up the ability of the disciplesto feed the hungry multitude withlittle in sight with which to doit. First there was a band of consecratedmen who had received the commission.Then each took his share ofthe responsibility. Then Christ blessesready to use them. Then they distributeto others. The men, plus themeans, plus the Master, equaled theirabflity.The Covenanter Church has a fewmen, and she has some limited means,and she has Jesus Christ, and thatequals the ability to perform any taskthat the Lord Jesus lays upon her.But the battle is the Lord's, Whenthat sneering ship' master said toRobert Morrison as he embarked forChina: "So, Mr. Morrison, you expectto convert the Chinese do you?" Morrison'sreply was: "No, sir, I expectGod wifl." So if you ask whether wehave the ability to meet this task wereply, "No, sir, but Jesus Christ has,and we have Jesus Christ."HOW ARE WE MEASURING UP?The message that inspired Livingstoneto turn from China to Africawas in one sentence spoken by RobertMoffat. It was this, "I have some^times seen, in the morning sun, thesmoke of a thousand villages whereno missionary has ever been." Thereare 425 villages in Cyprus of whichour missionaries reach but thirty;4000 in Syria and we touch but thirtyof these!AbUity to handle our task does notmean that we are ready at this momentto walk out and capture 3,000,-000 souls for Christ. But it does mean

198 OLIVE TREESthat the resources for the task areplaced at our command. God did notbuild that railway through the CanadianRockies which half a centuryago would have been pronounced animpossibility. But He did place atman's command the resources- necessaryto do it. He provided for thescientific education of man.He hidin the earth the materials that mancould mine out for the construction ofthe great machinery by which theycould tunnel through the granite baseof some mountains and bridge togetherthe snowy peaks of others.God is not going to China and convert2,000,000 souls without the instrumentalityof men; but He hasplaced at our command the resourcesnecessary for the work. He hasopened the way of transportation. Heis making it possible for our sons anddaughters to get an education.Hehas given us the means of grace bywhich we can grow into men andwomen of God, He is handing us theSword of the Spirit, He has givenus the lever of prayer by which, ifplaced on the fulcrum of a holy life,we can move the world. The boundlesspower of the Holy Spirit is awaitingour call. That looks like abilityequal to the task.But how are we measuring up ? Arewe commanding the resources? Arewe as a church laying our sons anddaughters on the altar of service?Have we placed our wealth at the feetof Jesus? Are our people developingthe holy men and women of God, Arewe learning how to use the Sword ofthe Spirit? Are we moving the worldby prayer? Do we have the faith tocommand the Holy Spirit's power forservice? What we need today is tolearn how to discover and mine outthe resources of Jesus Christ.Our victory wfll depend on becomingfilledwith all the fullness of God."In a temperance fight in Texas someyears ago a liquor man made an addressin which he said: "We are boundto win. We have the law on our side.We have custom on our side; we havethe drinking men on our side, and wehave money on our side, and moneyis power, and don't you forget it."Soon after Francis E. Willard in thesame state delivered an address inwhich she said, "We are bound to win.We have aroused sentiment on ourside; we have sober men on our side;we have the women on our side; andwe have God on our side, and God ispower, and don't you forget it!"The Covenanter Church will meether task as soon as she can say: "Wehave a consecrated membership onour side; we have dedicated sons anddaughters on our side; we have apraying church on our side; and wehave God on our side, and God ispower!"We will see the sun rise of a newday as soon as we all can pray:Just help me surrender my life, dear Lord,My talents, my money and all.If you show me Thy willI will follow Thee still,I am ready to answer Thy call.Just tell me what You want me to do, deaLord,Just tell me what You want me to say.When You call me to goI will never say "No!"I will follow Thee wholly, today.

OLIVE TREES: 199N E W S FROM T H E FIELDEdited by Mrs. Findley M. Wilson, 2517 North Franklin Street,Philadelphia, Penna.We are glad to have items from eachstation, and especiafly glad that wehave heard from our missionaries atMersine and Latakia. Two communicationsfrom Rev. A. J. McFarlandwere received. One was written onMarch 2d, and the other on March17th, Dr. Stewart's letter bears thedate of April 15.* * *Latakia, Syria.—Dr. Stewart writes"I have just received yours of February17, 1916. Today received theChristian Nation of February 23d.No Olive Tree; since that for December.For prudential reasons our outsideschools are discontinued for the present,but, of course, the teachers cannotbe dropped at once. Many of themwfll continue to do Bible work. Theschool work here is in good shape, andwe expect to continue it until July 1stat least. All well to date."« 4c >NMersine, Asia Minor.—In his letterof March 17th, Rev. Mr. McFarlandsays: "Attendance at afl the serviceshas kept up well considering the enforcedabsence of many on account ofthe war. At the home station theaverage has been about sixty at themorning service and forty for theevening, at which we have been studyingtogether the Shorter Catechism,and about the same number at theWednesday prayer meeting. Abouttwo hundred are present at the chapelservice daily. In Tarsus the churchattendance has been about one hundredand twenty on the average. Theschool attendance is one hundred andtwenty.Communions have been held here,with thirty-three at the table; atTarsus there were twenty-six, and atAlexandretta,; where communion washeld on invitation of those in charge,twenty-three partook of the sacrament.In afl, the year has given us newappreciation of the 91st Psalm andother similar portions of the Woi'd,and we are very grateful for the intercessionsof the Church in our behalf,and, above all, to Him whose we areand whom we serve."* * *Larnaca, Cyprus.—Mrs. Walter Mc­Carroll, who retujned to America inpoor health, is with her friends onCollege Hifl, Beaver Falls. She is resting,and very slowly regaining herstrength. The two eldest children ofMr. and Mrs. McCarroll remained inSwitzerland, the younger ones returningwith their mother. The Boardhas granted Mr. McCarroll leave ofabsence from Cyprus for two monthsthis summer. He will spend the timewith his boys in Switzerland.The American Academy closed itswork in June. Mr. Dwight H. Conner,whose term of service has expired, hasbeen asked by the Board to remain inthe work another year. His decisionhas not as yet been received.* * *CHINALo Ting.—Rev. D. Raymond Taggartand Mrs. Taggart with their twolittle daughters arrived at VancouverTuesday, June 6th. They hastened

200 OLIVE TREESimmediately to the bedside of Mrs.Taggart's mother, Mrs. Jesse Wilson,at New Concord, Ohio. Mr. Taggartreturned to Synod at Chicago on Friday,June 9th. Mrs. Wilson was ableto recognize and converse with thetravelers. Her condition is unchangedexcept that she is growing weaker.Her daughters, Mrs. Taggart and Mrs.E, C, Mitchefl, also of Lo Ting, China,are in constant attendance on her asshe calmly and joyfully awaits thetime of her release,* * *Mrs, Mitchell is much improved inhealth and they expect to return toChina in the Fall,* * *Do Sing,—Writing on May 12th, Dr,A. I. Robb adds as a postscript to hisletter: "It is reported that nearly allour leper converts at Do Sing weremurdered by soldiers last Monday andtheir boats burned,"* * *Mrs, Kempf says that on April30th Mr, Kempf conducted communionservices in Do Sing. There were fifteenfrom the Do Sing congregationwho communed besides the ten leperson the river bank, who are mostanxious to hear the Word. There wasan accession of three, one of themfrom the Roman Catholic church.Some were prevented from coming onaccount of the disturbed condition inthe country.Tak Hing.—At the Spring communionnine missionaries and one hundredand twenty-five Chinese communed.This was the largest numberin their history. The total increasewas 26, of which 24 were by professionand baptism. Every institutionon the place contributed directly exceptthe Training School, where all areChristians. There was one from theWoman's School, fivefrom the Girls'School, and four from the Boys'School. Of these last, two were teachersand two pupils. The hospital contributedtwo and the rest were broughtin by evangelistic effort. Half of theseare city people of Tak Hing,* * *Miss Rose Huston, who sailed at thesame time as the Taggart family, arrivedsafely and was an interested attendantat Synod,* * *Dr. Wright sends the news from thehospital and gives the following items:"During the last month the Wednesdayafternoon prayer meeting in thehospital has been very wefl attended."* * *"Thus far during the year the inpatientshave been few, but all havedeclared themselves believers beforeleaving. This speaks well for thefaithful work of our native co-laborers.One woman patient was baptizedlast Saturday. Several had arrangedto appear for examination but werehindered by the state of unrest thatprevails in some localities, A Cheungpresented two of his converts whopassed an excellent examination andwere received,"* * *"The forces of the hospital andwoman's school have gone out into thecountry each Sabbath and have agoodly number of inquirers as a resultof their work,"* * *"A large concern having stores inCanton and Hong Kong, and which is

entirely Chinese, has in its Cantonbranch a Christian society which publishesits own paper devoted mainly tomatters pertaining to Christiar.ity,"* * *"Robbers are a disturbing factor inmany country places. We frequentlysee those who have not only lost theirgoods but have had some of the famflytaken for ransom or killed by theseoutlaws."* * *"Our flttle blind boy, Ned, has completedthe alphabet under Miss Huston'sinstruction. He was baptizedlast Saturday,"TAK HINGIn a private letter under date of March21 Dr. Wright gives this interesting statementof the work being done by the medicalstudents, who evidently love to tell the tidings:"The most of the hospital patientshave gone home on account of the threatenedrevolutionary trouble, and so we are havingmore time for class work. This year themembers of the class plan to go each Sabbathto some village to preach. On the firstSabbath of this month they talked to 120;on the second, to 210; on the third, to 230.at one place a school of 30 boys invited themto speak, and all expressed a desire to knowmore of the doctrine. They gave a fewcopies of gospels to the school, and willreturn next week to talk more with theboys. There are three young men and twoyoung women in the class. Two men andone woman go on this work every Sabbath,accompanied by a woman from the woman'sschool. One remains to care for the menpatients, and one to care for the womenpatients in the hospital. The patients arevery fond of talking machine music, andfrequently we borrow one and entertainthem for a time, after which they are alwaysin a much happier spirit."Gambling has recently been allowed,again, by the authorities. Many seem tohave gone wild over it. One man broughthis younger brother to have his eyes treated,They came several days' journey andOLIVE TREES 201brought with them $50—the proceeds ofthe sale of the younger man's wife. He saidthat the lady scolded him so much that hewas glad of the opportunity to sell her.The older brother went up street and fellin with gamblers and lost most of the money.He stole an umbrella to pawn and lost thismoney also. He stayed up street till allwere sleep in the hospital, and then camedown and got his brother out and left fortheir distant home. I felt real sorry to losethem, for the younger brother's eyes were insuch need of care that I fear he will permanentlylose his sight.''"The problem what to do with the leperwomen and girls is a trouble to us," saysDr. Wright. "There are no asylums forsuch • people, but the men can make a livingby begging. All are outcasts and a respectablewoman or girl prefers self-destructionwhen they know what is the trouble.We heard of a case where the fatherhired soldiers to dispatch his daughter, ashe thought it a more humane way than toturn her out of a home. The poor, unfortunategirl had once come to us for treatment.What brings it home is that theyoften bring them to us for finaldiagnosis,and to see if we have any way to help. Wehave tried to get the officials to give a plotof ground on which to build a home forsuch unfortunate people, but have succeededin getting only good promises, thus far."Some of these outcasts, without God andwithout hope in the world, are coming intothe light, accepting salvation (which willbe perfected, at least in the next world),and joining the church. Can't the peoplein They America have do caught something the "conference" more for them? spiritat the Gregg Memorial Hospital. It is agreat thing to inspire the natives with theidea of taking an ever larger part in theglorious task. That our missionaries arewide awake to the importance of this trainingof the Chinese themselves is manifestfrom these words of Dr. Wright: "We havethe class and hospital workers and some ofthe woman's school in for supper everymonth end, and afterwards hold a conferencein which plans for the coming monthare discussed, and the successes and failuresof the past month gone over. These things1're prayed over and wisdom asked for toguide in future efforts. Our motto for theyear is: 'And now abideth faith, hope, charity,these three; but the greatest of theseis charity.' "

202 OLIVE TREESFIELDREPORTSREPORT OF DR. C. McCARROLL During the past year the work was carriedon as usual, with a break of a fewFOR THE YEAR 1915.weeks last summer, when the family wentApril 15, 1916.to the hills, and I felt compelled, by reasonAnother year having been marked offof the unusual heat of last summerthe calendar by the passage of time, we and being afflicted with Job's physicalherewith submit to you a summary of that trouble and other reasons, to take a ratherwhich has been going on within our small longer vacation than usual. However, thefield of activity. As the year came to us statistics show that we have put in a ratherso it has left us, the quiet, dead centre of full year of work, and that, in spite of thethe hurricane of slaughter and destruction hard times and increased cost of living,with which we have been and are still surrounded.our receipts were nearly the same as thepreceding year. But on account of theWhile we are anxious for the safety ofthe lives of our fellow-missionaries in Turkeyand the hindrances to the work there,we are thankful that God has kept us allsafe from the fears and dangers that besetour less fortunate friends on the mainland.enormous increase in the price of drugs,especially quinine, which is the one thingneedful, the expenses are much higher thanformerly.Services were held regularly every Sabbathduring the year with rather a betteraverage attendance than before. Also theAside from some local manifestations usual services before beginning work eachthat our old adversary is still unchained clinic day were held as usual. On theseand working in the hearts of men and boys,the work has gone on much as in formeroccasions the patients give respectful attention.years.The last few days have brought us magnificentrains, the amount being quite un­No notable results have followed the workof the year. Still, we beheve that the usual for this time of year, and apparentlyleaven is working, and that in time we will insures a good wheat crop, so that the sufferingsof the poor will be somewhat re­see the effects in the leavening of themass.lieved after wheat harvest.We are evidently still regarded by some We are sorry to have to record the deathof the Greek leaders of thought as a dangerto the community, as we understand Mr. Dimitriades, who died in January afterof Doros', the oldest son of our evangelist,they frequently publish articles in the a short illness of acute nephritis. Whilenewspapers warning the people against us as we all grieve for his loss, still his death istrying to change the faith of "the poor not without fruit, as it led to a deepeninginnocents." We pay no attention to these of the spiritual life of our little circle, andattacks, but consider them as so much free espdcially that of the father, who nowadvertising. At. least the number of patientsis appa,rently not decreased by these has but one thought, that of saving souls.preaches with much more earnestness andarticles.Owing to the difficulty in keeping soul andbody together here in Cyprus, a considerablenumber of Cyproits went to AmericaREPORT OF REV. W. A. McCARthisspring to make their fortunes. WeROLL FOR THE YEAR 1915.hope that there they will learn that whichwe have been trying to teach them here—The return of April brings with it theduty of summarizing the work of the precedingwhat true Christianity is; and if theytwelve months, from which one some­should return to Cyprus in the course ola few years they may be the means ofturning their own people to righteousness.what shrinks, owing to the fact of alwayshaving practically the same thing to report.

As far as events connected with the greatconflict are concerned we are in the positionof those who can say, "Blessed are theywho have nothing to report," for here weenjoy absolute quiet, even to the verge ofstagnation.On April 4th of last year the sacramentof the Lord's Supper was observed in Nicosia,when twenty-two persons took theirseats at the Lord's Table. The presence ofthe Master was manifested in the unity anddesire of all present.The close of the school year was markedby the usual "closing exercises," when aelass of ten was graduated. This class containsflve Greeks, two Turks, one Armenianand the two sons of your senior missionary.The interest of the day was deepenedby a s^hort farewell address from Mr,R. E. Smith, whose three-year term of servicewas completed and who was about toreturn to the homeland to his studies inthe university. It was with regret we sawhim go, for he had endeared himself to allby his genial manners and evenness of temper.He sailed from here on June 26th oflast year. At the same time the family ofthe writer left for Switzerland.The failing health of Mrs. McCarrollseemed to make a change of climate imperative;and in view of the further educationof the children it appeared wise for the familyto go to Switzerland, where they wouldenjoy superior educational advantages andat the same time be within possible reachfrom Cyprus. Mrs. McCarroll, however, insteadof benefiting by the change, grewmuch worse and was compelled to go to asanitorium, where she has spent the pastthree months in the hope of regaining herhealth.After the breaking of so many ties thoseof us who remained behind had to keep asbusy as possible. The month of July wasspent in attending to some necessary repairsin the school. In the meantime your Nicosiaraisisonaries had established themselves onthe top of Froodos, where they were ableto accommodate some of the rest of theworkers for longer or shorter periods asproved convenient. The writer spent a fortnightthere during the firstpart of August,and then spent a few days visiting somevillages in Kyrenia district, accompanied byOLIVE TREES 203Licentiate Dimitriades, After returning toLarnaca a trip to the Curpass was plannedand carried out, in which some twenty ormore villages were visited, and about onehundred and sixty miles traveled.The school year of 1915-16 was timed tobegin on September 27th, and work wasbegun according to schedule, with the largestenrollment in the history of the schoolfor the opening day. Boys from differentdistricts came in as boarders in such numbersthat our boarding department wassoon crowded to its utmost capacity, thehigh-water mark being reached when thefiftieth boarder entered. This influx of newand large boys swamped the old elementthat had grown accustomed to our waysand methods, so that the assimilation ofthe new element was difflcult, and as a resultthe new element got out of control beforethe end of the flrst term. A crisis was precipitatedwhich resulted in the loss of sometwenty boys from the boarding department.This relieved the strain considerably for the"masters-on-duty," who have to rise withthe boys, superintend the study periods,morning, noon and night, keep order andpeace in the dining room and put the ruffiansnoiselessly to bed. After one day ofsuch strenuous duty the master is readyfor a "rest cure."Mr. C. A. Stewart, who had spent thepreceding year in Princeton, studying forhis M. A. degree, and the summer in Columbiataking a special course in the teachers'college, consented to step into thebreach made by the departure of Mr. R. E.Smith, and arrived here on October 9thafter an adventurous and perilous voyage onthe "Santa Anna," and a consequent delayof a week in Marseilles. We are gratefulto our Heavenly Father for His over-rulingprovidence, which brought your missionaryin safety to his destination and spared himin health and strength for his work here.The total enrollment in the academy forthe first two terms of the school year 1915-16 was 169. The number in actual attendanceon March 31st was 129.In the autumn it was decided to open agirls' school on a small scale, which wouldalso take in small boys too young to beaccepted in the academy. This school hasbeen carried on in the church building, and

204- OLIVE TREESin its way has been quite successful, a totalof thirty-five being under instruction. Atthe same time a small school for youngArmenian children, mostly of our ownchurch, was carried on in the same building,so that we have had one hundred andseventy-seven boys and girls instructed inthe truths of the Gospel. According to nationalitythere were 80 Greeks, 87 Syrians,27 Armenians, 23 Turks and 10 Jews.We find athletics necessary in order tokeep the boys busy when there are no lessonsand keep them out of mischief, so underthe efficient management of Messrs.Stewart and Conner our academy has beenable to give a good account of itself inhockey and football (association). The" 'Varsity Eleven'' succeeded in winning sixout of eleven games played in football duringthe winter. A very excellent track teamhas been developed in view of a dual meetwith the English school in Nicosia.On December 12th the sacrament of theLord's Supper was again observed in Nicosia.This Communion was in many respectsdisappointing, for only twelve personscommuned, some voluntarily abstaining,and others kept back owing to neglect •of the ordinances or dissensions amongthemselves. Two young men candidates formembership were put on further probationand advised to seek further instruction. Oneof them was a Turk and had been a studentin our school.After the winter holidays Communion washeld in Larnaca following special preparatoryservices. Five persons were receivedinto full membership and one reinstated.Twenty-three persons communed, includingthe missionaries.Seven names, on account of defection orremoval, were dropped from the roll ofmembers in Cyprus, leaving the total numberof members in full standing, thirtyeight,a net decrease of one.During the year Kyrenia was visited severaltimes and services held, both in Greekand English with the brethren there.The usual Sabbath services have beenmaintained in Nicosia and Larnaca. A Sabbathday's work is as follows: A class forthe study of the Catechism at 9 A. M.; anEnglish-Turkish preaching service at 10;Sabbath School at 3 in the school building,and a Greek-Turkish service at 4.80 inthe church; and in addition a service for theSyrians in one of their houses. Last ofall, an informal meeting with the boarderscloses the labors of the Sabbath.The cottage meetings among the Syrianshave been well attended and followed withmarked interest and attention. Whether theseed has fallen in stony or thorny soil andis already. withered or choked is hard tosay; but at any rate the seed is being sownand the harvest is in the hands of the Lord.The total number of Scriptures sold, distributedand given out amounts to 658, asfollows: 94 Bibles, 376 Testaments and188 Portions.The three-year term, for which your missionary,Mr. D. H. Conner, was appointed,expires in June, and as he is anxious to returnto the homeland, we are hoping thatyou vi?ill find a worthy successor to him ingood time.Cyprus, so far as the European conflict isconcerned, has remained linaffected by themovements of armies and the clash of arms,except for the stagnation in trade, the generalrise in prices, and in some parts thescarcity of bread. The reports of prosperityin America have drawn a considerable numberof men from Cyprus villages to try theirfortunes in the west.Abundant rains have just fallen, thus insuringa good harvest and a sufficient supplyof food for man and beast during thecoming year.We return thanks to the Giver of all goodfor all the beneflts with which He hascrowned our lives.REPORT OF MEDICAL WORK INLO TING FROM JANUARY 1,1915, TO JANUARY 1, 1916.By Dr. E. j, M. Dickson.At the beginning of the year 1915, inorder to meet the demands of patients andto increase the time for uninterrupted languagestudy, the number of clinic days wasincreased from one to three per week, andthis has been found to be more satisfactory.The Dispensary is located in the sameplace as last year, which is in an old templenear the principal gate of the city, and

for this we have no rent to pay. The helpconsists of one boy, who not only assists inthe dispensary work, but looks after theBoys' School, which is in the same building.The location is good, but the buildingis hardly large enough to house bothinstitutions properly.At each clinic day during the year portionsof Scripture and tracts have been soldor distributed to the patients and invitationsextended to attend the chapel services.During the coming year we hope toenlarge on this work and have a serviceconducted at each clinic. This will be possible,as I will be more familiar with thelanguage and I will have the help of mydispensary assistant, who has become aChristian during the past year.Last spring Dr. Wright paid us a visitand laid a plan before a few of the nativeChristians whereby they might manage andfinance their own hospital without askingfor more from the home church than possiblythe services of foreign physicians. Thisplan has been developing in the minds ofthese men, and at present it appears thatan effort will be made during the comingyear to procure a site and building for hospitalwork.During the first six months of the yearone of the government school teachers whocould talk English was of great assistanceto me. With his services as interpreter Iwas able to accept several invitations to givetalks on health in the government middleschool. He was also of valuable help inarranging street meetings, which were heldin diflerent sections of the city on Sabbathafternoons.Part of the month of July, during theWest River flood, I spent in Tak Hing. Thelast week in July until the first week ofSeptember was spent in the Canton Hospital.The months of September and Octoberdevoted altogether to language studyat Cheung Chau, hoping in this way to geta better opportunity to increase my knowledgeof Cantonese.STATISTICS OF LO TING DISPEN­SARY.Number of clinics 98Number of patients treated 1065Number of operationsHBalance on hand January 1, 1915 $45.70Received for medicine and fees 191.02$236.72Paid for medicine and supplies ... 180.02Balance on hand (local currency), $56.70OLIVE TREES 205REPORT OF THE GIRLS' SCHOOLAT LO TING FROM JANUARY1, 1915, TO JANUARY 1, 1916.By Ella Margaret Stewart.Another year's work is completed, andyet not completed either, as the hardest partis now before us; that is, to write a trueand clear report, so that you may see mydepartment just as it is in both its discouragingand encouraging features.Years ago I read Sheldon's "What WouldJesus Do?" The repeated interrogationmade a lasting impression. As a representativeof the church at home I often askmyself, "What do you suppose the Boardand others who are sacrificing to furnishthe funds for the field would do in thiscase?" Many times I do not know, and itwould be impossible to consult with you andmeet the emergency. Then, it is that theother question comes to mind, and I thankGod for an ever-present Friend and Counselor.I do not intend, however, to implythat I have done His will in everything.Nevertheless, my work among the women,poor and insufficient as it has been, wasundertaken only because I felt that theMaster would not consider fear of failureand the rush of other duties sufficient excusefor neglecting the women in the churchand failing to tell the Gospel message toothers who were willing to come to hear it.With the exception of the time I wasaway at the coast, two women's meetingshave been held each week, one on Wednesdayafternoon and the other on the Sabbath.The attendance has varied from one hundredand fifty to eight. A fair averagewould probably be twenty-five. In America,where women have the same educational advantagesas men, it is hard for you to realizehow difficult it is to hold the attentionof a crowd of Chinese women, who feel thatthey cannot expect to understand a publicspeaker, least of all a foreigner. Manytimes one finds a majority of the strangersdiscussing one's personal appearance andmanner of talking Chinese rather than listeningto the message one longs for themto hear and accept. If you do succeed inholding their attention for a few moments,another arrival may break the spell and youmust pray for wisdom and try again. I

2o8 OLIVE Treesmunity is being continually drawn away forwork elsewhere. There was one baptism andone transferred to Lo Ting; also one infantbaptism. ,1Totals for the three chapels: Communicants,142; adult baptisms, 29; certificates,2. Decrease, 4 deaths. Net, 7.My absences from the work have alreadybeen reported to the Board. We are thankfulto God for His great loving kindness tous as a family during the year; for sufficientstrength to carry on the work; forharmony between ourselves and the nativeworkers; for congenial, faithful'and efficientco-laborers, and, above all, for allowing usa place in His plan of salvation. "The lothas fallen unto us in pleasant places; yea,we have a goodly heritage."REPORT OF LO TING BOYS'SCHOOL.As a statistical report of this school hasbeen prepared, there remains little to besaid about the work. The school has greatlyimproved this year over last, owing to thereleasing of an incompetent teacher andtaking the full time of one who was givingpart time to the work last year. Of thisone I am glad to say that he is the best allaroundChinese teacher that I have heardin the class room. He is a Christian, andhas agreed to give his services a littlecheaper to the church than the usual ratefor his class of men, so that no adaitionalcost was involved by the change.REPORT OF BIBLE SELLING INLO TING DISTRICT.Our Bible seller has been supported by theBritish and Foreign Bible Society, our missionfurnishing only the man and the management.Owing to lack of funds there wasno bookseller employed from March untilOctober, but since that time one has beenemployed at about $3.00 gold per month, andhas been selling an average of over twohundred portions of Scripture per month.REPORT OF GREGG MEMORIALHOSPITAL, TAK HING, CHINA,FOR THE YEAR 1915.By Dr. J. M. Wright.In beginning our report for the year wedesire to acknowledge God's goodness duringthe past months. No serious illness hasoccurred, and the advance of medical sciencehas given us a new weapon againstone of the scourges of the tropics and HisSpirit has helped us.Our endeavor has been, as in past years,to "heal the sick and say unto them 'TheKingdom of God is come nigh unto you.'"Daily services have been held, consisting ofsinging of a Psalm or portion, reading aportion of Scripture and usually explainingit, and prayer. In this we take ourturn with the native co-workers, all of whomare earnest and faithful believers. Wednesdayafternoon each week there has beenheld a prayer meeting, which all patientswere requested to attend. In the daily andweekly meetings all were encouraged tostudy the Word and also to take part insinging and reading. A supply of religiousbooks, tracts, papers and leaflets are constantlykept before them, and most of themtake home some of these supplies. Whilenone are compelled to attend these meetingsthere is a constant eflfort to surroundall by such an atmosphere of influences thatthey cannot very easily avoid attending. IIaflfords us great pleasure to be able to saythat nearly all who have been in the hospitalas patients have expressed themselvesas being favorable to the Gospel, and nota few of them have said that they believe.The same general principles are carriedout in the department for women, and whilethere is not the quantity of work done aswhen Dr. McBurney is in charge, yet shehas left faithful co-workers in two Chinesewomen, who strive to carry out the workin the same fine spirit and with the samehigh ideal in view.The hospital has not been closed duringthe year, and though the number of inpatientssince the high water in July havebeen considerably fewer, yet during Decemberthe number received is nearly backto normal. While the number of in-patients

has been less than up to the time of theflood, the number of out-patients has beengreater. The out-patients are given Gospeltracts and leaflets. As much care aspossible in regard to expenses has been exercised,but the price of drugs has risenalarmingly. Quinine, formerly 60 cents anounce, is now $4.00 an ounce.Dispensary at Do Sing has been heldevery Saturday by one-of the hospital students,who remains over Sabbath and assistsin the Sunday School there and alsotakes part in the preaching service eachSabbath.The hospital medical class has been carriedon during the year, and has been asource of satisfaction and inspiration to us.The present number consists of three youngmen and two young women — two youngwomen having dropped out, as they seemedto not have the proper ideal or ambition.Two hours a day are given in teachingthis class, both by Dr. McBurney and myself.Since the Doctor has returned onfurlough, Mrs. Wright has taken her time.The class themselves spend one hour in reviewdaily and one hour a day in Biblestudy and in preparing for evangelisticwork. This makes six hours a day classwork. They do also the hospital work andnever complain of hard and often offensivework, but in all show a spirit which wehope reflects to those under their care someof the love of the Master Whose work theyhumbly try to do. The class work is dailybegun by the reading of a portion of Scriptureand by prayer, and the endeavor is toteach them the high ideal of their callingand to take as their example the GreatPhysician. They have now entered on thefourth and last year of work, at the end ofwhich they will, be given a hospital certificatespecifying the work done and thestudies taken.They planned to take a trip of one monthin the district as an evangelistic work, butwere hindered by the flood.The leper work is mainly done throughTai So, of the Woman's School, who takesthem food and clothing, gets their boatsmended and carries them medicine for theirbodily ills and eruptions. They are a verygrateful class of people, and receive theWord probably more readily than any otherOLIVE TREES 209class. They are without hope in this world,which would seem to make them peculiarlyready for the hope of the next.One feature of the hospital work thathas always troubled us is that those leavingthe hospital favorably impressed withthe doctrine have seemingly become indifferentthrough returning home, where noone was in sympathy and where all deridedit. It has long been felt that if therewas one to follow up these people and visitthem in their homes that they might becomforted and established in their newbelief, so that it might become their faith.With this object in view a former hospitalhelper who has always been warm-heartedon this plan has been employed for the lasttwo months in this work, and he returnswith good reports of his visits and withenthusiasm over the work. He is also expectedto visit all church members in thevicinity in which he goes, and in generalto advertise the mission work in all its departments.It is yet too early to speak ofthe merits of this plan, but it would seemto have a place in the general work and topromise something in meeting some needs.The hospital has assisted in distributingseveral hundred anti-tubercular calendarsfor the China Committee on Hygiene andSanitation. Also has translated several articlesfor the Chinese Medical Journal, andhas distributed several thousand leaflets onthe doctrine.The flood destroyed many homes and theexposure, dampness and lack of proper coveringhas caused a great deal of sickness.It also left the people without the meansto procure medicines. Six hundred dollars,local currency, have been given us to meetthis and associated needs by a ChristianChinese committee of Canton giving $300.00and the Canton Y. M. C. A. giving $300.00.The hot, rainy weather of October and Novemberhindered us in getting out to visitthe flooded district, but a good part of Decemberhas been given to the work. Thework is done by the hospital co-workers, assistedby Tai So, of the school, and theevangelistic work is given special emphasis.On entering a place, healing, preaching,distributing Scripture leaflets and talks onhygiene and sanitation are given. As faras possible the evenings are given over to

OLIVETREESwoman. She has made weekly trips tq DoSing, where she worked among the womenand in the leper colony. Part of the timeshe acted as matron in the girls' school,where she also taught some Bible and didsome visiting and talking the doctrine inand around Tak Hing during the weke. Shealso went on several itinerating trips to thecountry.Day Schools.Owing to lack of teachers no new dayschools were opened. The one at Do Singwas continued, being taught by Loh Oi Lan,who has done very good work amidst someopposition with at least one rival school.The attendance was not so good duringthe fall, some of the pupils having movedaway and some staying out on account ofopposing influences. As the statistical reportwill show it has been far from selfsupporting.There was formerly some oppositionto the Bible study, but it has beenovercome and the pupils are enjoying it.There are still openings for otherschools, for which we cannot yet supplyteachers.Industrial Work.The poverty of the people of Tak Hingmakes the schools to a great extent dependenton the church for support. A certainamount of industrial work has beendone since the beginning of the schools, andwhile it has been of considerable help towardself-support its greatest benefit hasbeen its influence on the pupils in characterbuilding. It has helped them to see thathonest, physical labor is not a thing to beashamed of, even in educated and reflnedpeople (as was shown in the way the womenand girls who were left in charge of theschools and hospital worked during theflood), and after scraping and carrying mudand filth from houses and grounds, scrubbingwalls and windows, boiling and givingout rice for hours at a time to hungry mobs,all wililngly and joyfully, with no thoughtof remuneration, knowing that they werethus serving the Master.Formerly we had only a little gardening,needlework, the school cooking and housekeeping.This year we added cloth weaving,and though it has riot been a greatsuccess flnanciallyit has helped the womento an honorable means of livehhood in casethe church is not able to give them suitablework on finishing school. Some ofour Christian women have, on account ofthe hard times since the flood,been earningtheir living by making incense sticks fprheathen worship oi- by being caretaker fortemples, and we feel that the Lord's moneywill be well spent if we can teach them atrade that will enable them to live and work"to the glory of God."Owing to lack of funds for the educationof women and because the industrialwork did not bring in suflflcient financialreturns for their support, some of the pupilsdid gardening and housework outside ofschool hours for some of the foreigners,who paid their board in schoolthough the work done was equal to far lessthan the cost of their board.The weaving has been taught by Lei ITak, a woman with some education and anexcellent character, but she is a strict vegetarian,and has great faith in that andin a life of good works to insure her futurehappiness, so we are praying that shemay be made to feel her need of a Saviour.We hoped to have mat weaving taught,but the flood made it impossible to get thegrass. Two of the older girls will teach itnext year. Some of the girls have helpedto pay their expenses by making embroidery,lace, bed nets and clothing.There have been many disappointments,discouragements and hard problems in thework, but we are thankful to our HeavenlyFather for the spirit of love .and servicethat He has put into the hearts of pupilsand teachers. On the whole, the atmospherein both schools has been such that itis a joy to work with and for them.Our few itinerating experiences havegiven us great visions ol the thousands olwomen and girls for whose salvation theCovenanter Church is responsible. Theyare eager to hear, and there are opportunitiesall about us.Our great work is to train the nativesto do their work, which is to "Preach, Teachand Heal."Your part of this great wofk is to pray.Without your prayers we can do nothing.

REPORT OF JULIUS A. KEMPFFOR THE YEAR 1915.My time this year was taken up with avariety of duties.The school work was very much the sameas last year.I taught two hours a day during the firstterm and one hour a day during the secondterm. In the first term I taught all thepupils of the grammar department duringthe Bible hour.Five boys will graduate on January 28th,when the school closes for the Chinese NewYear vacation. Two of the graduatingclass did evangelistic work at Fung Tsuenduring the summer vacation and assistedin floodrelief work. These two boys haveexpressed a desire to teach school and willprobably be sent to work in the out stationschools.The school was greatly assisted duringthe year by Mrs. A. I. Robb, who taughtarithmetic one and one-half hours a day,and Mrs. Kempf, who taught English onehour a day.In March, when Mr. Taggart was appointedto go to Lo Ting, the out stationwork at Do Sing, Fung Tsuen and thecountry north of Tak Hing was turnedover to me. Since then I have made—Pour trips to Do Sing, fifteenmiles, bysteamer; seven days.One trip to Fung Tsuen, thirty miles bysteamer; one day.Three Sabbath Day trips to Ma Hui,twenty miles, on foot.One Sabbath Day trip to Koon Hui,twenty miles, on foot.One Sabbath Day trip to Mo Tong, fourteenmiles, on foot.One Sabbath Day trip to San Hui, tenmiles, on foot.And preached eight times at Kau KongTong, five miles, on foot.Communion was held at Do Sing onceby Mr. Taggart, assisted by native helpersand myself, and once by myself and thenative preacher.There were three accessions at Do Sing. during the year.The working force at Do Sing consistsof one native preacher, two Christian schoolteachers and every Saturday and Sabbathclinical work and preaching was done bytwo native helpers from the hospital andone Bible woman.At Fung Tsuen we have a young manjust after according August Training recently the one chapel to School student knowledge.become and doing from a two Christian, During the boys Theologicalfrom July looking work and theOLIVE TREES ^13grammar school conducted evangelisticservices.At Ma Hui there was preaching aboutevery other Sabbath by students from theTheological Training Class. This is aboutthe most promising station north of TakHing. It needs a good live native preacher.Since returning from the coast in SeptemberI have been giving part time to theerection of one thousand feet of concretepost and barbed wire fencing and five hundredfeet of reinforced concrete wall aroundthe new compound. This work will be completedby the end of this month.Since March 17th I have been performingthe duties of Mission treasurer.A yearly statement of the Mission'sfinance, with Auditing Committee's certificate,is herewith submitted.My summer vacation run from July Sthto September 25th. During that time Ispent twenty-four days in two trips backto ANNUAL Tak Hing REPORT on floodrelief OF and A, I, other ROBB missionwork. In the spring I was away fromFOR THE YEAR 1915,Tak Hing six days on mission business.LINES OF WORK,During the past year I have had the managementof the training school, have beenmoderator of the session in the congregationat Tak Hing, and have had charge ofthe city chapel and the country chapels atTung On and Lin Tan.TRAINING SCHOOL.There have been two terms in the TrainingSchool, the firstextending Irom January18th to July 2d, and the fall termfrom September 'l4th to December 16th.There were two interruptions ol a week,one at grave worshipping time, and theother during lall Communion. There wasa total ol 33 weeks ol school.Attendance.—There was a total enrollmentol ten, and two others, one a blindman and the other a hospital employee, attendedthe recitations during a part ol thetime. One student, Mr. Chung Wing Nam.flnished his course in July. Another, Mr.Leung Mau Hing, completed his work inDecember. One man was advised alter thefirst term's work that he did not give sufficientpromise of usefulness as a preacherto justify his continuing his course. Theattendance has been good, averaging over 91per cent, for the year. One student, engagedin teaching, took only part work.Studies.—One hour a day was devotedto the study ol Chinese, this branch beingtaught by the teacher in the Girls' School,kindness For vor us his at ol services some the inconvenience ladies, we are who indebted arranged to themselves.to la­

214 OLIVE TREESThe other studies of the year were Old good interest. The envelope system of contributionsTestament Introduction, New Testamentwas adopted at the middle of theIntroduction, Homiletics, Church History year and has given excellent results, soand English.much so that we are urging it upon all theThree hours a week were given to Old out-stations with good promise of success.Testament Introduction, and we covered The work in the street chapel has beenfrom Joshua, first chapter, to II Kings,thirteenth chapter.An hour a day was given to New Testamentalready described in connection with thestudents.Tung On.—The work at this station wasstudy. The catholic epistles and in the hands of Mr. Chung Ying Taai, whoHebrews were taken during the first term. was licensed by the commission a year ago.The second term has been devoted to the He was arrested about the 1st of Februarystudy ol a Harmony of the Gospels. Homileticshad two hours a week, using bothtext book and practical examples of sermonizing.A text book was also used in History, andfor being engaged in a revolutionary propagandaagainst the government, and afterseveral months' imprisonment was executed,having confessed his guilt. The work receiveda staggering blow, and as we hadwe covered the first six centuries of the no one to take his place the chapel was vacantChristian Era. Two hours a week was givenfor several months. During the sum­to this.One hour a week was given to the studyof English by three students who have somemer three students were there part of thetime, and Chung Wing Naam was stationedthere in the fall. Sickness hindered his goingknowledge of it, and promise to become able,until October. They reported a mem­with a little help, to read English wellenough to make it of use to them.Preaching,—During the school year thebership a year ago of over thirty. OneCommunion was held there in December,and 21 persons communed, and there wasstudents have preached 114 sermons, aside an accession of one. However, but ten offrom their work in the chapels during vacations.the communicants were Tung On members.Every Tuesday evening and Sab­Some were fearful and some have takenbath afternoon there have been services in offense because the church did not interferethe chapel in the city, two speaking at eachto save the preacher. The opportu­service. The attendance will average about nities lor preaching there are excellent, and 'thirty. It has been a valuable exercise for a good hearing can always be had. Therethe students much knowledge has been disseminated.With one or two exceptions all have alsopreached twice before the Sabbath congregationhas been a boys' school there during theyear, with an enrollment of over thirty, butit has been unfruitful in soul-winning. Wehope that the coming year will show a re­at the home chapel and have for the covery. Good work has been done there,most part managed the prayer meetings,choosing subjects and leaders and takingand we think much of it can be saved. Wnregret that Mr. Chung engaged in the workan active part themselves. They have also he did, but there is no evidence that hetaught in the Sabbath School as called upon,and some have had regular classes.Vacations.—The students spent the summervacation at the country chapels, working,where possible, with men already inthe field and for the most part with evidenceof acceptable work.Nearly all the absences from class werecaused by illness, though with the exceptionof one student, who had two prolongedacted from any but loyal motives, and certainlywith much to provoke a patriot.Lin Tan,—Mr. Chung On Taai has beenin charge here. This is the second year ofhis work there, and there have been noaccessions as yet. It is a hard fleld,andthe flood reached the city this summer, andmuch illness followed. The school has hadan enrollment of about twenty, but teachersand pupils have lost much time by floodandattacks of dysentery during the year, the illness. A bookseller who belongs to thehealth of all has been good. They have place and was converted in Canton has recentlyreturned, and is giving valuable.aiddone faithful work, are good students, andshow a commendable spirit of willingness toserve. We wish they had more of the spiritof self-denying service and there is needand we hope that the coming year will yieldbetter results.I was absent from the fleld from Julying of departure land, students I session Tdk There have a the deeper and Hing,—I of done year were and am of the spiritual licentiates Rev. a responsible with three congregation have CHAPELS.part J. a Communions been of life. K. fair have it Robb for Moderator myself, attendance here the done preaching.held since the and of home rest. dur­andthe with half during the rejoice horrors Sth sermons a so peaceful much class until hours the in of room, in September flood. health summer year a war. the chapels day and world I of sufficient gave on labor have 9th, during relief is about but preached lor school this the was two work fieldwhilethroes year. back session connectedover and twic-one-and flftv We to lor

OLIVETREES215FOURTEENTH ANNUAL IOWAPRESBYTERIALThe Fourteenth Annual Conventionof the Woman's Pre^yterial MissionaryAssociation of Iowa Presbyterymet in the Covenanter Church at Hopkinton,la., June 14, 1916, beginningwith an evening session.The devotional service was conductedby Mrs, Anna Donahue, Subject,"Debtors to Christ,"The address of the evening wasgiven by Rev, Samuel Edgar, Latakia,Syria, His theme was: "Those womenwho labored with me in the Gospel,"With his characteristic earnestnessand enthusiasm, Mr, Edgar portrayedthe lives of the women who have beenhis co-workers in mission work,June 15, 9.30 A. M., the morningsession opened with. Mrs. J. K. Dunn,vice president, presiding, owing to theabsence of the president, Mrs. T. J.Joseph. The address which had beenprepared by our president was readby Miss Margaret Greer Subject,"Ownership and Obligation,"The Bible Hour was in charge of theRev, Samuel Edgar, His remarkswere based upon Phfl,, third chapter.The Christian's perils, the Christian'spassion, the Christian's progress, werethe main points presented.In the afternoon a memorial servicefor Miss Mattie R, Wylie was conductedby Miss Florence Mearns,Many helpful and inspiring thoughtswere brought to us in regard to thework of this great life.The following papers were read:"Neglected Spots," Mrs. O. L. Samson,Washington; "The World's Evangelism,Is It Helped or Hindered atthe Present Time?" Mrs, Boyd, Wy-Hian; "Mormonism, a Menace, to theNation," Mrs, Mary Armstrong,Morning Sun; "Advantages of theRural Church," Mrs, McClurkin,Sharon. Papers had also been assignedon the subjects, "The ChristianSteward" and "Importance ofPrayer in Missions," As these paperswere not prepared. Rev. J, B. Gilmorespoke on the first subject, and theRev, Mr, Johnson, of Clarinda, MissFlorence Mearns, Rev, J, M, Johnsonand Rev, Samuel Edgar, on the second.Miss Greer, of Hopkinton, conductedthe Thank Offering service.The subject was presented under thefollowing divisions: "The Value ofThank Offering"—To the individual,Mrs. Ferguson; to the Church, theRev. Mr. Ensign, of Hopkinton; tothe Missions, Rev. J. B. Gilmore,The children of the Hopkinton congregationgave an exercise under theleadership of Miss Pearl Dunlap, Thisexercise was specially enjoyed, andwas repeated by request in the evening,Mrs, E, L. McKnight, of Sharon,conducted the devotional exerciseThursday evening. An address wasgiven by Miss Florence Mearns, of ourSyrian Mission, telling us about he?work over in Syria, Following this.Miss Jennie Dean brought us a messagefrom our China Mission, whereshe has been laboring. We all felt thatit was a great privilege to hear thesemessages and to become personallyacquainted with these missionarieswho represent us in the Foreign Missionwork.The Convention adopted the followingresolutions:1. The Women's Presbjd;erial MissionarySociety of Iowa desire to place

2l6 OLIVE TREESon record a tribute of love and respectto the memory of. Miss MattieWylie, of our Syrian Mission, who wascalled home January, 1916, The Presbyterial,as-well as the church at large,feel that they have lost a great, untiringand faithful worker in the haissionfield,2, Resolved, That we continue topray for the work and the workers inSyria; that the converts be kept steadfastin the faith, and that "God maymake the wrath of man to praise himin these troublous times,3. Feeling that we are becomingparalyzed by the great peril of indifference,be it resolved that we makeeffort as never before in each missionarysociety for systematic giving anda converted pocketbook.Mrs. E. L. McKnight,Miss Margaret Greer,Mrs. Mary Armstrong,Committee.As the report of our Treasurer wasunavoidably incomplete, we cannotgive the total amount of money raisedduring the past year. It was decidedthat our Thank Offering for the comingyear be devoted to help erect aschool buflding in Lo Ting, China, andthat we make an effort to raise $400,The report of the Nominating Committeewas accepted and is as follows:President, Mrs. S. E. Greer, Washington,Vice-President, Mrs, S, 0. Carson,Wyman.Recording Secretary, Miss AnnaMcClurkin, Sharon.Treasurer, Mrs. R. W. McElhinney,Morning Sun.Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. E.M. McConaughy, Washington.It was decided that Mrs. S. E,Greer be continued Superintendentof Mission Band, and that we putforth an effort to do more in this line,The Corresponding Secretary wasasked to write to our President, Mrs.Joseph, expressing our regret that shewas unable to be with us and extendingour sympathy and our appreciationof the message she left us.After singing the 100th Psalm,and the Benediction by Rev, SamuelEdgar, the Convention adjourned tomeet in Washington, 1917,Mrs, 0, L. Samson.OUR FIRST BUSINESS"Forget not that your firstand principalbusiness as a disciple of Christis to give the Gospel to those whohave it not. He who is not a missionaryChristian will be a missing Christianwhen the great day comes of therewards of service.Therefore ask yourselves daily whatthe Lord would have you do in connectionwith the work of carrying thenews of salvation to the perishing millions.Search carefully whether hewould have you go yourself to theheathen, if you have the youth and fitnessrequired for the work.Or, if you cannot go in person, inquirediligently what blood mortgagethere is upon your property in the interestof Foreign Missions, how muchyou owe to the heathen because ofwhat you owe to Christ for redeemingyou with His precious blood.It will go hard with you, when yourLord comes to reckon with you, if Hefinds your wealth hoarding up in needlessaccumulations instead of beingsacredly devoted to giving the Gospelto the lost."—Dr. A. J. Gordon.

R. M, SOMMERVILLE, D. D. MRS. R, M. SOMMERVILLEDR. SOMMERVILLE founded "OLIVE TREESand editedit for 29 yeara.OLIVE TREESA Monthly Journal devoted to Missionary Work in the Reformed PresbyterianChurch, U. S. A.VOL. XXX SEPTEMBER, 1916 No. 9We wish to call special attention tosome articles in this issue:EDITORIALSThe article on Mission Study is byMiss Louise Carson, daughter of Mr.W. G. Carson, who has been a memberof the Foreign Mission Board foryears. Miss Carson is a leader ofMission Study work in the city ofPhiladelphia. She has been attendingthe Silver Bay Conference for someyears past. We hope the vision shegives us will keep many from perishing.Miss McFarland, who writes the accountof the work in Philadelphia, iswell known to the Church from herwork at the Indian mission. Shecame to Philadelphia for two monthsin the middle of the hot summer andhas spent the greater part of the timeby herself living among strangers.She has enabled us to keep the buildingopen afl summer. It has neverbeen closed in the past three years.We deeply appreciate her self-sacrificeand pray that her work may bringforth fruit to eternity.We want all our members to readthe wonderful working of God at"The Horse Market" in China, sentby Mr. Kempf. In connection withit re-read Dr. Robb's account of theCommunion at Tak Hing in July-Augustnumber and also Mr. J. K. Robb'smessage. Let us praise God for Hisblessings. Sixty new members receivedin the Tak Hing field withina few weeks besides the great revivalin the Lo Ting field.May it not be time we were sendingover a message to the missionfields that they would pray for theChurch at home?The plan of Work as outlined bythe Pittsburgh Women's MissionarySociety, see Mrs. AcheSon's article inthe Women's Department, should be agreat help to other societies who wantsomething new and interesting.

2l8 OLIVE TREESWe had hoped to publish this monthan account of the Princeton Conferencefrom the pen of Dr. T. M. Slater.We understand it has been writtenand sent to us, but on account of beingabsent on vacation it has not reachedus. It may come yet in time for thisnumber, if not we hope to have it forOctober. The conference was to setpicture this month and hope to havethe others for October.forth the "unsearchable riches ofJesus Christ" and the way these richesmay become ours. Surrender andtrust are the two conditions. A surrenderthat yields up everything fullyand freely and a trust that believesGod is fulfilling His word in us in spiteof feelings or anything else to thecontrary. A trust that holds on in thedarkness. To anyone who wants toknow more about this life, next to theBible itself, perhaps is "The Christian'sSecret of a Happy Life," byHannah Whitall Smith, Fleming H.Reyell Company. Cloth, 50 cents.WILLIAM WILBUR WEIRWilbur Weir, who takes up work inMr. Wifliam G. Carson, transportationthe Academy at Larnaca this fafl, isagent of the Foreign Board, a fine Christian man. He graduatedwrites: "Mr. Wilbur Weir, of Winchester,from Geneva last spring and wasKansas, sails on the 'New prominent in the life of the college.York' from New York City on Saturday,He was a member of the Glee Club forSeptember 2nd, for Cyprus via three years, was on the team that de­Liverpool and London. Reservations feated University of Pittsburgh inhave been secured on the S. S. Monteagle,debate last winter, won the oration inwhich was to sail from Van­inter-society contest last year, man­couver on September 30th, but the aged the 'varsity football team anddate of sailing has been changed to was captain of the crack track team.October 9th for Rev. W. M. Robb and Besides this he acted as commissaryfor the college dining hall the pastfamily. Rev. and Mrs. E. C. Mitchefl,two years. All of these things wiflDr. Kate McBurney, Miss Jennie be of great help to him on the missionDean and Miss Brownlee. Rev. J. K. field.Robb on account of family affairs does Our prayers are with him thatnot find it convenient to sail on Octoberwhether on the athletic field, the9th, but expects to leave earlystudy room or the dining hall, he mayshow the boys that true success comesthe following month."only from letting Jesus Christ be ourWe are glad to give you Mr. Weir's life.

OLIVE TREES 219SPECIALARTICLESTHE GOSPEL AT THE HORSE MARKETMa Hui, Horse Market, is a markettown ten miles northeast. Everythird, fourth and seventh day, peoplewithin a radius of ten miles come toMa Hui to buy and sell farm produceand home-made articles. The streetsare crowded with country people andjammed with large baskets of vegetables,chickens, ducks and pigs andpiles of bamboo and wooden ware.These market days offer a splendidopportunity to reach the people withthe good news.Seven years ago a chapel wasopened at Ma Hui. Since then constanteffort has been made to give thepeople of this district the Gospel message.For three years after thechapel was opened two graduatesfrom the Theological Training Classpreached there regularly on Sabbathsand market days. Before Dr. JeanMcBurney went to Do Sing the medicalstaff held cflnics quite regularlyat Ma Hui. After the floodsof 1914and 1915 much relief and red crosswork was done throughout the districtby the native medical staff andother native workers. The reliefwork was always accompanied bypreaching and it was strongly impressedon the minds of the peoplethat what was done for them wasdone in the name and for the sake ofChrist Jesus. For the last fifteenmonths students from the TheologicalTraining Class have been preachingquite regularly at Ma Hui.As a result of all this seed sowingeighty or more people within the lastsix y'ears have come in to Tak Hingto be baptized and to unite with theTak Hing Congregation. Many morewere won as friends to the Cause,people who admit that Christianity isgood and true but have not yet cometo that state of mind and heart whichleads men to take a definite stand forChrist. Then there are stifl otherswho while they sincerely believe yetare not wifling to endure the ridiculeand persecution to which an open confessionof Christ may expose them.It was becoming quite a problem toknow how to deal with these timid believersand those who were onlyfriendly toward the Gospel. Ournative helpers were lacking in the abilityto press men to a decision, to bringthem to a definite decision for Christand to boldly confess Him before men.Recently, however, some of the nativehelpers have gotten some new andmore aggressive ideas about bringingpeople into the kingdom. They areputting these ideas into practice, andare meeting with success far beyondtheir expectations. Already tjl^ere aremany in the Ma Hui district who noware not only wifling but eager to. confessChrist in Baptism and to identifythemselves with the Christian Church.A month ago these new Christiansurged that arrangements be made forbaptism and communion service at MaHui. Last Sabbath was the day appointed.Twelve native helpers andstudents from the woman school, hospitaland training class with Dr.Wright and I started for Ma Hui atsix in the morning. Some of usreached the chapel at nine o'clock, and

220 OLIVE TREESfrom that time until three in the afternoon,the place was packed with men,women and children and a large crowdstood outside the door. We sat forthree hours examining candidates forbaptism and still they kept coming in.But the time had come to begin theservices so we asked those who hadnot yet been examined to wait untilafter the services. We had alreadyexamined twenty-six. Sixteen werereceived and baptized. Two were children.One whole family of five wasbaptized.After the services we found it wouldnot be convenient to meet with otherapplicants, so we asked them to waituntil next September. They were notwilling to wait so long and begged foran earlier date. So we decided to haveanother meeting at Ma Hui on June11.Many of those who are being receivedinto Christian fellowship at MaHui are poor unlearned country folk.They are but babes in Christ. Theywill need to be taught "line upon line,precept upon precept, here a little andthere a little." We earnestly ask forthem an interest in the Church's prayersthat the Spirit may so work inthem that they will "daily grow ingrace and knowledge of our Lord andSaviour," and so be enabled to standfast in the Faith.These Ma Hui Christians want alarger chapel buflding. The presentbuflding is 13x20 feet. One hundredand fifty people crowded into it lastSabbath, and two hundred more triedto crowd in on top of them. We couldsee nothing but heads, and there weremany heads we couldn't see. If therehad been room enough we could havehad an audience of five hundred ormore. The people say tf they had alarger and better chapel a great manymore would be pleased to come andhear the Doctrine.Now you needn't put your hand intoyour pocket. We don't want your contributionfor this new church. Wewant the Ma Hui Christians themselvesto build it. But we do wantyour interest and your prayers thatthe Spirit will so lead these people thatthey will have a mind to work, to workout their own salvation and work uptheir own church buflding.June 12th a second meeting washeld at Ma Hui to receive the newChristians. We sat for four hourshearing their confession of faith andtestimony for Christ.Two elders from the Tak Hing congregationassisted, or rather they didmost of the questioning of candidatesfor baptism in as much as their wayis more easily understood than mine.These Christians were examined notin a nice quiet little room with no onebut the members of session to see themblush and hear their timid voices makingawkward replies to questions butin a dirty little room with men andchildren crowding around eager tohear everything that was said andover-willing to comment on what wassaid and encourage and help the candidateto answer questions.Each applicant was examined separately.He was asked to sit with usclose around a small table. This wasthe only way we could keep the crowdfrom pressing in between us and theperson being examined.For the benefit of the crowd as wellas of those applying for baptism wesupplemented questions and answerswith comments and explanations of

important truths and so imparted lightand truth in a much more simplerform than we perhaps would havedone in a formal sermon. At any ratethe appreciative smiles and approvingnods and occasional satisfactory gruntfrom the crowd showed that the pointdid stick and the truth found a lodgingplace.There are some things about thisMa Hui movement which gives usmuch joy and lead us to expect largeresults.Of the twenty who were baptizedsixteen had never heard the voice ofthe foreign missionary until thatmeeting. They were taught and ledinto the Kingdom by native Christians,Christians who are not in theemploy of the mission.Christian husbands and fathers areclaiming the blessings of Christianityfor their wives and chfldren. Theyare making an effort to bring theirwhole families into the fold of theGreat Shepherd. Seven women whoconfessed Christ said they were instructedand led into the Kingdom bytheir husbands. The significance ofthis fact can only be appreciated bythose who know of the dense ignoranceof Chinese country women andthe little interest which men, eventhough Christians, generally have forthe spiritual welfare of women.In some of the villages the Christiansare holding meetings in theirhomes and inviting neighbors andfriends to come and read the new Testamentand talk about Christianity.We again urge the Church to prayfor the work at Ma Hui. In Acts weare told that one day's preaching byone man swept three thousand into theKingdom. Have we any good reasonOLIVE TREES 221for thinking and praying as if Godwere unable or unwilling to do just asgreat a work in these days? "Lookon the fields,they are white alreadyto harvest." Is the Church ready toreap with the prayer of faith? Andjust what do you mean when you askfor "an abundant harvest?" Is notthat a rather indefinite expression?Perhaps the Lord would like you toquote some figuresand give him someidea of what you would consider an"abundant harvest." Would a fewhundred souls satisfy your idea of anabundant harvest? Or do you expecttwo or three thousand? Or is yourabundant harvest measured by the tenthousands? "According to your faithbe it unto you."Julius A. Kempf.If any man is in Christ Jesus he isa new creature. ... In the reportof the Presbyterian Delegation is thestory of a Christian Japanese lawyer,who, in defending a man on trial formurder, insisted that he should beacquitted, since in jail- he had, as hisjailers could testify, become a newman in Christ. He was no longer theold man who had committed the crime.Then he went on to explain to thejudge in open court the fundamentalprinciples of Christianity—^the processof redemption by which Christ,entering a man's life, gives him powerof victory over sin.The W. M. S, of the First Churchof the Covenanters, Newburgh, N. Y.,has been cafled to part with one ofits faithful members, Mrs, Jennie G.Snyder, She was promoted to higherservice on July 25, 1916, Mrs, Snyderwifl be greatly missed in the home,the church and our society,Mary E, Wilson,Jennie H, Henderson,Committee,

222 OLIVE TREESpropagated under the protection ofthe uniform of the armies of ChristianEurope, England, France and Germanyare settling their differences inAfrica with their native troops, mostof whom are Mohammedans, Whenwe realize that each Mohammedan is amissionary in a much more aggressivesense than the average Christian, weget some idea of the task before Christendomtomorrow unless we meet ittoday. "Oh, pray," Dr. Kumm pleaded,and his voice throbbed with feeling.It was a moment not soon forgotten.In the audience facing the speakersat a young Armenian physician.How intently he hung on Dr, Kumm'swords. Dearly his family has paid itstofl of life to the Mohammedan power,for in the last long roll of Armenianmartyrs are the names of his fatherand mother and yet "I am willing togo where my life can be of greaterservice to Him, even though it be tomy old home, to the murderers of myfather and mother," "By this shaflall men know that ye are my disciplesif ye love one another,""Stifl the race of Hero Spirits passthe lamp from hand to hand,"Mission Study? It is one of thegreatest sources of inspiration to theindividual and to the Christian Churchtoday.To study missions is to get a worldvision, for the question of missions isa world question. It broadens thehorizon of life and reveah the significanceof current events in their relationto the kingdom of God, Leaveout the influence of missions in Chinaand you wfll search in vain for the keyto unlock the interpretation of itspresent. Read the "Life of Dr, JosephP, Cochran" and you will understandsomething of the existing moralconditions that made possible the dismembermentof ancient Persia andthe agonizing cry that has been wrungfrom the hearts of so many of "HisLittle Ones" in that country duringthe past months,Cuba, Porto Rico, Mexico and SouthAmerica present problems that intheir outreach are world problems.The great European war preventsEurope from rendering them assistance,and the countries to the southare looking to us. Shall our interestbe commercial and diplomatic only?Already the Mission Boards are alertto the call. Books have been preparedand others are being printed for studyduring the coming years, bringing theyet almost untold material wealth andunsounded spiritual richness of thesepeople to the knowledge of ChristianAmerica.Whole peoples have been changedand nations are still being moulded bythe power of Christian missions. Inhis interesting booklet Dr. Halseywrites: "It is the love engendered byChrist that is conquering and is toconquer the world. To study missionsis to enter into the fellowship of thosewho are walking with Him with whomto walk is "the light of life.""I am not bound to win, but I ambound to be true. I am not bound tosucceed, but I am bound to live up towhat light I have, I must stand withanybody that stands right, stand withhim while he is right, and part of himwhen he is wrong,"—Abraham Lincoln.

THE VISION CREATEDMISSION STUDYBy M. Louise Carson,OLIVE TREES 223BYA young Chinese business manlanded in San Francisco and, afterspending some months in the city,started for the East, carrying withhim a memory that gradually crystallizedinto this crown, "A BeautifulLife," He had caught the vision of alife actuated by a great unknown motivepower that could not be interpretedin the light of afl the learningof the Orient, The inspiration of thatlife became his quest. It impelled himat last to enter the study of one of thefamous preachers of the day with thisinto the eamest faces of our blackskinnedcompanions. The missionaryhad spoken, and then I asked the question,I could not help it, "How manyof you would like to be Christians?As many as would hold up yourhands." For a few minutes there wassilence, not a hand stirred, then oneafter another the hands went up, agoodly number. I put a second question,"You know what it means, nowhow many are willing to live theChristian life?" Again in weightedsilence strong men raised their hands.Then I spoke the third time, "We arefriends," I said, "and tomorrow wepart as friends whether you answermy last question or not, but I cannotplea on his lips, "Oh, sir, tell me how help wanting to look fairly in the faceI can get the beautiful life." Then afl who are willing not only to live thefollowed the unfolding of the story of Christian life but to acknowledgethe great King whose kingdom is not Christ as King of life and to pass thatof this world but of the human heart, knowledge on." It was a momentousand whose conquest is Life.question. They knew and I knew thatIn the life of that plain unsung businessman of San Francisco he had tain death to return to their homesfor many of them it mean almost cer­caught the vision of Jesus. It was and refuse to bow before the tribalthe Christ life shining through mortal deity, or even to profess knowledgeclay. It was the constraining power of a God unknown to the chief. Theof the Divine Hero and Saviour, Sometimeswe grow disheartened, the days the interpreters made my meaningfaces were grave in the firelight asare gray. The gospel as told in termsclear. It was no thoughtless decisionof life by some of our friends seemsthose men made, but not haltingly onealmost to have fafled and perhaps weby one as at first,but almost as onewonder, "Is its power just the sameman they rose to their feet as in thetoday?" Listen, "The night was dark,presence of the King to acknowledgewe were almost at our journey's end.His supremacy and to pledge their allegianceeven unto death.For days we had suffered innumerablehardships and privations. We hadIn some such words as these, at thebeen in peril from men and beasts.Silver Bay Conference, Dr, KummNow in another twenty-four hoursdrew graphic pictures of the heroour purpose would be accomplishedspirits in Africa today. In burningwords he denounced the spread ofand we would part. The thoughts ofMohammedan influence through thethe past days crowded in upon me, aslength and breadth of the country.in the light from the camp-fire I looked

224 OLIVE TREESGLIMPSES OF OUR WORK INPHILADELPHIABy Emma M, McFarland,I have wondered many times duringfound hard at work sewing at coats,the past six weeks in going about inthe vicinity of our Jewish Mission howour Lord or the Apostle Paul wouldhave looked on the crowds that throngthese streets. The gospels and bookof Acts will ever mean more to me,for experience in the modern Ghettoseems to give a better understandingof "the people among whom JesusChrist and the apostles did their work.I am sure our Saviour would havelooked on these people "with compassion"—sheepwithout a Shepherd, refusingto acknowledge the Shepherdprovided to lead them.One is surprised at the number ofagencies that minister to the physicalwelfare of these people—^hospitals,dispensaries, baby-saving stations,etc., and playgrounds, settlements,etc., designed for their social uplift,but benefactors who provide thesemeans look With scorn on work of areligious nature—one prominent socialworker saying: "Of course religio.uswork among Jews is both unwise andunnecessary,"But can Christians think thus withreference to a people who refuse toacknowledge the One who is the onlyWay and the Door?One could watch for hours with interestthe crowds of Jewish and Italianpeople who pass the Mission doorsthrough the day. Among them arewomen and children loaded with greatpiles of coats and pants that are to befinished by hand in their homes.The two and three-room apartmentsin the tenements are remarkably cleanconsidering the difficulty of gettingwater on the upper floors. Women andchildren in nearly every family arepants, aprons, winding carpet rags,sorting horse hair—the work of severalpairs of hands bringing only 50c,or 75c, a day, A visitor has a goodopportunity to talk or read to thefamily while they work, and they aregenerally ready to listen.Our church people are familiar withMr, Blair's work as Superintendentof our Jewish Mission, but we don'tknow as we should of the part MissForsjrth, his assistant, has taken thesethree years, I count it a privilege tohave had' a glimpse of her work, Ihave never seen a visitor receivedwith such genuine joy as she is bymothers and children in the famiflesvisited. Wherever we turned on thestreets there were cries of "MissAnnie, Miss Annie," and even whengoing through a playground in a distantpart of the city our worker washailed with delight by children Whohad once lived near the Mission,But Miss Forsyth, in her unselfishness,seems to find no satisfaction inthe regard of the people for her, butturns aside every expression of theirfavor and points them to her Friend.She has been most diligent in teachingPsalms and Scripture, using everygathering of mothers and children asan opportunity for instruction. Consequentlymany of the children havea knowledge of Bible stories, and theirlessons for us that is very gratifying.Miss Forsyth had a valuable experiencein probation work in Philadelphia,and was offered nearly twice herpresent salary to continue it.

The volunteer workers who comelong distances and never fail to be onhand to help with the work of theMissioh deserve the sincere gratitudeof the Church. ' ,As the regular classed for mothersand children are dismissed for thesummer I have not seeft these in operation,but know of the interest takenin them and hear many inquiries as towhen this part of the work wfll be resumed.During August, because of the prevailingepidemic of infantile paralysis,a "request" from the Director of PublicHealth made it necessary to closethe Sabbath School for a time, so atpresent writing all gatherings are consideredundesirable and the Missionwork is doiie among the people in theirhomes.I was asked by a young Jewishwoman here if I knew Miss Metheny,Who used to be at the Mission. Shewent on to say she used to attend theMission and remembered Miss Methenyas her teacher, and often wishedshe could see her again. This womanis now an enthusiastic member of aChristian church—not ours, but anevangelical church some distance fromthe Ghetto where she stfll lives. Inspeaking of different workers she hadknown at our Mission this Jewesssaid: "I often wish your workerscould know what their work hasmeant here for it would surely be agreat satisfaction to them,I have heard of a number—some ofthem now active in other Jewish Missions—whoreceived their start at ourMission, Others who were instructedand came to acknowledge their faithin our Lord have moved away, so theOLIVE TREES 225Mission cannot show a strong band offollowers, but the seed has been sownfaithfully and prayerfully, and wehave the promise that it will not returnvoid.One writes: "I fear the Church hasnot the prayer interest in this worknecessary for true success,"We need to remember—every one ofus, as Covenanters—that our JewishMission, at the corner of Fifth andCatharine streets, stands as a witnessof our Church's concern for the Jews,and cafls to us to plead for these peoplebefore the Throne of Him who stiflyearns to be their Saviour,A WOMAN'S PRAYERPEACEFORUnto Thee, 0 Lord, we cry in thenight of the world's darkness for thecoming of the dawn of peace. Is notthe earth Thine? Are not the heartsof afl men in Thy keeping? Rememberthe desolated homes, the long suspenseof waiting, the sorrows of theexfled and the poor, the growth ofhate, the hindrance of good, and makean end of war. By the love we beartoward fathers, brothers, lovers, sons;by the long agony of trench and battlefieldand hospital; by the woebrought home to the hearts of mothers,and by the orphaned children'sneed—hasten Thou the coming of theages of good wifl. Raise up leadersfor the work of peace. Show us ourpart in this redemption of.the worldfrom cruelty and hate and make usfaithful and courageous. In the nameof Christ, whose kingdom is ourhearts' desire and whose wifl for menis love. Amen.

226 OLIVE TREESGROWTH OF BIBLE CIRCULA­TIONIt is but little more than a centuryago that Voltaire prophesied that ina hundred years the Bible would be anextinct book. How has that prophecybeen fulfilled? From 1804 to 1817the total issues of Bibles and portionsof the same in all Europe and Americawere about three million copies,or an average of less than a quarterof a million a year, distributed in lessthan seventy languages. At presentthe thirty Bible Societies of the worldwhich exist for the specific purpose ofpublishing the Word of God withoutnote or comment, issue the wholeBible or portions of it in over 500languages and the aggregate circulationis about 18,000,000 copies a year.Then there are the Bibles and portionsprinted by private publishingfirms, retums of which have recentlybeen gathered for the firsttime, andthese add 10,000,000 copies to theannual output. Thus we have 28,-000,000 or more than 120 times theannual output of a century ago. Andbesides this, there are the many millionsof copies of texts and quotationscirculated annually in our marvelouslydeveloped Sabbath-school literatureand the literature of the churches.—Missionary Review of the World.A PROGRESSIVE SUBSCRIPTION,The foflowing incident has beensent us as a good example to put beforeour reading constituency.A well-dressed, unassuming manwalked into the oflfices of the AmericanCommittee for Armenian andSyrian Relief, 70 Fifth avenue. Henamed a State in the Middle West ashis home and said he had been thinkingabout making a contribution tothe Armenian refugees,"I can give $5000," he said, "but Iwould like to hear something about thefacts."The secretary of the committeesummarized the situation in accordancewith information received in recentletters and cablegrams. Then hebegan to tell of sacrifices which contributorsto the relief fund had made.The visitor listened to the story ofa minister in Ohio who had writtenthat from a salary of eighty dollars amonth his wife and himself wouldcontribute forty doflars a month forsix months."Well," said the stranger, "if theycan make a sacriflce like that, I thinkI can give $10,000."On the way to the office of the treasurerthe donor was told of an oldwoman who wrote that she had nomoney, but would give her old Paisleyshawl, a family heirloom; also of chfldrencontributing their pennies."If other people are willing to giveup things," commented the stranger,"I ought to be willing to do the same.I think that everyone ought to helpsave this old Christian race. I believeI can give $15,000."Before he entered the treasurer'soffice the stranger seemed to makesome mental calculations and whenhe wrote out his check it read $18,000.—Record of Christian Work.

OLIVE TREES 227.STRAY MEMORIES OF A CHILD­HOOD SPENT IN THE LEVANT.V.M O N O G R A P H SThere is a day before which thehearts of missionary parents quail,a day which casts its shadow evenover the firstglad days of their children'sinfancy; it is the day onwhich, still children, very little andweak and ignorant they must be senthome to school. The brightness oflife, its sweetness and all the dew ofits morning goes with the going ofthe chfld. I have seen fathers afterthe heavy day was done and everypatient seen, and evening had broughta few moments of rest, sit lookingout over the bright sea dyed in sunsetcolors, and sending their swiftthoughts over the rofling waves beyond,past the fortress of Gibraltar,out across the infinite roll and washof the Atlantic, past the statue thatguards the harbor of New York tosome house or school that held theirchildren over here. The homelessnessof eyes that watch the sea so isappaUing. I have seen mothers goingthrough their daily routine in atrance, busy hands and feet, withtheir hearts eight thougsand mflesaway. Only God knows how manytimes they start up broad awake atnight with the feeling of some dangerthreatening the absent chfldren,and with a prayer on their lips. Notso long ago I saw a heart-brokenchild leave the mission for America,and saw his mother after he hadgone. When I see these things itbrings back one of the most poignantmemories of my childhood.I had a brother that I dearly loved;adored would be a better word. Oneof his greatest beauties in my eyeswas his pink, freckled cheeks. Ithought they looked just like apricots.Strange to say, the caprice of memoryhas forgotten the actual parting. ButI remember looking out of the windowover the dark sea that night andthinking such thoughts as a child ofeight will think about such things.And I remember that at eveningprayers my father's voice broke andfor a time he could not go on. Manya time as I lay tucked up in bed Ithought of him, away off in America;and what bound me especially to himwas the recollection of his pet starling.The starling had been broughtin shot, and he fiad tended it withthose gentle clever hands of his untilit was nearly well. It lived under hisbed. Then one night a rat got it.'There was a horrid brutality in theway the rat had chewed the starling.The bird was quite dead when mybrother found it in the morning, andhe tried to smooth down the prettypied feathers over the hole in itsbreast, and sobbed and sobbed. Oftenafl this came before my mind whenthey thought I was asleep. My brothernever came back any more.LUXURIES OR WORSE,A table of annual expenditures onluxuries in this country has been putforth by Dr, Charles W, Eliot, Hereare some of the items: Tobacco, $1,-200,000,000; jewelry and plate, $800,-000,000; confectionery, $200,000,000;tea and coffee, $100,000,000; chewinggum, $13,000,000; intoxicatingliquors, $2,200,000,000, We might begiving more, but the typewriter onwhich we were recording these figuresdeveloped paralysis while writing thesum spent on hooze.—Colliers, per T.U.P.

22.8: OLIVE TREESN E W S FROIVI T H E FIELDEdited by Mrs, Findley M, Wilson, 2517 North FrankHn Street,Philadelphia, Penna.Latakia, Syria.—Miss Louise Stahland Miss Ruthart, independent missionariesto Syria, working under thecare of Christ Home, Philadelphia,were driven out from their fieldandleft the country May 29th. They spenta few days in Latakia before quittingSyria. A few of the members of theBoard of Foreign Missions called onMiss Stahl after her arrival in Philadelphia,She reports our missionariesas well and in a fair degree ofcomfort when she left, and emphasizesthe need of relief work amongthe people there.Miss Ruthart was with Miss MattieWylie at the time of her death, and itis with much satisfaction that MissWylie's friends have been able to getinto communication with Miss Ruthartand learn from her the details ofMiss V/ylie's passing away, whichcould not be written owing to the rigidcensorship of letters since the warbegan,:i: ^ ^ ijfiMersine, Asia Minor.—Miss EvadnaSterrett writes on May 13: "We areall well, and I suppose some of ourpeople wfll be going to Guzne by andby. Mrs. Peoples was quiteill lastmonth, but is herself again. I amquite wflling to remain until next year.Indeed, I had made up my mind beforeyour request came that that wasthe thing to do,"Dr, Peoples, in a card of May 15,says: "You at home cannot appreciatethe present strain. Miss Sterrett isfeeling it perceptibly, I have not attemptedto report to Synod, for I donot think it would ever reach its destination,"* * * *Larnaca, Cyprus.—Mr. Dwight Connerarrived in America from Cypruson July 15th ahd reached his home atMcDonald, Pa., on the 18th. "I hada rather long and pleasant voyagehome," he writes. "Came by way ofLondon and Liverpool. Sent a wirelessfrom London to "OLIVE Trees,,New York," but it apparently did notcome through, as I saw no one in NewYork when I arrived on the S. S. Finland,Spent Sabbath with relatives inNew Jersey, and came home Mondaynight. Gave my people quite a surpriseon Tuesday, as they had heardnothing from me,"Mr, Wflliam Wilbur Weir, Winchester,Kansas, of the Class of 1916,Geneva, has been appointed to succeedMr, Conner as teacher in theAmerican Academy for Boys at Larnaca,He will sail September 2d onthe S, S, New York and expects toreach Cyprus in time for the openingof the fafl term at the Academy,:J: ^ H: ^Lo Ting, China,—Our missionariesleft Lo Ting for their summer rest atCheung Chau on June 29th, Theyclosed school in the morning and leftabout noon. One of them writes: "Wedreaded coming away and leaving thestation without foreigners, but wehope to be in shape to do still morefor them when we return.. The hot-

weather and tinned foods do make usfeel the need of a little change."* * * *Dr. Dickson has started a readingroom, from which we hope to hear further.¥ V ^ ^Dr. J. W. Wright sends us some interestingitems:We were visited yesterday by one ofthe lepers who formerly lived at Doshing,and he says one woman leperescaped from there that we did notknow of at the time. This would makefour of our lepers living at differentplaces down the river from here, andTai So is trying to find them out.JfS 9|C tfp SfiThe hospital class closes this weekfor summer vacation, well earned byfaithful hard work. During our summervacation, the work wifl be caredfor by the native helpers.* * * *A Buddhist priest is a daily visitorat the dispensary, and talks freely ofthe Christian doctrine and has promisedto come to services.* * * *From three to four women from thewoman's school and two women andfour men from the hospital voluntarilygo into the country every week onevangelistic work. These trips arefrom one to three days in length, andthey go on foot and carry their ownluggage, and work hard. They seflmany portions of the Scripture, andcarry a smafl supply of medicines andpufl teeth when asked. They have becomequite skiflful in teeth pulling andin minor ailments.* * * *The hospital helpers are countingthe days until Dr. McBurney returns.All were glad to hear, indirectly, fromOLIVE TREES 229Miss Robinson, and the little orphanwhom she cared for so faithfullyspeaks of her often.* * * *We have employed a colporteur forthe last six weeks, who is an educatedman of good character and disposition.He reports having visited quite a numberof villages and market towns, andhaving sold 200 gospels, and findsmany ready to listen to the gospelstory.H: :!: 4s «Mrs. Kempf says: "This year Mrs.A. I. Robb and Mrs. Leung have beenvisiting in the homes in Tak Hing twoafternoons a week. They find quitean interest in the Gospel and are generaflywell received.Mrs. Leung makes it plain to themthat the object of their visit is to talkthe Doctrine. The fact that a foreignergoes with her helps to gather thepeople together and adds weight tothe Gospel message.It is much the same as in the bigcities at home. Those living nearchurches and Christian influence areoften the hardest to reach with theGospel. So here in Tak Hing it isharder work than in the viflagesaround.We have reason to thank God thatlast month at our Communion severalof those who Were baptized were fromthe better class of homes here in TakHing. We hope that this is the beginningof better things for Tak Hing"ty." , * * *The foflowing is from the pen ofMiss Mary Adams, Teacher in theGirls' School at Tak Hing:Some of the people have harvestedtheir rice crop. Other section of the

230 OLIVE TREEScountry wifl not gather their harvestfor a month yet. In some of the districtswhere the harvest is late thereare people in want. Day before yesterdayan old grandmother more thaneighty years old came with her daughter,who had three children. Theywere begging for rice, and Taai So intalking to them said to the old woman,"I am afraid you are fooling me; it isnot good to see as old a woman as youare f ooflng people," The old lady madeher plea so strong that both foreignersand Chinese were ready to help herout.Just this morning we heard of afamily that were starving and theywent to the home of some of their relatives.They begged for rice, but weregiven some roots that have to be thoroughlysoaked and dried before theyare fit to eat. The little fellow tookthem home and the family were insuch a famished condition that theyate them. Out of the family of nine,eight of them died as a result of eatingthese roots, and one child who hadeaten a little bit of rice with the rootssurvived,^ •!• -P H"Last year one of the school girls wassold to be married. The man did nothave the money to pay for her untilthis spring. He secured the money,six hundred dollars, by gambling. Atthe spring Communion this girl wasbaptized and her husband and motherin-law-to-bewere not pleased. Theyhave slandered the girl and quarreledwith her people. The girl's father ispleased for her to believe, and saysfor the husband to give back thepapers and the money. They calledthe girl to go home last week and wfllnot let her come back into school. Sheis a fine girl with a very good dispotion.She is not very strong, and thistrouble has caused her to cry a greatdeal at home. The Heavenly Fatheris able to change the heart of the husbandso that her life shafl be a happyone and her home also.* * * *Tak Hing, China.—The foflowingare extracts from a letter of Dr. A, I.Robb, of June 15th:You will have heard from othersources of the continued interest atMa Hui, which is a market town tenmiles away. Three weeks ago Mr.Kempf baptized fourteen adults andtwo children, and last Sabbath baptizedtwenty more and there are numerousapplicants. It is noticeablethat they are nearly all from viflageswhere we have had one or two membersfor some time, I think elevenare from one village, where one of th^training school students was the onlyChristian eighteen months ago,I think the credit for bringing thejnto decision must rest largely withChue Hon Shang, who was in the flrstclass in the training school and ig nowin his last year in the medical class.He was a very ardent student of theevangelist's methods who was here inJanuary, He has been preaching withgreatly increased power and we praythat it may continue and that othersmay receive the same blessjjig.Many of the other missions havebeen greatly hindered. I think I musttell you about Dr. Dobsoji, of the PresbyterianMission. He started on aChinese boat to go from Canton to hisstation, A launch was dragging thejunk. Robbers came and captured thelaunch and left the junk adrift. Thenrobbers came again and looted the

junk and left them with little food.For four days they were driven about.On the moming of the fifthday, Dr,D, said to the crew and passengers:"You have been worshipping youridols now for four days and they havenot helped you. If you wifl throw themafl overboard I will ask my God to saveus." After an open forum on thematter they decided to try it, threwthe idols overboard and Dobson prayedand they landed before night. Makingthem throw the idols overboard firstwas the finetouch.Dr. Robb, writing later, states:Two of the students who enteredthe Training School this year camefrom homes where there were no otherChristians, and their coming wasstrongly opposed.One of them brought his wife to theWomen's School. She had never beenaway from home and had never beennear foreigners, and for a time actedmuch like a frightened rabbit. Shesoon got over that and has become ahappy Christian and was baptized atthe last Communion.This man's people are Taoists andhot-hearted religionists, fasting andrefusing to eat meat, thinking thusto gain merit. The student is veryanxious to reach his own people, andhas been directing afl his study topreparation for meeting their difficulties.On last Sabbath the other studentpreached in the city chapel. He simplytold his own experience, what he oncethought of Christianity, how he gambledand did other evil things, how atalk with some Christians awakenedhis doubts and fears, and what thenew faith had done for him since heaccepted Christ. He began with aOLIVE TREES 231smafl audience and ended with a fuflhouse of earnest listeners, one ofwhom at least felt vastly profited bywhat he had heard.The students plan to go out in bandsduring the summer for a more systematiccanvass of the territory thanhas yet been made.* * * *There are twenty viflages lyingnorth of the river in our territory, inwhich there are 115 Christians. Thepersonal work of a few of these is alarge factor in the recent ingatheringsin that district.* * * *One dare not attempt to forecast,but the present situation in this Provinceis somewhat as follows: GeneralLung, with a well-trained army loyalto him personally, holds Canton City.Sham, a former Viceroy occupies ShiuHing, the ancient capital of the Province.Ostensibly they are co-operatingto prepare for the invasion of theNorth. In reahty, under this mask ofattacking the North, each is playingfor command of this Province. Largenumbers of troops are moving by hereon the river toward Shiu Hing, Thesentiment of the people is solidly be-'hind Sham, as Lung is hated mostheartily for past cruelties and murders.But Lung can destroy CantonCity, if pushed too hard, and peoplefear he wifl. Northern emissaries areattempting assassination; rice is anunprecedented price; commerce at astandstifl; plague and dysentery rife;lawlessness increasingly abounding,* * * *Missionaries of the United Brethren,Canadian Pres, and AmericanPres, have had to leave country stationson account of lawlessness.

232 OLIVE TREESThe home of one of the students inthe Training School has been robbed,They took all the livestock, bedding,clothing and cooking utensils,* * * *The soldiers say the crops wflllargely determine the amount oflawlessness in the immediate future,"Good crops, good people. Poor crops,bad people," is the way an officerstated it the other day,* ^fs * *Mrs, J, M, Wright tefls us:The thermometer stood at 80 degreesF, at six o'clock this morning.Humidity was three points less. Wesometimes wish for a Kansas breeze tostir the air,* * * *The schools were delighted with aletter from Miss Huston mailed atYokohama, They all miss her here,as do we all, but they work on verywell with Miss Adams at the wheel.We are beginning to learn vacationsongs,* * * *You will all rejoice to hear of thesixteen baptisms at Ma Hui last week.The work goes on; thanks to the bandof native itinerants, there will be tenor more ready to receive baptism nextSabbath,* * * *Synod meets this coming week. Weare all praying that the Spirit maybless—^that many and big plans maybe made and that with the help of theLord the Kingdom may grow andprosper,* * * *The river banks were fufl last weekbut the water has gone down again,for which we are thankful.MISSION INCIDENTS.The report of the United PresbyterianMission in India mentions theconversion of a leading Mahar Guru,or religious- teacher, who exercisessway over 200 vUlages and has a followingof several hundred disciples:"To get more help he came to seeus. He said that we must feed himwith milk flke a mother; that he hadmissed the true way to God. Takinga piece of camphor, he showed us howhe prayed. Lighting it, he becameabsorbed in meditation as he watchedits bright flame. Then he told us howhe prayed that as the flame left notrace of ash behind, so might his soulrise to God without a trace of earthliness.After his acceptance of Christhe said: 'I only want to go to givemy son a fareweU kiss and tefl him Iam dead.' The son came and pleadedwith me to postpone his father's baptism,but the latter remained steadfast.His baptism was the more remarkablein that it took place in themost sacred month of the Mahar year.Three Hindus cafled on him the dayafter his baptism and asked, 'Haveyou become a Christian?' His answerwas: 'All my life I've been seekinglight and peace. Now I havefound.' "—Record of Christian Work.GIFTS IN MISSION LANDS.The Southern Baptist Hospital atYanchow, China, has recently receiveda gift of $3000 (Mexican) from thegrandsons of a prominent Viceroy.This is contributed as a memorial totheir parent and wifl be used to fitupa new operating room. The ex-Viceroywas ruler over seven provincesand left, at death, robes and ornamentsof no little value. These weredisposed of for over $1300 and thissum constituted the nucleus of the$3000 fund.—Record of ChristianWork.

OLIVE TREES 233W O M E N ' S D E P A R T M E N TEdited by Mrs, J. S. Martin and Mrs. T. H. Acheson"WORLD MISSIONS AND WORLDPEACE."The book whose title is given aboveis that chosen for the study of missionarysocieties during the currentyear. It is one of exceptional value,both for its scholarly character andthe valuable information contained init. Its design is to show the incompatabifltyof war and bloodshed with thetrue rehgion. It also brings out thefact that there is no such thing as atruly Christian Government in theTiiorld, and the absolute necessity ofgovernments as such, giving their allegianceto Christ as King. The Bookitself teaches plainly that war wiflnever cease tifl He rides forth makingwar in righteousness.The author having given an outlineat the beginning of each chapter, itwould be superfluous to attempt another.As to analysis, it appears to mewe are in danger of fafling into thegreat error of the present age; thatof giving to students predigested information.Therefore I deem it bestto offer a series of questions which willafford members of our societies an opportunityto search out for themselvesthe contents of the book.Chapter I.1. What was the distinguishing characteristicof the early ChristianChurch?2. How far had the Gospel beenpreached at the end of the firstcentury? „3. When had it reached the limits otthe Roman Empire?4. What was a distinguishing trait ofthe Christian character?5. What was required by the Churchof soldiers who were converted?6. How long was this position maintained?, ^7. When did the distinction betweenclergy and laity obtain?8. What clergy? changes in the life of the9. About how many church memberswere there in 303 ?10. What was Constantino's reasonfor adopting Christianity?11. What was his great ambition?12. When did the union of Church andand State begin?13. What was the result to Christianity?14. When did Constantinople becomethe Capital?15. What was the character of thebishops?16. When did the Church claim powerover the State?17. What was the name of the thenreigning Pope ?18. How and when did the Bishopof Rome claim the temporalpower?19. What military movement originatedin the Church?20, Name the truthseekers of the thirteenthcentury,21, When and by whom was force usedto suppress heresy, and by whatmeans ?22, What Pope Usurped the throne ofConstantine?23. Why did Leo X wage war?24, What was the only Church knownin Western Europe at this time?25, What was the beginning of theProtestant Reformation?26, What moved Luther?27, Who was Savonarola?28, Who was Colet?29, Who was Sir Thomas Moore?30, Who was Erasmus?31, What was the effect of the Reformationwith regard to mUitaryPopes ?32, When did the temporal powers ofthe Popes end?33, What was the attitude of the Reformerstowards force?34. What was the duration of "thewars of religion?"35, What ant obligation Christianity? Mary rests E. Metheny. on Protest­

234 OLIVE TREESUNITED STUDY BOOKS ANDHELPS FOR 1916-1917World Missions and World Peace.The Story of Christ's Conquest.By Caroline Atwater Mason. Price:Paper, 30 cents. Cloth, 50 cents. Postageadditional.How to Use, 10c. By Helen BarrettMontgomery. Postage 2c. Ready inApril.Girls' How to Use. Margaret Applegarth."Maid in America," 10c.Postage, 2c. Ready in April.Set of Charts, 25c. Postage, 5c,Pageant With Music, 25c,FOR THE JUNIORSSoldiers of the Prince. By Rev.Charles E, Jefferson, D, D, The guidefor the use of the book in Junior Societies,Mission Bands and Sunday SchoolClasses, by NeUie G, Prescott, is includedin the book. Price: Paper, 25cents. Boards, 50 cents. Postage, additional.Set of Paper Dolls "Children of theWar," 25c, Postage, 5c,Set of Ninety-six Flags, 25c, Postage,5c,Peace Buttons, 5c, 50c, per dozen.Postage about 3c, dozen.Puzzle, How to Make Peace Out ofWar, 15c, Postage, 2c,Map, the same as the one used on thetrip with Jack and Janet, 15c, Postage,2c,Order fromM, H, LEAVIS, Agent,JUNIOR West Medford, DEPARTMENT Mass,Subject for October Meeting: Paul,the Missionary, Acts 16: 9-13. Ourvacations are over, and we are readyto begin the work of the winter withnew pleasure and so we can study withgreat interest this month the story ofthe tireless missionary Paul. If youhave been following the topics printedin the Junior card you will have alreadystudied the lives of Daniel andPeter and the life of Paul wiU be thelast of the Bible Missionaries for thisyear.Let us take as Paul's Motto: "Forme to live is Christ"—Phil: 1-21. Hisaim was: "This one thing I do, forgettingthose things that are behind andpreaching forth unto those thingswhich are before, I press toward themark for the prize of the high callingof God in Christ Jesus."—PhU 3: 13-14, Paul's one thought was: "For Idetermined not to know anythingamong you save Jesus Christ, and Himcrucified,"—1 Cor, 2:2,It would be interesting to make a listof the persons who were most prominentin the life of Paul and divide theminto lists as follows: FeUow-workers,friends, hosts, kinsmen, fellow-prisoners.You should have a good map so thatyou can trace the three missionaryjourneys and be able to name the citiesat which he stopped. Each journeyoccupied about three years. The firstwas possibly 1400 miles long, the second3200 mUes, and the third 3500,Some of the First things that happenedin Paul's life are interesting:The disciples firstcalled Christiansat Antioch,Cornelius, the firstGentile convert.Phillippi, the firstcity of Europe tohear the Gospel.Lydia, the firstconvert in Europe.Paul's firstconvert, Sergius Paulus.Paul's firstutterance as a Christian,"Who art thou. Lord?"Paul's firstrecorded sermon. Acts13: 16-4LThis year we hope to have an interestingMission Study for our Juniors.The Superintendent of Literatureand Mission Study recommended abook for the Juniors, and we will havethe material ready for use by the Octobernumber of Olive Trees.It is not too soon to begin to think ofour Thank-offering. If you have anyof the long red envelopes left from lastyear, If you give do them not have out enough at this meeting. send for

more of them to the Children's Superintendent.Mrs. D. C. Ward.THANK-OFFERING OF W. M. S. OFPITTSBURGH PRESBYTERYFOR 1916.Aged People's Home $9,00China 139,50Indian Mission 91,34Home Mission 2,00Jewish Mission, Phila 5,00Pittsburgh Syrian Mission.. 876.70Southern Mission 7,00Synod's Temperance Work, 1,00Syrian Mission, Foreign,,, 37,70Syrian Relief Fund 10,00Witness Bearing 7.00MisceUaneous 41,00$1227,24Mrs. W. j. Ward,Treasurer.CONVENTION NOTESThe Thirty-first Annual Conventionof the Woman's Missionary Societyof the Pittsburgh Presbyterywas held in the Reformed PresbyterianChurch, New Galilee, Pa,, withabout fiftydelegates present.Our President, Mrs. Annette G.WaUace, proved a good presiding ofcer;the program was "brimful!," yetthe hour of adjournment of each sessionwas closely observed and its workcompleted.During the half hour for worshipat the opening of each session ourthoughts were directed to what theLord has done for us, and to what weshould render to the Lord for all Hisgifts to us. "They first gave theirown selves."The officers and superintendents remainthe same as last year, with theexception of the treasurer. Mrs, S,R, WUls, who has fiUed the office foreleven years, declined re-election. InOLIVE TREES 235recognition of her good service, a risingvote of appreciation and thankswas accorded Mrs, Wills by the Convention,Her successor in office isMrs, W, J. Ward, 818 Wallace avenue,Wilkinsburg, Pa,The reports of Local Societies werebright and spicy, giving evidence thatour women "had a mind to work,"We hope to see many of these reportsin the "Workers' Exchange" in Woman'sDepartment of Olive Trees,Mrs. T. H. Acheson, reporting forthe Editors of Woman's Department,asked that societies appoint secretarieswho will send in accounts of theiractivities for the Worker's Exchange,Several societies reported an increasein contributions since adoptingthe plan of weekly contributions.These are placed in a special envelopewhich is readily distinguished fromthe regular church envelope, and putin the plate on Sabbath, Let us alltry this plan this year.The report from our PittsburghSyrian Mission showed that the workhas expanded; a larger buflding isneeded and necessarily more money.It is the hope that Mrs, De Bac willbe able to take up the work soon. Inview of all this the following motionwas carried: "That we ask the societiescontinue their pledges to the PittsburghSyrian Mission and increasethem, if possible,"The Superintendent of Literatureand Mission Study made a plea for agreater use of literature; also thateach society strive to place OliveTrees in every home.The book. World Missions andWorld Peace, by Mrs. Caroline AtwaterMason, will be used by MissionStudy Classes. The study of FiftyYears in Syria proved interesting andhelpful.

236 OLIVE TREESThe Temperance Secretary urgedwork among foreigners. Literature inaU languages may be secured; this ismission work. Write Mrs. W, R,Porter,The Thank-Offering Secretary recommendsthe use of the boxes. Theywill help you to be thankful, and wil:materially increase our offering nextconvention.One cent a day from every memberof our Presbyterial wiU give us aThank-Offering of more than $2100,The offering this year was $1227,24,of which $876,70 was given for ourPittsburgh Syrian Mission,The total contributions in our Presbyterial,for all purposes, for the yearending March 31,1916, were $4623,57,The following amendment to ourConstitution under Article VII was offeredby Mrs. T. H. Acheson.Elections.Sec, 1, All ofl[icers of the Societyshall be elected at the annual meeting.The President, Vice-Presidents andRecording Secretary shall not servelonger than two years in succession.Sec. 2. A Nominating Committeeof fivemembers, from five differentsocieties, shall be appointed by theExecutive Committee to present twocomplete lists of nominees to be ballotedfor at the last session of theAnnual Convention,Mrs. R, a, M, Steele.PLAN OF WORK OF W. M. S. OFEIGHTH ST. CONGREGATION,PITTSBURGHeach year to bring in its report at theJune meeting.This year we have decided to endeavorto interest the men as well asthe women in Mission Study, Becauseof the scattered condition of our congregationin a large city, we knew itwould be unwise to add another meetingto those already scheduled, so wehave secured the consent of the sessionto allow the W. M, S, to havecharge of the prayer meeting on thefirst Wednesday of each month. It isour plan to devote about thirty minutesto devotional services, and fortyminutes to mission study. We haverequested Rev, I, A, Blackwood toconduct the Mission Study, The bookwe expect to use is "World Missionsand World Peace," which Mrs, Montgomerysays "has a big message forthe Church, one that the Church musttake to heart if she is not to fail thehopes of humanity in the presentworld crisis,"In addition to this Wednesday nightmeeting, the regular meeting of thesociety will be held the firstFridayof each month at the homes of differentmembers. After the devotionalservices and the routine business, acertain member, who wifl be knownto us as "Miss Cliina" during the year,will tell us the mission news from thatcountry in a few minutes. We willalso listen at each one of these meetingsto Miss Syria, Miss India, MissKorea, Miss Japan, Miss Egypt, MissSouth America, Miss Home Missions,Miss Pittsburgh Syrian Mission, MissIt has been suggested that we let Prohibition and Miss Anti-Polygamy.our light shine by telling other societiesour plans for carying on mission­of the progress of missions.In this way we hope to keep informedary work for the coming year.We hope these meetings will deepenWe findin our society that a change the conviction among our people thatof program every year or two increasesboth the interest and attend­Christ is ours as really as it is thatthe work of winning the world toance of our members and so a new of missionaries and preachers. ThePlan of Work Committee is chosen Christian Church possesses what overhalf of the world needs. It is ours tofurnish them with the truth, WiU wedo it? "Ye are the light of the world,"Mrs, T, H, Acheson.

R. M, SOMMERVILLE, D, D. MRS. R. M, SOMMERVILLEDR. SOMMERVILLE founded "OLIVE TREES and edited il for 29 years.OLIVE TREESA Monthly Journal devoted to Missionary Work in the Reformed PresbyterianChurch, U. S. A.VOL XXX OCTOBER, 1916 No. 10EDITORIALSWe are glad to give this month thepictures of some of our missionarieswho sail October 9th for China. Wehave not yet received the pictures ofMr. and Mrs. W. M. Robb and familyand of Dr. Kate McBurney. We hopeto furnish them next month.We have great reason to thank Godfor the recovery of Mrs. Robb andMrs. Mitchell and of Mr. and Mrs.Robb's little chfld. The day Of miraclesis not past. Our prayers gowith these soldiers of the Cross returningto their fieldof labor. Theirsis the privilege. We are also privilegedin working together with themand with our leader. May we one andall draw largely and solely from Hisinexhaustible resources.We welcome Miss Brownlee intoour Church and into the ranks of ourForeign workers. As she goes fromhome to home visiting the women inChina, may she know that He Whodehghted to visit the homes of Palestineand who was called the Friendof publicans and sinners, is ever withher.We wish to note as a cause of specialthanksgiving to God, the offer ofthe Lo Ting Christians to establishand financetheir own hospital (See"News From the Field.")It is a matter of great encouragementto the Church at home and agreat joy to the workers on the Fieldto findthe natives so ready to assumethe responsibility of such an importantundertaking.May the time speedily come whenour own Fields and all China wiU havenative Christian doctors and preachersand when she wifl not need ForeignMissionaries.Is there not in the CovenanterChurch a Christian ManWell Trained in EducationalMethods,Who wiU volunteer to go to China,to teach the young men,so that above result may soonbe realized?

238 OLIVE TREESThe Mission of the Covenant haslost a warm friend and faithful workerin the going home of Mrs. J. HunterLimerick, Sr.Mrs. Limerick was a constant helperat the Thursday aftemoon sewingclass for girls and at Sabbath School.Last summer, even during the hotweather, she seldom missed a Sabbathafternoon. Some time ago she had betweentwenty and thirty of the girlsout at her home for a treat which theywill always remember. May hermantle fall on some other person forthe good of the Mission and the gloryof God. Hers has been the "well donegood and faithful servant; enter thouinto the joy of the Lord."Olive Trees extends its sincerestsympathy to the bereaved husband,sons and their families.Word received from Dr. Slater. Hisarticle on the Princeton Conference iscoming. We hope to have it sure forNovember Olive Trees. It will beworth waiting for. Ask the Lord inthe meantime, that it may bring YOUa great message and that you may beready to receive it.THE UNSEEN HARVESTTwenty-five years ago I preachedmy firstsermon at a little church inKansas. It was a miserable attempt,and I felt blue. I wondered if, afterall, I was cafled to be a preacher.Not long ago, in a strange city, aman met me on the street and calledme by name. "You don't know me,"he said, "but I know you. I was inthe congregation twenty-five yearsago when you preached in a littlechurch in Kansas. That sermon ledme into the ministry."Then he added that he was pastorof an active church in the capital cityof his State. I assure you I was walkingon air when he left me. God hadsent me the message I needed.Results always follow when a Christiandoes his best for God. He maynot see any of these results, but Godsees them. Then let his discouragedservant work on, trusting Him whohas promised, "My word shall notreturn unto Me void, but it shall accomplishthat which I please, and itshall prosper in the thing whereto Isent it."—Ex.A CHRISTIAN'S FUNDAMENTAL LIFE WORK DECISIONI will live my life under God for others rather than for myself; fadvancement of the Kingdom of God rather than my personal success.I will not drift into my life work but will do my utmost by prayer, investigation,meditation and service to discover that form and place of life workin which I can become of the largest use to the Kingdom of God.As I find it I wiU follow it under the leadership of Jesus Christ,wherever it take me, cost what it may.SignedDepartment of Best Methods—M. M. W.

OLIVETREES339REV. E. C. MITCHELLMRS. E. C. MITCHELLMISS JENNIE M. DEANMISS NELLE A. BROWNLEEMr. and Mrs. Mitchell, Miss Dean, Miss Brownlee, Dr. Kate McBurney and Mr. and Mrs.W. M. Robb and two children, sail for China on S. S. Monteagle, leaving Vancouver, October gth.

240 OLIVE TREESSTARVATION IN SYRIAPresident Wilson is calling the whole countrytoact.Will we whohave special interests there,notrespond?H o w much do we value our peace and plenty?Here is a chance to say.Send all contributions toJ O S E P H M . S T E E L E , Treas.,1600 Arch St., Philadelphia, Pa.Send your contribution rightnow.Thousands are dying.

SPECIALTWO WORTHIES OF THE OLDSCHOOLBy Mary E. Metheny.Muallim Ibraheem Jukki and Mualliamlesa el Haurani were teachers inthe Aleppo district when the work ofthe Free Church of Scotland wastaken over by our Church. The wordMuallim means teacher, and those exercisingthat calling are always addressedby that title. M. Ibraheemwas in the town school and M. lesa atIdlib.M. Ibraheem was a Syrian, a tallspare man, with a fund of dry humor.I wefl remember his first visit toLatakia. He was then, I presume,nearing 50, if not past that age, andup to that time his life had been spentin the interior, and he had never seenthe coast. To him the sea was a revelation.He used to go down in themorning with a green blanket shawlwisearound his shoulders, and standon the flat roof of the wash-housegazing off to the horizon.Sitt (this is the word for Lady usedas a title) Lucea, his wife, was quitea contrast to him. She was short andquite stout. She was married at theage of twelve, and he was much hersenior. She said he was very goodto her; at times she would slip offto play with the girls, and he wouldhave to call her back to her householdtasks; when they were done he wouldtell her stories to amuse her. As timepassed on and they had no childrenthey adopted a littie girl and broughther up as their daughter. In duetime she married and she and her husbandand children made part of thehousehold.M. Ibraheem was for some time mcharge of the work in Suadea, andbuying property there made that hishome. He was hcensed to preach in1892, and died in Suadea in 1905.In many respects lesa differed fromIbraheem. to Jesus; learn it that is It a the very need name common not lesa shock name. is readers simply M.OLIVE TREES 24.1ARTICLESlesa then is Jesus of the Hauran, adistrict situated south of Damascus,and east of Bashan.He was somewhat like Eglon, inthat he was a fat man; and his countenanceradiated good humor. Hewas full of quips and jokes, and lovedto tell stories of Mr. Dodds. One ofthese was of what he considered aremarkable coincidence. "One time,"he would say, "Mr. Dodds came to myhouse at Idlib. After the usual salutations"—andI can assure you thatM. lesa's salutations were not short—"I said 'Mr. Dodds, what would youlike to have for your supper?' Mentioningthe most unlikely thing hecould think of he said 'Pigs' feet.''Very weU,'I replied, though I had noexpectation of getting them, for youmust know pigs are as rare in thiscountry as they were in Judea in theScripture times. Our chat was interruptedby my wife, who came in totell me that a man wished to see me.I went to the kitchen and there metone who told me he had beeu out huntingand had killed a wfld boar, and ashe could not offer the meat in theopen market, he was peddling it fromhouse to house, in the Christian quarter.'Have you the feet?' I asked.'Yes,' he said and took them out ofthe bag. I paid him, gave the feet toUm Ibraheem (the mother of Abraham,his eldest son), and told her tobegin immediately to prepare themfor Mr. Dodds' supper. "He said Mr.Dodds was as much surprised to seethe very dish he had called for as hehad been to secure it, and he concluded"was it not like a miracle thatProvidence sent the very thing whichthe preacher had asked for?"M. lesa's eldest daughter was MissCrawford's firstassistant, and taughtmany years in the girls' school. Onoccasions when her father came toLatakia the difference between Orientaland Occidental was seen in themanner ter while he he saluted of bestowed his with greetings. on a mere each His handshake,male daugh­mis-

242 OLIVE TREESsionary resounding kisses on thecheeks.Neither of these teachers of the oldschool was what we now call educated,but they had a very thorough and accurateknowledge of the Bible, which,after all, was the chief thing. And inaddition to this M, lesa could quotechapter and verse of the Koran,On pages 84 and 85 of Dr, Balph'sbook you will find an account of howhis work in Bahlulee, where he hadlived for twenty years, was brokenup, and on page 86 of how he wasbanished to his native place, for thecrime of teaching the Word of God,Not only was the trip made at his ownexpense, but he was compelled to paythe expenses of the escort mentioned.There he died in 1898, aged 85 years,after twenty-five years of missionwork. Of these we may truly say:"Blessed are the dead which die in theLord from henceforth: Yea, saith theSpirit, that they may rest from theirlabors, and their works do followthem."HIS GOD IS MADE OF WOODDear Father, there's the other boy tonight,Who's praying to a god that's madeof wood.He asks it to take care of him till lightAnd keep him—but it won't do anygood.He is so far I cannot make him hear;I'd call to him and tell him if I couldThat You'll take care of him, that Youare nearAnd love him—^for his god is madeof wood.THE MISSIONARY PROGRAMThe supreme object of every missionaryprogram—in the Sabbathschool, young people's society, Churchprayer meeting, or woman's missionarysociety—should be to advance thecause of missions and extend the kingdomof God.Every part of the program—the devotionalservice, the business transactions,the papers, talks, and addresses,the social hour at the close—should be planned with this one greatobject in view.Nothing foreign to the subject ofmissions should be allowed on the program.No greater mistake can be madethan that of introducing entertainingfeatures of a secular nature—^vocaland instrumental music, dramaticreadings, or amusing recitations^—inthe hope of interesting the uninterested.These things may entertain, butthey cannot produce or promote interestin missions. There is in them nolife-giving missionary germ. Nothingbut 'missionary seed can produce amissionary harvest.If the interest lags, study the programand see what is wrong. It neednot be dull because it is exclusivelymissionary. No subject is more fascinatingif rightly presented.—In MissionaryReview of the World.THE BIBLE A LAMPA group of boys were one nightcrossing open country. One boywalked in front carrying a lantern.Another boy, wishing to make a shortcut, left the crowd and fell into aI know he'd ask You if he only knew, morass. "What is the use of a light ifyou are not guided by it?" asked one.I know he'd like it if he only could.The Bible is for practical use, and itFather, take care of him and keepis worthless if we are not guided by it.him, too.Study Eph. 6: 17-32 to see what isThe other boy whose god is made ofmeant by the darkness in which wewood.wander and what is meant by light,——Ex. Ex.

The foUowing message taken fromMen and Missions will be of great interestto aU our readers:Henry WaUace was well known tothe members of the CovenanterChurch not only as Editor of the WallaceFarmer, but also because of hislife-long friendship with our belovedDr. Johnston.OLIVE TREES 243Dr. Johnston was one of a few selectmen who spent a number of dayswith Mr. Wallace at his home a fewyears ago. He was also present andspoke at the funeral services. Mr,Wallace's sons, who are carrying onthe Wallace Farmer, have asked Dr,Johnston to become a contributor tothe paper.A MESSAGE TO THE LAYMEN OF IOWAMany readers of "Men and Missions'' willrecall that Henry Wallace, of Des Moines,Chairman of the Laymen's MissionaryMovement Committee of that city, died atthe memorable closing session of the Conventionheld in Des Moines last spring.His son, John P. Wallace,, speaks a stirringword in "A Message to the Laymen ofIowa," which was sent out to a selectedgroup of men in his State on the occasionof his appointment to the position of chairmanof the committee which his father hadso ably filled.My father was cafled to his rewardin the closing hours of the laymen'sipissionary conference, in the activitiesof which he was so deeply interested,I need not tell you of his strongconvictions in the cause of missions,or of his firm belief that the laymenof the churches would do their fuflduty by this great work. His remarksat the convention demonstrated thisbeyond anything within my power tosay. .I have been asked to take the chairmanshipof the committee left vacantby his death. I realize that I cannotfill this office as he would have fifledit, and the purpose of this message isto ask you to share with me the responsibUity.As he would have likedto see the interest of Iowa laymengrow, let us make it grow, untfl thecause of missions, both home and foreign,is a real thing in the life of everylayman.How can we help, you ask? Iffather were here, I believe he wouldsay to us:First—Ask God's help and guidance.Whenever father had any problemthis was his source of help, andhe always received liberaUy as heasked. He spent much time daily inprayer, and in the study of God'sword. I am firmly convinced that thiswas the source of his power and influencefor good. As he was receptiveand willing for service, so must we be,putting aside the things that hinderour fullest development. We must beresponsive to God's will, ready to dowhat we see needs to be done.Second—Let us serve our churchand help our pastor to the limit of ourabUity. Don't wait to be asked to dosome big thing. TeU your pastor thatyou want to help his work in any wayyou can; that you are willing to dot,the best you can at anything he wantsyou to do. This will encourage himmore than you realize.Third—Let us take a real interestin our fellow-men. Many are outsidethe church simply because we havenot done our part. They do not reallyknow that we want them to be Christians; that we want their help in makingthe church a vital thing in the lifeof the community which it serves.How many men have you ever talkedto about becoming Christians? Weneed God's especial direction in this.If our life is not touching others, weshould ask ourselves why.Fourth—Let us study what missionsreally mean. Lack of knowledgeon the part of the men in the'churchis holding back this great cause morethan any one thing. If you do notknow, find out what your church is

244 OLIVE TREESdoing, and what is being accomplishedby other churches. Let us doa real man's part in the extension ofthe Kingdom of God,Fifth—Get back of the men whoare on the mission fields.They havegiven their life to the cause. Ourprogram? Will you enlist for service?It comes to me that it may havebeen God's plan that father's lifeshould have been taken as it was, inorder to impress his service for theMaster on the laymen of Iowa, thatthey might see the reward of service,and might receive as individuals andas a body his vision of the opportunitiesfor service, both at home andabroad."Things to Make." A book of Handworkand Service for Boys and Girls,by J, Gertrude Hutton, published bythe Missionary Education Movement,156 Fifth avenue. New York city, hasbeen received.We are sure it Avill prove a greatboon to leaders of Juniors and all whoare trying to make Missions interestingand helpful to the Young, Price,50c.; at all bookseflers.EVERY CHRISTIANA MISSIONARYWhy?First, a Christian should so enjoyhis religion that he would be glad andanxious to tefl of Christ to those whoknow him not. His. life should be sounselfish, so care-lape, and so helpfulthat others would come to ask thesecret.Second, a Christian should be a missionarybecause his Christ was such.financial backing puts them in a placewhere they can do the greatest workin the most effective way. Our giftwill be small, no matter how manydollars it represents, as compared toJesus was the greatest missionarytheir gift. We cannot do the work who ever worked among men. He isthey do, but we can multiply many my pattern, therefore I ought to dotimes their work by real giving. as He did.To sum it all up, here are theThird, a Christian ought to be amissionary because of Christ's command,"Go ye," Are these not suf­things I believe my father would askus to do: Ask God for guidance and ficient reasons?help; offer our service to our pastor; How and Where?take a real interest in our fellowmen;study what has been done; get to foreign fields, but all cannot do this.It is the duty of all who can, to goThose who stay are surrounded by anback of the men who are giving theirabundance of work at home.life to the cause with our liberalThe first work for us all is to buildfinancial support,strong Christian character and to de­I ask you if this is not a reasonablevelop the natural ability with whichGod has endowed us. Having donethis, we can feel that we have doneour part toward preparing ourselvesto be used of Him,Then if we ask Him He will guideus to our fieldof labor. This field maybe the home, the farm, the shop, theSabbath school, the ministry, the citymission, the foreign field,or even someother place He would have us work.Perhaps He has given us moneythat He would have us use for Hiscause. There are a thousand ways ofdoing mission work for the Master,May He help us to see the beauty oflaboring for the uplift of our fellowmenand doing all to His glory!When?"When shall I be a missionary?"Now! You have already missed manyopportunities. Begin now. Prepareand work meanwhile. Trust Him, andin His own good time He will guideyou where you are needed most.—Ex.

PREACH THEWORDRev, Prof, David Smith, D. D,Londonderry, Ireland,Preach the Word; it is the one inexhaustiblefountain of living water.My contention is that the Bible is theChristian preacher's only and all-sufficienttext-book; and my reason isnot simply that it is the chief of reflgiousclassics and, merely as literature,the most wonderful book in theworld.It is indeed so. It is, in truth, not abook, not a single book; it is, in St,Jerome's fine phrase, "a Divine library,"a collection of the literatureof a thousand years, and its study isan infinite task.No scholar could master it all; andnot only does any single section of itfurnish ample employment for a lifetime,but at the close the student realizesthat he has only touched its veryfringes.The New Testament has been mydaily study now for over twenty years,and it fills me with an evergrowingwonder. New treasures are continuallybeing revealed to me, and mydaily delight is alloyed by two regrets.One is that I have no longer a congregationto tell week by week of thebeautiful things which have surprisedand gladdened my own heart; and theother, that my life is passing soquickly, and I shall soon have to relinquishthe fascinating employmentere it is well begun.Merely as literature, merely as aninteUectual arena, the Bible is peerless; but it is more, much more, thanmere literature. It is the literature ofGod's historic revelation; it is the recordof the long series of his redeemingacts, culminating in that suprememanifestation, the Incarnation,. It isthis that differentiates the Bible fromevery other literature.It is the record, the sole^ record, ofthe revelation of Redeeming Grace,and it is only through it that we comeinto contact with the historic Saviour,OLIVE TREES 245know him as he was manifested in thedays of His flesh, and as He is evermorein His glory, and thus rise toHiin,As St, Jerome puts it in the prefaceto his Commentary on Isaiah, "If, accordingto the Apostle Paul, Christ is'the power of God and the wisdom ofGod,' and one who knows not theScriptures knows not God's powerand his wisdom, ignorance of theScriptures is ignorance of Christ,"The light of the knowledge of theglory of God in the face of JesusChrist shines in the Scriptures, andwhatever light of faith and hope andlove may shine in other literature, itis only a borrowed light caught fromthem, as its authors would reverentlyconfess.Preach from the Bible, and you arepreaching from the sacred text;preach from any other book, and youare preaching at the best, from amere complimentary. And thereforeit seems to me the Bible is the preacher'sonly text-book. Argument is unnecessary; the fact proves it.The marvel of the thing used tocome home to me in the happy yearsof my ministry, and it comes home tome afresh on the rare occasions whenI return for a brief season to thepreacher's emplojmient. Here is agreat assemblage of all sorts and conditions,and what has gathered them ?The glad tidings of the love of God inChrist Jesus our Lord,Is there any other theme whichwould attract that multitude, and obliteratefor the moment all their manifolddifferences and unite them in acommon brotherhood of human needand desire?Intimate a lecture on Browning,and you will have a select audience of"blue-stockings;" intimate a politicaladdress, and you may indeed, if yoube a statesman of repute, draw acrowd, but it will be a crowd of onepolitical complexion.But stand up and tell, simply andlovingly, from your own living experi-

246 OLIVE TREESence, of the love of Christ and hisremedy for human sin and sorrow,and men of all ranks and opinions willthrong about you, forgetting all else,caring for nothing else.The Gospel is an abiding miracle. Itis for the lack of it that the Churchis perishing. The world is hungeringfor it, consciously or unconsciously,and if preachers would only devotethemselves to the study of the LivingWord and proclaim the wonders ofits grace they would quickly discoverthat "the power of the pulpit" is notgone,—In British Weekly.GOD'S TENTH IN KOREAAfter careful consideration, I determinedthat the only way the Koreanscould adequately support theirpreachers and meet the other churchexpenses was by tithing.So I prepared a series of talks ontithing, and at our annual class, whenwe had the best of leaders together, Ipresented the matter,I made it entirely vountary, not attemptingto pledge any one; but theresponse was gratifying, and severaldecided on the spot, and since thenothers have begun to tithe. The resultsare already apparent, and I believeif kept up it will produce a financiallyindependent Church, a resultmost heartily to be desired.It looks hard sometimes to ask aman who has a hungry look in his eyeto cut his already inadequate bill offare doAvn one-tenth, but it meanseither this or to build up a Church thatcan never hope to be self-supporting.Then if a man's religion does not costhim something of real sacrifice, it isusuafly of a poor quality, and we wantthe best.One of the tithers is a young manwho was forced to leave his home onaccount of his Christian beflef, and,having come here, has been making hisliving buying and selling chickens. Hegoes out in the country and buys themand then brings them in to the largecentres to sell at a small profit.He has a double-story coop affairthat he loads on his back, and I aminf ormed that when it is fufl it is anythingbut an easy load, the constantmovement of the chickens tending todisturb the balance, not to mention theweight. He makes anywhere fromtwenty-five to fifty cents a day, andyet he has decided to give a tenth ofhis hard-earned, meagre income to theLord,Another tither is a lumber merchantwho runs a sawmill; but one-half ofthe horse power of the mill is furnishedby the merchant himself, sincethe mill is nothing but an ordinarytwo-man saw operated by hand. Thework is hard, and the profits are smafl.Another tither is a traveling merchantwho goes from market place tomarket place, carrying his heavy loadof wares on his back, I suspect thatthe average Christian at home, aftera few days of this kind of work,would not feel in a very religiousframe of mind, certainly not to the extentof being willing to give one-tenthof the fruits of this back-breaking toilto the Church, 'StUl another tither is a formeropium eater^ saved by Christ, and nowone of the most prosperous Koreans inthe Church,In many country places, as the Koreansput it, they never have a "sightsee"of cash, so we are trying to havethe stewards take a sack along to takethe quarterage in rice or other produce.This will show that we areaiming to take the burden of thenative Church off of the home Churchas soon as possible,—Rev. J. W. Hitchin "The Missionary Voice."

IT PAYS TO TITHEOLIVE TREES 247By Robert C. Marquis.At the close of the world's fairclutchedIin her hand. Perhaps it waswas in Chicago, $2000 in debt, with aher firsterrand. She skipt along as ifwife apd three children and with ashe were greatly pleased. But at theproperty which would not have soldcorner the bottle slid from her graspfor $500.and smashed to pieces on the stones.After tramping day after day forThe child burst into a frightened wailand several people stopped,weeks hunting work and findingabsolutelynothing, I got a job at $6 a"Never mind, dear," soothed ayoung lady. "Mother will know it wasweek, which after three days was an accident."raised to $8."I guess your mother won't trustDuring the winter I had read in the you to go to the grocery again," saidInterior, Thomas Kane's tithing articles,and my wife joined me in a de­The child stopped sobbing, anda sharp-looking person.termination to commence tithing. turned to the last speaker indignantly,But we were living on the simplest "Yes, she will— My mother alwaysfood, and three times I had pawned a gives me another chance, and I won'tgold dollar, a keepsake, for bread. Besidesour living expenses, interest andtaxes must be paid.When that $8 came in, what shouldwe do? Should we tithe it? We tooka cup and set it in a conspicuous placeand caUed it "the Lord's cup," intowhich we put the eighty cents. Soonthe Lord's cup overflowed.In twenty years, on a very modestsalary, we have educated a family ofsix children, are out of debt and haveenough to keep us modestly the restof our days.With the overflow of the Lord's part,after the usual church expenses, I organizedand carried on a work in aneedy community which soon grewinto a church; and today a finebrickand stone Presbyterian church standsin Chicago which certainly would nothave been there except for that eightycents; for into that work I emptiedthe Lord's cup of hundreds of doUarsand doubled my own tithe. _The fruitage in character bufldmg,in lives and homes redeemed and soulssaved is beyond words to tell. It paysto tithe.—SeL"ANOTHER CHANCE"A tiny girl was coming from thegrocery with a pint bottle of milkbreak it the next time!""Bravo!" said a taU man, "Thatis just what mothers are for, to give af eUow another chance, I hope we wiUall make as good use of it as you meanto, my dear child,"The chfld smfled on her comfortersand went home. The older peoplewent on, perhaps wondering if theyhad made the best use of "anotherchance,"—Christian Has not the church Advocate. of Christ as compellingan appeal as that which caflsmillions of men to the colors in Europe—(1)a great cause; (2) a compellingappeal; (3) an example of sacrifice;(4) an unquestionable faith inthe justice of that for which they arecontending,—iV. W. Rowell.A candle that won't shine in oneroom is very unlikely to shine in another.If you do not shine at home,if your father and mother, your sisterand brother, if the very cat and dogin the house are not the better andhappier for your being a Christian, itis a question whether you really areone,—J. Hudson Taylor.—Ex.

248 OLIVE TREESGOD'S PLAN FOR YOUR LIFEBy E, W, Fritchley,Bombay, India,Two or three years ago at a Sabbathevening tea in Union Hall, Bombay,a young man, referring to hisconversion, said: "Fritchley was takingthe service at Union Hall and helooked straight in my face and said:'Young man, God has a beautiful planfor your life, will you let Him work itout?' I had come to Bombay to commitsuicide, but I could not get awayfrom that thought, that God had abeautiful plan for my life. I went tomy room and gave myself to God,"That young man is the head now ofthe Union Hall work in Bombay,Friend, God has a beautiful planfor your life, Wifl you let Him workit out? He has an appointment withyou today, just as definite as any witha business partner.What is religion? i2e—"back;"Iigo—"I bind." The word ligamentcomes from the same root. The wholeforce and protective helpfulness in thebody goes into the hand as long as itis joined to the body. My hand ishanging down, a dog comes and givesa little nip into the hand, I may besigning a ten-thousand-dollar document;I drop it, and the whole bodysays: "Go to a physician, call a taxi,get a doctor, help my little finger. Thewhole body is there,"Shakespeare cannot be said to havemake a religion. They may have givenmakeareligion. They may have givengood, manly ideas in proportion to theextent they have separated themselvesfrom sin. Religion is not a man-createdthing; it is the God-life whichJesus Christ implants in the humanheart, Jesus alone of all religiousteachers says, "Ye must be bornagain," Religion is that which bindsa- man to God,Suppose my hand had an apple init and that attached to one finger wasa string with a bit of bacon on theend, and attached to the next fingerwas a little book with the word "bank"on it; suppose the apple said:"What are you doing. Hand, withthese?""Sometime the body might cut meoff," the hand answers, "and then Iwill have the apple and the bacon toeat, and the bank account to work on,and I wifl be all right,""Silly hand," you say, "why shouldthe body cut you off? The body lovesyou, the body needs you, and whileyou are connected with the body thebody lives for you,"If you feel you are linked to God,are you going to hold onto apples andbacon and hang onto bank books?That apple is a dead weight to thehand; put it in the mouth and you willget some of the good, nourishing juiceand you will feel the benefit and pleasureof it!Oh, in God's name, get a new vision!Do not talk about Christian stewardshipas though God and you have separateinterests. Be linked to God, andknow that everything is the Lord andthe Lord is everything—MissionaryReview of the World.CHRISTIANS IN CHINAThe latest statistics of evangelicalChurch membership in the republic ofChina give 470,000, The churches areserved by 546 ordained Chinese pastorsand 5346 unordained workers.There are also 4712 Chinese Christianschool teachers, 1789 Bible women,and 496 native assistants in the hospitals.There are 235 hospitals and200 dispensaries, which treated lastyear 1,322,802 patients.—MissioruiryReview.The trouble with much of our missionarywork is that we are relyingtoo much on money and men, on theforces of the world and the wisdomof the world and do not rely enoughon God.—Robert E. Speer.

OLIVE TREES 249N E W S F R O M T H E FIELDEdited by MRS, Findley M. Wilson, 2517 North Franklin Street,Philadelphia, Penna.Mersine, Asia Minor.—^We are indebtedto Rev. Samuel Edgar for themeagre news from Asia Minor, Mr,Edgar received a card from Rev, A,J, McFarland and thoughtfully forwardedit for Olive Trees, The cardwas dated Aprfl 10 and Mr, McFarlandsays: "It is not very easy to keepon writing, with reports coming fromafl parts we get any word from, thatnothing is being received from us, butperhaps like the importunate widow;if we keep on long enough somethingwifl get through; so here goes again.We are all well. Our work is movingabout as usual except the boardingdepartments, which we did not reopenafter our holiday vacation of a month.Attendance is larger than usual, bothhere and at Tarsus. Carithers and Iand perhaps some of the Adana andTarsus friends hope to look over ourGuzne plant at Easter if the weatherpermits. Do not want to meet anotherfloodlike we did last year. Havehad the finest winter I ever saw, andthe spring is just about perfect, Margaretand I ride nearly every morningbefore breakfast. Got a pony for her,a beauty, like a Shetland in build,Dr, Peoples is busy, but civiliansmostly barred. The doctor in Adanaditto, only large general clinics notpermitted here. Truly this seems tobe Lev, 26:19 in many ways. We stiflplead Matt, 24:22, Was ever so muchof the world in misery since the flood?Very grateful for your prayers,"H: * *Tak Hing, China.—July-Augustnumber of Olive Trees mentionedthe killing of our lepers at Do Sing.A mere statement of the fact was allthat was given and we have hopedthat further news of the tragedywould be forthcoming, A letter fromDr, Robb to his brother. Rev, J. K,Robb, gives a few particulars. Dr,Robb writes: "A very sad occurrencewas the killing of our leperChristians at Do Sing. On the 8thof May the soldiers attacked themand kflled all they could, and burnedall their boats. There were thirteenaltogether, ten of them being Christians,and two more believers. Tenwere killed, two tried to cross theriver, it is said, and their fate is unknown,and one is said to be hiding inthe hills back of Do Sing. It is likelythe thing was done by order of thehigher authorities. Poor China, thatsuch things can be done and she seesno wrong in them!"* * *Another quotation of a slightly differentcharacter wifl explain itself,"Another event, not so startling asthe above, but rather sudden, was thecoolie's wedding. About four o'clocka man came in and said the cooliewould like me to marry him at fouro'clock, I said I would do so, andwhile Saturday afternoon at fouro'clock is not a common hour for awedding, the coofle is not a commonman. He nodded his head from beginningto end of the ceremony, tothe very great edification of a lot ofschool girls, some of whom are tostand up this summer for a like performance.The bride was here at thehouse, and waited until the chapelbell rang. She then washed her feetand changed her clothes in about fiveminutes, and was ready," Ifluminating,is it not, in regard to the averagemarriage in China?* * *We are favored as a mission verygreatly in that while the political disturbancesin this Province have interferedgreatly with the work of al-

250 OLIVE TREESmost all missions, ours has been unhindered.The only exception to this has beenthat the students from the TrainingSchool who have gone out in squadsfor the summer to preach have beenunable in one district to get lodgingsaway from the chapel at night. Thereis robbery and disorder in that onedistrict and people are suspicious ofstrangers.The party in Tak Hing visited UetSing district, traversing its lengthwith audiences of from 40 to 400 anda kindly reception everywhere.It is the opinion of all that the politicalsituation in this Province is theworst it has been in recent times.Lung, an ex-brigand, has been militarygovernor for several years, andis hated intensely by the people. Hehas been driven back by armies originallymustered to fight the North,until now he holds but Canton cityand the Arsenal, some six miles out,and the intervening territory. He hasbeen superseded in appointment byone named Luk, who refuses to comeand receive the seals of office, as he isnot certain these are what Lung wouldgive him if he ventured into hispower. It is practically a siege ofGeneral Lung in Canton City by anarmy that is entirely lawless so far asappointment and control are concerned,but which represents no doubtthe real sentiment of the people. Inthe meantime robbers are almosteverywhere and violence is abroad inthe land.An abundant harvest and a fall inthe price of rice of 25 per cent, is nodoubt the reason for the quietness ofour own district. For this we arethankful.* * *Mrs. Julius Kempf sends an interestingaccount of the island of CheungChau, the summer resort of the missionaries.Mrs. Kempf says: "Weare all very grateful for a few weeksrest on Cheung Chau Island. It is ahaven of rest to many. The missionarypopulation of the Island at presentis ill and of that number fortythreeare children. It does us allgood to see how the children enjoythe bathing and swimming. Manyof them come from country stationswhere there are very few, if any,other foreign children. At the presenttime there are nine different MissionBoards represented on the island.The fellowship that we have onthese hills during the summer weeksdoes us much good.A mat shed is erected where meetingsare held. Here the children meetfor Sabbath School, Sabbath afternoons.There is also an Adult BibleClass, after which there is a preachingservice. A prayer meeting hasbeen started which meets Wednesdaysfrom 4.30 to 5.30. These servicesbeing in English, it is quite a treat tothose of us who only hear preachingin Chinese the rest of the year."* * *Lo Ting, China.—That the CovenanterCongregation of Lo Ting inSouth China is an enterprising companyof Christians and good citizens,all will agree after reading what happenedthere early in the Spring. Theymet and elected a board of eight trustees,all Christian men, to establishand finance a hospital in that city.That they possess no mean degree ofexecutive abflity is shown by the arrangementsthey have made for conductingit. They are to finance thehospital. The Mission is to supplythe services of a physician. The trusteesalso agree to take over the presentstock of drugs and medical supplies,for which they are to pay ininstaflments as the financesof the institutionpermit. If the income ofthe hospital should ever exceed itscurrent expenses, the excess is to beused in the development of the institution.This arrangement places all thefinancial responsibflity, with the ex-

ception of the salary of the foreignphysician, on the Covenanter Churchin Lo Ting instead of on the CovenanterChurch in America. The institutionbeing owned and managedby natives will win the confidence ofthe public in a way that would takea much longer period of time to developunder foreign management. Itwill also save the American Churchfrom making heavy financialinvestmentin hospital lands and buildings.The action of the Lo Ting Christianshas the hearty endorsement ofthe Mission in China and that of theForeign Mission Board in America.At the meeting of the Foreign Boardin New York on September 12 theCorresponding Secretary was directedto write a letter to the Covenantereongregation of Lo Ting expressingits hearty appreciation of their enterpriseIF IT and HAD spirit NOT of BEEN self reliance. FOR JESUSBy Rev. Sir Wm, Robertson Nicol.If it had not been for Jesus, theworld, to afl seeming, would have perished.It appeared as if civilizationwere sinking to its close in the debasementof animalism and lust. Darknesscovered the earth and gross darknessthe people.But since He came, and spoke, anddied, a new element of incalculableforce has entered into the powers thatstir and mould the world.If it had not been for Jesus weshould not have been born into Christianhomes, or have known the Christiancharacter.Because of Jesus multitudes havebeen born into a world the first memoriesof which are gentle tones andloving, protecting eyes, and the largepeace and freedom that come fromimplicit trust.These are blessed. They are taughtby degrees to pray. They learn themeaning of the high and consecratedUfe, There are those from the firstOLIVE TREES 251beside them whom they profoundlylove and reverence,"If it had not been for Jesus—" weshould not have known God, Blessedare they who pass easily from theearthly trust to the heavenly, who,hearing thg word and deed of Christfrom their nearest and dearest, makethe passage from the earthly to theheavenly.Such conversion is not the violentrending of life in twain. It is a translationfrom the happy life of love tothe higher and happier love of theRedeemer, Some find Christ earlyand some late. Some find Him by hardpaths and some by easy. Some discoverHim when they are in the horriblepit and in the miry clay, and othersbring to Him the heart and thehope of childhood.But whenever we find Him, andhowever we find Him, we findin HimGod. We do not know at first afl theglory of our discovery. We do notknow at once that for us the unseenworld has suddenly become real andbright and peopled. But it is so, andis there any other way?If it had not been for Jesus, couldwe know God? Could we be sure ofGod? Wifl it be possible, in the fuflpresence and light of modern thought,to know any God but the God revealedin Jesus Christ?If it had not been for Jesus, whathope could we have in our own death?Death awaits us all. We know nothow soon it may come, nor in whatcircumstances of weariness and sufferingit may visit us. But trustingin Christ, we may face the last enemythat shafl be destroyed.Let none talk lightly of death; Goddoes not talk of it flghtiy.In His eyeour death is precious and no lightmatter. How many through Christhave triumphed in their death!And then there is the awakening tothe glorious amaze of the "morrow'smorn," when darkness and sorrow areforever past,—Ex.

252 OLIVE TREESTHE HINDERED CHRIST*By Alice J, Nichols,The Lord Christ wanted a tongue onedayTo speak a message of cheerTo a heart that was weary, worn andsad.And weighed with doubt and fear.He asked me for mine, but 'twas busyquiteWith my own affairs from morn tillnight,1The Lord Christ wanted a hand onedayTo do a loving deed;He wanted two feet, on an errand forHimTo run with gladsome speed.But I had need of my own that day;To His gentle beseeching I answered"Nay!"So all that day I used my tongue.My hands and my feet as I chose,I said some hasty, bitter wordsThat hurt one heart, God knows,I busied my hands with worthlessplay,And my wilful feet went a crookedway,1And the dear Lord Christ—^was Hiswork undone.For lack of a wifling heart?It is through men that He speaks tomen.His men must do their part.He may have used another that day,"From But I Missionary wish I had TiMngs. let Him have Hisway.TURKEY AND THE ZIONISTSMr, Henry Morgenthau, late AmericanAmbassador at Constantinople,in a speech at Cincinnati disclosed thefact that he had broached to the TurkishMinistry the advisability of theirselling Palestine to the Zionists afterthe war. The Turkish Ministers, hesaid, eagerly approved of the project.They discussed figures, and arguedwhether Palestine should be convertedinto a republic, "I told them that ifharbors were built at Jaffa, half a millionvisitors would be attracted yearlyto Jerusalem, each one of whom wouldspend $100," "Why wait untU youraise the money?" they responded,"We will grant concessions now; sobuild your harbors and hotels," Someyears ago, when the late Dr, Herzelproposed to raise a sum of money forthe purpose now described, the sum oftwo million pounds was mentioned asthe price to be paid,—London Christian.THINKING AND HOEING"Billy, why don't you go to work atthat little patch of potatoes?""Aw, there's so many of them'taters, I'll never get them hoed."His father walked away, and I heardBilly exclaim—"Them old 'taters! Itmakes me sick to think about them.""Why do you think about them,then?" I said laughingly."I have to," he replied dolefully."I've been thinking about them eversince I got up this morning.""How long, Billy, will it really takeyou to hoe them?""Well, at least an hour.""And you've been distressed aboutit ever since you got up ?""Well, I hate to hoe 'taters.""And you've been up a little morethan five hours?""Well, I—I—," Billy began to grin,took up his hoe, and said, "I neverthoughtof that!"The Missionary Review of theWorld, which has been published bythe Funk & Wagnalls Company, hasbeen taken over by a new company—the Missionary Review PublishingCompany, 156 Fifth avenue, NewYork city, Robert E, Speer is presidentof the new company, and DelavanL, Pierson remains as editor.

OLIVE TREES 253W O M E N ' S D E P A R T M E N TEdited by Mrs. J. S. Martin and Mrs. T. H. AchesonWORLD MISSIONS ANDPEACEChapter //.WORLD1. Over what space of time does thischapter take us?2. Who previous to this had dividedthe Roman world into East andWest?3. Who ruled the West, and whatcity was its capital?4. The East?5. Who was the second Emperor ofthe West?6. What was the edict of MUan, andby whom issued? (P. 21, p, 3,chap, I,)7, What city did he make his capital?8, What was the characteristic ofthis city?10, What language was used in worship?11, When was it displaced by theLatin?12, What was the difference betweenthe Greek and Latin churches?13, What firstaroused bitterness betweenthem?14, What great controversy betweenthe churches in the Sth century?15, What decision was reached?16, When did the finalschism occur?17, What is the extent of the GreekChurch?18, Who founded the ArmenianChurch, and when?19. What other branches akin to theGreek?20. Which is the most missionary, theGreek or the Latin?21. What other differences?22. What preacher of a religion opposedto Christianity appearedin 622?23. Who accepted his doctrines?24. When was Jerusalem taken by theMoslems?25. What other famous cities werecaptured?27. When was Constantinople besieged?28. When was it taken?29. When, and whence did Arabs invadeSpain, and how long werethey in power?30. How far North did they conquer,and how far did their power extendfrom 712 to 750 ?31. When was Italy invaded, whatpart taken and how long tiflthey were expefled, and bywhom?32. What point of contact was therebetween Islam and Pope Leo?33, How much of those lands is in thehands of Islam today, and whatbalances the loss of Spain?34, What change did the contact withIslam produce in Christianity?35, When was the time of the firstperiod of missionary expansion?36, What traditions are there of apostoliclabors?37. What was the second period?38, What two classes of evangelistswere there?39, What was the origin, design,method and decflne of monasticism?40, In what way did rulers convert?

25+ OLIVE TREES41, Who was Ulfilas, when did he flve,what did he do and what washis greatest work ?42, Chrysostom?43, Severinus?44, What reason for lack of missionaryenterprise in the 7th century?45, Name some of the races of theEast,46, What was the work of Cyril andMethodius?47, How did Russia become Christian?48, When did the Balkan States gaintheir independence ?49, Where does, the Greek . Churchdominate?50, The Roman?Mary E, Metheny,JUNIOR DEPARTMENTarated themselves into parties; andThe book selected by the Superin­thetendent of Literature and Mission have a piece of the garden for its own,each party declared, it wouldStudy for the Junior Study is "Soldiersof the Prince," by Dr, Charles have anything to do with that piece.and that none of the others shouldNext, they quarreled violently, whichE, Jefferson, It appears to have beenpieces they would have; aijd at lasta happy choice, and will be enjoyed by the boys took up the thing, as boysold and young alike. The introduction should, "practically," and fought into the book is a message from the the flower-beds till there was hardly aCentral Committee on Mission Study flower left standing; theji they trampleddown each other's bits of theand is an appeal for careful study ofgarden out of spite; and the girlsthe book, "In this year of war, 1916,cried till they could cry no more; andwe ask the boys and girls of America so they all lay down at last breathlessto study this book written for them. in the ruin, and waited for the timeSoldiers must afl go through their when they were to be taken home inthe evening.—Ruskin.drill—these are first lessons for recruits.May all who learn them befaithful soldiers in the Army of thePrince and become Heroes of Tomorrow,"This is followed by an extractfrom Ruskin which is "A Parableof War,"A Parable of War.I dreamed I was at a chfld's Maydayparty, in which every means ofentertainment had been provided forthem, by a wise and kind host. It wasin a stately house, with beautiful gardensattached to it; and the childrenhad been set free in the rooms andgardens, with no care whatever buthow to pass their afternoon rejoicingly.They did not, indeed, knowmuch about what was to happen nextday; and some of them, I thought,were a'little frightened, because therewas a chance of their being sent to anew school where there were examinations; but they kept the thoughts ofthat out of their heads as well as theycould, and resolved to enjoy themselves.The house, I said, was in abeautiful garden, and in the gardenwere all kinds of flowers;sweet grassybanks for rest; and smooth lawnsfor play; and pleasant streams ai)dwoods; and rock places for climbing.And the children were happy fojf alittle while, but presently they sep­Subject for the November meetingof Juniors: "Come before Him withThanksgiving," Psalm 95: 1-3,At the first of the meeting theSuperintendent should cafl to theminds of the children how much weall dislike a person who is not grate-

ful, especially when he has receivedsomething of great worth. If thereare any incidents in your local communitywhich are known to aU andwhich will make this idea stronger intheir minds, repeat the story or havethe children tell of them. Perhapsthey will know of some beautiful instanceof gratitude which will make itvery plain to them how much we admirea thankful person. After thegeneral exercises of the meeting theymay be reminded of the great gifts wehave received during the year. Thenask them to think of what they haveeach one received that has made themhappy and ask them to be ready to tellof it if they can. Tell of some of thethings you yourself have received andthen ask them to follow with perhapsonly a sentence. It may be wise toask one or two beforehand to be preparedso that they may lead inthe teUing of these incidents. Try tomake the meeting most inf ormal, justthe simple story of the good thingsthat have come to us from Our Fatherin Heaven, Make it a meeting inwhich everyone shall have a part. Itwill be very easy to select Psalms,Bible Readings and short clippingsthat will interest the children,Mrs. D, C, Ward,PARNASSUS, PA.'It is wonderful the inspiration thatcomes from "The assembling of ourselvestogether," During the monthof August we did not hold any meeting,as a number of our few memberswere away "seein' things at night,"as well as through the day. In thinkingof the coming of the Septembermeeting I thought as I had sometimesbefore, that inasmuch as thereare so few of us and some gettingpretty well up in years, it would, perhaps,be well to merge the old W, M.S, in with the younger one. But whenwe again met together there seemedto be still too much enthusiasm andactivity to yet give up our identity.OLIVE TREES 255AU seemed glad to be together again.It will possibly be some time beforewe seek entrance into the Y, W, S,Our collection amounted to about $12,and we arranged to send a donationto the Jewish mission in Philadelphia,and our usual donation of fruit to theAged People's Home, So we are stillmoving in the same old way and wiflcontinue to do so,Mrs, a, B, Copeland,Sec, of Parnassus R, P, S, M, S,A GUIDE TO CONVERSATIONSubjects not to be mentioned inpoUte society: The rainy weather, themuddy roads, the cook's impertinence,the vase the second girl broke, thegown on which the waiter spUled puddingsauce, the other which the dressmakerruined, headache, backache, indigestion,the minister's faults, horribleaccidents, disappointments, lackof money, aU tales of badness, meanness,unkindness, extravagance, imprudence,scandal, backbiting and viciousdeeds.Recommended topics: Pleasantweather, "how does your gardengrow," new cooking recipes, the bestway to mend tablecloths, babies, dogs,cats, your companion's recent trip(your own if specially urged), lectures,concerts, music books, magazines,singers, preachers, philanthropists,parties, weddings, picnics, aU actsof goodness, kindness, patience, charityand all the virtues.—Congregationalist.The Christian Nation of August 30contains the following announcementof the marriage of the daughter ofour senior missionaries at Latakia,Dr. and Mrs. Stewart: "ElizabethMargaret Stewart, of Latakia, Syria,and Robert DuBois Workman, of theUnited States Navy, announce theirmarriage. They will be at home atLeaman Place, Pa,"Olive Trees extends congratulationsand very best wishes.

256 OLIVE TREESREMINISCENCES OF GENEVABy Mrs. J, L. Macartney, ,Geneva College has once more openedunder auspicious circumstances.Sixty or seventy freshmen, I am told,bring their youth and ardor, hopeand enthusiasm, to enliven the campusand the halls of leaming. The newPresident brings his mature judgmentand conscientious views and resolutewill and a goodly measure ofyouthful enthusiasm also to minglewith that of the students. May hiscareer be as successful as that of hispredecessor,I look out at my window as I writeand see a graceful undulating campuswith noble trees casting welcomeshadows on the grass, where my twograndchildren with their nurse areplaying. The building nearest me, theGymnasium, is a handsome brick edifice,where the athletic exercises areheld, and also affording pleasant accommodationsfor students' receptionsand socials. Beyond, the ScienceHall rears its placid countenanceas serenely as if flameshad not playedhavoc on the spot a year or two ago.Then comes the old Mother Building,whose every stone almost was watchedby my children and Dr, George's,Each morning the rush was to seewhat progress had been made sincethey left it the night before. Thereis a little bird sitting on one of thenumerous electric wires that span thecampus. There were no electric wiresin the olden days, A big contrastthere is in every way to what presenteditself to me on my firstintroductionto Geneva, I remember wellthat first Sabbath morning that Idrove out from Belle Centre, a namethat was music in my ears for nearlya decade, letters had passed to andfro from my home on the CathkinBraes to this distant spot—^the "beautifulcentre" of my youthful romance.Here we are, driving up the "Pyke,"one of the many new names I was tolearn. To our left, as we neared theviflage of Northwood, stood ElmwoodCottage, not quite finished,which wasto be the birthplace and happy homeof most of my children. To our rightstood the stern, severe, unadornedbrick structure of the coflege, whosefame had gone throughout the land,and even across the sea. In the centreof the little town stood the tasteful,recently erected church, of which myhusband was pastor. As I alightedfrom the "buggy"—another name newto me—a tall gentleman in fineblackbroadcloth and white spotless coflarand cuffs stepped forward and helpedme down. As I had been warned thatI was coming to the backwoods, Iwondered who the well-dressed strangermight be, and was told it was Mr.Crowe, the President of Geneva College.If a bird had whispered in my far:"Your son and his daughter will someday be man and wife, laboring on thePuget Sound," I would have smiled incredulously.The interior of the collegewas as austere and unadorned asth^ outside, perhaps from the tasteof the old Covenanters who foundedthe school, whose forefathers sat inthe snow and listened to the lengthydiscourses of the hunted preachers,the watchers on the hilltops keepinga vigilant eye for the Claverhousesoldiers, I was not long in venturinginto the classroom, and there I was

OLIVE TR EES 257dehghted to meet in those "backwoods"men of high intelligence andculture. Two especially I remember,Mr. Galbraith and Mr. Wright, andthere were others with whom I immediatelybecame intimate. The LiterarySocieties particularly took myfancy, and I listened with as much interestto the orations and debates deliveredin these haUs as those I usedto hear in the City HaU of Glasgow,They were really of a superior type.The CivU War had so recently closedthat a great interest was felt in theFreedman of the South. The Covenantershad always taken a foremostpart in the struggle against slavery,and Northwood was one of the stationson the Underground Railway.One of the old students related to methat one night in the Ladies' Seminaryshe was awakened by a stir inthe courtyard. Looking out she coulddiscern a covered wagon and darkfigures slipping back and forth. Sheguessed the meaning; a party of refugeeshad been brought by somefriendly farmer the previous nightfrom the last underground station,and had been concealed and fed; andnow at nightfaU would be moved onanother fifteenor twenty mfles. Thiswas noble self-sacrificing work, if itwas against the laws of men. Theirhorses could not be used on the farmnext day, and the extra mouths hadto be fed, and you may be sure thegood-hearted housewife would bringforth the best in her larder for herfrightened, starving fellow-creatures.My husband teUs of carrying a babyon horesback fifteenmiles when hewas fourteen years old. An entirefamily had escaped, and were broughton to his father's farm, and werebeing forwarded to the next place ofsafety. He remembered how his hearttrembled when the sound of feet or ofwheels fell on their ear, lest it mightbe some of the hunters on the trackof the runaways.After the war Dr. Macartney putforth strenuous efforts to endow achair at Geneva for the benefit of thecolored students, and a large numberwere educated there. Many of themhave occupied useful positions inmany parts of the world. Some ofthese boys and girls just out of slaveryI recall with loving remembrance.One has recently died in the State ofWashington, Webster Boxley. Someof the older survivors will recall thejolly, good-natured, popular youthwho was ever ready to give a helpinghand, and ever ready to burst into ahearty fitof laughter. How our Sabbathevening class rises to view. Itwas my firstwinter of housekeepingin a foreign land. A known and esteemedScottish girl had been sentover by my parents to take care of thenew little granddaughter across theocean—^the Therina destined to be thegreatest joy, and by her early removal,the greatest sorrow of their lives.About eight or ten youths of varyingshades gathered around our kitchenfire, and enjoyed an hour of free andeasy and reciprocal instruction in theBible. Sometimes one related a Biblestory, suppressing names, whilst theothers guessed the original. At theclose, Christina would bring out thepeaches and cream and cake, and aftera happy evening, we would kneel downtogether, and my husband, in his owninimitable and impressive way, wouldlead these children of nature to theFather's throne of grace.

258 OLIVE TREESThe previous winter, when we,livedin the Seminary building, and domesticswere in Northwood an unknownquantity, I had two little darkies formy valets—Squire Williams, as blackas ebony, and John Wildee, a mulatto.I set them to clean windows one day,and after the first few minutes, whennoisy sounds of laughter reached mein the neighboring room, there followedan ominous quiet. Curious tolearn the cause of this sudden applicationto business, I went in, andfound the room empty. At the fartherend of the long green lawn thatstretched in front of the Seminary,there were my runaway niggers, infull swing at a game of ball. Ourhygienic menu did not always taketheir fancy, and they begged me toallow them to show what a real Southerndinner was like; so I gave themline. As dinner hour approached, Ithought I had better see what my juvenilecooks were about, I found thedoor fastned, and, knocking peremptorily,demanded instant admittance.The door was opened a few inches, andthe blackest face with the whitestteeth, grinned out at me and said:"You are not to see what we are cookingtill we sit down at the table," Theother one, before the door was quiteclosed, ran with his two hands holdingthe steam from the pot, and saying:"Just smell that!" When thecall for dinner came, I was led blindfolded,and only when they gave thesignal could I open my eyes to theirSouthern feast, I tried to show appreciation,though I confess the porkand cabbage were a little strong formy Scottish taste.Some fine young women have beeneducated in Geneva, One, of thoseearly days, was Mary Ramsey, a beautifulbrunette, with long auburn curlsdown her back. She became the wifeof a wealthy white man. How I shouldlove to see her, if she is still alive, andlearn what the story of her life hasbeen! Another of modern time wasAnna Patterson, one of the best andmost exemplary students of Geneva.She became the life companion of SolomonKingston, another of the landmarksof the college in Beaver Faflsdays, and who for nearly twentyyears, has been the pastor of a flourishingcolored church in Selma, Ala,Speaking of new experiences thatcame to the Scotch mistress of theManse and her Scottish maid, therewas no end to them. For example, Inever had heard of a chicken beingkilled anyway but by having its neck"thrawed"—Bums,Well, as I was strofling through thegrounds one day, I was attracted byuproarious laughter behind the Seminary,On nearing, I saw a horriblesight; a headless and bloody chickenaflapping and afloundering around agroup of young students. My Scottishire rose to a furious height, as I exclaimed:"Aren't you ashamed ofyourselves, boys? Put that creatureout of pain immediately!" One ofthem said, half penitently, half roguishly,"Wefl, Mrs. Macartney, I didthe best I could; I cut off its head!"It suddenly struck me that perhapsthe backwoods manner was after allthe more merciful. Then the newbugs—what a din of conflicting musicrose around our new home—cricketsand locusts, and frogs, and June bugs,and July bugs! One incident standsout clear after nearly half a century:Christina, my Scottish girl, came to

O LIVE TREES 259me one day, a look of consternationon her face: "Mrs, Macartney, wiUyou please come out and see thisawful-looking beast in the green?"We cautiously stepped towards theuncouth object. Truly, it was somethingblood-curdling—made me thinkof the Beasts in the Revelation, Itwas about two inches in length andone and a half broad, "Wouldn't itbe dreadful if that creature would getinside the house!" we said to oneanother. Next morning as we kneltat family worship, Christina reachedover her hand, and pulled my dress,and pointed awe-stricken to that veritablebeast on the floor, a few feetfrom her. We gathered our skirtsclose, and kept our eyes on the loathsomecreature's movements, hopingMr, Macartney's devotions would soonterminate. Suddenly, with a whiz anda whirl, it rose to the ceiling, andbuzzed furiously above our heads.Christina and I started as rapidlyto our feet, and kept turning roundand round, facing the thing, our hairon end, and eyes starting out of theirsockets. It became too much evenfor my hsuband's usual gravity, andhe quickly said Amen! You see thetwo greenhorns had no conception ofthe beast having wings and could nothave been more startled if the devilhimself had started up from the bottomlesspit.but in what a pitiful and helpless conditionwere those children of nature,war had swept slavery from the land,suddenly deprived of those who caredChurch should remember the prayersand hopes and efforts of the earlyfathers and make the education andBefore drawing my reminiscencesto a close, I want to remind the CovenanterChurch of the ideal of someof their leaders of early days. Thefor them, many with loving care;many, alas, with the heartless caregiven to their other cattle. How werethey to fend for themselves, poor anddespised outcasts! Christian men andwomen of all the churches went withenthusiasm into the work of giving ahelping hand till their weak brothersand sisters should be able to stand ontheir feet. But how has their idealbeen followed by Geneva College? Ifear it has been much lost sight of.Yet we owe these colored people adebt; there are ten millions of themin this land, with no adequate proportionof teachers and helpers. GenevaCollege and the whole Covenanterupbuilding of these wards of the country,whose ancestors were stolen fromtheir "happy playgrounds, their careand duty. These men-stealers of oldmeant it for evil; meant it for theirown selfish gain. But God, perhaps,meant it for good; meant that throughthe effort of the highly-favored nationthere might rise from the raw Africanmaterial a people of worthy andhigh-principled citizens, to be fellowworkerswith the American, in thedevelopment of their adopted home,the Land of Liberty.Word from Thomas Cook &Sons states that the "New York"(the vessel that Mr. Weir safledon) arrived safely at Liverpool,Sabbaih, Sept. 10th.Just as we are going to press,Dr. Wflson received a card fromMr. Weir, written on board, datedSaturday, Sept. 9th, "Pleasantvoyage. Sick one day. Ship onfire for one day, but fire extinguished."Dr. Wflson was at the dock tosee Mr, Weir, on Sept, 2nd, andhad a little visit with him beforehe sailed. Dr. WUson went toNew York from Ocean Grove.

26o OLIVE TREESAmounts appropriated by Synod for Foreign Work, 1916-17.The Levant, China,$25,000.00 $30,000,00Receipts up to Sept, 25, . , 2,020,21 2,377,38Balance needed , $22,979.99 $27,622.62CIRCULATIONIt is about time for the agents andfriends of Olive Trees to secure andsend in the list of subscribers for1917.If we could get the new list all madeout during November, it would be agreat help. Last year on account ofthe Board's failure to make the necessaryarrangements we were not ableto get the lists all in until well intothe new year, and we have been handicappedall year as a consequence.This year we have taken time bythe forelock and arrangements arebeing completed for next year's work.It is likely that the publishing officewill be changed, as Olive Trees(some of our friends say it is OlivePlants) has outgrown the presentquarters. We hope to secure an editorialroom where there will be "morelight" and where the work will beeasier done.Many have sent us words of appreciation.We thank you afl. Thework has been all new to us. We hadno experience in editorial work or inprinting or mailing. We have mademany mistakes and we know that thepatience of some of our agents andsubscribers has been sorely tried. Weconfess that many times we have hadthe tribulation that worketh patiencebut a little experience has come whichhas given us hope. Our Motto for1917 is, "Better."We feel that with the lists all inearly, we will be in shape to keeppushing Olive Trees and improvingit all during the year, instead of havingit push us.Let us have the lists all in early inNovember so that we can have thenew list made out before the holidayrush.BEGIN NOWIt is well to review our life at theend of every day, and see where wehave failed to be what Christ wouldhave us to be; then as we begin thenext day, determine to do better.To keep Christians from failing requireshuman and Divine co-operation.God is able to keep if the individual iswilling to be kept and will meet theconditions which are expected of eachchild of God.Dr. Metheny has received a cardfrom Dr. Stewart, of Latakia, datedJuly 3. He says: "We have no newsfrom Antiock. Schools closed here forsummer vacation. All well at thisstage. Extremely hot weather, southwinds, WiU be glad to get news fromSynod,"The Corresponding Secretary receiveda card September 25 from Rev.A, J, McFarland, dated Mersine,AprU 17, Besides dupflcating someof the news in his card to Mr, Edgar,he says: "Autumn pay received atlast. No papers for some weeks."

R. M. SOMMERVILLE, D. D, MRS. R, M. SOMMERVILLEDR. SOMMERVILLE founded "OLIVE TREES and ediled it tor 29 years.OLIVE TREESA Monthly Journal devoted to Missionary Work in the Reformed PresbyterianChurch, U, S, A.VOL XXX NOVEMBER, 1916 No. IIEDITORIALSWe are glad to give our readersMr, Slater's article on "The BlessedLife," You can call this Life by aamany names as the Author of theLife is called by, and then you havenot exhausted its fullness. This Lifeis just Christ Himself and He is IN­EXHAUSTIBLE. Mr. Slater^^ haspromised us another article on "TheLife and the Covenanter Church,"which we hope to have for the Decemberissue. There wiU be nothing morevital to our own spiritual Uves and tothe life and future of our Church thanthe subject treated in these articles.Read them prayerfully and get yourfriends to read them.To new subscribers who send us adollar for 1917 we will send thesecopies free as long as they last. Getyour friends to subscribe AT ONCE.There are about TWO THOUSANDhomes in our church that wiU not getthese messages unless some friendgets them to subscribe. We hope tohave much more on this subject duringthe coming year. Is there notsome home you could bless by gettingthem to take Olive Trees for 1917?Our hearts are with our missionariesas they return to their fieldsoflabor. Especially I am sure that wewill remember Rev. J. K. Robb, whosails November 2nd, leaving his wifeand family behind. That to our mindis the only sacrifice in mission work,and yet we know the Lord wUl evengrant a blessing in it aU. We wiU noless remember Mrs. Robb and the childrenleft here and other famflies whoare separated and also the parentsand friends left in this land. Manyof these friends are advanced in yearsand hardly expect to see their lovedones again in this world. The foflowingfew words from the aged fatherof Rev, W, M, Robb gives us an insightto the spirit in which these servantsof the Lord give up their sonsand daughters for His sake. We accompaniedthem as far as Quinter,bade them farewefl without muchhope of ever meeting in this world,but in the faith of the happy meetingwhere there wfll be no good-bys.

262 OLIVE TREESAPPEAL FOR SYRIAThe following from a letter by Rev,W, M, Robb has been handed to us byIn the October number we renewedMr, W, G, Carson:our appeal for help for those starvingVictoria, B, C, October 10, 1916,in Syria, The President has issued Dear Brother:his call to the country at large. It is We are thus far on our journey.todiflficult to get details from that field, the far-off land. In our company arebut we have enough to know the terribleneed. Women are "gnawing theMrs. Michell, Dr, Kate McBumey,Miss Brownlee and our family, Mr,Mitchell and Miss Dean had to go tobones of street dogs and eating Vancouver because their baggage hadgrass,"been forwarded to that point, and aWe hope the terrible persecutions war inspection is required. Theare over but we are asked to try and Monteagle is one day late in starting,save "the hundreds of thousands leftbut we have word that she is enroutefrom Vancouver.from the grim aftermath of homelessness,foodlessness, helplessness," bled to tarry with the friends in Seat­All except Mr, Mitchell were ena­The report of the American Commissionto investigate the conditionstle over Sabbath and he might havebeen able to remain had the postponementin sailing been announced ear­in Syria shows that "In Syria men,lier. All are well and apparently inwomen and children, who are in everyfine spirits, and the matters of transportationseem to be in order in everyrespect normal, who have been useful,prosperous, ambitious and orderly in case, thanks to you. All have theirtheir behavior, are being starved to passports and everything seems to bedeath. Many have already been beatento death and most untellably tor­"clear ahead" so far as we can see.We have committed ourselves andour interests into the hands of Himtured to death,"who holds the winds in His fists andWhile the whole country is responding,we have a special responsibilitythe waters in the hollow of His hands,and are putting our trust under thefor our own fields. Our workers are shadow of His wing. You will uniteunder a terrible strain in seeing these in prayer with us that the Redeemerpoor people suffer, and being unableto help. Will we not enable our missionariesmay be glorified in the lives of thechurch's messengers and they them­to help the poor people who selves filledwith all the fullness ofare looking to them and so give relief God.to the bodies of these people and to theROBBING GODminds and hearts of our workers?A Chinese Pastor's Story.Send all our contributions to Mr,Steele, 1600 Arch street, Philadelphia,A man went to market having onPa,, and they will be forwarded at his shoulder a string of seven largeonce through the State Department, copper coins. Seeing a beggar cryingfor alms, he gave him six of hisAn interesting article with picture, byDr, Balph, in December number.Prayer is our greatest help in learningand doing Christ's will. In prayerwe get 61osest to Christ, and his mindcan enter into our minds, and becomea part of them.coins. Then the beggar, instead ofbeing grateful, crept up behind thekind man and stole the seventh coinalso. What an abominable wretch!Yes, but in saying this you condemnyourselves. You receive from thehand of the gracious God six days,yet you are not content. The seventhalso you steal!

OLIVE TREES 263Rev. T. M. Slater writing on Octoberllth says: "We.had a great timewith the missionaries, who were tosail from Vancouver yesterday at 3P. M. We had a public reception forthem in our church last Friday evening,at which all were present exceptMiss Dean, who did not reach townuntil near midnight. The report thatthe Monteagle was to sail Mondaymade it necessary for Mr. MitcheU togo to Vancouver Saturday to attendto the baggage, but we had a glorioustime with those remaining over theSabbath. Some of them are not strangersto the Victorious Life, and I amsure that whether or not we did themany good, they did us good by theirpresence with us, and I have not seensuch interest on the part of our peoplein the Lord's work and the Lord'sservants at any previous time. I wishwe could have preserved a full reportof the good words they all gave us,both at the reception and on the Sabbath.Mr. D. D. Mearns, writing October10, says: "The missionaries en routeto China were in Seattle over Sabbath,with the exception of Rev. E. C.Mitchell, who went over to Vancouveron Saturday.A reception for the missionarieswas held at the church Friday evening,October 6. An enjoyable timewas spent in their company.Rev. W. M. Robb preached twice onSabbath. He gave us two exceUentsermons. We were sorry that theirstay was so short. They were to leaveVancouver today. We commend themto God and the Word of His Grace.""NOT DISOBEDIENT UNTO THEHEAVENLY VISION"Had Moses failed to go, had GodGranted his prayer, there would have beenFor him no leadership to win;No pillared fire; no magic road;No wonders in the land of Zin;No smiting of the sea; no tearsEcstatic shed on Sinai steep;No Nebo, with a God to keepHis burial; only forty yearsOf desert watching with his sheep.From "Work at Home."We wish to caU the attention ofMissionary societies and especially ofthe officers of the societies to the arti^cle on the Thank Offering in theWomen's Department. This is thesecond society that has reported theweekly plan as a great success in theirregular work. The suggestion of thisplan for the Thank-Offering is new,but we feel that it will be a great successand blessing. Other societies andPresbyterials who are wanting newplans, please take note.Any other societies that are findingthis plan a success or who have anyother plans that are producing resultsplease send reports to the Editors ofthe Women's Department.WHY ANGER SHORTENS LIFE"When we are pleased the pulse isstrong; when we are displeased, weak.The same thing holds for breathing.If an experience is pleasant, webreathe more deeply; if unpleasant,less deeply. In joy we breathe ingreat breaths; in sorrow our breathingis short and weak. When we arepleased we are stronger muscularly—we can put out more strength—thanwhen we are displeased. We feelstronger, and are stronger, than usualwhen we are heartily and justly angry(pleasant anger). Grief bows usdown, crushes us, leaves us physicaUyweaker than ever."Thus Dr. E. B. Tichener, in his"Primer of Psychology;" and hisviews are partiy borne out by Dr.Maurice de Fleury, the weU-knownauthority on brain-storms.His view is that every time we areangry our vitality shrinks so much inproportion for every outburst. Infact. Dr. de Fleury asserts that eachbout of anger, each rush of evil passion,cuts off a certain portion ofthelife we should enjoy if it had nothappened. "Every time a man getsangry," he says, "he shortens his lifeso many minutes, or days—perhapseven years. A great deal dependson the intensity of the anger."—Paris/^Visitor.

264 OLIVE TREESThe Scripture Gift Mission is doinga fine work among the soldiers andsailors of the War, as the followinginspiring incident illustrates. Thework of this mission is mainly to distributeGospels and Testaments. Theyhave no agents of their own, but usemissionaries, Y. M. C. A. workers andothers who are in touch with the soldiers in the different fields. Rev,Nevin Lyons, of our own church inIreland is at present in France workingamong the soldiers and distributingScriptures. Treasurer for UnitedStates, Asa S. Wing, 409 Chestnutstreet, It was Philadelphia, a bright afternoon Pa. when ayoung lady cafled into a businesshouse in the north of London to purchasea parcel of comforts to sendout to her fianceat the front. It wassuggested by the one who served thathe made be able to pack up the parcelmore neatly than the purchaser. Shegladly consented to this, and the server,always on the look-out to speak aword for his Master or to distributeHis Word, thought he would slip inthe parcel a copy of the "Soldiers' andSailors' Armor," with hymns at theend, which is pubhshed by the Mission.This book consists of a verybeautifully-arranged series of textsdealing with various subjects helpfulto our soldiers and sailors, and pointsthe way to Christ very clearly.The parcel was safely received bythe soldier, who wrote home thankinghis fianceefor the good things whichshe had sent out to him, and especiallyfor the beautiful little book which wasenclosed in the parcel. The young ladyimmediately went to the shop andwanted to know what book was referredto, as she had not sent any. Thefriend explained all about it, and shewas satisfied. The sequel, however,shows how wonderfully God uses HisOwn Word, sent even casually, as inthe present instance.The book was read and re-read, andthe light gradually dawned upon- hissoul without any human aid. He indeedbecame a changed man. Formerlyhe had thought nothing of religionor spiritual things, quite the oppositein fact, but the book had been themeans of revolutionizing his life, andhe became known in the trenches as"Singing Jim."During one of the reconnaissancesa young fellow from his company waswounded in the space between the opposingtrenches. A volunteer wasasked for to fetch him in. "SingingJim" offered, and forth he went uponhis dangerous and yet brave mission.He had safely got the wounded manupon his back, and was crawling alongwhen suddenly a star-shell burst overheadrevealing their position, and asniper shot, the bullet going through"Singing Jim's" head. The woundedman was eventually brought in, as wasalso "Singing Jim's" body. His pocketswere searched, and in them wasfound a long letter of fiveor six pagesviTitten to his sweetheart, tefling herof the great blessing the book hadbeen to hun, and how he had foundthe Saviour through reading it, andurging her also to come to Christ. Theletter was unfinished. The woundedman asked for it, promising that onhis return home he would search outthe young lady and give it to her, tellingher all about his comrade's deathand how he actually laid down his lifefor him. This he eventually did. Itwas a sad and yet a glad story he hadhad to tell. Before leaving France,his comrades, who knew "SingingJim," made him promise that he wouldbring back a sufficient number of theSoldiers' Armour" so that each onemight have a copy. They all desiredthe book which had wrought such achange in his life.The soldier also called upon thefriend who placed the book in the parceland told him of the desire of hiscomrades. It was a great privilege tous to send them, and we feel sure thatour friends will pray that a similarwho blessmg incidents receive might a are come copy. indeed to Such many cheering! remarka­of those

OLIVE TREES 265MISS KATHERINE McBURNEY, M. D.REV. AND MRS. W. M. ROBBand Children—Grace. Eleanor and Philip McCleodMr. and Mrs. Robb and family and Dr. McBurney sailed with those whose pictures werein October Olive Trees, on October ii. Rev. J. K. Robb, whpse picture as Moderator of Synodwas in the July-August issue, will sail November 24A SOUL FOR EVERY PENNYI am asking God to give me a soulin China for every penny that hasbeen spent on my education or thathas been given me for my outfit andsupport. I know this is a tremendousthing to ask, but God is willing andable to do great thifigs."Miss Mary MuUis, of Charlotte,made this statement in a farewellservice which was conducted in BrevardStreet Methodist Church in Charlotte,N. C, a few days ago. It wason the eve of her departure for Seattle,where she joins a party of nineteenother Christian and MissionaryAlliance missionaries for the FloweryKingdom. She herself is going over athousand miles inland to labor atWuchang.Five years ago an eamest Christianbusiness man in Charlotte, Mr.Clarence E. Mason, was conductinga mission study class of sixteen cottonrniu boys and girls of the HighlandPark cotton mUl in a little Baptistchurch in North Charlotte. TheyFere studying the "The Why andflow of Foreign Missions. MaryMuUis was one of the sixteen. Herfather had a clerical position in aCharlotte miU, and she had assistedhim more or less in his work. Duringone of Mr. Mason's lessons she wasvery much affected, and left the room.When he inquired the reason for hertears, she lamented her lack of education,as she felt that she had no hopeof equipping herself for service. Shefirst said that she would like to engagein welfare work, but when Mr,Mason spoke of foreign missions sheshe said she would like to go to theforeign field but that it seemed out ofthe question.The earnest business man, however,arranged for her to go, firstforseveral years, to the Southern IndustrialInstitute, at Charlotte, and later,for three years^ .to Nyack, New York,During her period of preparation, inher personal work and in her publictestimonies, she has touched scores oflives for God in a wonderful way. Shewould be glad for readers of theTimes to join with her in her uniqueprayer: "A soul for every penny."—S. S. Times.

266 OLIVE TREESA STATEMENT TO THE CHURCHIt is felt the Church wifl be interestedto know that the Board of ForeignMission is giving careful thoughtto the problems that may confront usin the near East after the war closes.With statesmen expressing the hopethat the conflict may not last morethan another year, plans ought to bemade for the peculiar demand thatwill be made in that event. So exactinghave the labors of our workersin Latakia and Mersine been, thatmany of them may require rest whenthe war is over. Furlough is alreadyoverdue in the case of twO of them.Those who are at home will be impatientto retum, and wifl be requiredto take up the work with enlargedresponsibilities, even though some ofthe present workers should prove ableto continue after the unusual strain.Some of those in the homeland hadnot been on the fieldlong enough toperfect their use of the Arabic, andit is fast slipping away from them,while they are detained at home, ministeringin the mother tongue. Itseems the only course of wisdom, inthe interest of the work, for the Boardto provide during this present schoolyear for them to refresh their knowledgeof the Arabic and take othertraining to fitthem to return with thebest possible equipment for theirduties. Accordingly the Rev. SamuelEdgar and the Rev. R, E. Wilson,who have been supplying congregations,are this term in Princeton, andMisses Mearns and French are takinglanguage and Bible work, all witha yiew to the earliest possible returnto the field.Dr. and Mrs, Balph, in the Syrianwork in Pittsburgh, and Miss Frenchamong the Syrians of New Castle,are doing work of the same kind andamong people of the same nationalityas those among whom they wereworking on the field.Thus some ofvided our serving missionaries almost congregations entirely, home in which some have cases been pro­wholly, for their support; while othersto whom no remunerative serviceopened up have been doing at homework kindred to what they wouldotherwise have on the field.The Board wishes the Church toknow that the best is being done,under the circumstances, to do justiceto both work and workers.We asked for less money this yearfor Syria with the understanding thatif the need arose we would ask formore. We hope the Church will respondliberally, as while the expensefor salaries has been a little less asabove stated, yet the fieldexpenseshave increased and are likely to increasefor some time to come. Seeappeal in connection with AnnualCollection,Findley M, Wilson,COLLECTION Corresponding FOR SYRIAN Secretary,MISSIONWhile we are glad that an increasingnumber of our congregations areadopting the Weekly Offering for allchurch schemes, we know that for onereason or another some congregationsstill take up the annual collection.For the guidance of these Synod hasappointed the First Sabbath of Decemberas the day for the collectionfor Syria and the amount asked is$25,000,On account of some of our workersat home, providing for their own support,the Board asked for less thanfor last year. Conditions have sincearisen and expenses on the Field haveso multiplied that the Board wouldhave been justified in asking for thelarger amount of last year.However, we feel sure that themembers of the church will rise tothe occasion and give us the amountneeded to carry us through these tryingtimes.Are any of us getting water fromthe weU of Bethlehem? What didDavid do? See II Sam., 23: 15-16.Pastors please announce,

OLIVE TREES 267SPECIALARTICLESENTERING INTO THE BLESSED LIFERev. T. M. Slater.Some time ago an editorial appearedin one of our religious journalsbearing the challenging title "WhatKind of Christianity Is Yours?" I donot now recall all of the splendidthoughts therein presented, but onepoint still stays in my mind. It wasto the effect that many people whoprofess to believe in Christ, who knowthat the hope offered in Him is theonly hope that saves, and who are persuadedthat we ought to send theGospel to the heathen; yet, if requiredto say whether they would like to havethe heathen enjoy their religion, wouldhave to answer "No."Perhaps it is true of some of uswho believe in Mission work, who beflevethat the Covenanter churchshould do such work, who contributeof our means to Missions, who mayourselves be ministers. Sabbath schoolteachers. Christian workers, or havespent part of our Ufe on the foreignfield—with all these things true of us,it may also be true that in our ownChristian life we may lack joy, andpeace, and power, and in our ownsouls know that we are living a defeatedand discouraged life.During the third week of July itwas my privilege, with some otherCovenanters, to attend a conferenceat Princeton, N. J. The subject thereconsidered was "The Victorious Life."The avowed purpose of this gathering,as indicated in its motto, was tolift a testimony conceming the sufficiencyof Christ to give deliverancefrom all the defeat and failures withwhich Satan is determined to keepGod's children discouraged, and tolead them out of this bonadge into theglorious Uberty of which we are therightful inheritors. .Some one has aptly referred to thisconference as "A Rescue Mission forChristians." There is much expressedin this title. It contains a frank confessionthat in the life of every Christianis still much from which heneeds to be saved. For, however completelywe are at once and forever justifiedfrom the guflt of sin when wefirst believe in Christ, many of us stillcontinue in the love of sin, and arecontent to live under its power. Fromall such things we stfll need to besaved, and from such things God isable and willing to save us. The atmosphereof the meeting was, therefore,as little in keeping with theideals of the self-righteous, self-satisfied,..critical, cynical Christian as itwouldhave been for an unconvertedperson. Every message was a challengeto move further into Christ.And as certainly as a lost sinner maycome into a gospel meeting, eitherdriven there seeking peace, or mayhave wandered in not knowing whatwere his real needs, but once there hefinds Christ, or is found of Christ, sothat when he goes out he has achanged heart, and is himself a newman—so certainly may a Christianat such a place as Princeton Conference,or some other place, find agreater Christ, or be found of Christin a greater revelation to himself ofwhat are his own needs, what theboundless sufficiency of Christ to supplyhis every need, what the Christianlife is intended to be, and what forhim it actually becomes through anew adjustment of himself to Christ.I am sure that for many Christianswho went to Princeton this year, theConference was, under God, a veritable"Rescue Mission," in the deliverancewhich they there found bothfrom their worst self, and from theirbest self. For however "good" anyof us may have come to think we

268 OLIVE TREESalready are, we are always capable ofimprovement. And just as travel andsome sight of the world kills provincialismwithin us, so we only need tocome in sight of some of the undiscoveredareas of the Infinite Christto realize that He always has somethingmore for us than we everdreamed existed, and which is somuch better than our best.There is truth in the old sayingthat whatever is new in theology isnot likely to be true. And since "TheVictorious Life" is a new phrase, andthe Princeton Conference, thoughnow an annual event, is of comparativelyrecent origin; since the thingsfor which this gathering stands arenot generally emphasized in the religiousteaching of our times, nor foundin the experience of the averageChristian; since some of the men connectedwith the management of thisconference were known as ardentPre-millenialists, and the praise employedin the meeting was not thatwith which a Covenanter could havefull sympathy; and especiafly sincethis is an age of religious fads andfancies, and Satan is always so busygetting out counterfeit gospels—inview of all these things it would beexpected that some of us would approachsuch a meeting with caution,and listen to its message guardedly.But whfle the new is generally untrue,there is a sense in which the trueis always new. Truth is always demandingand obtaining a new apprehension.It is always requiring andreceiving a clearer recognition. It isalways calling for and being given amore emphatic declaration. It is alwayschallenging and being ownedwith a fuller appreciation. All revivalscome as the result of recognizinganew the importance of old truths,the blossoming out in new springtimesof the life which winter seemedto have kflled, but which is perennial,and as undying as God-I am sure that I approached thePrinceton Conference cautiously andtried to keep on my guard as I' listened.Having first obtained assurancethat this meeting was not gottenup in the interests of Pre-millenialism(I was later informed that someof the prominent leaders are advocatesof the opposite view) I was ledto attend because of my life-long interestin the subject announced fordiscussion, I feel sure that the theologyunderlying all of the addressesrang true to what I had been taughtto believe was orthodox. My experienceof the Victorious Life as thererepresented convinces me that whilethe name by which it was therespoken of my be new, and the witnessfor it of comparatively recent origin,yet the spiritual experiences to whichit calls us are as old as the Life ofFaith, and safe as the Promises ofGod,(Continued on page 276)"IN CHRIST"Sabbath morning meditation concerningthe "Believer's Union WithHis Lord," Reformed PresbyterianChurch, Rev. T. M. Slater, pastor,Terry avenue and Olive street.Sept. 17—"Accepted in Christ,"Sept, 24—"Crucified in Christ."Oct. 1—"Risen in Christ,"Oct, 8—"Established in Christ,"Oct, 15—"Living in Christ,"Oct, 22—"Sanctified in Christ,"Oct, 29—"Glorified in Christ,"No words of Scripture, except"God manifest in the flesh,"containsuch deep mystery and suggest suchblessed comfort as this simple formulaof the Christian life—"InChrist,"In these services let us seek to drawnear unto Christ, that He may Himselfgive us a fufler understandingand a deeper experience of what theyreally mean.

PHILADELPHIA, PA., MISSION OFTHE COVENANTThe work opened up October 1st,after having been closed for some timeon account of the State quarantine forinfantile paralysis.We had about forty present at Sabbathschool and about the same numberat the children's meeting at night.The chUdren all seemed glad to beback, and we were glad to see them.Many were the expressions of sorrowthat they would not see Mrs, Limerickagain here.The second Sabbath the eveningmeeting was conducted by the YoungPeople of the First Church, MissCarson gave an illustrated talk on theTwenty-third Psalm, which was muchenjoyed by all. The weekday classesfor the mothers and children are openingup with good prospects for thewinter.We have felt for some time that inorder to secure results among theadult people that it was necessary tohave some industrial work whichwould give them an opportunity tohelp themselves and make the Jewish'convert independent of the Jewishpeople for his support (Jewish peopleare mostly dependent on Jewish employersfor their daily bread), and atthe same time show them Christianityin action. The way to enlarge thework along industrial lines has notopened up and so our work the lastyear has been among the children, Ipersonally feel that this work wiU bemore efficiently done by two good womanworkers than by a minister andone woman worker. This will alsoleave more of a working balance foenlarge the work among the children,and money is not especially plentifulfor the Lord's work.FeeUng all this I handed my resignationto the Board, not without regret,but with the feeling that withour present resources, those we canreach will be better cared for thanever before.The Board is now busy on plans forthe winter which I feel will commandthe confidence of the church and whichOLIVE TREES 269under the prayers of the people ofGod, will enable Him to give His blessingand will bring in a harvest to Hisglory and to our good,I ask the prayers of the wholechurch for the boys and girls who haveso little chance for this life and nonefor the life to come, except that giventhrough your missionaries,R. A. Blair.THE JEWISH MISSIONResignation of Mr. Blair—Electionof Miss McFarland.It is with the greatest regret thatthe Jewish Mission Board announcesthe resignation of Rev. R. A. Blair.The resignation did not come as acomplete surprise, however, for it wasrealized at the first that it was uncertainhow fully Mr. Blair would besatisfied with the work, since he wasnecessarily handicapped by his inabilityto speak to the Jews in their nativeYiddish language. As the work progressedMr, Blair began to tell usthat the ordinary methods of conductinga mission at home would not succeedhere. He told us that if no onecould be secured to preach in the Yiddishlanguage then the usual methodsof preaching the Gospel would haveto give way to some unusual methodof bringing the Light, Two possiblecourses seemed to offer success. Theone was to make the mission a communitycentre. This would havemeant to discontinue its distinctivelyJewish character; to open up an industrialwork; to have eveningclasses, lectures and entertainments;and it would have involved a large investmentof money. The other coursewas to address the work largely to thewomen and childreh, and find throughthem an access to the homes of thecommunity. This line of work promisedsuccess, for one reason, becauseit already was the phase of the workIhat was yielding most gratifying results.The mothers' classes, the SabbathSchool, the Mercy Band and thesewing classes were well attended,

270 OLIVE TREESand the members were appreciativeand responsive.The Board would have been willingto accept the former course if it couldhave been carried on under the leadershipof Mr. Blair, Under presentconditions, it seeming, as yet, impossibleto inaugurate the industrialwork, he felt that the latter was thebetter course to follow. Also, he urgedthat the mission force should consistof those suited to the work amongwomen and chfldren and asked thathe should be released in order to takeup again the work of the pastorate.His advice as to the plan of work wasfollowed, and under the circumstancesthe Board did not feel that it could insiston his remaining, and his resignationwas accepted. It will take effecton December i. It is with greatregret that we see Mr. Blair withdrawfrom the fieldwhere he hasworked so faithfully for the threeyears now passed.In pursuance of the plan which hadbeen recommended another workerhas been secured in the person ofMiss Emma McFarland, of BeaverFalls, Pa. Miss McFarland is preeminentlyqualified to do just the kindof work that is intended. She hasalready had experience in the workof the mission, having labored thereduring the summer in the absence ofthe other missionaries. Her trainingand experience seem to have providentiallyfittedher for the work thatis to be done. After graduation fromGeneva College she studied at ChicagoUniversity, and later completed acourse in Social Service at the CarnegieInstitute of Technology in Pittsburgh,She labored for some yearsin the Indian Mission, and for a timeheld an appointment under the UnitedStates Government in connection withher work among the Indian tribes.She is a daughter of the Rev, A, J,McFarland, who for so many yearstraveled through the country in thework. work, interests and She of was is our devoted especiafly Testimony to missionary interested Bearingduring the summer in the, work towhich she is now coming. The Boardfeels that it could not have secureda better worker than she, and thatwhile for the present there is no ministerin charge yet the work underMiss Forsythe and Miss McFarland,with the help which the ministers andmembers of the Philadelphia churchescan give, will be successful, and, perhapssecure larger retums than everbefore. It is hoped that eventuallyone may be secured to speak to theadults, especially the men, in theirnative language. We bespeak forMiss McFarland and Miss Forsythethe interest and the prayers of thechurch.In this connection something alsomust be said as to the financialsupportof the mission. The date appointedfor the coUection for this missionwas in August, Experience hasshown that August is a poor monthfor collection, and, unfortunately, theJewish Mission has of late years hadmuch of the experience. The returnsthis year have been small. Many congregationsapparently did not Uft acoUection at all. The consequencewas that last month found a balanceof only $10,20 in the treasury. Thecontributions for the remainder ofthe year must be generous if the workis not to be crippled. Will congregationsthat have not already at leastmade their usual offering to this causeplease do so as soon as they cah; andwill individuals. Sabbath schools andMissionary Societies please rememberthis work as in times past. We aresolicitous lest the church feel that inthe going of Mr, Blair the work isbeing abandoned or that the missiondoes not need support. The work isgoing on; we are devising the bestplans we can, as experience teachesus how to progres; we are hoping forgood things during the coming year;and we need your help—^your moneyand your prayers,McLeod M. Pearce,Secretary.

WORDS OF APPRECIATION, The Hoard of the Jewish Missiondesires to express appreciation of theservices of Mrs. J. Hunter Limerick,Sr., of the First Church of the Covenanter,Philadelphia. For severalyears past, Mrs. Limerick was a faithfulhelper in the work of the mission.Her cheerful presence brightened themeetings, encouraged the missionaries,and sweetened the lives of thegirls in her Sabbath school class.These girls she dlso entertained inher home, which was to them a greatpleasure. Her work in the mission,added to her duties at home, musthave severely taxed her strength, yetit was her constant joy, a free-wifl offeringto the Lord Jesus.September 11, 1916, the Lord calledher to a higher realm. The home,the church and the mission wfll greatlymiss her presence and services, buther name and work will long and lovinglybe held in esteem by the manyto whom her life was a blessing. Oursympathy extends to the bereaved.The Lord Jesus fillaU these heartswith comfort. We have the joy ofbelieving that she did what she could;and are confident that He who hasbegun a good work through her efforts,in the hearts of the girls ofher Sabbath school, will perfect itunto the day of Jesus Christ.THE MISSIONARY J. C. McFeeters, APPEAL Pres.McLeod There are M. three Pearce, basic Sec. principles ofthe Missionary Appeal. The firstisthat Christianity is, and was meantto be, a world-religion. Within thefirst three centuries it was a worldreUgion,in so far as the world wasthen known and accessible. FromAfrica to Gaul the Christian missionarieswere found, and legend has itthat Thomas the Apostle died in India.The second principle is that this religionwas meant to be spread byhuman means: "How can they hearwithout a preacher?" It employedOLIVE TREES 271three great methods—the contagionof character, individual evangelismand personal sacrifice. The thirdprinciple is that for Christians not tospread this religion by every meansin their power was to accuse themselvesof insincerity. They held thesecret of healing and renovation for aravaged world, and by every claim ofgratitude and humanity they werebound to impart it. These principlesare still binding. The passion of propagandahas always been found in theChurch, and is the one supreme secretof its vitality. Why do we need to appealto Christians whose duty, then,seems so self-evident? Because of thelack of world-view in individual Christians; because of the lack of any vividrealization of what the world withoutChrist is; and because of the f aflure torealize the truth of human brotherhood.In the present conditions thereis much to discourage us, but stifl moreto encourage us. The discouragingthing is that afl our efforts are alarminglyinadequate to the expressed aimof the conversion of the world. Thetotal sums contribute for world-wideevangelization are utterly trifling comparedwith the sums spent by Christianpeople on automobiles, on unnecessaryluxuries and on the means ofpleasure. The encouraging elementsare that the heroism of the missionarystifl remains, that the triumph of themissionary is stifl evident and that theopportunity of the missionary wasnever so great. I beg you to considerthoughtfully these statements. Examinethem one by one. Seek to defineyour own measure of responsibflityin relation to them. If they arenot true, reject them. If you admittheir truth, then ask, "What is mydutyLicentiatesin relationAdamsto them?"and Mitchell arespending the winterW. J. Dawson,at White'sD.BibleD.School, New York city m preparationfor the Foreign Field.

272 OLIVE TREESPRAYER FOR FOREIGN MIS­SIONSA practical question in our prayersfor foreign missions is. When arewetruly praying for our work in theforeign field? Does the man whopasses by every opportunity to speaka word for Christ really pray, whenhe says: "Lord, bless the missionaries?"Is a prayer a true petition,when a man prays for the unconverted7000 miles away and utterlyneglects those of his own communityand even of his own household? Arenot some of us inconsistent when weutter our daily petitions for the missionarieson the field and refuse to tryto bring to Christ our unconvertedneighbor? Isn't it possible that thisindifference to the soul of the unconvertedman beside us is hinderingour prayers for the heathen world?When the church works at home, asshe should her prayers for the worldabroad will have more weight at theThrone of Grace and the missionarieswill see more fruits.J. D. Edgar.COMMUNION SERVICES ATPITTSBURGHIt was my privilege to be with Dr.Acheson and his people during theirlate Communion season. I do notthink I was ever present with peoplewho were so delighted with the "Wordof Life." Dr. Acheson has beenpreaching for some time a series ofsermons on the "Victorious Life," andthere had been a fineresponse.Sabbath evening, instead of theregular young people's meeting therewas a testimony meeting led by thepastor. It was a most inspiring andhelpful time. One after another, manand woman, got on their feet and toldhow Jesus Christ had become a "newSaviour" to them. A Seminary studentwho was present said that it wasthe. first Covenanter i rayer-meetingof that kind he had ever seen, but thatit would be a great blessing if we hadmore of them.It might be interesting to knowthat this church, with its niembers soscattered that their daily life doesnot touch each other much outside ofthe Wednesday evening prayer-meeting,has a quiet half-hour for prayerbefore each Sabbath morning service.R. A. Blair.EVERY MEMBER CANVASSThe winter work has begun in ourcongregations. With some, the financialyear ends with the calendar year.We hope the Presbyteries, the pastorsand the officers in each congregationare keeping in mind the Recommendationsof Synod conceming the "EveryMember Canvass."1, That our congregations conductthe Every Member Canvass with aview to establishing the Tithe Systemand Weekly Contributions, and thatpastors and officers take the initiativein this work,2, That each Presbytery appoint acommittee to prosecute this workwithin its bounds in conjunction withSynod's Committee,If Presbyteries overlook or neglectthe Recommendations of Synod, howcan they expect congregations to payany attention to their counsel.If pastors and officers neglect theRecommendations of Synod and Presbytery,how can they expect the peopleto pay any attention to either thesermon, the announcement of the collectionor the appeal for money to payup back debts.ONE TO CARRYI've learned to put togetherThe figures on my slate;The teacher calls it "adding,"And I like it first rate.There's one queer thing about it—Whenever you get ten.You have to "carry one," she says.And then begin again.That's what we do with pennies;When I have ten, you see,I "carry one" to Jesus,Who's done so much for me,—L. A, S., in the Mission Dayspring,

DLIVE TREES 273N E W S F R O M T H E FIELDEdited by Mrs, Findley M. Wilson, 2517 North Franklin Street,Phfladelphia, Penna,Thoughts, "which ten times fasterglide than the sun's beams," havebeen traveling westward with our outgoingmissionaries these last days.The "Monteagle" was to leave VancouverOctober 2d, but was delayed aweek and even then did not get offuntfl the 10th,Miss Dean and the Mitchells boardedthe steamer at Vancouver and werejoined at Victoria by the rest of theparty. Dr. Kate McBurney, MissBrownlee and the Robbs and theirtwo little children.About an hour before sailing Dr.McBurney sent a little good-bye letter,in which she says: "All are well andhappy in the prospects that are beforeus. There is special joy in the returnto the work of the Mitchells and theRobbs and Miss Dean, Then the outgoingof a new worker has its ownspecial features of gladness. As formyself, I cannot express my satisfactionas the time comes for our departure.It has done me so much goodto be at home these months. It is aninspiration to meet the people in thechurches. It is no small help whenon the field to be able to rememberinterviews with the brethren at home,and to know so many of those whoare our co-workers,"Mr, Mitchefl writes: "We have anumber of missionaries on board,some of whom we knew before. Thiswfll make the voyage pleasant,"-p sp "I" T"The Rev, John K, Robb was notwith the other missionaries. He expectsto leave for China November 2d,He will sail from Vancouver on theEmpress of Asia, Mrs, Robb and thechildren are to remain in the homeland.Since leaving his family at Topeka,Mr, Robb has assisted, at communionsin Santa Anna, Hemet, and Los Angeles,California, He is to gonorthfor similar services at Portland onthe 22d and Seattle on the 29th of October,It is no easy task for Mr, Robb toleave behind his wife and childrenand his aged mother. The heroes ofmissions are not all of the past, W6'are stirred to the depths when weread of the sacrifices of the pioneerworkers and here is this great-heartedman who, without a murmur, can turnback on all he holds dearest on earthand face steadily bu toward his work,"For my sake and the gospel's," Howlittle we at home know of sacrifice,A cablegram was received in NeW;York announcing';the Safe arrival inLarnaca of Mr, Wilbur' Weir, wholeft on the 2d bf, September., Thecable bears the date Of October 11.Mr, Weir left Liverpool on' Septeniber22d, having befen detained'in Englandmore than a week, 'He experiencedconsiderable difficulty in travelingthrough the warring countries andreached Cyprus a little late for theopening of the Academy,:is * if: ' :{: •Miss Lola Weir,, sister of WAburWeir, a newly-appointed teacher inKnox Academy, S^ipa, Alabama,, wasstricken with appendicitis at the clOseof her firstday's work in the, schpolroom. She was taken, after a fewhours' sickness, to the hospital, wherean operation was performed. MissWeir is recovering nicely,* * , * *The Rev, D, Raymond Taggart,who, with his wife, wd children, i^.in:this country on their first,furlough,has accepted a professorship for oneyear in Muskingum CoUege,, N^w

274- OLIVE TREESConcord, Ohio, Mrs, Taggart's homeis there and it wifl be recafled by ourreaders that her mother, Mrs, JesseWilson, was called to her reward lastJuly, after a prolonged illness. Thepresence of the Taggart family inNew Concord will be no smaU comfortto Mr, Wilson and his family inthe early months of their sore bereavement.CHINAThe C, E, Society of the ThirdChurch of the Covenanters, PhUadelphia,are the donors of a map recentlyarrived in Tak Hing, China, It is areflef map of Palestine, 71/2 by 4 feet,cast in fibrous plaster and framed solidly.The seas, lakes, marshes andperennial streams are colored blue.Old and New Testament sites aremarked in red, and the plains in green.Rising ground, hills and mountainsare in various tints and the niainroads are shown in a thin black line.The map when set up wfll cost about$100 and was purchased from thePalestine Exploration Fund of London,On September 1, Dr, Robb sentword of its arrival at its destination,"I drop a line to let you know thatthe map is safely resting in the chapelat Tak Hing, It was boxed in splendidshape and everything was aflright except the extreme summit ofMount Hermon, which has its altitudemark rubbed off. The map is abeauty, I wish every one could seeit. We just got home from the Islandin the small hours of the morningyesterday, but I found time in theafternoon to go out and lift the 24screws and 8 nails which held thecover on and take a good look at it. Itgives one a new idea of what Palestineis actually like, and has greatlyincreased in my own mind a longcherisheddesire to look upon it withmy own eyes. I covered the map upagain, as I am going to Lo Ting fora month, and after my return will seeto the proper placing. It is going tobe a very valuable educational factorhere. Rev. Mr. Jaffray, of the AUianceMission in Wu Chau, said he wouldlike to have an opportunity to bringhis Training Class down to Tak Hingsome time to see the map and study itfor a day or two, and I think we willopen the way for them to come. Thestudents in the boys' and girls' schoolswill also be able to use it." It was intendedmainly for Dr. Robb's TrainingSchool.* * * *On account of the lateness of thearrival of the returning missionariesit was thought best for Dr. Robb togo to Lo Ting during September, andhold communions in that district. Heleft Tak Hing on the 4th of September.The Training School was to openearly in October.H: ^ Hi :{:Mrs. Kempf writes: "The time hascome when those who have beenspending their vacation on the Islandare beginning to retum to their stations.We are now looking forwardto the retum of feUow-missionaries,"* * * *"The conditions in Canton are muchbetter. Although there has been nosettlement of things yet, still the firinghas stopped and things are so muchquieter that the missionaries are planningto return within a week or so,"* * * *Some may remember reading inOlive Trees about five years agoabout a woman. So I So by name, whowas at that time working for Mrs, A,I, Robb, The very night she left TakHing with Mrs, Robb for CheungChau her boy, about eleven years old,was badly burned. So severe werehis wounds that he died within acouple of days. Word was sent to hismother at once to return but he wasdead and buried before she reachedTak Hing. Her grief was great butshe acted flke a Christian.Three years ago last spring Godgave her another boy, which madeher very happy. Since then she hasnot been working regularly for any

of the foreigners as her child neededher attention; however, she wouldsubstitute if a servant was obliged tobe away. Her gentleness gave her aplace in all our hearts.In May of this year Dr. Wrightwas called to see her husband, whowas ill. When Dr. Wright reachedhim, he was beyond human help anddied within a few hours. He was nota Christian but very friendly to thedoctrine.Last evening word was receivedthat So I So herself had died verysuddenly. When I told my servantsabout it, they said: "Oh! her husbandonly died about three months ago.What about the child? She was agood woman, she believed the Doctrineand always told the truth. Shedidn't talk loud."I remember when I first came toChina six years ago and couldn'tspeak Chinese, how So I So wouldpick up things and teU me the namein Chinese. It seemed as if she wasanxious to help.* * * *After the news had been sent tothe printer a letter was received fromMr; Carithers, of Mersina. It is datedJuly 31, and as it is the last word receivedfrom that field it'is here added.He writes from Mersina:"Dear Mr. Wilson:"If I am not mistaken this is thefirst letter I have written you sincethe close of school. There is nothingof interest to note in that line, exceptthe arrival of most of the text bookswe had ordered. Really, the supplywas fuller than I had expected, andsome of the missing books were replacedby substitutes which wererather hurriedly gotten out by localtalent. I think we can manage to getalong with them for awhile, anyway.School wUl open September 18, Monday.That is earlier than usual, butsince we closed early last spring, anddo not contemplate having boarders,it aries is not up too here early. in the AU mountains the mission­areOLIVE TREES 275enjoying good health and Mr. McFarlandis apparently getting strongereach day. He leads the prayer meetingeach Sabbath afternoon. One ofour teachers is away at Adana now,for his medical examination, but wehope he wiU be with us again soon.We do not have the steady work uphere that we have during the schoolyear, but with language study, oddjobs here and there, also a picnic oncein a while, time fliesrapidly, I amcontemplating a trip to Namroun, amountain summer viflage about ninehours from here, I wifl visit therea week or two with Mr, Nuto, ateacher from the American Coflege inTarsus, Even if we do not hear aboutit, it is good to think that the churchis praying for us in these times, Ihope they wifl not forget that all relieffunds they can send wifl supply agreat want in this community. Sincerelyyours, J. F. Carithers."Mersina.—Just as we are going topress a card from Dr. Peoples comesto hand. Part of the card wasstricken out by the censor. The CorrespondingSecretary gives thesequotations: "No mafl for manyweeks," "Weather very hot," "Mr,McFarland is up in the mountainsand is recovering slowly from themalaria," and other trouble incidentto the hot weather, "These years aretelling on aU of us," The card is datedAugust Sth,MORAL ARITHMETICThe boy that by Addition grows.And suffers no Subtraction,Who Midtiplies the thing he knows.And carries every Fraction,Who weU Divides his precious timeThe due Proportions giving.To Sure Success aloft Will Climb,Interest Compound receiving,Dr, Ray Palmer,in the Mission Dayspring.

276 OLIVE TREESTHE BLESSED LLFE(Continued from page 268)I havOi already intimated that myinterest in this subject is not of recentorigin. One of my, early recollectionsof my mother is her Sabbath afternoonperusal of Bunyan's "GraceAbounding," and often have I heard,my father refer to Baxter's "SaintsRest;" and while as a child I neverread these books or understood muchthat was told me about them, yet theirtitles always had a charm for me. Ithink it was the title of HannahWhitall Smith's book, "The Christian'sSecret of a Happy Life," thatled me as a hungry-hearted boy to buyand read it. All through my life Ihave eagerly read everything thatcame into my hands bearing uponsuch subjects as "The SurrenderedLife," "The Separated Life," "The"Spirit-filled Life," "The HigherLife," "The More Abundant Life,""The Christ Life," "The BlessedLife," Perhaps no single book, afterthe Bible, has been more helpful tome in my search after better thingsthan F, B, Meyer's "Present Tensesof the Blessed Life."Let me say in passing that to mymind "The Blessed Life" is the bestOf all names for this best of all things."The Victorious Life" is Scriptural.It is a good and true description ofthose experiences into which an entranceupon this life admits us, and inthese sad days of conflict when bothin their OWn personal experiences andin the affairs of the world, men seemto be more devil-driven, and sin moretriumphant than ever before—intimes like these this term proclaimsa hope that is peculiarly hearteningand timely, and I have no quarrelwhatever with its use. Nevertheless,two considerations lead me to prefer"The Blessed Life,"In the firstplace, "Blessed" is thegreatest descriptive word in our language.It is much stronger and moreconjprehensive than "Victorious," in-, eluding within its meaning not onlythe thought of victory, bfet everyother element of the unsearchableriches of Christ. "Blessed" is a wordfor which there is no proper synonym,for flke our God with whose name itis so often linked, it is incomparable,and represents the summum bonum ofall that we can desire, the beginningof which we enter upon now throughfaith.And in the second place, "TheBlessed Life" exalts and honors agood old Bible word whose significancewe too little understand, and towhose meaning we attach too littleimportance. According to the Bible,"to bless" and to be "blessed" meansomething. "The blessing" stands fora definite transaction between thesoul and God, In the old Hebrewhousehold the paternal blessing wasanticipated with great expectationand desire, was eagerly sought, andwas received with due solemnity, forit was known to admit to privileges,bestow rights, and confer powers nothitherto enjoyed. That ancient servicewas the type of a Gospel reality.For while in the Hebrew family theblessing was only for the first bom,in the family of God every member isentitled to his blessing through ourunion with Him who is the First begottenfrom the dead. All who sharelife with Jesus at all, are called toinherit the privileges, exercise therights, and to live in all the powersof the Blessed Life, Like Esau,, wemay despise our birthright, and feelingthat it is worth nothing to us, seflit for a mess of pottage. Or likeJacob, we may go through the formof obtaining the blessing, and nevershare its spirit at all until, after manywanderings and much crooked dealing,our life gets a shaking up, and weat last wake up to the reality thatthere is something terribly lackingwithin us. Then, like Jacob again, wemay have a Peniel experience, wheremeeting with God face to face, we firstwrestle with Him, and then cling,until the blessing is bestowed. We

wifl always be lame after Peniel—theold human strength broken, the naturalpride humbled, the self-wiflyielded; but it was there that Jacobbecame Israel, and the usurper wasmade a prince.Many of the recent books on thePerson and work of the Holy Spirithave been blessed to my enlightenment,such as A, J, Gordon's "Ministryof the Spirit," and "How ChristCame to Church," by the same author.But the supreme manual of instructionin these things, as every one willtestify, is the Holy Word of God, especiallythe Psalms, the Gospels, theEpistles of Paul and of John, and thesayings of our Lord, Ever since thetime when I fufly entered into thereality of Christ's work for me uponthe cross and I was granted the fuflassurance that my soul was washedin his blood, those portions of theBible which have meant the most tome, which have seemed to me themost living, which have held for methe deepest fascination, and whichhave gripped me with the greatestpower, are those in which Christ himselfspeaks of His being "with us always,"His "abiding" with us. His"dwelling in" us, and His "manifesting"himself unto us. Those promisesmean more to me than any otherwords in any language. All otherwords, even of the Bible, refer forthe most part to things, and places,and events, "The Promise of theFather" has to do with a Living Personwho condescends to use our bodyas his temple, who takes of Christ andshows Him unto us, and in whose lifewe have our life,I realize that in these personal referencesI am "setting my seal" tothings of which some may yet be indoubt, but why should we not speakthat' which we do know, and testifyOLIVE TREES 277as darkness upon our vision. Nightdoes not remove the objects from aroom, or empty a book of its contents,but it prevents our seeing what is inthe room, or getting the message ofthe book. Our sinfulness, whfle itcannot put Christ out of this world,does so, so far as concerns our consciousfellowship with Him. Andof that which we have seen? Said until we forsake all known sin andBishop Taylor, "I am a living witness surrender to Him our wifl, whichto alive; invisible, the that fact accessible; He that is a the Person; I Lord have and Jesus been though cul­is while into del of the still all place sin, unyielded or we blessing, have remains not nor yet the are come cita­wetivating a personal acquaintance witha personal Savior for more than fortythreeyears," If our testimony seemstoo personal, be it remembered that"we preach not ourselves, but ChristJesus the Lord," For what is theBlessed Life for any one but ourcommon life yielded unto, possessed,and lived in the blessed fellowship ofChrist? "Whom having not seen, yelove; in whom, though now ye see himnot, yet believing, ye rejoice with joyunspeakable and full of glory,"The special value of the PrincetonConference, then, was not that it gavevoice to any new Gospel, but that itre-stated, and emphasized, and urgedus to believe that which we all hadfrom the beginning, but which Satanso sadly succeeds in getting us todoubt—that the Eternal Christ iswith us now, just as he promised Hewould be always and that he is everyday seeking to manifest himself to usin our sorrows with the sympathy heshowed Mary at the sepulchre; in ourperplexities with the illumination thathe brought to the travelers on the roadto Emmaus; in our labors with the assistancegiven the men at the lakeside;in our worship with the gladnesswith which they saw him in theupper room; in our world-ministrywith the assurances spoken on Olivet,The only reason why we do not enterinto the reality of his feflowship isthat our eyes are holden with thebandages of unbelief. And this unbelief,like any other form of sin, acts

278 OLIVE TREESyet prepared to begin to know the loveof Christ which passeth knowledge,nor begun to be fifledunto all the fullnessof God,"Let go, let God"—do we need togo to a Conference for that? Thegreat advantage of a gathering likePrinceton was that we there met withand heard living men and women discussingin open meetings the thingsof which we had only read in books,or thought over in our own hearts.Not only was the direct appeal beingmade constantly to venture out intothe untried fieldsof Christian experience,to reach out to Christ Himselfthe fingerof faith, and to be no moreunbelieving; but in such a gatheringall were occupied with one thoughtand desire; and every sympathetic effortwas made by all to help the timidand doubting. It was of immensevalue to be in an atmosphere like that.But "neither in this mountain, nor yetat Jerusalem," is Christ to be found.The laws of the Blessed Life are asuniversal as those of gravitation, orthe shining of the sun. If the BlessedLife is to be found at a conference, itis to be found wherever it is sought.If one of us can have it, then all mayhave it if only we are willing to meetthe conditions of surrender and faith.And why should not each one, atwhatever time or place the knock ofChrist is heard at his heart's door,arise and open to Him immediately,and putting every chamber of theSpirit's temple at his entire disposal,enter at once into the blessedness ofa God-filled life? We may all do thisnow, and we should all do it now; foronly by actually doing it can we knowNovember and December Oliveof its reality. "If any man willeth toTrees containing Mr. Slater's articlesdo His will, he shall know of the doctrine."on "The Victorious Life," and muchother inspiring material, free as longas they last to new subscribers, $1for the calendar year.CIRCULATIONWe are already receiving renewalsfor 1917, We appreciate very muchthe great help given by the good menand women who have acted as agents.Not only have they secured the renewals,but also many new subscribers.We are going to ask them this year,either personally or through assistantsto see every home in the churchand seek to secure a subscription fromeach home.When we received the lists of thosenot subscribing, in order that the specialnumber containing annual reportsmight be sent into every home, wefound that there were about TWOTHOUSAND homes not taking OliveTrees, Pastors frequently wrote, "weare surprised that so many in our congregationare not taking our MissionaryMagazine,"Our Vision is still OLIVE TREESIN EVERY HOME IN THE COVE­NANTER CHURCH, and we thinkthat this vision can be realized. Thereare few homes in our church wherethey cannot afford to give two cents aweek to get the news from our MissionFields, If any agent or pastorwill send us the address of any homewhere they cannot afford to pay andwhere there are no two cents a weekspent on things that are not essentialto the home's need, we wifl gladly sendthe magazine free.We appeal to Pastors, MissionarySocieties, Agents and all friends tohelp us put Olive Trees in everyhome. Give your own subscriptionand any others you can secure to yourCongregational Agent at the firstopportunity.Where there is no agentsend direct. Do not be uneasy if youdo not get a receipt right away. Wewill send receipts as soon as possible,but this work we have to do near theend of each month. Your receipt wiflgo to you before the end of the monthin which it is received.

OLIVE TREES 279W O M E N ' S D E P A R T M E N TEdited by Mrs. J. S. Martin and Mrs. T. H. AchesonWORLD MISSIONS ANDPEACE7.18,19,202122Chapter III.WORLDWhat country was "the eldestdaughter of the Church?"What stand was taken by Martinof Tours?Who was Honoratus and whatwas his work?When and where was Clovis born?Over what extent of country didhe rule?What circumstances led to hisproclaiming himself a Christian?What method of conversion did8. he employ?Who was the earliest missionaryto Britain, and where did he9, work ?What was the beginning of missionwork in Scotland?10.11.What was the character of theCeltic missionaries?12. The character of Gregory theGreat?13. How was mission work begun inEngland?How was the Church of the14.Roman days crushed out ofBritain?15.How long till all the south part ofEngland became Christian?16,What of missions in the seventh17. and eighth centuries?What heathen peoples invadedEngland?What royal missionary, and howdid he work?What of missions in HoUand?Who was the apostle to the Germans?, What stand did he take in regardto religious feuds?. In what way was Saxony converted?, What paganism? was the character of Teuton23, Who were the chief gods?24, Who was Charlemagne?25, What advice did Alcuin give himin regard to conversion byforce?26. Was it accepted?27. Who inhabited Scandinavia?28, Who was the missionary to Denmarkand Sweden?29, How long did it take to bring30,31,them to a profession of Christianity?What king ruled both Englandand Denmark?Who sent out the firstmissionariesto India and Greenland,?32, Who was the firstking of Norwayto attempt to Christianizehis subjects?33, What was the difference betweenhim and Olaf who reigned 995 ?34. What were the methods of St.Olaf, 1017?35. 36. What was the last European nationto be converted?37.What is chivalry?38.What was the condition of thepapacy in the eleventh century?40. What was the object of the Crusadesundertaken between 1096and 1270?What was the character of thePrussians?41. How was Prussia made Christian?42. What two famous missionaries ofJUNIOR DEPARTMENTthe thirteenth century?.Subject for December meeting:Mary E. Metheny.Some Favorite Psalms, Ps, 34: 8-11,The children should choose and singmany of their favorite Psalms at thismeeting. Perhaps they may be askedto teU why they love certain Psalms,Make it very largely a praise serviceexcept for a talk that the Superintendentshould give on the Psalmsand our reasons for using them ex-

28o OLIVE TREESclusively in worship. There are somany littie booklets written in explanationof certain Psalms that it will beeasy to secure plenty of material forshort readings by the children. Thetwenty-third Psalm is especially afavorite with writers and quite asmuch so with the children. An extractis given below written on thewords, "Beside the still waters,""Shall I tefl you how the shepherdsees to it that the sheep have a gooddrink every day ? Listen! There arewells and fountains all through thevast regions where the flocks roam,and in some parts there are cisterns,though the sheep like the living waterbest. The shepherds know wherethese drinking places are all throughthe treeless country where streamsare few. It is a fine sight to see theshepherds bring their flocks 'besidethe still waters' at some wefl or fountain,while the wide silent countryover which they and many othersheep have wandered, spreads allaround them, and the full expanse ofthe sky arches over them. The shepherdmakes a certain sound; all hissheep lie down and are quiet. Thenhe fills the drinking troughs. Thebubbflng of the fountain, or the current,if it be by a stream, is no longerthere to trouble the sheep. They candrink now undisturbed. This is thedelicate meaning of that word 'still,'As the Hebrew words put it, 'He leadethme beside the waters of quietness,'Then the waiting sheep hear awhistle or call. They never misunderstand; they know their shepherd'svoice and never respond to the wrongshepherd if several flocks have comeup together. And, strangest of all,the sheep come up by groups; theshepherd makes them understand. Soin groups he leads them until theystand 'beside the still waters.' And,oh, how they drink, with the shepherdstanding near,"—From the Song ofOur Syrian Guest."Mrs, D, C, Ward,RESOLUTIONSYou promise much in the year to come.But what will you do today?You will give your gold in a princely sum,But what "will you give today?You will lift the heart, and dry the tear.You will plant a hope in the place of fear,You will speak the words of love and cheer—But what will you speak today?You will give to truth a grander birth,To the Gospel story a deeper worth;You will feed the hungering souls of earth—But whom will you feed today?'Tis sweet in idle dreams to bask,But here and now, do well your task,For this is the question your Lord will ask—What have you done today?—Selected. »j*"SOLDIERS OF THE PRINCEChapter I,World Conquerors.Dear Boys and Girls:We all like big things. We like tosee big men and big buildings. Welike to do great things. We dreamof the wonderful things to be donewhen we are older. Here, then, issomething great to be done—a wholeworld to conquer!Alexander the Great conquered allthe then known world and sighed formore to conquer. But Chi:ist has givenChristians a far larger world to conquer,and we exclaim: "This task istoo great for us!"Almost 1900 years since Christcharged his disciples: "Go ye into aflthe world and preach the gospel toevery creature." Miflions have livedand died since then and never heardof this Prince of Peace, who is theSaviour of His people. Wifl you noteach one of you join his army andbecome one of the world conquerors?It is not necessary for you to waittill you are big. Just little boys andgirls can be active soldiers in thisarmy. You need not even go awayfrom home for there are millions ofpeople here in America who are fightingagainst the Prince of Peace, Theymust all be conquered.The wonderful thing is that when

a man is conquered he joins thePrince's army and starts right in toconquer his old friends to bring theminto it, too, because he is glad to belongto this new kingdom and loveshis conqueror! Then there is anotherwonderful thing. We are sure of success! We do not know what the outcomeof the present war in Europemay be but if we become soldiers ofthe Prince we do know that the victoryshall be ours. The time wfllcome when"All ends of the earth remember shall,And turn the Lord unto;All kindreds of the nationsTo Him shall homage do."Mary A. McWilliams.*"Soldiers of the Prince," by Rev. CharlesE. Jefferson, D. D. Paper, 25 cents. Postageadditional. Order from. M. H. Leavis,West Medford, Mass.THANK-OFFERINGA New and a Better Way.A few years ago the women of theEighth Street Pittsburgh Congregationdecided to try a change in theirplan of collecting money to meettheir missionary pledges. The oldway of appointing committees to goamong the different members and askfor individual contributions and oft-•entimes have to go again and again,became so tedious and unsatisfactory.Sometimes a woman would give justwhat she had in her purse, or whatshe felt she could spare after aU herpersonal desires were satisfied. Weare sure such giving was an insultto God, the giver of our AU.The method employed for the lastfour years works admirably. At thebeginning of the year, each memberreceives a box containing fifty-twoblue envelopes, with her name, hernumber, the date and the name of thesociety on each. "On the firstday ofthe week" the member brings herenvelope containing her offering andplaces it in the collection basket.These are all handed over by theOLIVE TREES 281deacons to the treasurer of the M. S.During the year, the society hasplenty of money to pay its pledgesand always extra to appropriate toother schemes, and a more prayerful,thoughtful life has been developed inthe members for the missions andtheir workers because they plannedfor this weekly offering. Since thisplan has revolutionized the raisingof mission money and has brought increasedfunds into the treasury, inthis instance, and in all others wherefaithfully carried on, why could nota simUar plan work just as great andsatisfactory changes in our Thank-Offering contributions?Our Thank-Offering, or our "loveofferingshould be an expression toour Heavenly Father of our daily loveto Hiin- When we remember there isnot one day of life without blessing—"He daily loadeth us with benefits."Ps. 68: 19. Do we daily load Himwith thanksgiving? Not one day oflife without His mercies! His merciesare new every morning. Lamentations.3: 23. Do we prove our gratitudewith daily thank-offering?Not one day without a bountifulsupply of food! Thou openest Thinehand and satisfies the desires of everyliving thing. Do we say with thePsalmist: "Every day wiU I bless Thyname?" Not one day without theprivilege of claiming 80,000 Biblepromises! What He hath promisedHe is able to perform. Romans 4: 2.Have we faith to claim them and dowe daily pray and work and give thatothers may claim them?Have you not, dear reader, very frequently,expressed: "My, how thankfulI am that did not happen," or"how thankful I am I found that losttreasure?" WeU, stop and consider,just how thankful were you. Thenexpress it in a way that means whatyou say. There is never a week inour lives, if ever a day, when we couldnot express such thankfulness manytimes over. Yet we have heard oftheir regular $1 thank-offering. Can

282 OLIVE TREESit be possible they are always thesame amount thankful—less than twocents each week.Objection has frequently been madethat the thank-offering box is an undesirablereceptacle, as it may provea temptation as it sits on the dresserin the home. Let us then substitutethe weekly thank-offering envelopefor the box, and let it take equal placewith the missionary offering envelope.One envelope, composed of two parts,one for missionary offering and onefor thank-offering, with perforationsin centre so that each part could goto the proper treasurer and thankofferingsecretary of the society, couldbe supplied to fitthe need.What a grand and glorious day willdawn for Zion when every missionarysociety in the church will adopt somesuch plan and faithfully carry it outyear after year, even unto the end.Mrs. j. K. M. Tibby,HIS POWERHe is able to do—All that we ask.All that we ask or think.Above all that we ask or thinkAbundantly above all that we askor think.Exceeding abundantly above allthat we ask or think.According to the power whichworketh in us.Ephesians 3: 20.PLANS OF W. M. S., OF ALLE­GHENY CONGREGATION,PITTSBURGHThe W. M. S., of Aflegheny Congregation,has started on its work for thenew year, beginning September, 1916.We shafl endeavor to carry out theplan of work given by the Women'sPresbyterial at its meeting in May,1916.Our regular meetings are held onthe first Tuesday of each month, eitherat the homes of the different membersor at the church.In connection with the devotionalexercises, roll is called and each memberresponds by repeating a verse ofScripture, selected with reference tothe subject of special prayer.Mrs. Wallace conducts the MissionStudy, after which the regular businessis transacted.At a meeting held in September,the foUowing committees were appointed:A Social Committee, a Committeeon Mothers' Meetings, of which ourCity Missionary is chairman, and acommittee to prepare and send a boxto Southern Mission.Collections will be taken for theIndian Mission salary account. SouthernMission, Jewish Mission, workamong the Syrians in Pittsburgh, reliefof the suffering Armenians, andthe Thank-Offering.It is the hope of our society thatthrough the prayers, gifts and effortsof its members we shall, with God'sblessing, accomplish much in theMaster's work.Some one has said that, "Beforeevery Christian there are possibilitiesin the life of fellowship and prayerwhich are undeveloped." By followingthe Saviour in prayer and restingupon His assurances, may we aim toseek, fi-nd and work out these possibilitiesto His honor and glory; notallowing ourselves to become discouragedeven if results, seem slow, but alwaysbearing in mind that God'spromises are most sure.Mrs. E. M. McKee,Corresponding Secretary.PLAN OF WORK OF W. M. S. OFEAST END CONGREGATION,PITTSBURGHFor the coming year, our plans arenot very extensive, but we are hopingto carry out the few that we have.Our society is planning to do ourshare of work that we may keep upour own interest and encourageothersWe expect to study "World Missionsand World Peace," by Miss CarolineMason, each member taking hertum leading.

At each meeting, along with thedevotional exercises, we will have currentevents. At one meeting, eventson our China Mission, at the next onour Syrian Mission, and so on throughthe list of both foreign and home missions.As yet our Aid Society is unitedwith the W. M. S. We hope to sendsome Christmas boxes.We have also a "Visiting Committee,"a new one being appointed ateach meeting, whose work it is to callon "Shut-Ins," cheering them and givingthem the news of church and society.Mrs. E. K, Patton,CHINANews From Canton.(From The Missionary Herald."Mr. Nelson is a warm friend of ourmissionaries in China).Just before the news of the deathof Yuan ShUi Kai came out, Rev. C.A, Nelson, of Canton, wrote us regardingdisturbed conditions in SouthChina, and quoted the Hongkong Telegraphas saying that General Lung,the government official in charge atCanton, was distmsted as much asYuan, President Yuan's death clearedthe situation in the north, but inSouth China General Lung continuedin power and angered both the peopleand the party called the revolutionists,who were demanding that he resignfrom office. Matters have evidentlygone from bad to worse, andlater letters just received speak ofactual fighting about Canton, Mr,Nelson's statement of affairs is sographic that we quote his own words:Letter received May 15: "For dayspeople of means have left the city forHongkong, One day no less than 1500took passage on the steamship KinShan for Hongkong, Shops and storeshave closed and business is at a standstiU,As far as I know, only four missionschools are still running. Evenhospitals are being deserted. TheOLIVE TREES 283foreign concession (Shameen) has becomea treasure island, because somany are storing their valuablesthere. The larger cities in the districts,like Shek Ki and San Ning,have declared their independence andare in actual war against GeneralLung, as they are fightingto get themagistrates out and are wanting toput in their own. The condition inthe country districts is deplorable.General Lung is cafling in his own soldiersin order to protect Canton, andthis leaves the country to the handsof lawless men; we call them robbers."Afl the missions are staying on intheir compounds, owing to the factthat they have pupils under their care,many of whom could not go to theirhomes in the disturbed districts.When the crisis is Upon us, we willdo the best we can to keep them aswefl as ourselves out of the way ofthe soldiers and the rabble. We, inthe western suburb of the city, arenot directly in the danger zone. Ourschools are therefore in session, butsome of the pupils have been takenout. Our church work is progressing.Yesterday we had a social atthe church which was well attended.The best thing, seeing that we cannotget away with our schools, is to keepthe pupils busy, their minds fromanxious cares."After all, it is comforting to thinkthat 'whether we live, we live untothe Lord; and whether we die, we dieunto the Lord; whether we live,therefore, or die, we are the Lord.' "Canton, July 31: "The 'drive' onthe City of Rams (Canton) is now inprogress. For weeks two hostilearmies have been drawing near, withthe intention of putting GovemorLung out of commission; but althoughhis successor, General Luk, has beenappointed from Peking, GovernorLung holds on."On July 29 the Kwongsi troops attackedGovernor Lung's forces atShekwai Tong, the railroad terminusacross the river, a mile away from our

28+ OLIVE TREEShouse. The battle is still raging, butwith what results I cannot ascertain,I can hear the machine guns playingand the quick reports of the Mauserrifles, and occasionally a heavy reportfrom a gunboat shakes the house,"The northern army is comingdown the Hankow Railroad line andis within seven miles. It is under acompetent leader. General Lee, whohopes to take White Cloud Mountains,back of the city, and from there shellGeneral Lung, The Chinese say GovernorLung must go; some say he willgo quietly if he is paid $2,000,000,"Trade is at a standstill, as manyshops are closed and only steamers toand from Hongkong and Macao arerunning. No boats go into the interior.Canton City is now the onlycenter held by Govemor Lung; todayhe issued $2,000,000 in notes, with nobacking. Merchants refuse to acceptthem,"Hongkong, August 8: "Last Saturday(August 5) Mrs, Nelson was inCanton. The fighting was stifl goingon, but most of it is now around the'Fort,' about a mile from our new site.Stray shots are falling in our presentcompound, but the'firing is mostly atnight. We have now only two servantson the place. There has beenno looting; if that should begin I amgoing back. The consuls are orderingall foreign women and children awayfrom the city, to be out of the dangerzone."We expect to have an article on theHome Mission Work of the Bloomington(Ind.) Congregation for the Decemberissue. This will be from onewho for years has been active in thework,Shum E. Tuk, a fairly educated wbman, forChina, who has beeu secured to teach weaving ofcloth in Industrial Department of Women'sSchool. Sheis a vegetarian, very refined andhighly respected, and, although not yet an avowedChristian, we have great hopes of her as a futureteacher or Bible woman.The setting of the picture is a favorite with theChinese—books, a clock, bell, teapot and flowers—the evidence of refinement.MOTHERS' MEETING, THIRDCHURCH, PHILADELPHIAThe first fall meeting of the Motherswas held on Friday evening, October6th, About sixty mothers cameout. We spent the first fifteen minutessinging Psalms, We then hadrequests for prayer, and there weremany of these. So many outsidehomes are represented at these meetingsthat we do not always know theneeds of all until we come togetherin prayer. After the season of prayer,Mrs, M, L, Adams spoke to themothers, taking thoughts from thefourteenth chapter of Matthew, It isour earnest hope that the Holy Spirittouched many hearts that night. TheSocial Hour followed, and at 10o'clock the mothers departed.We hope for a fine meeting on the27th instant.

R. M. SOMMERVILLE, D, D, MRS. R, M. SOMMERVILLEDR. SOMMERVILLE founded "OLIVE TREES and edited it for 29 years.OLIVE TREBSA Monthly Journal devoted to Missionary Work in the Reformed PresbyterianChurch, U. S. A.VOL. XXX DECEMBER. 1916 No. 12EDITORIALSThis number finishesthe firstyearunder the present management. Wethank our contributors, agents, readers,and all who in any way havehelped in making Olive Trees a success.We hope we can largely increase thenumber of our readers this comingyear. If we feel benefited by readingOlive Trees each month, will we nottry and bring this same help to othersby securing.new subscribers?No matter how good and interestingthe paper may be, unless it isread, it wUl do no good. Unheard sermonsand unread magazines will neverbring the world to Christ.We will welcome suggestions andeven criticisms, anything and everythingthat will increase the usefulnessof Olive Trees to the causeof Missions and to the CovenanterChurch."Don't try to hold God's hand; letHim do the holding, and you do thetrusting."—Wehb-Peploe.We are glad to give our readers thismonth the article by Dr. S. A. S. Methenyon "Paul's Thorn."WhUe this is not a question whichis vital, yet it is one that is much discussed.We feel that this article,from the pen of one who is a physician,will stimulate thought and showus that we may often fail to catch thefuU significance of many Bible passageswith which we are familiar.One to whom we showed the manuscriptsaid it was "the most complete,interesting and fresh contributionthat has been published on the infirmityof the greatest missionary whoever lived."Our readers wiU enjoy anotherletter from Miss McFarland. She andMiss Forsyth are daily visiting in thehomes and teaching the mothers andchildren with a zeal and faith in Godwhich we are sure will be blessed.The whole church will daily rememberthem in prayer. They will furnishnotes on their work each month.

286 OLIVE TREESTHE PRESIDENT OF CHINAA writer in the Chinese Ch'ristianIntelligencer, published in Shanghai,describes an important interviewwhich a Chinese missionary recentlyhad with Li Yuan-Hung, the new Presidentof the Chinese Republic, in thecourse of which the President "saidplainly that after a fair trial Confucianismis found to be ill-suited tothe needs of a republic; 'the systemnecessitates an autocrat,' said he, andthe three kang and fivelun of Confucianismmust be thoroughly investigatedbefore a republic can go on withefficiency. The principles of equalityand freedom inculcated by the Christianreligion are bound to prevail inChina, The young men and women inthis land who have been taught theseprinciples are to be depended on. Theymake good, strong citizens of the Republic."The editor of the Intelligenceradds, "The three kang are 'autocrat,father and husband: the fivelunare the relation of autocrat to theprinces and nobles, of father to son,of husband to wife, of elder brother toyounger, and of friend to friend.' "The statement of the new Presidentis full of encouragement to missionariesand of FORGET far-reaching IT significanceto Has China.—The someone played East a and scurvy the West. trick?Forget it.Has someone soaked you with a brick?Forget it.Don't let the memory endure:A scheme of vengeance will not cureA single sore, you may be sure^-Forget it.Has someone used your name in vain ?Forget it.Don't call upon him to explain.Forget it.If you are straight and good and true.What matter what men say of you?Don't fuss, or pause the rag to chew-Forget it,—Ex.-MOTHERS' MEETING, 3D PHILA.The Mothers' Meetings at the ThirdChurch are held, every three weeks.The mothers are mostly of the neighborhood,who do not belong to anychurch. Some Jiave united with ourpeople. There are about 140 on theroll and an average attendance of 60.Our Mothers' Meeting was held onFriday evening, October 27th. Afterthe usual devotional exercises. Rev. R.A. Blair, of "our Jewish Mission, addressedthe mothers. He gave us avery earnest talk, entirely along evangelisticlines. The Spirit of the Lordwas upon him as he made a stirringappeal at the close of his address. Severalof the women responded, A socialhour foflowed.We are going to have a Mothers'Party next Friday evening. We willtell you all about it next month.The Rev. Laura John M, Keller, Adams, in Chairman, a historicalsermon in St. Paul's Church, NewYork, brought out certain facts whichwill be new to many. The addresswas entitled, "The Recognition of theHoly Bible by the Congress of theUnited States." It affirmed that inthe earliest days of the Republic, Congress,through a period of fiveyearsor more, gave much consideration toways and means for providing copiesof the Scriptures to destitute Americans.On account of the War of Independencethe scarcity of Bibles wasvery great and the war risks were sohigh that a plan of importing typesand paper for printing 30,000 copieshad to be abandoned. Twenty thousandcopies were thereafter orderedfrom Scotland and Holland at publicexpense. When the Robert Aiken editionof the Scriptures was publishedat Philadelphia, Congress appointedDoctors White and Duffield to examinethe work and to report on its accuracy.This having been done theypassed a resolution recommending thisedition of the Bible and authorizingthe publication of their recommenda^tion,—Record of Christian Work.

OLIVETREES 287T H E C O V E N A N T E R C H U R C HHAS GIVEN NEARLY $11,000.00TO THE SYRIAN RELIEFThis is g o o dM o r e is neededWhat about the 3,000,000 Starving Soulsin the Levant and China?Are we going to let them go to a Christlessgrave?How much tohelp save t h e m ?Collection for China—January 7, 1917

288 OLIVE TREESNEGLECTEDI see a yellow face. It is cold anddark and still. Around, stand thefriends. They look in vain for a peacefulhope on the sflent countenance, Istand beside them and my firstglancereveals "Without hope and withoutGod in the world, and in, eternity,"I hurry to Africa, As I pass along,I see a procession. They carry somethingon a stretcher. The processionis halted, and pulling aside the cloth,an ebony face is seen upturned. Theeyes have ceased to move. There isno breath. The countenance is fixedand sad and hopeless. Written arethe words, "I never heard of JesusChrist." Condemned I feel because heis condemned. Shamed am I becausehe is eternally shamed,I enter an American cemetery. AsI pass along I read from the beautifulstones. On one I see the words, "Herelies an unbeliever. He went to churchand came away unnoticed. He wantedsympathy, but found none. A kindword would have turned him into thenarrow gate, but no word came and hebecame hardened. He died withouthope, to the eternal shame of thosewho might have helped.On another stone I read, "No manspake to my soul. For years in mytimidity I longed for my Christiancompanions to talk to me about Christ,and, finally, when no word was said, Ithought, "No one cares," At last I gotso hardened that I could feel comfortableonly with the hardened godlesssinner,"On another were the words of condemnation,"0 that I might have hada kindly smile and a word of encouragementfor then this dust would, byand by, have been happily reunitedwith a soul which now suffers in torment,"On and on I went and the truth appalledme, I covered my face inshame, for had I not been slack andselfish; had I not said, every man inAmerica if he is lost has can access blame to the only Bible, himself. andHad I not said of the non-churchgoers,they know there is service and I amnot going to bother my head invitingthem. They are not much anyway.Most likely they will go away andmake fun of what they see and hear.For shame, 0 man, who bears thename of Him who gave himself thatyou might live, that you are so indifferentto the death of him who is dead,but who might be made alive if youwould do the part of a brother to him.The cemeteries of the world are fullof unsaved dead because the soldiersof Jesus Christ have thrown downtheir guns and sneaked away likecowards. How will it be henceforthwith those for which you are responsible?An alarming J, D, weakness Edgar, Stafford, among Christiansis that we are producing Chris­Kas,tian activities faster than we are producingChristian experience andChristian faith; that the discipline ofour souls and the deepening of our acquaintancewith God are not provingsufficiently thorough to enable us tomeet the unprecedented expansion ofopportunity and responsibility of ourgeneration.—John R. Mott.EIGHT HUNDRED SOLDIERSIt is difficult for us who read ournewspapers twice a day, and whoseconscious, or sub-conscious, thoughtsare unceasingly connected with thewar, to realize that there are millionsof British subjects who have completelyfailed to grasp its significance.Thus a missionary from India writes:"A people entirely ignorant of politicsand history cannot understandthe history of the world. After thenewspapers had for several monthswritten of the great happenings inEurope, an Indian Raja (Prince) said:'Sahib, I have just heard that the Kingof England has eight hundred soldiersand the German Kaiser nearly asmany! Of course, as an enlightenedman 1 do not believe it. Things todayare so surprisingly exaggerated.' "—The East and the West.

OLIVE TREES 289SPECIALARTICLESII CORINTHIANS XII, 7St. Paul's Thorn—What Was It?not record "that scales fell from hiseyes," but "there fell from his eyes asIt is now generally accepted that the it were scales." There had shinedround about him a light from heaven"Thorn in the Flesh" was some formabove the brightness of the mid-dayof physical weakness, Paul says that sun. This may have given rise to anthe thorn or "stake" was in the flesh; inflammation of the cornea with aand again he writes, "bearing about in scaly formation; or it is more likelythe body the dying of the Lord Jesus" to have been a severe form of ophthalmia(purulent conjunctivitis) and the(2 Cor, 4, 10) ; "I bear in my body theintervening three days of blindnessmarks (stigmata) of the Lord Jesus" would explain the formation on the(Gal. 6, 17),Sir WiUiam M, Ramsay, the greatestliving authority on St, Paul, putseyelids of incrustations of inspissatedexudate, which is so characteristic ofthe disease.up a strong argument "that this maladywas a species of chronic malariaFollowing out the theory that the"thom" was some affection of the eye,let us note in particular these points:fever" ("St, Paul, the Traveler, and 1, Galatians 4,13 to 15, After writingthe Roman Citizen," pg, 94 at seq,).Admitting a strong probability that concerning his infirmity of theflesh, he states "I bear you record,Paul was a sufferer from chronic malariadoes not preclude the possibilitythat, if it had been possible ye wouldhave plucked out your own eyes, andhave given them to me," Surely, hadthat at the same time he had some diseaseit been some other form of bodily infirmity,of his eyes, which doubtless wasaggravated by recurrent attacks of he would not have made suchparticular mention of their eyes,Paul came to the Galatiahs proclaimingthat the Lord Jesus wasmalaria.While it is not possible to establishrisen from the dead, "How dost thouabsolute proof, there are some general know?" "I have seen Him," said he,considerations we should note, and "aflve after His passion," "Thou artthere are some particular observations beside thyself, surely, a disorderedwhich seem to be accumulative andimagination deceived thee," He hadonly to point to his seared and brandedmake the proposition worthy of oureyes and ask, "Do mental delusionsattention.leave such marks ?" This evidence,Some general considerations: Weknow that he became blind as a resultof the vision at noonday (Acts 9, 8) ;he remained blind for three (3) days(Acts 9, 9) ; he received his sight afterthat Ananias had put his hands uponhim (Acts 9,17 and 18), Might it notbe that his sight was only partially restoredas in the miracle on record inMark 8, 24: "I see men, as trees walking?"This point, however, is not essentialto the argument, Luke does"my temptation which was in myflesh," the Galatians "despised not norrejected; but received me as an angelof God, even as Christ Jesus,"2. In Acts 13, 9, we read—"ThenSaul set his eyes on him;" in Acts23, 1, the same Greek word ("atenidzo,"to look intentiy, gaze at) is rendered"earnestly beholding," Thisanxious peering may be noted on enteringthe room of one whose eyesighthas failed to any considerable degree.The person who is purblind wUl hearthe footstep and but dimly discern a

290 OLIVE TREESman as a form walking wiU "set his with the infirmities of old age, madeeyes on" the one who is coming, "earnestlyimperative the employment of anbeholding" to see who it may be. amanuensis, but to give authenticity3, It is really remarkable that thereshould be any traditional account ofthe personal appearance of St, Paul,to the epistles he was wont to writethe peroration or "salutation" himself—in his own handwriting (see I Cor.In the two which have come down to 16, 21; Col. 4, 18). In 2 Thes. 3, 17,us, he is said to have had "contractedeyebrows" (Malalas, x. p. 257, Ed.Bonn; Nicephoris, H. E. ii, 37), Conybeareand Howson, "The Life, Timeshe adds, "which is the token in everyepistle; so I write." In Galatians 6, 11,he has written, "ye see with what largeletters I have written unto you withand Travels of St. Paul," Chapter 5, my own hand." Not "letter," but "letters"—thefoot note. Photophobia resulting inDative plural, the Dative ofcontracted eye-brows from the effortto exclude light from the inflamed eye,is characteristic of ophthalmia.4. Why did Paul not recognize thehigh priest, when he appeared beforethe council (Acts 23) ? We are toldin the firstverse that he "earnestly beholding,"etc. Paul, the prisoner, wastrying to become acquainted with hissurroundings; trying to make out whowas there, whether friend or foe. Hewas not very successful, for he did notknow where the high priest was sitting.He heard a voice commandingthose who stood by to "smite him onthe mouth," but "wist not that it wasthe high priest." Had his vision beennormal he would have had no difficultyin placing the priest even if he hadnever seen him before, the officialrobes of the high priest would havedistinguished, him from the othermembers of the council. Paul, however,could see only a blurred linewhere the priests sat in their whitevestments. We can see the flashof his"half-quenched orbs" as he cries out,"God shall smite thee, thou whitedwall." "We can picture," writes Dr.John Brown, "the great apostle, whowas a thorough gentleman, stretchingforward, and shading his eyes to seebetter, and saying 'Pardon me, I didnot know it was the high priest.' 'Iwist not, brethren.'"5. In Philemon 9 he makes his appealas "Paul the aged," and strengthensthis by referring to himself as "aprisoner of Jesus Christ." The defectiveeyesight, which probably increasedMeans, He draws their attention tohis reason for the employment of anamanuensis in writing to a people sogreatly beloved. "Observe the size ofthe characters in which I have writtenwith my own hand." The laboriouslypainful writing of one who can scarcesee to frame his letters aright. Paul,the Aged; Paul, the Prisoner; Paul,the Blind.BIBLIOGRAPHYAbbott, "The Life and Letters ofPaul, the Apostle;" Brown, "St. Paul'sThorn in the Flesh;" Conybeare andHowson, "Life, Time and Travels ofSt. Paul;" Farrar, "Life and Work ofSt, Paul;" Fouard, "St, Paul and HisMissions;" Peloubet, "Acts of theApostles;" Ramsay, "St, Paul, theTraveler and the Roman Citizen;" Sabatier,"L'apotre Paul;" Stalker, "Lifeof St, Paul;" Taylor, "St, Paul, theMissionary,"S, A, S, Metheny, M. D.Collection for Mission in China,January 7th. Amount asked,$,30,000.00.Read the items from Dr. Robb'sletter in "News from the Field,"this issue.Pastors Please Announce.

AS-SITT LAIYAJ. M. BALPHAs sometimes, in our walks, wefind, far up upon the mountain side,or deep within the forest, a flowerofwondrous beauty or most exquisitefragrance; so at times do we find,most unexpectedly, amidst environmentsseemingly unfavorable, a life,lowly and unknown beyond a limitedcircle, but radiant with beauty andredolent with those graces and qualitiesthat we so much admire.The subjeet of this sketch was suchan one. One of the lowly ones ofearth; but to those who knew her, herlife was a benediction; as she borewith beautiful and patient resignation,"A thorn in the flesh" thatwould have fretted and discourageda less courageous soul.Mrs. Shemmaa, or As-Sitt Laiya(The Lady Laiya) was born atOLIVE TREES 291Hums, Syria. When a littie morethan twenty years of age she wasmarried to a man from the same city,a few years her senior. They wereboth Christians, and as they beganlife together, everything seemed propitiousfor the future; but disease.laid its hand upon her, and afterweeks of suffering, left her sightless;but her courage was not daunted, norfor once did her faith waver. Sheimmediately set about to adapt herselfto the changed circumstancesthat her loss had occasioned.Her husband was then engaged, ascolporteur and evangelist, with theAmerican Mission in Beyrout, andthey resided in a village on the seawardslope of Lebanon, not far awayfrom that city. Necessarily, he wasaway from home much of the time,but undeterred by circumstances, sheundertook and mastered the difficulttask of keeping her house withoutthe aid of sight; and she succeededto such a remarkable degree, that herhome was always a model of neatness.In 1882 her husband was receivedinto the employ of our mission inLatakia, in which he remained untflthe time of his death in 1911. Shewas, therefore, in intimate associationwith the missionaries there formany years. She always loved tovisit at their homes, and have themvisit her; and it was a delight to doso, for theirs was pre-eminently aChristian home. Both she and herhusband had the love and respect ofevery one who knew them. Theyhad never had any chUdren to gladdentheir lives, a lack that is very keenlyfelt in the East; but mutual lovemade life's burdens easy, and taughtthe lesson of patience under difficulties.She survived her husband nearlyfour years: being called home in December,1914. During the greaterpart of that time, she lived alone. Shewas at times a great sufferer, but herlife was always buoyed up by herfaith in her Savior.She was never absent from thepublic services of God's house, exceptwhen prevented by sickness. Herdelight was in the Word; much ofwhich she had stored up in her memory.She was always anxious to have

292 OLIVE TREESit read to her; and it was a pleasureand a privilege to do so, she alwaysseemed to receive it so gladly. Shewas spared the one thing that shemost feared; that of becoming a burdento others. The day she died shewas in her usual health; towardsevening she lay down for a few momentsto rest; a short time after, aneighbor coming in, found that shewas dying and before any one couldbe called she had passed away.Glorious change; darkness no longer;her eyes had opened upon theunseen things, the vision of eternalday for which she had waited so long.She looked upon her Savior.FROM OUR JEWISH MISSIONOne test of religion is the comfortit affords in time of trouble.It was a Jewish family in troublebecause of the father's death that Ifirst visited with Miss Forsyth whenI returned in November to our Missionof the Covenant. The membersof this household have lost faith inthe Jewish beliefs and bave ceased toobserve Jewish customs, yet on thisoccasion tried to carry out the requiredceremonies.After the father's death ten mencame to this home to read or repeatthe prescribed prayers. While theyprayed they wore phalacteries strappedon their heads. (If by accidentone of these is ever dropped on thefloor a fast of a week is the punishment).The members of the family overtwelve years of age sat on the floorfor eight days eating their meals offchairs. None of them went outsidethe house during this time. For ayear the oldest son must go to thesynagogue three times a day to readthe prayers of a son for a father.On special feast days the followingprayer wifl be offered: "May God rememberthe soul of our honored fatherwho is gone to his repose, for that Inow solemnly offer charity for hissake; in reward of this may his soulenjoy etemal life with the souls ofAbraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca,Rachel and Leah, and the restof the righteous males and femalesthat are in Paradise; and let us sayAmen!"In spite of all the efforts of thisfamily to perform the rites they failedin some particulars and were accordinglysubjected to taunts of friendsand neighbors.What a bondage it all is! It is hardfor us to realize how people who havecome to this land for freedom willsubmit to these man-made laws.Their answer as to the reason forany practice is "It's the Jewish religion."The faces of those who cometo our door and of those who crowdus on the streets show how little comfort,peace and hope it affords them.So it is in the midst of throngs ofthese Jewish people bringing their religiouslaws and traditions from theirhome lands^—Russia, Poland and Germany—thatour Mission stands, seekingto testify to Christ and the comfort,peace and hope that He alonecan bring to hearts opened to receiveHim.The temporal needs of these peopleare matters of great concern to them,and like others of us they cannot learnthat "all these things will be added"by the Great Giver if the conditionsare fulfifled.Not a day passes without seeingwomen and children in distress comingto the Mission door, This%seasonoffers work for all able-bodied menand women, but in many homes thewage-earners are incapacitated. MissForsyth has been able to help manyby recommending them to philanthropicagencies of the city, but thereare numbers in distress not eligible toreceive help from these. Through thekindness of friends the Mission hasaided in cases of great distress, butfunds for this purpose are quite inadequate.Mothers' and children's meetings

OLIVE TREES 293and classes on the Sabbath are wellattended. Help given in all thesemeetings by young people from thePhiladelphia congregations is greatlyappreciated.As one learns of the many agenciesin this part of the city for carryingon social and religious work it wouldseem as if the ground were well covered,but later it is seen that in thesecrowds the agencies don't overlap—much less touch—on their borders.So our Mission has its place and ownfield, and it only remains for us to cultivateit.And now when the work is to bedeprived of the supervision of Rev,R, A. Blair, the church should feel aspecial responsibility in rememberingin prayer the Board of the JewishMission and workers that they mayhave special help and direction inplanning for the future,Emma M, McFarland,Expect to have articles from Mr. Slaterand Bloomington for January issue.WHAT MISSIONARIES HAVEDONE FOR CHINABy His Excellency,Dr. V, K, Wellington Koo,Washington, D, C,Chinese Minister to America.At our request, Minister Koo has sent usthe following statement through his secretary.Dr. W. P. Wei. It will be read withinterest, not only as revealing the friendlyattitude of a high Chinese official, but as anevidence of how Christians in America mayfurther help the great Chinese people solvethe problems that confront them.—Editor.In the first place, China owes agreat deal to the foreign missionariesfor the introduction of modern education.Not only through their translationof books of modern science, butalso through their personal efforts inteaching modern science and arts andin estaWishing modern schools and'coUeges, missionaries, particularlythose from this country, have awakenedan interest on the part of theChinese masses in the importance andvalue of modern education. The presentwidespread educational movementin China is traceable in its origin to avery large extent to the humble effortsbegun half a century ago bypioneer missionaries of the ChristianChurch in China, The efficiency ofmissionaryinstitutions in trainingmen of discipline and character is afact generally admitted. Indeed,many of the missionary schools andcolleges are recognized as among thebest of our educational institutions.In the second place, the missionai-y,as a doctor, has rendered no less serviceto China than as an educator. Themissionary hospitals and dispensariesnumbering, I am informed, nearlyfour hundred, are not only places ofcomfort to the sick and suffering, butalso serve as centers from which thelight of modem medical science radiatesto the length and breadth ofChina,Then the missionary as a moral andreligious teacher and as a social reformerhas been a distinct force inChina, Perhaps no one can tell howmany miserable lives have been madehappy and how many living in darknesshave been brought to see thelight by missionary teaching. Manyof the epoch-making reforms, such asthe suppression of opium and abolitionof footbinding, etc, have beenbrought about with no little supportfrom the workers of the ChristianChurch in China,I hold missionary work in high regard,as do many of my feUow-countrymen.The Christian Church hasnot only rendered valuable service inpropagating Christian doctrines, buthas by her various activities contributedto the modernization of China,and under the new regime of republicanismChristianity is bound to makeeven more rapid progress and accomplishmuch more in China than shehas in the past,—Missionary Reviewof the World.

394 OLIVE TREESYOU ARE INVITEDto attend the services, November 5-1., in connection with the celebration ofthe Lord's Supper at Cache Creek M ssion.Monday,Monday,Tuesday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Thursday,Friday,Friday,Friday,Saturday,Saturday,Saturday,Time,2,00 P. M.Subject.Prayer for people that havetrouble.LeaderMrs. O. F. Thompson7.30 P. M. The Joy of the Christian'slife.John Gilbreath2.00 P. M.How can we help other7.30 P. M.people?Mrs. SnodgrassThe foundation of the Chris- Mr. Vailtian's joy.2,00 P. M. We must have faith in Robert Popoweeti7.30 P. M.2.00 P. M.7,30 P. M.10.00 A. M.2.00 P. M.7.30 P. M.10.00 A. M.2.00 P. M.7.30 P. M.Sabbath, 10.00 A. M.Sabbath,Sabbath,Monday,2.00 P. M.7.30 P. M.10.00 A. M.Christ.Our love for God.The blood of Christ.The ten virgins.Sermon by Dr. W. W. Carithers.Sermon by Rev. 0. F.Thompson.Jacob's Vision.Sermon by Dr. W. W. Carithers.Meeting of Session.Prayer for those who are outof the Way.Sermon by Dr. W. W. Carithers.The Lord's Supper.Praise Service.Sermon by Dr. W. W. Carithers.Henry WallaceMary KoassechoneyYellowfishMrs, YellowfishTimothy YellowfishWilbur AchiltaBeginning with Sabbath, November 12, the Sabbath services through thewinter wUl begin at 2,00 P, M,Prayer Meetings after this date at 4,00 P, M, each Wednesday,Extracts In sending from above a letter programme, concerning Mr, Thompson were in church adds "we on are time in the for midst everythe of a fine recent Communion, The at meetings the Indian are meeting going well and and stayed the Indians till seem the close, muchMission: interested."Henry Wallace had given some exhortationalong this line the SabbathYou have seen the programs so willknow something of the plans for the before but then the right spirit wasmeetings last week.in the people or they would not haveThe attendance was better than I responded so heartily,ever saw it from the firstday. Usually 'There were many babies and littlewe have people straggling in late, and children, and I realized as I never didonly a few on Monday and Tuesday, before how very little their mothersbut this time all were in camp early could get from the meetings. Theand well settled, and seemed to have women filled up their side of thecome with the purpose of getting the church at all the services, and evenmost from the meetings, for nearly all when the wind blew as it can here.

and when a storm came on Friday,they all turned out in full force, andno one was any the worse for it.The singing was more general thanr have ever known it. We had theComanche Psalms often and the Indianssing them well. They are learningto use the books better, and thechildren know many Psalms and takedeflght in singing,Yellowfish had some of his talks interpretedfor us by his son Timothy,At one meeting he told how hard itwas to believe when you could notread for yourself, but he said he hadtried hard to listen to all that otherstold him of God's Word and to rememberit, and then to tell it to otherpeople, just as he heard it. He urgedafl the Indians to listen well and takeevery chance of leaming more of theBible and then not to go away andforget it.The young Indian elder led themeeting on Saturday night and madecareful preparation for it. He talkedin English firstand then in Comanchetelling the people of two flags,Jesus'flag and Satan's flag,and said, "I amgoing under Jesus' flagand I want youall to pray for me that I may staythere, and not go under Satan's flag,and I want you all to come underJesus' flag." The young men were outin force, and it would mean a gooddeal to them to have one of their ownOLIVE TREES 295number speak to them like that.* * * *There was little confusion on Sabbath,but all was well arranged andcarried out. There was a finespiritthrough all the service. We are sure•there are good days in store for thecongregation.* * * *We had -prayers offered in threelanguages Sabbath night. The singingwas so good that night that itseemed hard to find a place to stop formany had chosen Psalms they wantedsung.Monday was a cold, bleak day, butthe church was well filledfor the closingservice. The Indian talks wereespecially good and practical. Manyemphasized regular attendance at theSabbath and Wednesday meetings,and we all felt that it was this thathad helped to make the Communionweek so good. In all these years Icannot remember a season when therehas been such good and regular attendanceat these meetings as in themonths since last Communion time.They have started out weli thisWednesday again, for we had afiillmeeting and a great time of handshakingafterwards.THE GOSPELwas written that You believing, might have LIFE throughHIS NAME. IJohn 20:31; Acts 4:12.]God'WHOSOEVER kelieveth in Hitn shall not perishbut have ETERNAL LIFE; torso LOVEDthat He gave HisOnly begottenSon thatbelieving in Him should notPerish, but haveEverlastingJFE," [John 3:15,16-]HOW ^rJ LIFE? aobn3. 8.36.

296 OLIVE TREESThe following letter was kindlysent us by Dr, Sommerville:Onua, Malekula, New Hebrides,August 30, 1916,My dear Dr. SommerviUe,It is some time since I have writtenyou, and as a Committee in New Yorkasked for statistics of our Mission, Iam sending you a copy of them so faras made up.Owing to the war we have a smallerstaff, and things are rather uncertain.The Presbyterian Church of New Zealandwon't build a hospital "until thewar is well over," which may meananything, I think they are waiting tosee whether the islands come entirelyunder the British flag,as we hopethey will,A white man shot a native lately.It was a quarrel between two whites,and the native in a friendly way triedto make peace. One man deliberatelywent to his box, took out his revolver,and shot the native dead- The "assessors,"a jury, were inclined to letthe white off, but the judge insistedon his being given six months.On the other hand nothing is doneto natives who do wrong. The nativewho with loaded musket took a girlout of our school and compelled herto live with him had nothing done tohim. And cases of rape are treatedwith contempt,A quiet, inoffensive British subjectin July, about eighteen mfles fromhere, on the coast, was brutally murderedalong with fivechildren by theNorth Malekula bushmen. They soldthe man some nuts about dusk. Hethen sat down, perhaps, to chat andhad a pipe in one hand and tobacco inthe other, when they killed him withhis own axe. They then rushed on thechildren, who were cut to pieces. Oneboy was taken away to be eaten, Mr,King, our British resident, at oncevisited the place but he could do nothing.A French-Tonquin half-caste cameashore to do work for a local Frenchman.They had a few days' carousal,and it resulted in the death of the carpenterfrom excessive blood-vomiting.The natives in digging his grave unearthedthe skull of a man they hadkilled and eaten over twenty yearsago. The skuU was decayed but wecould still see the marks of the blowsthat killed him. This poor French-Tonquinese never knew who hismother was, as she repudiated himwhen he was a baby, and his Tonquinfather brought him up. This poorchap is a typical case of some of ourFrench, He "never had a chance" asa Frenchman said of him at the burialservice which I conducted. And tous such are a greater problem thanthe cannibal natives.Our Synod was held 65 miles fromhere at South West Bay, Malekula,We had a good meeting. Every Missiondistrict had given generously tothe relief of the Belgians, and in thistime of war when food and clothingcost more, and they get far less fortheir coxia, the native church hasgiven more liberally to the support oftheir teachers and the work in general.This is as it ought to be.Our Senior Missionary was Rev.Peter Milne, who has lost a son in thewar, and has another, a doctor, at thefront. Mr. MUne is about 84, and hasbeen in the New Hebrides since 1868.He is as keen as ever in brain, thoughnaturally. failing a little physically.He took an interest in all the debates,and business, and of all Synod is ourbest raconteur. We only really discoveredhis full powers of humor andstore of anecdotes in the last fewyears.With very kind regards to Mrs.Somerville "Jesus never and yourself. turns water into winefor those Yours who are very invited sincerely, to the weddingbut decline to Fred. come."—Ex. S. Paton.

OLIVE TREES 297N E W S F R O M T H E FIELDEdited by MRS. Findley M. Wilson, 2517 North Franklin Street,Philadelphia, Penna.We are glad to learn that our missionariesto China have reached theirdestinations ere this. The Robbs andDr, McBumey were due at Tak Hingthe week of November 5th, Mr. andMrs. MitcheU and Miss Dean would goon to Lo Ting and probably reachthere a week later.It is presumed that Miss Brownleeparted from the others at Hong Kongand went to Canton, as arrangementshad been made for her to have a year'sstudy in the Union Language Schoolthere. The school opened October 1st.Dr. Robb, taking time by the forelocksent a text book to Miss Brownlee beforeshe left Seattle so that she might,begin her study on the steamer andthus be abreast of her class when shereached Canton.•I* V •" •!•Mr. Mitchell wrote on board the S.S. Monteagle, October 26th:"This has been a busy day amongthe passengers on the Monteagle, aswe are due in Yokohama tomorrowmorning and everybody has been gettingletters ready to send back. Wehave liad very little of importance toreport on- our journey. I supposethere have been more important eventsto those who are making the trip forthe firsttime than to those of us whohave been across several times. MissDean and I went to Vancouver andtook the steamer as our baggage hadgone on there. We had the privilegeof visiting Mrs. Dunham and her familywhile in Vancouver. We saUedfrom there at 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon,October 11. We met the othersat Victoria about 11 o'clock, and bymidnight we were on our way andhave been going ever since. By tomorrowwe will have been at sea aboutsixteen days, the longest I, at least,have ever been on shipboard withoutany stop. We were in sight of theAleutian Island the most of one dayand have been in sight of the coast ofJapan most of today."We have had a very good companyon board. The greater part of the passengersare missionaries going toJapan, Korea, North China, SouthChina and India. It has been anagreeable crowd and we have had goodtimes together. The accommodationson the Monteagle are not quite as goodas the first-classsteamers, but there ismore of a democratic spirit among thecrew and the passengers."We have had a few days in whichthe ship has roUed a little, not verymuch, but just enough to make someof us take to our beds and wish wewere at the end of the journey. Someof our little party got along very weUbut others of us make no pretense atbeing good sailors. I will mention nonames for I do not think it wise to gettoo personal about some matters."We are due in Hong Kong about thefirst Monday of November if everythinggoes all right. That will make itso that we can get to Tak Hing thatweek and then to Lo Ting about themiddle of the following week. We wiUbe glad to get home again after ourmonths of wandering." Our readers

igi OLIVE TREESwiU note the significant fact that theyregard their place of work as "home."* * * *Many will sympathize with MissElla Margaret Stewart, of our Lo Tingstation, in the death of her older sister,Mrs. Jennie Stewart Thome, who passedaway at her home in ZanesvUle, 0.,November 11. Mrs. Thome leavesthree Uttle children, her husband, andtwo sisters and two brothers to mournher early demise." ¥ ^ "PLarnaca, Cyprus.—Mr. Charles A.Stewart, of the American Academy atLarnaca has furnished us the followingnews items which we are sure wiflbe read with interest:"On May 13th the Academy trackteam went up to Nicosia for the annualfield and track meet with the Englishschool. The trip each way was madein a Ford car and its trailer. Two boysentered from each school for each ofthe twelve events. The Academy boyslost some events which they shouldhave won at the first,so that at theend of the sixth event the Englishschool team was fourteen points ahead.By taking good care of the feflows,after and between events, we managedto win out by sixteen points. RealAmerican College spirit showed itselfthat night on the trip back. The shield,which is competed for each year, nowgraces our study hall. The shield waspresented by the last High Commissionerof the Island, just before he left.Our boys won it the firstyear by fifteenor sixteen points, and then lost itby only four points,"* * * *"We were very sorry to have to bidMr. Dwight Conner fareWeU, on June13, when he sailed back to the States.There being so few of us we miss theone who leaves so much, and the caUfrom home gets rather strong on suchan occasion. Mr. Conner was verypopular with the boys. His banjo alsomade him very popular and in demandat all social functions."* * * *"Closing exercises were held June15. Recitations, songs and essays,were given in a variety of tongues—EngUsh, French, Greek, Turkish andArmenian. There was a graduatingclass of five—^three Greeks, one Syrianand one Armenian. Prizes wereawarded to the two boys who securedthe highest grades in each class. Awatch was awarded as a General ExcellencePrize by the Larnaca DistrictCommissioner; and two prizes for thetwo boys who had shown the mostmarked progress in English, were thegift of the English Judge here,, Theexercises closed with a talk from theJudge, and Mr. McCarroU's fareweUspeech to the graduates as they receivedtheir certificates."* * * *"A severe heat wave settled downover us from the day school closed,and we were all glad to get up to themountains, where Dr. McCarroll andfamily had rented a summer home. Icertainly did enjoy the open air tentlife amongst the pines. Tennis ahdlong tramps put us in fine trim foranother year's work. I for one didenjoy Mrs. McCarroU's Americancooking. How often during the schoolyear we bachelors, living in the school,long for some particular Americandish or other! Mr, McCarroll can nowsympathize with us since his familyis not here,"* ,* * *"School opened.on September 25th,and was soon in good running order.By doubling up work a bit we ar-

anged. Jto get along until Mr, WilburWeir joined us on October 10th, Hereeeived a hearty welcome, and is gettingrightinto the run of things, althoughhe has one rather severe initiationahead of him yet—and that ishis firstwhole day on duty. We canrefer you to Messrs. R. E. Smith andD. H. Conner if anyone cares to knowjust what a day on duty may mean."ifs 4: ^ H:"There are eleven teachers on ourstaff this year, and four are our owngraduates^—^two of whom are lastyear men. Several teach classes overin the Girls', SchooL We have managedso that Mr, McCarroll can devotemore time to the Girls' School andhis other work by freeing him fromas much class work as he formerly carriedin the Academy,"^ ^ ^ ^"Quite a large number of the studentsare new boys. This is especiallytrue of the boarders. Over 130 namesare on the roll and of these thirty-fiveare boarders.":}: 4: 4: &"A large number of mules and muleteershave been taken from the Islandto Salonika, At least twelve of ourstudents, ex-students and graduatesare now serving as interpreters forthe muleteers that are at Salonika, Werather encourage their going, as theyget good pay and get a chance to leamhow.to stand on their own feet. Quitea number of our boys have left forAmerica, Egypt and France, We hearnow that no men of mUitary age areto leave the Island,"4: « 4: 4s"Attendance at the morning Englishservice has been very encouraging,A number of the Scotch soldiers attendiA quartet, made up of two soldiersand two teachers, has improvedthe singing part of the service,"it! * * 'If"Dr. McCarroU and family weredown to spend the last week-end withus. We do enjoy these visits fromthe only American family in theOLIVE TREES 299Island, and we regret that our smallcircle out here cannot get togetheroftener. All in the circle are welL Theweather is fine,in spite of the fact thatwe have had no rain yet to lay thedust. The nights are cooler than weusually find them at this time of theyear.""Last mail boat we received threeweeks' mail, as we had missed out ongetting any mail from either Americaor England for three mails,"AU these notes from Mr, Stewartare so interesting we hope to hearfrom him soon again.From Rev, Walter McCarroU's letterof October 17th the prospects are fora good year in the Academy, He says:"You will, of course, have received thecable announcing the safe arrival ofMr, Weir, He was delayed on the waybut he rejoiced that he finallyreachedhere without mishap and in good spirits.He is just the kind of a man wewant, and I think he will do good work,"We had been running a couple ofweeks when he got in but we managedto get alopg,"Have a full school this year. About135 boys in the Academy, and some30 giris in the Girls' School, and 10little children in the Armenian School."We have opened a kind of Y. M. C.A. hut for the soldiers, where they cancome and read or have tea, or evensupper if they want it. We have aconcert of a kind for them once aweek. A number of the soldiers arePresbyterians, so have an Englishservice for their benefit, and whenthe teachers and boarders get in wehave a congregation of about ninetypeople. You can imagine that we areall pretty busy keeping four institutionsgoing."The following from the new teacherin the American Academy at Larnacahas just been received. It is datedOctober 24, 1916:"My trip to Cyprus was uncertain at

300 OLIVE TREEStimes but, nevertheless, enjoyable. TheBritish Consul at New York advisedme not to undertake the trip on accountof recent restrictions regardingAmericans traveling in Egypt. Nothing,however, stood in the way of mygoing to England, so I sailed fromNew York on September 2 as the boardhad planned."We arrived at Liverpool the eveningof September 10. My destinationbeing London, I was ordered to gothere at once. It required four daysto get a special permit to land inEgypt, Then, upon interviewing theFrench authorities, I was refused permissionto cross France on the groundthat it was possible to go to Egypt byboat. English passenger boats wereleaving on the two following days, butone was full, while the other was leavingfrom a dock where no alien couldembark, there being no govemment officialstationed there, A week passedbefore I could get a boat for Egypt,so on September 22 I left Liverpoolfor Port Said, going via Gibraltar, Thevoyage was made in thirteen days andafter a few days waiting in Port Said,I caught the Cyprua?" boat, arrivinghere October 10."School had begun when I arrived,so I began work at once. New aspectsof the work appear each day, afl ofwhich tend to make the work more interesting,"Sincerely,• "Wilbur Weir,"It will be of more than usual interestthat at the recent meeting of the BoardDr, J, M, Wright, of our hospital atTak Hing, was appointed to the medicalstaff of the Canton Union Hospital,This hospital is in process oforganization, "The Canton MedicalMissionary Society, which for seventyfiveyears has been conducting theCanton Hospital, proposes to lease tothe new organization all its propertiesfor a merely nominal sum, Kung Yeemedical school will also unite in theproject. Each Protestant Mission inthe province has been asked to co-operatein the founding of this CantonUnion Hospital, From the beginningthe committee, having in hand themerging of these different medicalfactors in the new institution, has beendesirous of securing our Dr, Wrightfor the medical staff. The considerationwhich led our Board to concludethat Dr, Wright should be spared fromour own hospital is that the CantonUnion Hospital affords a rare opportunityto bring the medical educationalwork of South China under Christiahinfluence. We hope there will not berepeated in China what has alreadylargely taken place in parts of Turkey,namely, that the practice of modernmedicine shall pass from under Christiancontrol into the hands of men whocare for medicine only as a means ofpersonal aggrandizement, "The 'Object'defined in the present Constitutioncafls for the-maintenance of anefficient hospital, in which the preachingof the gospel shall be incorporatedwith the medical work,"Two or three other quotations willserve to give a clearer view of thenature of this hospital to which Dr.Wright is to go. "The Canton Hospitalwas the first institution of thekind ever established in the Orient,and the firstbenevolent institution ofany kind in Canton. It is the mostnoted and one of the largest hospitalsin China, having over two hundred andfifty beds for patients. It has a reputationwhich attracts patients from allparts of this and neighboring provinces.Several million patients havebeen treated by it. The hospital hasthe confidence and good-wUl Of manymore Chinese, both infiuential andpoor, than any other institution ofthe kind in South China. Most of theleading Chinese physicians of the cityhospital and its former medical school,and province are graduates of this

and a great many "of these men areprominent Christians,"* * * *"The hospital occupies a splendidlarge and valuable site in a mostcentral position on the river front,"Large improvements have recentlybeen made but it is out bf debt. "Thehospital nursing school is second tonone in Canton." "The several thousandin-patients, and several tens ofthousands of dispensary patients yearly,afford an unrivaled fieldfor medicalwork." The Hospital, MedicalSchool and Nursing School "shouldproduce first-classChinese Christiandoctors and nurses, which will simplifythe staffing of out-stations andMission hospitals. The Missions requiringsuch should assist in producingthem."* * * *"The hospital offers a unique opportunityfor evangelistic work among thetens of thousands of patients treatedannually. This work is only limitedby the size of the staff. As the patientsretum cured, with a knowledge of thegospel, to their homes in all parts ofthis and neighboring provinces, anopening wedge for missionary effort ismade in these places. Thus for seventy-nineyears the Canton Hospitalhas been a large factor in the evangelisticwork of the provipce, and hashelped and is still helping all the Missionsin this way," It is expectedthat Dr, Wright will take up his newduties as a member of the medical staffabout the firstof the year 1917. TheLord bless him in what we trust willprove a larger field and wider influence,and make his labors even morefruitful than they have been in TakHing! The effort to have the RockefellerFoundation pay his salary wasunsuccessful..OLIVE TREES 301The following extracts are from apersonal letter froiri Dr. A. I. Robb:Tak Hing, October 6,We left the Island ten days eariyin order to get to Lo Ting in time todo some work there. I held communionat Che Tsai, Lo King and Lo Ting.Two infants were baptized at Che Tsaiand two adults at Lo Ting, The workover there is in need of a man righton the job, but the field is fine, Ipassed through a market town caUedLo Ping, some, sixteen miles from LoTing, It is in the middle of a vaUey, inwhich there are, perhaps, fiftythousandpeople within a radius of twomfles or less. At Lo King one canstand up on a Uttle hill and count ahundred viUages, I have scarcely seenanything to equal it in China, Lo Tingis our big field and easier to workafter you get to it than Tak Hing,We left Lo Ting on Tuesday of thisweek, I left Lo King on Monday andwe came down the river. It was rainingand the river high and my hairhas hardly laid down yet after ourshooting of the rapids. Five brawnymen who seemed to know every inchof the river guided our little craftdown a steep slope on which werethree big rocks, and the current shotus at each of them in turn with suchrapidity and force that I marvel yetthat human strength was able to turnus in time, and we missed apparentlyby fractions of an inch. Left Lo Tingthe next day at 2,20 and were in TakHing by Wednesday noon, which is aquick trip.The Record of Christian Work saysthat the Baptist church at Macao hasjust received into its membership Mrs,Sun Yat Sen, the wife of the wellknownChinese reformer, Mrs, Sunv/as baptized in the sea not far fromthe spot where, one hundred years ago,Robert Morrison baptized the firstProtestant convert in China.

302 OLIVE TREESAll the World, the exceUent littlequarterly issued in the interest of theHome Department of the ForeignMission Board of the PresbyterianChurch, gives all of the October numberto the subject of "The Cultivationof the Home Church for Foreign Missions,"We wish all our pastors couldread it through. From the manyshort, helpful articles we give ourreaders part of the "Foreword," byDr, Halsey; "The Missionary Pastor,"by Charles A. Wilson and '"The EveryMember Canvass" by David McConaghy,CULTIVATION OF THE HOMECHURCHThe Conference of the Foreign Missions'Boards of the United States andCanada, which meets once a year, usuallyat Garden City, has for manyyears had a committee on the HomeBase, This committee has now beenconsolidated with the Committee onReference and Counsel as a sub-committee.It is now known as the "Committeeon the Cultivation of the HomeChurch for Foreign Missions," Thefirst meeting of this sub-committeewas held a few weeks ago. Afterthorough discussion of various topicsto be presented within the comingyear to the Home Church, in connectionwith Foreign Missions, it wasthe unanimous conclusion of membersof the committee that the emphasisshould be put upon the fnissionarypastor. In a report of the Home BaseCommittee presented a year ago thissubject was clearly defined as follows:"The missionary pastOr rightlystands at the head of the list. He isthe pivotal man. He holds the key tothe situation. In an ideal scheme fora missionary church the pastor occupiesthe central position. The problemof organizing missions in the localchurch is at present the most pressingproblem in connection with the Cultivationof the Home Church. Thepastor can solve this problem. We believeit is the province of the Committeeon Home Base (now Committeeon Cultivation of the Home Church)to inform, enthuse and inspire thepastor."It is hoped that during the comingmonths this committee wiU preparesome suitable literature which will behelpful to pastors. Meanwhile wewould call special attention of pastorsto the "Church Missionary Committee"a manual of suggestions whichwas published some years ago, and isstill the most valuable statement ofthe Missionary Committee which hasyet been published.The articles in this number of Allthe World are designed to aid the busypastor in his effort to cultivate foreignmissions in the Home Church,A, W, Halsey, D, D,,Secretary of the Presbyterian Boardof Foreign Missions,THE MISSIONARY —From All PASTOR the World.I,Nothing promotes missionary interestlike the motive of love, and thecompulsion of the Great Commission,Beginning at Jerusalejn the Apostleswere to witness for Christ "in allJudea, and in Samaria, and unto theuttermost part of the earth," Theyfelt themselves under bonds to obeytheir Lord's command, and to testifyto what they had seen and heard. AllChristians are to be his witnesses.Obedience should be joyful and optirnistic,, He promises His presence tothe end of the age. His presence isthe assurance of success in evangelismat home, and in missions abroad. Thefield is the world; and this fact rightlygrasped will prevent a one-sided developmentto the exalting of one phaseof activity to the exclusion of another.The writer, who is in the fifthyearof his present pastorate, has endeav^ored to lift these fundamental factsout of the commonplace and to givethem conspicuous position in the everyday thought of his people. The re-

OLIVE TREES 303sponse has been a growing missionaryinterest, with greatly increased contributionsfor foreign work, accompaniedalso with no small effort inevangelizing the local community.As to the means pursued, whatevermay be out of the ordinary, ifthere is anything in the missionaryinterest in this particular church, isdue largely to prayer. The larger parishof the great world all about is frequentlyremembered in prayer by theminister in the pulpit; by the minister,the superintendent, or some otherin the Sabbath school; and by generalprayer services in the Women's Missionarymeetings, which are held oncea month. In addition, much instructionis given from the pulpit as to theworld-need for the witness to Christ,Missionary sermons, though seldomcalled by that name, are given by theminister on an average of about oncea quarter. Reference is frequentiymade to incidents on the foreign fieldfor illustrative purposes in showingthe progress of the kingdom. Missionariesat home on furlough, whenwithin reach, are invited to speak tothe Missionary Society, the Sabbathschool, the Young People's Society, orthe congregation from the pulpit, Acapable speaker from the Sabbatbschool, called the missionary superintendent,is appointed to give a shorttalk on missions to the school at theopening exercises once a month. Instructionhas proven to be the motherof interest.The results of these methods havenot been all that could be wished, butthey have been encouraging. Thegrowing interest in Foreign Missionshasnot lessened the interest in thelocal work, or diminished the localsupport. In fact it is not easy to divorcethe community activities fromthe larger activities of world-evangelization.During the development ofthe missionary spirit the church hasexperienced seasons of refreshing,with large accessions to membership;about three hundred having been added,thus doubling the membership in alittle more than four years. Meanwhilea mortgage of $13,500 on thebuilding and a floatingdebt of $1030have been paid in full. The Women'sMissionary Society grew in threeyears from thirty to one hundredmembers, and recently made a greatforward movement by substitutingthe pledge system of raising moneyfor the old plan of small membershipdues. By this plan each member ofthe society decides upon the amountof her pledge, with the result that theamount pledged for the ensuing yearis several times the amount securedby dues in previous years. The supportof two missionaries of our ForeignBoard of China has been assumedby two individuals of this church, andthe sum-total of contributions to theForeign Board is now twenty' timesthe total of the church's gifts fouryears ago.Charles A. Wilson,Pastor the First Presbyterian Church,Chanute, Kansas.—From All the World.THE EVERY MEMBERCANVASSI, The Every Member Plan,The Every Member Plan is the trueApostolic succession to the ForwardMovement, For more than a decadeprior to 1902 the contributions forForeign Missions had not increased;indeed, they had actuafly declined. In1890 they amounted to $863,501; in1901 to $863,076, and in the interveningperiod they had fallen as low (in1897) as $719,192, No wonder thatthoughtful men such as Mr, E, A, K,Hackett, of Fort Wayne, Ind,—^whohas recently gone up to his reward—and the late Mr. John H. Converse, ofPhiladelphia, had it laid heavily upontheir hearts to try to fihd a way ofsecuring a worthier support, Mr,Hackett's chief concern was to enlistmore large givers, Mr. Converse said,"What is needed most is to greatly increasethe number of comparativelysmall givers rather than the comparativelysmall number of large givers."

304 OLIVE TREESThe fact was that both classes neededto be greatly increased; but the fundamentalneed was to find a bettersystem of giving for the great massof our church members who, with anoccasional collection, failed to meettheir responsibility for the missionaryand benevolent work of thechurch. The Forward Movement, inconnection with the Foreign Board,was the laboratory in which waswrought out the Every Member Plan;now it is approved by the entirechurch and adopted by about 60 percent, of all our churches which haveas many as 25 members. The effectupon the receipts of all the Boardshas been unmistakable. Since 1903the income of the Foreign Board hasdoubled. At the same time the incomeof all the Boards has likewisedoubled; indeed, since 1900 the increasehas been 108 per cent., reaching$4,527,441 this year, while duringthe same period the membership hasincreased but 34 per cent.But, as the Continent, in its notablefront-page editorial of August 31stmade transparently clear, the EveryMember Plan is "something morethan finance," It stated unqualifiedlythat "never in all the progress ofAmerican churches has an idea succeededso suddenly and completely asthe Every Member Canvass, Thesubscription method has won out absolutely,"True, the road-bed is nearly laid.But what is far more important is thepower. And if the churches come todepend upon a mere method—eventhough it be the Scriptural one—therewifl be immeasurable loss. The pastorof a large Eastern church actuallywrote recently to one of the Boardsthat his church had "adopted the budgetsystem, and at the same time madea rule not to distribute the literatureof any of the Boards." Alongside ofthat almost unbelievable misconception,put these closing sentences fromthe editorial already referred to:"Especiafly ought the alert pastor tomake advance in cultivating amonghis people intelligence and conscienceon the laws for the Scriptural dedicationof their substance to God's work.He must work harder to educate themconcerning the objects that God asksChristians to help bring to pass in theextension of His kingdom. Aroundthe whole circle of the church's BenevolentBoards he ought to swing ina deliberate and careful orbit periodically,showing where each links upwith the profoundest issues of God'sintent for a better world. Yes, it istime to make the Every Member Planmean more,"—Davidin All the World.McConaughy,MISSIONGRAMSFrom Men and Missions.As an illustration of how large apart one missionary may have in increasingthe membership of the churchit is reported that the Rev, WUbur C,Swearer, who died recently after fifteenyears in Korea, personally organizedthree hundred churches and receivedsixteen thousand people into thechurch.It is stated that the members of thechurches in Hawaii give on an averagefrom sixteen to eighteen dollars a yearto the church. This is a very muchhigher average than that reached bya majority of the church members inthe United States,The China Continuation Commit1;eehas suggested that a week of specialevangelistic meetings be held throughoutChina, January 28-February 4,Every member of the Church is askedto take part so that the evangelistic responsibilityof the whole Church maybe emphasized. The plan is perhapsthe most comprehensive yet outlinedin China to call out the lay forces ofthe various churches and to give thema definite task.

OLIVE TREES 305W O M E N ' SD E P A R T M E N TEdited by Mrs. J. S. Martin and Mrs. T. H. AchesonWORLD MISSIONS AND WORLD 23, About how many souls ?PEACE24, Where, when, and by whom wasChapter IV.the first missionary societyfounded ?1, What was the seed-bed of foreign 25, With what sum did missions begin?missions ?2, How long time between the beginningof the Reformation and the 27, What society was formed in 1795?26. Who were the firstsent out?birth of Protestant missions ? 28, What other societies soon after?3, What witnesses were there to the 29, Give some account of Carey andduty carrying gospel in the interval?30, Where and when were the firsthis work?4, Why is it said that three centuries women's societies formed?lie between the Reformation and 31, Who was the firstHindoo convert,. missions?and when converted?5, What was the second reason for 32, What famous missionary sent outmisspent effort?in 1802, and his great work ?6, When did the religious wars come 33, When was the British and ForeignBible Society formed?to an end?7, What was the condition of the 34. Who was the firstProtestant missionaryto China, when sent outLutheran church ?8, Who was the leader in the revival and what his work ?in Germany?35, When and where was the first9, Where was the first training meeting of the A, B, C, F, M.?school for missionaries?36, Who were their firstmissionaries?10, Who were the firstProtestant missionaries,and by whom sent? work in 1819,37, In what two countries was their11, What work did Ziegenbalg leave? 38, Who was the "martyr of Erromanga?"12, What was the work of Schwartz?13, What became of this mission? 39, When was work begun in Constantinople?14, Who and what was John Huss ?15, Who was his English forerunner? 40, When in the Sandwich Islands?16, What was their fate?41, What were some of the results of17, What were the tenets of the Moravians?42. Of the work in the Fiji Islands?Carey's work?18, What was the record of Herrenhut?44, What are some of the activities of43, Of Livingstone's work?19, Where was the early Moravian missionaries ?missions ?45, What work begun in Egypt by the20, What was the number of evangelicalChristians in 1800, and 46, What great work finishedin 1865 ?United Presbyterians?where found?47, When was the first Protestant21, What fieldswere there in America church built in Japan?for missionary labor?48, When was Korea opened to foreigners?22. What were the prevailing formsof heathenism?49, What outbreak in China in 1900?50, How many countries and societiesrepresented in the Council of1900? Mary E, Metheny.

3o6 OLIVE TREESJUNIOR DEPARTMENTSOLDIERS OF THE PRINCEChapter II.Why Do Men and Nations Quarrel?Dear Boys and Girls:Men and nations quarrel for thesame reason you do—because theyhave not become subjects of the Princeof Peace. When men everywhere enlistin the army of our commander,this Prince of Peace, and when nationsacknowledge hi'm as "King of Kingsand Lord of Lords" then they wiU nolonger quarrel with each other, for allwill be loyal subjects of one AlmightyKing.Our problem then is to bring allpeople and nations to acknowledgeChrist as King. This is our duty assoldiers of the Prince. We know thatwhen this is accomplished, we will alsohave become the world conquerors weenlisted to be. How then are we to dothis?If you have ever read stories ofgreat battles in history, you will rememberthat the commander plannedand ordered each move, the soldier'sduty was simply to obey. So in ourarmy—^the Prince of Peace himselfhas made plans for bringing all peopleto recognize his authority and we haveonly to obey orders. He gives theseorders in different ways. Sometimesthey come through our superior officers,ministers, parents, teachers;sometimes we get them direct throughthe book he has given us to tell uswhat we should do. We should, then,be very careful to obey all superiorofficers and try to learn all we canfrom his Word in order that we maycarry out his plans and so put a stopas soon as possible to these terriblewars.There is one command that Christgives to all his followers, "Love oneanother as I have loved you." Heloved us so much that he was willingto die for us. If men obeyed his commandsas they should, would they beshooting each other by thousands overin Europe today? People could notquarrel and fight with each other ifthey loved one another as Christ lovesus.Do you not see how love—love forGod first and then because of that lovefor all our fellowmen—would transformthis world? Selfi.shness, greed,envy, jealousy, suspicion, bad dispositions,ugly temp-ers, false ideas, and allthe various other things that causequarreling and jangling and wickednesswould melt and disappear underthe steady beam of a love universal,"Love suffereth long, and is kind; loveenvieth not; love vaunteth not itself,is not puffed up, doth not behave itselfunseemly, seeketh not its own. .. bearethall things, believeth all things,hopeth all things, endureth all things.Think what a wonderful world thiswould be if all men took the Prince ofPeace as their leader and because oflove and obedience to him, loved eachother so much that there could neverbe any more quarreling and fighting.No more men shot, no more mothersand little children without husbandsand fathers, cold and homeless andstarving this winter weather, if lovecame. No more poverty, with notenough to eat and to wear and lack ofChristmas cheer in any homes in allthis big United States of ours if aUobeyed the command to love one another.Shall we not each one of us doour best as soldiers of the Prince towin as many people as possible to hisservice ? Not one of you are too small.Live a life of love yourselves and withoutsaying a word you may win othersto Christ. "Love never faileth." Speak,then, to others about the wonderfulhappiness and great good that comesfrom serving the Prince of Peace, andbecause you live the beautiful lifeyourself, others will want to maketheir lives like yours. This is somethingeach one of us can do. Thereis a most splendid reward—in thisworld we shall have a joy and peaceand happiness beyond measure and ipthe world to come everlasting life inthat beautiful home Christ teUs us of

in his word. More than this God tellsus that "They that be wise shall shineas the brightness of the firmament;and they that turn many to righteousnessas the stars forever and ever,"Mary A, McWilliams,We hope that all who have not alreadygotten the book, "Soldiers ofthe Prince," for use in their MissionBand work, will do so now. We wouldurge all to use it as it has been weUrecommended and proves very suitableand interesting to the children.Beaver FaUs, Pa., Nov. 14, 1916,Dear Editor:The Y, W, C, A, of Geneva Collegeare very glad of the opportunity to tellthe people of the Covenanter Churchabout the work of their organization.The Y. W. C, A, has had in formeryears, and continues to have, a wonderfulinfluence upon the girls of theschool. It teaches them to be unselfishand prepares them for.a broad life ofhuman sympathy. It brings the girlscloser together in a spiritual way andprepares them for the Christian workwhich they will be called upon to doafter they leave college.We expect to have Mission Studyclasses this winter. The Freshmen tobe taught by a Sophomore, the Sophomoresby a Junior, the Juniors by aSenior and a member of the facultywill have charge of the Senior class.A great deal of practical training isreceived from this method of MissionStudy and will be a great help to thegirls in later years.The social side of the Y. W. C, A, isalso an important feature. The receptionsand teas which are held eachyear help the girls to become acquaintedwith each other and promotea feeling of good fellowship. TheSocial Committee is wide awake, andmakes the social side of the organizationas attractive as possible,A very important phase of the Y,W, C, A. is the Social Service work.The purpose is to help the women ofOLIVE TREES 307the community in any possible way, tovisit the sick, to send boxes to missionschools or to the needy at Christmastime, and to do any possible servicethat may help to brighten some one'slife. It makes the girls think more ofother people's welfare and leads themto a better and happier life by beingof service to some one else.Last year we raised money by sellingChristmas favors, place cards, stationery,Japanese ware, chocolate barsand similar methods are being usedthis year. The money is used to senddelegates to the Eaglesmere Convention,The Missionary money which iscollected each week is used to helpsupport a missionary.The Y, M, C, A, and Y, W, C, A.have charge of the,Students' PrayerMeeting, which is held each Sabbathevening before church. These meetingsare very well attended by the studentsand are a wonderful inspirationand help to every one.We have forty-one members in ourY, W. C, A, this year. Every one iswide awake and anxious to help inthe work in any way and we hope thatthe influence of our organization wiflalways be good, true and noble.Sincerely,The Woman's Missionary Lillian B, Society Edie, ofCollege Hifl R, Secretary P, Congregation Y, W, C, wishes A,to be remembered to the readers ofOlive Trees, and to say that we arestill alive and endeavoring to do ourshare of work in our own little cornerof the vineyard.We hold one regular meeting eachmonth, usually at the house of one ofthe members, at which time we haveour business meeting and our MissionStudy.We are beginning the study of thebook, "World Missions and WorldPeace."We are not planning any work forraising money as we have found theweekly envelope system so successful

3o8 OLIVE TREESthat we have no need to raise fundsin other ways.We have adopted a plan, suggestedby the Plan of Work Committee thatwe meet every few weeks at the callof the committee, for sewing. Themembers are to bring any outgrowngarments that would be of use to theneedy. These garments are to bemended while we enjoy a social timetogether. These mended clothes areto be packed away and placed at thedisposal of the Relief Committee.This serves the double purpose ofhaving a box of clothes ready to bedistributed when needed, and of bringingthe women of the congregation alittie closer together.Every member of the society is amember of the Calling Committee, andis expected to bring help and cheerwhere loneliness, sorrow, or sicknesscome into a home. We may not alwaysappreciate the importance of thisChristian duty. James says, "Purereligion and undefiled before God andthe Father is this. To visit the fatherlessand widows in their affliction andto keep himself unspotted from thePLAN OF WORK OF THE GENEVAworid." L. M. S.The L. M. S. of Geneva Congregationmeets on the firstThursday ofeach month, usually in the church. Thefirst half hour is spent in devotionalexercises, conducted by each memberin tum. This is followed by the regularbusiness meeting, after which wehave the Mission Study conducted byMrs. M. E. Metheny, whose long experiencein the mission fieldhas madeher a most interesting and instructiveleader and teacher. We are taking upthe study of "World Missions andWorld Peace" by Miss Caroline Mason.It is the aim this year to contributeto each mission of our church at thetime appointed by Synod for each collection.A Relief Committee reports at eachraeeting the number of calls made.amount of clothing distributed, andhelp given in various ways. Specialmeetings are planned to sew for needyfamilies and to^help them as opportunitiesare afforded.Mrs. J. C, Slater,The Patterson Heights W. M. S. wasorganized about two years ago with amembership of twelve.We have done nothing very originalor striking, but our monthly meetingshave broadened our knowledge anddeepened our interest in the cause ofmissions and so have been worth while.As many of our members have beenin the Covenanter Church only a fewyears we thought best to begin witha systematic study of the differentmissions. This study proved to bevery interesting, both to those whowere hearing of Cache Creek, TakHing and Latakia for the first timeand to the others more or less acquaintedwith the history and geographyof the mission fields.Last year we studied "Fifty Yearsof Mission Work in Syria," but we expectto omit the Mission Study thiswinter.Following our devotional exerciseswe have news items from our homeand foreign fields,usually with readingof extracts from Olive Trees.After the routine business of the societyis transacted about an hour isdevoted to work, usuafly sewing.We have made bandages for the hospitalin China, hemmed napkins andtowels for our local hospital, madeunderwear and quilt patches for thesale held last winter at the Indian Mission; packed a barrel of fruit each faflfor the Aged People's Home, made andsold a number of aprons, made andquilted a quilt and are now workingon another and more elaborate one.We have had quite a number of specialmeetings when we had the pleasureof having some of our missionarieswith us.One of the objects of the forming ofthis society was the drawing into

closer touch the women of the community,whether members of the CovenanterChurch or not. This is beingaccomplished and the society has alsoFor these reasons we feel we havebeen of service in assisting with thesocial and religious work of theChapel.justified our existence. It is somethingto be a part, however small, ofa great work.GREELEY, COLO., L. M. S.The October meeting of the L, M, S.of the Greeley Congregation, R. P. C,was unusually interesting, and so wethought it worth reporting to OliveTrees, Mrs, S. J. McAfee, wife of ourbig, genial. County Sheriff, acted ashostess. Miss Ada Moreland led thedevotional service, the subject being"Worthwhile Amusements."In response to letters of inquiry sentout by our Corresponding Secretary,four letters were read from the Indian,Southern and Jewish Missions,respectively, and one from the NationalReform Association. Acting onthe suggestions for help, we voted thesum of five dollars to each mission,and two doUars to the N. R. Associationfor the anti-polygamy crusade,Mrs, Wylie gave a most concise, butcomplete, review of the Mission Studybook, ."World's Missions and World'sPeace," in such an interesting waythat the society decided at once to takeMrs. Susie Faris gave the regularup the study.monthly review of the magazine.Missionary Revieiv, including a mostlucid and inspiring synopsis of theMexican situation. Mrs. Hanna Speerreviewed the September Olive Trees.Following the suggestion of theEighth Street Pittsburgh Society, ourPresident assigned to each memberthe name of a country, to report oneach day for the remainder of the year.It was with a feeling of regret thatthe society accepted the resignation ofour much-loved and efficient President,OLIVE TREES 309Mrs, Myrta M, Dodds, who lays downthe active duties of the office only toassume a greater responsibility aspresident of the Woman's ChristianTemperance Union of Greeley, thelargest union in the State of Colorado,a union of almost 250 members. Wedid so in the spirit of self-sacrifice,feeling that the need for the latter wasthe greater at the present hour, asColorado is passing through the mostbitter struggle in the history of thecampaign for a dry State, We areworking and praying to defeat the passageof an amendment to the constitution,permitting the manufactureand sale of beer in the State, on thegrounds that "beer is a non-intoxicant,"and this fight is to a finish, Mrs,Bedford, Vice President, takes Mrs,Dodd's place.At the close of the meeting a socialhalf hour foUowed, and one of ourmembers who had recently beenquietly married was surprised by thepresentation of a beautiful framed pictureof a bit of our own mountainscenery. The recipient was Mrs. RebeccaLewis (nee McClellan). Ournext meeting wifl be in the church,November 11, for an all-day meetingfor work.Christian laymen Mrs. in G. Japan S, Bedford, have carriedthrough several large projects President. inrecent years which have attracted theattention of the Christian world. Theexpenses of the widespread newspaperdiscussion of Christianity, whichreached six million readers daily in theinterest of the national evangelisticcampaign last year, was financedbyone man, Baron Morimura. This sameearnest Christian layman has recentlygiven a sum, the equivalent of $100,-000, to found a chair of Christianityin the Imperial University at Tokyi.jr;g^=. Until further notice0-Sy send all communicationsto 500 Catharine St.

310 OLIVE TREESAMOUNTS APPROPRIATED BY SYNOD FOR FOREIGN WORK, 1916-17.Receipts up to Nov. 14thTHE LEVANT$25,000.008,800.51china$30,000.003,561.50Balance needed . •$16,199.49$26,438.50Levant Mission Overdrawn, $9,467.60.China Mission Overdrawn, $1,445.45.We thank the Agents and individualswho have already • sent in sub-•scriptions for 1917. We are especiallygrateful, that each list so far has atleast one new subscriber. We hope theremaining lists will have many newnames. Will individuals, who themselvesenjoy Olive Trees, try and securetheir friends and neighbors assubscribers ?Any profit from Olive Trees wiflgo to the Mission Treasury.The following are a few expressionsof appreciation received during thelast few days:"We look for Olive Trees eagerlyand read every word.""I enjoy reading the Olive Treesso much and would not like to do withoutit.""I appreciate the little magazinevery much, and enjoy reading it. Itis worth more than the price asked forit. I have taken it for about twentyfiveyears and would feel lost withoutit.""The high standard of Olive Treeskeeps up.""We read every word of OliveTrees from beginning to end. Wealways find it fresh and interesting.""We have received more than a dollar'sworth of good from reading asingle copy."The first man to confess Christ inthe Chinese province of Kweichow,Elder Chen, has recently passed to hisreward. The occasion of his conversionis worth recording. He had servedas teacher in Chinese to a missionary,knew about the Gospel, andcared nothing for it. One day he wasstanding with the missionary as hepreached in a country market place.The crowd was rude and threatening.The missionary, fearing a riot, tookgreat pains to extricate Mr. Chenfrom the danger, saying of him thathe was not a Christian and had nointerest in the Gospel, but was merelyengaged to teach books. "Whateverthey might do to himself he hopedthey would let Mr, Chen go quicklyon his way," This proceeding appearedvery strange to Mr, Chen, whofelt convinced that the God the missionarypreached must be very powerfulto keep him so unconcernedabout himself whfle he took so greatpains to help others. His reflectionsupon the matter led to his acceptanceof Christ, He became a man ofprayer, deeply read in the Scriptures,During the Boxer trial he refusedflight, "Can I hide?" he said, "myface is my signboard. For twentyyears I have been known throughoutthis city as a preacher of the Gospel;can I now be hid? I will stay hereand die," Happily, however, he wasspared for fifteenyears' longer servtice,—Record of Christian Work.

OLIVE TREES 311Index to ^'Olive Trees" for 1916—Vol. X X X .EDITORIALSPages ... 1, 29, 58, 85, 113, 141, 178, 217, 237,261, 285SPECIAL ARTICLESPAGEAs-Sitt Laiya, J. M. Balph, M. D . . 291A Trip Through the Far East, Chas. A.Stewart ... 143"Aunt Mattie," Evangeline Metheny 115Basis of International Peace, J. Boggs Dodds,33, 61Covenanter Missions,, F. M. Wilson, D. D. 3Entering into the Blessed Life, T. M. Slater,267, 276Excerpts—Concerning History of Miss Wylie,Misses Wilson 121Glimpses of Our Work in Philadelphia,Emma M. McFarland 224Home Life of Mattie Wylie, J. R. Wylie 113Minute on the Death of Miss Wylie, ForeignBoard 123Minute on the Death of Miss Wylie, LatakiaMission ... 123Miss Mattie Wylie—Memorial . 113-124Miss Mattie R. Wylie, J. M. Balph . 115Personal Recollections of Miss Wylie,C. A. Dodds 119Relation of the War under Christ to the Evangelizationof the World, J. M. Coleman, 193Revival at Lo Ting, Mrs. Dickson 87She that Wineth Souls is Wise,S. A. S. Metheny . 120St. Paul's Thorn—What wasit ?S. A. S. Metheny 289Task of Covenanter Church vs. Ability,D. H. Elliott . . 196The Gospel at the Horse Market,Julius A. Kemph . 219Two Worthies of the Old School,Mary E. Metheny 241Vision Created by Mission Study,M. Louise Carson . . 223MONOGRAPHSCommunion at Tak Hing, A. I. Robb 183Our Southern Mission Field, H. G. Foster . 65Stafford Publicity Committee, J. D. Edgar . 67Stray Memories of a Childhood in the PageLevant . . 11, 39, 91, 147, 227TITHINGEvery-Member Canvass . . . 303Every-Member Canvass, Jos. M. Steele . 13Every-Member Canvass—Iowa Presbytery,S. E. Greer .... 151Foreign Mission -Work of Winchester Congregation,Mary E. Keys . . ^ 69"Home Mission Work of Winchester Congregation,Vera A. Curry • . 9 ^Kausas Presbytery, J. D. Edgar 95Winchester Tithing Association, Mary Craig, 43GENERAL TOPICSA Contrast, D. H. Elliott .A Gunamia Soldier, Samuel EdgarA Message and Picture, J. K. RobbAppointment of E. M. McFarland .Appreciation of Mrs. Limerick,124169180269J. C. McFeeters . 271Armenian Massacres, Selected 36A Statement to the Church, F. M. Wilson 266A Young Man's Answer, L. M. Adams . 93Call for Missioraries, F. M. Wilson 49Do It Now, D. H. Elliot 145Do You Know ? J. 8. Tibby 70Index 311, 312In Memoriam, J. B. Dodds . 142, 190In Memoriam, Letitia M. Dodds 187Jesus and I, D. H. Elliot . ... 32Mission Charts . 8, 44, 57, 77, 94, 240, 287Neglected, J. D. Edgar 288On or Up, L. M. Adams . 132Out-going Missionaries (Oct. 10, 1916)239, 265, 273, 297Prayer for Foreign Missions, J. D. Edgar 272Resignation of Rev. R. A. Blair, M. M. Pearce 269The Lighthouse, dedicated to S. R. Boggs . 9Try the Word, D. H. Elliot . . 105Visit of Corres. Sec. of Foreign Board toGeneva College, Lola Weir . . 135Visit of Corres. Sec. of Foreign Board toTheolog. Seminary, R. C. Adams . 135What Missionaries have Done for China,Dr. V. K. W. Koo 293W. Wilbur Weir, Appointment 218

312 OLIVE TREESIndex to "Olive Trees" for 1916, Vol, XXX—(Continued)NEWS FROM THE FIELD PageLatakia 17, 21, 49, 73, 99, 128, 199,228 260The, Mersine . . 46, 73, 128, 199, 228, 249,Levant "> 260, 275Cyprus 17, 104, 127, 155, 199, 228, 297[ Report : 202r Tak Ring . . 17, 46, 74, 99, 130, 155,China200, 229, 249, 274, 300, 301Report ; 208Lo Ting. . 47, 128, 155, 199, 228, 250Report : 204Adana, Nesbit . • 22Alexandria, Mrs. Kennedy 19New Hebrides, Frederick S. Paton 31HOME MISSION WORKApache, Okla. . . 106, 133, 192, 294Mothers' Meeting, 3rd Philadelphia,Laura M. Adams 146, 284, 286Philadelphia, Pa. . 106, 133, 192, 269, 292Selma, Ala. 106Winchester, Kans.WOMEN'S DEPARTMENT97A New and a Better Way, Mrs J. K. Tibby 28iConference of W. M. S. ot Pittsburg Presbytery,Mrs. H. A. Calderwood . 26Convention Notes235E-M Canvass Applied to W. M. S.,Mrs. F. W. Ransom164First Things First, Mrs. R. M. Moore . 138Geneva Volunteers, Hildred-Thompson . . 165Edgar, MaggieJunior Department . 25, 55, 80, 110, 139, 164, 284,2.54, 279, 30GMission Study, Balph 23Mission Study, Books for 1916-1917 234Plan of Work of W. M. S. of Sth St. .Pittsburg 236Reminiscences of Geneva,256Mrs. J. L. McCartney307Report of L. M. S., College Hill .308" " " Geneva308" " " Patterson Heights .Side Lights of Mission Work in Syria,Mary E. Metheny . 23, 51, 79, 107, 137, 163Soldiers of the Prince, Mary A. McWilliams. 28026Some Reasons Why, Mrs. R. A. M. SteeleSuggestions for Temperance Secretaries,81Mrs. W. R. Porter82Thank Offering, Mrs. J, K. TibbyThank Offering of W. M. S., of Pittsburg235PresbyteryWoman's Part in the World's Evangelization,108Mrs. Ella M. George .World Missions and World Peace,Mary E. Metheny . . 238, 253, 279, 305REPORTSAnnual Presbyterial, Iowa . .Annual Report of Foreign Mission Board .Committee on Foreign MissionsJunior Society, WinchesterKansas PresbyterialL. M. S., Evans, Col.L. M. S , Greeley, Col.L. M. S., Kansas CityL. M. S., 2nd NewYork . . .L. M. S., Olathe . ... ...Statement of Treasurer of 176 Foreign MissionBoard . .Statistical Report of China and Cyprus .W. M S., Utica ...307Y. W. C, A., Geneva College TREES . FOR " 136, 1916.WRITERS OF OLIVE XXXVOL.Adams, L. M.Adams, R. C.Balph, J M .Calderwood, Mrs. H. ACarson, M. Louise .Colman, J. MCurry, Vera .4Dickson, MrsDodds, C. ADodds, J. B . .Dodds, Myrta MEdgar, J. DEdgar, SamuelElliott, D. H.Foster, H. G. .George, Mrs. Ella MGreer, S. E ." .Kemph, Julius A.Kennedy. Mrs. SamuelKeys, May E.NesbitMcCarrol, Rev. WalterMcCartney, Mrs. J. L.McFarland, E. M.McFeeters, J. C.McWilliams, Mary A .Metheny, Evangeline . .Metheny, Mary E . 28,Metheny, S. A. S. .Moore, Mrs. R. MPaton, Frederick .Pearce, M. MPorterRansom, Mrs. F. M,Robb, A. I. .Robb, J. K.Tibby, Thompson, Tibbv, Samson, Slater, Sommerville, Steele, Stewart, Wylie, Wilson, Weir, Lola T. Mattie Mrs. Joseph J. F. Charles R. S. M. Hildred . J. Dr. O. M K. L. A . R. .M, . MPage215167184134125191809150149105176134. 93, 132, 286... 13523, 115, 291262231939787. 11933, 61... 53, 67, 95, 272, 28817, 12315932, 105, 124, 145, 19665108151, . 219IR692217. . 256224 292. . 271280, 305115233, 241, 253, 279, 305120 289138, 12531, 29626981. 164. 17, 183180. . 215267. . 3, .82. . 26, 167, . 281 123 143 165 113 135 176 21 70266