Disaster and Famine Disaster and famine dog man's footsteps constantly. No part of the world is im- mune from cyclones, tornadoes, floods, Pe* earthquakes, fires, and droughts. More and more frequently the elements are striking with sudden fury leaving devastation and death in their wake. Famine, especially, is a constant threat IIE 4a COM EOM IR to a great portion of the world's population. 1:1 The production of earth's devitalized soil is OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS no longer able to keep pace with the ex- ARIZONA • CALIFORNIA • HAWAII • NEVADA • UTAH ploding population. Erosion further de- stroys thousands of fertile acres each year. Any slight imbalance of nature brings stark tragedy to millions. VOL. 62 ANGWIN, CALIFORNIA, MARCH 4, 1963 NO. 32 Even under near-ideal conditions there are a countless number of people who are born hungry, live hungry, and die hungry! Southern California Some authorities estimate that each day Re-elects Officers 100,000 people die from hunger. To those Criticism, a Destroyer of Fellowship of us accustomed to plenty this is appalling, The forty-fifth biennial session of the and it should shock us into a sense of re- Southern California Conference, meeting "Don't criticize people and you will not be criticized. For you will be judged sponsibility. on February 17, re-elected Elder Cree by the way you criticize others and the measure you give will be the measure On Sabbath, May 11, the Famine and Sandefur as conference president. Also you receive."—Matt. 7:1 (Phillips). Criticism is censure. It is faultfinding. Relief Offering will be received in all voted to serve with him A faultfinder is a device used for locating defects. An electrician, for instance, churches. The funds received will be used in the administration uses this instrument to locate a defect in an electric current. There are members to alleviate suffering wherever disaster who are faultfinders. They have the "gift" for locating the defects of the brethren. of the conference were strikes. Along with physical assistance the Alvin G. Munson, ex- Not only do they locate them but they also brOadcast them. They seem to get recipients will receive the message of hope much satisfaction spreading abroad the sins of the members. ecutive secretary, and pointing to a land where sorrow, pain, and Albert W. Hamra, death will be no more. We invite you to treasurer. The entire It was Longfellow who said, "Some critics are like chimney sweepers. They give liberally to this offering. departmental staff was put out the fire below and frighten the swallow from their nests above. They THEODORE CARCICH, re-elected for the next scrape a long time in the chimney, cover themselves with soot and bring nothing Vice President, term. Dr. Ruth Tem- away but a bag of cinders and then sing out from the top of the house as if they North America. had built it."—Dictionary of Thoughts, p. 98. The faultfinder, the critic, is a ple, well known Los Angeles health educa- destroyer of the fellowship. No church family can be at peace with carping, Cree Sandefur caviling members. Many members have died spiritually because the critics have tor and layman, was Avenues of Light for the Jews stoned them to death with their words of granite. No doubt there are hundreds voted to head the conference Health Edu- Avenues of light? Certainly. That is outside the church ready to come in just as soon as the members learn how to cation Department. The work in this what we read in the ancient prophecy of hold their tongues in check. department has been Isaiah. Avenues of light to the Jews, and carried by Elder C. C. avenues of light to the Gentiles. We read: Able men have left the organized work because they could no longer endure Kott, Sabbath School It is too light a thing that you should be the censorious and condemnatory remarks of the critics. They got tired of the secretary, and Dr. Rob- my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob cold, hard, unsympathetic blasts from the faultfinders. In Volume 8, p. 84, we ert N. Brown, consult- and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will are told, "Let those who have used the talent of speech to discourage and dis- ant, in addition to their ....- give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. hearten God's servants, . ask God to forgive them for the injury they have regular responsibilities. —Isaiah 49:6, RSV. done to His work by their wicked prejudices and unkind words. Let them think The well attended of the harm they have done by spreading false reports, by judging those they Many requests for light and information session was aglow with are reaching us from Jewish inquirers, and have no right to judge." Those who enter into the realm of judging and criticizing reports of progress. The others are usually the least qualified to do so. For instance, there are those who many of our own members are earnestly membership of the con- asking for counsel regarding methods of have all the answers in theology, yet they have never studied theology. Some of ference has grown to the severest critics would be hard put to defend intelligently what they believe. Alvin G. Munson work for the sons and daughters of Abra- 22,437. Baptisms dur- ham. Most critics sincerely feel that they are the defenders of the faith, but in reality ing the biennium totaled 2,503 and three they defend nothing except their own frustration. Questions are asked, do we have any new churches were accepted into the fel- literature that can be used? Yes, we have lowship of churches. Usually those who find fault are guilty of the same thing they criticize in The tithe increase dur- others. "Now if you feel inclined to set yourself up as a judge of those who sin, ing the two-year period let me assure you whoever you are, that you are in no position to do so, for at amounted to $883,560. whatever point you condemn others, you automatically condemn yourself, since The conference, dur- you, the judge, commit the same sins."—Rom. 2:1 (Phillips). There are those in ing this period, partici- the church who make it a habit of criticizing and judging a man's religion by pated in 64 different what he eats and by what he doesn't eat. I have no brief for those who don't eat construction projects. in harmony with the laws of health. To help such members the church should carry on a strong, dynamic program of health education. In this I believe whole- Tremendous advance heartedly. We need to educate our membership to obey the laws of health in every area of depart- rather than castigate them because they break them. mental evangelistic ac- tivities was reported. Albert W. Hamra However, if we want to start a program of criticizing those who eat contrary Two teams are giving to the laws of health, then to be consistent in our program of criticism, we should full time to evangelism, and The Advent- also pass judgment against those who don't get enough sleep and those who get ist Hour and It Is Written telecasts reported too much; those who don't get enough exercise and those who get too much, etc. large interests by viewers. If we want to run the gamut of transgressions and criticize each and every one God has remarkably blessed the work in who is a transgressor, we will be the busiest people on earth, tearing down instead Southern and the word is "Go" as the of building up. Such a program, of course, would be pleasing to the evil one. leadership and laity look to the future. It was Thomas Carlyle who said to the Frenchman Voltair, "Have you only J. 0. IVERSEN, Secretary, a torch for destruction? Have you no tool for building?" A certain man came to Public Relations Dept. his pastor one day complaining because he had only one talent and feared that he would be of little use in the world. The pastor replied, "Oh, don't let that discourage you. What is your talent?" "The talent of criticism," was the answer. special lessons which have been prepared MONUMENT VALLEY HOSPITAL for use in this type of missionary work. "Well," replied the pastor, "I advise you to do with it what the man of one talent needs a retired automobile mechanic in in the parable did with his." (Continued next week.) good health who will donate one to two These lessons have been prepared for the months of service for room and board Hebrew Scripture Association and are be- R. R. BIETZ, President, and ,assistance in transportation. We ing processed by Faith for Today. We also have all necessary tools. Contact: J. L. Pacific Union Conference. have three volumes of Israel's Heritage Mason, M.D., Mexican Hat, Utah. which are available through the Hebrew (Continued on Page 2) Avenues of Light for the Jews Youth Congress Food Service RI* /boo (Continued from Pag4 .1) We are happy to announce that Paul S. Sample Menus R..1ECNIFICOIE Scripture Association office at the General 0,1,K. kWh. CO NE MOM .1.1 C.0001.104,t p W.MI.V 40v1,1111,1 Damazo, a well-known SDA dietitian, will Sabbath Dinner Served in the A.IONA • C.SINIte" • ..w. • Wt.