It is now just one year since we landed in Australia, but up to the present time we have sent no report for publication in the Review. Much was said at the last General Conference and published in its proceedings, relative to this field; hence we have not thought it wise to take up valuable space merely with repetitions. Moreover, we wished to become acquainted with the field, so that we might speak intelligently, because of a personal knowledge.
As we become better acquainted with the field, and with the work that has been done, we see abundant evidence of God’s leading hand in it all. This is not to say that mistakes have not been made, and some needless expense incurred in carrying out the plans in detail, but the greatest mistake of all was that those of us who at that time occupied positions of responsibility in the United States did not sense the need as did those in this field, and did not come to their assistance as we should have done, and as the brethren had good reason to expect.
While not all has been accomplished the past year that we should have been pleased to see, yet we have had abundant evidence of God’s leading and prospering hand in the work.
Sixteen years ago there was not a Seventh-day Adventist in Australasia except the few who were sent from America to start the work. These persons landed in Melbourne, and began their work under very discouraging circumstances. Opposition was encountered from both pulpit and press. The brethren worked as best they could, visiting, distributing papers and tracts, selling books, and holding Bible readings where they could find an opening. Many tears were shed, and prayers offered, in connection with this first year’s work. But angels of God watched over and watered the seed sown, and after many days it began to spring up and bear fruit.
From this beginning the message spread from city to city, until, as time passed, churches and companies of believers have been raised up, and conferences formed in every State. In addition to this, and an outgrowth of the work, printing houses, schools, sanitariums, and treatment rooms have been established in different parts of the field, each of which is exerting a far-reaching influence through the dissemination of Bible truth bearing upon the various reforms connected with the message that is to call out a people and prepare them for the return of the Lord.
Since our last union conference, three conference meetings have been held. Camp meetings were held during the past season in each of the seven States. These meetings, with one or two exceptions, were well attended, and fully one hundred persons have accepted the truth as the result.16
The last meeting of the season was held in Perth, West Australia. Being the first meeting of the kind ever held in the State, it was quite largely attended, not only by our own people, but by others. Several persons accepted the truth at this meeting, and a good impression was left upon the citizens.
A conference consisting of one hundred and fifty-two members was organized. This completes the sisterhood of conferences, making one in each of the seven states in Australia.
During the year ending Dec. 31, 1901, a gain of one hundred and twenty-five members is reported. Add to this number those who have accepted the truth the past summer and autumn, and the number will be doubled, making a total membership of twenty-three hundred and thirty-six.
Several new companies and churches have been organized during the year, and five new church houses built, and one purchased.
The regular Sabbath-school offerings for missionary purposes the past year aggregate over two thousand dollars, while the specials exceeded five hundred dollars. The annual week-of-prayer offerings the past year exceeded those of the former by eight hundred dollars. A considerable increase is also reported in the tithe.
At the beginning of the year it was feared that the union conference would run behind in its expenses several hundred pounds, but instead, it has been able to reduce its indebtedness six hundred and twenty-five dollars.
Since the last union conference $6,580 has been raised for the material fund for “Christ’s Object Lessons.” The first edition of ten thousand has been shipped out to the different States, and over twenty-five hundred dollars has been returned to the school from those already sold. The second edition of ten thousand is now being printed, and arrangements are being made for a vigorous campaign.
The Lord has blessed the school with a good attendance of well-disposed, interested, and industrious young people, who, in the main, seem determined to make the most of their opportunities.
While crops at no great distance from the school were almost an utter failure because of the drought, the school has raised sufficient vegetables and maize to supply all its needs.
The Avondale Health Retreat has been blessed with a liberal patronage, which has enabled the institution, through a spirit of economy and self-sacrifice on the part of both managers and helpers, to meet all its running expenses, and pay upward of one thousand dollars on its indebtedness.
The Sydney Sanitarium has been slowly moving on toward completion, the lack of funds being the hindering cause. Over thirty-five hundred dollars second tithe has been received thus far, and expended in plastering and finishing material. While this work has seemed to move slowly, there have been abundant evidences of God’s leading and guiding hand in the enterprise. So far the building is well and substantially constructed, and when finished according to the plan, it will be a credit to this branch of our work in Australasia. The donation of five thousand dollars recently received from the Mission Board toward this enterprise, came as a god-send, and has put new heart and life into the work and workers. This amount has been augmented by a loan of ten thousand dollars at a low rate of interest from a good brother in Tasmania, so that now the success of the enterprise, as far as funds are concerned, is assured. It is expected that the building will be ready for occupancy by the first of October.
A hygienic vegetarian café has recently been started in Sydney in connection with our health food store, which is having phenomenal success. This is one of the means which the Lord is blessing to bring a knowledge of his truth before the people.
The Echo Publishing Company is having a fairly prosperous year, and its managers hope to come out at the end of their fiscal year with a balance on the right side of the ledger.
The company has recently enlarged its field of usefulness by the establishment of a branch in Natal, South Africa. It is expected that this will make an opening for a large number of our evangelistic and health books, and thus enable the office to run largely upon our own work, and reduce the commercial work to the minimum.
Much in detail that would be of interest might be said of the work, but space forbids our going further at this time than to mention a few items in regard to our island mission work.
Within the past year one thousand copies of a small book of Bible readings in the Fijian language have been published by the Avondale press. These books are now being sold in that group of islands.
The launch for the Fiji Group, toward which our first quarter’s Sabbath-school donations were given, has been finished, and probably the engine has arrived by this time, so that the boat is now ready for use.
The latest report from Brother Fulton stated that fifty persons have recently accepted the truth through the influence of reading matter and the labors of Brother Pauliasi Bunoa, our native preacher.
A three-thousand edition of “Christ Our Saviour” and a thirty-two page tract on the coming of Christ, in the Maori language, have also been published by the Avondale press, and sent to New Zealand for sale and distribution.
One thousand copies of “Christ Our Saviour” have been printed in the Raratongan language, and are being sold in the Cook Islands. One teacher has gone to that field, and has begun work. The work in general on Raratonga is steadily gaining ground. Land has been secured for a meeting house, and preparations are being made to erect the house at once.
Brother Butz has just returned to Tonga from the United States, and is entering into the work with renewed energy and vigor. He is calling loudly for literature in the Tongan language.
Pastor Gates has just returned from an extended trip in the East Indies. While there, he spent some time with Elder Munson in his mission and school located at Padang, Sumatra. Together they visited Deli, Pehang, and other points, with a view of opening work there in the near future. Brother Gates reports many interesting incidents of his trip as an evidence of God’s opening providence.
As I expect to report oftener, I will say no more at this time, except to assure our many friends to whom we cannot write personally, for lack of time, that we are all enjoying excellent health, and are of good courage in the Lord, determined to press the battle to the gate. GEO. A. IRWIN.
ROCKHAMPTON.—At the last annual sitting of the Australasian Union Conference Executive Committee, we were invited to connect with the work in the Queensland Conference, in view of Brother and Sister Colcord’s departure for America. Accordingly, about the middle of June we severed our connection with the work in the New Zealand Conference. After a stormy, four days’ voyage from Wellington, New Zealand, to Sydney, New South Wales, we had the pleasure of remaining a few days at the Avondale school, in Coorambong.
After spending two Sabbaths in Brisbane, where we formed many new and pleasant acquaintances, we again took steamer, and after a run of about forty hours, landed in Rockhampton. We were met at the wharf by Brother Alfred Robie, an acquaintance of former years, a son of Brother and Sister Robie, of Kensington, N. H. We greatly enjoyed a few days here, while sharing the hospitality of Brother and Sister Robie. They have had charge of the bath and treatment rooms at this place for about a year, and have worked hard, meeting many discouragements; but, notwithstanding the hard times financially, caused by the fearful three-and-one-half years’ drought which has prevailed over the greater portion of Queensland, the Lord has greatly blessed their efforts. By self-sacrifice and economy, and by putting their own means into the work, they have saved it from disgrace and failure, to which it seemed doomed at one time. The patronage which the institution is now sharing is from the well-to-do and most influential people in the town. The middle classes and the poorer people, from whom such an institution usually realizes its greatest patronage, are almost wholly debarred from all luxuries, such as Turkish or other baths. In many country places the people have to carry all the water they get long distances, often a mile or more. Of late Brother and Sister Robie have feared that they would have to close the bath and treatment rooms; but the Lord has continued to open the way before them, so that they have been able to keep running, and have managed to pay off all the debts which had been incurred in the establishment of this enterprise. The work is favorably regarded by many of the people in the town. Recently a man came to Brother Robie, and told him that if in case of an emergency he needed money, to let him know, and he would loan him what he needed. But they have learned that paying debts is not so easy a matter as borrowing. I believe that the Lord has a good work to be accomplished by the treatment rooms here, and that he will provide ways and means to keep this work going until times shall improve a little, and then the work will surely prosper again. Brother and Sister Robie have already sent as many as eight good-paying patients to the Avondale Health Retreat. They have also led many to the study of the truth for our time, and some have begun the observance of the Sabbath, and desire baptism. Mrs. Robinson and I have rented a house, and are planning to remain here17for several weeks.
We have sent to Brisbane for the tent, which we are to erect on a plot of ground in the center of the town. We expect Elder Irwin and Dr. Kress to be with us several weeks. We hope to see a good work done here. The Rockhampton church is the first company of Sabbath keepers that was raised up in Queensland.
We might draw a terrible picture of this drought-stricken country. Millions of sheep and cattle have already died of starvation, and millions more will die unless rain comes soon. For hundreds of miles scarcely a spear of grass is to be seen. It is really pitiful to see the cattle roaming about and bellowing, as if perplexed. I never before saw the force of Joel’s prediction, “How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea the flocks of sheep are made desolate.”
As I read in the Review a few days ago of the prosperity that is smiling upon the whole country in the United States, I was led to wonder if our people in that favored land realize their blessings. I believe that our brethren and sisters in this country are as faithful in the payment of their tithes as our people in the United States are, but in this drought-stricken conference the tithe for the last year has fallen off nearly if not quite one half. What shall we do? Shall we allow the Lord’s work to stop?—No; we say to our people, We will share with you in the spirit of sacrifice. We will take for our labor just what we are obliged to have to live upon, but the work must be pushed forward.
I believe that our people in America have little idea of the sacrifices made by those who have labored many years to establish and build up the work in this country. But God is not unmindful to forget their work and labor of love.
If the Lord should put it into the hearts of those who have an abundance of the good things of this life, but are so situated that they cannot go to foreign fields, to send some of their means to help the work in less favored countries, they might thus add many stars to their crown of rejoicing, by being the Lord’s instrumentality in saving precious souls.
Some years ago we were told by the spirit of prophecy that there should be a meeting house built in North Brisbane, which is the natural center for our work in Queensland. There is a company of earnest Sabbath keepers there, who continue to hold their meetings in a hall. They have been putting by small amounts for some years, and now have less than one hundred pounds as a building fund, besides a small fund with which to purchase an organ. We hope, after the tent season is over, to hold a course of meetings in North Brisbane, making a strong effort to strengthen the work there, and to put up a church building.
I would not have any one get the impression from this article that I am in any wise cast down or disheartened. Not by any means. “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.”
A. T. ROBINSON.
Aug. 1, 1902.
British West Indies
By D. E. Wellman
ANTIGUA.— The work is onward in this field. Four more were baptized August 10, making ten this quarter. Another young man has thrown in his lot with us, and kept his first Sabbath to-day. We have a number of bright children, for whom we must have a school soon. We have the building, but how to support a school greatly perplexes us.
Our meetings are well attended. Each night our street services are attended by from one hundred to three hundred people, who give the best attention. This results in bringing interested ones to the mission services, so that as some drop out, others come in, and we keep on gathering fruit. May the good work go on.
D. E. WELLMAN.
British Guiana
By D. C. Babcock
GEORGETOWN.—The work is moving forward, and we have great reason to thank our Heavenly Father. Brother Giddings has just left for the Essequibo district, where I expect to meet him in a few days. There are two other places where we are anxious to open up the work. As soon as this is accomplished, we shall begin to erect a new church building in Georgetown. We are already soliciting funds for this purpose. A very poor woman came to my house this morning. I thought that she had come to ask for help, as she has done at other times; but instead of doing this, she handed me an envelope, and said that she had brought in her donation for the church. Of course I supposed it would be a small offering; but, to my surprise, it contained ten dollars. She told me that she had promised the Lord that if he would give her what was due her from her brother, she would give that for the church.
D. C. BABCOCK.
O. OPPEGARD
By O. Oppegard
BUENOS AYRES.—My work has been mostly in Buenos Ayres, but I have also visited other places, especially Taubil, where there are a number of Scandinavians. While at this place the latter part of May, I met a brother who is faithful to the cause, and is doing all he can to interest his neighbors. He gave me over two hundred dollars in tithe. I sold some books, especially “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and took a number of new subscriptions for the Evangeliets Sendebud, distributed tracts, and held Bible readings with those who were interested. In a short time I hope to visit them again, to continue the work.
Here in Buenos Ayres the interest is increasing, and the work is onward. A few have recently begun to observe the Sabbath; others confess that we are right, but they lack faith in God to obey. One sister who has lately accepted the truth has asked for baptism. She is from Australia, and speaks German, French, Italian, and Spanish. When Jesus comes, there will be a few saved from every nation. I am glad to have a part in carrying this message to them now.
O. OPPEGARD
Newfoundland Health Institute
By A. E. Lemon; C. J. Lemon
FINANCIAL STATEMENT, JULY 31, 1902
Total income for month of May, including traveling expenses and outfit fund ........ $346 50
Total expenditure for same period ........ $388 01
Advanced from private funds ........ 41 51
$388 01 $388 01
Total income for month of June ........ $124 10
Total expenditure for same period ........ $129 18
Advanced from private funds ........ 5 08
$129 18 $129 18
Total income for month of July ........ $139 50
Total expenditure for same period ........ $139 50
$139 50 $139 5018
ASSETS (July 31, 1902)
Furniture and bedding $128 00
Treatment and surgical appliances 142 00
Carpets, curtains, wall fixtures 47 30
Gas lighting and heating appliances 38 50
Rent paid to August 14. 8 30
Fuel on hand 6 00
Bills receivable 58 00
Total assets $428 10
LIABILITIES (July 31, 1902)
Loaned from Newfoundland Mission Boat Fund for one year $ 50 00
Advanced to balance May and June accounts, from private funds 46 59
Bills payable (to Gas Co. for fixtures, etc., due August 14) 44 65
Total liabilities $141 24
Present Worth (assets less liabilities) $286 86
Capital donated ($150 less $15, paid) 135 00
Net gain $151 86
Medical services rendered to charity, $66. Number of treatments given to date, 406.
A. E. LEMON,
C. J. LEMON.
Avondale School Steam Launch and Cistern Repairs
COORANBONG.— In a private letter under date of July 14, Prof. C. W. Irwin, of the Avondale school, Cooranbong, New South Wales, gives several items of interest. Speaking of the little steam launch which is to run between the school and the railway station, he says: “You will perhaps be interested to know what the present state of the boat enterprise is. We contracted with Brother Hare to build the boat. It is twenty-five feet long, and seven feet beam. It is covered with three thicknesses of wood, and between the outer thicknesses is a coating of canvas painted heavily with red lead. The boat is very strong indeed, and ought to do service for many years. It is to be propelled by a two-and-one-half horse power oil engine which we imported from New Zealand. It is a very substantial-looking boat, and will be ready for use in a few days, or weeks at most.
“We have repaired our large cistern at a cost of twenty pounds, and hope that it will hold water this time. The drought has continued to grow more severe until within a few days. Rain has now begun to fall, and the prospect is that we shall have plenty of it. Before it began to rain, we were compelled to cart water for more than two weeks. The cistern was completed about four days before it began to rain, which was indeed fortunate.
“The work on ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ is moving forward gradually, and we hope that it will continue to move until the debt is annihilated. We have already received over five hundred pounds ($2,425) from the sale of books, and we have been able to use this in such a way as to relieve us from pressure for the time being.”
A. B. STAUFFER
By A. B. Stauffer
Brazil
RIO JANEIRO.— We have two young brethren working with the O Arauto da Verdade in this city. We are indeed glad that this work is at last started. It goes hard, but the Lord is blessing the faithful efforts of the young brethren. Pray that we may soon see souls rejoicing in the truth as a result, and that we may succeed in making our paper self-supporting. Our brethren have been at work only a short time, and have already found a number of interested readers. We are of good courage. Praise the Lord.
A. B. STAUFFER
Virginia Camp Meeting and Lynchburg Tent Effort
By T. H. Painter
Virginia
LYNCHBURG.—The interest here still continues. Our camp meeting just closed was the first ever held in this State. The congregations were good all the time. Twenty-two were baptized at the meetings on Sabbath and Sunday. Most of these accepted the truth during the tent effort held by Brother Purdham and myself previously to the meeting. Others will be baptized later. We shall pitch our tent at once in the city, and continue meetings. We are of good courage. T. H. PAINTER.
East Galway Church Dedicates New Hall for Worship
THE East Galway, N. Y., church now have a good hall for public worship.
Newfoundland Mission Work: Schools, Treatment Rooms, and Tent Meetings
By H. J. Farman
Newfoundland
During the past winter months a night school was conducted in St. John’s by three of our sisters, with some degree of success. After this a kindergarten church school was carried on very satisfactorily. Although both were small, good was accomplished, and a beginning was made. At the same time Bible readings were held, which resulted in the conversion of two or three persons. One was baptized.
Early in May, Drs. A. E. and Carrie J. Lemon, of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, opened treatment rooms near the business center of the city. They began their work in a good new house. Dr. Carrie Lemon, being the first lady physician in the colony, attracted considerable attention.
The institution has been well started with little capital, and has been greatly blessed of the Lord, as the accompanying financial statement to July 31 shows. The doctors have more work than they ought to do. They have two or three helpers, and are in need of a trained nurse.
Health work, the right arm of the message, is a great blessing to mankind. It furnishes missionary work for many young people, and should be made a leading feature of our work in new fields.
In June I moved my family to Twillingate, where we held a few meetings in halls. July 5 we began our tent meetings. The first three weeks the weather was very cold and damp. In addition to this, every means possible were used to keep people away; but the Lord’s hand is stretched out still. We have many warm friends, and some very attentive listeners. One man is keeping the Sabbath. Brother J. R. Johnston came here, and assisted us through July, selling books, and helping to care for the tent.
Twenty-three dollars’ worth of literature has been sold since we came here, also undelivered orders have been taken. We hope that a church will be established here, although it takes a long time for people really to count the cost, and see the worth of the gospel. A large part of the men are away fishing during the summer, and it will be late in the fall when they return.
Pray for us and the work here.
H. J. FARMAN.
Another Corner Stone Laid
The laying of the corner stone of our new church at Indian Walk Village took place on Sunday afternoon, February 9, at four o’clock, and was an occasion long to be remembered by all who were present. Before the time appointed, the grounds began to be crowded, when a song service was rendered, in which all joined heartily. Among those present were men of influence from the surrounding districts, besides a goodly number of Seventh-day Adventists from the various stations on the island, the whole presenting a most respectable and appreciative audience. The weather seemed specially adapted to the occasion; and what further added to the enjoyment was the unusual manner in which those interested had the grounds and fittings decorated with fruits and flowers.
Brother James Matthews delivered a brief address based on the church of God, its meaning and importance. Elder Enoch followed, showing the mission of the church, after which Elder Kneeland in a most concise and appropriate manner outlined the work of Seventh-day Adventists, their rise and progress since 1845, their mission stations planted among many nations, peoples, and tongues. Special attention was called to the advance steps in knowledge taken by this people, reference being made to the medical work and its publishing departments, with its literature designed for the world, and at present published in not less than thirty-five different languages. In conclusion, he called attention to the operations of Seventh-day Adventists in the West Indies, the success attending the effort in these islands, and the certainty of the divine co-operation with the human in the work of spreading this message. This was followed by the singing of another hymn, during which a collection was taken, followed by the laying of the stone by Mrs. Kneeland. It was a most enjoyable and interesting occasion.—Report from Local Press, Trinidad, British West Indies.
The School at Paris
By B. G. Wilkinson
I have received inquiries from our young people in America who desire to enter the work regarding the possibility of coming to France to study. To all who have such desires, I would say that the way is open. This year we expect to conduct a training school in one of the large cities of France, presumably, Paris, where the students may pursue their studies with all educational advantages, and at the same time receive a missionary training.
Paris is usually considered the most beautiful city in the world. Its universities, libraries, museums, palaces, parks, gardens, conservatories, and other advantages are the center of a life and education not only for the four million people in Paris itself, but also for France and for the French-speaking people throughout the world. Here we could easily plant ourselves within reach of these facilities, to draw from them what might be of good, and at the same time carry on the great work of evangelization.
The teaching force will be strong enough to offer, as far as it goes, a course of study equal to that which could be offered anywhere. Elder J. Curdy is a skilled instructor of Bible history, and literature in the French language. Brother John Vuilleumier, who has been editor of a French paper and also of a Spanish, is well instructed in these languages. Brother Nussbaum, who is the leader in the canvassing work in the Latin union field, is an able and successful evangelist. Mrs. Curdy has been a public school teacher for several years among the French. Mrs. Wilkinson will assist me in the work.
The following studies will be offered: Bible, history, French language and literature, physiology, nursing, practical training in giving Bible readings and in public speaking and canvassing.
To such a year of study and evangelistic work in France we invite students to come. Who should come?—Those of mature years who are prepared to dedicate themselves to missionary work in France, or among the French-speaking people. The studies to be offered will be only for mature minds.
What will be the expense? We can assure our patrons that the expense will not be greater than that of attending one of our colleges in America,—for example Union College,—with this exception, the only labor that we can offer for which the student will receive pay is the canvassing work. Last year at Geneva some of the students earned all their expenses by canvassing. We cannot say that the same thing can be done in Paris. That remains to be tried. There is also a small fund of money to be spent in education in this field, from which some assistance may be had; but for those who can pay, it would be decidedly best not to look to this source for help.
The time is at hand for our young people to form their plans for the coming year. We beg of them to pray over the needs of these fields. As we have been delayed in the perfection of our plans, we shall not be ready to open the school until October 15. But should any be late in preparing to come, we can arrange for them at Nov. 1, 1902. We should be pleased to hear immediately from all who are interested in this work. The writer’s address is 48 Weiherweg, Basel, Switzerland. We trust that this school may be blessed of the Lord in preparing workers for this needy field.
B. G. WILKINSON.
ANNA NELSON
By Anna Nelson
Ralatea
AVERA.—We live quite far from town, but it is a lovely, quiet spot. The breadfruit is in its season, and now we have some taro and a supply of yams, besides all kinds of bananas, plantain ripe and green, pumpkins, maumee-apples, and oranges. The yam is the only one of these we have bought. All the rest grow on our plantation. I have some beans growing, and a little sweet corn, too.
We are getting along nicely here alone. Surely the Lord is helping us all. The boys and girls are so willing to do anything, and study so well, that I could not complain of any one. The Lord has promised to help, and is abundantly able to fulfill his promise. We need fear no evil.
It does not seem possible that it is nearly a year since I left my home. How little we can do in a year—yes, in a lifetime it is very little. When I think of it, I am reminded of the necessity of improving every moment. I am glad I came here, and feel anxious to do all I can to spread the gospel.
ANNA NELSON
Field Notes
BROTHER G. F. ENOCH writes from Trinidad that just one week after the last of their ten-thousand edition of the “Coronation” tract came off the press, there were but one thousand copies left in the office, by far the greater number having already been placed in the homes of the people. Reports from all parts of the island are that the people are well pleased with the tract. Besides bringing life into the churches and companies, it has afforded them an opportunity to do definite missionary work. Brother Enoch says: “We can report blessings all along the line. Those who have recently begun to observe the Sabbath are to be found in every company as well as elsewhere. So we have only a message of hope and courage to send.” We are glad of this good news.
OUR workers in Japan have recently had “His Glorious Appearing” translated into the Japanese language, and an edition of two thousand printed. Already five hundred have been disposed of. The two brethren who have been out with the colporteur wagon sold forty-four books during the first month, and seventy the next month. Besides selling the book in this way, it has been placed in the bookstores.
BROTHER B. G. WILKINSON writes from Basel that everything is moving well in that field. There is a splendid movement on foot now in favor of the truth in the city of Geneva. In a few weeks Brother Wilkinson expects to return to France, where the work will be opened up for the winter.
Funds for Canvassers' Passage to England
THE total expense of sending the company of canvassers with their families to England was $1,305. Before sending these workers abroad, we made a call for donations to pay their traveling expenses. Several conferences responded liberally, and donations were sent to the Mission Board to the amount of $1,280. There is still a deficit of twenty-five dollars on these expenses. If some liberal conference or individual will send this amount to the Mission Board, we will say “Thank you” most sincerely.
More Agents for England
Our brethren in England are delighted with the company of plain, devoted, hard-working young people that we sent to them for their canvassing field. At the Leeds camp meeting they enthusiastically passed the resolution which was published in this department last week. It should be read twice at least; so we give it again:—
“Whereas, Various conferences in America have contributed materially to the work in this field, by sending to us some of their best canvassers, paying their fare over, so that the cause here has had the benefit of their labors, with no expense whatever,—
“We, as a conference, esteem it a privilege hereby to express our appreciation of the help thus rendered, and to tender our sincere and hearty thanks to our brethren in America for their Christian sympathy and generosity toward the work in Great Britain. And, further,—
“In view of the promising field for canvassing in Great Britain, and the fact that our present force of laborers, although efficient, is swallowed up in the vast population, there being ample room for ten times as many workers as we now have, we know of no more practical way of showing our appreciation of the kindness shown us by the Mission Board and the brethren in America than to ask, as we hereby do, that they will select and send to us at least ten canvassers as good as those we now have, if such can be found, on the same generous terms as the party first sent over.”
This request has been considered by the Mission Board, and has been adopted, and we have been asked to hunt out some good men, and send them to England as early this fall as possible. We wish to send five or six of the desired number early in October.
The Kind of Men Wanted
When the first call was made, the president of the Wisconsin Conference offered us their best. Elder Decker, of the North Pacific Conference, said, “Take your pick, and we will pay the bill.” A. T. Jones, president of the California Conference, said, “California is before you, you can have your choice, and we will pay the traveling expenses.” The same spirit was manifested by Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Dakota, and New England; and so a good corps of faithful men was selected.
The request calls for ten more workers as good as those already sent if they can be found. We want the best. We want young men and women of good education and address, who will be willing to drop their localisms, and enter heartily into the manners of the English people, and become one of them. Beyond England there are great mission fields in Europe and Asia whose needs cry mightily to God and to us for help.
These workers who go to England should set their faces resolutely toward the far East with no intention of ever looking back. For more than a century England has been the world’s training ground for gospel missionaries, and to those who have studied the situation it is evident that England is still a good training ground. No better policy could be pursued than to send some of the young people to England for a few years’ study and work before sending them farther on.
Who Will Help Us? and Who Will Go?
As this selection should be made quickly, so as to enable agents to reach England before the winter weather comes, we invite our conferences to join us by helping as far as lies in their power.
We shall be pleased to hear at once from those who have a young man or woman who is both valuable to give and valuable to keep. No others are wanted. This is not a mission for experiments. Well-tried men and women are wanted. Money will be needed to pay the expenses. Conferences have now looked over their balance sheets, and some have a credit balance. Who will send us from $50 to $250 toward this enterprise?
All correspondence should be addressed to E. R. Palmer, 267 West Main St., Battle Creek, Mich.