Earlier text: North American Division ConferenceMedical Department
By L. A. HANSEN
A quadrennial report of our Medical Department at this time cannot be a representative one. It cannot fully state what has been accomplished the past four years, nor can it be a correct indication of what could be done under normal conditions. Since our last General Conference session, circumstances have necessitated changes, and three different men who have acted as medical secretaries in that time have been called to fill other positions. For much of the time no one has been in full charge of the department, and this is the situation at the opening of this Conference. It is an easy matter to make the statement that we have sixty-nine sanitariums, but the fact that we can say this is cause for serious thought. As we think of what it would mean to any denomination, and what it meant to ours at first, to establish one sanitarium, it is difficult to comprehend all that is involved in this great increase of these institutions. Forty of them are operated by conferences, and twenty-nine are under private management. Besides this, there are thirty-five city treatment establishments, some of which do a volume of work equal to that of a fair-sized sanitarium. These hundred or more institutions represent a large investment of money, the employment of many people, the use of much talent, and the expenditure of a great deal of energy. What should we not expect from all this? The present investment in sanitarium property is $4,141,316.23, nearly a quarter of a million dollars more than the combined value of all our publishing houses, intermediate schools, academies, and colleges, counting conference and private institutions in both instances. It may be said by some that this is an overinvestment in sanitariums; but, be it as it may, it indicates the interest that has been shown by our people in this phase of work, and what we have been able to do in its establishment. It also suggests the importance of our safeguarding this large investment by judicious management and by an attitude that will encourage and strengthen this work. There are now connected with our sanitariums 117 physicians, 1,135 nurses, and 945 other workers, making a total of 2,197 employees. These workers are our own people, engaged in work that is more or less in the interest of the advancement of our cause, including public lectures and sermons, Bible readings, circulation of literature, personal missionary work, and so forth. This work does not appear in conference reports, nor is it done at conference expense. It should be regarded as a wonderful advantage that such a large branch of our cause can be a true missionary work and at the same time a self-supporting one. With a conservative estimate, we note that our sanitarium workers are receiving in wages over one million dollars a year, the whole of which is received by the patronage of the institutions.593 This gives a tithe of one hundred thousand dollars, to which may be added gifts and offerings, coming into our denominational treasuries, helping to support the cause. Thus our medical work gives self-supporting employment to a large number of Sabbath-keeping people, who may engage in a definite missionary work and help to advance other interests of the cause. These figures take no account of many physicians and nurses engaged in private field work, who are more or less the product of our sanitariums, and whose labors and means help to advance the message. The number of people reached by our sanitariums makes one of the most important features of this work. Here are figures showing the number of sanitarium patients for the past four years:—
1909 ................ 23,737
1910 ................ 33,127
1911 ................ 26,359
1912 ................ 28,960
Total ............. 112,183 Let us not give these figures a mere passing thought; for they indicate in a measure what is being done through our system of sanitariums. We have an average of over twenty-eight thousand people a year visiting these institutions, staying an average of five weeks each. Their association with our work and workers gives opportunity of securing considerable information concerning our message and its progress. They attend services, read our literature, and engage in personal conversation with helpers, and some of them are led to a full acceptance of the truth. Many others are at least favorably impressed, and after leaving the institution, help to spread its influence. Some of our patients are persons of high prominence, in position to give substantial assistance to our cause. Many legislators are reported as patients, and a number of them have given assurance of support when needed in meeting religious legislation. It would be an interesting thing to know how much effort and expense would be required to reach twenty-eight thousand people for a period of five weeks through our tent and hall meetings. We well know that this number includes many persons who otherwise would probably never come in contact with our work in so favorable a manner. Thus, our sanitarium work is really an evangelical factor. If we ask, Why are not more definite results in actual Sabbath-keepers seen? let us remember that sanitariums are not designed to be proselyting in their work. They have a distinct sphere, which, while it may not be directly that of making religious converts, is strong in spiritual influence. The nurses' training-school feature of our sanitarium work deserves special mention. Most of the 1,135 nurses employed are students in training. They are being educated as workers for field or institutional service. Careful study leads many of our sanitarium leaders to the conclusion that this feature is a heavy expense to the institution, rather than a financial advantage. Nurses receive board, room, laundry work, and tuition; and, in the second and third years, and in some instances in the first year, they receive a cash allowance. One sanitarium reports about $325 paid for the second and third years' work, besides the items of expense mentioned. Nurses give in return their services, which are not always such as fully to compensate the institution for its outlay. It is estimated that the total value of this educational work is now over $160,000 a year. Whatever loss is sustained, which is thought by some to be half of this amount, is a loss to the sanitariums. While this is entirely a denominational work, it is done without cost to the denomination, either as conferences or as individuals. Thus far our statistics deal principally with sanitariums. There is another feature of our medical work that demands more than a passing notice. The number of treatment-rooms is yearly increasing. These are owned and operated almost wholly by private individuals. They are most generally successful from a financial standpoint, and when properly conducted, exert an excellent influence. Some of them are of most substantial help to local conference work. Some work in close affiliation with near-by sanitariums, to the mutual help of all concerned. Those conducting these enterprises deserve commendation for their well-spent energies in self-supporting work. Those of our brethren who are in position to do so should show an interest in their work, and, by proper moral support, fostering care, and good counsel, add strength to it. This is probably one of the most practicable ways of doing medical work in our cities, both as to financial support and good results. A wide field with favorable inducement is here offered to those who are seeking openings of this kind and who can properly fill them. Our figures for treatment-rooms are not complete. There are 27 in this country and 8 in foreign countries, with a total value of $113,184.10. They have a daily capacity of 880 patients. Last year they gave 20,415 treatments, doing $6,659.60 worth of charity work. There are 162 persons employed in these treatment-rooms. Thus far we have spoken only of institutional work. The work of our medical missionaries in the field service must be remembered, representing, as it does, one of the most important phases of our entire medical work. We have no statistics, however, to present, and no report to make. Doubtless this matter will appear in the reports from various fields. The report of our medical college at Loma Linda, Cal., will be given by others, as will no doubt also that of our postgraduate course for nurses connected with the Foreign Mission Seminary and Washington Sanitarium Dispensary. These two additional forces to our medical educational work should mark an epoch of much meaning for advanced medical missionary endeavor. Let us not view our special advantages with matter-of-fact vision, but see in their increased opportunity an added responsibility to make the wisest use of the same. Much of the work of our department recently has been to give assistance in securing suitable workers to meet various calls and to put persons wanting employment in touch with openings. Careful inquiry has been made to ascertain the fitness and qualifications of individuals, and action taken accordingly. We have reason to believe that considerable satisfactory service has been rendered in this way. This feature may be further developed and be of much value. Among the things that should be given attention in connection with this department is, first and most urgently, the appointment of a capable and permanent medical secretary. The reasons for this are too numerous to mention, and too obvious to need mentioning. A more complete organization of our medical work will, of course, help to develop its efficiency. Some important questions arise for consideration and attention. We should develop further plans and methods for reaching the public effectively. The possibilities of our engaging more in temperance campaigns might well be considered. Better education of our own people in rational and intelligent health principles is needed. Better provision should be made for safeguarding the health of those who go to foreign fields by proper instruction. Our training-schools for nurses need consideration, with a view to strengthening their work, possibly setting a standard of what shall constitute a recognized course of training, and then confining this work to such institutions as can properly give it. The development of real medical missionaries, both physicians and nurses, is a most important matter, and should have careful study soon. Considerable demand is expressed for workers who are trained in practical household economy, who can go into homes and teach such things as are most needed. The demand for educated cooks is greater than the supply. Plans for the development and wider circulation of our health literature are needed. We still need to learn how to make the best use of our medical facilities and advantages in connection with other lines of our work. The relation we should sustain to private medical work requires careful attention. It is highly important that the immense business interests involved in the operation of our sanitariums be carefully studied, in order to reach the most economical management consistent with good service. This phase of the work is of such magnitude as to demand special consideration. Our system of sanitariums should have careful organization for closer cooperation and more uniform administration. Some effort should be made to secure uniformity in rates, service, remuneration of workers, etc. Possibly central purchasing agencies can be established to mutual advantage. These questions and many others offer a wide field of usefulness to our medical department. It should be one of the most useful departments of our administrative work. May God grant it shall fill its place. L. A. HANSEN, Assistant Secretary. North American Negro Department
By A. J. HAYSMER
In 1863 there were 4,500,000 colored people in the United States. There are now 10,000,000. This is a population of 3,000,000 more than the population of Belgium. It is greater than that of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, and one ninth of the total population of the United States. It is equal to the white population of the States of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas,594 Alaska, and the Hawaiian Islands. Over 7,500,000 of these are in the Southern, Southeastern, and Southwestern Union Conferences. The colored population in some of the union conferences is as follows: Southern, 3,208,664; Southeastern, 3,177,055; Columbia, 1,488,256; Southwestern, 1,270,523; Central, 230,500; Lake, 160,939; Atlantic, 158,327. Fifty years ago practically all the colored people in the South had but one occupation,—tilling the soil. There were no physicians, surgeons, pharmacists, graduate nurses, lawyers, teachers, dentists, architects, electricians, photographers, wholesale merchants, insurance agents, editors, undertakers, real estate dealers; no owners of mines, cotton-mills, dry-goods stores, newspapers, publishing houses, etc. At the present time there are more than 300,000 working at trades and other occupations requiring skill. There are more than 2,400 physicians, 20,000 graduate nurses, 21,000 teachers, 15,000 clergymen, 14,000 masons, 24,000 dressmakers, 10,000 engineers and firemen, 10,000 blacksmiths, 21,000 carpenters, and they edit 400 newspapers and periodicals. A few years ago it was unlawful for a colored person to hold any United States government position. At present there are 22,400 employed, of whom 3,950 are in the different branches of the postal service. Fifty years ago the colored people in the South were without lands, money, stock, or homes. Today they not only have money in the bank, but own 20,000,000 acres of land, which if placed in a body would be about 31,000 square miles, or equal to the combined area of Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. They cultivate 890,140 farms, or 100,000,000 acres, and own domestic animals to the value of $177,273,975; poultry, $5,113,756; implements and machinery, $36,861,418; land and buildings, $273,501,065. They now own 300 drug stores, and more than 20,000 grocery and other stores, 400 newspapers and periodicals, 100 insurance companies, 64 banks capitalized at $1,600,000, and do an annual business of $20,000,000. Their total wealth is over $700,000,000. Fifty years ago the education of the colored people in this country had just begun; 95 per cent could neither read nor write. However, a great change has taken place. In 1900 the illiteracy had been reduced to 44.5 per cent. There were only four States, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Louisiana, with an illiteracy of over 50 per cent. In 1910, only one State, Louisiana, with 48.2, remained above 40 per cent, and the average for the United States had been reduced to 30.4 per cent, a decrease of 14 per cent in the last ten years. There are now 50 colleges, 13 institutions for the higher education of women, 26 theological schools and departments, 3 schools of law, 5 of medicine, 4 of pharmacy, 17 State agricultural and normal colleges, and more than 400 normal and industrial schools. The value of school property is now estimated at $17,000,000. In 1912 over $4,400,000 were expended for higher and industrial training, and $8,600,000 in their public schools. They have taken a deep interest in the education of their own children. From 1866-70 they raised $700,000 for school buildings and the support of teachers. They are now raising annually $1,000,000 for educational purposes, and they own $17,000,000 worth of school buildings. Although there has been great progress, the equipment and facilities in their schools are, on the whole, far below those in white schools. The majority of the rural schools in the South are still without adequate buildings, and the average length of terms is from three to five months. The colored people constitute about 11 per cent of the total population of the United States. A little less than 2 per cent of the $7,000,000,000 expended for education annually, is spent upon them. Of more than $600,000,000 spent for public schools, the colored people receive about 15 per cent. There is no question, in my mind, but that the Lord interposed, and freedom was granted the colored people at the time it was, so they might be in a condition to accept this gospel message. However, it was a long time before we, as a people, began to realize the responsibility that rested upon us. Many years passed before any effort was put forth for them. For years the Lord kept sending us message after message through the spirit of prophecy, urging us to enter and work this field. Elder J. E. White, having a burden to do something for this people, went to Mississippi with a few workers. While the prejudice and trials were great, they toiled on, and thus a beginning was made, under the name of the Southern Missionary Society. Mission schools were started, and much good was accomplished. Later the work was placed, for a time, under the counsel of the Southern Union Conference, and the work extended to other States. The Lord blessed the self-sacrificing efforts of those who labored for the education and evangelization of the colored people during those years. In 1894 there were only about fifty colored Seventh-day Adventists in this country. As the result of the earnest efforts for the next fifteen years, or until 1909, the number was augmented to about 900. As the great work of getting the message before them was carefully considered by the leading workers in the South, it was the general opinion that, in order for the work to be carried on as it should be, it ought to become a part of the regular organized work of the General Conference. Accordingly, at the session held in Washington, D. C., in 1909 the work for the colored people in this country was organized into the North American Negro Department. The work formerly carried on by the Southern Missionary Society was taken over. Elder J. W. Christian was elected department secretary. However, it was some months before he could arrange his other duties so that he could take up the work; then he remained in the South only a short time, as the climate did not agree with his health. Upon his resignation, in the latter part of the year, I was asked to take the work. The work really suffered during the delay, as those who had been conducting it laid off their responsibility when the department was organized. My first work was to study the field and its needs. The more I became acquainted with the situation, the more I realized the greatness of the work that the department had taken upon itself. Only a few sections of the great South had been touched, and the 5,500,000 in the Northern cities were as yet unwarned. Some of the first great needs that confronted us were the scarcity of efficient workers and lack of means and facilities. We found a scarcity of tents or anything to work with. Many of the workers, and especially the mission-school teachers, had entered the field before receiving sufficient training. We felt that the matter of better equipping our training-school at Huntsville, Ala., should receive immediate attention. We visited some of the Northern camp-meetings and raised money to erect some new and much-needed buildings and put in other improvements, also to put in more industries, so we could better train the students and furnish work for those who could not otherwise attend. The Lord has blessed these efforts, and today, while there are many more things we should have to make the school what it should be, as it is the only training-school for the United States and the West Indian Union Conference, we are prepared to do good work and accommodate about one hundred students. The attendance this year has reached over ninety, the largest in the history of the school. These are principally from the Southern States and the West Indian Union. We have graduates this year in the ministerial, normal, business, and nursing courses,—fourteen in all. It has been necessary to close some of the mission schools that were accomplishing the least, and encourage the teachers to attend the Oakwood school, and get a preparation to do better work. As far as possible Bible workers have been put in the cities to carry on the work started by the mission schools. While there have been many perplexing problems to meet in the development of the organization, we believe the Lord has been guiding, and while there are many chances for improvement, we believe that the work is in the best condition it has ever been. With few exceptions, the colored people are pleased with the organization, and have settled down to do hard, active work. The Lord has blessed the efforts put forth to place workers in different States and localities where the work has never been started, and many persons are now rejoicing in the truth. The evangelical efforts in tents, halls, etc., have been especially blessed. Tent efforts have been held in nearly every State where there are large numbers of colored people. As the result, several good, substantial companies have been raised up and others strengthened. The membership has more than doubled in the last four years. The Southern Union has 588 Sabbath-keepers; the Southeastern, 794; Southwestern, 205; Columbia, 275; Atlantic, 219; Lake, 131; Central, 111; and scattered, 91; making the total number of Sabbath-keepers 2,414. We have 24 ordained ministers, 11 licentiates, 29 teachers, 55 canvassers, and 23 other workers. The offerings for 1912 amounted to $3,702.50, and the tithe was $16,325.02. We feel that the Lord is making bare his arm to do a mighty work in the Southland. Much work remains to be595 done. The Lord has told us that special efforts should be made in the large cities. “The great work before us all, as Christians, is to extend Christ’s kingdom as rapidly as possible, in accordance with the divine commission.” “Thousands of colored people in the South may now be uplifted, and become human agents to help their own race, if they can receive the help God is calling upon us to give them.” A. J. HAYSMER, Secretary. The India Union Mission
By J. L. SHAW
India is the very Gibraltar of heathenism. The caste system divides the people into thousands of castes. The zenana system shuts up in prison 40,000,000 women, keeping them in ignorance and superstition, while the early child marriage stands at the very springs of the life of the Indian people, hindering the normal development of which they are capable. These are conditions met nowhere else in the world, which we, with you, must realize and face in our program of mission work in India. The little force of foreign workers has been increased, until now, counting the wives of workers, there are seventy-two in the field. The health of our missionaries on the whole has been exceptionally good. Death, however, has entered our ranks, and claimed two workers, Elder G. K. Owen, the oldest minister, and Elder J. C. Little, who died of cholera. At the biennial conference held at Lucknow in October, 1910, India, including Burma and Ceylon, was organized into what is known as the India Union Mission of Seventh-day Adventists. The field was divided into five local missions, as follows: Bengal, comprising the Bengali, Oriya, Santali, and Assamese language areas; North India, covering the Hindi, Bihari, Rajasthani, Punjabi, and Sindhi language areas; West India, comprising the language areas of Marathi and Gujerati; South India, including the island of Ceylon, and comprising the language areas of Tamil, Kanarese, Malayalam, and Cingalese; and Burma, including the country of Burma. Lucknow, a large city in North India, was chosen as the headquarters of the India Union Mission. It is located in one of the most beautiful provinces, has excellent postal, telegraph, and railway facilities, and is only one night's ride from Delhi, the new capital of the Indian Empire. It is in the very heart of the Hindustani world, which comprises fully a fourth of the population of the empire, and is in close proximity to the Himalaya Mountains. One night's ride on the train in the hot season takes our workers from the fiery heat of the plains to the cooling breezes which blow from the snow-capped mountains. The International Tract Society, with its printing department, is also located at Lucknow. A year ago land in the best part of the city, on Abbott Road, one of the principal streets, was purchased. The land had upon it a well-built building, to which has been added a substantial addition, and this now provides offices for the India Union Mission and the International Tract Society. Thanks to the $300,000 Fund. We shall now give you a survey of our work in the different local mission fields, beginning with Burma. Burma has a population of 12,000,000. Brother H. H. Votaw, who is superintendent of the field, is located at Rangoon, the chief city, where a thriving little church has been raised up, most of the members being English-speaking people. Recently ten souls were baptized and united with the church. Of the members of this church, several have become active and successful workers in different lines of work. Shortly after the last General Conference, Brother R. B. Thurber went to Burma for the purpose of opening up an industrial school at Meiktila, in Upper Burma. Thirty acres of land have been acquired. A neat building, which serves as a dormitory, has been erected, and also a dwelling for Brother Thurber. A building for industrial work is now in process of construction. More than half of the funds for these buildings has been raised in Burma. The enrolment is 141. One or two thriving industries are affording instruction and work for Burmese youth. A letter from Brother Thurber reads as follows:— “I send this to tell you the good news that I baptized nine persons in the lake, March 22. They are all of the earnest, hard-working, substantial class. Twelve more wanted baptism, but they were asked to wait. I believe we have reached the beginning of the harvest, and that a great work is just before us.” We are looking forward to the time when trained workers from the Meiktila school will help to finish the work in Burma. A year ago a Burmese quarterly magazine was started. It has met with even better circulation than we expected. It now has a subscription list of over three thousand, and six thousand copies of the last issue were published. Brother Robert Beckner is at this meeting, and will tell you of his work. The call for opening up work among the Karens has been answered. Miss Mary Gibbs began the study of Karen two years ago, and Brother G. A. Hamilton and wife, lately of California, are now giving as much time as possible to the study of the language, with a view to opening up mission work among the Karen people. Dr. Oberholtzer-Tornblad, who was previously at Moulmein, in southern Burma, has opened up our first mission station in the Shan States. Brother and Sister Tornblad are supporting and operating this station. The church-membership of the Burma Mission is eighty-five. Bengal is one of our largest mission fields, having a population of 78,000,000. It was in Calcutta, the capital of Bengal, the largest city, and for over a hundred years the capital of India, that the message began to take root in Hindustan. In Bengal there are four mission stations, Calcutta, Karmatar, Gopalgunje, and Babulmohal. Pastor W. R. French is local superintendent of the field. The church-membership of this division is 153. Calcutta has an English church and a Bengali church. For several years the English work has languished because of a lack of suitable evangelistic help to carry it forward. But the call for help for English work in the cities of India has not been in vain. Brethren J. M. Comer and W. R. French, assisted by Brother Baasch and Sister Rachel Jones, are now carrying forward a growing work. Souls are accepting the truth. At a recent service the Sabbath question was presented, and in response to the call of the Holy Spirit, thirty-five arose one after the other, signifying their intention to obey the commandments of God. Some of these are very substantial people, and should be a strength to the cause. Twelve have recently been baptized. A monthly magazine in the Bengali language has been circulating in Bengal the past four years, with a varying circulation of from two to six thousand. Brother L. J. Mookerjee, who has acted as pastor of the Bengali Calcutta church until recently, is the editor, and Brother A. G. Watson acts as agent in circulating the paper. He has associated with him a number of Bengali canvassers, some of whom have become quite proficient in selling papers. The outlook for an increased circulation of the Bengali Signs, which has recently been changed to a quarterly, is encouraging. There is also located in Calcutta a well-equipped set of treatment-rooms, and a small health food factory. The treatment-rooms have been continued since the sanitarium was closed five years ago. Since then they have liquidated a small indebtedness, added to their equipment, and paid their running expenses, including rent, which in Calcutta is quite excessive. Brother J. H. Reagan is in charge of the treatment-rooms, and Brother J. W. Asprey manages the health food business. Gopalgunje and the many surrounding villages present a large and needy field. Many are favorable to Christianity. Two strong, intelligent, well-trained missionaries are urgently required to connect with the work. We have but one lone worker, who is bravely holding the fort until help arrives. We must either strengthen the work at this strategic point, or abandon the station. Our work at Karmatar, which grew slowly for several years, has been making more rapid growth the past two years. A mission bungalow has been built. Sister Burroway will tell you of the work at this station. We have one more mission station in the Bengal section, located at Babulmohal, among the Santals, forty miles from Karmatar. Brother W. A. Barlow, who speaks both Santali and Hindi, is in charge of this station. A boarding-school of about twenty boys has been conducted the past two years. One or two village schools are also attached to the station. Brother and Sister Leech, who have been studying Santali, are now looking for a suitable location for another mission station among the Santals. Brother and Sister L. J. Burgess, who have been pioneering the way among the Hindustani people in North India for the past seven and one-half years, are at this Conference. North India comprises the largest mission field in India, having a population of 130,000,000. Considerable work has been done in preparing and circulating literature in Hindustani. The tenets of our faith have been made plain to many596 Hindustani Christians through the printed page. Nearly three years ago an industrial school was started by Brother and Sister Burgess in the mountains of Garhwal. A beautiful location was obtained among the lofty Himalaya Mountains. A schoolhouse, mission house, two dormitories, and other small buildings have been erected. The funds for these buildings have come through the earnest efforts of Elder and Mrs. S. N. Haskell. The enrolment of the school last year was about one hundred. The boys bring their food from their villages, and work for their tuition. Mission work was begun at Najibabad, at the foot of the mountains, about forty miles from the Garhwal station, about three years ago. Sisters Kurts and Shryock began dispensary work for women, and Sister O'Connor opened up a school for girls. The dispensary has met with a growing patronage from the first. As many as ninety patients a day have been treated. Many homes have been thrown open for Bible study, and the workers have more of this kind of work than they can do. One great drawback to the work at Najibabad has been the unsuitable place for workers to live. But better days are ahead for the work at Najibabad. Land has been purchased out of the city. When we passed through Najibabad on the way to this Conference, the brick walls of a mission house were above the tops of the windows. Dr. V. L. Mann expects soon to open up at this station a training class for dispensary workers, and there will be carried on with this a dispensary for men. Nearly seven years ago property was purchased in Mussoorie to serve as a rest home for workers, and a training-school. The whole of the estate is now used for school purposes, as it affords a very suitable place for carrying on an English school for the children of missionaries and English-speaking believers. Having an elevation of nearly seven thousand feet, Mussoorie affords a very agreeable climate even in the hottest season. It is a great blessing to our missionaries to have a school for their children in a good climate. Plans are now on foot to erect a dormitory for boys and a school building. We are very thankful indeed to be able to say to missionaries coming to India that we have a school in a bracing climate where they can send their children. The teachers now consist of Mrs. Bruce, Brother and Sister M. M. Mattison, and Sister Wilson. Since the sanitarium closed in Mussoorie, nearly three years ago, treatment-room work has been continued. Each year the patronage has increased. Last year about eleven hundred dollars was cleared, above all operating expenses. With improved equipment installed this year, the outlook for the Mussoorie treatment-rooms is very encouraging. Brother William Lake and Sister Nellie Wagner are carrying on the work in the Mussoorie treatment-rooms. At Lucknow, outside of office work, Sister Vera Chilton is working for purdah women. As is well known, women of the higher classes live in most cases lives of seclusion. They do not appear on the streets or in places of public resort, but remain in their own homes behind the curtain, seen only by women and their own husbands. The only way they can be reached is through the efforts of lady missionaries who can visit their homes, and tell them in their own tongue the gospel of Christ. Elder G. F. Enoch, the superintendent of the work in West India, began work in that section of the field a little more than five years ago. The first two years were spent mostly in language study. Nearly three years ago mission work was opened up at Lonavla and Panvel. Lonavla is a semi-hill station in the Western Ghats, a few hours' ride by train from Bombay. As the result of work done by Brother Enoch, several English-speaking people have accepted the truth. Our last Sabbath prior to coming to this Conference was spent at Lonavla, and we had the privilege of seeing seventeen souls sign the covenant to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Brother A. G. Kelsey has recently been stationed at Panvel, a Marathi village of ten thousand people, in a densely populated district close to the city of Bombay. Two schools have been started, and some of the people seem favorable to Christianity. Elder M. D. Wood and wife, who have recently joined the work in West India, are located at Kalyan, a junction station between Lonavla and Bombay. Work was started in Kalyan about a year ago. Nine acres of land very suitable for a mission station were purchased in January of this year, and our first mission bungalow in West India is now being built. Some of Brother Wood's former converts have come to him, and are learning the truth. Preliminary steps are being taken to the organization of a church at Kalyan. Two village schools are being conducted. Sister Wood has opened up a neat and well-arranged dispensary, and has associated with her two Indian assistants. The patronage is growing, and from thirty to forty patients are treated daily. At the biennial conference last November, it was decided to open up English evangelistic work in the city of Bombay, and Brother G. W. Pettit has located in that great city. Some souls are already becoming interested in the truth, and preparations are now being made to begin a public effort at the close of the present hot season. The work in West India appears more encouraging than at any time previous. In South India work is being carried on at Nazareth and Trichinopoli. In addition to the mission house at Nazareth, which was in course of construction at the time of the last General Conference, a neat church and school building has been added, and two more acres of land have been purchased. Brother J. S. James, who has been connected with the work in South India from its beginning, will give a report of this field. The International Tract Society, which represents the publishing work in India, has made some progress. Brother S. A. Wellman, Brother W. R. Perrin, Mrs. M. M. Quantock, and Sister Marion Belchambers, together with about fifteen Indians as assistants, are connected with the publishing work at Lucknow. Brother C. E. Weaks has charge of the field work, having associated with him in the sale of English literature, Brethren Raymond and Poley, Brother and Sister P. A. Rick, and Brother W. Carrott. In the distribution of vernacular literature there are about twenty Indian canvassers. Two English monthly journals and five quarterly magazines, each in a different language, are published. These magazines vary in circulation from three to six thousand an issue. For some time it was thought that vernacular literature could not be sold, but Indian canvassers are being developed who are having good success in selling our literature among their own people. The Oriental Watchman and the Herald of Health have increased their size and about trebled their circulation the past two years. Six mission homes, several school buildings, a mission headquarters, and a printing-office have been provided through funds sent to India from the $300,000 Fund. These have brought encouragement to the workers, provided comfortable homes in more healthful locations, and necessary facilities with which to work. They have given us prestige among the people even more than we expected, for which we are profoundly thankful. Our workers in India are eagerly looking toward this Conference for help. Shall these new workers be sent? Some of those already in the field are bearing two or three men's burdens. What word shall be sent on to them is an important question for this Conference to answer. In conclusion, let me state that a greater question than that of men or means is ever before us in the mission field. We are in the midst of multitudes in the dense darkness of heathenism. They are dying more rapidly than converts are being added to Christianity by means of every missionary agency. Upon a superhuman force, a power greater in its measure and more mighty in its operation than this movement has yet experienced, depends the possibility of our program in India. We are facing a mountain greater than Zerubbabel faced. Our hope in heathen lands cannot be met by mere men. It is “not by an army, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” For the finishing of God's work in India, we ask your continued support and earnest prayers. J. L. SHAW, Superintendent.