KNOWING of the great interest already existing among our people in this field, and thinking others might be interested, we beg leave to call attention to the work already under way, openings for work, and some of the advantages and disadvantages of this field.
The efforts thus far have borne some fruit.
WATER FRONT, HAVANA
Brother and Sister Hall and Brother and Sister Sturquel came to Cuba about two years ago, and settled at La Gloria, the former remaining here a little more than a year. Through their efforts one is now rejoicing in the truth, and others have become interested. Brother and Sister Clark are holding up the banner at Cebellas, and have been distributing literature and doing what they could, at the same time being self-supporting. Brother Stytch, who has doubtless been on the island longer than any other Seventh-day Adventist, is now at Bahia Honda. His influence is felt not only there, but he has paved the way at Guines, and some seem deeply interested.
Brother and Sister O. L. Dart, of Graysville, Tenn., arrived in Havana the last of November. They are here as self-supporting workers. They have been doing some house-to-house missionary work, but Sister Dart has now opened a school in Vedado, a suburb of Havana. At first it was a family school. The father of the children, who is a government officer, has taken considerable interest in our work, and has given one room of his house to Sister Dart for school purposes, and offers to assist in getting other children to attend. Already one pupil has been added, and an application has come from the country for another to enter. This school is conducted in the afternoon, while another family has engaged Sister Dart to teach their children in the forenoon in their own home.
We hope to make the school work a permanent feature of our work here in the capital city of the island.
By next autumn we hope to have a schoolroom opened, and regular work carried on. The same place should be suitably arranged for a chapel, where regular services may be held by our minister, whom we expect to be with us soon after conference. At the present time we need at least two ministers for this island, and I hope that not only the Mission Board, but some of our State conferences as well, will see that we receive two ministers as regular conference workers. One could be learning the language, but the other should speak it fluently when he enters the field. The superintendent of one of the leading Protestant denominations on the island has volunteered to do all he can to assist our minister to get a start in his work, and has also asked for some of our literature, that he might know more of our belief.
ROYAL PALMS, CUBA
My wife and I have been on the island since last May. We came under the direction of the Mission Board, but bear our own expenses, our special line being the medical missionary work. Our first work was to call on the physicians and get acquainted, with the view of receiving work through them. Most of them gave us a cool reception, and did not promise us much work. The Spanish and Cuban people do not employ trained nurses, but prefer having some member of the family attend the sick. However, the physicians are beginning to see the folly of this. Their coolness did not discourage us; for we knew that God, who rules the universe, had called us to this place, and that his guiding hand would open the way in his own good time.
For nearly three months we spent the time visiting the people, thus making friends, and giving treatments whenever we had an opportunity. About the first of August Mrs. Moore began to receive calls for her services, and has been busy most of the time since. At the beginning of August I began work in a bath-house that reopened, and remained with it for over four months. Since that time I have been giving treatments, doing general nursing, and also what I could to get our work started in other lines.
As for openings for future work in the island, there is enough work for quite a corps of workers. We know that much good can be accomplished here in house-to-house work, getting cottage meetings started, and thus opening the way for the minister of the word. Doubtless the canvassing work could be made a grand success. Thus far very little canvassing for books has been done. It is something new to this people, and if a few consecrated canvassers who understand the language should take up the work, our books could be scattered in this field as the leaves of autumn. I believe, however, that the colporteur work would soon take the place of the canvassing, or rather that the two would be combined.
School work can be made a success. If other denominations make a success of it, why can not we? The Methodist school has an enrolment of over two hundred pupils, paying from $1.50 to $3.50 each per month. Why can not our school, which has been in progress only about a month, become a nucleus, or base of operations, for the work in this island? This is our intention. As this is
the capital of the island, and should be the center of our work, we have opened the school work here. Experience has taught others that the best way to reach the parents is through the children. Some of our people are planning for an industrial school. Brother and Sister J. E. Davis are here in the interests of that work. Two one-hundred-acre tracts of land have been offered for this purpose and for sanitarian work. There are other tracts of land13sanitarium or hospital here in Havana. One of the leading doctors in the city has already asked me to look for a location, and wishes my wife and me to take charge of the work. Since there is such a demand, why can we not have such an institution managed according to true principles? A suitable place with buildings already erected could be bought for twelve thousand dollars, and eight thousand dollars more would put it in good running order. The location is high, overlooking the sea. There are other well-located places that might be secured. We shall need money for these different institutions when the proper time comes to open such work. I am not calling for means now, but I know the Lord, who doeth all things well, will send it in the right time. However, the field is open for help, and those who wish may give as the Lord impresses them.
Being within less than one hundred miles of the States, and with three or four mails each week, we can not say that we are in a foreign country; and if it were not for the language, Oriental buildings, and some strange customs, we should not even think we were in a foreign country. As this country is so near the United States, and has a climate that all enjoy, there is no reason why much can not be done by those of our people who have some means at their command, and who wish to engage in self-supporting missionary work, or by others who wish to move here and live the truth before the people. Of course we do not expect to find all sunshine in this world. “Clouds and sunshine go together; oaks grow stronger in the storm.” We can not expect to find in Cuba the lily and beautiful foliage on every hand, with all kinds of trees dropping down their luscious fruit in abundance. This country, which has been laid waste many times by war, is far behind the expectations of many. However, it is not necessary that our people should suffer for the necessities of life, especially those who expect to give some attention to the cultivation of the soil. It is true that most things are more expensive than in the States. But in this country, where nearly all kinds of vegetables are produced, with proper care and attention one can easily get along without the use of meat, which is very expensive, and by so doing reap the benefits of health, with little fear of the climatic fevers or tropical diseases. As for the dreaded yellow fever and malaria, there is little to fear when proper attention is given to diet and sanitation. There has not been a case of yellow fever in the island for three years, except those brought in on ships. Malaria is not noticeable except in swampy districts where mosquitoes abound. We are not free from troublesome insects, but where is there a warm country that is free? They must be dealt with in this country as in others. The ants give the most trouble.
Just a word to those who contemplate coming to Cuba. One should not think of buying land of a land company without first seeing the land himself, or, if that is impracticable, he should have some one he can trust see it for him. A great deal of land in Cuba is practically overflowed during the summer, the wet season, and would not be at all suitable for homes. Land that looks nice during the winter, the dry season, may be so wet during the summer that it can not be used. When it is possible, it is best for the prospective purchaser to come and select a location, and see what will be needed, and then plan accordingly. If some are planning to come to the island, I should be pleased to answer, to the best of my ability, all questions. The postage to Cuba from the United States is the same as in the United States, but from Canada it is foreign postage. Address me at Calle C., Entre 21 y 23, Vedado, Havana, Cuba.
Eastern Polynesian Mission
By E. H. Gates
E. H. GATES
More than one year ago the island missions in eastern Polynesia were organized into what is now known as the Eastern Polynesian Mission. At that time we were convinced of the value of such an organization, and now can see that it was a move in the right direction. After visiting our missions in Central Polynesia during April and May, I reached Rarotonga, Cook Islands, June 22, and was joined by Brother and Sister Jones and Sister Gooding, and reached Tahiti three days later.
A FAMILY OF NATIVES
Our annual meeting was held at Raiatea, an island one hundred and twenty miles from Tahiti. Here is located the training institution, on the plantation bought by Brother and Sister Cady, which is now recognized as the Missionary Training Home of the Eastern Polynesian Mission. Though owned by Brother and Sister Cady, all the income of this farm is devoted to the Lord's work. Young men and women who are willing to work can here get a training for service, without cost.
The farm produces cocoanuts, manioc, sugar-cane, vanilla, oranges, bananas, limes, etc. The location is an ideal one. Along one side of the plantation flows a beautiful stream of pure, cold water, which never dries up. In the background, verdure-covered mountains rear their lofty heads. Oftentimes after a storm on the mountains, great cataracts go plunging over perpendicular cliffs to the valley below. All these things tell of God's power and love. Here, separated from the dreadful wickedness of the town six miles away, the youth are receiving a fitting-up for usefulness here and immortality hereafter.
The home is in charge of Miss Anna Nelson, of America. Besides the students from the Society Islands, there is one student from Pitcairn, one from the Austral group, and one from the Cook Islands.
In this beautiful spot the annual meeting of the Eastern Polynesian Mission was held, July 7-18. The laborers present were Elder B. J. Cady, chairman of the mission; Pastor G. F. Jones, of Rarotonga; Brother Paul Dean, our half-caste preacher; Brother S. A. Roth, who has been laboring among the French in Tahiti; and the writer. Sister Iva Cady, secretary of the mission as well as Sabbath-school secretary, and Sister Jones, secretary of the Cook Island Sabbath-schools, represented that department of the mission work. The church- and training-schools were represented by Miss Nelson, and Miss Evelyn Gooding, of Rarotonga. All the churches in this mission were represented by delegates except one, and a few lay members were present from other islands. All our members at Raiatea attended most of the meetings.
The delegates and laborers came to the meeting to receive the blessing of God and to impart it to others. There was no excitement, but calm, trusting faith in God. The service on the first Sabbath lasted about three hours. The Holy Spirit's influence descended on the con-
gregation like heavenly dew. All felt that we had reached “times of refreshing . . . from the presence of the Lord,” and all testified of new spiritual desires kindled in the heart, and of new courage to push the triumphs of the cross “to them which sit in the region and shadow of death.”
Seeing the millions yet unwarned in our great mission field, our brethren in the Eastern Polynesian Mission do not call for more workers from abroad, but will endeavor to develop native talent, and let the experienced workers go to the more needy fields.
Considerable time was given to the consideration of tithe paying. While some were faithfully giving the Lord his own, others did not see the importance of the subject. Instruction was given showing that as God is the owner of all things, it is but reasonable that he should charge a small rental on the property he allows us to occupy, in order that his ambassadors may be supported as they go out to the revolted provinces of his kingdom. Many testified of blessings received in paying tithe, and a unanimous vote was passed both to pay and to urge all the churches to pay tithe.
Most of the brethren are poor, and the natives have but little on which to pay; but a faithful tithe on the part of all would nearly, if not quite, support the mission. The report showed that Tahiti and Pitcairn Islands paid in tithe about one hundred and twenty-six pounds, while the little church of twenty-three on Rarotonga paid thirty-three pounds. The Sabbath-school offerings were also good.
Sister Cady and Sister Jones, Sabbath-school secretaries of the Tahitian and Rarotongan Missions, made deeply interesting reports of the increased interest in their fields. The former translates the Sabbath-school lessons, and makes mimeograph copies for the churches and isolated members. The proposed monthly paper for the Cook Islands will contain the Sabbath-school lessons.
Sister Anna Nelson reported for the Mission Training Home at Raiatea, and Sister Evelyn Gooding told of her church-school at Rarotonga. Speaking of the interest in missions, Miss Gooding said: “The good missionary spirit was manifested in the Rarotongan church by the brethren and children when, at the close of the week of prayer, the sum of five pounds eight shillings was passed in for the work among the heathen. The children, instead of asking their parents for money, went to work and earned it, and so were able to give sixpences and shillings, while the parents gave pennies.” Remember that sixty years ago the grandparents of these children were all heathen. (On my return to New Zealand I stopped one day at Rarotonga, and had the pleasure of seeing the new church which had just been dedicated, also the new church-school building. The church is twenty by forty feet, built of stone and lime, neat in appearance, and a credit to the cause.)
Brother Paul Dean, our native minister reported his work among the natives, and Brother Roth told of the work for the French.
In order to give our people in this mission field a deeper interest in our missions in heathen lands, it was voted to set apart the fourth Sabbath as missionary day, using the readings sent out, and making donations.
During the larger part of the conference, Bible lessons on the gift of prophecy were given by the writer. A deep interest was manifested in these studies. Light, clear and abundant, shone into the hearts of the people.
The following-named persons were elected as officers of the Eastern Polynesian Mission: Chairman, B. J. Cady; Secretary, Mrs. Cady; Executive Committee, B. J. Cady, G. F. Jones, G. T. Beckner.
After the close of the meetings a few changes were made in the working force. As there were serious difficulties in the way of Brother Teasdale's going to East India, it was arranged for Pastor Jones to go to Singapore, while Brother and Sister Piper will take his place in Rarotonga, their health being fully restored.
Brother S. Roth, of Tahiti, will return to America, and connect with the health food work in California.
The conference recommended that B. J. Cady and G. F. Jones receive credentials, and Paul Dean ministerial license, from the union conference.
At the close of our excellent meeting, a praise service was held. Every one present told of the precious blessings received, and of a determination to do more to disseminate the light during the coming year. One of the laborers said he had attended important and excellent meetings in other countries, but had never before been blessed so much as at this one. It was good to be there.
But the crowning blessing came on the last Sabbath before I took the steamer for home. At that time Brother Cady baptized five of the students of the training home. One of these was a descendant of a missionary associated with John Williams eighty years ago. Two were children of a white man who attended our first meeting in Raiatea, in 1891; one was a girl from Rurutu, and one a boy from Sister Gooding's school.
This is the result of the work done by our faithful teachers. The Holy Spirit brooded over the scene as these dear youth and children took upon them the baptismal vows. Cheered and greatly encouraged, I took the steamer the next morning for home.
Missions and Hard Hearts
“God is not short of money for missions; neither are the bulk of Christians short of money. Hard hearts, rather than hard times, cause the trouble.”
Christ Also Waits
“The restless millions wait
The light whose dawning
Maketh all things new.
Christ also waits,
But men are slow and late.
Have we done what we could?
Have I? Have you?”
Mission Notes
NEARLY a million copies of the Scriptures are sold in China every year.
DURING the late Boer War copies of the Scriptures in fourteen different languages were given in one Boer hospital.
THE Russian government has given free passages over the Trans-Siberian railway to the agents of the Bible Society.
THE Bible depot in Madrid was once the home of an Inquisitor general, with its secret staircase and private passages, one leading to the old dungeon of the Inquisition, another to the Tribunal.
A FRIEND of the American Bible Society has offered it a contribution of five thousand dollars, provided nineteen others can be found before April 1 to give an equal amount. Another friend offers to be one of fifty to give one thousand dollars each; the offer to be open until July 1.
A MISSIONARY writes from Madagascar: “My conviction deepens that the kingdom of Christ has made wonderful progress in Madagascar, and that at the present time there is very much to encourage both the workers here and the Christians at home, notwithstanding clouds which are in the sky, and the presence of some things which cause anxiety in relation to the future of our missions.”
THE son of a Mohammedan Afghan robber chief has left his father’s castle, crossed the frontier, and made public profession of faith in Jesus Christ at the C. M. S. mission in the bigoted Mohammedan city of Peshawar. He has done this at the imminent risk of being shot by his angry father, and he is himself still little more than a half-tamed savage, liable to lose control of himself when anything stirs his wrath. Yet there he is to-day, trying hard to be humble, gentle, and Christlike. He is, therefore, within reach of the prayers of all Christians.
THERE are eight hundred millions of heathen in the world. This does not convey very much to our minds, does it? But let us try to understand a little what these figures mean. Suppose only one million of people were to walk past you in single file at the rate of one a second, and suppose they went on day and night without a pause, eleven and a half days would have elapsed before the last one passed by; and if all could pass by, twenty-five years would have come and gone ere the long, long line came to an end. And these millions of people are passing on into eternity, thousands every day, without ever having heard of a Saviour’s love, because no one has ever told them.—Selected.
England
[The following encouraging view of the work in the North England Conference is taken from a personal letter written by Elder E. E. Andross, the president of the conference.—Ed.]
I AM truly thankful that God is so marvelously leading this people, and I wish always to be in that place where I can hear his voice and follow closely in his footsteps.
I must tell you something of how the dear Lord is working for us. Elder Haughey has been working in Manchester for some time, and Sister Cousins has been assisting in the Bible work. They are finishing a portable tabernacle this week, and I think will have it all paid for. For some weeks they have had accessions to their numbers every week. Last Sabbath a prominent solicitor in Manchester kept his first Sabbath. He speaks eight or ten languages.
In Liverpool, Brother and Sister Parsons have been greatly blessed in their labors the last few weeks. Several have taken their stand for the truth, and the church is getting on splendidly. They have the money raised for a new portable tabernacle, and will begin building in two or three weeks. In Leeds they are raising money for another.
January 8 Elder McCord and I began a fortnight's mission at Nottingham. The Lord blessed our efforts, an interest was awakened, and three took their stand for the truth. Elder McCord is following up the work there. January 22 I began another fortnight's mission in Derby. Brother Marchus (a licentiate) has been working there a short time. At the close of the mission last Monday evening, I baptized thirteen adults. Several others will be baptized in about a month, when we expect to organize a church. Fully twelve took their stand for the truth in the fortnight. Several of these never heard of the truth before they came to our mission. We presented the Sabbath truth the second Sunday, and followed up the interest during the week. I never before saw the Lord work as he did for us. Some excellent people came out boldly for the truth. Others are still halting, who we hope will soon declare in favor of it. I baptized six in Nottingham, and organized a church of eighteen members.
We have certainly come to the time when the Lord will do quick work through us if we will co-operate with him fully. Many places where a good interest exists in the truth are now urgently calling for us to come and hold a mission.
The Lord was present at Derby to heal the sick; one marvelous case is that of a brother's being healed of a severe case of rupture of long standing. He told the Lord that he had promised to heal the diseases of his commandment-keeping people, and in two days he was entirely well.
But I must close. My heart is overflowing with joy at what God is doing for us. Satan is working harder than ever, and we are having difficulties to meet, but I will not speak of them. The truth is onward, praise the Lord. We are nearing the end of the journey. We are rejoicing at the way the Lord is working in Washington.
Burma
By Mg. Maung
RANGOON.—Brethren and sisters, the time of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is very near. We should be like the wise virgins, who took oil in their vessels with their lamps. “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
During last month a great number of Christians (Burmans and Karens) from all parts of Burma assembled at Rangoon on account of the yearly Baptist convention. This meeting was held three days, and there were nearly three thousand souls present.
We left our house at 6:30 P. M., to preach present truth among the Burmese Christians. We began preaching at 8 P. M., and continued till 2 A. M. The subjects touched upon were Man Is Mortal, Breath of Life, Soul, Unconscious State of the Dead, Rich Man and Lazarus, Kingdom of Heaven, Sabbath of the Lord, and The False Sabbath.
Many were much interested in the truths spoken by us, and showed great desire to hear them the whole night. Some said these were new truths to them, and expressed astonishment to hear them preached, as they had never heard of such doctrines in their churches. Some of them said they had no desire to go after the tradition of man, but that the Bible alone should be taken as the statute Book of God to show the pathway to everlasting life. One aged man said, “I am old now, and can not live much longer. I shall certainly be in danger if I hold to the errors taught in the Christian church. I must obey the commandments of God.”
We can see how the Lord our Saviour by his Holy Spirit is opening the hearts of those who desire to know the truth.
Mg. MAUNG.
Canada
By W. H. Thurston
The Lord's Day Alliance arranged for the Rev. Dr. Gamble, of Kansas, to come to Canada to labor for a time in the interest of better Sabbath observance; and he is now here, traveling from place to place, delivering his lectures. He came to Ottawa, where I am located, and spoke four times Sunday, February 12, and it was my privilege to hear him. He tried to give a brief history of Seventh-day Adventists and their work, and said things both good and bad about them. He said the Adventists numbered only twelve thousand five hundred male adults, but as a result of their work three million men have lost their day of rest; and if the Adventists were allowed to work on Sunday, other people would claim the same right. He claimed that the Adventists were enemies to the Sabbath, and that they were scattering literature everywhere, which was having an influence and was unsettling the minds of the people regarding the Sabbath. He referred to the National Reform Association and its work, and the efforts that had been made for better Sabbath observance; but, he said, “When we came up to Washington with seven million petitions, and presented a bill to Congress to secure to the people the enjoyment of the Lord's day as a day of rest, every one of our specialists on Sabbath observance was turned down by Alonzo T. Jones, the Adventists' representative.”
At another meeting the doctor went over the ground again, and said that the Adventists came before the committee at Washington with their strong arguments, and defeated the bill. Using his own words, he said: “We were completely whipped by the Adventists, and there is no use denying it, for it is the truth.” He tried to impress the people here with the importance of watching the Adventists in their work, and of securing a Sunday law as soon as possible, and then seeing that the law was obeyed.
Dr. Gamble did not meet the highest expectations of the people in Ottawa, and I think he will not fill the bill in Canada. His arguments were rather confusing to the laity who heard him, and not clear to the ministers, I understand.
The Ottawa papers gave a report of the doctor's meetings, and I replied to him through the papers, correcting some statements which he made, and presenting in a brief manner what Seventh-day Adventists do believe respecting the Sabbath, their attitude toward civil government and the object of the government. The editor of one of the papers gave us a very favorable notice, and among other things stated that our work16was being revived in Ottawa, and that we were increasing in strength and numbers.
Failing to get a reprint of the Washington Open Letter, “An Appeal to Clergy,” in the papers, I placed the tract in the hands of the clergy in Ottawa, thirty in number, and am distributing literature in the city. As a result of all this, the Sabbath question is being agitated quite generally in Ottawa.
The bill presented to the Dominion Parliament last spring asking for a Dominion Sunday law, was referred to the supreme court for decision; and the supreme court, in session February 27, handed down its judgment in reference to the matter, confirming the decision of the judicial committee of the privy council that the province has no power to enact laws for the regulation of Sunday labor. But this judgment of the supreme court has no bearing upon the Dominion's right in the matter.
It is expected, says The Evening Citizen (an Ottawa daily paper), that in view of the judgment already referred to, the Lord's Day Alliance will now renew its application to the Dominion Parliament for a bill embodying its suggestions as to the limitation of Sabbath work.
In all probability this will be done, and that right early. It is my opinion that before this present session of parliament closes, the question will be considered, but I think Parliament is not quite ready to demand that all the people of the Dominion of Canada shall cease from labor on the first day of the week. We trust that our people in Canada will act wisely in their God-given work, and improve every opportunity for maintaining religious freedom.
W. H. Thurston.
_North Michigan_
By S. E. Wight
DURING the past few weeks I have visited several churches. I find the people much encouraged at the prospect of soon finishing the work. The success of the laborers in foreign fields, as well as in the home field, has gladdened many hearts.
Personally, I have been encouraged to see people accept the truth through the efforts of the churches. What a mighty influence Seventh-day Adventists would wield if every believer would sell books, give away papers and tracts, and do personal missionary work.
The brethren at Menominee expected Elder Allen Moon to speak, February 5, at the dedication of their church, but, being disappointed, the writer occupied the desk. Elders M. W. Lewis, E. R. Williams, O. F. Campbell, and Geo. G. Johnson were present, and took part in the program, which was satisfactorily rendered, and was very impressive. This meeting was one long to be remembered by those present. The building cost about twenty-five hundred dollars. It is well built, nicely arranged, and very neat in appearance. The Lord has helped Elder Lewis wonderfully in securing means from the citizens of the city.
