General Conference Bulletin, vol. 7
THIRTY-FIRST MEETING
W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, C. C. Crisler, T. E. Bowen, H. E. Rogers, J. N. Anderson
June 4, 2:30 P. M.
L. R. CONRADI in the chair. GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.19
W. J. Fitzgerald offered prayer. GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.20
L. R. Conradi: Are there any reports from standing committees? GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.21
Final Report of the Nominating Committee GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.22
W. J. Fitzgerald: The nominating committee, would submit the following further and final report:— GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.23
PHOTO-Factory, Waterloo school, West Africa.
Assistant treasurer, to be appointed by the executive committee; auditor, J. J. Ireland; secretary of Sabbath School Department, Mrs. L. Flora Plummer; for additional members of the executive committee, W. W. Prescott, Frederick Griggs, L. H. Christian; president of the Asiatic Division Mission, R. C. Porter; other officers of the Asiatic Division Mission, to be appointed by the General Conference Executive Committee. GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.24
On motion, the report was adopted. GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.25
L. R. Conradi: Now we have a report from the West African Mission field. Brother Babcock will please read this report. GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.26
D. C. Babcock (reading):— GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.27
WEST AFRICAN MISSION
The brethren and sisters in West Africa send greetings to the delegates assembled in conference at Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.28
We are very thankful to our Heavenly Father for the prosperity of the work the past four years in this field. Two earnest workers have been laid away to rest since the last General Conference, to await the coming of the Life-giver. Sister French passed away Jan. 18, 1911, and Brother C. E. F. Thompson in March, 1912. This has been a great loss to the work in West Africa. During the past four years we have lost by death twelve members at Waterloo and Freetown. GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.29
Shortly after my return from the General Conference in 1909, I spent some time at Axim and Kickam, on the Gold Coast, and organized two churches, one of thirty-two members and the other of seventeen. The work in this part of the field was quite prosperous for some time, and several openings for new stations sprang up before us. Brother Thompson opened the work at Axim, but on account of failing health was compelled to return to Sierra Leone. While there are a few at Axim who have proved faithful, several have moved away, and others have departed from the faith. GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.30
The church at Kickam has continued to grow, and in January, 1913, I baptized twenty-five. The church now numbers about seventy. They have a good school, and the prospects for a good work are bright under the efforts of Brother Garbrah. GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.31
In February, 1910, Brother W. H. Lewis and family arrived in Sierra Leone. This added strength to our little band of workers, and brought courage to the weary. GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.32
Early in March, 1910, Mrs. Babcock and myself, with two native workers, opened the work at Sherbro, one hundred twenty miles down the coast from Freetown. We had a good interest, and seventeen accepted the third angel’s message there. Owing to the death of Sister French, and the return of Brother French to America on furlough, it became necessary to withdraw our workers from Sherbro, and, as a result, the effort there has been lost. GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.33
In the month of December, 1909, a miles from Freetown, and Professor French opened a training-school to prepare workers for the field. During 1910 this school was very successful, and two or three of the students are now actively engaged in the work. GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.34
Shortly after Brother Lewis arrived in the field, he opened a small wagon shop in Freetown, and trained a few young men in that line of work, at the same time giving them the advantage of literary training. GCB June 5, 1913, page 277.35
In the month of December, 1910, Brother French went to the Gold Coast and Brother Lewis moved to Waterloo and took the general oversight of the school, with native teachers. The wagon factory was transferred to Waterloo, and run in connection with the school. The Mission Board made an appropriation out of the $3000,000 Fund for improvements at Waterloo to the amount of $1,500. A home was built out of this fund for Brother Lewis. There was also provision made for the better equipment of the wagon factory, to the amount of $542.65. Out of this fund, the piping of water to the school and home at Waterloo was accomplished, and sufficient pipes were laid to provide water at the building on the school farm. A new building for the better accommodation of the students at Waterloo, 30 x 50 feet, and two stories high, has been provided; also a building for the factory work, 25 x 50 feet. All of these buildings were erected in 1911. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.1
PHOTO-First tent-meeting in Panama.
Brother and Sister Bolton arrived in Sierra Leone in the month of April, 1911, and at once entered into the school work at Waterloo. Failing health caused their early departure from the field. Their report of the school work in 1911 made a good showing for the short effort they made in the school. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.2
Shortly after my return from the General Conference Committee meeting in Friedensau, Germany, in 1911, I began to lay plans for the work in the hinterland, among the strictly heathen population in Sierra Leone. I spent a part of the time from September, 1911, to January, 1912, among the Timne and Mendie tribes, and found openings for our work everywhere I traveled. By February, 1912, plans had been perfected so we could open one new station among the Temnes, with Brother R. P. Dauphin in charge. This station is located at Matotoka, about one hundred fifty miles from Freetown. We have a good native mission home and a school. Six or seven adults have accepted the message, given up their Krefie, and show an interest in the soon-coming Saviour. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.3
We also have another school, about thirteen miles from Matotoka, among the Temnes, and I have received an encouraging report from the teacher of this school since my arrival in Washington. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.4
At Gbamgbama, in the Mende country, one hundred miles from Freetown, we have an encouraging mission station among that people. Brother I. W. Harding has charge of the mission there. We have two good mission houses at this station for our workers. Success has attended the efforts put forth by those at this station, and eight or nine adults have confessed faith in the message. Our new mission stations in the interior of Sierra Leone have added very much to the courage of our people in that field. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.5
The opening of treatment-rooms in Freetown, and the Canary Rest Home, has been a source of great relief to our workers in West Africa. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.6
Brother Aldrich has taken hold of the work in the Grand Canaries nobly, and, aside from providing a home and treatment-rooms for tired workers from West Africa, he is selling our books and magazines and holding Bible readings as the way opens. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.7
Brother E. W. Myers and wife, who arrived in Sierra Leone early in 1912, and who have charge of the treatment-rooms in Freetown, are doing a good work, not only for our workers, but also for the public. We appreciate very much the kindness of our dear people in the home land in providing means for the opening of homes for the care of our sick. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.8
Brother T. M. French and wife returned to Sierra Leone in the early part of 1912 and took charge of the Waterloo Training-school. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.9
Several of our church-members have returned to their homes in the West Indies, and some have departed from the faith. One hundred fifty of those that have been baptized into the truth yet remain faithful. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.10
D. C. BABCOCK, Superintendent.
L. R. Conradi: After hearing this good report from West Africa, we shall proceed to hear from Brother Bender, president of the West Indian Union Conference. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.11
U. Bender (reading):— GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.12
THE WEST INDIAN UNION CONFERENCE
“And the isles shall wait for his law.” Isaiah 42:4. From the time the message of the fourteenth chapter of Revelation began to be proclaimed, the islands and republics in and bordering on the Caribbean Sea, waited for the law of God until 1880, when Elder Loughborough sent out by a sailing vessel from Southhampton, England, some books and tracts, which were landed at Cape Haitien, Haiti. Later other tracts and papers were sent out to British Guiana and Barbados. A few years later Jamaica received the message in the same way. Now, for more than twenty years, the word of present truth has been proclaimed by the living preacher. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.13
At the time of our last General Conference session the work had been extended into most of the colonial and national divisions comprising the union. During the four years just ended, the message has entered Venezuela, Nicaragua, and the French colony of Guadalupe. During the same period of time our work has been more firmly established in Guatemala. What is known as the English school, in Guatemala City, has now five English and five Spanish teachers. Last month Elder J. B. Stuyvesant and family were sent there from San Jose, Costa Rica, to carry on evangelistic work. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.14
Salvador remains unentered, but not long will its territory remain uninvaded. Our faithful canvassers will be our vanguard, and, armed with our literature, will overrun and conquer the enemies’ land. No force has ever been able to withstand our valiant soldiers armed with such weapons, and both papal and heathen darkness will be pierced with the rays of the light of this message. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.15
The message may meet difficulties, but its progress cannot be stopped. From Haiti, that land of voodo and papal superstition, with its 1,500,000 souls, comes the following: “Under the late presidential rule everything seemed to point to an era of peace and prosperity. Since the president was poisoned, a few weeks ago, troublous times have come indeed. No one knows from day to day whether the next may not find him in the army or in prison. Several of our brethren were put in prison the other day without knowing what they were charged with. One who is familiar with Haitian prisons and methods of discipline must be greatly concerned for their safety. Amid all this turmoil and strife, seventy-five have been baptized in this mission since the beginning of November, 1912, and more than twenty-five others will be baptized as soon as they can be visited. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.16
From Cuba come the reports of literature sales that exceed our greatest expectations. During the past year, Porto Rico has met all expense of mission operation from the profits on sales of literature. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.17
Two years ago the 200 Sabbath-school members in Central America gave 1,000 sols ($400, gold) to missions. Encouraged by this, they set their mark for 1912 at 1,500 sols. At the time of their annual meeting, March, 1913, the report showed that they had raised over 1,600 sols. For this present year their aim is 2,000 sols for missions. Some one asked if they would not allow the overflow of 1912 to apply on the 2,000 sols for 1913. “No, no!” came the emphatic response from the congregation. Some one sacrificed that they might share the grace of this truth, and now they in turn sacrifice for others. GCB June 5, 1913, page 278.18
Because I mention Haiti and Central America particularly, does not indicate that the Lord has been more gracious there than elsewhere. In Jamaica and the Canal Zone region, in all the colonies and republics in our union, the Lord has been with and blessed the work in all its phases. GCB June 5, 1913, page 279.1
PHOTO-Bridgetown, Barbados.
The awful fire in Colon, March 23, 1911, destroyed our well-equipped printing-plant, where were printed the West Indian Watchman, English, and the El Centinela, Spanish, both monthly magazines. We discontinued our Spanish paper, and removed what was left of our office to Riversdale, Jamaica, at which place we continue the publication of the English paper. GCB June 5, 1913, page 279.2
It having been thought best to close our Riversdale school, we sold all but twenty-three acres of our farm. At present we have in Oakwood School, at Huntsville, Ala., twelve students from the West Indian field. In ten schools in local parts of the field, we have at the present time about 350 pupils. GCB June 5, 1913, page 279.3
In all our field, progress has been made in bringing people into the truth. Our numbers have grown until 4,700 believers in the message send greetings in the Lord, and pray that God’s blessing may be upon this Conference. GCB June 5, 1913, page 279.4
Our comrade, Elder O. E. Davis, has fallen in the battle. Endeavoring to carry the truth to the Indian tribes up along the Brazilian frontier, a six weeks’ journey up from Georgetown, British Guiana, he contracted black-water fever, and died about the end of June, 1911. Defeated in his purpose by the hand of death, he lies bound in Satan’s prison house. He who never forgets one labor of love has marked that spot. He who has the keys of death and hell is coming soon to set our brother free. Now is the time of weeping; then will be everlasting joy. GCB June 5, 1913, page 279.5
“Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.” GCB June 5, 1913, page 279.6
Our statistics are published from year to year. We ask for your sympathy and prayers as you may have time to consider our field amid the world’s great need. GCB June 5, 1913, page 279.7
U. BENDER, President.
L. R. Conradi: We shall next call for Professor Caviness to give the report of the Mexican Mission. GCB June 5, 1913, page 279.8
G. W. Caviness (reading):— GCB June 5, 1913, page 279.9
MEXICO
Our nearest neighbor on the south is called a republic, but has never been a real republic; for, from the time it gained independence from Spain until 1867, when Juarez became president, not one president served his full time, but was put out of office by a revolution. From about 1876 until 1910 Mexico was governed by a so-called president, during whose term of office the country enjoyed peace, and made much material advancement. Since 1910 it has entered upon another epoch of revolutions, the end of which we cannot foresee. GCB June 5, 1913, page 279.10
Mexico covers a large extent of territory, it being almost two thousand miles from the northern to the southern boundary. Its width varies from 1,500 miles at the north to 140 miles at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, in the south. It contains 766,000 square miles. There are 27 states and 3 territories, besides the federal district. GCB June 5, 1913, page 279.11
PHOTO-Missionary journeying round the Bay Islands and Honduras coast, Central America.
On either coast there is a narrow strip of lowland, and being in the tropics, the temperature is high here, especially in the summer. But at a short distance from the coast, the land rises very abruptly a few thousand feet, forming table-lands. Still higher are more table-lands and valleys and high mountain peaks, many of which are covered with snow the entire year. The highest of these is over eighteen thousand feet above sea-level. In the high regions the climate is mild and delightful, being a sort of eternal spring. Nearly all the large cities are here, and the greater part of the inhabitants live on these table-lands. GCB June 5, 1913, page 279.12
The population of Mexico is about fifteen million, of which something over ten million can neither read nor write. In round numbers, about forty per cent are partly civilized Indians; forty per cent constitute the Mexicans proper, who are a mixture of Spanish and Indian; and about twenty per cent are white. GCB June 5, 1913, page 279.13
The control of the Roman Catholic Church was practically complete from the time of the Spanish conquest until very recently. Religious liberty was unknown until granted in the constitution of 1857, and it did not become a reality until some ten years later. GCB June 5, 1913, page 279.14
The earliest Protestant missionaries came into Mexico about 1870. Now most of the leading denominations have work established in the country, though they have not as yet made great advancement. Perhaps something like one hundred thousand would cover the number of adherents of all denominations combined. GCB June 5, 1913, page 279.15
Our work began with the establishment of the medical missionary work in Guadalajara in 1893. The first medical missionaries met with wonderful success, and it was thought advisable to build a sanitarium. But this did not succeed so well, and later passed out of our control. There are still some treatment-rooms in Guadalajara, the gift of Dr. W. S. Swayze to the mission in that city. GCB June 5, 1913, page 280.1
In 1900 work was opened in Mexico City. A little printing outfit was purchased, and the paper that had been published in Guadalajara for a few years was brought to Mexico City. The printing plant has grown till we now have a well-equipped office. We print three papers, and the Sabbath-school lessons for the entire Spanish field besides tracts, and pamphlets. GCB June 5, 1913, page 280.2
PHOTO-Mount Popocatepetl, Mexico.
The dissemination of literature throughout the republic has created an interest in various places. Indeed, in quite a number of places a few Sabbath-keepers were raised up by means of literature alone. The work has extended until now there are some eighteen or twenty small companies and churches scattered throughout the country. The Sabbath-keepers number about three hundred. The work is advancing, in spite of the fact that during the past few years the country has been torn by revolutions, and that we have so few laborers. During the past year eighty-five have been baptized, and others are now awaiting baptism. In every company but two or three, some were baptized and added to the church. The interest is growing. We must have three of four ministers to locate in places where a good beginning has been made, in order to hold what we already have, and to press the work in the regions adjoining. GCB June 5, 1913, page 280.3
Mexico has its peculiarities and difficulties. In the first place, it is necessary to learn the language, and this cannot be done so as to use it well in public without two or three years’ study and practice. Also, the customs of the people are such that one has to learn how to work with and for them. Perhaps the best preparation is to pass two or three years in the canvassing work. Much has been lost because many who have come to the field have stayed but a short time. If one does not intend to remain, he had better not come. GCB June 5, 1913, page 280.4
We have found that the canvassing work can be made a success. It would seem that Mexico was about the worst possible field for book and paper work; first, because more than two thirds of the people are illiterate; second, the Church of Rome still has such a powerful influence that it can and does prevent many of the people from reading anything that does not bear its approval; in the third place, the wages of the people are very low, and they do not have much money with which to buy literature. In spite of all these hindrances, Mexico has been proved to be a good field for the canvasser. Since the paper was first published, one or two canvassers have been continuously in the field taking subscriptions and selling papers. Brother Schulz has been longest at this work, and no one has been more faithful. He has gone to almost all parts of the republic, scattering literature, especially among the poorer classes. In almost all places where we now have companies, we find the results of the faithful work of this brother. GCB June 5, 1913, page 280.5
About five years ago it was thought best to see what could be done in the sale of books. Four young men came from California. We held an institute for two weeks, and they studied a canvass in Spanish, and soon started out to see what they could do. They only knew a few words and phrases in Spanish, but it was wonderful how they succeeded. It was soon evident that books could be sold in Mexico. Other canvassers came, were trained for the work, and then were called to other fields. Without exception, those who have entered the canvassing work in Mexico have done well, in spite of the difficulties of the country and the lack of knowledge of the language. In the year 1911 there were more canvassers in the field than at any other time, something like ten or twelve altogether, but not all of them worked all the time. Perhaps it is fair to estimate that the work done amounted to full time for six or eight, and more than thirty thousand pesos worth of books were sold. We began with health literature, thinking that perhaps religious literature would not sell. But parts of the country that were first canvassed for health literature have since been canvassed for religious literature with equally good success. GCB June 5, 1913, page 280.6
There should be a good evangelical worker in almost every state, one who also has an interest in the canvassing work, and there should be a good canvasser associated with him. The two would be able to train Mexican workers to assist in the dissemination of the truth in the regions around. GCB June 5, 1913, page 280.7
We need strong leadership. For the present at least leaders must be imported. GCB June 5, 1913, page 280.8
Our Needs
In order to meet the present demands, there is need of a church building in Mexico City. Our Mexican brethren have become interested, and have suggested that we take up a collection for this purpose. So we are now dedicating the fourth-Sabbath collection to a fund for the erection of a church building in Mexico City. The city proper has a population of nearly one-half million, and with the suburban villages in the federal district, all connected by electric-car lines, it is more than three-fourths of a million. In the republic of Mexico, much more than in many other parts of the world, the capital city is an important place. We should have a building there that would properly represent our work to the whole nation. If we had a good church building, it would soon be known throughout the whole republic, and would help to preach the message. Property is expensive, and a suitable building would doubtless cost ten thousand dollars or twelve thousand dollars. In San Luis Potosi we also need a church and school building. This could probably be erected at about one half this cost. Monterey also needs a building which would cost about the same or a little less. Our Mexican brethren will help some on these enterprises, but we cannot count on them for more than ten or fifteen per cent of the necessary cost. In Mexico permanent buildings give an air of stability to the work, and have a very great influence on the people. GCB June 5, 1913, page 281.1
Schools
We should have church-schools in Mexico City, Monterey, and San Luis Potosi, and in other large cities, as the work grows. There should be provision made for the training of a few of the young people for workers. This can be best done in Mexico City. In order to succeed, we must enlist some of the people of the country. It will be necessary to associate them with our mission workers, as well as instruct them. A native alone would not do much, but he can be great help to a foreign worker; indeed, the work of the missionary can sometimes be doubled or even trebled by having a native associated with him. The native can bring the people in, and can also introduce the worker into places which he would scarcely be able to enter without such assistance. It will also have a beneficial effect on the people so know that some of their own number are engaged in the work; it will have a tendency to bind them more closely to the message. GCB June 5, 1913, page 281.2
PHOTO-Mexican worker on tour.
To sum up our present needs: In order to hold what we have, and to press forward in places where the work is a now established, we need (1) about six good canvassers; (2) a good physician with a few nurses; (3) treatment-rooms in Mexico City, and a rest home near by; (4) a church and school building in Mexico City, another in San Luis Potosi and still another in Monterey; and (5) four evangelical workers. GCB June 5, 1913, page 281.3
We should like to have these workers come for life, or till the end of the work. Mexico has suffered much from transients. It is impossible for one to do much here until he has learned the customs and language of the people; and when he has done this, he should not leave. The country has been, and is torn by revolutions. Nevertheless, our work is moving forward; and as we so oft have heard, what has not been done under favorable circumstances must be done under difficult ones. There may even be danger to life; but the early Christians did not hesitate to go where duty called, however great their personal danger. GCB June 5, 1913, page 281.4
PHOTO-Believers and church and school building, Visnaga, Mexico.
According to the message we preach, the whole world will soon be a scene of strife and commotion. One will be about as safe in one place as in another; but, even in the midst of danger, the Lord is able to preserve his servants. It will be necessary to give Gideon’s proclamation, and the closing work will surely call for as great devotion and valor as did the opening of the gospel, The injunction is to “endure hardness as good soldiers.” And the spirit that said, “Neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy,” will be needed just as much as in the former days. GCB June 5, 1913, page 281.5
The results of such work will be great; the recompense, sure. The time to receive the reward is but a little way off. May the Spirit of the Master who died to save honest souls in Mexico, raise up and equip the necessary laborers, that the work may be accomplished in a short time, and his glorious coming be no longer delayed. GCB June 5, 1913, page 281.6
G. W. CAVINESS, Director.
At the conclusion of the Mexican report, the Conference adjourned. GCB June 5, 1913, page 281.7
L. R. CONRADI, Chairman;
W. A. SPICER, Secretary.