General Conference Bulletin, vol. 7
Conference Proceedings. THIRTY-FOURTH MEETING
I. H. EVANS
June 6, 10 A.M.
I. H. EVANS in the chair. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.7
Geo. I. Butler offered prayer. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.8
I. H. Evans: The secretary will introduce business. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.9
The report on distribution of labor was considered (page 291 of the Bulletin). GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.10
Nos. 1 to 14 were read and question called. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.11
W. A. Spicer (on number 14): Brother Finster, of the Philippines, informs me that Brother Nutter, on further consideration, hardly wishes to give answer at once, on account of parents’ health or condition, I believe, so I suggest that this name be withdrawn, by common consent. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.12
Question was called on numbers 15 to 22. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.13
W. B. White: Number 22 hardly reads as it was passed by the committee. It was that E. Rosenwold, of the Greater New York Conference, go to northern Sweden as soon as his place could be supplied in Greater New York. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.14
It was agreed that this should be the understanding, and that transfers in any case should not be made abruptly without arrangement. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.15
I. H. Evans: Any further remarks? GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.16
C. W. Flaiz: Number 2, Carl Neumann and wife, of Walla Walla, to Brazil. Since this recommendation was passed in, an action was taken asking the head of the German Department in Walla Walla College to take work in the Oklahoma Conference. This will greatly cripple our school. I understand that there has been some consultation with reference to securing another party to take the place here suggested, and I would like to move that this name be referred back to the committee for further consideration.. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.17
I. H. Evans: Number 2 is referred. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.18
Question was called on each further item of the report. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.19
Wm. Steele: Number 38, R. C. Raft, to Porto Rico, should be G. B. Raff. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.20
I. H. Evans: Are we now ready to vote? All in favor of adopting the committee’s report as here amended say, “Aye.” [Adopted.] GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.21
W. A. Spicer: May I explain, in behalf of the mission board, that it is understood in passing upon all these foreign appointees that all actions are subject to medical counsel before going on to the fields. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.22
The report of the Committee on Plans (page 292), was considered. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.23
Question was called on resolution 42. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.24
Resolution 43 was read. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.25
C. W. Flaiz: Can we have an illustration of what is meant by “where impracticable”? GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.26
I. H. Evans: Any one volunteer an explanation of the words “where impracticable”? I would say our schools claim that in some of our institutions it is quite necessary to have an election twice a year. There is a sort of interim where there is no school, so they elect generally to cover the first and second periods of the school. They thought they could hardly carry that out in an annual election, that it would be better to allow a change of officers during the school year. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.27
J. E. Fulton: We think it quite impracticable throughout our whole union [Australasian] everywhere. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.28
I. H. Evans: Some in the West claim that they elect their officers twice a year. In the winter time there are many that cannot come, and in the summer many of the isolated schools unite and have an election twice a year. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.29
A. W. Anderson (Australia): I think it would be a mistake to alter our Sabbath-schools to one year. The very fact of having new officers once in six months gives life to the Sabbath-school. It is said that because we elect the church officers for one year, therefore we ought to elect the Sabbath-school officers for that period. I do not see that there is much of a comparison here. I believe that the Sabbath-school is a training-ground, and sometimes we get an officer in as superintendent who ought to be out, and we would have to bear with that man for twelve solid months. We believe that the six months’ period works very well, and we would be very sorry to see it changed. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.30
G. B. Thompson: This question of the change from six months to twelve months has not been introduced hurriedly, or without giving it some consideration. During the past year the department has correspond quite largely over the matter and the opinion of Sabbath-school secretaries and others, with one or two exceptions, has all been favorable to it, and it was introduced without this exception clause, believing that it would be better, everything considered, to have our officers elected once in twelve months, rather than every six months. We used to elect them every three months, and the change from three to six was thought by some to be not wise, but it has proved to be a good thing. I cannot believe that the frequent changes of the important officers in our Sabbath-school is for the best. Of course, if you have not an efficient man in office, the sooner a change is made the better—that would be true of church officers as well, and would apply to any office whatever of the church. It seems to me if this is passed, it ought to be made somewhat the same throughout all the fields where it will apply, but there are some exceptions, as in the schools, and perhaps in some fields. Now I do not know any field that has tried it and can speak from experience. We say it won’t work. How do we know? We have never tried it, and it is only a matter of opinion. We do know that there are some things connected with the frequent changes that are very detrimental to the development of an efficient Sabbath-school superintendent. You cannot train a man in six months. He goes out of office, and we have to put somebody else in. And in many schools, it does not seem to be for the best. If you think it is better as it is, all right, but conference presidents on this ground have spoken to us, and it has been brought in for the consideration of the delegates. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.31
J. W. Westphal: Not that I want especially to argue this question, but I cannot help but have some misgivings with reference to the plan. The comparison has been made here, and made elsewhere, between this and church officers. I want to call attention to the difference between the two; and because it applies in one it does not necessarily apply to the other. The Bible has given very plain instruction regarding elders and deacons in the church. They have been tried before. We are expected at least to know what we are putting in when we put in the elders of the church and lay our hands upon them. Now in the Sabbath-school, in the very nature of the case, we cannot always put in people who have been tried. We must have officers. We must have them immediately. We cannot have a leader of the Sabbath-school until we try whether he is going to fit into the place or not. We have to elect a full-fledged superintendent or none at all, and consequently it seems to me that there is a difference between the two. To my mind, that enters into the length of time for which they should be elected. GCB June 8, 1913, page 308.32
C. W. Flaiz: It seems to me that it is desirable that, just as far as possible, uniformity in the matter of carrying on our work should be observed. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to elect our Sabbath-school officers semi-annually, but the recommendation acknowledges in the exceptions that are made that there are companies in different places that will find it necessary to have an election every six months, and in other places the election will be annually if this passes. It seems to me it would be very much better to have a uniform system throughout; and, inasmuch as the exception recognizes the possibility that there are places where it cannot be carried out, it would be better to let the matter remain as it has been in the past, to elect our Sabbath-school officers every six months. And if it so transpires that there are persons elected to the offices who are not qualified, there is a chance to make a change. If it happens, on the other hand, that they are suitable for the work, they can be reelected without any break in the Sabbath-school work. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.1
W. F. Martin: It occurs to me that it is easier to reelect a good man for the six months than it would be to hold a bad man for a year if it is found he is not fit for the place. There is another reason. I think there is a sense in which the Sabbath-school is a training school, we might say, in a different sense from that of the church. When a superintendent is elected, he immediately chooses his teachers. Now, it may be there are teachers put in who, while they are good brethren and sisters, may not be good teachers. Now if the superintendent is elected for six months, the next term, if he is reelected, he will have the past six months to guide him in his selection of teachers. It seems to me that for these reasons it is better to have a Sabbath-school superintendent elected every six months. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.2
B. F. Kneeland: I believe there has been considerable question in the minds of our Sabbath-school workers with reference to the wisdom of making frequent changes. Now, I believe the Sabbath-school officers should be counted as church officers, to be elected at the same time. But we find that it has been rather difficult to bring this about among our churches because of the conditions, and the methods of electing them. If the Sabbath-school officers, are elected for the same time as all other church officers, the same committees will have the nomination of the officers, and this would make it possible for uniformity and cooperation to a greater extent than were they elected by separate committees. I I believe that the point raised by Elder Thompson is one that we ought to consider, that is, the time it takes to train Sabbath-school officers and make them effective workers. Frequent changes are not always conducive to best results, and I feel that uniformity in the election of our church officers, which includes those of the Sabbath-school, would be a good move, that is, that they be elected annually. I do not see why we should experiment any more with the Sabbath-school than with the church. It seems to me a superintendent of a Sabbath-school occupies just as important a position as any officer in the church. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.3
A. W. Anderson: I must take issue with the last speaker. I think there is a vast difference between the church and the Sabbath-school in the matter of being experimental ground. We must have some place to experiment. It has been pointed out already by one of the speakers that we are not to lay hands suddenly on any man. How are we going to find out the capabilities and test them? If a man proves his capacity for holding office in a Sabbath-school, it is a very simple matter to reelect him for the following six months. I believe we ought to maintain the Sabbath-school relationship to the church as experimental ground for choosing individuals. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.4
G. M. Brown: I wish to call your attention to one feature. I believe there is a difference in the work of a Sabbath-school in an old, established field and newer territory, where believers are few. My experience has been that in the first year of a company’s existence frequent changes in the Sabbath-school are more necessary than in the later years of its experience. I know some mission fields would consider it a hardship if they were obliged to choose a Sabbath-school superintendent for one year. Often we cannot even elect a man as an elder because we have none of sufficient experience. Therefore I am in favor of leaving the term at six months. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.5
The Conference voted to eliminate the resolution (43) from the report. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.6
Resolution 44 was read, and question called. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.7
Resolution 45 was read. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.8
H. H. Hall: A word of explanation may be in place as to what we mean by home workers’ books. The term has come to be applied to some subscription books, like “Steps to Christ,” “Glorious Appearing,” and that class. For some years efforts have been made to encourage our people in the home churches to organize for the circulation of this class of books, leaving to the regular canvasser the larger subscription books. This plan has not met with great success until two years ago, when a prospectus was formed in which, with loose-leaf arrangement, we have inserted the covers of each of this class of books, together with sixteen sample pages. These now include the foreign books as well as the English. In all there are sixteen of these small books incorporated in this prospectus. The results were immediate. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.9
In one of our union conferences, the North Pacific, seven thousand dollars’ worth of this class of literature was sold last year. In the Southern California Conference, one thousand dollars’ worth was sold by thirty of these home workers. This work has become rooted, and is going to stay. We are glad that such an idea as this can now be presented to you, and we believe that a great army of these home workers may be developed as the result of our people uniting in this organized work, to carry this message in this generation. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.10
The question was called. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.11
Resolutions 46 and 47 were read, and the question called. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.12
Action was then taken on the whole report, the same being adopted, save for the number (43) eliminated. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.13
I. H. Evans: We will now ask for the report of the committee on distribution of labor. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.14
A. W. Anderson: Before we go further, I would like to ask a question. On page 292, in the second column, it says the change was made by common consent, the change of the name of the North American Religious Liberty Department. I understood yesterday that it was common consent that the words be left in. As a matter of fact, the General Conference has no religious liberty department, because we canceled it two days ago by vote of this Conference; but the North American Division has a religious liberty department, I suppose the European Division will have, and the Australasian Union has such a department. Now, the General Conference is called upon to get out a book. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.15
By common consent it was agreed that the minutes should be corrected to read “North American Religious Liberty Department,” as the appropriate form in General Conference minutes. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.16
J. K. Humphrey: I also did not understand that it was the common consent of this delegation to remove the words “North American” from the Negro Department. The reason the words were put there was to keep it within the bounds of North America. I hope this delegation will not remove the words “North American” from that department, because we should not like to see the conditions which now prevail in this country spread to the West Indies, where these things do not exist. It was for that reason that the words were put in, that the Negro Department might remain within the bounds of North America. I move that the words “North American” be retained. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.17
Charles Thompson: I understand that in the matter of a Negro Department we are doing business for North America and North America only. Only the North American Division has such a department. I do not see any need of specifying all the departments North American any more than you would call Mr. Bryan “Secretary of State of the United States.” We are only doing business for North America, not for anywhere else in the world. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.18
B. G. Wilkinson: It seems to me that wherever we have a like department in the General Conference, then it would be well to say “North American,” but where we do not have it in the General Conference, there is no need of calling it “North American,” because that is understood. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.19
C. B. Haynes: The common consent was granted simply to change the wording of resolution 36, on page 277, which uses the expression “North American Negro.” The resolution reads: “36. That the following departments be maintained by the North American Division Conference: Publishing, Educational, Sabbath-school, Missionary Volunteer, Medical, Religious Liberty, Foreign, German, Danish - Norwegian, Swedish, and North American Negro; that it also maintain the Press Bureau.” The common consent was given to drop out the words in this resolution, not in the constitution. GCB June 8, 1913, page 309.20
E. R. Palmer: It is not clear to me why it should be necessary to include the words “North American” in the departments mentioned in the Constitution of the North American Division; for the fact that it is the North American Division limits all the departments mentioned in it to that territory. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.1
W. A. Spicer: I might say that the North American constitution also speaks of the German Department, the Swedish, the Danish-Norwegian; that does not mean over in Europe, but in the North American Division. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.2
I. H. Evans: It is the same thing throughout, Brother Humphrey. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.3
The Conference did not accept the motion to use the words “North American” in naming this department. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.4
I. H. Evans: We will call for a further report on distribution of labor. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.5
H. S. Shaw: This is our final report (reading):— GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.6
Distribution of Labor
The committee on distribution of labor recomment the following transfers of laborers:— GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.7
42. J. Van de Groep and wife, of South Australia, to the Malaysian Mission; for work in Java. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.8
43. E. R. Johnson, of South Dakota, to Mexico. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.9
44. H. E. Meyer and wife, of Kansas, to Mexico; Brother Meyer to take charge of the printing work. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.10
45. Miss Irma Lewis, of California, to Mexico. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.11
46. P. A. Webber and wife, of Iowa, to Japan. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.12
47. Fred Hutchinson and wife, of Tennessee, to the South Caribbean Conference; for office and school work. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.13
48. Roy E. Hay and wife, of Colorado, to the Philippine Islands. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.14
49. Walter Flaiz and wife, of Walla Walla College, to the Malaysian Mission; to engage in educational work. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.15
50. V. O. Punches and wife, of West Pennsylvania, to Japan. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.16
51. J. Wibbens and wife, of Holland, to the Malaysian Mission; for work in Sumatra. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.17
52. G. O. Reed, of the Swedish Seminary, to China. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.18
53. Miss Wilma L. Landis, of California, to China. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.19
54. James E. Shultz and wife, of Mt. Vernon College, to China. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.20
55. John Z. Hottel, of Mt. Vernon College, to China. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.21
56. Alfonso Anderson, of Union College, to Japan. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.22
57. Miss Matie O. Landis, of California, to Japan. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.23
58. B. H. Shaw, of West Kansas, to China. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.24
FOREIGN SEMINARY APPOINTEES
The following persons, now students in the Foreign Mission Seminary, are requested to respond to calls as follows:— GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.25
59. F. E. Stratton and wife, of Minnesota, to China. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.26
60. A. L. Ham and wife, of Western Washington, to China. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.27
61. O. J. Grundset, of Minnesota, to Manchuria. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.28
62. Miss Anna Sorenson, of the Danish-Norwegian Seminary, to Manchuria. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.29
63. H. J. Doolittle and wife, of West Pennsylvania, to China. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.30
64. Bernhard Peterson, of Nebraska, to Manchuria. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.31
65. Miss Bertha Erickson, of Northern Illinois, to Manchuria. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.32
66. M. C. Warren, of Pacific Union College, to China. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.33
67. Miss Lulu Darnell, of Texas, to the South American Union Conference; for Patagonia and the Falkland Islands. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.34
68. J. A. Bodle and wife, of Bolivia, to Guatemala; for work in the Guatemala English school. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.35
69. Henry Brown, of Southern California, to Cuba. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.36
70. W. E. Johnston, to the East Caribbean Mission; for the book work. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.37
71. A. L. Sheidler and wife, of South Dakota, to Venezuela; to engage in the book work. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.38
All other transfers of laborers are referred to the General Conference Committee. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.39
In considering one item of the report, remarks were made, as follows:— GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.40
E. C. Kellogg (president of Walla Walla College): I would like to have the name of Professor Flaiz, of Walla Walla College, considered further by the committee before it is acted upon. I would suggest that it be referred back. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.41
C. W. Flaiz being present, he was called upon to explain concerning this recommendation. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.42
C. W. Flaiz: He has been employed for the coming year in one of the departments in Walla Walla. However, there has been an action on record many years in the North Pacific Union that we would release to the foreign fields any worker that might be called for, and I suppose this would obtain in this particular case. That is why I was unable to offer any objection. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.43
I. H. Evans: This is Elder Flaiz’s son. Elder Detamore is superintendent of the Malaysian Mission, and is in desperate need of help to conduct a school for workers in Singapore. Brother Flaiz is a student; he has already mastered several languages, and it is believed that he could easily pick up that Malay language and conduct a good training-school. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.44
The question was called on this final report, the same being adopted. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.45
I. H. Evans: Is there any other committee prepared to report? The committee on plans? GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.46
Guy Dail (reading):— GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.47
Report on Plans
Whereas, The rapid progress of the advent message to all parts of the world is making very heavy demands upon us for well-qualified recruits for the foreign fields; and,— GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.48
Whereas, The executive committee of the General Conference, realizing the great necessity of special training for prospective missionaries, have set in operation the plan of placing volunteers for the mission field under provisional appointment and giving them a special training for their work in the Foreign Mission Seminary; and,— GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.49
Whereas, The wisdom of this plan has already been demonstrated; therefore,— GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.50
48. Resolved, That we approve of the plan now in operation, and suggest mutual counsel and the heartiest of cooperation between the General Conference committee and all our conference and school officers in selecting and training suitable missionaries for the foreign work; and, further,— GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.51
49. Resolved, That our mission superintendents, or others calling for workers in the regions beyond, endeavor as far as possible to anticipate their needs, and to make their regular calls in advance, and the General Conference committee plan to have candidates for mission fields in training, so that these demands upon it may be properly met. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.52
Whereas, Experience has demonstrated in the publishing and Sabbath-school and missionary volunteer work; as well as in some of our fields, that regular statistical reports can serve as a great help in creating a deeper interest in the cause of God; and,— GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.53
Whereas, Most of our fields already have regularly recognized official organs through which they have access to their constituents at least once a quarter; and,— GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.54
Whereas, The data for the annual reports of the statistical secretary of the General Conference could be much more easily obtained were there to be established a systematic method of conference reporting; we, therefore,— GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.55
50. Recommend, That the General Conference Committee be asked to prepare a report blank which might serve as a basis for reporting from each local, union, and division field the number of workers, churches, companies, isolated believers, total membership, and accessions thereto, with the church receipts in tithe and missionary offerings, and whatever departmental statistics may be thought desirable, such statistics to appear quarterly in the regular local, union, or division official organs; and that the annual summary be given in the yearly reports issued by the statistical secretary of the General Conference. GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.56
The committee appointed at the fall council of the General Conference Committee to give study to the general question of our schools and advanced colleges, as to the number that should be maintained and what schools should be reduced in their grades, made their report to a joint meeting of the General Conference Committee, North American Division Committee, and various standing committees of the General Conference, and, as a result of this counsel, have the following, to present:— GCB June 8, 1913, page 310.57
51. We recommend, That the Pacific Union College, Union College, and Emmanuel Missionary College conduct full college work; that the schools at Walla Walla, South Lancaster, Keene, and Graysville be recognized as training-schools doing fourteenth-grade work; that the Foreign Mission Seminary be recognized as a special training-school for the training of foreign missionaries, ministers, medical missionary nurses, and other workers; that it carry regular academic and college work of the grades 11-14, with the privilege of adding the fifteenth and sixteenth grades when the development of its work seems to warrant it, and when that is agreed upon by the executive committees of the General and North American Division Conferences; that the school at Mt. Vernon carry only twelve-grade work. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.1
52. We recommend, That the General Conference Executive Committee give earnest attention to carrying forward the relief work for our institutions by the sale of “Ministry of Healing” and “Christ’s Object Lessons.” GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.2
Whereas, The Harvest Ingathering campaigns, conducted in the interests of our missions during the closing months of each of the past four years, have been very successful, resulting- GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.3
(a) In the circulation each year of more than five hundred thousand copies of message-filled periodicals. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.4
(b) In organizing many thousands of our young people into an army of house to house missionary workers. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.5
(c) In paying all its campaign expenses. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.6
PHOTO-In the Bay Islands, Central America
(d) In raising from $30,000 to $40,000 a year for missions, thus substantially assisting in strengthening our general mission funds; therefore,- GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.7
53. Resolved, That the Ingathering campaign be thoroughly organized, and all our people, so far as possible, be enlisted in this good work. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.8
54. We recommend, That the General Conference Committee take into consideration the advisability of granting to loyal, soul-winning physicians and teachers engaged in the work of the denomination, medical missionary licenses and credentials and teachers’ licenses and credentials. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.9
In view of the need of a more satisfactory adjustment of the relations GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.10
between the organized work in various lines, and work not under conference direction,- GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.11
55. We recommend, That the General Conference Executive Committee and the North American Division executive committee, in joint session give careful study to this question, and take such action as will provide for the better development of all lines of work. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.12
The Conference took a recess for a short time to allow the North American Division to transact business. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.13
On resuming; field reports were called for. The time was so limited that it was agreed that brethren should read but a portion of their reports, or speak briefly, the full report being passed in for publication in the BULLETIN, as space should permit. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.14
WEST CARRIBEAN CONFERENCE
H. C. Goodrich (reading):- GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.15
The West Carribean Conference sends Christian greeting to the brethren and sisters assembled in the thirty-eighth session of the General Conference, praying that the spirit of holiness and brotherly love may pervade all your councils and abide with you. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.16
Our Heavenly Father has indeed been with us and added his blessing to the little effort we have made to advance the cause in our portion of his great vineyard. In his name we have put forth the effort. We have done what we could, and God in his tender love has given the increase. To his name shall be all the glory. His loving care has been a comfort to his people, and his saving grace has kept us in time of trial. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.17
Some of our members have been taken from us, but we hope to meet them in that land where there shall be no more death. Some have become discouraged and have fallen out by the way, but others have taken their places, and with good courage we still press forward to final victory. Some of our laborers have been called to other fields; but we trust other laborers will take their places, that the message may not be hindered. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.18
After the fire of March 23, 1911, which destroyed the office of the West Indian Watchman, in which were living rooms for the missionaries and a chapel for the Cristobal church, we were deprived of all these facilities. We immediately rented two rooms, each 12 x 14 feet, for $25 a month. One of these was used for conference office and book room, and the other was our home. We held our meetings in a little schoolroom 12 x 16 feet, kept by one of our brethren, but uncomfortably crowded. What to to do we did not know. We had our lot, but no money, and without a place of our own, it seemed as though we would be driven from the Canal Zone. The people were very kind, and urged us to start a subscription. This we did, and raised one thousand dollars. A man whose wife was a Sabbath-keeper loaned us one thousand dollars more at four per cent interest, and with this beginning we started the present building, which cost a little over two thousand nine hundred dollars. Here we have a nice chapel, two rooms for conference office, a room in which to lodge strangers, and three suites of very pleasant living rooms. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.19
The Lord has blessed our work abundantly, so that we now have four organized churches along the canal and two companies. Gorgona, where one of these companies is located, will soon be under the water of Gatun Lake. The other, Gatun, has a membership of twenty-one, six of whom are awaiting baptism. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.20
At Empire a new church has been built, and the number of believers largely increased. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.21
Incidents of Experience
I wish to relate a few of the many incidents that have been an encouragement to us in our work. One is of a young man who lost his left arm in an accident. We found a place for him in a rooming house as janitor, with the understanding that he should not do extra work on the Sabbath; but on the morning of the second Sabbath, his employer asked him to go over to the market. This he refused to do, and was discharged. He then asked for books to sell. He has become a successful canvasser. But that is not all. He improves every opportunity to tell his friends of the new-found truths he has learned to love. Ten or twelve converts have lately taken hold of the truth in Colon and Cristobal, the most of whom, when asked where they learned about the truth, say, “I learned it from Brother Lee.” This young man is faithful both in his work as a canvasser and also in his efforts to lead others to Christ. God is greatly blessing him, both spiritually and financially. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.22
In the department of Bocas del Toro, Panama, the United Fruit Company has large banana farms, with more than two hundred miles of railroad, and employs thousands of men. The Lord has blessed our work here, so that our people have found favor in their eyes; because, as some of the farm managers have told me, “The men after they become Seventh-day Adventists are better workmen than they were before.” On one farm a man who thought he had a mission, came to break up our work by denouncing our people, but the manager drove him off, and told him never to come back. Not only have they encouraged us to work among them, but the company has given us two buildings in which to hold meetings, and has given Elder Reid, our native minister, a house in which to live, free. Besides this, Brother Reid has a free pass for himself and wife and their folding organ over their railroad lines. The Lord has given us two organized churches, of fifty-five and thirty members, and three companies, besides interests in other places. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.23
Another incident shows the importance of our book work. When I was attending the Jamaica Conference, at one of the early morning meetings, a young man told how he had received the message. He had left his home and come to the Canal Zone seeking employment. One morning a canvasser met him and sold him a book that proved to him that he ought to keep the Seventh-day Sabbath. This he began to do in a short time, but lost his position, and had to return home. He now asks for baptism. Another young man in that same meeting told of a similar experience. Thus, while the churches of the West Indies lose some members, who come to find employment in the Canal Zone, others come, are converted to the truth, and return home to keep the Sabbath. GCB June 8, 1913, page 311.24
A few days ago we received a folded slip of paper, without an envelope, from far-away Russia. I do not know of any way by which the writer could have any knowledge of us in that far-away country unless it be that some one from that land bought a book or paper, and, being interested in its contents, sent it home to his friend, and this friend, longing for more light, wrote asking for our catalogue. I wrote him a good letter, and sent him the catalogue he asked for, besides a small supply of tracts. GCB June 8, 1913, page 312.1
Costa Rica
The Lord is greatly blessing the work in Costa Rica; a report from the Pacuarito church brings news of a great awakening among them. The leader says: “The Sabbath-school, which, at the close of the year was very dull and numbered only twenty-four, with donations of only $9 for the quarter, has increased to a membership of thirty-six for the first quarter of 1913, and the donations to $25, besides some donations for the Sabbath-school work in Korea.” GCB June 8, 1913, page 312.2
The reason for this remarkable change was the healing of a little boy who was severely afflicted with asthma. A brother and his wife went to visit this family, who were not Sabbath-keepers, and offered to pray for the little boy, but the parents doubted, and would not give their consent. The little boy said to his parents, “If you have faith, I know the Lord will heal me.” The parents then withdrew their objections. Prayer was offered, and the little fellow was healed. And now the parents are keeping the Sabbath and rejoicing in the truth. Is it not in this way that the Lord will work for his people in that day when he will finish his work in the earth, and cut it short in righteousness? GCB June 8, 1913, page 312.3
But we need help for Costa Rica. The only laborer we have there is one man who has had but little experience in the work. Elder Stuyvesant, who was located there, has lately been removed to Guatemala City. We have some excellent canvassers there, but our book work is suffering for need of a laborer who can look after the importing of books, be responsible for their distribution, and at the same time look after the evangelical work. Unless we can have such a man, the work in Costa Rica will greatly suffer. GCB June 8, 1913, page 312.4
Nicaragua
Nicaragua, too, is receiving the message-not among Spanish natives, nor among the West Indians, but among the Mosquito Indians, the real natives of the country. Among this people the work has opened up in a remarkable way. About two years ago, two young half-Indian men accepted the third angel’s message, and through their efforts a good company of Indians has been raised up at Pearl Lagoon. Five have been baptized, and five or six more are now awaiting baptism. GCB June 8, 1913, page 312.5
Years ago the Moravian missionaries settled among these Indians, and a great reformation has been wrought among them. As you pass along the Nicaraguan coast, every few miles you may see their white churches and schoolhouses. From a wild, superstitious, drunken people, many of them have become good, steady men. Thus the Lord has gone out before us in giving the message to this people, and we must hasten in our effort lest we miss this opportunity of giving the truth to them. GCB June 8, 1913, page 312.6
PHOTO-East Indian coolie huts, British Guiana
These are a few of the many things we might tell of how God is blessing his people in this little corner of the vineyard. These are a few clusters of grapes which precede the bountiful harvest which God has promised to his church. We have no discouraging word, no complaints to bring. The Lord has abundantly blessed his people, and therein do we rejoice. These are a few drops of the latter rain, which will soon fall in copious showers upon the church when it is prepared to receive them. GCB June 8, 1913, page 312.7
H. C. GOODRICH.
E. C. Boger (reading):- GCB June 8, 1913, page 312.8
REPORT OF THE BRITISH GUIANA MISSION
The territory of the British Guiana Mission comprises the British, Dutch, and French Guianas, and is situated on the northeastern coast of South America. The population is about four hundred thousand. GCB June 8, 1913, page 312.9
I need not go into the history of the work there previous to the last General Conference, as it is familar to all. My wife and I arrived in Georgetown, the capital of the colony, in July, 1911. O. E. Davis, the superintendent, was in the interior of the colony answering a call from the aboriginal Indians. While we were awaiting his return, we began work in Georgetown. Brother Davis left on April 20, expecting to return in about four months. This time passed, and we had no word from him. We began to fear the worst, as we understood he was not in good health when he left. September 2 a party of scientists returning from the interior reported that Brother Davis had been killed by the Indians. Soon after this we received another message, saying this was not true, he having died of malarial fever in an Indian hut on the south side of Mt. Roraima, on the Brazilian border. He was buried there by the loving hands of those whom he went to save. He sleeps in that lonely grave; but, after all, what difference does it make where we sleep; for “all that are in their graves shall hear His voice.” He reported in his diary the establishment of 3 missions, with a membership of 187. I have never been able to visit these stations, so can tell you nothing of them. It takes twenty-nine days by boat and ten days on foot to reach Mt. Roraima, and I have had more work than I could attend to on the coast. GCB June 8, 1913, page 312.10
The work along the coast is making progress. During 1912, ninety-seven souls were added to the churches in British Guiana. We held a series of meetings in the city of Georgetown, which were well attended, and thirty were added to the church there. GCB June 8, 1913, page 312.11
We now have twelve churches and four companies, with a membership of 457. Our tithes for 1912 were $836.81; offerings to missions, $111.75; Sabbath-school offerings, $131.96; raised for local church work, $427.75; total, $1,507.99. GCB June 8, 1913, page 312.12
Over one half of the population of British Guiana is East Indian, and we have no worker among them. There are only six believers among the East Indians. They are a very difficult people to reach, as they come over from India to work on the sugar estates, and are indentured for a certain number of years. This compels them to work all the time. However, there are some who are free, and we are endeavoring to reach these with our literature, which they purchase readily. We had one school among them, but had to close it a year ago. GCB June 8, 1913, page 312.13
Educational Work
At present we have three church-schools, one at Windsor Forest, on the Canje Creek; one at Bootooba, on the Demerara River; and one on Tapagruma Creek. The Bootooba school is located on twenty-five acres of land, part of which we have planted to rubber-trees. Next year we expect to put in cocoa between the rubber-trees. This ought to make the mission self-supporting in a few years. The school on Tapagruma Creek is also located on twenty-five acres of land. This school is among the aboriginal Indians. There are about twenty families living at the mission. GCB June 8, 1913, page 312.14
We have no medical work in this field at the present time, but it is not because there is no need. There is a great demand for this right hand of the message to enter and do its proper work. I believe a dispensary in Georgetown would do a good work. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.1
Book and Periodical Work
We have done very little in the work of circulating our literature when we compare it with other fields, yet we have done something. Not quite a year ago a young man accepted the message in Georgetown, and has been canvassing for “Practical Guide” and “Heralds of the Morning.” He has done well. We have circulated about eight hundred West Indian Watchman every month. This is our magazine printed in Jamaica. The Protestant and Life and Health have been introduced with some degree of success. We mailed a copy of the Protestant Magazine to every minister and head school-master in the colony, and have heard some good reports from this work. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.2
We have only two Sabbath-keepers in Dutch Guiana, and none at all in French Guiana. These two countries are open to the message. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.3
Our Needs
As the work has been established in this field for more than twenty-four years, we would think the people would have had a chance to hear this message, but I want to assure you there are thousands who have never heard the third angel’s message. At the present time we have no ordained minister besides the writer; we have one licentiate, one Bible worker, and three church-school teachers. We very much need three more workers for British Guiana, in order to hold the work we already have, to say nothing of doing aggressive work. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.4
I believe the time has come to open up the work among the Indians in the interior. The Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches are very active at the present time establishing schools and missions here. The people are waiting for this message, and are included in the “every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.” There are many languages spoken among them. Several times they have sent messages asking for a worker to be sent to them, but so far we have been unable to answer the many calls pressing upon us continually. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.5
There is great need that a colporteur be sent to Dutch Guiana to open the work there. There are many Sabbath-keeping Jews in that colony. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.6
All our missions except two can be reached by water, and as the greater part of the people live near the rivers and along the coast, we are endeavoring to purchase a launch to reach them. We have already the promise of nearly two hundred dollars toward this. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.7
While we are practically free from plague and cholera, yet this mission field is by no means a health resort. According to the statistics of the surgeon-general in 1911, there were thirty-three thousand cases of malarial fever in the hospitals on the estates. This does not include those in the colonial hospitals. Forty to fifty per cent of the schoolchildren were found to have filaria, which is caused by the bite of the mosquito. With disease on every hand, we have been blessed with good health during the past two years. We are of good courage in the Lord, and expect to bring many precious souls from British Guiana to be in that company which will follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. Brethren, pray for us. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.8
E. C. BOGER, Superintendent.
Geo. M. Brown (reading):— GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.9
CUBA
One afternoon some sixteen years ago an Adventist colporteur called on a Cuban lady teacher in a Baptist mission school in Key West, Fla. As her school was in session, she was very busy, and did not wish to be disturbed by a book agent. There was something, however, in the appearance of this man which attracted her attention, and she permitted him to enter, listened to his description of the book, and bought one. Later he returned and studied the Bible with her, thus getting an opportunity to present the Sabbath truth. Her little boy became ill soon after, and she was in great need of help in caring for him. This colporteur became at once a medical missionary, coming night after night to sit up with the sick child. The result was that the lady, Mrs. A. F. Burgos, accepted the third angel’s message, thus becoming, so far as I know, the first Cuban Sabbath-keeper. This was the beginning of the Seventh-day Adventist mission work for the Cuban people. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.10
In February, 1905, a few American Sabbath-keepers living in Cuba, met in Havan and organized the first Seventh-day Adventist church in Cuba, with eleven members. At this time a formal request for ministerial help for Cuba was prepared by the brethren. In response to this appeal, Elder E. W. Snyder and wife were sent to the island in 1906, locating in Marianao, a suburb of Havana. This was the beginning of our organized work in Cuba. Since then there has been a steady growth, and at the present time we have about a hundred twenty-five Sabbath-keepers in our mission field. There are three organized churches, three companies, and a number of isolated Sabbath-keepers. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.11
The circulation of literature and the holding of cottage meetings have been the principal methods employed in presenting the truth to the people. A few incidents will undoubtedly be of interest and serve to show the results of the work. Elder Snyder, being invited to preach to a small congregation of Protestants, spoke on Daniel 2. One man became deeply interested, and came forward at the close of the meeting to ask a number of questions. Then he arranged to continue the studies at Brother Snyder’s house. As a result of these studies, he began to keep the Sabbath. His name is Pedro Cruz, and he is today our most experienced native worker, and has been the means of bringing a considerable number of people to a knowledge of the present truth. Soon after accepting the truth, he began work with the books and papers, and had success from the first. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.12
As a result of the work done in Havana and vicinity, a church of forty-six members has been built up. This church during 1912 paid $460.79 tithe and $137.68 offerings to foreign missions. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.13
A number of American Sabbath-keepers located in an American colony called San Claudio, in the province of Pinar del Rio. Desiring a church-school, they invited Brother and Sister S. H. Carnahan to open a school there. Brother and Sister Carnahan accepted, as they had been recommended by the Mission Board to take up school work in Cuba. This school has grown, and is known today as the Colegio Estrada Palma. It has an enrolment of about twenty-five students, and a boarding department. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.14
Several Spanish-speaking young people have been converted to present truth while attending this school, and are fitting themselves for usefulness in the work. Last summer Sister Carnahan and four of the young lady students proved that lady canvassers can sell books in Cuba. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.15
It has taken a great deal of self-sacrifice and persevering effort under most adverse circumstances to bring this school to its present state of efficiency. Some help has been given it in the past by the mission and by individuals, and we believe it should continue to receive our help and our prayers. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.16
The church at San Claudio now numbers nineteen members. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.17
Some five years ago Brother and Sister Guy Holmes, after spending some time at Madison, Tenn., located at Las Minas, in the province of Camaguey. Later they were joined by Brother and Sister Chas. Franz and Sister Burgos. As the visible result of the work done by these brethren and sisters, who have labored as self-supporting workers, we now have a church of eighteen members at that place. Through the kindness of interested friends who contributed to the work, a small building has been erected, which serves as a place for school and meetings. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.18
Elder J. E. Anderson and his wife have been conducting a day-school at Las Tunas, in the province of Oriente, for about three years. The residents of Tunas are so well pleased with the school that the city has given to Brother and Sister Anderson the use of a nicely located piece of city property on which to erect a school building. They now have two teachers and an enrolment of forty-five students. This school is known as the Educator Cristiano (Christian Educator). GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.19
As the visible result of meetings and Bible studies held by Brother A. E. Wolfgram in Nueva Gerona, Isle of Pines, we now have a company of seven Sabbath-keepers there. I recently visited them baptizing five persons and instructing the believers in the important principles of gospel organization and support. As illustrating the change that comes over the home when the father is converted to this truth, I will relate an incident which occurred while in Nueva Gerona. The morning after the baptism, the little five-year-old son from the home of a brother whom I had baptized came to the house where I was stopping, and in his childish simplicity said, “We have prayers at our house every morning now, because papa is a Seventh-day Adventist.” GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.20
The book work in our field has been very successful since the reorganization of this department at the beginning of last year. Brother Harold Robinson and Brother G. A. Sandborn, who had had a successful experience in Mexico, came to Cuba and began the work there, meeting with good success. Brother Sandborn acted as field agent during 1912, till material fever compelled him to retire from the field. Since that time Brother Robinson has been carrying on the work with continued success. GCB June 8, 1913, page 313.21
We are grateful for the band of faithful colporteurs sent us by the General Conference Publishing Department, which has cooperated with the West Indian Union in providing workers for our field. As a result of the work done by these workers, we have placed about eight thousand dollars’ worth of books in the homes of Cuba during 1912. GCB June 8, 1913, page 314.1
Better than the thousands of dollars’ worth of books placed in the hands of the people, we point with great satisfaction to a goodly number of new believers as a result of the canvassing work done in 1912. Here are a few cases to illustrate how people have been brought into the truth through the canvassing work. One book delivered to a young man in Guanabacoa led to the holding of a number of Bible studies in his home, resulting in the conversion of the whole family to the truth. A few weeks after one of our colporteurs left Vinales, a town of Pinar del Rio, he received a letter stating that as a result of the Bible studies he had given them, the band master and his family had joined the ranks of Sabbath-keepers. As a result of the work of three young men who went from the San Claudio school to canvass in Cruces, a number accepted the Sabbath. Later, the mission sent a native worker there to follow up the work. Now there is a Sabbath-school there of about fourteen members, and the good work is extending to adjoining towns. GCB June 8, 1913, page 314.2
In Santiago de Cuba our colporteurs found a man who had been keeping the Sabbath twelve years. He was overjoyed to find that there are others who are keeping the Seventh-day Sabbath, and opened his house for the preaching of the truth. Brother Anderson was sent there to hold meetings, and a company of seven or eight was formed. There are others deeply interested, who will doubtless soon join this company. The Sabbath-school numbers about a dozen members. GCB June 8, 1913, page 314.3
There are many calls for labor, and a crying need of more laborers to enter the rapidly opening doors. GCB June 8, 1913, page 314.4
Since the last General Conference, the Sabbath-keepers in Cuba have doubled. The annual tithe and offerings have trebled, and the work has been extended to many parts of the island. Our Cuban brethren and sisters are faithful in paying tithe and offerings, and we have every reason to believe that there will be a continued increase in our financial strength as well as in numbers. GCB June 8, 1913, page 314.5
Illustrating the faithfulness of these dear souls, I mention the case of a sister who died recently. During her sickness, though unable to earn money she scrupulously guarded the tithe of the money that came to her from her former work, and after her death the treasurer of the church turned in three dollars tithe which she had paid during the last month of her life. One brother is paying a double tithe at present, in recognition of special blessings which he has received from the Lord. GCB June 8, 1913, page 314.6
Our experiences thus far lead us to believe that Cuba will be a fruitful field and that a large harvest of souls will be gathered from the seed sown. To this end we ask your hearty cooperation and earnest prayers. GCB June 8, 1913, page 314.7
GEO. M. BROWN, Supt.
D. E. Wellman (reading):— GCB June 8, 1913, page 314.8
JAMAICA CONFERENCE
The Jamaica Conference embraces in its territory not only the island after which it is named, but also the Grand Cayman and Turk Islands. English is the prevailing language. The people are English, American, East Indian, Chinese, and Syrian. The island was entered by our missionaries in the spring of 1893. Ten years later it was organized as a conference, and today it has a constituency of nearly two thousand believers. This number embraces the members of our organized churches and companies, and also our scattered believers. GCB June 8, 1913, page 314.9
PHOTO-Kingston, (Jamaica) church building
We have sixty churches and companies, including one church and one company in Grand Cayman, and one company in Turk Island. Thirty-eight congregations worship in church buildings of their own. There were three other church buildings, but they were destroyed by hurricane last November. The remaining companies worship in rented halls or private houses. Seven church buildings have been finished and dedicated since the last General Conference. Numerically, our membership has not been largely increased, as will be seen by comparing this report with that of 1909. This does not mean, however, that the labors of those in the field have not been productive of fruit. An average of about one hundred fifty have been added to the believers each year by baptism, but death, apostasy, and especially removals to other lands have held our membership at about the old figures. GCB June 8, 1913, page 314.10
The wages paid laboring classes in Jamaica are very low, and because of this, thousands of Jamaicans, and among them many of our own people, have crossed the seas to Colon, Costa Rica, and other Central American states, where much higher rates are paid, and where other conditions are more promising. We have this, however, to console us, that wherever our people go, the truths of the third angel’s message shine forth. GCB June 8, 1913, page 314.11
Although conditions have been growing more stringent during the past two years, yet our tithe receipts have advanced one thousand three hundred dollars above those reported in 1909. There has been, also, a substantial increase in other funds. Nearly all our churches are free from debt. This is saying much to the credit of our people when we consider how little money they have with which to do. Our church in Kingston, in their poverty, have been struggling during the past four years to pay off the heavy debt incurred by having to take down and rebuild their house of worship. They expect to be free from debt by the end of the present year. When this is accomplished they will be able to take hold of other lines of endeavor with renewed courage. GCB June 8, 1913, page 314.12
Kingston School
Inasmuch as our school interests in Kingston called for enlarged facilities for its successful operation, plans were laid for remodeling and enlarging our schoolroom. This work was commenced the latter part of January, 1912, and finished in April. The old room was twenty feet square. We now have a fine building 20 x 50 feet, substantially built. It is divided into two rooms by folding and sliding doors. It is well seated, lighted, and ventilated. The addition, and the remodeling of the old room, cost us about five hundred dollars. The conference also erected last year a substantial building for the storing of its property,—tents and other equipment. GCB June 8, 1913, page 314.13
Our preparatory school in Kingston has been taught during the past two years by E. W. Tonjes as principal, assisted by one of our young Jamaican sisters. The school has a fair enrolment, with about sixty in regular attendance. We shall doubtless have a much larger enrolment next year. GCB June 8, 1913, page 314.14
Our Treatment-Rooms
Recognizing the need and the value of having a treatment equipment where the simple methods ministered in our sanitariums could be given, there was opened in the city of Kingston in August, 1912, what is now known as the “Massage and Hydropathic Treatment-Rooms.” GCB June 8, 1913, page 314.15
While we have not realized all that we hoped from the start, we are satisfied that we are making a substantial advance in the way of winning public favor and patronage. We have been favored from the first by one of the leading physicians, who recommended people to our institution. Recently several others have shown themselves friendly. They have visited the treatment-rooms and assured us of their willingness to cooperate with us and do all they can to aid in extending our patronage. We have a fine building in a quiet locality, in one of the best residential parts of the city, one block from the car line. This property was purchased for our use by the West Indian Union Conference. It provides not only a home for the treatment-room management, but a home for the Kingston workers. GCB June 8, 1913, page 314.16
Progress
All efforts put forth during the past four years have been associated with or in close proximity to our small churches or companies, and nearly all have proved successful. Two or three tent efforts were planned for this year. One has nearly completed its work, with the result that about twenty have been added to the little company at Linstead, a town seven miles from Riversdale, where our Watchman office is located. This will enable us to organize another strong church soon. With but few exceptions, our churches are in good spiritual condition, and are taking a deep interest in the advancement of the work in all lands, as well as in their own field. Their missionary efforts are largely confined to visiting, giving Bible studies, and the sale of our West Indian Watchman. The poverty of many of our people makes it impossible to do a great amount of work in the line of free distribution of literature. GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.1
Our workers under the direct pay of the conference at the present time are five ordained ministers, two American and three native; three licentiates, and two other natives who carry missionary licenses. GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.2
We have several graduate nurse in the field, one of whom is employed in the treatment-rooms in Kingston. Our workers are all of good courage, and are working in unity with the plans of the conference committee and with each other for the finishing of the work. GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.3
One interesting case may be noted, that of a young lady of about twenty-five, a brown woman of good ability and teacher in one of the Catholic schools. She had been educated and especially prepared by the “sisters” of the church for that work. During her vacation in January of this year she visited a relative in the country who was an Adventist. She was invited to attend church, and consented to go, intending to turn back when she reached the church. At the door, while they were urging her to go in, it providentially began to rain. She told me that she did not purpose to hear a word, but in spite of her prejudice, and her determination not to hear, a few new and startling thoughts given in the lesson caught her attention and lingered with her, in spite of all her efforts to dismiss them from her mind. Other studies followed. Later she came to Kingston, where she could get further instruction. She stayed with her sister, a strong Catholic. The battle went hard. Others, as well as I, gave her special lessons. It tried our hearts to note the struggle, but victory came. One day she said to me, “It is all settled; I will obey the Word of God; I am saved as by a miracle.” GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.4
Many other interesting cases could be cited, but time will not permit. God is finding his own even in the islands of the sea. May we be faithful in the gathering. D. E. WELLMAN. GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.5
REPORT OF EDUCATIONAL WORK IN SOUTH AMERICA
W. C. John (reading):— GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.6
Fourteen years ago, in the year 1898, the South American Mission authorized the establishment of a school for the training of workers. At first the village of Las Tunas, in the province of Sante Fe, was chosen for its location. A little later, however, the brethren decided to accept the generous offer of Brother J. Lust, of about forty acres of fertile land in the open country of the adjoining province of Entre Rios, on the eastern side of the Parana River, about three hundred fifty miles north of Buenos Aires. According to the general ideas of location and accommodation of schools, it seemed to many a most forlorn spot, and destined to failure; but as the constituency was near a group of Russian German churches, it seemed to be the best that could be done, considering the situation. GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.7
Many brethren, as well as non-believers, made fun of the project and ridiculed the missionaries when they unloaded their brick on the treeless ground on which the school was to stand, and remarked that in a few weeks the bricks would have to be hauled away. Now, as we look at the situation, and the great growth of our institutions during these years, we can see the foresight of Providence manifested in a remarkable manner. Today, without any effort on our part, a railroad crosses the lower end of the school farm, and the station is precisely at the right distance from us. GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.8
Faithful brethren assembled from distant parts of Argentina to build. Brother Peverini came three hundred miles, from the northern Chaco, to do the masonry work. Brother Dalieze came over from Las Tunas, and gave us a great number of shade trees. Elder Frank Westphal; and Elder N. Z. Town and his wife, dug the well and superintended the work. Scarcely were the walls up when Brother Luis Ernst came up from Uruguay to prepare for the ministry, and soon a small group of students, mostly elderly men, and largely Russian Germans, or Swiss, were hard at work, and after some time were sent out into the field. GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.9
As the school grew and commenced to take in the children and youth, it became necessary to increase the building by adding two wings, and in addition to the forty acres, eighty more were purchased. The students, besides studying, made brick, worked the farm, and learned to do the work of a missionary. Unfortunately for the finances of the school, the locusts have often succeeded in doing great damage to the crops and the garden produce, our fruit-trees having been totally destroyed seven years ago. As they did not return last year, we have again planted five hundred trees, the fruit of which will be greatly appreciated. After Elder Town was called to Argentina, Prof. Arthur Fulton was called to take charge of the school, and was faithfully seconded by Brother C. D. Lude and wife, of College View, Nebr. Later, Dr. Habenicht took charge, until the latter part of 1908, when the school was reorganized as an academy. GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.10
About this time, a large college building was built, and nearly finished, making it easier to carry on graded work. The faculty was enlarged in order to carry on the advanced work. We found it necessary to conform strictly to the national plan of studies, which is similar in many respects to that in the United States, and the full course in Bible and history was added in such a way as to be in harmony with our Christian schools. While our equipment was inadequate, on the other hand, a most excellent spirit of study was shown, and all seemed anxious to make the best of their opportunities. Gradually, as the offerings have come in, the school has been furnished with American school seats, and the interior completed. GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.11
The attendance has been increasing regularly during the past four years, having grown from 80 to 100, and if we add the students not doing grade work, it runs up to 125. There were about eight less enrolled last year, but the general average of attendance in each grade was much better than the previous year. GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.12
The academy is now preparing canvassers, teachers, and nurses. Every year there go out from ten to fourteen canvassers who work for scholarships. Some of these have done remarkably well, selling as high as four hundred dollars’ worth of literature in the vacation period. At the close of the school year, Brother Maximo Trummer, the general agent, holds an institute, in which he gives the young men and women thorough drill. These studies are of great value and an inspiration to the students. When the canvassers return from their hot and dusty campaign, nothing is more interesting than to listen as these boys tell in our Wednesday morning missionary meeting in the chapel, of their varied experiences in the field. As a result of this and other opportunities, some are developing as speakers, and were able last summer to take an active part in the city mission of Santa Fe, where their work was much appreciated. GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.13
Another feature of our work has been the development of teachers. Brother Camilo Gil, our present Spanish teacher, was educated in our school, and has taught with success. For the last two years, he has attended the state normal school, where he recently graduated second in a large class, and was also called upon to make the principal speech at the public banquet at the state capital GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.14
Another youth who finished our ninth grade has been continuing his studies for the past three years in the same school, and has been highly recommended by the director as having a very good character and being an excellent student. GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.15
Another graduate of our eight grade, who had accepted a church-school about fifteen miles from the academy, had an interesting experience. His success increased to such an extent that he commenced to draw even outsiders from the neighboring district schools, causing bitter opposition of the teachers. Finally, the local authorities, who had at first given him permission to teach there, were obliged to dismiss him, much to the inconvenience of our brethren. GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.16
Brother Ernest Roscher, his father, and elder of the church, took him to Parana, and interviewed the state superintendent, stating the cause of the difficulty. The superintendent examined the young man on different subjects. When finished, he said, “Mr. Roscher, if they don’t want your boy, I do.” Forthwith he gave him state authorization to teach whenever and wherever he wished in the province. So the church-school in Crespo is continuing this year, preparing students for the academy. GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.17
A young lady who graduates from the twelfth grade this year was urged by the Lutherans to come and take charge of a very large school. They offered her a higher salary than we could have given her. GCB June 8, 1913, page 315.18
Every year we send over to the sanitarium, from the different grades, students to enter the nurses’ class. The general requirement for entrance is the finishing of the eight grade. GCB June 8, 1913, page 316.1
In this field we have altogether six schools under the supervision of the conference or local churches. The school in Pua, Chile, will be described by Professor Casebeer. The Indian school in Puno, Peru, is now under one of our teachers who is also a nurse, Brother Bartolome Rojas. GCB June 8, 1913, page 316.2
PHOTO-Pua school, South America
There are three other church-schools in Argentina, with an average attendance of between thirty and forty. We look forward to the establishment of others in the future. GCB June 8, 1913, page 316.3
The educational work has a very bright outlook in South America. The spirit of learning is as intense and earnest here as it is anywhere. Our brethren who heretofore have not been able to comprehend the necessity of thorough work are now showing more interest year by year. Prof. H. U. Stevens is now surrounded by a strong faculty and all are united in bringing the work to a high standard of efficiency. GCB June 8, 1913, page 316.4
We have felt grateful to the Sabbath-schools in North America for their kind interest in sending us the thirteenth Sabbath offering. It came at a time when most needed for the expansion of the work. GCB June 8, 1913, page 316.5
With God’s blessing, our young men and women of South America, trained in our schools, will join in closing the work in the “neglected continent.” We ask the prayers of all that this may be so. W. C. JOHN. GCB June 8, 1913, page 316.6
The report of George Casebeer, of Chile, for the Pua school, was called for; but Brother Casebeer was not present. His report, however, is as follows:— GCB June 8, 1913, page 316.7
PUA TRAINING-SCHOOL. Pua, Chile, South America
The attention of our people in the United States and Canada was recently directed, at the time of the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering, Dec. 28, 1912, toward our two schools in the South America Union Conference. I wish on this occasion to express the heartfelt thanks of the brethren of Chile for this benefit to our school. GCB June 8, 1913, page 316.8
The town of Pua is near the thirty-seventh parallel south latitude, about in line with Melbourne, Australia, and Cape Town, South Africa. The surrounding country produces grain and the principal products of the temperate zones. The school has now in charge seventy-eight hectares, or about one hundred ninety-five acres, of land, which produce the necessary grain and most of the vegetables and fruits consumed by the students. GCB June 8, 1913, page 316.9
Five years ago, on taking charge of the school, I found twelve students awaiting me. The last three years the average attendance has been about fifty. Aside from the young people who have come to prepare for the Lord’s work, there have in attendance a large number of the children of English and German colonists, also natives from the neighborhood, and Indians from the reservations near the school. Thus we have a combination mission and training school. This combination has given good results. Seven grades have been maintained. Some of the branches taught in the seventh year would perhaps correspond to some studies in the eight and ninth grades in the States. These studies have been carried on in Spanish, English, and German. The principal language being Spanish, the work in English and German has been in language study only. GCB June 8, 1913, page 316.10
On account of the lack of facilities and the scarcity of helpers, the work has been strenuous, but the workers have looked on the bright side of difficulties, and cheerfully carried their burdens. The school board has followed the settled principle not to advance more rapidly than they have means to do so; therefore, we are thankful to say, we have never been in debt. Our gain for 1911 was $537.36, and for 1912, $108.31. We had $495 on hand in December, 1912, which, in addition to the liberal provision made for us through one of the Thirteenth Sabbath Offerings, will enable us to make some necessary improvements. GCB June 8, 1913, page 316.11
As an illustration of the work our missionaries carry, I will enumerate some of the responsibilities which fell to the lot of the principal of the Pua school part of the five years spent in Chile. He was also treasurer, bookkeeper, preceptor, farm manager, buyer, carrier of provisions, and had an average of eight hours’ class work per day, besides being secretary of the Young People’s Missionary Volunteer work of the West Coast, member of the conference committee, and elder of the local church. Vacations were spent in evangelistic meetings in the cities. During the past two years, the help of Sister Westphal in the school has especially lightened these burdens. GCB June 8, 1913, page 316.12
God’s rich blessing has attended the efforts put forth, and every year a goodly number of students have been converted. Several efficient workers, nearly all canvassers, are now in the field. GCB June 8, 1913, page 316.13
The brethren of the Chile Conference do not wish to add more advanced work, but to strengthen and develop what we have. In order that our educational work may accomplish what it should, there is urgent need that an experienced educational man be sent as soon as possible to take charge of the school work in Chile. We present this plea to the General Conference here assembled. GCB June 8, 1913, page 316.14
GEORGE W. CASEBEER.
The Conference adjourned.
I. H. EVANS, Chairman;
W. A. SPICER, Secretary.