General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6
TWENTY-THIRD MEETING
W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, I. H. Evans, C. M. Snow, T. E. Bowen
May 26, 3 P. M.
Elder Allen Moon in the chair. GCB May 27, 1909, page 176.10
After the opening song, Elder J. A. Burden offered prayer. GCB May 27, 1909, page 176.11
MEXICAN REPORTS
The chairman announced that the Mexican delegates would report to the Conference. He called first upon G. W. Reaser, superintendent of the Mexico Mission, who presented the following report:— GCB May 27, 1909, page 176.12
IN THE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO
Mexico is a land of mystery. Not only is this true from the fact of the domination of “the mystery of iniquity,” which has held sway over its millions for four centuries, but because of its ancient civilization, represented in the Mayas, Toltecs, and Aztecs, of whose past greatness and religion scant record remains, save in the serpent and human idols, the sacrificial stones, massive sacred calendars,—and ruins of temples, cities, and pyramids. GCB May 27, 1909, page 176.13
A full century prior to the first English settlements in the United States, the Spanish adventurer, Cortez, conquered Mexico, unfurling the emblem of Spain and the banner of Roman Catholicism for the first time upon American soil. The Spanish Inquisition soon followed, for the punishment of heretics and for the conversion of the “stubborn.” The terrible autos-da-fe claimed their victims down to the year 1821, or thirty-one years after they were suppressed in the Old World. “Thirty-two volumes of records of the Inquisition in Mexico are still extant, in which a number of cases occur which were executed for Judaizing.” There is ample evidence that the spirit of the Inquisition still survives in the hearts of the priests and of those under their control, only being held in check by the strong and liberal government of Porfirio Diaz. GCB May 27, 1909, page 176.14
An Influence for Liberalism GCB May 27, 1909, page 176.15
Every lover of liberty and all Protestants have occasion for special gratitude that Providence has placed President Diaz at the head of the republic of Mexico. As a youth his indomitable spirit obtained for him a liberal education, and he became, in turn, lawyer, soldier, statesman. Winning the highest office in the republic, he proclaimed civil and religious liberty for all. Having served his country as chief magistrate for thirty years, he is still, at fourscore years, a progressive, liberal reformer, without a peer among the statesmen and rulers of the world. GCB May 27, 1909, page 176.16
Several of the larger cities of Mexico are considered liberal. In others, a fanatical Romanism raises serious barriers to Protestant effort. A few cities which might be placed in this latter class are Leon, Queretaro, Puebla, Guanajuato, Celaya, Irapuato; and we are compelled to place in this list even the city where our work has been longest established, the beautiful “pearl of the West,” Guadalajara. GCB May 27, 1909, page 176.17
Perhaps nothing ever affected our work so adversely in the republic as the questionable methods pursued in closing the affairs of the sanitarium once owned by this cause in Guadalajara, but later wrested from us. This institution was sold to the Methodist Church South, and is filled to overflowing by a mission school for girls. GCB May 27, 1909, page 176.18
In Mexico, the papal religion, with the common people, has no connection with morality or temperance. The breaking of most of the commandments is at least condoned if the person goes to mass and confessional, and pays the church dues. On the holiest days of the church calendar you will see more gambling, drunkenness, quarreling, and fighting at their most sacred shrine of the “Virgin of Guadalupe,” than anywhere else in Mexico. Any decent pagan would either laugh or else hold up his hands in horror to be told that these were festivities in connection with the honoring of the nation’s patron saint. GCB May 27, 1909, page 176.19
The first edition of the entire Bible in Spanish and Latin printed in Mexico appeared in 1833, more than three hundred years after the Roman Catholic conquest of Mexico. But the edition was in twenty-five volumes, with an atlas, and cost over $150, so that, so far as the common people were concerned, it might as well have never been printed. It is the only edition of the Bible ever printed in Mexico. GCB May 27, 1909, page 176.20
To Train Workers GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.1
Doubtless the paramount need of our work in Mexico, is a training-school for the development of workers. One of the most potent factors in the proclamation of the threefold message is our system of efficient missionary schools. GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.2
If we are to develop native workers, the necessity for such schools in Mexico is even more imperative than in the United States, because of the even greater lack of strong Christian home training, and because of the greater illiteracy of the people, probably not more than twenty per cent of the people being able to read. GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.3
It is an extravagant missionary policy which constantly imports practically all of the force of laborers from the United States, each to spend at least two years in the country in acquiring a new language before he can really be an efficient teacher or gospel worker. Then, after he has acquired the language, he will never be able to adapt himself to the customs of the country as a native, and he must always receive a higher salary. Our prayer is that the Lord of the harvest will, in the very near future, open the way for a modest training-school in the republic of Mexico. With ten per cent of the money invested in institutions in a single conference in the United States, with a population of five hundred thousand people, we would consider ourselves on a good foundation for both our health and educational work in the republic of Mexico with its fifteen millions of heaven-bought souls. GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.4
As I travel about the country, and stop at the homes of the people, the Mexican children readily form friendship with me. As I look into their pleasing faces and appealing eyes, there comes into my inmost soul an intense desire to rescue them from Catholicism, immorality, and intemperance, the three curses awaiting them, and to place them in one of our schools where they could be trained for the kingdom of heaven. Is it a right distribution of our schools that we should have fifty-eight educational institutions, besides church-schools, in the United States and none in Mexico? Does this condition give proof of the fact that we have a world-wide message? GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.5
The Methodist Episcopal Missions have sixty-eight overflowing schools in Mexico, with above 4,500 students under their supervision. They have also several successful medical missions, with free clinics, for the masses of helpless people. Their best field for gaining substantial converts is in the rural districts,—a field as yet untouched by our people. GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.6
Is it not high time that our work was enlarged in Mexico? Will heaven hold us guiltless if we longer neglect to fill opening providences in this republic, and establish our work on a broad and liberal basis? We were among the pioneers in opening school work in the Federal District. Others are familiar with the reasons for the suppression of this branch of our work. GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.7
During the month of January last, Brother Arthur A. Reinke, one of our young men from California, in the employ of our mission as a colporteur, was taken sick with typhoid fever. We secured the best help available in Mexico City in a worldly physician and a nurse. Our brother, after lingering more than three weeks, passed away. GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.8
Aside from the treatment-rooms established by Dr. Swayze at Guadalajara, and donated to the cause, we have not a medical institution, a doctor, or a nurse in Mexico, working under the direction in Mexico, working under the direction of our organization. GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.9
If the health work is the right arm of the threefold message, and if Mexico is a part of the Lord’s vineyard inasmuch as the United States has already twenty-seven sanitariums, sixty-nine physicians, and 787 nurses, under the direction of the organized work, with an investment approximating $2,000,000 besides twenty-seven private institutions operated by Seventh-day Adventist doctors in the same territory, would it not be well to consider our duty toward establishing our health work among the fifteen millions of people who live just across the line to the south of the United States? GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.10
Encouraging Features GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.11
One of the most encouraging features of our work has been the success of our evangelistic canvassers. About the middle of July, 1908, four young men from California, acting upon the invitation of our Mission Board, arrived in Mexico City, and, after a brief time spent in memorizing their canvass in the Spanish language, began work in the capital among a strange people who spoke a strange tongue. As already noted, one of them soon laid down his life on the altar of service. The success of the other three has been little short of marvelous. The average monthly sales for each of the three has amounted to $45, and they are now each delivering about double that amount. And this in the city of Mexico, where it was considered impossible to sell our large books. GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.12
So far as I have learned the convictions of our workers in foreign fields concerning the circulation of our books, there is no desire on the part of our canvassers to go to unpleasant fields and endure the hardships incident thereto, and spend their time in circulating simply some generally good books; but rather to devote their energies to placing definite, message-filled literature in the hands of the people. It is altogether probable that our workers will meet the majority of the people in foreign fields, who purchase our books, but once. As we have a definite message to give, and as we are to be witnesses for the truth unto the uttermost parts of the earth, why not circulate such books as are known to have been factors in the hands of God in winning men to the truth and of saving souls? We would not exclude from the list of desirable books a practical volume on healthful living and the treatment of disease. GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.13
There is doubtless a field for a health journal among the Spanish-speaking people of Spain and Latin America. GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.14
In this connection I will say that many parts of Mexico are favored with healthful climatic conditions, while other localities would take rank among the world’s most deadly climates. An example of the latter is the city of Vera Cruz, on the Gulf of Mexico. Having a population of thirty thousand, the vital records for the year 1908 show that 2,116 died, while 875 were born within the city during the said year. This annual death-rate is above seventy to the thousand; while Chicago has a death-rate of only fourteen to the thousand. GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.15
The Mexican people have been taught to play with all manner of symbols of death, and on their feast-days these emblems form an important part of the merchandise by which Rome waxes rich. GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.16
One difficulty that confronts us is that there are still one hundred and eighty dialects in common use by the various tribes of primitive Mexicans. In some cities at least three separate dialects are spoken, each of the three tribes occupying a separate portion of the city. GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.17
How They Followed the Word GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.18
An incident of much interest occurred some time since in one of the torrid portions of the republic. A well-known Baptist missionary had been instrumental in raising up a company of native Christians during the winter months, while the climate of the locality was endurable. As the hot season came on, he told them that he could not remain with them longer without jeopardizing his health. On leaving them without a leader, but with a promise to return the next winter, he commended “them to God, and to the word of his grace.” On his return he found that they had conscientiously followed the Word, instead of following his example, and were all observing the Bible Sabbath instead of Sunday. What stronger proof can any one require that Sunday-keeping rests on example and precept of man, and not on Bible authority? GCB May 27, 1909, page 177.19
There is no country in the world that presents more strange contrasts of land and people, habits and customs, heat and cold, than Mexico. The tablelands of the country are a mile and a half higher than the coast-lands, and between these there are to be found all gradations of climate. This fact lends much of the picturesque and strange to Mexico, and gives it a variety possessed by few other countries. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.1
Mexico is a land of magnificent temples, and debased people. If we were to draw contrast between the one hundred and twenty churches in the capital of the republic (a city with a population more than 100,000 greater than the capital of the nation where this Conference is assembled), and those owned by our people, we would doubtless find that the very poorest of them all far surpasses in elegance of architecture and in embellishment the most elaborate church owned by this remnant people; for Rome inspires awe in the hearts of her deluded minions by pomp, show, display, the clanging of bells, and mystery protected by a cloak of ignorance. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.2
Without doubt the chief human agency of promulgating the truth in Mexico up to the present time has been our paper, El Mensajero de la Verdad, of which we print from six thousand to ten thousand copies each month. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.3
About a year ago a few copies, distributed by one of our humble solicitors, fell into the hands of a young Spaniard at Salina Cruz, by the name of Antonio Sanchez. He accepted the truth, heart and soul, and at once began to proclaim it. As a partial result of the seeds of truth thus sown, we now have a church of twenty-two members at Salina Cruz, and Brother Antonio, and his father-in-law, the latter a native Mexican, both talented men, are devoting their energies to the spread of the message in the Isthmus country, where, on account of climatic conditions, it would be very hazardous for our American brethren to labor. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.4
Elder Caviness has carried the three fold responsibility of editor, pastor of our church in Mexico City, and translator of Sabbath-school lessons for the Spanish-speaking world, besides translating a number of our denominational books, large and small, into the Castilian language. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.5
On account of the failing health of both Elder Geo. M. Brown and his companion, they felt compelled to leave the field early in 1908, and Mexico suffers the loss of their years of experience and knowledge of the language. The labors of Elder Brown were much appreciated by our people in the republic. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.6
In the vast stretch of country, reaching from San Diego, Cal., and El Paso, Tex., on the north, to Guatemala on the south, embracing one fourth as much territory as the United States, and containing one fifth as great a population, we have but three ministers, three missionary licentiates, four regular canvassers, one church-school teacher, and a constituency composed of three churches, aggregating seventy-four members, and about seventy-one scattered believers, making one hundred forty-five in all, some forty-six of whom are from other countries, principally from the United States. These figures show an increase of one church, twenty-one members, and thirty scattered believers in four years. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.7
We have one physician connected with the organized work, and four engaged in private practice. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.8
It would be a source of strength to our work to have some of our consecrated American brethren settled on farms in Mexico, to teach the native people, and to be living epistles among them. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.9
I have already outlined some of the essentials to the advancement of our work in Mexico; namely, a simple, practical training-school, with but two teachers in the beginning; a small health institution, modestly equipped, which would be a light center for the gospel of health in the land; and a few consecrated families, settled on farms among our people, to impart to them wise counsel. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.10
We consider that our Mission Board has dealt liberally with us during the past year; but if we could only man five of the chief centers of the republic, each with an efficient young minister, a Bible worker, and two canvassers, then, with all the workers filled with the spirit of consecration, wisdom, and power for service in winning souls, we would expect to see our message take on renewed life in Mexico. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.11
We are to-day face to face with the opportunity of the ages. Never were the conditions so favorable for the spread of the religion of Jesus Christ as now. Our confidence in the fact that the eternal God has set his hand to give the last message of mercy to all the world, and that the denomination which he has called out and commissioned as his chosen messenger to accomplish this work, will come up to the help of the Lord in providing both men and means to put our work on a paper footing in Mexico, notwithstanding the obstacles that confront us, inspires us with courage for the future. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.12
May the Lord of the harvest hasten the day when the overspreading of the everlasting gospel shall rescue every honest heart in Mexico from the grasp of the mystery of iniquity, and the second coming of the Master shall crown the gospel work of all ages and lands with a glorious triumph. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.13
At the close of Elder Reaser’s report, the chair invited the congregation to stand for a moment, while G. W. Caviness sang a verse of a hymn in Spanish. Then Professor Caviness, who has been twelve years in Mexico, spoke as follows:- GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.14
Mexican Experiences GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.15
When I went to Mexico, some twelve years ago, I knew nothing of the language, except that I had studied Latin and Greek for quite a number of years. I was informed that four fifths of all Spanish words come directly from the Latin, and have practically the same meaning. So I found myself able to read the Spanish and to get the sense, but could not understand it spoken, nor could I speak it myself. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.16
I went first to Guadalajara, where our work was started, and where they were at that time building the sanitarium. There I spent two years in the study of the language, preparing for work, and doing what I could, speaking in English to the laborers there. I was then asked to go to Mexico City. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.17
I went to Mexico City, taking with me two workers. To be set down in a city like that, to commence work without any resources whatever, was to me a difficult proposition. We began by visiting, and doing what we could to feel our way into service. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.18
It soon developed that many there desired a school, wishing especially to learn the English language. We soon had a school of about forty children, each paying five dollars a month tuition. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.19
After a time we brought our paper from Guadalajara to Mexico City, giving it the name, El Mensajero de la Verdad (The Messenger of Truth). From Guadalajara the paper had been sent out gratuitously to a few whose names we had gathered up. We now had a list of five hundred names, but none were paying. I had never had experience in canvassing, but I went out in Mexico City to distribute that paper in the city. Soon I found a few young men who were canvassers for the Bible Society. They were converted, and began to take up the work of selling our publications. Two of them are still with us. That little paper has grown from practically nothing, till in January of this year, we printed 10,000 copies. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.20
A few years after the paper had been sent out, I received a letter stating that two families had begun the observance of the Sabbath in San Luis Potosi. Brother Julius Paulson lived there, and we wrote to him to hunt them up. At last he found them out accidentally. We then sent a man up there, and these two families with their relatives and a few others gathered in, formed the nucleus of a company of twenty-five that we now have in that city. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.21
After a year or so of work by our colporteur with the paper in Torreon. I heard that there was an interest, and went to that place. I arrived there in August and found that in the previous month one family had accepted the truth and were keeping the Sabbath. I labored there for a while, and some others came in. Two canvassers were converted, and started out in the work in that place. One of these good brothers and his wife are doing what they can to interest others in the truth. Just before coming here, I received a letter stating that three Catholic families had begun the observance of the Sabbath as a result of their missionary work. I stopped there on my way to the Conference, and met with these people. I found three families, with their relatives, making about twelve in number, with some others interested. I expect that soon we shall have a church in Torreon. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.22
In Mexico City we have been carrying on a continuous work, and now have a church which numbers about 75. This includes about 15 or 20 foreign believers, the remainder being Mexican brethren. GCB May 27, 1909, page 178.23
As Elder Reaser told you, one of our canvassers sold some literature in Salina Cruz. A few months later, we received word from there that about twenty were keeping the Sabbath. Last December we visited this company. GCB May 27, 1909, page 179.1
Just before I left, a sister came to Mexico from Texas. She had been canvassing for the paper on the streets in Laredo and Monterey. Since coming to Mexico City, she has been able to sell 500 copies a week. The paper sells for six cents. A little girl about ten years of age has also sold papers quite successfully. They canvass in the parks. This lady in one evening sold $6 worth. Some effort has been made by Brother Blunt to gather some of the believers together, to give them instruction as to how to handle the papers, and this effort has been quite successful. One day these workers sold $27 worth. Some years ago one brother took our paper one Sunday morning, and went to market (Sunday is the market day in Mexico, and everybody goes to market), and he sold 800 copies of our paper. The next Sunday morning he sold 1,000 copies. These were back numbers, however, and were sold for one cent a copy; but this shows that papers can be sold by the hundreds in the streets of Mexico. GCB May 27, 1909, page 179.2
The bishops of the church are becoming afraid of the paper, and in some parts they have had prohibitions read in all the churches, stating that the people should not read the Protestant Bible and other Protestant literature, “including El Mensajero de la Verdad.” We know they will do all they can against it; but we also know that God is there to overrule, and to cause this to be but an advertisement for us. We have thought perhaps it would be a good thing to get out a good edition setting forth the truth in its proper shape, and print on it: “This paper is forbidden by the clergy; everybody wants it.” GCB May 27, 1909, page 179.3
I am glad to say that for the last two years, in the City of Mexico, almost every quarterly meeting I have had the privilege of baptizing from four to six new believers, and adding them to our little company there. We are indeed thankful that our brethren and sisters have such an interest as to give us a few workers, and glad that the work is moving; and now we feel that it must be pushed forward as never before. GCB May 27, 1909, page 179.4
We have no meeting-house in Mexico City. The people there are affected more perhaps than are we in this country, by having something substantial. When I built a little house down there, they immediately said, “He is going to take root among us.” I believe that the truth ought to take root there, and that we ought to have help to build a church, a school, and a small sanitarium near Mexico City. GCB May 27, 1909, page 179.5
I am glad to bring to you the greetings of the Mexican people. They believe in this truth. This message must be carried to all that country and people, saying, “The hour of his judgment is come.” If this is done, there will come from that land those who, with us, will gather in the kingdom of our Father, to sit with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in his kingdom. GCB May 27, 1909, page 179.6
THE LEVANT MISSION
At the close of the Mexican reports, the chairman called upon W. C. Ising to present the report for Syria and Egypt in continuation of the Levant report, begun yesterday by C. D. AcMoody. Elder Ising said:— GCB May 27, 1909, page 179.7
The Syrian-Egyptian Mission GCB May 27, 1909, page 179.8
Recent events in the Ottoman empire have again forced the attention of all nations to this part of the world, as they anxiously watch the development of that great Eastern Question which for so many years has engaged the powers in preparation to meet the final collapse. Among those particularly interested in the state of affairs are Seventh-day Adventists, on account of their definite attitude concerning the prophecies which have, from the very beginning, composed an essential part of the third angel’s message. It is, therefore, very fortunate that this General Conference convenes at a time when the general interest is directed to this country, as this will give a good opportunity to the delegates of the Levant to point to the situation with a view of setting before our people more distinctly and effectively the needs of our work in this field. GCB May 27, 1909, page 179.9
TERRITORY AND POPULATION
The Syrian and Egyptian Mission comprises Syria, Mesopotamia, Arabia, and Egypt, with the Sudan, and has a population estimated at about twenty-five millions. A glance at the map will at once call to our memory the important events and eras of the world’s history from its beginning. Looking at Mesopotamia, we are reminded of the once powerful kingdoms of Assyria and Babylonia, of the pilgrimage of our father Abraham, of the Babylonian exile of the people of Israel, and of the important part played by Egypt in the early history of God’s people. The former wisdom and treasures of Egypt are admired even to-day, though considerable heaps of stones and various ruins are the only remains of the faded glory of these ancient kingdoms. Having acted their part in God’s great purpose, they have disappeared from the face of the earth; while the promised Seed, coming forth from the branch of the stem of Jesse, emanating from the small land of Palestine, has grown and borne fruit until we to-day rejoice in the promulgation of this great third angel’s message. GCB May 27, 1909, page 179.10
Some Causes of Changes GCB May 27, 1909, page 179.11
As the Syrian Mission comprises a very large portion of the Ottoman empire, and is seriously affected by the general conditions of the country, it will not be out of place to mention the fact that the Protestant missionary enterprise is considered one of the chief influences contributing to the awakening of the present strong constitutional movement. This is particularly due to the strong educational influence exerted by them during the past century. Said a prominent Turk recently: “It was you Americans who, coming here to Turkey, found us in darkness, and showed us the way to the light.” The power of Protestant influence can better be appreciated when we consider that the latest statistics set forth the fact that not fewer than 700 American, English, and other European missionaries, with a staff of over 2,000 native workers, are spread over all parts of the Turkish empire, while some 20,000 communicants and 80,000 adherents are reported as supporting Protestant principles. This is the result of the influence of over a dozen first-class colleges, in connection with a large number of high schools, theological seminaries, and over 500 common schools, with a total enrollment of over 35,000 students, not to speak of the many other educational institutions of Roman Catholics, Greeks, Turks, Armenians, and others which have sprung up partly as a result and consequence of Protestant effort. Syria is an important educational center. In Beirut we have one of the largest Protestant colleges, with an enrollment of about 900 students; while at Cairo the Mohammedan university is the largest in the world, having an enrollment of 10,000 students. I am sorry to say that Seventh-day Adventist influence, however, has been little felt up to the present time. GCB May 27, 1909, page 179.12
RACES, LANGUAGES, RELIGIONS, COMMERCE
With few exceptions the population of this field is considered of Semitic descent, Mohammedans and Christians. Turkomans and especially Kurds have settled in the northern part of Syria, while east of the Jordan we find some settlements of Circassians among the Bedouin Arabs. German immigrants have founded some prosperous colonies in Palestine. The Jews number about 200,000 in Syria, 100,000 of whom are believed to have immigrated into Palestine during the last few years. These Jews are engaged in commerce, and in colonizing in various parts of the country. In fact, a number of colonies have sprung up during the Zionist movement. In Egypt there are some 600,000 Copts, who are believed to be the descendants of the ruling class of ancient Egypt; while the Fellahs, who compose about two thirds of the entire population, are the descendants of the ancient farmers, and are also to-day, as in olden ages, cultivating the land. GCB May 27, 1909, page 179.13
As to the languages, Arabic is the leading tongue in all parts of Syria and Egypt. It will be of interest to refer to the fact that during the eight to the twelfth centuries, science was introduced into Europe by the Arabs, and that they have contributed considerably to Western education, particularly in cultivating and developing the sciences. This is one of the reasons the Arabic language has such a large vocabulary. Owing to its considerable variety of expression, its exceptional irregularity of forms, and many other grammatical difficulties, the Arabic is considered the hardest of the Semitic, and even one of the most difficult of all languages. Its importance will be realized from the fact that the Koran, the religious standard of some 230,000,000 Mohammedans, is written in this language, and is more or less understood by them. Besides the Arabic, English and French are generally spoken, the former dominating in Egypt, owing to the English occupation, and the latter in Syria, on account of commercial influence and the Catholic propaganda. The English is also spoken to a considerable extent as a result of Protestant education. GCB May 27, 1909, page 180.1
Concerning religions, Mohammedanism has maintained its position since that star having the key to the bottomless pit, by means of which it was to bring forth a terrible smoke that would darken sun and the air, had its origin in the Arabian desert. The greater majority of the population in this mission field are faithful adherents of Islam. In fact, the cities of Mecca and Medina, so sacred to the Mohammedan world, are located here, and thousands of Moslems of other nationalities resort to these places every year. Besides there are a number of other religions that nominally are very similar to Mohammedanism, and which have a more or less secret character. GCB May 27, 1909, page 180.2
The Druses number about 200,000; the Nusarijes, numbering 130,000, are specially notable. The Druses are known in history from their slaughter of the Christians on Mount Lebanon and in Damascus and other places on several occasions; while another sect, the Ismaelites, numbering some 10,000, have become notorious by their assassinations during the crusades. Of so-called Christians the Maronites, who adhere to Rome, are the most numerous, with 320,000 souls; next to them are the adherents of the Greek Orthodox Church, numbering 300,000; the United Greeks, or Melchites, having 145,000; the Syrian Jacobites, with 59,000; the United Syrians, with 45,000; the United Armenians and Chaldeans, inhabiting the district of Aleppo, and numbering about 20,000 each. Besides these, there are about 30,000 of the Armenian Church reckoned among the Arabs of Syria, the majority of whom reside in the districts of Damascus and Aleppo. In addition to these various religions, Protestants have gained a good foothold, having, it is estimated, about 6,000 believers in Syria. The existing diversity of creeds, and the fanaticism of the various sects, will sufficiently illustrate the difficulty of work among them. Jews, Catholics, and Mohammedans have their strongholds here, and all claim their rights. It will be of interest to call attention to the fact that here in Syria, this southwestern corner of Asia, the world’s three great monotheistic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Mohammedanism—have originated; and it is here that the adherents of these religions will again meet in the great battle of all nations in the near future. GCB May 27, 1909, page 180.3
The produce of these countries may be estimated from the value of their exports. The value of the annual exports for Syria, consisting of lemons, oranges, soap, sponges, wool, olive-oil, sesame-seed, cotton, tobacco, cereals, and silk (the latter being one of the main products), amounts to about $7,500,000; that for Egypt, of cotton, cotton-seed, beans, sugar, grain, rice, hides, and tobacco, is, of course, considerably larger, estimated at $25,000,000 including the Sundan. GCB May 27, 1909, page 180.4
OUR WORK, CONSTITUENCY, FINANCES
Since the opening of our mission in these countries, we have certainly had our share of the difficulties and disappointments peculiar to the Levant. From the facts it indeed appears as if Satan were making a special effort to oppose our work here. Syria and Egypt have been greatly influenced as a result of apostasies, and the frequent changes in our foreign workers have also proved a hindrance to substantial advancement. For these reasons our considerable financial investments during the last ten years in missionary efforts, and the sacrifice of a number of faithful workers, have not yielded the results we might expect to see. At the beginning of this quadrennial period we had in this field 10 workers, with a membership of 48 while at the close of 1908, we had 9 workers and a membership of but 28. Our loss of membership is due to the fact that two years ago one of our Armenian workers in Egypt apostatized, with about 16 native members, while in Syria we were obliged to dismiss our only Syrian worker with the entire native membership of 4 souls. One of the reasons may be that they lacked sufficient instruction in the truth, and were left to labor for themselves a large portion of time. In view of the tendency of these Oriental peoples to fanaticism, and their disposition to go to extremes, this has proved detrimental to our work. GCB May 27, 1909, page 181.1
I am glad to say that two persons, a native and an aged German, are awaiting baptism at Beirut, while in the second quarter I had the privilege of baptizing an aged sister at Jaffa and two Armenians at Cairo. Several others are interested in the truth; however, the corruptible system of buying and supporting converts has established wrong ideas of Christianity on the part of the natives, who generally speculate on some material advantage in connecting with Protestantism. My observation is that after they get their education, they do not appreciate Christianity very highly. These conditions prove a great difficulty in the promulgation of our message, which lays positive responsibilities upon its followers. GCB May 27, 1909, page 181.2
During the previous four years our income has been as follows: Tithes, $3,134.23; weekly and annual offerings, $515.83; Sabbath-school offerings, $222.51, making a total of $3,873.57. Naturally we have had to call for considerable appropriations from the Mission Board, which have been granted liberally, and for which we are thankful. While Syria and Egypt are not poor in the same sense as China, India, Africa, yet I am sure that our people must invest considerable money and a number of laborers to establish our work on a satisfactory financial basis. While other mission fields are poor, missionary enterprises are comparatively less expensive. I wish to emphasize the fact that the introduction of European culture and business manners into Syria and Palestine on the one hand, and the considerable tourist influence on the other, have so shaped conditions in this field that missionary enterprise is much more expensive than in any of the other great mission fields. GCB May 27, 1909, page 181.3
ENCOURAGING PROSPECTS
Although we meet with many obstacles and perplexities of various kinds, our work at present also shows some very encouraging features, which give us a bright hope of extending the stakes of our message. Desiring to establish definite results in the places already occupied, there is need of spreading out into other parts of the field. For some time I have felt a burden to see a native helper enter the great center of the East, Bagdad. I was greatly encouraged in this desire when I heard from the Mission Board that some workers are preparing to open a mission in Persia. On coming to Cairo en route to Washington, I was very much inspired and surprised to find there two Armenians—one a native of Ispahan, in Persia, the other of Bagdad in Mesopotamia—who had come to Egypt about six months ago under peculiar circumstances. Standing one day in the zoological garden looking at the lions, they had become acquainted with our Armenian brother in Cairo, and finally became interested in and accepted the truth, so that I could baptize them in the water of the Nile. The younger brother is very anxious to return to Bagdad, where his father is a general agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society. He wishes to see one of our workers connect with him there, to make the truth known to his people. His knowledge of the Armenian, Arabic, English, and partly also of the Turkish languages, makes this young brother a promising instrument for the promulgation of the message in the land of the ancient Chaldeans and Babylonians. The other brother, well schooled in the Persian, may prove a good helper in opening up our mission in Persia. GCB May 27, 1909, page 181.4
OUR NEEDS
Seeing encouraging openings of new fields before us, one of our great needs is that additional helpers be sent to the Syrian-Egyptian Mission, locating in some of the larger cities, some of which as yet remain entirely untouched. Our nine laborers are at present distributed in Beirut, Haifa, Jaffa, Jerusalem in Syria, and at Cairo and Luxor in Egypt. The very near future must see a number of missionaries enter all these great cities, and the many smaller places, granting them sufficient time to master the languages, to become acclimated, and to get accustomed to prevailing conditions. Missionaries responding to this call must come with the definite determination of consecrating their lives to permanent labor among these benighted peoples, willing to assimilate themselves to the situation just as it is, making this country their home as long as there is need of spreading this message. This will be one of the guaranties, under the blessing of God, for a successful work in this field. GCB May 27, 1909, page 181.5
The apparent lack of permanency in our work has not been a great inspiration to the natives to accept this message, as they are unacquainted with our success in other mission fields, and take the results seen in their field as their standard. GCB May 27, 1909, page 181.6
Hardships and perplexities must willingly be faced. Having been in Syria but one year, I may say that we have already shared a part of these. Among other disappointments, sickness in my family has put us to some trials. Just after our blessed conference at Beirut last fall, Brother Lindegren, who had come from Abyssinia, my wife, myself, and Sister Brefin were ill with typhus. For full five months we were detained in our work and some of us were brought to the verge of death. My little girl had just overcome attacks of cholera, measles, and smallpox, while my wife had had two attacks of diphtheria, and was thus considerably weakened. I simply state this to encourage others, and to testify to God’s great mercy in sparing all our lives. GCB May 27, 1909, page 181.7
MEDICAL NEEDS
Another urgent need in our field is the wider extension of the medical work. The prevailing prejudice created by the misrepresentation of Christianity against Bible faith on the one hand, and the extreme fanaticism of Mohammedanism on the other, calls for a special development of medical missionary work. Even other mission societies are more and more advocating this work, as education alone will never prove sufficiently effective to reach Mohammedans. Thirty Protestant hospitals prove the activity in introducing the medical mission. All our lay members in Syria have accepted the truth as a result of our medical work. No doubt there would have been much other fruit could this work have been operated on a larger scale. At present this part of our work is very encouraging, being nearly self-supporting. There is a strong tendency in favor of hydrotherapy, especially in Palestine. As a result of our work at Jerusalem, the Jews are contemplating the establishment of something like a sanitarium to be conducted on our principles, and have even started to collect money for this enterprise, considering it a money-making business. This has grown out of the fact that our primitive treatment rooms at Jerusalem do not answer the demands. I am convinced that we ought to seriously consider this situation at this Conference, and not permit others to reap the benefits of the hard labor and sacrifices of ten years on the part of our medical missionaries there. GCB May 27, 1909, page 182.1
There is great need of supplying our medical work in Syria with such facilities as will properly allow an extension of this work according to its possibilities and the great needs. This would be a good support of our evangelical work. I hope, as we are obliged to vacate our Jerusalem institution by February 1, that this General Conference will plan such improvements for this work as will give us a proper representation. This will be highly appreciated by our workers and members, however few, and will, I am sure, exert great influence for the truth. GCB May 27, 1909, page 182.2
THE WORD OF COURAGE
We are of the best of courage. Our few members have their whole heart in this work, and very much desire to see it prosper. On seeing that Palestine and Egypt were included among the names of fields that were to be benefited by the Thanksgiving offering, I felt that while others were collecting money for us, we ourselves should make an effort to raise a little fund. I am happy to tell you that our endeavors in this respect have resulted in the raising of $165. We hope that the General Conference treasurer will accept this small offering for the Thanksgiving Ingathering, although a little late, as a token of the real missionary spirit of our few members of the Syrian-Egyptian Mission, and of their sincere desire, in harmony with our people throughout the world, to see this message make better progress within the boundaries of our field. GCB May 27, 1909, page 182.3
We look to this General Conference with great expectations in behalf of our field. Seeing some encouraging features in our work, we are deeply anxious to see these openings properly improved. Considering the important part that Syria has played in the history of God’s people, and is to play in the close of this work, and furthermore, seeing that it commands the entrance to Persia, and will be the center of communication when the railroads connecting Bagdad and Europe are completed, it seems that a special effort should be made to push the work in this field in preparation for the great missionary efforts yet before us in the Levant. This necessity is furthermore impressed upon my mind as the Arabic language is of such vast importance to the Mohammedan world in the East; the fact that this is the leading language does not put us to such linguistic difficulties as we must meet in other countries. Besides, as Christianity is so strongly developed in Syria, this part of the field seems to guarantee the greatest security for the establishment of a missionary center in the East. GCB May 27, 1909, page 182.4
Said a writer some fifty years ago: “It is remarkable that the brilliant star of Arabic literature, originally rising on the Arabian horizon, spreading from there such an illumination over the foreign nations of the East and West, has left Arabia in such a state of darkness.” This is true indeed. Considering, further, that this is the country whence the blessings of the gospel have emanated, we, as Seventh-day Adventists, should feel a special responsibility to give the last gospel message to those who sit in ignorance and darkness in this great field. GCB May 27, 1909, page 182.5
Seeing the war-clouds constantly looming over this country, now and then threatening to hasten that great closing scene of Armageddon, we may better realize the power that God is manifesting in holding the winds, giving us some precious time in which to labor. I wish to make a special plea for these benighted peoples, that we may improve the time and opportunities granted to us before the final catastrophe puts an end to all our efforts. We must see our workers and members multiplied in the near future, more foreign helpers must enter all parts of the field, and more literature must be added to our present 12 tracts and 1 pamphlet in the Arabic language. We must pray that God may continue to command the angels to hold the four winds until this country also shall have brought forth its fruits for the heavenly garner. “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth laborers into the harvest.” GCB May 27, 1909, page 182.6
After hearing this report the Conference adjourned to 10:30 A. M., May 27. GCB May 27, 1909, page 182.7
ALLEN MOON, Chairman,
W. A. SPICER, Secretary.
May 23, 7:45 P. M.