General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6
THIRTY-SECOND MEETING
W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, I. H. Evans, C. M. Snow, T. E. Bowen
May 31, 7:45 P. M.
J. O. Corliss in the chair. Prayer was offered by G. B. Starr. GCB June 2, 1909, page 271.25
The chairman stated that the time of this meeting would be devoted to the presentation of reports from the Indian Mission Field, and that Elder J. L. Shaw, the superintendent of that field, would lead out in making the report. GCB June 2, 1909, page 271.26
REPORTS FROM INDIA AND BURMA
J. L. Shaw then presented the following review of the field:— GCB June 2, 1909, page 271.27
The India Mission Field GCB June 2, 1909, page 271.28
“And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.” Romans 9:26. GCB June 2, 1909, page 271.29
India, called the “Land of Desire,” the “Cradle of False Religions,” is the most stupendous fortress and citadel of ancient errors and idolatry in the world, the home of the Hindu, the Mohammedan, the Animist, the Parsi, and the Jain, and the birthplace of Buddhism. Yet two hundred years of Christian missions in this dark land are bearing fruit. India, with other Eastern lands, is awaking from her millenniums of slumber. At least some are learning of the true God and salvation through a risen Saviour, and Indians once shrouded in darkness, are following the golden gleams of light streaming from the uplifted cross. GCB June 2, 1909, page 271.30
The Indian Mission Field is that part of Southern Asia comprehended in the peninsula of Hindustan, the province of Burma, and the island of Ceylon, having an area in square miles of 1,807,453. From the northwest frontier of India, joining Afghanistan, to the border of China, lying to the east, is a distance of 2,500 miles, and from the snow-capped Himalayas in the north, to Cape Comorin in the south, is 1,900. The population, according to the last census, is 297,638,046. Though comparatively small in area, being no larger than that portion of the United States east of the Missouri River, her population forms one fifth of the human race. GCB June 2, 1909, page 271.31
There she lies in her need, shut away from the larger world,—a land of nations, nation after nation, of differing language, customs, and habits, crowded each in its narrow confines, presenting a spectacle of painful poverty, woeful need, and awful darkness, rightly called the “Gibraltar of Heathenism.” GCB June 2, 1909, page 271.32
Notwithstanding many difficulties, the cause of present truth has not entered India without a purpose, and at least some encouraging results are apparent. From three languages, in which work was begun a few years ago, we have reached out to eight. Four years ago there was one organized church in the field; now, there are six, representing four different nationalities. The number of Sabbath-keepers, though only 230, has been about doubled since the last General Conference. The tithe paid in the field in 1904 was rupees 6,600 (about $2,200). In 1908 it was rupees 10,500 (about $3,500). Our Sabbath-school donations also have been nearly doubled. GCB June 2, 1909, page 271.33
There has been an increase in the number of workers and the amount of appropriation as well. Four years ago we had 26 foreign workers, and 13 local workers. The Indian Mission Field now has 33 foreign and 28 local workers. and the Mission Board appropriation has been more than doubled. GCB June 2, 1909, page 272.1
NATIVE WORK
The work in India, up to two years ago, had been conducted very largely in English, new workers coming to the field only sufficient to maintain our limited staff of laborers from the ever depressing conditions of the climate and the increasing needs of English work. At the general meeting at the close of 1906, a new policy was inaugurated for, native work. Up to that time the large share of our work was conducted in English, and very specially for English-speaking people. Workers came to the field often expecting to work for the natives, but so great was the need for recruits in the slender English force that it seemed necessary for them to begin work at once in the tongue they knew, with the thought of acquiring a vernacular language at the same time. GCB June 2, 1909, page 272.2
This seemed a pleasing plan, and not a few earnest missionaries purchased their first books in Hindustani, hired a “pundit,” and began with zeal to grapple with Sanscrit corruptions, while at the same time working from eight to ten hours a day in the tropical heat of India at the routine work in English assigned them. Some held out for a longer and others for a shorter length of time, but none, so far as the writer knows, achieved much success. It is true a very small minority afterward made progress which, when given full time for language study, was continued and turned to advantage; but the larger share, those who carried the heavier responsibilities in the work, after a few months, still retained their lesson-books to admire and peruse with ardent, earnest desire to master, yet with flagging energies unequal to so great a task. GCB June 2, 1909, page 272.3
At the conference of workers held at the close of 1906 it was unanimously decided to give workers attempting a language their whole time for the undertaking. Not only that, but their course was marked out for them as far as possible, and time was set for examinations. This plan has been carefully adhered to and very far-reaching results will follow the effort of the Indian missionaries in making language learning their first concern. GCB June 2, 1909, page 272.4
We have thus far, including the English, opened up work in eight different languages. Some of our workers have gotten far enough along to get fairly into the work, while others are still spending most of the time in the study of the language. We have workers engaged in work among the English, Bengali, Hindustani, Burmese, Tamil, Marathi, and Santali peoples. GCB June 2, 1909, page 272.5
These various nationalities are located as follows: the Bengali and Santali, in Bengal; the Hindustani, mostly in north India; the Marathi, in the Bombay Presidency; the Tamil, in the extreme south; while the Burmese occupy their native land, Burma. The English-speaking folk are widely and sparingly scattered throughout the empire. Five of these tongues are called leading languages, and comprise anywhere from fifteen to eighty millions each; yet they are but five of the more than a score of languages which number their people by the million. Besides these there are more than a hundred other languages and dialects, among which not even an entrance has been made. GCB June 2, 1909, page 272.6
IN BENGAL
Our work in the vernacular began among the Bengali people, and we now have three centers of work in this tongue, Calcutta Gopal Gunge, and Karmatar. In Calcutta a Bengali church has been organized with seventeen members. About three years ago, at Gopal Gunge, Brother L. G. Mookerjee and wife bought land, built a comfortable home, and put up other buildings at their own expense, and began work. They were well received by the people, and about seventy began keeping the Sabbath. Unfortunately, however, failing health made a change to America necessary, and the people not getting fully settled in the truth and having little to encourage them, the majority gave up. Some, nevertheless, have proved faithful, and a few of them are in the work. GCB June 2, 1909, page 272.7
In January last a general meeting was held at Gopal Gunge for the benefit of our Sabbath-keepers in East Bengal. Quite a number of earnest Bengali brethren came together, and an excellent meeting was held. Some of these brethren came a long distance under trying circumstances to attend the meeting. Traveling in East Bengal is not easy. The country is broken up by many rivers and small streams. Railways are impracticable, and traveling must be done largely by boat. A large number of Hindus from the surrounding villages attended our evening meetings. They manifested a deep interest in the question of Christ’s second coming, and besought us to remain longer. There is nothing which appeals more strongly to the Hindu than sin, its consequences, and hope of help in Christ. One stalwart Bengali exclaimed, in his own tongue, “I am a sinner, my heart is evil, ask your God to give me a new heart.” We knelt upon the grass, and pleaded with God to change his heart. It was arranged at this meeting for Brother A. G. Watson to locate his family at Gopal Gunge and labor. GCB June 2, 1909, page 272.8
At Karmatar considerable effort has been put forth without very encouraging results. Dispensary work has been done for sick people in surrounding villages, and a favorable impression has been made. Miss Samantha Whiteis spent a number of years in this work. The reasons for the small results realized at Karmatar have been the ignorance of the people, and the inability of the workers to speak the language, which is a heterogeneous mixture of different tongues. Miss Burroway is now able to work advantageously. At our last visit to the station we were glad to see the first convert present himself for baptism. More than eight years’ work, with but one convert, may appear very discouraging: however, it must be borne in mind that the continuity of our work has been broken into; then, too, the people are timid, and rarely accept Christ as individuals, but rather as families or communities. This is due to the barriers of caste, which, when broken by their becoming Christians, separate them from their relatives, their homes, and their inheritance. Caste and the purdah (the seclusion of the women) are awful barriers to the advancement of Christianity in India. Were these fetters broken, how many timid souls in all parts of India, knowing of Christ, would gladly make outright confession! GCB June 2, 1909, page 272.9
The orphanage and printing-office work have consumed most of the strength of our workers at Karmatar. But now most of the orphans are reaching the age where they can help themselves. A number of the older boys and one or two of the girls have worked in the Watchman Press, thus earning their own living. GCB June 2, 1909, page 273.1
We believe that in the not far distant future there will be an ingathering of souls at Karmatar; ignorance, caste, and superstition must give way to the gospel of Christ. Many are favorable, the leaven is working, and sometime we confidently look to see a break come and numbers accept Christ. GCB June 2, 1909, page 273.2
HINDUSTANI PEOPLE
Our work among the Hindustani people, of whom there are more than eighty millions, began a little less than four years ago when Brother L. J. Burgess and wife returned to India. Previous to that time some tracts had been printed in Hindi, and circulated in and about Calcutta, but no worker had been given time or opportunity to acquire the language. Through the efforts of Elder Haskell and wife and other good friends in America, Brother and Sister Burgess were given their whole time to the study of the Hindi, and afterward Urdu, which are the two branches of the Hindustani language. God’s blessing has rested upon these workers in a very definite way as they have quietly labored among the people. They are now able to conduct services and do regular work. Thus far most of their effort has been for native Christians of various denominations, and though naturally some opposition has been manifested on the part of other missionaries, a number of reliable Indian people have accepted the truth, and have since been assisting in the work among their own people, mostly in the distribution and sale of literature. GCB June 2, 1909, page 273.3
Two editions of a booklet entitled, “The Everlasting Gospel,” have been printed in Hindi amounting to 50,000 in all, and an edition of 20,000 of the same in Urdu has been printed. These are having a very encouraging sale at the hands of Hindustani workers. Aside from these, a number of tracts on present truth have been translated and printed. GCB June 2, 1909, page 273.4
Three years ago people in the Garwhal district, Northern India, very urgently requested us to open a school in their neighborhood: this has finally been made possible. The government has granted land, and the people have freely donated what they could toward a building, and are now helping Brother Burgess put up a small house. The interest and good will of the people can be judged from the following extract from a letter from Sister Burgess:— GCB June 2, 1909, page 273.5
“We came here about a week ago, and are encamped on the proposed site of the school. Every day that we stay only confirms us in the conviction that the Lord has led us in this move. The place is about twenty-five miles from the railway terminus, reached by ekka (two-wheeled ox-cart) and pony. It is right in the heart of the mountains, about seven thousand feet high. On every side are forests of pine-trees, making the air fragrant with their odor. To the north, seeming but a few miles distant, though in reality probably fifty or one hundred, we have the most magnificent view I have ever seen of the snows, stretching away as far as the eye can reach. Near the place is a spring of sweet, clear water, issuing out of the mountain-side. It seems in every sense in harmony with the instruction given through the spirit of prophecy in reference to the location of schools. There are villages all around, and the people seem most happy that we are among them. Just this morning we had a visit from the young man, who, while on a visit to Almora at the time we were there, learned of us, and sent a delegation to plead for a school. He told us that they did not simply want a school where they could be fitted for government positions, but they wanted one that would be instrumental in dispelling the darkness from their minds—they wanted an ‘asmani’ (heavenly) school. GCB June 2, 1909, page 273.6
“With this school we hope to combine our training-school for Hindustani workers for the plains, instead of taking them to Mussoorie, where so many English interests are centered. Here we can have industrial work connected with the school, which will be a great advantage. While we have but one acre given us, we can rent at a very low rate whatever we want for agricultural purposes. GCB June 2, 1909, page 273.7
“In the hills all the buildings are made of stone. If we had to dig all the stone out of the mountains, and then transport it to the spot on the heads of men and women, it would be a very long, tiresome job. On the very site given us for the school there was formerly a very large stone house, which has fallen to pieces, and the stones are all there, only waiting to be used. So the work of building will be comparatively easy. We hope to get up a small building before the rains begin, and then, as the need demands, add to it, utilizing student help and the help of those who are in training from the plains. The people of the district have expressed their intention of raising three hundred rupees to help in the work of building. GCB June 2, 1909, page 273.8
“It would touch your heart to see how solicitous the people here are for our welfare. Scarcely a day passes but some one brings us in an offering of some kind from his poverty. Some days I have received three or four seers (six or eight quarts) of milk, and they will not take a penny for anything they bring. Just to-day a poor man brought us about eight annas worth of ghee (16 cents’ worth of melted butter), which of course meant much to him. I am sure the Lord keeps a record of it all, and will repay them.” GCB June 2, 1909, page 273.9
The Garwhal district has the advantage of being located in the Himalaya Mountains, where the climate is cool and bracing, so that workers stationed there will not become broken down from the incessant heat which prevails upon the plains in the hot season. GCB June 2, 1909, page 273.10
We have three lady workers just getting into the Hindustani work. Misses Bertha Kurtz and Bertha King have been putting in most of their time on the language, and will soon pass their second year examination. Mrs. Alice O’Connor, who has had more experience with Urdu, is opening up a school for girls at Dehra Dun. So our work is slowly moving on among the great mass of Hindustani people. GCB June 2, 1909, page 273.11
BURMA
Efforts thus far in Burma have been mostly for English-speaking people located in and about Rangoon. Very encouraging results have followed the efforts of Brethren Hansen, Votaw, Cook, and other workers who have labored in the city of Rangoon. A thriving little church has been organized, and additions are being frequently made. A brother is in attendance at this Conference who recently accepted the truth at our meeting hall in Rangoon. Several earnest Burmese people have also accepted the truth, and are very faithful in doing what they can to disseminate it among their fellow countrymen. GCB June 2, 1909, page 273.12
In October last the first general meeting for our people in Burma was held. The attendance was excellent, a good spirit prevailed, and souls found freedom in God. In northern Burma two or three families have accepted the message. One brother is a prosecuting attorney, having considerable influence in those parts. He is enthusiastically teaching what he has learned. Through his efforts a very favorable opening for a school among the Buddhists in those parts was found; land can be obtained at a nominal price, financial assistance is promised, and a goodly number of pupils assured, at the same time giving us opportunity to teach our peculiar tenets. The most successful mission in Burma is carried on through the medium of mission schools. GCB June 2, 1909, page 273.13
At Moulmein, Burma, Dr. Ollie Oberholtzer is located. She spent most of her time the past two years on the study of Burmese, while at the same time doing medical work. Having no one to place with her, she has unfortunately had to work alone. As our workers become acquainted with the different languages of Burma, we feel certain that the cause of present truth will the more rapidly advance. Brother Robert Beckner, who has recently gone to Burma, has taken up the study of Burmese. GCB June 2, 1909, page 274.1
We have not yet been able to open up work among the Karens, who perhaps are as hopeful a race of people, so far as the accepting of Christianity is concerned, as are to be found in the Indian Mission Field. Large numbers of them have already accepted Christianity. GCB June 2, 1909, page 274.2
Some literature has been gotten out in Burmese on leading lines of the message. Burma as a whole presents a very encouraging mission field. GCB June 2, 1909, page 274.3
TAMILS
We made our first visit to the home of the Tamil Sabbath-keepers eighteen months ago. In company with Elders Enoch and James we were given a very cordial and enthusiastic reception. These needy people did all they could to make us feel that our coming among them was the fulfillment of a long-cherished desire. The reception was so whole-hearted that at first we could scarcely credit it. We are glad to say that the same warm-hearted sympathy has existed up to the present time. No doubt the fact that we are Sabbath-keepers has been a cord which has drawn us toward them. They number about 1,000. GCB June 2, 1909, page 274.4
The impression has gained ground among our people in America that we had made a great ingathering among the Tamil Sabbath-keepers, and that they had become Seventh-day Adventists as a body. But Seventh-day Adventists are not usually made that way. In the report of our first visit, as well as in subsequent articles which have appeared in the Review and Herald, it has been distinctly stated that these people are not Seventh-day Adventists, and their points of difference, as well as those upon which they agree with us, have been stated. They are holding to some Judaistic and Hindu ideas; yet they are Sabbath-keepers, and so far as they understand the question of Christ’s second coming, they have assented to our teaching. Up to the present time, however, our workers have been at a great disadvantage, not knowing the Tamil language, which by the way is said to be the most difficult Indian tongue. Brother J. S. James and wife are making progress in their study, and in time we believe will become able to teach the Bible in Tamil. Miss Belle Shryock, who has recently joined them in the work, is also studying Tamil. It is difficult, however, for workers to give as much time as they would like to language study with so much other work to be done. GCB June 2, 1909, page 274.5
A year ago a dispensary was opened among the Tamil Sabbath-keepers. The result of this is to farther win the confidence of the Sabbath-keepers as well as surrounding Hindus and Christians of other denominations. It is very interesting to see scores of people filing into our little dispensary to get what medical assistance our workers are able to give them. From fifty to a hundred are treated daily. The pity of it is we have such meager facilities. There is but one small room, with a bamboo partition through the center, one side being for the men and the other for the women. Upon an earthen floor, with no benches, chairs, beds, or other necessaries, our missionaries are doing what they can for the needy sick. Nor have they been content with treating patients in the dispensary, but have gone on many occasions to the homes of the people. The lives of several, taken with cholera and ill in other ways, have been saved, and lasting friends been won. At one of the Sabbath services, among the other donations on the table in front of the pulpit was a rupee, the giver having made this thank-offering for his child, who, owing to the successful treatments of Brother James, survived an attack of cholera. This rupee thank-offering represented four or five days’ wages, and, more than that, it represented the poor man’s feeling of appreciation. GCB June 2, 1909, page 274.6
PRESENT POSITION OF TAMIL SABBATH-KEEPERS
Ever since our entry among the Tamil Sabbath-keepers a controversy has been going on among them. Some have been more favorable to our points of truth than others. This has kept up a continual controversy, and we have feared that at any time a break might come. It has been our endeavor to stay this off until our workers become better acquainted with the Tamil language, and able more fully to instruct those who are inclined toward our views. In a letter recently received from Brother James, I quote the following, which may give you their present attitude:— GCB June 2, 1909, page 274.7
“The controversy among the Sabbath-keepers is still going on, the majority endeavoring to win over a very small minority to our side, so they may take their stand for us as a unit. Of course, such a thing is hardly possible; but if such a thing should take place, it is easy to see what we would have to do to put them on a firm foundation of Bible truth before accepting them. It seems to me this situation argues in sentorian tones for a man to come and help me. It is something terrific to stand alone in a time and place like this. It seems to me so much is involved in it in many ways that our brethren on the General Conference Committee ought to make a special effort to send a man and his wife right out. I am praying that the Lord will stay this crisis until help reaches me, for I feel wholly incapable to meet it alone. If, after the crisis is over, a large number should adhere to us, we should be somewhat prepared to take them in hand, and get them under our control. The other churches about here are on tiptoe with expectation over the affair, and you may be sure they will miss no opportunity during the time of disorganization to gain as many to their communion as possible.” GCB June 2, 1909, page 274.8
Elder G. F. Enoch has undertaken work among the Marathi people, of western India. Having his time only for language study he has been able to make excellent progress, completing the first year’s work in seven months. He has just found what seems a suitable location for a mission. Miss Edythe Ayers is also studying the Marathi. W. A. Barlow, who for a number of years labored among the Santali people, has been taking a furlough in England. A few faithful Santali Christians have, in his absence, been doing some little work among their fellow countrymen in the hill country of western Bengal. GCB June 2, 1909, page 274.9
SANITARIUM WORK
The medical work, though passing through severe difficulties, has nevertheless made progress, and we are thankful to acknowledge the prospering hand of God. For a number of years sanitarium work was carried on in the city of Calcutta. The trying climate and heavy rent made it necessary for us to seek a different location. The nurses found it difficult to do continuous work, in the sickly city of Calcutta, and maintain their strength. Several failed in health. Two graves in the Calcutta cemetery mark the resting place of two nurses, Dorma Humphrey and Mrs. Ellen Brain Jewell. Because of the unfavorable conditions prevalent in Calcutta, it was decided to move the sanitarium to Mussoorie, in the mountains, where the climate is healthful and bracing. A building was accordingly rented, and work begun. Though it has been in operation only a portion of last year, we are glad to report that at the close of the year the running expenses had been met, and the small building occupied by us was well filled with patients the most of the time. Our nurses are able to work and keep their health, rents are less, and patients make much more favorable recovery than upon the hot plains below. Our facilities, however, are altogether inadequate for the work. We need a property of our own and buildings suitable for a sanitarium. At the India biennial meeting in January the resolution was passed asking that an appropriation of $15,000 be made with which to buy land and put up buildings. Treatment-rooms are still conducted in Calcutta, and have been doing well, as has also the sanitarium health food factory located there. GCB June 2, 1909, page 274.10
MOUNTAIN REST HOME
Through the friendly offices of the Signs of the Times an effort was made three years ago to raise funds with which to buy a mission in the mountains to be used as a training-school and rest home for the workers. Appeals were made through the Signs of the Times, and a liberal response was made. The money was raised and shortly after that at Mussoorie, in the Himalayas, a suitable property was purchased, costing $8,000. It consists of twenty-three acres of land, and a substantial house, fairly well furnished. Our location is in the outskirts of the station, on the spur of the mountain. As our land includes the entire spur, we are apart by ourselves, yet only a short distance from the native part of the city. This home has proved a veritable life-saving station to workers coming from the heated plains below. Again and again missionaries have come to Mussoorie much debilitated by the heat, some with malaria and other diseases incident to the tropics. After a stay in the tonic climate of the hills their strength has returned, their health has improved, and they have gone back to their work with courage and energy. The effort of our people in purchasing this, the first and only property owned by this people in India, answered an urgent call, and provided a great need. We feel deeply grateful to God for the Mountain Rest Home. GCB June 2, 1909, page 274.11
PUBLISHING WORK
Present truth is now printed in some form in six languages of India. There are tracts and pamphlets in English, Bengali, Santali, Hindustani, and Tamil. Our English paper is the Oriental Watchman, which has had a wide circulation for a number of years in all parts of India, Burma, and Ceylon. It has probably done more than any other agency in English for the propagation of the tenets of the faith we hold. Faithful canvassers have gone from station to station wherever English-speaking people were to be found, taking subscriptions and selling books. It has been through many difficulties that the work has gone forward. Under the burning sun in malarious districts, often with unsuitable food, our canvassers have worked. GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.1
Miss Anna Orr, who is now returning to America after seven years in India, has spent most of her time traveling over India and circulating English literature. A grand work has been done at the hands of our faithful agents, of which eternity alone will reveal the far-reaching results. GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.2
Literature in the vernacular has been mostly in the form of tracts and pamphlets. It has been proved that even in India, where the people are so poor, papers and pamphlets can be sold. We have printed as many as 50,000 copies of one booklet. These have been taken by native brethren, and most of them sold at a price which about pays for the material. GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.3
A Bengali periodical is now being started. Its first appearance is as a quarterly, with the expectation of increasing it to a monthly journal. GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.4
The little printing-office formerly located at Karmatar, was moved in January last to Lucknow, a large city in the north-central part of India. Our facilities for printing during the past two years have proved altogether inadequate to the work, and a large share of our printing has been done by outside firms. With so many languages in India in which to print the message, it behooves us largely to increase our facilities for getting out the printed page. We should have a well-equipped office for meeting the growing needs of the field. GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.5
OUR NEEDS
The greatest need is men and women to strengthen the out-posts before lone laborers fail in health, frustrating the progress of the work. The publishing work needs helpers. Aside from this, funds are needed with which to build a sanitarium, provide proper facilities for the publishing work, and homes for missionaries. If such help as this is sent to us, it will provide for the work already begun. But what we have undertaken is as nothing compared with the great work before us. We have as yet only skirted about the coast-line, and discovered a few bays and inlets. The tremendous undertaking of preaching the everlasting gospel in India is one of the greatest problems which the Seventh-day Adventist denomination is facing at the present time. With 300,000,000 people before us, bound by heathenism, caste, and superstition, living in a trying climate, speaking no less than 147 different languages, we find ourselves undertaking a work the magnitude of which is altogether beyond our ability to grasp. Believing, as we do, that we are in the last generation, that in the next few years God’s last call will be sounded throughout this vast country, with its teeming millions, it behooves us to greatly extend our work, and lay broader plans than heretofore. GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.6
The following Memorial to the General Conference was drawn up at the recent biennial meeting of the Indian Mission Field:— GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.7
“Whereas, The unfailing word of prophecy has clearly pointed out that this threefold message will be preached to every kindred, nation, tongue, and people in this generation; and,— GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.8
“Whereas, This is a great empire of many nations and tongues, there being no less than 147 distinct tongues, 23 of which are spoken by more than one million people each, and we have as yet been able to make but a very small beginning in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Burmese, and Marathi; and further,— GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.9
“Whereas, The small force of workers in each of these languages is in imperative need of being strengthened by additional workers, and besides these five great nations there are eight other prominent ones with an aggregate population of 114,000,000 which are as yet untouched, among whom an adequate force must soon be stationed, to learn the languages and begin the promulgation of the truth of the third angel’s message, and develop a corps of workers from the field; and,— GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.10
“Whereas, The powers from beneath are rapidly leavening the minds of the people, as manifested 1 in the wide circulation of infidel literature; 2 in the political unrest; 3 and in the tendency of a small part of the population toward anarchy; and doors are rapidly closing, making mission work more difficult year by year; therefore,— GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.11
“Resolved, That the missionary conference here assembled, as representatives of the General Conference, standing face to face with these unwarned millions, do hereby memorialize the General Conference in its thirty-seventh session, assuring that body that the help already sent has been most timely, and that we heartily appreciate the efforts already put forth to warn these millions; and further, with the solemn burden of the work still undone resting heavily upon us, we have been greatly encouraged by the great interest recently shown in the cause of missions, and we most earnestly pray that this interest shall steadily increase until sufficient men and means are speedily supplied to meet the situation, and finish the work in India, the great Gibraltar of Heathenism.” GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.12
To meet the needs of India and answer this memorial will require, at the lowest estimate, 60 workers, including wives and single workers. GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.13
To provide a sanitarium, a publishing house to supply literature in the many languages, to build homes for the missionaries called for in localities where no suitable homes can be rented, and to place these workers in the field, and start them in the work, will require $75,000. GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.14
Brethren, India is waiting, away yonder, in its need. For these souls Jesus gave his life. In his name we present the burden of India’s millions before this Conference, praying God to enable his people to make response. GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.15
Following Elder Shaw’s general report, H. H. Votaw, of Rangoon, was called upon to give an account of the work in Burma. His report follows:— GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.16
Burma
Politically a part of the British empire in India, known to many as Further India, in our work a part of the India Mission, Burma is yet in many respects as different from India as is China. Lying as it does between two great empires, the Indian and Chinese, Burma has developed a peculiarity of nationality all its own. The people of Burma differ radically from the people of India. While the latter are Aryans, the former are Mongolians. In India the curse of caste dwarfs and stunts the effort toward enlightenment which the more progressive would make. In Burma there is no caste system. In religion India is servant to Hinduism and Mohammedanism, while Burma is one of the strongholds of Buddhism, having shrines which are the most sacred in all the Buddhist world, and to which come pilgrims from all lands where Buddhism has its devotees. GCB June 2, 1909, page 275.17
THE PEOPLE
The Burmese people are known as the “Irish of the East,” because of their unfailing humor; and they captivate the hearts of all travelers by their unbounded hospitality. Because of the fear of defilement the native of India can offer no hospitality at his board, while in Burma you are almost forced to eat and drink in every home to which you may go. I have frequently had the unpleasant experience of endeavoring to partake of the hospitality of a half-dozen families during a single forenoon, after I had partaken of a hearty breakfast before starting on my visiting. I am convinced that this country has had more books written describing it than any other country of its size in the world. The titles given to these books, such as the “Silken East,” “Golden Burma,” “The Soul of a People,” “Under Eastern Skies,” “Told on the Pagoda,” “The Land of the Gold Umbrella,” show the charm of the land, and the peculiar spell it casts upon the transient as well as the permanent resident. GCB June 2, 1909, page 276.1
The Burmese are a proud race. Some of the titles assumed by the late King show their arrogance. Although possessed of such a limited kingdom, the last king of Ava—as the king of Upper Burma was designated—assumed the proud titles, Lord of the White Elephant, Lord of the Golden Umbrella, Ruler of the Universe, etc. And this overweening pride, persisted in to the last, eventually cost him his kingdom. GCB June 2, 1909, page 276.2
But it is not in the province of this report to dwell upon those features of the people and the land, interesting as they are, which are not directly a feature of our work. GCB June 2, 1909, page 276.3
OUR WORK
It is now nearly four and one-half years since we first sighted the shores of Burma. As our ship dropped anchor in the harbor of Rangoon, and we went ashore, we were impressed, as others have been, “that every one had tried to see how fantastically he could array himself, or had gone to the other extreme, and had not arrayed himself at all.” Rangoon, the metropolis and chief port of Burma, is one of the most progressive and cosmopolitan cities in the East. Representatives of nearly every nation of both Europe and Asia may be seen here every day, each arrayed in the costume peculiar to his own country. A perfect babel of voices is to be heard. However, the novelty of it all soon passes, and we are oppressed, almost to discouragement, by the knowledge that they are ignorant of the message which is so dear to us,—unwarned concerning the most momentous event of the ages. GCB June 2, 1909, page 276.4
Some work had been done in Burma before we arrived there. Brother H. B. Meyers had sold our books to the English-reading community in all the larger towns, and some meetings had been held in Rangoon. There were three Sabbath-keepers at the time of our arrival. By the blessing of the Lord, this number has been increased to something more than sixty; but we have lost two by death, one from apostasy, and a number have moved from the land. We have still in Burma about fifty adults who are thoroughly in harmony with us in all points, and whose lives give evidence of the working of God’s Spirit. Further, we have a number of promising youth whom we believe will yet be of service in giving the message to their own people. We have no “rice Christians.” GCB June 2, 1909, page 276.5
That our people are not inspired by mercenary motives should be proved by the following illustration of the sacrifices which they make for the truth. Brother Maung Maung, before he began the observance of the Sabbath, commanded a salary of rupees 250 (which is the equivalent of $80 of our money) a month. With us he earns twenty dollars a month, and serves our cause in a multitude of ways. He is a mechanical draftsman of marked ability, an architect, a photographer, and is especially apt in giving this message. Our other Burmese worker, Brother Hpo Hla, had been for nearly twenty years in the employ of the Church of England, and besides his regular salary he was given the privilege of sending his children to the boarding-school free of charge, and was able to earn extra money by private tutoring. When he accepted this truth, he devoted all his attention to teaching the Burmese language to young Englishmen, and for more than a year supported himself before we asked him to join our force of workers. When we finally hired him it was at a salary considerably less than he had formerly earned, with no allowance for the education of his children. GCB June 2, 1909, page 276.6
The tithe, which was naught when we arrived, has now risen to about $100 a month, and this exclusive of the tithe of the workers. While the population of the province of Burma is only one thirtieth of the whole Indian empire, our tithe for the past year amounted to almost one half of all the tithe received by the treasury of our Indian Mission. GCB June 2, 1909, page 276.7
Our Sabbath-school donations have risen until for the quarter ending March 31, 1909, we received from the Rangoon Sabbath-school alone $36. From the three Sabbath-schools in Burma our average quarterly collection is about $60, and all of this is devoted to missions. GCB June 2, 1909, page 276.8
By the blessing of the Lord we have been able to raise the sum of $20 every month for the rent of our meeting hall in Rangoon. It was a severe test of our faith to follow what was the manifest leading of the Lord, and undertake this responsibility, when we had but three Sabbath-keepers besides the workers. But God’s leading hand has never failed us, and each month this rent has been paid, and not one cent have we received from the treasury of the mission to aid in paying it. Now that our numbers have increased, we receive more than enough each month to pay the rent, and have been enabled to equip our hall with all necessary furniture. GCB June 2, 1909, page 276.9
Besides these regular sources of income we have received donations enough to enable us to print good-sized editions of each of six different tracts, and to pay about $300 toward the purchase of some property for a permanent mission home. GCB June 2, 1909, page 276.10
LITERATURE
The tracts to which we have just referred are all either 8 or 16 pages in size, except one which had 22 pages. Shortly before I left for the Conference, we received from the press a booklet of 80 pages, dealing with health principles, and selling for 8 cents. This has been well received. The cost of producing the booklet was slightly more than 3 cents a copy. This is our first attempt to sell literature in the vernacular, and we feel sure that it portends good things. The Buddhist is a vegetarian in theory, if not in fact, and we have been able to present the principles of health reform which we as a people hold, and they have been well received. GCB June 2, 1909, page 276.11
At the present time our greatest need is more workers. We have need of some financial aid, but men are needed most. Four or five openings should be met at once. GCB June 2, 1909, page 276.12
First, there is a great need for treatment-rooms to be opened in Rangoon. From the experience of those who have done medical work in the past we are convinced that treatment-rooms would be self-supporting almost from the time of their inception. We have rooms for which we need pay no additional rent in which the work could be begun. A consecrated man and his wife for medical missionary work are urgently asked for. GCB June 2, 1909, page 276.13
Second, Dr. Oberholtzer has lived alone for more than two years, and faithfully endeavored to teach the message by the ministry of healing while engaged in language study. It is not right that she should be left thus alone. Brethren, would you like to know that your sister was 12,000 miles away from all that she held dear, living alone, battling alone against the deep-seated ignorance and superstition of heathenism? GCB June 2, 1909, page 276.14
Third, we need a qualified school man—one who has been educated in the “university of hard knocks.” Some of the most prominent Buddhists of Upper Burma have besought us to start a school for their youth, where manual training shall be given. The mission schools of other denominations are missing their privileges by following the government curriculum for the sake of government grants-in-aid. So much is required by the government before this financial help is given, that the schools are unable to give anything like adequate instruction in Christianity. The people who are calling for us are willing to help to the best of their ability in a financial way. They have promised to work in every way they can to make the school a success. May God impress some strong young man and wife to volunteer for this work. GCB June 2, 1909, page 277.1
Fourth, I must speak in terms the strongest that I can command in regard to the crying need of laborers to begin work among the Karens. I feel sure that no yet unentered territory presents so strong a plea for help, and it is a question in my mind whether any call for help which has been or shall be presented at this Conference is deserving of more immediate consideration than this plea. Ever since we have lived in Burma, we have written and pleaded for some one to come to give this glorious message to the simple-minded hill folk of the mountains of Burma. Possessing such traditions as they do, they are peculiarly susceptible to the influence of the gospel. Many have speculated concerning the folk-lore of the Karens. Where and how did they obtain it? It is jealously guarded, and handed down from generation to generation. In outline, if not in absolute detail, it agrees with the Scriptural narrative, including the account of the forming of woman from the rib of man, the fall, the flood, etc. “Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God,” the knowledge of their Creator was withdrawn from them, not, however, without the promise being left to them that the knowledge of the true God should again be brought to these whom he had temporarily cast off. “White foreigners,” coming in ships, were to be the bearers of the good tidings. Those who have not yet accepted Christianity represent their present condition by the following illustration: A father and his children were traversing a narrow foot-path on the mountain-side. At a convenient place on a ledge of rock the father left his children while he went elsewhere. A tiger was seen approaching. Seized by fear, the children, to save themselves, cast a pig over the cliff to the approaching tiger. “Thus,” they say, “we sacrifice to the demons only because we fear them, not that we would worship them.” GCB June 2, 1909, page 277.2
Already thousands have turned to Christianity, and it is not strange, since they have such a favorable predilection for the gospel. The Baptists claim some 40,000 communicants among them, I am told. Other missions also have flourishing congregations. They make excellent Christians, and the change for good which Christianity has made, and is making, in them is witnessed to in emphatic terms by all who are in a position to speak intelligently. GCB June 2, 1909, page 277.3
The Karens number about three quarters of a million, and are divided into three main tribes. They live almost entirely in the hills, or the low land immediately adjacent. Whoever begins work for these people must expect hard work, for it is difficult to visit their mountain villages; but surely the results will pay abundantly. O that God might lay upon some strong young men and women the burden of this work! Who will become the apostle of this great message to these hungry souls? Would it not be worth more, far more, than the sacrifice it demands, to be able to stand with the redeemed of this people on the sea of glass, and join with them in the song of Moses and the Lamb? My soul has long been burdened as I think of the Karen still waiting for the truth. I have promised before God that I will leave nothing that lies in my power undone in my efforts to secure some one to begin this work. GCB June 2, 1909, page 277.4
Before closing I feel that I must share with you some of the things which I have learned from my sojourn in the East—things which should bring good cheer to the heart of every one who is longing for the speedy return of the blessed Saviour. I am sure that the Lord of all the earth has set his hand to the task of doing a short work, and cutting it short in righteousness. Wherever we turn our eyes, we see evidences that the harvest of the earth is ripe. All about us are those things which indicate that God is leaving the nations without excuse, and is preparing the honest in heart to receive this great message speedily. The instruments for giving it quickly are complete, and his servants are being endued with power. Scarcely noticing those things which are common to all countries, such as railways, by which it is now possible to go from Rangoon to Ava in eighteen hours, a journey that required six long weeks in the days of Judson; or steamships, which carry us from the door of our country to the “Silken East” in a month (Judson spent over six months when he made the voyage); or the printing-presses which abound in the land, and enable us to educate the people by literature in their language,—passing these, I say, we stand face to face with the deep-rooted belief of the people of all religions that a Redeemer is about to appear. The Hindu is expecting a God to appear in the flesh; the Buddhist tells us that it is almost time for another incarnation of the Buddha, and the Moslem is sure that Isa Messi, Jesus the Messiah, shall soon return to correct the evils now practised by mankind. GCB June 2, 1909, page 277.5
All India is aquiver to-day, on tiptoe with expectancy and anxiety. Do you not agree, brethren, that ours is the message that is needed? Can you not thank God again and again that to us has been committed a gospel commission as comprehensive as the love of God; a gospel fitted to the needs of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; a message which answers the heart’s longing of every honest soul in every land, “from Greenland’s icy mountains to India’s coral strand;” a message which proves to be “the power of God unto salvation,” breaking the shackles of the poor heathen, raising him from the service of “dumb idols to serve the living God,” and delivering “them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage”? This glorious advent message meets the expectancy of all India. Let us be true. Let us pledge again our best service. In heartfelt humility and contrition of soul for our past unbelief, let us arise to finish the work. Let not the curse of Meroz be ours. GCB June 2, 1909, page 277.6
And since I have seen the marvelous manner in which news travels in India, I am persuaded that the message can be quickly given. It is a matter for continual marvel to us how rapidly events of all sorts become known to the illiterate millions of India. GCB June 2, 1909, page 277.7
But one thing that I have ever seen seems to me to be a fit illustration of the swiftness with which the knowledge of happenings of the day are passed from mouth to mouth. How distinctly I remember that day, years ago, when, with blanched faces, the dwellers in a little frame house, set far out on the prairie, began to labor with eager, feverish haste to protect the home from the dreaded prairie fire! But the rolling, bounding flames gave little time. The fire was driven by the wind, and what was the puny work of man to stop it? Christ has compared the working of the Spirit to the blowing of the wind. So when the Spirit of the Lord of hosts has breathed upon his people, and the nations, I am sure that the message will sweep across India in mighty triumph, burning away every barrier which Satan has erected to stay its progress. Let us be ready against that day. GCB June 2, 1909, page 277.8
Again these Macedonian calls stirred mightily the hearts of all. GCB June 2, 1909, page 277.9
The meeting adjourned.
J. O. CORLISS, Chairman,
W. A. SPICER, Secretary.