General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6

DEVOTIONAL MEETING

W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, I. H. Evans, C. M. Snow, T. E. Bowen

The Closing Social Service

So many had made previous arrangements to leave Sunday, June 6, that it was thought best to have the farewell testimony service Sabbath afternoon, June 5, at 3 P. M. Following is a brief report of this very interesting meeting:— GCB June 7, 1909, page 347.1

A. G. Daniells: We have now come to our closing service. We have been together after a four-years’ separation in all parts of the world. Many of us who are gathered here will not be together four years from now. From that standpoint we feel a sense of sadness and regret to see the meeting close. Yet there is another side, as expressed by the prophet, in Zechariah 2:10, 11: “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee.” GCB June 7, 1909, page 347.2

From this view-point we may all rejoice here; for God has literally and truly sent us to all nations, and the very message we bear to the world, as indicated in the wording of the message itself, is to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” Those who first took up the proclamation of this message believed that it was to be carried to the uttermost parts of the earth, and they set out with that purpose in view. They have continued their work until this has, in a measure, been accomplished. At this meeting we have men and women who have come here to tell us about the progress of the work in the uttermost parts of the world. GCB June 7, 1909, page 347.3

We have representatives from all parts of North America, from Alaska to Newfoundland, from Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and South America, and Bermuda, thus representing every nation, kindred, tongue, and people in this western hemisphere. Beginning with the eastern hemisphere, we have representatives from Iceland, Scandinavia, all parts of Europe, Africa, Turkey, Syria, India, Burma, the East Indies, the Philippines, China, Japan, Asiatic Russia; and from Australia, New Zealand, the islands of the southern Pacific, and from Hawaii. GCB June 7, 1909, page 347.4

It was in 1874 that our beloved Brother J. N. Andrews sailed from New York for the Old World, our first missionary sent outside this country. Our people had little experience then in foreign mission enterprises and in making contributions to that work; but those contributions, small though they were at first, have been like leaven, until the world is being leavened with the message God has given us to proclaim. While some of our missionaries have laid down their lives in those fields, it has not been in vain; and although our people have, since 1874, contributed of their hard-earned means, that sacrifice has not been wasted; and to-day we rejoice that God has watered the seed sown. No one regrets what has been done, or the contributions made, during this period to foreign missions, but rather we wish we had done more, that we had been more hearty and earnest in this work. GCB June 7, 1909, page 347.5

There is still a future before us, a service to render, still there are gifts to make, and efforts to be put forth. Should this service be faint-hearted or whole-hearted? Should we take hold in an easy way or a strenuous way? As we look over the past and see what God has done for us, we feel that we should take hold of this work with a zeal that we have never manifested before. I thank God for the prosperity that has attended our feeble efforts to carry this message to all parts of the world. GCB June 7, 1909, page 347.6

You have heard many sermons and reports here at this meeting: now we want to give you an opportunity to tell your experience, to speak of your hope and courage, and of your determination to press on in this glorious work. GCB June 7, 1909, page 347.7

Following Elder Daniells’s remarks, a testimony meeting was held in which many took part. The following extracts are taken from a few of the testimonies borne:— GCB June 7, 1909, page 347.8

Wm. Covert, Illinois: I think I have been present at every General Conference except one during the last thirty-five years, and I have been hoping that it would be my privilege to attend every one until the Lord comes. I feel much encouraged at the prospect before us. GCB June 7, 1909, page 347.9

G. B. Starr, Australia: I thank the Lord for this great Conference, and especially have I been encouraged with this unifying influence. As I have attended the various departmental meetings, I have seen the power there is in this gathering to unify and blend the departments of this work. GCB June 7, 1909, page 347.10

A. J. Breed, Washington: My connection with this work began the last Sabbath of January, 1874. At that time we thought it would only be a little while before the Lord would come, and I can see now that the Lord has led his people out to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. The prospect of a home in the kingdom of God looks bright to me. GCB June 7, 1909, page 347.11

H. C. Goodrich, Panama: It is now twenty-four years since my connection with this people. I am of good courage, and I believe it is the privilege of those who are here to live until the Lord comes. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.1

N. Z. Town, Argentina: I want to express my gratitude for the blessing I have received here. My heart is with you in this work. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.2

Mrs. J. T. Boettcher, Russia: It is just thirty-two years since I heard this blessed message that the Saviour was coming again. My courage is good to-day. May God be with you all. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.3

D. P. Gaede, Germany: I have been richly repaid for being here, and I will go into the field pushing the work as never before. I have been united with this work for eighteen years, and I praise the Lord for his goodness to me. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.4

A. M. Dart, State of Washington: Twenty-two years ago this truth came to me. It was so bright and so glorious that it filled my soul. The hope grows brighter and brighter. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.5

Mrs. H. J. Edmed, South Africa: I desire to thank the Lord for the precious privilege of attending this Conference. I have believed the third angel’s message for twenty-one years. I thank God that we can go back to our field of labor with increased courage, and a more earnest determination to labor until the work is finished. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.6

Smith Sharp, Tennessee: In 1865 I attended my first General Conference, when Elder James White, Joseph Bates, J. N. Andrews, and others were active laborers. My hope is bright in this message. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.7

A. C. Bourdeau, Michigan: I heard the proclamation of the second coming of Christ in 1844, and 53 years ago I had the privilege of studying present truth. I have been connected with this cause ever since. I feel to thank the Lord for what my eyes see to-day, and for what my ears hear in regard to the progress of the cause of truth. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.8

H. H. Dexter, France: I praise the Lord for what this message has done for me. I love this message, and desire to go back to my field filled with the Spirit of God, and with a burden for the salvation of lost souls. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.9

M. A. Altman, Scotland: When I went to a foreign field ten years ago, I thought that probably I should never return; but I am glad we are here together once more. I am not tired of the work, but I am greatly strengthened in what I have seen and heard here, and return to my field of labor with good courage. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.10

J. Wolfgarten, Austria: Thirteen years ago this message came to me in London. At that time I was a Roman Catholic. I had never seen a Bible in my life. A Seventh-day Adventist placed the Bible in my hands, and it was the happiest time in my life. I am thankful to the Lord that he has kept me till this day. Parents, friends, brothers, sisters, have forsaken me, but the Lord has kept me. I am working a field where most of the people are Catholics, and I want your prayers. I am happy among them, and they are happy to accept this message. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.11

Dr. Kawasaki, Japan (H. Kuniya translating): Thirteen years ago, when I accepted this message, there were only two believers in Japan. I belonged to the Episcopal Church, and they had many members, large churches, and good houses, but we had no churches, no buildings, no friends. When Elder Daniells talked about how this message has gone over the world, I was full of courage. I count it a great privilege that I could be in this meeting, but only I feel sorry that I could not be able to speak to you freely. But I am glad when I think about the Lord coming soon, and we may see at that time no other language but one, and then I can talk to you. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.12

A brother from Holland: Though I can not speak good English, I want to thank the Lord with all my heart that I have been here at this meeting. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.13

C. N. Miller, editor of the paper for the blind: I am thankful for the enjoyment of this meeting. My heart is filled with gratitude for what I comprehend in knowing that this message is going to the uttermost parts of the earth. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.14

F. W. Spies, Brazil: A day or two ago several of us were marking on the map the churches we have in South America. When we got through, we had the continent belted from the equator on the Atlantic side to the equator on the Pacific. It begins to look as if the work would soon be done, and we could go home. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.15

J. O. Corliss, California: Forty-one years ago next September I had the privilege of taking part in the first camp-meeting ever held by Seventh-day Adventists. It was held in Ottawa County, Mich. There are two brethren here who were there, Brother Amadon and Brother Burrill. When I think over this vast audience, my soul can hardly contain itself at the thought of how this message has gone, and here at this meeting we can hear the song of praise from the lips of men from Japan and Russia and from every part of the world. It seems as if the work is almost done. My heart is rejoicing to-day at the thought that some of us are going through to the other side. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.16

Dr. Hill, Canadian Indian: I have been in this company about twelve or thirteen years, and I can say to-day I am stronger than I ever was in my life. It seems to me that nobody else has more struggle with temptation than I, but I remember God’s Word which says, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.17

E. W. Farnsworth: My father began to keep the Sabbath four years before I was born, and he was the first man who began to keep the Sabbath as an Adventist. Father is dead; and while it may be a pleasant thought to think that I am connected with one who had the fear of God before his eyes sufficiently to obey the truth under those circumstances, we must have a living faith for this time, and walk by faith, and not by sight. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.18

R. J. Bryant: Just thirteen years ago this truth was brought to me by a canvasser one evening after the Sabbath. It got such a grip upon me that Monday morning I was out selling books, and the Lord helped me to sell $150 in the homes of the people before I ever had the privilege to keep a Sabbath. I praise God for this truth and the part he gives me in it. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.19

E. Forga, Peru: My people were Catholics in Peru. They sent me to Germany and put me in a Jesuit school, but as a result I lost Catholicism and found the third angel’s message. My faith is growing stronger, and I want to give my life to this work. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.20

Brother Cruikshank, Burma: Six months ago I was a lost soul in every sense of the word, but Brother Votaw showed me what it was to be faithful and to trust in God and the Scriptures. I have had a great feeling come over me to help carry this message to India. If we really believe that the second coming of Christ is a fact, we must forget that the climate is hot, and go right on. I hope that God will come into our hearts and strengthen us to go forward. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.21

Sister McCoy, Pitcairn Island: I feel as if I could not let the meeting pass without thanking the Lord for allowing the truth to come to our little island. I love the truth, and the more I hear of it, the more I love it; and when it triumphs, I expect to triumph with it. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.22

Many others also spoke, and it was with difficulty that the meeting was brought to a close at 5:30. It was an occasion of rich blessing. GCB June 7, 1909, page 348.23