General Conference Bulletin, vol. 2

FOURTH MEETING

L. T. NICOLA

Fourth meeting convened at the Tabernacle pursuant to adjournment at 7 P. M., March 13, 1897. Prayer by A. T. Jones. GCB January 1, 1897, page 64.3

J. E. Graham, of the “Pitcairn,” was called upon, and after Scripture readings and speaking of the wonderful opportunities afforded to the mariner to see the works of the Lord and his majestic power, he spoke of the New Hebrides of the South Pacific, and of the extent of the missionary work already done, also of the condition of the natives who are only just removed from a state of cannibalism. GCB January 1, 1897, page 64.4

Dr. A. B. Olsen followed with a statement of the need of missionary work in South America. In Ecuador no mission work has ever been done, and no Spanish Bible is permitted to enter the realm. At the present time there are but three missionaries in Venezuela. Nearly all the missionaries in South America are in Guiana, with a population of only 390,000. Bolivia has never had a missionary. He spoke of many of these fields being now open for missionary work, which have hitherto been closed. No medical missionary work is being done in all South America. Miss Stella Colvin, one of our nurses, is now actively engaged at Trinidad, and finds very much more than she can do. GCB January 1, 1897, page 64.5

Mrs. E. H. Whitney gave an account of the need of medical missionary work in the dark continent of Africa. In a population of 20,000,000 people in North Africa, there are less than 10,000 missionaries at work. In the central portion there are about 3,000,000 people, where no missionaries have ever gone. In the Sudan there are 80,000,000 Mohammedans, with not a missionary to be found within a radius of 1000 miles. They are quite intelligent and strong, and live in walled cities. The Mohammedans have kept the missionaries out. Letters were read from Dr. Carmichael of the great work before them in Matabeleland, GCB January 1, 1897, page 64.6

Dr. Caro spake, as he said, for about 900,000,000 people in Asia. “All are agreed,” he said, “that there is great need of medical missionary work, but I am to talk of the possibility of self-support;” following which he gave the experience of a physician in Corea, and how he gained admittance. Also how China and Persia have been opened to missionary work by medical missionaries having an opportunity to treat some of the royal families. Also how the work was started in Burmah. Out of a population of 400,000,000 people in China, there are but 140 physicians; India, with a population of 300,000,000, has 82 physicians. Dr. Kerr, a medical missionary, has been in Canton, China, for 38 years, during which time he has performed over 38,000 operations. GCB January 1, 1897, page 64.7

J. E. Jayne spoke of the cities of the Atlantic seaboard and the pressing need of medical missionary work in all of these; what they are not doing, and also what they are trying to do in Christian Help work, and gave many very interesting and touching instances. GCB January 1, 1897, page 64.8

Meeting adjourned to meet at 5 P. M., March 14. GCB January 1, 1897, page 64.9