Manuscripts and Memories of Minneapolis

REPORT OF FOREIGN MISSION SECRETARY

By reference to the minutes of the last conference we find that six of the thirty resolutions and committee reports relate to foreign mission work. The particular subjects reffered to in these were: MMM 364.26

1. The Missionary Ship. MMM 364.27

2. The Christmas Offerings to Missions. MMM 364.28

3. The Prosperity of our Missions. MMM 364.29

4. Our Approval of Mission Schools for Canvassers. MMM 364.30

5. Approval of the Establishment of the British Publishing House in London. MMM 364.31

6. Suggesting the First Day Offerings for Missions. MMM 364.32

As the third, fourth, and fifth referred to steps already taken, we need not speak of them particularly; but cannot refrain from remarking that the prosperity of our missions for which we were so thankful one year ago, has increased and continued to the present time, as is shown by the reports given by Elders Haskel and Conradi, and by the statistical reports which will hereafter appear. MMM 364.33

The time of our most efficient missionaries during the last year has been largely given to the educating and training of younger laborers, and to the preparation of books, which are essential to the future prosperity of the work. MMM 364.34

Especially is this the case with the Central European and the British Missions, and the experience of the year confirms us in the belief that it is necessary to give our first and best efforts to the training of laborers for all branches of the work and for all classes of society. MMM 364.35

The three resolutions relating to future work have been carried out something as follows: MMM 364.36

While the committee were considering the matter of building a ship, Elder Cudney borrowed one and has gone on his way to the Pacific Islands. MMM 364.37

The Christmas donations amounted to the generous sum of $27,162.89. Without this we do not know how our faithful missionaries could have been kept in the field without actual suffering. MMM 364.38

The recommendation of the financial committee, that our people everywhere literally carry out the advice of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:2, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him,” as a weekly, free-will offering in behalf of the foreign work, has been quite generally undertaken by our people. Over 23,000 boxes, prepared for the reception of these offerings, have been sent out to the several conferences and distributed. At the annual sessions of the State Conferences this plan of benevolence has been unanimously approved; and we trust that as soon as the plan is fully in operation, we shall see a more liberal support furnished to all our missionary enterprises. MMM 364.39

The amount received from these boxes the first quarter was $1,231.46; for the second quarter, $2,960.00; the reports for the third quarter have not all come in. If we may suppose that there were in use 1500 boxes in the second quarter, the average amount of the quarter donations is less than $2 apiece. We must believe that this average will be largely increased during the coming year. MMM 365.1

Of the 47 recommendations made at a committee on the distribution of labor, there were ten relating to foreign fields, and in accordance with these recommendations. MMM 365.2

Elder G. C. Tenny spent about four months at the Pacific Press Publishing House, gathering information and experience in editorial and publishing work, and then proceeded to Australia where he received a cordial welcome and has been made president of their conference just organized. MMM 365.3

Elder J. N. Ericson has labored successfully in Stockholm, Sweden, where we have a large and growing church. MMM 365.4

Elder H. P. Holser, sent to Bassel to act as treasurer of the Central European Mission and take the oversight of the book sales department in the publishing house, has also been chosen president of the Central European Conference. MMM 365.5

Elder D. A. Robinson, called away from the African field to assist Elder Haskell in London, is now acting as one of the editors of Present Truth, and is principal teacher in the London City Mission Training School. From a recent letter which he writes, we take the following items of interest: MMM 365.6

The success that Bro. Arnold has had in the canvassing work demonstrates that it can be made a success. A new and cheap edition of “thoughts” was needed which could be sold by the thousands, at about a crown ($1.20) per copy. MMM 365.7

They are now printing the Ministration of Angels as revised by Elder J. H. Waggoner. MMM 365.8

A different location was desirable for the office on Paternoster Row. One on the ground floor would be better. The T. and M. Society in London send out weekly about 350 Present Truths. About fifty are sent each Sunday evening to the preaching service. The work there is thoroughly organized, and souls are accepting the truth. Books and tracts bearing the London imprint would be much better. A suggestion was made that a special edition of the Present Truth be issued for New Years, and about 20,000 copies circulated throughout the United Kingdom. He would like a change in the name of the paper. MMM 365.9

Bro. William Arnold has spent about two months in London selling “thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,” and has discovered that there is a demand for such works in England, and that a wise and energetic canvasser can succeed in that field Our Brethren in London petition that Bro. Arnold may return as early as March to continue this work and to teach others. MMM 365.10

Bro. G. B. Langdon, who was recommended to go to the assistance of Bro. Daniels in New Zealand, was detained by business matters, and Bro. Robert Hare, of New Zeland, who has spent two years studying and laboring in California, was ordained, and has reterned to his native land, and is now laboring with Bro. Daniels in Napier. MMM 365.11

Bro. R. A. Hart has labored faithfully as business manager in the Christiania Publishing House, and our Scandinavian Brethren wish him to return. MMM 365.12

Elder I. J. Hankins, who took the place of Elder Robinson in the South African field, is laboring in Cape Town and vicinity, and has the care of the book depository, from which many publications are sold to persons becoming interested in the Message, and through three faithful book agents in the field. We believe that another minister, or business man to take charge of the book business, ought to be sent to this field. MMM 365.13

Brother A. La Rue, who was recommended to labor as ship missionary in the islands of the Pacific. after spending about two months in Honolulu, proceeded to Hong Kong, China, where he is selling books and selling tracts and periodicals with the assistance of Brother Olson, who was converted on the passage through Brother La Rue’s labors. I will here read a portion of his letter: MMM 365.14

Queens Road, Hong Kong, July 26, 1888. MMM 365.15

Dear Brother White-I left Oakland for Honolulu Dec. 7, 1887. Was there until March 21, 1888, during which time I closed out the stock of books left at that place. I sold what I could; brought about $10 worth with me, and the balance I sent to the Signs office. All the tracts and pamphlets I brought with me, and I supposed I had a large supply, but find that they are nearly all used up already. I have sent quite a large number by mail to different parts of the country. The postage is high. MMM 365.16

I never saw people read our publications better than they do here. I put up a distributor, labeled, “Read and Return,” in which I put eighty pamphlets, and I am beginning to think I will never see one of them again; but I am glad to have them read, and would rather pay for them myself than not have them circulated, for they are stirring up things magnificently. MMM 365.17

You may rest assured that I will use our publications with great discretion and to the best advantage, and will try to see that there is nothing lost or wasted. MMM 365.18

I have no bill against the conference aside from my time which commenced Dec. 7, 1887, when I left you last fall. I keep up all expenses of the mission work by subscription and book sales. I have more than done this thus far, and believe I can do It right along. [This has reference to profits alone.] MMM 365.19

Now, I wish to speak of the ship work on the Asiatic coast, which is a very important work indeed. With the exception of the ocean mail steamers, I find very few ships that have ever heard of our books and publications. Here the ships are not allowed to come to the wharf at all, but are obliged to load and unload by lighters. In this respect it is different than on the United States coast. The harbor is about ten miles square and the vessels are anchored all over it. The sampan, or boat hire, comes to about $150 a year. This is an unavoidable expense, and cannot be helped. If the conference will pay this or a part of it, it will help me in the work. MMM 365.20

Brother Olson has been with me right from the first; and though he gives his time to the work, he is some expense to me. I do not complain, however, for it takes two to manage the work here, and I do not know how I would get along without him. It is just the work he wants to give him the experience he needs. What wonderful work the Lord has done for him in so short a time! He has quit the sea forever, and is so careful, saving and contented-so different from what he used to be. He talks some of trying to get back to his home in Sweden. MMM 366.1

It does seem to me that there should be some ship missions similar to this started imediately in Shanghai, Yokohama, and Singapore. It seems to me that this should have been taken hold of at least five years ago. And if it had been, how different it would be here now. We would have a home among our own people here. MMM 366.2

Your Brother in the work, MMM 366.3

A. LA RUE. MMM 366.4

Brother La Rue is now about 60 years of age, but his zeal, like Moses’ strength, is unabated with age, and his example ought to stimulate many young men. MMM 366.5

Adjourned to call of chair. MMM 366.6