General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1
NOTES FROM THE FIELD
L. T. NICOLA
Reading for Sunday, December 22
ANOTHER year has turned into history. Eighteen hundred and ninety-five has almost gone. What of its results in soul-saving? What victories can be recorded? What advancement has been made along the line of pioneer mission work? Important questions these, upon the answer to which depends, in no small degree, the success of the future. Reverses sadden and dishearten, but success makes buoyant the future with hope and trust. The future is influenced by the past, and the victories of yesterday give strength and courage for the conflicts of to-morrow. GCB December 1895, page 598.4
This being true, we shall find nothing in a review of the last year’s work to dampen the ardor or depress the spirit. On the contrary, we shall find much to occasion feelings of gratitude, much to make bright with cheering promise the prospects of the new year. GCB December 1895, page 598.5
The work of God has moved forward. No hand has stayed its progress; no power has thwarted the accomplishment of its purpose. Yea, even though such interference has been many times attempted, the truth has but prospered in consequence. Our work now encompasses the earth, and as never before in its history, are we beginning to appreciate that the field for Christian missionary labor is the world. GCB December 1895, page 598.6
For convenience, we often speak of our work under two heads - home and foreign. Properly, there exists no such distinction. God has made of one blood all nations of men. In his sight all are equally precious. The human heart, whether in white or black, in Jew or Gentile, in American or Asiatic, is the same, deceitful and sin sick. The same universal remedy, the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, is required by all alike. GCB December 1895, page 598.7
On account of their extensiveness, but a brief glance can be taken at our missionary operations. For fuller descriptions, the printed reports from the various mission fields, given in our church journals must be consulted. As regards our foreign work, priority of notice is demanded by our older mission fields. These we will consider in the following order:— GCB December 1895, page 598.8
CENTRAL EUROPEAN
Eight nations, aggregating a population of 140,000,000 people, comprise this mission field. In Switzerland, France, Italy, and Turkey aggressive missionary operations are carried on. The four remaining countries - Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and Greece - are as yet practically untouched. In this vast field there are about six hundred Sabbath-keepers, with fifteen public laborers, and twenty five colporteurs. GCB December 1895, page 598.9
The little liberty-loving republic of Switzerland forms the center of operations. From this pivotal point, the light has radiated in all directions. But, untrue to their past character, the Swiss have arrayed themselves against the liberty for which their fathers suffered and bled. The arrest and fine of brethren in several cantons for non-compliance with the law requiring attendance of children at school on the Sabbath; the arrest and incarceration of the manager of the publishing house for Sunday labor of the office employees; and the determined spirit of intolerance with which the office officials were harassed after the building was closed as a factory, show that these once noble sons of the Alps are fast taking the side of tyranny against the liberty for which their ancestors so nobly contended. But contrary to the design of the enemy of all righteousness, this spirit of intolerance is making friends for the truth. Opportunity has been afforded for a large circulation of our literature; leading lawyers and statesmen have been visited; and in various ways the truth has been disseminated as the direct result of the persecution suffered. To circumvent the inflexible demands of the school laws, our people are now planning the establishment of a denominational school; and in a portion of the printing house at Basle, a Nurses’ Training Class for the education of missionary workers will be opened. The work in Switzerland, notwithstanding the dangers which threaten it, was never so prosperous as it is to-day. GCB December 1895, page 599.1
In France considerable work, with encouraging results, has been done among the Albigenses; and in the town of Lyons, city mission work has been blessed with a goodly number of accessions to the faith. GCB December 1895, page 599.2
Italy, so long enthralled by darkness and superstition, is turning toward the light, and honest hearts are gladly responding to its claims. In Turin a beginning has been made, and in the historic valleys of the Piedmont willing disciples have been found. At Genoa, the birthplace of Columbus, successful mission work has been started. Our literature, thousands of pages of which have been distributed, is doing a good work. GCB December 1895, page 599.3
In the Ottoman Empire many hardly-contested battles have been fought, and as many well-earned victories won. The hand of persecution has been heavy upon our native brethren and sisters, especially upon those living in Ovajuk, in Nicomedia. Often have their quiet assemblies been broken up, and their lives threatened with destruction. But the wrath of man has contributed to the progress of the message. The little company at Ovajuk, in spite of all the persecutions, increased during the last twelve months, from six to eighteen. In Cilicia and Syria the truth is also going forward. It has penetrated already to Ur, the old home of Abraham, where twelve devoted brethren are holding up the standard amid surrounding darkness. Funds are sadly needed to push our work in this vast region. Native laborers should be educated. In almost every department of the work the demand is for enlargement and extension. GCB December 1895, page 599.4
GERMAN-RUSSIAN
The Lord has in many ways gone before his work in this mission field during the last year. The numerical strength of the believers has almost doubled, their number being augmented by an addition of over four hundred. In some of the more important cities which have been entered is the work established. This is especially true of Berlin, where some sixty now attend the weekly services. The erection of our first mission chapel in Hamburg has strengthened the work in that important seaport. In Munich, the stronghold of Roman Catholicism in Bavaria, a number are awaiting baptism. Believers are also found in Leipzig, Konigsberg, Magdeburg, Posen, Stuttgart, and in the other leading towns of Germany. In the Netherlands, after years of patient effort, the truth has gained a foothold, and a company of believers in Rotterdam now form the nucleus of a growing work in that field. GCB December 1895, page 599.5
In spite of the hard times, from which Germany, in common with other nations, has suffered, our number of canvassers has nearly doubled. Town after town has been supplied with our literature. A good work has been done in the way of translations. “Steps to Christ” has been translated into Polish, and other publications into the Livonian tongue. In the past year the first baptism was celebrated in Hungaria, and the first ordinance meeting held in Bohemia. In Roumania, a ship mission for the Danube and the Black Sea, has been opened at Galatz. Our publications in the Balkan tongues are increasing. GCB December 1895, page 599.6
The work in Russia, though greatly hampered at times, has been making steady progress. Our colporteurs have been able to secure permits from the government, which greatly assists them in their work. Pioneer work has been carried on in the Baltic provinces with encouraging results. Translations of our literature made in the Lettish and Estonian tongues, are now in the hands of the printer. These must first pass through the office of the Censor, making the work of publishing slow and tedious. To better serve the interests of the work, the German paper published at Basel has been removed to Hamburg, and will hereafter be issued from that center. In this mission field, especially in Germany, our brethren are beginning to suffer more or less inconvenience from Sabbath observance, especially because it conflicts with the State military duty. The following experience is but a sample of similar ones which may be expected in the future:— GCB December 1895, page 600.1
“One of our brethren was called in for a drill for twenty days. When there, he faithfully attended to all his duties, trying in every way possible to get the good will of his superiors. From Monday till Friday, no fault was found with him. Friday evening, after asking the Lord for his assistance, he went to the captain and told him that to-morrow was the Sabbath of the Lord, which he would have to keep holy, giving also the reasons therefor. The astonished captain said that it was impossible to comply with his request; he would by all means have to do service on the morrow. On Sabbath morning the other soldiers stood in line, but the brother quietly studied his Sabbath-school lesson in his room. Twelve times he was called; first by the sergeant, and then by the higher officials, — the captain calling him three times. As he remained steadfast, he was threatened with eight month’s imprisonment in a fortress, where he would have to work on the Sabbath. But he persisted that he could not do it. They finally told him that he would be shot if he persisted. His answer was, ‘My Saviour died for me; why should not I be ready to die for him and for his commandments? I fear more to transgress God’s law than that of the emperor, for if I sin knowingly, the result will be the second death in the lake of fire,’ - showing them the texts. After being questioned before several, he was brought into a large hall, where thirty officers were assembled as a court martial, before whom he had to defend himself. He told them that he had one hundred texts for the Sabbath, but if they could show him one passage for Sunday, he would submit. They called for the chaplain who spoke with him for some time. But all present saw that this brother was in the right. Often they said that the Bible did not say so; and then he had to turn to the passage quoted, and read it. To the question who had taught him this, his reply was, ‘the Bible.’ When asked whether he had any publications containing this doctrine, he said, ‘Yes,’ and distributed the forty copies he had, but that did not suffice. Some gave him their addresses, requesting him to send them copies likewise. When he was to be led out, he said that he would not leave until they had proven Sunday to him, and if they punished him for keeping the Sabbath, then they ought to punish all others for keeping the other nine commandments. In their perplexity, they finally wrote in his papers, ‘Not fit for military service on account of hallucinations,’ and therefore entirely dismissed him. When he remonstrated against being declared a lunatic so long as he was sane, they begged of him to rest satisfied, and to go home.” GCB December 1895, page 600.2
This great field needs laborers; especially is there a demand for educated native talent. The training school at Hamburg is doing all it can to meet this, but it is only a question of a few months when our work must be placed on a broader basis, and facilities provided to meet its increasing demands. Now, as never before, probably as never again, is there an opportunity presented for sowing the seed. Our work is coming into public notice, and for that reason is eliciting many inquiries as to the reasons of our views. The winds are held, but it is difficult to divine what complications the next hour may bring forth. Just now is the time to prosecute the work in Europe, and especially in the German-Russian field. GCB December 1895, page 600.3
GREAT BRITAIN
There have been one hundred accessions to our numbers in Great Britain during the last twelve months. Our present membership is four hundred and thirty-nine. Besides, about one hundred and twenty-five others are keeping the Sabbath, making a total of upwards of five hundred and sixty Sabbath-keepers in the English field. The native donations have increased over one thousand dollars. One year ago, but one service per Sabbath was held in the city of London. Now, there are six meeting places where regular Sabbath services are conducted. These companies are of course small, but each forms a nucleus and center of influence. At Plymouth, a beginning has been made; and the church at Southampton, as a result of prolonged services in that city, has increased to more than one hundred members. Partly in consequence of the prosecution of our London office for Sunday labor, a ready demand has sprung up for our literature, and our canvassers have reported good sales. The circulation of the Present Truth has more than doubled. In illustration of the influence exerted by our literature, the following item from a letter from the superintendent of the mission field is to the point:— GCB December 1895, page 600.4
“A lady embraced the Sabbath some time ago. She lives about two hundred miles from London, and was here in the city last fall, when we met her for the first time. This summer my wife and I received a very cordial invitation to visit her at her home. This we did some weeks ago. Her husband died a few years ago. He was a special friend of Sir -, of the Castle Line, which runs to South Africa. Her brother, a member of Parliament, was a school-mate, and is still a very firm friend of Prof. —, who was a prominent member of Parliament in the last Liberal government. That is the sort of society into which she is thrown occasionally. She is a dignified, noble woman, a devoted, earnest Christian, and deeply interested in the truth. We had a good deal of talk together about the work and its advancement, and before we left, she gave us a donation of over one hundred and twenty-one dollars for the work. Last winter, when the trial was on for Sunday work, her brother, although he has no sympathy with her on the Sabbath question, talked freely about the matter with Prof. —, and also with -, another member of the Cabinet. These men, in positions where we can not reach them, are having their attention called to the fact that the seventh day is the Sabbath. Thus the Lord is working, and he is working in ways that we know not of.” GCB December 1895, page 601.1
At the last General Conference five thousand dollars was appropriated to extend the circulation of our literature in this field. By this provision, a good work has been done. But a much greater work should be done in the future along this line. Occupying as it does one of the chief places among the nations of the earth, with a wider sphere of influence than any other, Great Britain should have its full measure of attention in our work. Opportunities for the spread of the message are practically without number, and the only limitation is in the meager funds for the prosecution of the work. GCB December 1895, page 601.2
SCANDINAVIA
While no extraordinary developments can be reported from this northern field, a spirit of growth has been apparent in all branches of the work. One new church has been added to each of the three Conferences; viz., Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. The combined church-membership is upwards of fifteen hundred. The school at Frederikshavn has been doing a good work in preparing native laborers to enter the field. A number of new places has been entered, and the truth placed upon a permanent basis. A marked increase in the native contributions is reported. This is due, not to increased financial prosperity, but to the spirit of faith taking possession of our brethren. Our canvassers have done well, and as a result, our publishing house has been crowded with work. It is curtailed in its power for good, by lack of means to enlarge its facilities. In Finland our work is making headway, but arousing some little opposition on the part of the church authorities. In an article in one of the leading papers against our work, it was stated that as one of our Finnish laborers was a stone-mason, another a bookkeeper, and a third a tiller of the soil, the educated classes had little to fear; but as they were “very pious men from the heart,” they could do considerable harm among the uneducated. Three ministers from other bodies have united with our work in Scandinavia during the year. A Lutheran priest in Iceland has likewise embraced the truth and desires to labor for its promulgation. Altogether the work in Scandinavia has passed over a very successful year in its history, and our brethren there are of good courage for the future. GCB December 1895, page 601.3
AUSTRALASIA
Notwithstanding the Australasian colonies have experienced more than their share of the financial depression which, during the last three or four years, has so greatly affected the world, our work has made encouraging progress. Since the camp-meeting at Sidney, last year, a special effort has been put forth in that large city. Two series of tent meetings have been held with excellent results. A large quantity of literature has been circulated, and every week witnesses an addition of new believers to the truth. Special effort for the churches in Victoria has been put forth. This has resulted in greatly strengthening them. As another camp-meeting has just been held in Melbourne, the way has been opened for further operations in and around that great center. In Tasmania and in Queensland, a good work has been done by means of tent meetings. Our agents have been having excellent success, though laboring under exceedingly great difficulties. The circulation of the Bible Echo has also served to awaken an interest in many homes. Queensland and Western Australia, both open fields for the message, are now under the direct care and supervision of the Foreign Mission Board, which sustains laborers in both Colonies. In these Colonies, as well as in those constituting the Australian Conference, are demands for many more laborers than are at present engaged in the work. GCB December 1895, page 601.4
The trend of the work in New Zealand has been upward, although it has had many difficulties to encounter. Besides the additions to the organized churches, several new companies have been brought out. More attention is paid to the work in South Island, where it is hoped, at no distant day, aggressive evangelical effort may be put forth. Both in Australia and in New Zealand the workers are of good courage, and the prospect of the work for the future is encouraging. The school buildings which are now being rapidly erected, will solve the problem of additional help for the Australian Colonies. Many young men and women of talent are either now connected with the industrial school carried on in connection with the building work, or are anxiously waiting for the college to open so that they may fit themselves for labor. Doubtless, at this school, workers will not only be trained for the Colonies, but also for adjacent islands where the demand for laborers is equally great. GCB December 1895, page 601.5
SOUTH AFRICA
Our work in this field received a new impetus at the Conference and the Bible-school connected there-with, last January. Our workers were revived, and went forth with new courage to the work. During the year, labor has been begun in several new places. At Beaconsfield and Kimberly the interest aroused was so great that our workers have been retained there throughout the year. As a result of Christian Help work carried on by the church, a demand was created for a home for destitute men and women. This took definite shape in the establishment of the “Kimberly Benevolent Home.” Many leading citizens subscribed liberally to this enterprise. At Grahamstown a good work has been done. Notwithstanding determined opposition was waged against the truth, it has succeeded in making excellent headway. It is now planned to hold our first camp-meeting in South Africa at that place next month. Good work has also been begun at Craloch, where some one hundred and forty families are interestedly engaged in reading our literature from week to week. In this colony, as in England and in Switzerland, the question of Sunday labor has received attention from the authorities. A bill was presented in Parliament, through the influence of the clergy, calculated to curtail the liberty of our work. Through the efforts of a delegation from our people in setting before the prime minister and other members of Parliament, the true principles underlying the question, the bill was so modified as to interfere in no way with our efforts. But the phase assumed by this agitation so early in its rise, led to the necessity of preparing literature to meet similar issues of the same character which will inevitably come up in the near future. Accordingly, a monthly journal has been started, published both in Dutch and in English, under the name of De Wachter in the former, and the South African Sentinel and Gospel Echo, in the latter language. This starts out with the phenomenal circulation of four thousand copies, our churches assisting, from month to month, in its distribution, by house to house sales. A new line of work is thus opened before our people in which all can engage. The college work during the last year has been very gratifying, as has also the work of the village schools at Claremont and Beaconsfield. GCB December 1895, page 601.6