A Growing Family by D. D. FITCH

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 16, 1916

A Growing Family

By D. D. FITCH

THE baptism of several new converts and the birth of a new church, the third in the family of churches in Porto Rico, called me to visit the inland town of Cayey, where Elder William Steele, superintendent of the field, assisted by Sister Jessie Butler, and by Brother Rafael Lopez, a native worker, have been developing an interest begun some time ago by a sister and some faithful canvassers.

The new church of eighteen members is composed entirely of natives. Three were transferred from the parent church, that of Santurce, and fifteen were converts recently baptized.

Inasmuch as the membership of this new church is composed largely of persons in the vigor of youth, it was thought wise to organize a Missionary Volunteer Society. This society is blest in having material from which can be developed good leadership.

Besides those who were brought into close relationship by these organizations, several responded when a call was made for the formation of a baptismal class. One young man of this class seems to give good promise of capable leadership.

With only three Seventh-day Adventist ministers in this country of more than a million inhabitants, this question

arises: When will the other cities and towns of the island be entered and the work finished? There seem but two answers that can be given: Either there must be more workers sent from other localities, or a school must be established for the development and training of workers from the field itself.

D. D. FITCH.