Enlarging the Border

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 5, 1913

Enlarging the Border

THE month of May, 1913, marked the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the General Conference. It is interesting indeed to contemplate the many changes that have taken place in our work in organization during this period, and it is not only interesting, but most encouraging as well.

Fifty years ago this movement had but a meager following. The work had reached that stage that only several State conferences had been organized. Our system of institutions in printing-houses, schools, and sanitariums which we possess today, had no existence. Our work had not extended outside of the American border.

At the present time, in its various ramifications, this movement encircles the earth. There have been called to the standard of truth more than one hundred thousand loyal believers, representatives of many of earth's nationalities. Surely we can exclaim, in view of this, “What hath God wrought!” But even with all that has been gained, we cannot cease our efforts. The voice of an unsleeping providence speaks to us, “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.”

We have now not only a General Conference in the sense in which that term was understood five decades ago, but a world conference with divisions one-thousandfold more important in the interests they embrace than was the whole General Conference at the time of its organization.

This meeting has witnessed the organization of what is known as the European Division of the General Conference, also the North American Division of the General Conference. Then there will be the great mission fields of India, of China and Japan, of South America, the organized work in South Africa, the West Indies, and Australasia. These in time, as strength and membership increase, no doubt will be organized into divisions, the same as has been done for North America and Europe.

These changes in our work are inevitable. They come as a result of the added volume and strength and widespread influence of this movement. It is the firm conviction of all that the important changes made at this meeting will greatly make for the strength of our work in coming years.

The Lord is doing a great work in the earth. Let us be true and loyal to him and to the part he gives us to act.