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Quarterly Meeting in the Philippine Islands

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 26, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 52.

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Quarterly Meeting in the Philippine Islands

By L. V. FINSTER

THIS report was written and read by the clerk, a Filipino. He read it first in English and then in Tagalog:—
“On June 30, 1912, the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Manila, P. I., met at 613 Nozaleda, Paco, for the sole object of celebrating the ordinance of humility and of the holy supper. Soon after the review of the Sabbath-school lesson, hymns were sung and prayers were offered. Then the roll was called, of which the following were absent. [Thirty-two names were here given. They include Elder and Mrs. Finster, who are away on their furlough, and Brother Ashbaugh, who is canvassing some distance from this place.]
“When the roll-call was over, we admitted into the church those who were baptized on May 19, 1912. Each of them answered satisfactorily the questions given them in behalf of the church.
“Convicted of their sins and moved by the Holy Spirit, the following persons were led to submit their names for church-membership subject to baptism. [Eight names follow.]
“Given to the world and mindless of his duty for his own security, we dropped one of our members who resides at Navotas, Rizal.
“When this was over, we proceeded to the real object of our meeting. With songs and prayers and tender brotherly love, we observed the ordinance of humility, bearing in mind and realizing in its true sense the word of our Lord which says, He that is exalted shall be lowered, and he that is lowered shall be exalted. We then, with faith, partook of the broken body of Jesus and his spilled blood in symbols, knowing that that body was broken for our salvation, and that blood spilled for our redemption. It was not without meditation, nor was it without prayers and sincere humiliation of heart before the Lord, that we did this act. We hope that as we do it in symbols, we shall also have a part of its reality in the great marriage of the Lamb if we remain steadfast unto the end; for plainly he says to the overcomer, ‘And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. . . . And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.’ How great is the promise! How wide is the invitation! And this ought to keep us ever sincere and ever faithful to Him who is all in all. Finally, we closed our service with a song, and parted from one another with peace and blessing in our hearts and greater consecration for our Lord Jesus Christ.’
This report was read at our last quarterly meeting, which was held Sabbath, Sept. 28, 1912. There were twenty-three taken into the church at that time, and no one dropped. I give a few of the testimonies borne by our native brethren and sisters in Tagalog:—
A sister: “I feel that the coming of the Lord is very near. I am thankful that I can keep God’s law because of God’s help. I am anxious to meet the Lord.”
A brother: “I am sometimes tempted to leave this truth, but God’s grace helps me. I am weak, but I hope to be in the truth till death.”
A very old sister: “I am thankful that at my age I am permitted to know the truth.”
A young sister: “I am very thankful, for I feel his guidance in my path. His Word is always a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.”
A young man: “Endless thanks. Through the help of the Lord I am not overcome by temptation. I hope for more help in the future.”
A sister (weeping): “God knows I am weak, and I can not do anything without him. I hope for God’s help.”
Our native evangelist: “When I was at Malolos, God worked strongly. Thousands listened to me, and I was exalted. Because of pride I was humbled. I feel that every day I must be prepared to receive him.”
These are our brethren in Christ, and the Holy Spirit can make them love the truth as much as we do. Pray for them that they may be fed the bread of life.
L. V. FINSTER.