The General Conference as Viewed From the Mission Fields by J. L. SHAW

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jun 10, 1909

The General Conference as Viewed From the Mission Fields

By J. L. SHAW

The General Conference just closing marks the beginning of a strong forward movement in mission work in heathen lands. Never have the needs of heathen nations been more clearly presented to our people, and never have appeals for men and means met with a warmer response. One conference president said, “We expect to send every available dollar in our field into the foreign fields.” Another said: “We are encouraging our young men and women to go to mission fields.” Such words of encouragement bring joy to every foreign missionary, and are sure to bring new courage and enthusiasm to the slender forces at the front, where needs are great and workers so few.

The preaching of the everlasting gospel throughout India is one of the greatest problems which the Seventh-day Adventist denomination faces in its world-wide effort. With three hundred million people before us, bound by heathenism, caste, and superstition, living in a trying climate, speaking no less than one hundred forty-seven languages, we find ourselves undertaking a work of whose magnitude even the leaders of our people have had in the past no adequate conception.

It fires our souls with new zeal to see so large a delegation of our people, so representative and so responsible, taking such a keen and united interest in the promulgation of present truth in heathen lands. It is surely a sign of our times, and a strong evidence that we are living in the generation which shall see the completion of God’s work for lost men in the darkest corners of heathendom. May the cry for missions raised at this Conference go from heart to heart among our people the world around, growing stronger and stronger until the work is done.

J. L. SHAW,

Superintendent of the India Mission.