The Missionary Spirit of General Conference by J. V. Willson

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

The Missionary Spirit of General Conference

By J. V. Willson

THE influence of the General Conference of 1909 will be powerfully felt for a long time. The representation is so full from all the world, the subjects dealt with are of such vast importance, and the conclusions reached so clear and far-reaching, that it can not but profoundly affect every part of the field.

This is emphatically a missionary conference. The reports from China, Japan, India, South America, Africa, Mexico, and the islands of the sea were deeply interesting, and have led us to realize that indeed “the harvest is great, and the laborers are few.” As we learn of the many millions of people in the far East who have never had a knowledge of the gospel, and hear the urgent calls for workers to enter those fields, it stirs up in all our hearts a missionary zeal to answer the call.

This Conference has been characterized from the very beginning by a spirit of unity, harmony, and co-operation. As we listen to the reports of the advancement of the message in China, India, Japan, and other heathen countries, and see how the Lord is giving victories in every quarter our hearts are cheered, and we feel fresh courage to push forward the mission work in unentered fields in the Dark Continent. We must search out the land, and take definite steps to give the message to every part of the field in this generation. Nothing short of this will carry out the great trust committed to us to give “the third angel’s message to all the world in this generation.” The whole spirit of the Conference is to carry out the instruction to do that very thing.

Another feature of this Conference is the clear and unmistakable blending of the evangelical, medical, and missionary phases of our work in one united whole. The ministers, Bible workers, and canvassers must be medical workers. The doctors and nurses must also carry on the gospel work, and all be missionaries. These branches of the work were never so fully united as at this meeting. This spirit, carried out, will greatly increase the efficiency of all our laborers, and bring in greater results.

The educational work is receiving a great deal of attention, and plans are being laid to establish training-schools in all our mission fields, to train the native laborers to give the message to their own people in their own language.

With the generous support which this Conference proposes to give to the South African field, and the missionary spirit which this Conference will stimulate in our people, we must look for a marked advancement in our work in every part of the Dark Continent.

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deut. 31: 6.

J. V. WILLSON, Secretary South African Union Conf.