The Asiatic Division Conference by Arthur G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 26, 1915

The Asiatic Division Conference

By Arthur G. Daniells

The Asiatic Division Conference was organized at the General Conference held in Washington, D. C., in 1913. The first session of this new conference was held in Shanghai, China, May 1-14, 1915. Our people in the homeland will be glad to know that we had an attendance of two hundred strong. Of this number one hundred and forty were actively engaged in some department of our work. The remaining sixty were students attending the China Missions Training School, at Shanghai, for the purpose of securing a preparation for work in the Lord’s cause.

The delegates came from widely separated parts of a great field, as the following will show: From the United States, 2; Australia, 2; Asiatic Division general workers, 8; Japan, 20; Korea, 12; Manchuria, 4; East China, 15; West China, 1; South China, 22; Philippine Islands, 14; Malaysia, 3; Shanghai printing office, 20; Shanghai training school, 60. Thus it will be seen that we had come from the borders of Siberia on the north to Australia in the south, and from Japan in the east to the borders of Tibet on the west.

This was by far the largest gathering of workers we have ever held in the Far East. Among the delegates were

Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, and Filipinos. All were happy and of good courage in the Lord. Somehow this meeting seemed a much greater event to the workers there than such a conference does in the homeland. Perhaps it was because they do not have many such gatherings. Possibly it was because they are so far from native land, relatives, and old friends. It may be that their isolation and long separation from one another makes their gathering a greater pleasure.

But the meeting was more than one of pleasure. It was one of blessing to us individually, and it will result in giving a new impetus to the cause in the Far East. We studied how to render more efficient service in our work for the Master, how to surrender to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and power, and how to work together in the fullest measure of union and cooperation throughout the great field.

The reports from the president of the division and the superintendents of the different mission fields and departments of work were deeply interesting and most encouraging. They told of victory and progress in every part of the field and in every line of work. They recounted the special providences of God which have been so manifest in the endeavors to establish the cause in new places. It is a wonderful story these workers tell of triumphs over all sorts of obstacles along the far-flung battle line.

The statistical and financial reports showed encouraging progress during the year 1914. The church membership has increased from 1,773 to 2,743, a gain of nearly a thousand, or more than 50 per cent. The number of unbaptized believers in companies has increased from 785 to 1,563, a gain of 778, lacking only seven of being 100 per cent increase. The isolated believers have increased from 385 to 1,054, a gain of nearly 175 per cent. The tithe has increased from $8,665 to $12,395, an increase of $3,730, nearly 45 per cent. The offerings to missions have advanced from $3,367 to $5,923, a gain of $2,556, or over 75 per cent. The book sales have increased from $8,208 to $12,767, a gain of $4,559, or more than 55 per cent.

NATIVE WORKERS IN ATTENDANCE AT THE ASIATIC DIVISION CONFERENCE

Some people think figures are like dry sticks, but surely figures that show such an ingathering of souls from among the heathen in one short year, cannot be uninteresting to those who are working for the salvation of the lost. Of course, these numbers are as nothing when compared with the millions among whom we are working. But they are large by the side of the reports we were able to give during the first decade of our work in this field. They are large when compared with the visible results of Morrison, Carey, and Judson’s pioneer work in the Far East. They are encouraging as an indication of the great progress that is sure to attend our work from now on if we keep pace with the Lord’s opening providences.

These reports show that throughout this entire field the doors of opportunity and service are thrown wide open to us. Nothing worth mentioning stands in the way of carrying on evangelistic, educational, publishing, and medical missionary work in every part of this vast field. Marvelous changes have taken place in the Far East since the early missionaries came this way. Now great steamship lines ply these Eastern waters, bringing the East and the West close together. Railways, autocars, and electric street cars greatly facilitate travel on land. The printing press and the telegraph lines have greatly stimulated the activities of the people of the East. A new value has been placed upon the West.

The amazing changes that have taken place in educational affairs in the Far East are all calculated to aid in the evangelization of those peoples. The thirst for education and information opens the way for the circulation of gospel literature, and the readiness with which the people accept the Bible and purchase religious papers and books, shows the open mind and receptive attitude of these nations. They are now in a state of transition and formation. They are absorbing what comes to them, whether it is good or bad. This is the hour of opportunity for the Christian church to do a great work for these lost souls. It is surely the hour for Seventh-day Adventists to act. Much will be gained by decisive action now, and much will be lost by delay. We must not stand still at this critical hour. This is the conviction expressed in all the reports presented at the conference.

Along with the encouraging reports of progress come recommendations from the committee for the adoption of measures which it was hoped and believed would cause a more rapid advance all along the line. Here is one of the recommendations:—

ELDER AND MRS. A. G. DANIELLS AND ELDER AND MRS. R. C. PORTER, ON THE PORCH
OF ELDER PORTER'S HOUSE — ELDER AND MRS. A. G. DANIELLS AND ELDER AND MRS. R. C. PORTER, ON THE PORCH OF ELDER PORTER'S HOUSE

Resolved, That for the accomplishment of this great work, we separate ourselves from every entanglement, and that our first effort be the salvation of souls for whom Christ died.

This resolution expressed in some measure the surrender and consecration that pervaded the entire conference. Our missionaries feel that the end is drawing near, that our time and opportunities for saving lost men and women are closing, and that all should now be freely and fully given to the work.

The following resolution adopted with enthusiasm shows the courageous, self-reliant spirit of our people in the Far East:—

Resolved, That we strive greatly to increase our offerings in this field, and that we aim during the ensuing period to reach the five-cent-a-week standard for every baptized believer.

As the offerings already amount to about three cents a week per member, there is good reason for believing that the five-cent-a-week standard will soon be reached.

Perhaps nothing will more clearly convey to our people in the homeland the earnest, practical, serious realization the missionaries they have sent to this field have of the responsibilities resting upon them than the following voluntary action:—

Whereas, Conditions of life in these Eastern fields are continually improving, the evidence of which is found in the good homes provided for our missionaries, the improved facilities for transporting foodstuffs, the better knowledge of how to preserve health in these countries, and the opportunities afforded to secure rest and recuperation in the hill stations available; and in view of the tremendous demands now being made upon the workers for the finishing of the work; therefore,—

Resolved, That we request the General Conference Committee to discontinue the seven-year-furlough period, leaving the matter of furloughs in this field an open question to be determined by the individuals concerned, in consultation with the local, union, and Asiatic Division Committees; and that we encourage our workers to remain by their work, utilizing the opportunities presented in the field to obtain rest and recuperation.

It took courage and the spirit of self-denial to vote for this resolution. The majority who are there went out with the understanding that they could return home on a furlough in seven years if they desired to do so. Their relatives and friends are expecting that they will return. The furloughs of some are already due, and others will be due next year. Of course, it will cause disappointment all around if they do not go home. But when the vote was taken, every foreign worker in the room except two, stood in favor of the recommendation. It should be understood that this action is not intended to work hardship upon any one. It does not make furloughs impossible. But it does emphasize that hereafter people who go to this field should go with no plans for returning home at any definite time. It expresses the conviction that they should go for life. It leaves the question of returning to be decided by conditions. If one’s health keeps good, and he is blessed in his work, and there is no special reason why he should return, then let him stay in the field, pushing the work forward with all zeal.

We endeavored to conduct a ministerial institute during the conference, but the time of our meeting was so short, and there were so many reports to be made, and so much important administrative work to attend to that it was impossible to have an ideal institute. Elder J. E. Fulton conducted a series of very helpful studies on the place of the Holy Spirit in the gospel work, Elder R. C. Porter gave good instruction regarding church organization and discipline, while I gave studies on various features of the gospel ministry. The workers manifested a deep interest in these studies. They entered most earnestly into the spiritual features of the meeting. We had solemn, earnest hours of seeking the Lord and renewing the consecration of our lives to him and his work, and we were conscious of his presence and approval. I believe the workers returned to their fields with fresh courage, and with strong determination to render the cause of their Master better service.

This conference and institute were attended by eighteen native delegates from Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and the different parts of China. It was a great pleasure to our native workers to be present at this large gathering, and it was just as great a pleasure to the American brethren to have the native workers present. None could show greater interest in all that was done—the Bible studies, the reports of progress, the discussion of recommendations, and the spiritual meetings—than was shown by our native brethren.

MISSION SUPERINTENDENTS IN THE ASIATIC DIVISION

To them the conference was an occasion of instruction and inspiration, a great uplift in every way. We shall all look forward with deep interest to the next conference in the Far East. A. G. DANIELLS.