Jamestown Exposition, Hampton Roads, Va.
By M. S. BABCOCK
To the many brethren and sisters, from Canada to Mexico and the Gulf and from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, who have contributed so liberally of printed matter for use at the Jamestown Exposition, those of “like faith” in the “Old Dominion” send greeting, with heartfelt thanks for the valuable help; and to you and all interested I wish to present some facts and figures touching the action of the Virginia Conference in the matter. In August, 1906, the Virginia Conference at its annual conference session voted to ask the General Conference, the Atlantic Union Conference, and adjacent conferences, to join the Virginia Conference in such manner as thought most advisable unitedly to profit by the opportunity the exposition afforded to present the truths of the third angel’s message to the people of the world who visited the exposition grounds. The General Conference decided to furnish a capable man to take charge of the work to the close of the exposition, with all moral assistance it could render. The Review and Herald Publishing Association also agreed to supply all printed matter it could, especially copies of Life and Health and Liberty. Many industries were represented at the exposition, and in its vicinity are many centers of trade, with multitudes of ships going and coming continually to and from all parts of the world. The better to understand the need, in February, 1907, the executive committee of the State conference visited the grounds. As the expense would be great and the conference had no means, without aid from others, the committee decided finally not to locate anywhere inside the grounds, but at some near point, supplying many centers on land and vessels on water, and doing personal work as the way opened and help and supplies of literature permitted. The last of April the General Conference sent Brother Geo. A. Stevens, of Washington, D. C., under direction of the Virginia Conference, to take charge of and open up the work. Brother Stevens located his family at Hampton, and put in ten reading-racks in favorable locations. For some time little literature came in, and Brother Stevens used some received for local20work by local brethren, and visited from house to house and point to point on the Bay. The brother who had charge of the health food exhibit on the exposition grounds took an active part in distributing large quantities of reading-matter to the thousands who passed from day to day. After the first month printed matter in quantities began to arrive from many points far and near. This has been judiciously used in the racks and on the reading tables in several reading-rooms, in the barracks of the soldiers in Fortress Monroe; at Hampton and Newport News; on different war-ships lying in the harbor; at the twenty State buildings; army and navy club building, and different exhibit buildings; in Woman’s Christian Temperance Union building; women’s and children’s building on the grounds, and on excursion boats, besides being handed out to individuals. Each of these points was visited once each week. What is the result of all this effort? — God alone can tell. Many instances of immediate results could be given did space permit. At every place the matter left was readily taken and read by a good class of people. Only once or twice were any of the tracts found anywhere on the parks or streets on the exposition grounds or elsewhere. Many seemed eager to read them, and to have more of them. The United States officers on land and on battle-ships were very courteous, and the latter passed Brother Stevens and the printed matter at all times aboard the vessels. He has held Bible readings in different places as a result of his work with the literature. On the first day of August I joined the work here, to continue the tent effort and supervise the work of our people in the vicinity of the Bay. In that capacity I have kept close watch of the amount and character of the work in and about the exposition. I heartily indorse these efforts, and believe them worthy of commendation in the Lord. In the great judgment day I am sure those who have helped by supplying literature in such abundance, will have cause to praise God for the results accomplished. M. S. BABCOCK.