Establishing the Publishing Work in Fiji by C. H. PARKER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · May 14, 1908

Establishing the Publishing Work in Fiji

By C. H. PARKER

C. H. PARKER

The work in this part of the Master's great vineyard continues to advance, and we see persons coming into the light of the glorious message for this time. Lately five half-castes have taken their stand for the truth at Suva. If they stand firm, our work will have a footing in the capital of Fiji. We have never been able to do any work at Suva, as our work for the native class has demanded all our attention.

At the last session of the Australasian Union Conference, it was recommended that a European laborer be sent with a tent to hold meetings in all the European centers here in Fiji. This has never been carried into effect, because of the great drain upon the small staff of workers in the Australian field. Possibly the time is not yet ripe for this effort. We are often accosted by some of the Europeans with the words, “When are you going to have some meetings for the Europeans?” When we reply that our present number of laborers will not allow us to leave the native work, they ask, “Are the natives better than the Europeans?”

We long for the time when work can be done for these. A good company of Europeans would help us solve to some extent the financial question with which all of our island missions have to grapple. Then, too, their influence would be like a backbone to the native work.

The publishing work is the greatest factor in our work here. Our papers, tracts, and books reach thousands, while the small number of workers meet only a few of the eighty-seven thousand persons who inhabit this group of islands. Our papers are eagerly read by the people. We shall have a greater reaping day, by and by, than we have ever yet experienced in Fiji. The seeds of truth are being sown from one end of this field to the other in our publications.

Lately the Australasian Union Conference voted that we have a wooden building in which to do our printing. This has been erected, and we now have a neat building 16 x 24 feet, in which to do our work. Besides this, they voted us a new cylinder press. The Australasian Union had been able to get a good double-demy cylinder press for about half what a small new cylinder press would cost, so they thought it would be of greater service to the work here, and purchased it. It is now set up, ready for work. The Lord must have a great deal of work for this press to do, or he never would have sent us such a large machine. We thank him for this great convenience to our work here, and it is our desire that from this press the printed page may go to the people of these islands, and to many others.

In a few days we expect to dedicate this building and its furnishings to the service of the Master. We are also planning soon to change the form of our paper to the size of Life and Health, and make it an eight-page instead of a four-page paper, its present size. We ask your prayers upon our publishing work here, that God's continued blessing may rest upon it.

Buresala, Fiji.