p. 12 | The Central American Conference by E. L. CARDEY

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

The Central American Conference

By E. L. CARDEY

E. L. CARDEY

According to appointment this meeting convened at Coxen Hole, Ruatan, Bay Islands, March 5-15. A lovely cocoanut grove was secured for the camp-ground. A beautiful stream of water ran through the grounds, emptying into the sea not far away. This was the first representative gathering of our people ever held in this field. Some fears were entertained regarding the attendance; but in this we were happily surprised, for on the opening day nearly all who were coming were on hand. The attendance of our own people was about one hundred fifty, while many not of our faith were present throughout the meeting.

We were glad to see Elder W. A. Spicer present the first day. Elder U. Bender, president of the West Indian Union, was unable to reach us. He had come as far as New Orleans, but was unable to get a boat from there. In a land of railroads, such as the United States, there is no fear of being late at a camp-meeting; but here it is different. Those who come to the islands must come by sail-boat; and of course if the wind fails when one is on his way to a meeting, he is likely to be belated; however, we were very fortunate this year.

The spiritual atmosphere of the meeting was excellent, and many hearts were subdued by the Spirit of God. A regular camp-meeting program was carried out, although it threw considerable work on our small force of laborers, Elder Spicer and the writer being the only ministers in attendance. A book tent, grocery tent, and dining tent were operated with good success.

After due consideration and discussion, this mission field was organized into a conference, its territory to consist of Spanish Honduras, Bay Islands, British Honduras, Guatemala, and Salvador, with a population of three million five hundred thousand. Of this number perhaps fifty thousand speak English; most of the rest speak Spanish. It can be easily seen that we have a great work before us.

It has been eighteen years since the truth first came to this country. There has been a steady advance all this time; but when the field was organized into a conference, the brethren and sisters took new courage. When the motion to organize a conference was acted upon, the congregation arose, and sang, with renewed zeal, “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow.” While the enemy is causing some to believe and teach that organization is a step toward the papacy, God’s people are made to rejoice that the Lord continues to organize his work and workers throughout the whole world, that they may go up as one man against the strongholds of the enemy.

As we met each morning at nine o’clock in conference session, and discussed the work we have before us, our brethren obtained a new view of what it means to be a Seventh-day Adventist. An unwarned world, with the troubles of the last days upon us, is something for us to think about. In this field as in all mission fields we feel that our great need at present is more workers. But we have the assurance that the Lord of the harvest is watching, and will supply the workers in time.

We have a strong force of young people who will be able to bear burdens after receiving some training. But we have as yet no regular training-school. Sister Ida Shirley has a normal class in Bonacca, and we trust that this will be a help to us in this direction for a time at least.

The officers elected for the coming year were as follows: President, E. L. Cardey; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. Ethel T. Nowlen; Sabbath-school Secretary and Secretary of the Young People’s work, Ida I. Shirley; assistant, Miss Alma Osgood; Educational Secretary, J. G. Smalley. Conference Committee: E. L. Cardey, C. A. Nowlen, C. E. Morgan, David Haylock, C. Jones. The committee on licenses and credentials

submitted the following report: Ministerial credentials, E. L. Cardey; missionary credentials, J. G. Smalley, C. E. Morgan, F. E. Carey, C. A. Nowlen, Ida I. Shirley, Ethel T. Nowlen, John J. Woods. The following are some of the resolutions passed:—

“Resolved, That the new Central American Conference send greetings to our brethren of the West Indian Union Conference and to our brethren in all the world, assuring them that we will join heartily with them in hastening the message to the world, that the work may be quickly finished.

“Whereas, The General Conference Committee has kindly responded to our call for a representative of that body to join with us in this meeting; therefore,—

“Resolved, That we heartily thank them for the timely help thus rendered.”

Many important decisions were reached relative to pushing the work into the unentered parts of our territory. It was decided that immediate steps be taken to open work in the unentered republic of Guatemala. As we talked of advancing into these dark, unentered countries, courage and good cheer filled every heart, and a reconsecration to service was made. If our present plans carry, we shall have entered Guatemala by the time this report reaches the readers of the REVIEW.

Elder Spicer’s words of counsel and instruction will long be remembered by the believers who attended the meeting, and will have a lasting effect upon our work.

Now and then, I have noticed, the cry is raised by some one, “Why do the leading brethren make such long journeys to attend a meeting?” To such we would say, Could you be in a foreign field, separated from the counsel and advice of experienced workers, and see the good effect a visit of a General Conference worker has upon our brethren in foreign lands, the question would be forever settled why such long trips, involving expense, seasickness, and other hardships and discomforts, are undertaken.

A good interest was awakened in the town, and each night from six hundred to seven hundred persons were in attendance. The meetings were continued one week after the camp-meeting closed. Some have already accepted the truth, while many others are convinced of what they should do. We trust many will decide aright. A lot and material have been donated for a church building, and already work has been begun on it. Brother J. G. Smalley will look after the interests there. Before the camp broke up, it was decided that our next meeting should be held in Belize, British Honduras, in the spring of 1909, the Lord willing.

The last Sabbath of the meeting was a day of consecration, when nearly all renewed their covenant with God, while some made a start for the first time. On Sunday a large concourse of people gathered on the sea-shore to witness the burial of eight new converts in baptism.

The brethren returned to their home churches full of courage and faith in the final success and triumph of the third angel’s message, and determined to work as never before to make it a success. Brethren in the home land, pray for the success of the cause in this new conference, remembering that finishing the work here as elsewhere means the hastening of our Lord’s coming to take home his faithful and tried servants.

Belize, British Honduras, C. A.