p. 17 | The Dedication of the Church by Philip Gibbings

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 15, 1908

The Dedication of the Church

By Philip Gibbings

Dominica, W. I.

The dedication of The Gospelry, which took place on Sunday, August 23, was an all-round success. Elder L. E. Wellman, who was with us to lay the foundation last August, returned just in time to help us with the painting and calcimining.

For two weeks previous to the dedication, we sought for a special consecration. This preparation drew us near the Lord, and his blessing rested upon us. At the dedication Elder W. D. Forde and Sister Simmons, of St. Lucia; Elder F. G. Lane, of Antigua; Elder Wellman, and the writer took part.

The building has a capacity for seating one hundred fifty comfortably, but over two hundred crowded in, with as many in the yard. We had an interesting program, in which outside friends rendered assistance. Elder Wellman spoke on the subject of the world-wide work of Seventh-day Adventists, and its meaning. The attention was excellent, and the speaker gave the audience no uncertain sound of that climax of the ages—the thrilling event which we look for in this generation.

The judge of the supreme court was present, and said that it was inspiring to see a people who are looking for Christ's second advent. He himself is a Bible student, and has spent years in Cyprus, and retraced many of the places of Paul's journeys. His talk was both interesting and instructive. In conclusion, he remarked that as we have no bell yet, if we would promise him to get a sweet-toned one, we might call for his donation. The Catholic editor of the Dominican Guardian was also present, and spoke in very congratulatory terms of our work and people, wishing us God-speed and continued prosperity.

We have baptized six recently, and

another is preparing for the rite. There are now among us four schoolmistresses. Of these one was formerly a Methodist, one a Catholic, and two were Anglicans.

We take this occasion to thank our kind friends in America and elsewhere who have helped us to build, and we now ask their prayers that God will continue to add to our numbers faithful witnesses of this last warning message to the world.

Sister Simmons and Elder Lane spent a few days here after the others had left, and their services, both in the open air and in the church, were much appreciated by all.

Both in finance and in numbers, our conference is on the upward move. Notwithstanding the fact that St. Thomas is disconnected from this conference, and therefore its tithes are paid elsewhere, our tithes are ahead of what they were at the corresponding time when St. Thomas was with us.

At Montserrat there is a class of four; at St. Lucia, three; at Barbados, eight or nine, and some at St. Vincent, preparing for baptism. PHILIP GIBBINGS.