The Honan Council Meeting by F. A. ALLUM

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 9, 1907

The Honan Council Meeting

By F. A. ALLUM

The local council meeting for the Honan province was held at Sin Yang Cheo from January 30 to February 5. All the Honan workers were in attendance, and in addition Elder J. N. Anderson and Brother Wilbur were present from Canton. All were glad to welcome Elder W. W. Prescott, who had come to counsel with the workers, and to plan for the extension of the work in this land.

During the time allotted for the meeting, Elder Prescott conducted some excellent Bible studies, setting forth the truths of this message in a new light to most of the workers. Studies on the divine plan of organization were also given, and these were much appreciated. The remainder of the time was given to considering local interests. Reports from the different stations were given and listened to with great interest. It was encouraging to hear the workers recount the varied experiences they had passed through to get this truth started in this dark land. All were of good courage, and eager to press on in the battle until Jesus comes.

Dr. Selmon, in reporting for the Siang-cheng station, stated that during the last month they had treated three hundred cases and five opium suicides, which was the record number for any one month. He also reported an increasing interest on the part of the Chinese to come and hear the truths of this message. Some of those who have recently accepted the truth at his station are those who came there from other missions with the idea of overthrowing the truths of the third angel's message. The result was that they had an experience similar to that of Paul, and now they are rejoicing in the truth which they once tried to overthrow. Thank God for the power there is in the truths of this message.

Brother Pilquist, in reporting for the station at Lo Shan, stated that there were quite a goodly number at his station keeping all the commandments of God. Brother and Sister Pilquist also reported that good work was being done in the boys' and girls' schools which are conducted at their station. After fifteen years of mission work in China, they were of good courage, and anxious to return to their station to take up their duties again.

Elder Westrup reported for the Shang-tsai station. As he had been there only a few weeks, he spoke but briefly, but stated that there was a good interest there, which he and Sister Westrup intended to follow up.

Dr. Miller reported on the publishing work and the opening up of the new station at Sin Yang Cheo. At this place, after a great deal of opposition on the part of the Chinese officials, a good site has been secured for a press building. Building operations have been begun, and we trust that the building for which we have waited so long will soon be completed. The additional needs of the publishing work were also presented, and recommendations were made to the Mission Board for the extension of this branch of the work. These were passed on for the consideration of the general meeting, and will appear in the recommendations passed by that assembly.

As it was understood that the Chinese Mission field was to be reorganized, preliminary steps of a local nature were taken, and a committee of three to deal with local matters was recommended to the Mission Board in America. Dr. A. C. Selmon was asked to be chairman, the other members being Dr. H. W. Miller and Brother F. A. Allum (secretary and treasurer).

This profitable meeting closed on February 5. All the Honan workers then proceeded to Shanghai for the general meeting of the China field which was convened at that place, and the feast of good things was continued for ten days further. F. A. ALLUM.