Report of the Welsh Mission, for 1906
By W. H. MEREDITH
DURING the past year we have prayed that the spiritual life of our people might be quickened, and we are glad to see indications that our prayers are being answered. And though our growth has not been so great as we would have liked, yet there are signs of an earnest awakening to the stern realities of our day. Was there ever a year so full of the signs that mark the end, as the year just closed? We think not; and as our eyes are opened to see these things, our souls are stirred with a desire to hasten on the work which must be finished before the trumpet shall sound, heralding the coming King, and we desire above all else to have a part in carrying it to those who are now in darkness. At Cardiff the Lord has blessed us with precious fruit, for which we thank him. Sixteen have been baptized there, several have been added by vote, and there are still a number who are expecting to unite with the church soon. Since our last annual meeting we have organized a church at Blaenavon, which also includes the company from Abergavenny. There are indications that others will come to swell their numbers in the near future. The company at Aberdare has grown under the fostering care of Brother and Sister Buchman, and has been added to the church at Pontypridd. In the district where Brethren Rodd, Carscallen, and Shafer, and Sister Swann have labored, the work has gone hard, and would often have discouraged the workers had they not known that they had done what they could. However, a few souls have taken their stand for the truth, and are filled with zeal to carry the precious seed to others. Throughout the field strong efforts have been made by the enemy to keep the people from hearing. Again and again the canvasser has been repulsed, and has been told that the people are being instructed by their pastors not to buy our literature. Thank God, they can do nothing against the truth. It will withstand all the fiery darts of the enemy. We heartily welcome Brother Penrose, of Pembroke. The Lord blessed his soul with the truth, and enabled him to preach it to his flock,—the members of the Martletwy Baptist church,—and a few good souls have decided to walk in the path of truth, amid great trial and tribulation. We would like to bear testimony to the faithfulness of our church leaders, and all who have in any way helped to hold together what has been gathered, as well as endeavored to reach others. Much patience has been manifested throughout our companies; for we have not been able to visit them as much as we would have liked. God watches the faithful work done by the lay brethren, and he will grant the reward by and by. Since last July Brother and Sister Bailey have labored in connection with our Bible van. The Lord has blessed their efforts, and all the good accomplished will be revealed only when the records of heaven are opened. Up to Dec. 31, 1906, they had sold two hundred and twenty copies of “Our Paradise Home,” thirty-five of “Great Controversy,” twenty-seven of “Christ Our Saviour,” and many others. In addition, they sold 1,312 tracts and pamphlets. A large number of meetings were held from the van platform, also in the homes of the people, and a few times in the chapels and schoolrooms in the neighborhood. Several have become deeply interested in the truth, and one lady is rejoicing in it, as a result of the van work. The increase of membership during the last year has not been large. Forty-one were baptized during 1906. We rejoice in the signs that indicate plainly that the Lord is coming soon. We are still ready to “spend and be spent” in this blessed work. To us there is nothing else worth working for—no other work worthy of our attention.