p. 18 | Canada by W. H. Thurston

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 17, 1904

Canada

By W. H. Thurston

The present winter in Canada is said to be the most severe for twenty years,—heavy falls of snow, storm after storm in quick succession, heavy winds, and the thermometer registering from thirty to fifty degrees below zero.

Last fall we planned to do some work in the cities, and to hold a series of meetings in all the churches during the winter. Our work has been interrupted somewhat by severe storms, but something has been done. Several have accepted the truth as a result of the efforts, and others are interested, and with further study will accept the gospel.

The week of prayer was a blessing to our people, and the readings were timely and much appreciated. The statement, in one of the readings that “it is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for, but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,” encouraged some to take hold with new zeal in the missionary work.

The work of our two industrial schools is progressing very well, and we hope for a larger attendance the coming school year. There are many young people in this field who should have the privilege of acquiring a Christian education and a practical training for the work of God in their own country, and it was to supply this demand that these schools were established.

The Knowlton (Quebec) Sanitarium has had a very good patronage all winter, and good results are attending the work. The institution is much appreciated in Knowlton, and patients are coming from different parts of the country. There are six earnest, devout young people there taking the nurses’ course and preparing for all-round missionary work. One of the young ladies taking the course is from Scotland, a cousin of the doctor, and she will probably return to her native land when she finishes her course of study. Dr. White is working hard to make the institution a success, and those associated with him are faithful in all their duties. It is designed to make the sanitarium what God would have it, a means of advancing the gospel work. The Lord is blessing the work, and the outlook is hopeful.

Our book business has been light during the winter, but there is prospect of an increase of sales in the spring. Some are preparing to take up the canvassing work in the early summer, and we shall probably hold at least three canvassers’ institutes as early as possible in the year.

At a recent meeting of the Canadian Union Conference Committee held in Montreal the condition and needs of the field were very carefully considered, and it was decided to locate our publishing house in Toronto, Ontario, and open a branch office in the Maritime Conference, probably at Moncton, New Brunswick. It was also voted to ask the local tract societies to turn the book business over to the publishing house, and have the books shipped directly to the agents from the central and branch offices. Under the present system, after paying duties and other expenses, there is very little profit left for either the local societies or the publishing house. Our publishing house was formerly located in Toronto, but there was a strong sentiment in favor of moving it to Montreal in order to have it more central for the union conference. We are put to so much extra expense in transportation, rent, and in other ways, that we find it impracticable to operate from Montreal. We shall continue work in our present quarters until the first of May, and then we hope to locate our publishing house permanently, and under the new policy serve the field better, and make the publishing work self-supporting.

Special attention will be given to the different phases of missionary work throughout the entire field, and with the hearty co-operation of all the churches the work will move on successfully. Our only object in making any change is that we may better serve the cause and hasten on the last message to the world.

The work in the Newfoundland Mission is moving on successfully, and a large amount of literature has been distributed there during the past year by the St. Johns church, under the direction of Dr. Lemon. We have had no minister there since last spring, and during this time Dr. Lemon has been looking after the evangelistic work in connection with his medical work. Dr. Carrie Lemon has also taken an active part in the missionary work, in fact, their work is medical missionary work, and the results are encouraging. We hope to be able to locate a minister in Newfoundland early in the spring.

In Vol. VII, of the “Testimonies,” we find these statements: “Our sanitariums are to be established for one object,—the advancement of present truth. And they are to be so conducted that a decided impression in favor of the truth will be made on the minds of those who come to them for treatment. The conduct of the workers, from the head manager to the worker occupying the humblest position, is to tell on the side of truth. The institution is to be pervaded by a spiritual atmosphere. We have a warning message to bear to the world, and our earnestness, our devotion to God’s service, is to impress those who come to our sanitariums.” In starting the medical work in Canada we have endeavored to heed this instruction, and the Lord is blessing the efforts put forth. The great work is one, and all its departments are to unite in giving the message to the world in this generation. Our workers are of good courage.

W. H. Thurston.