Québec by GEO. H. SKINNER.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Apr 12, 1906

Québec

By GEO. H. SKINNER.

MONTREAL.—One year is now in the past since we came to Montreal, Canada. This city was founded over two hundred and sixty years ago, and there are many land-marks that indicate early architecture and customs. Montreal is called the city of churches and cathedrals. There are many grand buildings, and everywhere is seen the entrenchment of the papacy, behind great stone walls from eight to twelve feet high, which surround their buildings. The French Catholic cathedral, Notre Dame, is the largest structure of its kind upon this continent, and most gorgeously decorated. There is another fine structure after the pattern of St. Peter’s, Rome. The papacy has about three hundred thousand followers, mostly French. There are about one hundred thousand Protestants—English Church, Methodist, and Presbyterian. The Canadian people are very much attached to their churches, and are quite bigoted.

Canada received the advent message prior to 1844. Elder Hutchinson edited a paper in this city, called The Voice of Elijah, proclaiming this message. Having influence abroad, he was able to send literature to many seaports of Europe and America.

As the light of the first angel’s message burned brightly, the second and third ought now to gather power, and the city be warned of the coming doom. There have been a few believers striving to hold their light above the gross darkness of Catholicism and superstition for some years. While the work moves slowly, the Lord is strong to help here as well as in more favored places. One great drawback to the work is the lack of a public place of worship. In a city of this size, and where there are so many churches, outside people will not attend services in private houses, but continually ask, “Where can we hear your message? Where is your church?”

We hold our services on the third floor of a flat, in a room that is used as a parlor and bedroom, so we can not invite those not of our faith.

There is an effort being put forth at the present time to raise a fund to purchase a mission building in this city, but the Quebec Conference is too small to be able to meet the sum that would be required; for all have taken hold nobly, raising about seven hundred dollars. May the Lord move upon some one to help the work in this great city in its need. In spite of the difficulties, the Lord has blessed the work, as several have been added to the church, and about ten have accepted the Sabbath during the past year. Just recently a family of eight—father, mother, and three grown daughters, and three smaller children—have decided to obey all the commandments of God. We rejoice in a God that is able to fight battles and win victories. Since we came here, the Catholics have mobbed Protestant meeting places twice, breaking the windows and destroying property in general, inflicting injuries upon the workers. In doing the work, care has to be taken that this element shall not be stirred up; it is not advisable to hold tent-meetings, hence a house of worship is very necessary. Our work has been from house to house altogether, handing out literature. I might add in this connection that if any one having copies of the Signs, Watchman, or Life and Health, or tracts will send them to my address, they will be used to good advantage. Pray that God’s blessing may rest upon this needy field, and upon his humble servants. There is room for more workers to enter this field, as there are only three or four in the whole province of Quebec.

GEO. H. SKINNER.