The West Indian Union by George B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jun 3, 1915

The West Indian Union

By George B. Thompson

MARCH 24 Prof. M. E. Kern and the writer sailed from New York on the steamship “Alimarante,” to hold a ministerial institute and attend meetings in the West Indian Union. After a pleasant sail of five days we reached Kingston, Jamaica. Here we found the Jamaican Conference in session, and received a most hearty welcome from all. Delegates were present from nearly all the churches. These, with the Kingston church, which has a membership of about five hundred, made a large attendance. The large church was crowded at all the evening services, many interested ones attending. A ready response was given to the instruction, and all entered heartily into the study of plans for the advancement of the work on the island.

Harmony prevailed in the deliberations of the conference. Elder E. C. Boger was unanimously reelected president of the conference, and C. B. Degering secretary and treasurer. Plans have been laid by the committee to carry forward several efforts in new fields, and to hold a number of conventions among the churches, and in this way carry forward a strong, aggressive movement for the ingathering of souls. The reports rendered during the conference indicated progress, and the outlook for the advancement of the work in this island seemed to be encouraging.

April 5 we sailed for Colon, to hold a ministerial institute and attend the sessions of the West Indian Union and West Caribbean Conferences. We reached the Canal Zone the seventh, and were soon comfortably located in rooms in our mission building in Cristobal. The days from April 9 to 27 were indeed busy ones. The institute covered the first ten days of the meeting. Though the territory is widely scattered, and much time and expense were necessary to reach the place of meeting, nearly all the workers in the field were in attendance. More than fifty workers were present, and these, with a number of others from the Colon and other churches, made quite a large institute.

The institute was conducted on the same general plans as those held in the United States. The most of the instruction was given by Professor Kern and the writer, covering the work of the ministry, the Holy Spirit, prayer, work in the field, work among the churches, etc. This was the first institute of the kind ever held in this field, and all entered most heartily and earnestly into the studies, desiring to obtain all the help possible.

DELEGATES TO THE WEST INDIAN UNION MISSION CONFERENCE

From the beginning, the blessing of the Lord was present in a very special manner. In no institute held have we witnessed more of the working of the Spirit of God than in this meeting. The revival spirit was present; confessions were made, misunderstandings cleared up, and sins put out of the life. The Holy Spirit gave all a new vision of the work and of their responsibility to labor for lost souls, and stronger resolutions were formed to be more faithful and efficient in the work.

The deep spiritual influence of the institute pervaded all the business deliberations of the conference which followed, and we feel assured that this meeting worked a new and better experience in the lives of the laborers in this field, who have to meet many obstacles in the progress of the message.

Unity marked the proceedings of the conference. Elder A. J. Haysmer was reelected president of the union, and F. H. Raley secretary, treasurer, and auditor. Earnest study was given to the question of how best to carry forward the work in the union harmoniously and effectively. Difficulties in administration are caused by the scattered condition of much of the territory, making it impossible to visit portions of the field as often as desirable. Delays are experienced in mail facilities, especially since the removal of some of the mail ships on account of the war. Then there is a very large and unworked Spanish territory containing millions of souls, the majority of whom are darkened by ignorance and superstition. One of the greatest problems before us in the meeting was how to plan the work so that the message can be quickly carried to these people. The circulation of literature must be a prominent factor in this work, and requests were made for some efficient laborers for this branch for the West and South Caribbean Conferences. The problem of how to reach the large Spanish-speaking population in this union is indeed great, but it must be solved.

On account of the difficulties of finding available office room in the Canal Zone, it was thought best to locate the union headquarters in Jamaica for the present.

Steps were taken looking toward increasing the circulation of the West Indian Watchman, and other literature produced by the printing office at Riversdale. The brethren connected with the office are laboring hard to make the printing office self-supporting.

Departmental work was given consideration at the meeting, and plans were adopted to strengthen these lines, especially in the local conferences. Professor Kern, in addition to the regular work of the institute, was able to give special attention to the work of the youth in this field. This was appreciated, and will doubtless result in great good. The problem of the education and training of the young people in this field is a serious and perplexing one.

In connection with the union conference, the West Caribbean Conference held its regular session. The utmost unity was manifested in the business of

the conference.

Elder W. G. Kneeland has the confidence of all, and was reelected president. Requests were made for a capable man who can act as secretary and treasurer, and promote field work as well. A request was also made for a strong leader in the circulation of literature, especially among the Spanish-speaking people.

Personally, we enjoyed meeting with the believers in this union, and becoming more conversant with their problems. The help sent to the meeting was appreciated, and all possible was done for our comfort. Earnest efforts were made to cooperate in all the plans proposed for the unification and advancement of the work. The Canal Zone, on account of the construction and completion of the Panama Canal, the greatest engineering achievement in the annals of the human race, is under the eye of the world, and if times of peace and prosperity should continue, would doubtless be one of the greatest routes of commerce in the world.

We feel hopeful for the work in this field. Let this portion of the vineyard be remembered in the prayers of God’s people, that the health of our workers may be continued, and many more gathered into the message and prepared for the coming of the Lord.

G. B. THOMPSON.