Oran, Algeria by W. E. HANCOCK

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 14, 1916

Oran, Algeria

By W. E. HANCOCK

W. E. HANCOCK

SINCE the beginning of the year 1915, the interest in and around Oran has been more promising than at any previous time. On our arrival we began work among the Spanish-speaking people. This was entirely a new work; and considering the conditions that exist in this town, which is a mixture of many nations and languages, we feel encouraged to see even a little progress.

The company, which on our arrival consisted of two faint-hearted believers, has been increased until now we are six, after having lost two by death; and we expect to add three or four others in the very near future. In Oran itself the interest has increased, and there is an interested company in a town about twenty-five miles distant, which gives promise of a harvest of souls. This company was found by our only colporteur. It is another example of the importance of the canvassing work in pioneering a new field.

We feel doubly encouraged to report that the canvassing work proves to be a success in this field, even in time of war. In the month of April we made a venture which proved to be a happy one. Before that time we had been receiving each month one hundred copies of the Signs of the Times in Spanish, and felt that we were doing well to sell even that number in time of war; but the one hundred were sold so easily that we decided to try one thousand, which we also sold, and afterward ordered two or three hundred more of the same number, with many back numbers of the first three months of the year. Since that time we have ordered regularly four or five hundred copies a month. This venture gave courage to one of our Spanish brethren, of Mostaganem, to take up the canvassing work, beginning first with papers, tracts, and small books.

Recently Brother H. A. Robinson, director of the canvassing work in Spain, came over and gave us much-needed help. Since then this Spanish brother has been able to do considerable with the large book, “Guia Practico,” while continuing work with papers, tracts, and small books. During the last month and a half more than three hundred francs’ worth of these large books have been sold and delivered. This shows that the work of God is hindered by neither war nor hard times.

One interesting feature of the condition of our little company is that, in spite of the trying times we are experiencing, our tithes and offerings have increased. To be sure, neither are large, for the income of our brethren and sisters is very, very meager. Some of them are without employment a good part of the time, and some have no income. Other societies here wonder that we are able to get any contributions among the Spanish population. To my certain knowledge there is no other society which asks or receives contributions for the support of its work in Oran; on the contrary, they are constantly giving help to needy members. We are thankful that our brethren are beginning to learn that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” I think the same report can be given for our members throughout this field. There has been a marked increase in tithes over that of any preceding year.

Our interest is constantly enlisted in the Moslem work, which, in this field, as well as in practically all others, is an untouched problem. We have been able to do but little in the study of the language, as we have to work in Spanish, and also some in French, which leaves us but little time to make progress in a language so difficult as the Arabic. Then, too, the missionary, in order to work successfully for Moslems in this field, has to learn two languages in one,—the spoken language, which is a patois of the classic, and the classic,—in order that he may study successfully the Arabic literature. Doubtless we should have already been engaged, to a considerable extent at least, in this work if the war had not come. We were under appointment to go to Morocco when the war broke out. In God’s own time we hope to be able to enter this large untouched field.

With this great problem laid upon our hearts, we commend ourselves to God’s direction, asking at the same time to be remembered at the throne of grace by the readers of this report.