p. 8 | Farewell Missionary Service by J. L. McElhany

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 31, 1916

Farewell Missionary Service

By J. L. McElhany

J. L. MC ELHANY

TUESDAY, August 1, the steamship “China” left the dock of the China Mail Steamship Company in San Francisco, and headed out through the Golden Gate, bound for the Orient. On board was the largest party of missionaries ever sent out by the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. Some time before the hour for sailing, our people began to assemble until there

was finally a larger gathering of Seventh-day Adventists than has ever been together on the Pacific Coast on an occasion of this kind since the days of the missionary ship “Pitcairn.”

All recognized that this was no ordinary occasion. Several representatives of the Pentecostal Church were there to bid farewell, with considerable ceremony, to one lady missionary. The Methodists also were present to see three of their missionaries depart. We were gathered to bid Godspeed to our company of forty-two missionaries.

This incident is indicative of the very spirit of the message. The time has come when we may expect to see many such companies hastening out into all parts of the world. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Counting the overflow party sailing on the ninth of August from Seattle, the number of those going out at this time exceeded fifty.

RECRUITS FOR THE ORIENT
(Sailing from San Francisco, August 1) — RECRUITS FOR THE ORIENT (Sailing from San Francisco, August 1)

On Sabbath afternoon, July 29, a union farewell service for our missionaries was held in the Oakland church. It was felt that an occasion marking the beginning of a new era in our foreign mission operations should be made the object of a special gathering. I cannot recall ever attending a more impressive or interesting service than this one proved to be.

That the churches of the California Conference take a deep interest in the cause of foreign missions, was again evidenced by the large crowd that filled the church to overflowing. Elder R. C. Porter, president of the Asiatic Division Conference, gave the opening address, during which he very vividly portrayed the great needs of the fields in the Asiatic Division Conference. He was followed by others of the outgoing missionaries, who gave short talks in which they stated the reasons why they were willing to leave home, country, and kindred, and face the hardships of the mission fields.

We were fortunate also in having with us Dr. Riley Russell and Brother R. C. Wangerin of Korea, and Dr. A. G. Larson of the Central China Mission. As these workers related their experiences, and told of their sorrow at being separated from the work in their chosen fields, and also made earnest appeals for help, a very deep impression was made upon all. Especially touching was the talk by Brother Wangerin, for the marks and scars of the battle were plainly visible. Stricken with disease, and scarcely able to make himself heard, he told of his years of labor in southern Korea, and of the two hundred believers he had left there. He requested our prayers in his behalf that he might speedily be restored to health so that he could hasten back to his field.

All honor to those who are stricken on the battle front! As they come back to us for a little season to seek rest and health, we should earnestly endeavor to learn the lessons taught by their sacrifices, and seek to enter into their labors with them.

Following the talks by the missionaries, Brethren W. C. White, C. H. Jones, A. O. Tait, R. W. Munson, and others spoke with deep feeling. They recounted the marvelous manner in which the message had spread throughout the world in recent years. Elder White spoke of the feelings that his father, Elder James White, would undoubtedly have had, could he have been in a meeting like that and listened to the wonderful reports.

Although the Midsummer Offering had been taken at the morning service, another liberal offering was taken at this meeting. “God be with You till We Meet Again” was sung to close the meeting. This meeting will stand out distinctly as an epoch-making event in the onward march of this glorious truth.