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Church Dedication at Singapore

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 23, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 51.

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Church Dedication at Singapore

By G. F. Jones

G. F. JONES
THE dedication day of our new chapel in Singapore brought joy to our hearts. For about three years our work has been hindered, there being no suitable place for our meetings. We could invite the public only to a small room in the mission house, which was not at all suitable in so hot and steamy a climate. From the day of beginning permanent work in this city, over four years ago, the interest has been good. The truth has been gradually finding its way into the hearts of the people of various nationalities, and they have been watching and waiting to see if Seventh-day Adventists really meant to establish their work among them. A mission without a church, and with but few members, has but little weight in convincing an Asiatic of a permanent work.
OUR NEW CHURCH AT SINGAPORE
OUR NEW CHURCH AT SINGAPORE
On Sabbath, August 21, we dedicated the chapel to the Lord. It rejoiced our hearts to see it well filled, and to see several leading people of Singapore present. In the face of the opposition from other missions here, it is a surprise to many to learn that our work has been taking root.
Ever since the opening day, we have continued a series of public meetings every Sabbath afternoon and Sunday night. On Sunday nights the discourses are on the prophecies, while on Sabbath afternoons such subjects as the new birth, righteousness by faith, etc., are given. A synopsis of the Sunday night sermon, with the announcement of the next meeting, is printed and distributed through the city every week. This has had a telling effect already, and we know not where it will end. We almost daily hear encouraging news concerning people who do not come to our meetings, but who read with interest the sermons. We divided to each worker his district, so every week we aim to come in contact with the people and learn their feelings as they read the sermon or come to meetings. Of course it, with our other mission duties, keeps us very busy. “Now, just now, is the time to work in foreign fields.”
Although land and material for building are very high, we trust not a cent too much has been spent in the erection of a church at such an important center as Singapore. The building was planned as economically as possible, and is modest in appearance, yet well built, while the position is excellent. Many have a higher estimation of our purpose here since the church has been built, and it has led them to respect the message we bear to them. The gift of money from our dear people in America and Australia, means more than the buying of land and bricks for a church building: souls are led into the kingdom of God, because a genuine confidence has been begotten in them by our sacrifice of means for the advancement of the peculiar message we bear to them.
Two Sabbaths ago we also had the joy of baptizing eleven dear souls of five different nationalities into “one faith” and “one body,” a work wrought by the “one Spirit” to the praise of God.
Singapore.