New Developments in Missions by William Ambrose Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jan 14, 1904

New Developments in Missions

By William Ambrose Spicer

W. A. SPICER

Two new moves in the fields abroad are of much significance. The truth had long since taken firm root in other lands. Centers of operation have been established in all continents from which the light would continue to shine out even though cut off from connection with the American field. But it is ours to plant new centers, and aid our brethren abroad in lifting the blazing beacon higher and still higher. We have recently received information that the Australasian Union Conference has taken up energetically a new movement to lay the burden of the work in the Pacific Islands more fully upon the believers in Australasia. Our people there feel the same desire that we do to hasten the evangelization of all the world. They are enthusiastically taking up the missionary forward movement, and aim to do their utmost to sustain and enlarge the missionary campaign in that field, which naturally falls under their care.

And now comes the word that the German Union Conference, itself a vast and needy mission field, though strong in sturdy growth and conference organization, has launched its own first foreign mission across the seas. It is not their first mission. The German Conferences, with millions of people within their own territory, have all the time carried a burden for the regions just beyond. They have sent out representatives into Austria, Russia, the Balkan States, and Turkey. Thus, in co-operation with the Mission Board, Germany has done splendid work beyond its own borders.

Now we are asked to help our German Union Conference in planting its first over-sea mission station in German East Africa. This enterprise will mean much to the work in Germany as well as to the cause in Africa. The colonial authorities have taken much interest in the matter, and from the new colony the light of truth will shine back to the fatherland. German East Africa is northeast of Nyassaland. Our brethren who are pushing northward from that point toward Uganda will be cheered by this movement.

The vote authorizing a call for this enterprise was cheerfully passed at the Oakland General Conference, and now that the time has come to open the subscription lists, let us cheerfully respond. Two German sisters who have watched for the call have already sent in the first gifts, as will be seen on the last page of this issue.