Ireland by M. A. Altman

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 8, 1906

Ireland

By M. A. Altman

DUBLIN.—My connection with this field dates from the first of April, 1906, when the annual meeting was held in Belfast. At that time I was quite a stranger in the field, and my family was still located at Birmingham, England. As it was recommended at this meeting that an effort should be made to open our work in Dublin, I at once located my family in that important city. Two nurses were also sent to do house-to-house work with Good Health and other literature, with the understanding that one of them should take up Bible work as fast as an interest could be created.

I began at once by visiting and corresponding with the Sabbath-keepers throughout the island, to acquaint myself with the conditions and needs of the field as a whole. I visited the churches and companies, and by correspondence have become acquainted with, and keep in personal touch with, nearly every Sabbath-keeper in the field.

We had expected to find the membership much larger than it is; and I fear many will be surprised as they compare the corrected report as it will appear in the next Year-Book, with the preceding one. Upon inquiry, we found that the election of church officers had been neglected, and it was with some difficulty that the record books were located. In these cases we are endeavoring to have the records brought up to date, and officers duly elected and ordained.

Two public efforts have been made during the summer, one at Coleraine, which is being followed up by Brother R. Mussen, and one at Carrickfergus. At Coleraine one sister has been baptized as a result of the meetings there. Four others have been baptized at the same place,—three from Ballymoney, and one from Kilrea, a few miles distant. Thus far the fruits seem small, but the interest is spreading out into the country, and we trust there will yet be a gathering of sheaves in that district.

Elder D. A. Parsons and the writer are at present in the midst of a series of meetings in the city of Belfast, which we have good reason to hope will result in a few additions to the church.

Since the August meeting of the British Union Conference, we have added to our list of laborers, Elder D. A. Parsons, and his wife, Mrs. L. A. Parsons, and Miss Susie Sisley; and we have been called upon to release Brother J. McAvoy and his wife to the North England conference, and Brother and Sister D. McClelland to the South England Conference.

And now, dear friends of the cause in Ireland, I wish to whisper something in your ears: We have not a single tent for our summer meetings, and we need one badly. If you can suggest any way for us to get one when we have not the money to pay for it, we shall be greatly pleased indeed.

In Dublin an interest is steadily growing among an educated class of people. A goodly number are reading our tracts and other literature, and several are having regular Bible readings. Our workers there are full of courage and hope. Remember priest-ridden Ireland in your prayers. M. A. ALTMAN.