British Columbia by O. E. Davis

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 11, 1903

British Columbia

By O. E. Davis

SKEENA RIVER.—Leaving Port Simpson, May 1, after looking over the field I located in this place, May 7. The manager of the Balmoral Canning Company, after conversing with me, and making several inquiries as to what church I represented, etc., furnished me a cabin free, and shingles to re-shingle an old church which was built by the English Church several years ago. They had abandoned the place, and partially torn the building down. I did the work alone, receiving nothing for my labor. But I hoped in this way to secure vantage ground another year, if our workers should desire the building.

Some may think it easy to labor in British Columbia among the Indians. They may imagine that there is no opposition, no prejudice, nothing to hinder in the work. But this is not the case. Opposition is as strong here as in Michigan, and the advantages for getting the people to receive the truth are a great deal more limited.

I had been in Port Simpson only about four weeks when the Methodist minister warned me not to advance my ideas of the Scriptures among the Indians; for it would create discord. About four months later, in another conversation, he said there had been strife and even bloodshed because of different doctrines being taught among them, and that if I continued to advance my views of the Bible, he believed the same trouble would be repeated. This time I quietly answered that if preaching God's Word would cause trouble, God is able to care for the trouble. Since coming here, the minister at this place has said that they ought to have the government police make me leave the place. These are only mutterings of the dragon that is wroth with the church, and very soon we may see him rise up in power to “make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

The missionaries who have been long among the natives wield a strong influence over them; therefore many obey their teaching, no matter how illogical or unscriptural it may be. However, God is preparing a people to receive the message. I can hardly hope to see much fruit immediately from this short season's work, owing to the fact that the natives have come from all along the coast and interior, also from the southern shores of Alaska, and will soon return to be under their former influence; but favorable impressions are being made, and an influence gained that will be much to our advantage, as we press the work to the other parts of the field; for there will be some who will give us a favorable reception. Many other encouraging features are also to be seen.

I am now preaching in the Chinook, but hope by next winter to be able to speak the Scemallia language. As yet

I am the only Seventh-day Adventist worker in British Columbia laboring especially for the Indians. I hope soon to see others join in the work. I thank God for the faith and courage he gives me, also for the privilege of being a co-laborer with Christ. At this writing there are seven adults who have taken their stand for the Sabbath since I came among this people. Unto God and to Christ belong the honor, the praise, and the glory. O. E. DAVIS.