p. 18 | The British Field by Ole Andres Olsen

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 7, 1903

The British Field

By Ole Andres Olsen

JANUARY 2-11 a workers' institute and general meeting for the North England Conference was held at Nottingham, a thriving city of nearly two hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants. The attendance was not very large, but quite representative. All the ministers and Bible workers and many of the canvassers were present, also the elders and leaders of churches. The meeting was favored with the presence of Elder Corliss, and other laborers recently from America. Brother Corliss's studies were much appreciated.

The special object of this meeting was to give practical instruction in the various departments of work. To this end the subject of organization was carefully studied. The duties of elders, deacons, leaders of meetings, church treasurers, church clerks, and librarians were fully taken up. The general canvassing agent daily gave instruction in canvassing, and the canvassers spent from three to five hours each day in actual work in the city, selling books and papers.

Every evening a discourse was given on some leading subject, and these meetings were well attended. The interest continued to increase until the close. The plan is to follow up this interest with a tent-meeting during the coming season.

Elder Andross, the president of the North England Conference, is taking hold vigorously, and the blessing of the Lord is attending his efforts. He saw the need on the part of the workers of more definite instruction, and called this meeting to supply it. The result was very satisfactory. The brethren and sisters who attended left for their homes in the best of courage.

At this meeting the tract and missionary work received special attention. Brother C. H. Castle, having lately come from America, was appointed secretary and treasurer, also secretary and treasurer of the conference. Sister Castle was appointed secretary of the Sabbath-school work for the conference.

This conference is planning for three tents for the coming summer. It is indeed gratifying to see their plans for aggressive work in this important field. Here are hundreds of cities and millions of souls in darkness concerning the things that are soon coming to pass. The urgent calls for help are so many that only a few of the most important can receive attention.

We are exceedingly grateful to the Mission Board, and to our brethren in America generally, for the interest they are showing in this field, and it is our earnest prayer that this interest may be rewarded by the rapid advancement of the work in this country.

Since the close of the meeting already mentioned, I have labored in the South England Conference, visiting Bath, Plymouth, Bristol, Southampton, East Cowes (on the Isle of Wight), and Portsmouth; also several places about London. I find our people of good courage, and the work growing. Especially was this the case at Plymouth. That church is making a steady growth, and the Lord's blessing is with the work in a marked manner.

At Portsmouth I met Brother Champness, who has labored here for some time. I found him and his family well, and very busy. The attendance at the meetings is large, and a good interest is maintained. Some souls have decided to walk in all the commandments of God. I remained over only one night. We had an interesting meeting, and I was favorably impressed with the general outlook.

During the past six weeks we have been engaged in raising money for our sanitarium. The REVIEW family are familiar with the circumstances leading to the purchase of the Caterham property, and have had a very large part in bringing it about. Here in this country the matter of raising our £1,000 ($5,000) was taken hold of vigorously. The sum to be raised averaged one pound sterling, or five dollars, to each Sabbath-keeper, which you will see could not but be a very heavy draught on a poor people. But the brethren did not hold back. The conference officers and the ministers all worked with energy, and the result is that last week the purchase was made. The entire amount had been raised,—ten thousand dollars came from America, and five thousand dollars was raised here. Some of the churches sent in even more than their full quota. In some instances where the individuals could not secure the money so quickly, others advanced it for them, and thus the whole amount was raised, the purchase price

paid, and the institution placed in our possession entirely free from debt. It will soon be ready to receive patients. Already we hear of a goodly number who are waiting anxiously for the institution to open. May God's special blessing attend this work. O. A. OLSEN.