Sabbath-School and Missionary Convention
By George F. Enoch
At the council meeting held in Port of Spain in January, plans were adopted for the more rapid advancement of the work in our field. To this end two secretaries, with assistants, were chosen to have special charge of the Sabbath-school and the tract and missionary work. It was also decided to hold a convention as soon as possible, for the consideration of these two important branches of our work. That convention was held in Port of Spain, June 20–24, with Elder W. G. Kneeland in the chair. The different sessions were under the supervision of their respective secretaries, and the instruction from the Bible and the Testimonies will, if faithfully carried out, give a great impetus to the work in this field. Mrs. M. E. Kneeland, secretary of the Sabbath-school department, outlined the conditions and needs of our schools. Different Sabbath-school workers read very interesting papers, covering the several phases of the Sabbath-school work. After each paper there was a general discussion of the principles outlined. It was decided that whenever possible, branch Sabbath-schools should be established, and that the “Ingathering” service should be more fully considered, and started if practicable. In the tract and missionary work the principles underlying seed sowing were thoroughly studied. All joined in praising the Lord for the precious “seed baskets” (Ps. 126:6) he has provided this people, and we were encouraged to go forth into the field to scatter the precious seed, knowing that none shall return void, but in the harvest all shall return bearing their sheaves with them. The envelope system of doing tract work was specially discussed. Several of the companies in the island had already been working according to this plan, and every one testified of the blessings received from carrying it out. The experience meeting, where those who had been systematically doing this work were given an opportunity to tell their experiences, was one of the most interesting of the session. One of the most pressing needs of our field is a suitable place where we can train laborers for the Master’s vineyard. Our children should be in schools, where they can be taught the principles of the kingdom, but we must first have a training school. Surely in our ranks somewhere there are suitable teachers, and in the West Indies we have the necessary constituency. The one thing lacking is the money. All were rejoiced to know that we had been given the English edition of “Christ’s Object Lessons” at a very low price for our island field. As the first shipment of five hundred copies had already been received, each one decided to take his quota and go out and sell the books, and not to rest until our school was realized. Instruction in canvassing for the book was given by Brother Philip Porter, who has successfully sold many copies. On the Sunday night of the convention a most enthusiastic temperance meeting was held. Although it rained almost till the hour of meeting, our hall was well filled. At the close of the service seventy-two signed the teetotal pledge during the singing of inspiring temperance songs. All signed in the permanent book of the Port of Spain Temperance Society, also on cards with the pledge neatly printed, which each one kept for himself. The West Indies is the land of rum, and we are determined to wage a relentless warfare against King Alcohol, until many who are now his captives shall be rescued, and countless others saved from his toils.