THE MEDITERRANEAN FIELD.
By H. P. Holser
All who attended the last General Conference will never forget some of the peculiar experiences of that gathering. One feature that should ever be kept in mind and deepen in intensity in our hearts is the missionary wave that swept over the meeting; in response, a large number declared themselves ready for any field in the world to which the Lord might call them. I have since wondered if the Lord had not laid a burden for a special field on some of these. This question is ever kept before me as I behold the large Mediterranean field, with its few laborers, and a population much larger than that of the United States. In the early days of the First Angel's Message, Joseph Wolff proclaimed the soon coming of our Lord in these fields; but it was not until recently that the Third Angel's Message has been preached here. From the first the Lord's special blessing has attended the work; and while the difficulties are very great, the workers have been remarkably sustained. For a number of years the only permanent worker paid by the Foreign Mission Board in Turkey was Brother Baharian. A few native helpers have been developed, and sustained by native tithe. As a result, there are now over two hundred Sabbath-keepers in this field. Eighteen months ago, Brother Krum was sent to Palestine, almost a hopeless field to other missionaries; but the Lord has wrought mightily through his servant, and a remarkable work is begun among Mohammedans. At the last General Conference Brother H. A. Henderson, son of Elder J. P. Henderson, was sent to Greece; and though the field seemed closed against the gospel, already interesting fruits appear. In addition to these laborers, a Bible worker has been sent from Switzerland to join Brother Krum, while a Bible worker and a lady nurse came with my family to Egypt, and are now engaged in work at Cairo, the capital. Thus in this great field there are but seven workers besides the meager native help. While rejoicing that a beginning has been made, I long to see more laborers in this field, and have been praying the Lord of the harvest to send them. Have not some who specially placed themselves on the altar in that remarkable meeting at the Conference felt the Lord calling them to this field? There is danger that some upon whom the Lord is moving will not respond, and so miss a grand opportunity. I would admonish all who feel a burden for this field not to delay corresponding with the Foreign Mission Board about it. There is no time to lose; the Lord is soon coming; let us get ready; and when we are truly prepared by entire consecration, the Lord will not delay a moment to place us where we belong in the great work.