p. 5 | Two Vacant Places in the Mission Field Ranks

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 28, 1907

Two Vacant Places in the Mission Field Ranks

By W. A. S.

THE missionary advance is a conflict at home and abroad. Again we are sadly reminded of it by news from abroad. Dr. A. W. George, of Constantinople, and Brother Charles W. Enoch, of Trinidad, West Indies, both true medical missionaries, have fallen in the service.

Dr. A. W. George had labored in Turkey since 1903, a faithful worker in both medical and evangelistic effort. He held to his post until failing strength compelled him to retire, a few months ago, stricken with consumption. He died at the Friedensau Sanitarium. The family in Nebraska received the news by cable February 13. His brother, Dr. W. A. George, of College View, writes: —

My brother has always been a self-sacrificing boy — ready to work hard and take a hard place, and now that he has fallen after only a few years in the hard field which he chose, I hope that the work in Turkey will be in no way hindered, but that his death may only stimulate others to take up the work and do more, perhaps, than he could do. If so, we can feel that our sacrifice in giving him up will be repaid.

These are precious gifts to the cause of God, of loved one on the part of the family, and of life itself on the part of the worker.

On the fifth of February the cable brought the message from Trinidad, West Indies, that Brother Charles W. Enoch, who, with his wife, had opened treatment rooms there, was dead. Now mail news brings the word that his death was very sudden, and by fever. Elder S. A. Wellman writes from Port of Spain: —

His death comes as a heavy loss to us here. He had every prospect of splendid success in his work. His wife, though sick and broken with the shock, is of good courage in the Lord, and earnestly desires that the work begun should be carried forward by others. Brother Enoch died of good courage. He knew that he must lay down his work. We buried him near the graves of Elders Crowther and Flower, there to await the call of the Life-giver. How these graves make us long for the hastening of the end, and we feel to dedicate our all as never before to the work of the Lord.

Elder George F. Enoch, just returned from the West Indies, on his way to India, writes: —

The news of the death of my brother has flashed over the wires like a bolt out of a clear sky. Only one month ago I left him well and strong, just opening the Trinidad Treatment Rooms, with the brightest prospects. I am thankful that he died at his post of duty. After all, these are but sad incidents to the man out on the firing line. When he takes his place there in a strange climate, amid changed surroundings, he knows that just such sacrifices must mark our advance. The last thought of such a falling worker is not of regret at having made the effort, but rather, Will some one grasp the standard as it falls from my hands? While our hearts are bowed in sadness in our affliction, still the thought presses heavily upon us, will this branch of the work in the West Indies, which we strove together so hard to get upon its feet, be now left to languish for the lack of consecrated workers? We have no regrets to offer, but take this bereavement as one more link to bind our lives on the altar of missionary endeavor.

Thus, even amid sorrow, the word of courage is spoken, lest any should hold back from service. The Lord has in preparation, somewhere, the workers who are to step in and fill up the ranks.

W. A. S.