Notes from England by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Dec 27, 1906

Notes from England

By G. B. Thompson

NOVEMBER 7 I sailed from New York on the “Oceanic” of the White Star Line, to visit India in harmony with the action of the recent council in Washington. Brother J. S. James and his family were passengers on the same boat, also on their way to India. We experienced a reasonably smooth voyage across to Liverpool, England, for which we felt grateful to the Lord. In London we joined Elder J. L. Shaw and his wife and others, who had preceded us on their way also to the needy field of India. Two days after our arrival Elder L. R. Conradi arrived, having stopped in response to a Marconigram which he received four hundred miles out at sea, and the conference committee held some meetings, deciding some important matters concerning the work on this side of the ocean.

COUNTRY HOUSE ON LAND PURCHASED FOR BRITISH SCHOOL, PUBLISHING HOUSE, AND FOOD FACTORY, WATFORD, NEAR LONDON

I appreciated greatly the privilege of spending a few days in England before sailing for the East. The brethren did everything they could for our comfort, and we felt very much at home.

It is certainly encouraging to note the progress the message is making among the millions of Great Britain. Ten years ago I was here on my way home from Africa. Great changes have taken place since then. A new mold is upon the work. It has been reorganized, and unified, and strengthened. Since that time not only strong conferences and mission fields have been organized, but a union conference as well, and the work is spreading and enlarging all over the field. This populous field is fast approaching a self-supporting basis; in fact, they are already reaching out to “the regions beyond,” notwithstanding they have a population equal to one half that of the United States.

Ten years ago they had no school. Now they have a good college, where at the present time upward of fifty consecrated young men and women are being trained for active service at the front. I spoke to them one evening concerning the opportunities and responsibilities of our young people who love this message. Nowhere have I seen a finer class of students than here.

The progress of the truth in Great Britain has not been because of its large institutions, but rather because the real message is proclaimed both by the living preacher and by the printed page. This is the way to advance the message in any field.

With others I had the privilege of visiting the new site recently purchased at Watford, fifteen miles from London, where it is proposed to locate the various institutions. This is surely a step in the right direction. That this important field should have a permanent headquarters there can be no question. It will serve to give permanency to the work, and the assistance necessary to establish these institutions should be rendered without delay.

The location at Watford is certainly an excellent one. As one looks it over, and notes how well adapted it is for our needs, its location, etc., he feels impressed that the Lord has directed in securing the place. It is about fifteen miles from London, and two miles from Watford, a city of some thirty-five hundred inhabitants. It is an estate of fifty-five acres, and possesses the beauties which characterize so many of these places in England. On all sides there is valuable timber, which gives to the location a retired appearance. A large residence and stables, all substantially built, are on the grounds. The place is made especially attractive by nice gardens and pleasure grounds, which can be produced only by many years of cultivation and growth.

The place was secured at an exceedingly moderate figure, when compared with other property in the same locality. It is hard to see how a more desirable place could have been secured. Possession will be taken in a few weeks, and it is expected that the erection of some of the buildings will be begun at once. The printing house and food factory will be built first. The college will probably be conducted the coming year in the buildings already on the ground, with perhaps the addition of a cottage or two. The brethren wisely wish to refrain from incurring a large debt. We hope, however, that the college proper will be erected without very long delay, for it is needed.

The Lord is greatly blessing in the distribution of the printed page. Books are being sold. Besides this the weekly sale of Present Truth averages over 2,300 copies. Their health journal has an average circulation of over 50,000 copies monthly, and of the December, or Christmas number, they have printed an edition of 75,000. In a field where the entire membership does not exceed 1,700, this is certainly encouraging. But is this too much? Is it more than it should be in view of the times in which we live, and the importance of the message which we carry? — Surely not.

This encouraging circulation of their papers impressed me very much, and I asked myself the question, Why can not a similar work be done in the United States? I admit that circumstances are somewhat different, but as I look the matter over, and consider all the circumstances, I see no reason why an equally earnest and faithful effort in the States would not yield similar results, and the sale of our various periodicals be increased to the same ratio per member as in England. All that is necessary to accomplish this desired result is for every one, young and old, to shake off the lethargy which seems to have settled upon us, and go to work. Will the Lord say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant,’ unless we do?

The publishing house in London is kept busy on our denominational work, and although the place is small, they were able to show a profit the past year of over five thousand dollars.

The sanitarium at Caterham is also being blessed of God in its work. Through the earnest labors of Dr. Olsen and his fellow workers, souls are being brought to the truth. I had the privilege of spending a day at this institution, and was glad to see the quiet, Christian spirit which pervaded the place.

November 23 we sailed from London on the steamship “India.” Our party consists of Prof. J. L. Shaw and his wife, R. R. Cook and his family, Mrs. A. Ruoff, Mrs. L. L. McCamley, Miss Rachel Johnson, Miss Bertha King, Miss Ellen Brain, and the writer. The following week Brother J. S. James and his family, Dr. Herman C. Menkel and his wife, and Dr. Ollie Oberholtzer will sail. It is encouraging to see such an earnest company of laborers on their way to India; yet when we think of the three hundred millions there, fettered with paganism, who must hear the glorious news of the Saviour’s return, we can only exclaim, “What are these among so many?” G. B. THOMPSON.