East Caribbean Conference
The semiannual meeting of the East Caribbean Conference Committee was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad, January 22-31. In many ways this was the most encouraging meeting ever held in our conference. There was a spirit of courage and unity that promises much for the success of our work in the future. This conference has now on its pay-roll sixteen laborers. Of these only six are from the States, and ten are native West Indians who have developed sufficiently in the knowledge of the truth to be able to bear positions of responsibility in this work. We decided to add another of our young men to the list at this meeting, and hope to take others as they develop and the finances strengthen. Our people are realizing more fully their personal responsibility in bearing the burden of carrying the message to all within our borders. The tithe for 1905 was an increase of $327 over that of 1904, and $644 more than for 1903. Ninety-eight persons were baptized in the conference during the year, and nineteen added to the church on previous baptism. In addition to the English-speaking fields in our conference, we have work to do for the East Indians, aboriginal Indians, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Danish fields. We are entering these doors as fast as we can, and only the lack of men and means hinders us from occupying all. The assistance rendered to the needy enterprises in our field by conferences and individuals in the home land, was an omen for good cheer. The gift of the Western Washington Conference of Brother O. E. Davis for the work among the aboriginal Indians lifted a heavy burden from our shoulders. The treasurer was able to report that the outfit already purchased, consisting of a job-press, stitcher, cutter, and sufficient type to set up the Caribbean Watchman, and other accessories, costing about one thousand dollars, was entirely paid for. The investment by an interested brother from Kansas of five hundred dollars in our publishing work, and another gift of one hundred dollars, enabled us to purchase in England a cylinder press, so we shall have a small but complete plant in the near future. We shall soon be able to do all the work on the Caribbean Watchman ourselves, and hope to cover the West Indies with pamphlets and tracts. It was decided to hold a missionary and seed-sowing convention May 5 and 6, at which time a special collection will be taken up to aid our publishing work. Provision was made at this meeting to set the press to work as soon as it is set up, and keep it running steady for many months to come. It has been the custom for the Watchman to issue each year a neat little calendar, with sunsets, which have been given as a sort of premium to the small army of Watchman agents who are faithfully carrying the paper from house to house. It was decided to issue for 1907 an improved calendar having thirteen large-size illustrations, at least ten of which will be West Indian Seventh-day Adventist church buildings. This will be a good opportunity for those who are interested in the missionary work of this denomination to invest a small sum in a souvenir that will not only help a small publishing plant, but be an interesting ornament as well. All inquiries concerning the calendar, or subscriptions for the Watchman or Gleaner, may be sent to S. A. Wellman, Port of Spain, Trinidad. The small company of young people, as busy as bees in producing the Caribbean Watchman and other literature, formed a pleasant and interesting sight to the members of the committee. The Medical Missionary Work
The favorable beginning of the medical missionary work in our conference brought joy and hope to our hearts. The following resolutions concerning this important branch of our work were passed:— “Resolved, That the East Caribbean Conference extend a hearty welcome to Brother C. W. Enoch and his wife, who have come to labor in behalf of the medical work in our conference, and note with gratitude the encouraging evidences already manifested that their work will be successful. “Whereas, C. W. Enoch and his wife have already demonstrated that our medical work will be welcomed by the people of the West Indies; and— “Whereas, There are many wealthy people who will doubtless support liberally such work, and further, as Barbados, because of location, climate, and liberal