The Mexican General Meeting
By GEO. M. BROWN.
THIS meeting was held at Mexico City, September 14-19. A goodly number from the Guadalajara church and sanitarium were present. These brethren and sisters, together with those living at Mexico, made quite a little company. Three meetings were held each day. These were devoted to a consideration of the work of the past, and to laying plans for the future. Stirring sermons were preached by Elders Leland, Caviness, and Bodwell. The first service, which was held Wednesday evening, and the closing meeting, Monday morning, were special praise services, and will long be remembered. As a result of the consideration given to the work, the following decisions were reached:— 1. To increase our force of colporteurs as rapidly as possible. 2. To add to our literature as fast as finances will permit. 3. To continue the publication of the Spanish Sabbath-school Lesson pamphlets. 4. To add four pages to the El Mensajero de la Verdad, beginning with the first issue for 1905. 5. To start a paper that can be produced at a cost not to exceed 1 ctv. a copy, to be used in working with the poor, and by those who wish literature for free distribution. 6. To increase our efforts in behalf of the home department of the Sabbath-school. 7. That our Sabbath-schools devote their surplus contributions to some branch of the mission work, leaving each school free to decide to what object its offerings should go; and further, that the officers of the school keep the matter constantly agitated. 8. That we express our hearty appreciation of the work of the American Bible Society, and manifest our interest in this good work by taking up an annual collection in our churches. 9. That Brother and Sister A. G. Bodwell locate at Torreon as soon as consistent, making that a center from which to work the surrounding cities. 10. That Elder Leland locate at Aguascalientes, and that he be allowed to devote his time to dental work, with the object of becoming a self-supporting missionary at the end of three months. 11. That our workers be instructed that sixty hours' work a week will be expected, thirty or thirty-six of which must be spent in actual work among the people, the remainder being spent in study and preparation. The annual meeting of the La Verdad Publishing Company was held, and officers for the ensuing year were elected. With a view to decreasing operating expenses, it was decided to lease the building and plant to the mission for one year. Sunday, September 18, the new building was dedicated with appropriate services. The following statement shows the money raised for the starting of the printing work and its use:— Donations from Brethren and Sisters .................... $1,147 04 Donations from Mission Board .......................... 300 00 Loan from Mexican Mission ............................. 208 26 Total ................................................. $1,655 30 Paid for lot .......................................... $ 340 90 “ “ building and walk................................. 605 45 “ “ machinery ........................................ 611 46 “ “ organization of company, titles, etc. ............ 76 71 Sept. 15, cash on hand ................................ 20 78 There is still about two hundred and seventy-five dollars due on pledges to the enterprise. The report of the treasurer showed the finances of the mission to be in good shape. The tithe and offerings for 1903 amounted to $3,466.75, Mexican money, not including the contributions to the printing plant. Aside from the property of the printing company, the inventory Jan. 1, 1904, showed the value of the mission property, including stock of literature, etc., to be about five hundred dollars American money. Many have become interested through the reading of the El Mensajero and other literature during the past year, and we confidently expect to see more results as the seed sown continues to be watered. All felt that the meeting was a source of blessing and encouragement to them. We expect to join in the winter missionary campaign, and pray that God may crown our efforts with success, and that we shall be permitted to see a goodly number accept the truth.