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The British Field

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Nov 3, 1904

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 81, No. 44.

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The British Field

By Ole Andres Olsen

Leicester

Our last report was sent at the close of our British Union Conference meeting, held at Leicester, in connection with the North England Conference. The meeting was in every way an encouraging one. The fullest unity and harmony characterized all our proceedings.
The North England Conference was likewise a most profitable meeting. The reports of the different lines of work presented by the secretary showed great advancement in the work during the year. Four churches were organized and added to the conference, and the tithe was increased by about six hundred dollars. Elder E. E. Andross was re-elected president of the conference, with Brethren S. G. Haughey, J. W. McCord, G. Hawkins, and S. S. Barnard as the other members of the conference committee.

Scotland

At the close of the Leicester meeting, Elders Spicer and Andross, together with the writer, went to Scotland to attend the second annual meeting of the Scottish Mission Field. The gathering was held in a tent in Edinburgh, August 9-14. As the work in Scotland is yet in its infancy, we could not expect a large gathering; but the attendance was good considering the membership of the mission, and we had a most profitable time. Scotland is an excellent field, and the work has made decided progress during the year. Interests are springing up in many places as the result of literature sold by our canvassers. In view of the urgent calls for laborers, the superintendent made an earnest appeal to the British Union Conference for more ministerial help. In response, it was arranged that Elder Wm. Knight be transferred from the South England Conference to Scotland, the change to take place at the close of the tent season.
The business proceedings of the mission passed off harmoniously. Elder W. A. Westworth was re-elected superintendent. The outlook for the coming year is most encouraging, and our earnest prayer is that our highest expectations may be realized.

Ireland

The next meeting was held in Belfast, August 16-21. In Ireland, also, the work has made good progress during the past year. In former reports we have written concerning the work at Ballyclare, which began under many difficulties. A good company of earnest believers in that place are now rejoicing in the light of truth as it is in Jesus. At the time of the meeting, Elder Hutchinson was conducting a series of meetings at Ballymena, with a growing interest; and still another effort was being conducted a few miles from there by other brethren. Ireland is the most difficult field in the kingdom, but the truth is now making progress.
An interest has lately sprung up in the county of Limerick, where a most urgent call for help has been made. For some time the brethren in Ireland have been anxious to see the truth carried to the south and west of the island, and now that the way is opening up in Limerick, they are anxious to follow up the interest. Elder Hutchinson made an earnest plea during the meeting for help, so that he might be left free to enter this opening. He accepted the superintendency of the mission again only on the condition that he be released from its duties as soon as possible. An effort is also being planned for Dublin the coming year. May the special blessing of the Lord rest on all these efforts.
The meeting as a whole was very encouraging. The attendance of our people was the largest I have ever seen in Ireland. The presence and labor of Elders Spicer and Andross were much appreciated.

Wales

Leaving Ireland, we went on to the Welsh meeting, which was held at Barry Dock, Wales, August 21-26. This meeting of the Welsh Mission was also the second annual gathering of that field. The Lord has greatly blessed the work during the year; the number of believers has been much increased; the church at Newport has been organized, and new interests are springing up in several places. The earnest labors of Elder Ballenger have been greatly blessed in bringing souls into the truth.
While at the Welsh meeting, the urgent call for help for Ireland received attention. It seemed to some of us that if arrangements could be made for Brother Ballenger to go to Ireland, it would be a good move. The friends in Wales were very reluctant to have Brother Ballenger leave, as they felt that it would be a serious loss to the work in Wales, but, considering the work as one, they gave their consent. When the time comes for Elder Ballenger to leave Wales, Elder Meredith will look after the work there. During the meeting eleven were baptized, and some decided to obey the truth.
This was the last of the series of annual meetings in the British Union for the present season. The general outlook for the work in the field is encouraging, and, with the blessing of the Lord, we hope for a still larger growth than last year. The visit of Elder Spicer has been much appreciated, and is proving a source of great blessing to the work as a whole. After the meeting in Wales he visited several of our churches in the South England Conference,—London, Bath, Southampton, East Cowes, and Portsmouth; also Kettering and Birmingham in the North England Conference.
Our school began its fourth year on September 7, with an attendance of seventy-three. This has now increased to eighty-one. We have more favorable quarters this year, and the general outlook for the school is brighter than for any previous year.
The time has certainly come for a decided forward movement. We are much encouraged by the many openings for work; but our laborers are so few! We are looking eagerly for the coming of Elder and Mrs. E. W. Farnsworth to join us in the work.
On Sabbath, September 17, the writer had the privilege of baptizing seventeen dear souls, who, during the past few months, have accepted the truth at Westbourne Park, in the west of London, under the labors of Brother and Sister C. Jensen.
A tent-meeting being conducted at Catford, by Elder A. Ritchie, is developing an excellent interest, and some are beginning to obey. We hope soon to organize a church at that place. Thus the work is onward!
O. A. OLSEN.