General Meeting of the Irish Mission
By J. O. Corliss
THE first annual meeting of the Irish Mission field convened in Belfast, March 25, nightly meetings having been held for two weeks, to prepare the way for the work before the annual gathering. While most of those in attendance were from the vicinity of Belfast, some were present from Banbridge, and other places having small companies of Sabbath-keepers. At present Ireland has about one hundred and twenty-five believers in the message. This is almost wholly the result of faithful labor put forth by Elder Wm. Hutchinson and his wife during the last seven years. The labors of these persons have been constant and earnest, and God has greatly blessed their efforts. The number of Sabbath-keepers may not seem large to American readers of this report, but the results are good for this very conservative country. Elder O. A. Olsen arrived in Belfast the day that the business of the annual meeting began. Other laborers present from abroad were Elder J. H. Watson, lately from Battle Creek, Mich., who, with his family, was en route to Central Africa; Elder E. E. Andross, president of the North England Conference, and the writer. The business of the session passed off very harmoniously, and we believe satisfactorily to all concerned. The newly elected executive mission board consists of Wm. Hutchinson, chairman, with Samuel Joyce, Wm. Shaw, Dr. J. J. Bell, and Alfred McCreary as associates. Mrs. L. McCulla was chosen as secretary and treasurer, and Mrs. E. J. Hutchinson as missionary and Sabbath-school secretary. With these earnest souls holding the responsible places given them by the voice of the Irish people, I see no reason why we may not expect large returns for the labor of the coming season. Besides these to direct, every believer in the mission seems ready to do all in his power to sustain and uphold the work. Credentials were renewed to Wm. Hutchinson, and ministerial licenses voted to Samuel Joyce and John McAvoy. Missionary licenses are given to Mrs. E. J. Hutchinson, Lizzie McCulla, and Jennie McClelland. The finances of the mission are in good condition. Its report showed the past year's receipts to be £140 4s. 1d. (a little less than $700); from church tithes, £181 13s. 6d. (about $900); from donations and workers' sales £25 7s. 2d. (over $120), making a sum total of £347 5s. 7d., or $1,690.03. After paying all dues, the mission had to its credit $54.43, with which to begin the new year's work. Although this is a seemingly small balance, it is infinitely better than a deficit. One of the most interesting features of the meeting was the report of the19workings of the Belfast Sanitarium, by Dr. J. J. Bell, its managing physician. Although having had only about three months of actual work, the report showed the surprising number of 771 treatments given. Of these 102 were charity treatments, and 264 brought in but partial payments. Yet notwithstanding that over five hundred dollars' worth of charitable work had been done in that time, the institution reported a balance in its favor of $327.02. Another small balance, it is true, but one comforting thought is that it stands on the right side of the ledger. Then, too, this was in the beginning of the work, when the institution was being fitted up, and the first patronage secured. With the same careful management continued, there is no reason why this institution may not permanently prosper. I think I never attended a general meeting which seemed more satisfactory than the one just closed in Ireland. I have not the statistics of the canvassing work for that field, but from the verbal reports at the meeting, I conclude that it is prospering finely. It is designed to have two companies in the field the coming summer for evangelical effort. I believe that the work in Ireland will prosper from this time onward. God grant that it may.