We have entered upon a new era in mission work. The set time has come when God will cut short His work in righteousness. A silent preparation has been going on through the centuries; but the fulness of the time has now been reached, and we may expect to see a great work accomplished in a remarkably short time.
He who can not discern these things in a survey of the field from month to month, can not discern the signs of the times. The Lord has set His hand to the work, and even with meager facilities, limited means, and few workers but scantily equipped, the last message is going to all the world.
Japan.
From every land comes the report of progress. In Japan a remarkable revival among all denominations has taken place, and our own laborers, tho few, have had much to encourage them. The church has recently passed through an experience which they feared at the time would have a serious effect upon their work. One of their number, a young man, was summoned to serve in the army. The Japanese are very proud of their emperor and his army, and loyalty to him is considered the highest virtue by the purely Japanese. This brother did not feel that as a Christian he could respond to the call; and yet if he refused he would be counted as a traitor, and dealt with accordingly. Not only would he suffer, but the church to which he belonged, which taught such doctrines, would be called in question. Our brethren and sisters sought the Lord earnestly in this their hour of need, and the answer came even beyond their expectations. The young man secured a private interview with some of his officials, and, to his surprise, found his appointment was for but four months, in the capacity of nurse, and he would not be called upon to bear arms. Many say that they never knew of such easy terms being given before. The brother feels free to take up this work, as it will not only give him an experience in nursing, but an opportunity to scatter the truth among those with whom he will be associated.
Later reports from this field bring the intelligence that several have been baptized and united with the church. The work has been strengthened by the arrival of Professor F. W. Field and family, formerly of Mt. Vernon (Ohio) Academy. He takes the oversight of the work.
India.
The message is onward in India. A number have been baptized and a church organized in Calcutta. Elder J. L. Shaw and wife have spent some time at Mussoorie in the Himalayas, where several were baptized in a beautiful mountain stream. The corps of workers in this field has just been increased by the arrival of three zenana workers, one of whom goes as a self-supporting missionary, and two medical missionaries, a nurse and his wife.
The Waldensian Valleys.
The tidings from Europe are encouraging. Good audiences in the Waldensian valleys give ear to the Gospel of the kingdom; eighteen have recently embraced the message of the soon-coming Saviour, while others have shown a deep interest in this truth. A series of meetings was to be held in Mussel, where twenty or more are studying the Word. A sojourn here is not always the most pleasant during the winter months, as the only comfortable room in the house is the stable, often several feet under the snow, and in that room the worker has to preach and to visit. Nevertheless, in these poor homes many are hungering and thirsting after righteousness.
France.
In France the medical and health work has opened the way to some homes, but the dearth of French laborers is appalling. Brother John Vuilleumier, editor of Les Signes des Temps, has been compelled to leave France because of failing health. Italy and France are both interesting fields, and should be kept in mind by those who speak the French or Italian language. Consecrated laborers are needed.
Finland.
Altho the work moves slowly in Finland, the Lord has placed His hand upon it. One of our missionaries made a tour of the country a short time ago, visiting a number of places where people were interested in the truth. At Jacobstad, when the family with whom he was stopping over night learned that he was a missionary, they gathered into their parlor about sixty persons, who came to have a meeting, bringing their chairs with them. They pronounced the message of the coming of the Lord the best preaching they had ever heard. At other places the same interest was manifested among ministers and people.
Germany.
Over five hundred were baptized and united with the churches in the German Conference during the past year. The headquarters of our work in this field is located at Hamburg. One interesting feature of the local work there is the missionary boat, “Herold,” which has an extensive field in the harbor. Hamburg is the largest seaport on the continent, and ranks third among the seaports of the world. There are fourteen miles of wharves, with over one hundred steamship lines centering there. The “Herold” is thirty feet in length, nearly13seven feet wide, and has a neat cabin ten feet long, where publications are stored and where a small company can be gathered for Bible studies.
Palestine.
Around the land of Palestine cluster many sacred memories. We are glad to report that even in this land a few are looking for the return of their Lord. The medical missionary work has been the entering wedge among the Moslems and Jews. Two missions have been established, one in Jerusalem and the other in Jaffa, and these are well patronized. Centuries of false teaching have had their influence upon the people, and make the Gospel work go slowly. This field, however, is ripening for the message, and a few give evidence that they will be among those whom Jesus will gather at His coming.
South Africa.
Within the past few months the work in Natal, South Africa, has been strengthened by recruits, and already good reports are being received. These workers are studying the Zulu language, but at the same time find much work among other people to occupy their time. They are quite pleasantly located in Durban, and have already gained the ears of some Indian coolies and high-class Indians in this district. The field is ripe for the harvest. There are more calls for help than they can possibly supply.
South America.
Progress is being made in South America. In Argentina a conference has recently been organized, and a strong effort has been put forth to make the work self-supporting; but the dearth of rain for about seven months has been very discouraging. Many of the crops are entirely destroyed, and poverty abounds. Notwithstanding this, the brethren and sisters are pressing forward with their work.
Paraguay, for centuries under the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, has been entered, and a beginning effected. Five baptisms were reported recently, and others expected to go forward in this ordinance very soon. The government has already donated the land for a school, and an effort is being made to secure the money to erect buildings. This field needs help.
From Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia comes the Macedonian cry. One or two men, with a few native helpers, are trying to carry the message to ten million people. This is a good field for the self-supporting worker.
In Colombia the war seems to have subsided, and the people are settling down again. At a meeting held ten miles from Bocas del Toro recently, every one in the house arose, expressing a desire to live a better life, and some wept aloud while standing. Several have taken their stand for the truth, among them two Jamaican merchants, who were baptized.
Central America and the West Indies.
In British Honduras, among those who have been converted recently is a Carib Indian, the only one of his race whom we know to be keeping the Sabbath and looking for the return of our Lord.
In northeastern Jamaica three new companies have been organized, and each is busy erecting a new church building. At Balaclava, thirteen souls were recently buried with their Lord by baptism, just at sunrise. Two sisters who were baptized walked barefoot twenty miles to obey the Lord. Two young men came eighteen miles, and several nine miles. All had to return on foot. This field is ripe everywhere, the only limit being in the number of laborers.
In Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, twelve were baptized a short time ago. As the ordinance is an uncommon one there, fully five hundred people came to witness it. There were twenty-four boatloads on the water, while others thronged the beach, climbed the trees and rocks, and were in every place where they could see best.
In every land some are found who rejoice that the Saviour is soon coming. The very time in which we live makes this a fact. Angels have gone before God's people, and hearts are being prepared for Christ's coming. Every month brings us nearer that event. He who would share in this must do so quickly. “The King's business requireth haste.”
