W. OSTRANDER by W. Ostrander

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 8, 1902

W. OSTRANDER

By W. Ostrander

Quebec

MONTRÉAL.—Acting upon the recommendation of the Lake Union Conference, I came to this place a few weeks ago. The few who are endeavoring to hold up the light of truth in this city and gave me a most cordial welcome. In all, I think there are about twenty in Montreal who profess to keep the Sabbath. This is a city of great churches and cathedrals, the finest I ever saw. Not less than two thirds of the population are French, and nearly all of them are Roman Catholics. About one fourth are English-speaking people. Since coming here I have visited several places of worship, thus coming in contact with those who profess to be Christians. I have been invited to speak in missions, and to would take part in other religious gatherings, and God has blessed the words I have spoken to the good of the people.

Our people had no suitable place in which to worship, so we have purchased a tent, 20 x 40 ft., and have pitched it near a house where two sisters are operating a small sanitarium. It is not in a part of the city where we expect to settle permanently, as nearly all in this vicinity are French. Our tent with all that appertains to it is paid for, and we have a little money in the bank. When I said to our people, “Our policy in this city must be to pay as we go,” they all said “Amen.” My heart was made glad to see how willing God’s people here were to sacrifice for his cause. They have been hoping and praying for help, and now that help has come, they respond, and the Quebec Conference feels grateful to our Michigan brethren for the assistance they are giving them, as this conference is not in a condition to take on any extra financial burden. We have means in sight to start a restaurant, school, and treatment rooms when the right place can be secured, and the proper persons to run such an institution can be found. May God give us good judgment, and may we have the prayers of our people for the success of the work in this needy field.