Neglected Mission Fields in Canada
By W. H. Thurston
It is often remarked that Canada, as a mission field, has been neglected, and a brief survey confirms this. The Quebec Conference was organized nearly thirty years ago, and at the present time there are six organized churches and four companies, with a total membership of two hundred and fifty. The annual tithe is one thousand dollars, and the entire corps of workers in the conference is two,—two ordained ministers. A lamentable record for a conference thirty years old! It is gratifying to all the people to know, however, that this order of things is being changed, and that there shall be delay no longer in giving the message. Help is forthcoming, and coming to stay. The Lord is reviving the missionary spirit among the churches, and the question is now being heard, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” The answer to each one is, “Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you.” Newfoundland has only one minister and one Bible worker. Medical help is on the way, however, and it is hoped that another minister will soon be procured. I have not reached the island yet, therefore cannot speak very intelligently of the work there. Ontario is being blessed with more laborers in the different departments of the work, and the outlook in that conference is encouraging. The churches are sending out missionary workers,19and this is as it should be in every conference. “The church of Christ on earth was organized for missionary purposes, and the Lord desires to see the entire church devising ways and means whereby high and low, rich and poor, may hear the message of truth.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 29. The Maritime Provinces will soon be organized into a conference to be known as the Maritime Conference. There are rich fields for faithful workers in these provinces, and the laborers here are pleased to learn that the corps of workers is being augmented. There are a few canvassers in the field, and others are preparing to go. “There is no higher work than evangelistic canvassing; for it involves the performance of the highest moral duties.” This being true, we should all have a part in it. The Canadian Union Conference embraces Ontario, Quebec, the Maritime Provinces, and Newfoundland. Taking all in all, the climate is good, the people are clever, and there are great opportunities for missionary work. Since January there have been eighteen laborers assigned to the Canadian Union Conference, and yet there is room for God-fearing men and women who will bring their hearts, membership, and interests with them, and come to stay until the Lord calls them elsewhere. Most of the laborers just referred to are now in the field, and others will arrive by the first of June. It is understood that these laborers will transfer their membership to the conference in which they are located, and thus give evidence that they have come to stay. It is only through the liberality of some of our sister conferences and the Mission Board in supporting some of these workers that we are able to secure the help of so many at one time, but we expect to become stronger year by year, and press on to victory. We desire another Bible worker and a minister and his wife,—providing they can be supported by their home conference for a year,—who are willing to work hard, and have no other motive but the salvation of souls. The message is onward, and the workers are all of good courage.