In England by A. G. Daniells

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 3, 1902

In England

By A. G. Daniells

We arrived at Liverpool, Wednesday morning, May 7, at nine o’clock, two hours less than an even week after leaving New York. We were met at the wharf by Elders Ballenger and Altman, who are at present holding meetings in Liverpool, and by Professor Wilkinson and Sister Laura Whitgrove. These dear friends gave us a hearty welcome to England, and rendered valuable assistance in getting our baggage from the ship to the train. At ten o’clock we left Liverpool by special train for London, a distance of two hundred miles. We made but two brief stops, and reached Euston Station, London, at two o’clock. Here we were met by Dr. Waggoner, Professor and Mrs. Salisbury, Brother Bacon, and Brother Joyce. They had secured rooms for our entire company, and in a short time we were all on our way in two large omnibuses to Holloway. Before evening we were all nicely settled, and were receiving calls from our friends. Those of our party who sailed by the “St. Louis” reached Southampton twenty-four hours later than the “Oceanic” arrived at Liverpool. They reached London, Thursday, at noon.

The next morning Brother Conradi and several others arrived from the Continent. At half-past ten we met in the office of the British Conference to plan for the councils to be held during the week preceding the opening of the European General Conference. It was decided to meet each day at 9 A. M. to study the various divisions of the British and European fields. We shall devote one day to each principal division. This will give the American delegates an opportunity to become somewhat acquainted with these fields before the conference opens, and this will make the proceedings of the conference more intelligible and interesting to them. Our canvassers have decided to join us daily in this study.

It is an unspeakable privilege for us to meet the workers on this side of the ocean, and to unite with them in planning for the more rapid advancement of the third angel’s message among the millions for whom they are laboring. The warm, hearty reception we all received, was indeed pleasant. Last evening a praise meeting was held in Duncombe Hall, North London. Our English brethren took this opportunity to express their deep gratitude to God for bringing us in safety to them, and to assure us that we are all truly welcome, and that they desire to co-operate with us in every possible way to make our visit and our labors both pleasant and profitable. At the same time we who have come from the various States in America across the great deep gave God the praise and gratitude of our hearts for his constant presence with us in all our travels. We cannot help but believe that the good hand of our God has been with us. The different members of our company came from the various States, sailed by two different vessels, and all landed in London without a single mishap. Not one was injured, not a single piece of baggage was lost, and no one experienced any sickness, to speak of. We fully believe that in all this the Lord has given us a token of his high approval of this step we have taken to help our brethren in these populous and needy fields. As far as I can see, all who have come are glad in their hearts that they are here. They were surprised to see what a beautiful country England is. Journeying from both Liverpool and Southampton, we came through large cities, bright-green fields, and beautiful groves. Every one expressed delight with the appearance of the country. Over and over again they would express the greatest of satisfaction at being permitted to come to England. We sincerely hope that they will all continue in the work, and meet with abundant success.

The members of the European General Conference who are here are making thorough plans for the conference session, which is to open the 15th. We hope to have this meeting thoroughly reported, either through the REVIEW or in a European General Conference Bulletin. The delegates from America believe that all our people in America should read these reports. One of the delegates stated in last night’s meeting that the two days spent in England had given him clearer ideas of this field and its needs than he had gained during the last ten years by hearing and reading reports. This will be a more important meeting than any ever held by Seventh-day Adventists outside of the United States. Our brethren are coming with well-prepared reports, and with the most earnest calls for help that have ever been made to this people. From what we have already heard, we are impressed with the fact that the Lord is now opening all the doors of the world for us to enter with this message. We are assured by our brethren who have been here the longest that never in the history of our work in Europe has the way been so entirely open for us as at present. The situation is remarkable. It is wonderfully encouraging, and I am profoundly confident that the time has come for this people to arise and give this message with power to all the world, that the consummation of all things may speedily take place. A. G. DANIELLS.