BRITISH COLUMBIA by W. W. Steward

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 16, 1900

BRITISH COLUMBIA.

By W. W. Steward

Ymir and Rossland.—Following our good camp-meeting at Milton, Ore., and in harmony with the wish of the Upper Columbia Conference, my family and I came north to engage in pioneer labor in this part of the British possessions. Receiving a call from Ymir, British Columbia, I began a series of meetings at that place, where, by the grace of God, two persons accepted the truth of the third angel’s message.

From Ymir I went to Rossland, which is a mining town of considerable importance. It is growing rapidly, and in its short life of only about five years has already a population of from eight to nine thousand. I earnestly long to see the work established here upon a good strong basis. At this place I was joined in labor by Brother W. C. Young and his family. We pitched a thirty by fifty foot tent, and began the presentation of the truth. Through the blessing of God, a church of nineteen members was organized here, and many persons are interested.

The acceptance of the true Sabbath means more to the brethren here than in most places; this city being a mining center, and all the mines being owned and operated by large syndicates, whose purpose is not to cease work night or day. Any cessation of work on the part of their employees, especially for religious reasons, receives no toleration whatever, and results in almost certain loss of employment. Several of our brethren who were miners have had to leave this place to seek employment elsewhere. One, as he was about to take the train, exclaimed, “I leave this town with less money than I had when I came into it, but I am a richer man.” Others of the brethren have secured employment at different kinds of labor. So we are able to say, with the psalmist, “Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

One illustration as to the extent to which religious bigotry can be carried, and its injustice, exposing, as it really does, the Christian (?) spirit of the age: One of the brethren who was in the employ of the city, being engaged in some public improvements, upon making his decision to obey God, informed his foreman of the fact, telling him that henceforth he could not work Saturdays. The foreman replied: “Well, that’s all right as far as I am concerned.” Yet in a few weeks this brother was told to seek other employment, as he was losing too much time, and that the city council wished to push the work as rapidly as possible, and had instructed the foreman to that end. The city council is largely composed of Presbyterians, and they object to anything that is not according to “the kirk,” and have placed all the obstructions that they possibly can to hinder the distribution of our literature. The same week that our brother was discharged, one man had laid off from his work, in a drunken debauch, for four days; but when sober, was allowed to return to his work. Yet the plea for the discharge of an industrious, sober man was that time was being lost in pushing the work.

The contributions at our meetings were liberal. We have received, up to the present time, $96.50. The tithe is also coming in; and the Sabbath-school offerings average almost ten cents a member each Sabbath. We are of good courage, and feel that the dear Lord is still blessing our labors in this field. We have received one thousand copies of the Harvest number of the Signs of the Times, for sale here. We wish to thank the many friends who have liberally helped in supplying us literature. God’s people have held up our hands by their prayers. Brethren, please continue to do so.

W. W. STEWARD.