Our Island Missions by J. E. Fulton

Pacific Press Publishing Association

Our Island Missions

By J. E. Fulton

Java

LETTERS of interest are coming in almost every day from the different islands of our great mission field. Our missionaries in Java are very much encouraged by the additional help given them. We have received some very good letters from them of late. One item of interest is the fact that our missionaries were invited to a conference of the Dutch missionaries in Java. The other day we received a picture of the group of missionaries attending this conference, and could clearly pick out four of our workers. Matters of interest relating to the progress of their work were considered. While our people were invited to the conference, before it was over they were made to understand that our people were invited to leave the colony, and work in other fields. But our work has entered Java to stay; and we believe that notwithstanding the opposition of these missionary bodies, progress will be made, and souls will be gathered out to follow the truths of this last great message and be saved in the kingdom.

While our missionaries were attending this conference, a little girl four years of age, a daughter of one of our missionaries who went to the conference, was left at home in the care of one of the young lady workers. This lady writes a very interesting letter about this little girl, Elva. She says:

"To-day at our Sabbath-school, she prayed in Malay a sweet, unconscious prayer; and the little Javanese, Yeen, knelt by her side. It was enough to touch one deeply. The sick Javanese come to be treated, as usual. Sister Thorpe told us the methods they have used. We have had several patients to treat each day. Some come miles and miles. The other day we washed a wound, and I asked little Elva (who speaks Malay well) to tell the man that I could wash and bind up the sore, but I could not heal it, only Jesus could do that. She did so freely, and added of her own accord: 'Jesus is soon coming. If we are good, we may go with Him; if we are not, we can not. We must be good.' 'And a little child shall lead them.' It is a sweet picture to see this little child sitting down between two brown natives, with 'Ministry of Healing' on her lap, telling them the meaning of the pictures."

This item shows what children can do in the mission field.

Literature for the Islands

We are planning to supply literature as fast as possible for our island fields, to sow these fields with tracts and papers. We have now planned to get out some somewhat pointed tracts in all the different languages spoken in the East Indian field, — in Javanese, Soedanese, Mandoerese, Battak, Dutch Malay, Singapore Malay, in Chinese, — so that when our workers are distributing tracts they will have one on each of the subjects of present truth for every man they meet. We have the manuscript for these tracts already, and are planning to get them translated as quickly as possible. Brother Munson, who has had a long experience in island work, has been for years engaged in translating some books and tracts for the East Indian field. He leaves with his family the last of the year to locate in Java. He will continue his work of translating.

An edition of Bible studies prepared some years ago for Fiji, has been exhausted, and the book is now being revised and enlarged. "Early Writings" also, in the Fijian, is now in manuscript, ready to go to the printer.

A book of Bible readings is about to be prepared in the Raratongan language. Our island papers are scattering the truths in different islands, and are well received. Letters come in frequently from interested readers.

Australia

Our work is onward throughout this island continent. The Lord's blessing has attended the preaching of the Word. During the last few months, a number of people have accepted the message.

The Strike

At the present time the circulation of literature in some parts of our field is greatly hampered by the coal strike. Twenty-five thousand men are out of employment as the result of this strike, and factories are closing almost daily, and shops are turning off their employees in large numbers. Business in many places has been almost paralyzed. At the time of writing, the conditions are very serious. The mine owners and the strikers all seem very firm in their decisions. It is hard to tell how long this may continue. It is feared that a general strike will take place. These things are prophetic; and we are reminded in God's Word that we are living in the last days, when there will be great conflicts between capital and labor. God calls upon His people at this time to be patient, knowing that the coming of the Lord draws nigh.

J. E. FULTON.