p. 16 | Our First Foreign Missionary Society

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Aug 21, 1913

Our First Foreign Missionary Society

By Frederick M. Rossiter, M. D.

IN these days when our foreign missionary work has assumed such large proportions under the third angel's message, it may be of interest to the readers of the REVIEW, to our foreign workers, and to students in our schools to know something about the first foreign missionary society in this denomination. In fact, this society was one of the first young people's societies organized with a definite purpose for a definite work.

It came about in this way: In the summer of 1890, Brother C. N. Sanders and the writer were canvassing in upper Michigan for "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation." We were in Escanaba during the hottest part of the summer. One night it was so hot and sultry that I could not sleep, and my mind was active reviewing the past school year and planning how to make the coming year a much better one. Finally the idea came to me that we ought to have a foreign missionary society in the college, and right then and there I decided that as soon as I went back to college, I would see some of the boys and make a start. Before morning I had it all planned out whom I should see and invite to join in such a movement. I have always felt the Lord put that idea into my mind, for at that time I had not heard of the Student Volunteer Movement, organized by Robert Speer and a few other young men among the colleges of the land, with this as their work: "The Evangelization of the World in This Generation." I believe that their first convention was held in 1886.

Before the first week of school was past the idea was working. Some whom I thought would eagerly take hold of the scheme were not interested. Harry Anderson had been my roommate and I thought surely Harry would be in for the plan, but he did not see it that way. However, Harry joined the next year, and all the readers of the REVIEW are familiar with the work Elder W. H. Anderson has done in Central Africa.

One Saturday night in September, 1890, seven young men met in a room

in West Hall and organized the College Foreign Mission Band. Those present were: Guy Dail, Lee Wheeler, Frank Lyndin, Ned Caro, Will Emery, ———, and F. M. Rossiter. We organized, drew up a constitution and by-laws, and decided on a very definite plan of study of foreign missions. The following were the officers for the first year: President, F. M. Rossiter; secretary, Guy Dail; treasurer, Will Emery.

The college faculty did not look with favor upon our plan—only twenty-three years ago!—and so we met quietly in our private rooms every night after the Sabbath, and I am confident not one will ever forget the great blessings we enjoyed as we had seasons of prayer and studied foreign missions. Our first collections and donations went toward getting books and foreign mission magazines published by other denominations.

In 1891 the young ladies of the college organized their Foreign Mission Band, and members were added to our original seven. That year we were permitted to meet in the college library, and frequently we had joint meetings. Any missionary who came to Battle Creek promptly received an invitation to speak to our bands. Elders O. A. Olsen, W. C. White, L. A. Hoopes, W. A. Spicer, and others kindly consented to meet with us, and they not only talked about foreign missions, but gave us some very wholesome suggestions and advice. Altogether our meetings were deeply spiritual and an uplift to all.

In 1893 most of the early members of the bands were graduated, but the membership had largely increased, and the outside attendance was good. Following our organization, similar bands, I understand, were formed in some of our other colleges.

The first member of the Foreign Mission Band to go out as a foreign missionary was Miss Hattie Andre. Her farewell meeting was a very solemn occasion to us all, and we felt that the end could not be very far off. In the years that have come and gone since, many who were members of the college Foreign Mission Bands have gone into foreign fields or are actively engaged in service in the home field.

FREDERICK M. ROSSITER, M. D. Portland, Oregon.