A Call for Self-Supporting Work in Virginia by T. E. Bowen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 23, 1913

A Call for Self-Supporting Work in Virginia

By T. E. Bowen

AT the time of the General Conference Sister Mattie Hamilton-Welch wrote of her deep interest for the people in a certain section of Virginia where she had been laboring, but she was not able to carry on the work further, being called to another State. Concerning this opening in a mountain district, and her plea that some one respond, we quote from her letter:—

"Will you not ask for two volunteers, self-supporting, to devote their time to the mountain people of Virginia? A husband and wife who would give themselves and their means to this work would certainly enjoy the rich blessings of the Lord as never before.

"It requires two persons to do the work well. The wife could be very helpful to the women and children in giving health talks or visiting the women in their homes, teaching them hygienic cooking, sanitation, etc.; while the husband could go with the men into their fields, giving advice as to the best methods of raising crops and orchards. They would thus gain the confidence and esteem of all. Then, evenings, the husband and wife could hold song services or evangelistic meetings, perhaps using illustrated songs, and the whole settlement would turn out, and many would accept the last warning message. The people are hungry not only for the gospel, but for some kind of gatherings to break the monotony of their lives.

"My heart aches for these dear people in their isolation. Even the Mormons have had missionaries in the mountains of the Old Dominion State, and why cannot the Adventists, who live so near them? The mountaineers are very orthodox, and were not attracted by the Mormons, but present truth charms them. They used to come to my boarding-place night after night and stay until

eleven o'clock. They would lay their children, asleep, on the bed, the lounge, and even the floor; and not until my voice would give out and I would be overcome with weariness after teaching all day in the schoolroom, would the parents say, 'Well, we hate to go, but we will come back tomorrow night.' And they came, unless I had an illustrated lecture at the old log schoolhouse; and they always filled it, rain or shine. One night two hundred were there. I feared the old log house floor would go through. It is a blessed work.

'It requires two persons to do the work, in the homes and in the gospel meetings. I believe that if you will make a call for two workers for the mountain people of Virginia, God will answer by calling responsive hearts.'

Should God impress some brother and sister prepared with means and training to enter upon this work, we suggest that before going to Virginia, or definitely arranging to do so, correspondence be had with Elder W. J. Stone, 290 Park Ave., Richmond, Va., who will be glad to furnish such information as will be helpful and necessary before entering upon work of this kind.

T. E. BOWEN.