Mission Notes

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 15, 1914

THE bishop of Chester, in speaking of the British and Foreign Bible Society, said: "There is one thing that always appeals to me very much in connection with the Bible Society. There is a saying that God is great in his great works, but that he is greatest of all in his least works. In accordance with that idea we ought, I believe, specially to honor the Bible Society for its care of small peoples and tribes and those who are, I will not say small, but at all events comparatively few and helpless. All honor to the Bible Society for the tender, considerate sympathy shown for a tribe like the Cree Indians. The Cree Indians are, I believe, very few, and perhaps they are a dwindling folk. Some would say: Is not the Bible Society wasting time and money, and the translators wasting power, in providing a version for these few folk? It seems to me that it is one of the noblest points in the policy of the Bible Society that it should do its best for the few Cree Indians."

The conversion of three officials in an English gold mine in Central Brazil led to the establishment of the Brazil section of the Evangelical Union of South America. These men—electrician, stenographer, and assayer—were finally forced out of their positions because of their Christian testimony. They put together their savings,—$5,000,—dedicated it to the Lord, hired a hall in Ouro Preto, the capital of Minas Geraes, for evangelical services, and undertook long cross-country colportage service. Their center was later transferred to Sao Paulo. Here in three years a church of one hundred and fifty converts—all ex-Romanists—has been gathered. In connection with it are nine established stations with workers in charge, and nearly six hundred baptized converts. One of the native pastors, the late Samuel Mello of Paranagua, was perhaps the most remarkable evangelist that Brazil has produced.

Those who have been following in detail the prosecution of the Korean Christians will remember that the first trial of Baron Yun Chi Ho and his five companions was declared void by the supreme court, and that when the case was remanded they were tried and sentenced again. The report of this second trial makes it more than ever difficult to understand how the condemnation of the prisoners can be justified, or even sustained, by legal technicalities. The supreme court, on review of the original proceedings, held that the evidence did not support the verdict against the prisoners. At the new trial no new evidence whatever was introduced, and the prosecution rested wholly on the same alleged proofs that it presented before. On these discredited grounds the court reaffirmed its former verdict, so that Baron Yun Chi Ho and his companions must serve their sentence. He is, however, using his term in prison to preach the gospel to his fellow prisoners, whom no missionary can visit.