An Interesting Report by E. M. Graham

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 25, 1914

An Interesting Report

By E. M. Graham

We here present the second report of the home missionary work, and it shows a very encouraging growth. In the first report only ten conferences in the North American Division were represented. In this report twenty-eight conferences appear, nearly three times as many. In the first, only four union conferences were represented, in this one, only two union conferences are unrepresented.

When we compare the membership with the number of members who have reported work, we notice at once that only a very small proportion of the members are working. There is evidently a very large part of our church membership not enlisted in active service, and therefore following the direction of another leader. "If you refuse to be a faithful steward, working under the directions of the Master, then you are following the directions of another leader, and ranging yourself with those who are warring against God. Christ said, 'He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.' If we are not active in the service of Christ, we are ranking with those who are in positive hostility against him, for we are in the position of stumblingblocks."—"An Appeal to Our Churches," page 29.

We believe that the majority of the members not yet working will do so as plans are presented to them and instructions given in methods of work. Many are waiting and longing to be shown how to win souls.

California leads out in the largest number of subscriptions taken for periodicals, and in papers sold; but South Dakota has sold the most papers in proportion to membership. Minnesota and Ohio lead in papers given and lent, and Nebraska takes first place in tract work.

The European Division report is for the year 1913, as some conferences had reported for the year only. They will report quarterly in the future. They show a fine array of figures, the results of which will surely be seen, indeed are being seen, in souls saved.

The first Asiatic report is here, from Singapore. The figures in this are not large, but think what they mean! Here are people, many of whom are direct from heathenism, and although their thoughts, habits, and traditions have been entirely foreign to such a thing as missionary work, yet the grace of God has enlisted them in saving souls.

Some other interesting reports are those from the South Pacific islands, especially the report from lonely little Pitcairn Island. This is for three quarters, as these people can only occasionally send mail, when a passing ship happens to call. When we remember that all on the island are nominally Sabbath keepers, and that often only one ship calls in a year, we can see they have made good use of their few opportunities for missionary work.

There are many other interesting points in this report, and we ask that our conference and church leaders especially give it a careful study. As we look at these figures, we see behind them men, women, youth, and children, with hearts full of love to the Lord, striving to make him known to others. We see the Lord using them to save souls, and angels attending them as they go from door to door. E. M. GRAHAM.