p. 24 | Review and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 54. (11/4/1915)

The Work in the West Indies

On his way to the autumn council at Loma Linda, Cal., Elder A. J. Haysmer, president of the West Indian Union Conference, spent a few days in Washington. The interruption of business by the war has brought hard times throughout the British West Indies. We learn, however, that our brethren there are faithfully rallying to keep the work advancing. During the last year nearly four hundred new believers were baptized in that union, and we now have there about four thousand Sabbath keepers.

Post Card

A POST CARD from Brother Guy Dail, secretary of the European Division, brings a report of baptisms in that division which is very good considering the sore trial through which Europe is passing. He writes: “In the first quarter of this year, 944 persons were baptized; in the second quarter, 1,410. This surely is not bad, all things considered, and we thank the Lord for it.” We join in giving thanks for the soul-winning power of God’s Holy Word. The best treasure that earth can give is the hope of life eternal.

Harvest Ingathering Outside the United States

By T. E. Bowen

It may be of interest to the readers of the REVIEW to know what is being done in the Harvest Ingathering work outside the homeland.

India, South Africa, Great Britain, Malaysia, West Indies, South America, and China entered into the campaign for missions heartily, and ordered papers early.

We have not heard from all these fields as to what they gathered last year, but so far as reported the record stands as follows: West Indies, $743.48; Korea, $10; India, $159.07; Malaysia, $370; and British Union, $293.50.

October 18, H. D. Clark, treasurer of the British Union, writes: “Notwithstanding the present state of things as a result of the war, we are hoping to see greater returns this year than we had last. Three thousand Signs were ordered, and have all gone out.”

T. E. Bowen.

A Missionary’s Experience at San Juan

By R. C. PORTER

THE following experience was related by Victoria Javier at a missionary meeting in Manila:—

“One day when I, with two other sisters, was going to a place to buy rice, I took with me a Bible and a few tracts, believing that it would be a waste of time to go without doing anything to spread the third angel’s message. I remembered the text which says that one is not to withhold his hand in spreading the seeds in the morning and in the afternoon and while walking. When we reached the house where we expected to get the rice, we found the husband sick. Looking around, I saw a Bible in a corner. I said to them, ‘Are you reading the Bible?’ ‘Yes,’ they said, ‘but some way we cannot understand it.’ I opened the Bible, and asked if they would like to have a Bible study. Then we began to study the second coming of Christ from the Bible and from the Passion [a sort of history from creation to redemption, held sacred by the Romanists. Written in verse]. While we were studying, many people came around the fence to hear the study, but they would not come up to the house, fearing they might be seen. Among the hearers was a woman who had burned her Bible according to the instruction of the priest; but when she heard the study, she invited me to come back and give her a study.”

“Both husband and wife were so interested that they asked me the place where we meet. The next Sabbath they came in spite of the hard rain. While we were celebrating the ordinance of humility, I saw them conversing about the study, and both were crying, saying at the same time that that was what Christ did, and we ought to follow. Then they decided to study more about the truth. I am praying for them, and I believe that the Spirit of the Lord will water the seed, that it may bring forth much fruit.”

If many who are indifferent church members would heed the scripture, “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good,” their own Christian experience would be quickened into active life, and many lost in sin would be rescued and saved. These island missionaries are doing a noble work for the Master.

R. C. PORTER.