"It is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand." (Rom. 15:21)
Our first mission to a field outside of the United States was opened in 1874, when Elder J. N. Andrews was sent to Switzerland, and there began work.
The Central European Field
Eight nations were at that time included in this mission; namely, Switzerland, France, Italy, Turkey, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and Greece, a territory containing 140,000,000 people.
It may be of interest to mention, at this point, the circumstances that led our people to enter upon a mission so vast in territory, at a time when the denomination was numerically weak.
Elder Czehowski
In the year 1865, Elder M. B. Czehowski, a converted Polish Catholic priest, who had accepted present truth, desired our people to send him as a missionary to Central Europe. As this was impracticable at the time, he presented his case to the First-day Adventists of Boston, Mass., who, perhaps, considered him entirely disconnected from our people. Be that as it may, they secured the means required, and sent him to his desired mission.
Sabbath-keepers in Switzerland
In 1866, he taught the Sabbath truth and the third angel's message in Tramelan, Switzerland, which effort resulted in bringing out a company of Sabbath-keepers. Soon after, he left them to teach the message in Hungary. He said nothing to the company in Tramelan of our work in America, but Albert Vuilleumier, one of the number, could read English. He, by chance, saw a copy of the Advent Review. Through this means a correspondence between the two countries was begun.
Elder Erzenberger Sent to America
In 1869 James Erzenberger, of Tramelan, was sent to America for the purpose of learning the English language and becoming more fully acquainted with the doctrines and usages of the Seventh-day Adventists. He arrived in Battle Creek June 18, and remained in America one and one-half years. He left New York, on his return trip, Sept. 9, 1870. In June of the same year, Ademar Vuilleumier visited this country, where he remained about four years. On his return to the homeland, he was accompanied by Elder Andrews. They arrived in Neuchatel Oct. 16, 1874.
In 1875, Elder D. T. Bourdeau and his family left America for France, where they were appointed, by the committee, to labor.
A French Paper Started
In the following year, in July, 1876, there was begun at Basel, Switzerland, the publication of a paper in the French language, entitled Les Signes des Temps (The Signs of the Times). May 13, 1882, six years later, Elder Haskell sailed from New York City for Europe. While on this missionary tour, he spent more or less time in Switzerland.
Elder Whitney Goes to Basel-Death of Elder Andrews
July 26, 1883, Elder B. L. Whitney and his family arrived in Basel, he being appointed by the General Conference Committee to take the management of that mission, to the relief of Elder Andrews, whose health was rapidly declining. A few months later, in October of that year, he passed away.
Elder Andrews did not in early life enjoy the advantages of the higher schools and colleges, yet he was well educated, being what the world calls a selfeducated or self-made man. By his application to study he mastered Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and in later years the French language. The French language he acquired for its aid in opening and prosecuting the work in the Central European Mission, where he labored for the last six years of his life, writing for and publishing the French Signs of the Times, as well as preaching in that language. It was while thus laboring that he fell under the hand of death.
Dr. Kellogg in Europe
In the spring of 1883, Dr. J. H. Kellogg visited Europe in the interest of medical research. He spent a few days at each of our missions, and his visits were a source of much encouragement to the workers, especially was his advice in regard to the work at Basel greatly appreciated by Elder Andrews.
Elder Butler Visits Europe
At the General Conference held in October, 1883, it was recommended to begin, as soon as possible, the publication of a paper in England. As the result of another vote passed at this conference, Elders Geo. I. Butler, M. C. Wilcox, and
A. C. Bourdeau went over to assist in the work in Europe and England. Elder Butler landed at Glasgow, Scotland, Feb. 27, 1884. One object of Elder Butler's visit to the foreign missions was to learn by personal observation the difficulties in the prosecution of the work in foreign countries, and how to overcome them. He, too, spent more or less time in Basel, and in the Central European field. A. C. Bourdeau labored among the French people in the valleys of the Alps, among the Waldenses; while M. C. Wilcox connected with the printing and editorial work in England, remaining until the close of 1886.
Publishing House Erected in Basel
In 1884, the publishing house, Imprimere Polyglotte (the name signifying, printing in many languages), was erected in Basel. In March, 1885, H. W. Kellogg was authorized by the General Conference Committee to visit Basel, and purchase the necessary machinery for the printing house. This he did, and thus was a well-equipped printing plant, owned by Seventh-day Adventists, established in the ancient city of Basel.
During the time of Elder Butler's visit in Europe, a German paper called the Herold der Wahrheit was printed at the Basel office. The same year a Roumanian journal, AvarÅlu Present (Present Truth), was also published at this office. And still another in Italian, called L'Ultimo Messagio (The Last Messages). Both of the last-named journals were sixteen-page quarterlies. At the Swiss Conference, in October, 1884, it was stated that during the year there had been printed and circulated of these four journals 146,000 copies. Up to 1895, the time the printing office (in consequence of persecution in Basel) was removed from that city to Hamburg, Germany, there were published books and tracts in eleven different languages; viz., French, German, Italian, Roumanian, Spanish, Bohemian, Russian, Dutch, Hungarian, Armenian, Turkish, and Turkish-Greek. So it was, as its name signified, an institution "printing in many languages."
Mrs. White Visits Europe
Sept. 3, 1885, Mrs. White, her son, W. C. White, and family arrived in Basel. One and one-half years were they in the old countries, visiting the missions located in the Central European field, where invaluable service was rendered to the various missions.
The Swiss Conference Organized
Sept. 10, 1885, the Swiss Conference was organized. In a report given at that time it was stated that the conference was composed of one ordained minister, seven licentiates, ten churches, and 224 members. These paid a tithe the previous year of $1,645.11. Besides this donations had been made to the work of $2,041.22.
Elder Waggoner in Europe
Mrs. White, with W. C. White and family, returned to America in 1886. The same year Elder J. H. Waggoner was invited to connect with the Central European Mission. He spent over two years in this field, making his home, during this time, at Basel. It was in this city that his death occurred, April 20, 1889, as previously stated.
The failing health of Elder Whitney, and his subsequent death (April 9, 1889), was another grievous stroke to this mission.
Elder Robinson in Europe
Elder D. A. Robinson, who was laboring in England, was chosen as the successor of Elder Whitney. He labored efficiently in this district for about six years, when, by invitation of the General Conference, he left for India in the year 1895. His removal necessitated the appointment of another superintendent.
Elder Holser Superintendent of the Field
Elder H. P. Holser was the man selected for the position, and in addition to this office he was chosen as the manager of the whole Central European Mission. Here he labored untiringly and efficiently until 1901, when he, too, was obliged to succumb to the ravages of disease. He died in Canyon City, Colorado, Sept. 11, 1901.
Notwithstanding these adverse circumstances, the mission grew and the work advanced, as shown by a report made to the General Conference in 1895, which states that the Central European Conference is composed of nineteen churches with 484 members, who paid a tithe the previous year of $4,378.18. They had at that date four ordained ministers and five licentiates.
The German-russian Mission
In 1870, J. H. Linderman, pastor of a church near Elberfeld, Prussia, and forty of its members, began the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath from the study of the Bible, not knowing of another company of Christians in the world who were keeping that day as the Sabbath. A knowledge of this company was conveyed to our people in a peculiar manner. A beggar called at the mission home in Basel on the Sabbath. The family were studying the Sabbath-school lesson with Bibles open before them. The scene impressed the man, and led him to ask questions.
The Elberfeld Company
On learning that they were not Jews, but Christians, observing the seventhday Sabbath, he spoke of this company at Elberfeld. Elder Andrews thought it wise to investigate the statement; therefore, in company with Elder Erzenberger, he went to Prussia in the early part of 1875, where they found the company as represented. Elder Erzenberger remained for some time laboring in that part of Germany, and on Jan. 8, 1876, eight persons were baptized at Elberfeld, being the first baptism by Seventh-day Adventists in Germany.
The truth had gained a foothold in Russia as early as 1882, through reading matter sent by German brethren in America to their friends in the German colonies of Russia.
Elder Conradi in Europe
In 1885 Elder L. R. Conradi left America for the Central European field, to labor among the Germans. On June 28, 1886, he left Basel for the Crimea, Russia. Here, in company with Elder Perk, he journeyed to Berdebulat, where two sisters were baptized and a church of nineteen members was organized, this being the first Seventh-day Adventist church in Russia.
Elders Conradi and Perk Imprisoned
Immediately after this Elders Conradi and Perk were arrested for teaching contrary to the orthodox faith, and were imprisoned for five weeks in Perekop. After his release (by the intervention of the United States minister) Elder Conradi visited Eastern Russia, and then returned to Switzerland.
Work on the Volga, Russia
It was during this same year that Elder Laubhan began to labor in Russia, near his home, located on the River Volga. In the year 1880, Elder Klein, of Kansas, entered upon work in German Russia, and thus have laborers been raised up for this hard and difficult field, and though the believers have been subjected to banishment and imprisonment, the Lord has remarkably blessed the work.
Success of Canvassers in Germany
In the year 1880, colporteurs began work in Rheinish-Prussia, WÅrtemberg, Baden, and Alsace. So successful were the eight or ten energetic, faithful workers that in one year the following number of books were sold: Life of Christ, 3,000; From Eden to Eden, 2,000; and 12,000 pamphlets. As a result of this labor, in nearly every place the books were sold and read, some, one or more, embraced the truth.
Mission Opened in Hamburg
In May, 1889, the mission work was opened up in Hamburg, Germany, by Elder Conradi, and in a very short time a training-school for workers was instituted. The following October a Sabbath-school of twenty-eight members was organized. It was during this year that Elder Haskell visited the mission and a church of twenty members was organized, and a book depository established.
Elder J. T. Boettcher was at this time engaged in the German work at Barmen. A report was given, in 1890, to the General Conference, stating that in the German-Russian mission there were nine organized churches, with an aggregate membership of 422, besides seventy-five Sabbath-keepers not yet organized. On April 7, the same year, twelve more were baptized, and united with the Hamburg church. In December the membership of this church had increased to forty. The amount received on book sales from the depository in Hamburg, Holland, Russia, and various parts of Germany, was $5,000.
Success in Europe
Slowly but surely the work advanced in the Central European Mission, as indicated in a report given at the General Conference in 1891. There were at that time five churches in Germany, with a membership of one hundred and forty, sixty-four of whom were members of the Hamburg church. The tithe paid was $1,000. The books sold on the ships, by the ship missionary in Hamburg, amounted to $500, while the sales of the canvassers for the year, in the entire field, were $6,000. One hundred and fifty had accepted the truth in Austria, and there were thirteen churches, with a membership of four hundred in Russia.
Five Russian Sabbath-keepers Banished
About this time (1891), five of the members of a Russian church, including the leader, had been arrested for teaching doctrines contrary to the established church, and condemned to five years' banishment to the Trans-Caucasus. They were to be chained together, and were required to walk five hundred miles. In this trial their faith sustained them, and they were happy in the Lord. During the year a pamphlet had been prepared in the form of Bible readings in the Russian language, on the sufferings of Christ, sleep of the dead, which day and why, and can we know?
At the time of the General Conference in 1895, the membership in Germany had increased to 368, and the tithe the previous year was $2,327.43.
More Sabbath-keepers in Russia
In Russia, notwithstanding very many had emigrated to other countries, the membership had increased to 467, who paid a tithe of $841.60.
From the statement made by the foreign mission secretary in the week of prayer reading for 1896, we learn that "in the German-Russian field during the previous year their numerical strength had been nearly doubled; their number being augmented by an addition of over four hundred. In Berlin, Germany, sixty were attending the regular Sabbath services. The erection of the mission chapel in Hamburg had strengthened the work there. In Munich, in Bavaria, a number were awaiting baptism. There were believers in Leipsic, Konigsberg, Magdeberg, Posen, StÅttgart, and other leading towns in Germany. There was also a company in Rotterdam, Holland.
"In Russia, colporteurs had obtained permits from the government. Translations of literature had been made in the Lettish and Esthonian languages. The German paper had been moved from Basel to Hamburg, and at that office they were printing the truth in fourteen languages."
Baptism in Hungary
During the year the first baptism had occurred in Hungary, and the first ordinance meeting in Bohemia. A ship mission had been established at Galatz, in Roumania, for the Danube and the Black Sea.
Canvassing in Germany
In the Home Missionary for December, 1895, Elder Spies said of the canvassing work in the German field, "Those in charge of the canvassing work, when it was begun in this field, did not cease to push it, although assured by some of the leading publishers and book men in Leipsic that 'selling books by subscription would prove a failure.'
"In August of 1887 the first edition of Life of Christ was gotten out in the German language. About the time the book named was ready for circulation, a canvassers' institute was held in Basel; this marked the beginning of the canvassing work, not only in Germany, but in all Europe. The seventh edition of this book has now come from the press in the German language.
"Since Jan. 1, 1895, twelve new canvassers have entered the field. In June, 1895, the report showed fifty per cent. increase in sales. At present a special effort is being made with Harold der Wahrheit, our German paper. Some, not very large churches, take from fifty to two hundred copies, which they sell. And they have very pleasant experiences with the purchasers. In the Review of Feb. 18, 1896, Elder Conradi said, 'We close 1895 with fifteen hundred Sabbath-keepers in the German-Russian field.' "
The Scandinavian Mission
The mission to the Scandinavian people was opened by Elder John Matteson in the year 1887. On the 6th day of June he arrived in Vejle, in Jyeland, Denmark. When he went to that country there were a few who had begun the observance of the Sabbath through the reading of papers and tracts sent to them by friends of America.
In tracing the rise of this work, we learn that in 1850, four persons who had moved to America from Norway, began to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. They resided in Oakland, Wisconsin. Two of this number were the father and mother of Elder O. A. Olsen. In 1863 Elder John Matteson began the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. He lived in Poysippi, Wisconsin. In the next six months, through his labors, about forty Danish-Norwegians embraced the doctrines of Seventh-day Adventists. The first active preacher who united with him in the ministry was Elder J. F. Hanson of Minnesota.
The First Book Published in Danish-Norwegian
In the year 1866, Elder John Matteson applied to the managers of the Review and Herald office to ascertain if they would print, for the use of the Scandinavians, pamphlets and tracts in their language. He was informed that a lack of funds at the office forbade their doing so; but there were persons of his nationality in Wisconsin and Minnesota who were so anxious to have the truth printed in their mother tongue that, although they were in moderate circumstances, and numbered less than fifty, they raised $1,000 in cash, and placed it in his hands for that purpose. With this money and a quantity of neatly prepared manuscript, Elder Matteson came to Battle Creek, and again made application for printed books. As he was prepared to meet the objections previously made, his desires were granted, and March 18, 1867, he began the reading of his manuscript, prepared for his book, Liv og Dog, (Life and Death) to Elder J. N. Andrews and myself, who were then members of the committee on publication. In other words, he told us in English what his manuscript said in Danish-Norwegian.
Elder Matteson Becomes a Printer
At that time there was no printer who could be spared to set the type for him, and so he begged the privilege of learning to set it himself. He continued at this work until he had about one thousand pages of pamphlets and tracts printed in his own language.
With this new means for disseminating the truth among his people, he went forth with renewed courage, holding meetings in various States. From that date the work advanced quite rapidly among the Scandinavians.
The First Foreign Periodical
The work among the Danish-Norwegians had assumed such proportions that a demand was made for a monthly paper in which persons of that nationality could receive instruction and encouragement in their own language. Therefore, on Jan. 1, 1872, there was issued at the Review and Herald office, a Danish monthly, a twenty-four page journal in magazine form, bearing the name, Advent Tidende (Advent Tidings). The following year the size of this journal was increased to thirty-two pages. It was the first periodical issued by Seventh-day Adventists in a foreign language.
In 1874 the interest was such among the Swedish-speaking believers that a sixteen-page monthly was started in that language, called Svensk Herold.
At the time Elder Matteson entered upon the mission to the Scandinavian people (June, 1877) in the old country, 266 copies of the Tidende were being sent from America monthly to Denmark, and 60 to Norway. Through reading these journals a number of persons were already keeping the Sabbath in Scandinavia. As a result of his labors for one year in Denmark, companies of believers were raised up in several different places.
A Printing Office in Norway
After this Elder Matteson went to Norway, where, June 7, 1879, he organized a church of thirty-eight members, as the result of his labors in Christiana. Elder J. P. Jasperson, from America, joined him in the ministry about this time. In that year also a publishing association was formed in Norway, and property purchased in Christiana for a printing office, meeting-room for church services, and living rooms, at a cost of $14,580. For a time a small edition of a paper, Tidernes Tegn, was issued weekly from the Christiana office. In the early autumn of 1880, Elder Matteson came to America to obtain help to enlarge the Scandinavian work. He attended the General Conference of that year, and returned to Europe in April, 1881, greatly encouraged. Soon after his return, a cylinder press was purchased and placed in the Christiana office.
Health Journals in Danish and Swedish
They at once began the publication of a health journal in Danish, called Sundheds Bladet. In 1883 he issued a similar journal in Swedish, and a religious journal, called Sanningens H"rold. In 1884 they possessed an office outfit valued at $2,563. During this year there had been printed and circulated 115,000 papers in all, besides many thousands of tracts, and some books.
Elder Haskell in Scandinavia
The work in the Scandinavian countries received much help from the visit of Elder Haskell in 1882, and in 1884 they were materially aided by the labors of Elders Geo. I. Butler, B. L. Whitney, A. B. Oyen, and E. G. Olsen.
Mrs. White Greatly Aids Scandinavia
In 1885, Mrs. E. G. White, and her son, W. C. White, made a visit to Scandinavia, which was of inestimable value to the work in that field. Some had gotten the idea that tithes could not be paid by the poor in that country, and that it was useless to try to canvass for books. The testimony borne by Mrs. White was timely, and well received by the people, as was evinced by the response given in these words, "All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient." During this visit an entire change was effected in the Scandinavian field, produced principally by the untiring labors of Mrs. White.
New Office Building Erected in Norway
In 1886 Elders O. A. Olsen and N. Clausen visited the Scandinavian countries, the latter remaining there quite a length of time. In 1885 a new office building was erected in Christiana, and for the year ending Sept. 1, 1886, the office realized from the sale of books and tracts alone, the sum of $5,386.68, while the amount received on subscriptions to periodicals was $3,146.03.
Twenty-Five Churches in Scandinavia
A report given to the General Conference in 1889 stated that in the Scandinavian field there were twenty-five churches, with 926 members, who paid a tithe of $2,548.75; it also had six ministers, four licentiates, and fifty-two canvassers. The book sales for Norway and Sweden in one quarter were $2,161.26.
School in Christiana
A school at this time was in operation at Christiana, with fifty students. In 1891 a Bible institute was conducted at Christiana, by Elders O. A. Olsen and E. J. Waggoner, with one hundred pupils in attendance. At this institute thorough instruction in the canvassing work was given.
Forty Churches in Scandinavia in 1895
Six years later, 1895, we notice a report given by Elder D. A. Robinson, then the district superintendent of the foreign field, which shows so clearly a marked growth in the work during this period of that time that we quote as follows: "Scandinavia has forty churches, and 1,458 members. The year's tithe was $5,585.55. There are fifteen ordained ministers, eleven licentiates, and the book sales for the year amount to $40,000. This large amount is principally due to the efforts of the canvassers, and that, too, in a country where, in 1885, booksellers, and even ministers of our faith, affirmed that selling books by canvassing could not be done.
Three Scandinavian Conferences
In the Scandinavian field there are at the present time three conferences, the dates of organization being as follows: Denmark, May 30, 1880; Sweden, March 12, 1882; Norway, June 10, 1887. Elder John Matteson, who first opened the Scandinavian Mission and pioneered the work so successfully, and who labored so earnestly and sacrificingly for the prosperity of that people, was stricken with that fatal disease, consumption, and died in El Monte, Cal., March 30, 1896, aged sixty-one years.
The British Mission
William Ings, a native of Hampshire, England, but an American in spirit and education, having lived in the United States from boyhood, reached Southhampton, from Basel, Switzerland, May 23, 1878. At this time his stay was brief, being only two weeks, when he returned to the Continent for a short time. Soon afterward, however, he again went to Southhampton, where, after four months of house-to-house labor distributing tracts and doing such missionary work as presented itself, he reported ten keeping the Sabbath. December 30 of that year, my wife and I arrived at Southhampton, where our labors were united with those of Elder Ings, in holding meetings during the winter in Shirley Hall, and in our own hired house. In the summer of 1879, we held tent-meetings at Southhampton. At this time and place Miss Maud Sisley (now Mrs. Boyd) connected with the work, giving Bible readings and doing house-to-house labor. As a result of this effort, several embraced the truth. In the following winter we held meetings in a hall in Ravenswood Villa, the building in which we lived and had our depository.
Tent-Meeting in England
In the summer of 1880, Elder Andrews, though feeble in health, came from Switzerland to assist in a tent-meeting at Romsey, where other persons embraced the message.
Jan. 11, 1880, a tract society was organized. In this work the members were much interested, and much literature was distributed.
Feb. 8, 1880, our first baptism occurred and was administered to six candidates. Up to July 2, 1881, twenty-nine candidates had been immersed at Southampton.
Laborers Increased in England
By vote of the General Conference held in the autumn of 1881, Elder A. A. John and his wife, Geo. R. Drew, and Miss Jennie Thayer went to England, and connected with the work in that mission field. During the year 1882, Elder Haskell visited the European field, and spent a number of days with the workers in the English mission, rendering valuable help by way of counsel and advice.
In March, 1882, a two-page British supplement to the Signs of the Times began to be printed, and was attached to one thousand copies of the Signs which were sent from America. These were used in the missionary work in Great Britain. A report of the work, Oct. 1, 1883, shows that there were at that date one hundred Sabbath-keepers. The tithes paid from the opening of the mission, were $2,078.71.
Ship Missionary Work
Through the courtesy of the ship keepers, Elder Ings was permitted to send packages of tracts and papers free to eighty of the principal ports of the "Peninsular and Oriental Steam Ship Company," in South Africa, East and West Indies, Central America, and the Bay Islands. It was through the influence of the reading matter thus sent, that the interest was first awakened in the island of Demarara. This information we received through letters from the island.
History of the Sabbath Placed in English Libraries
A copy of Elder Andrew's History of the Sabbath had also been placed in sixty of the public libraries and free reading-rooms throughout Great Britain, and there the books are still, telling the story to those willing to read.
In 1884 Elder Butler visited England, accompanied by other laborers for this field. Elders S. H. Lane and Robert Andrews sailed from Boston to join the mission in Great Britain May 9, 1885. The visit of Mrs. White to England was a source of strength and encouragement to the workers. Mrs. White and her son spent a few weeks there before their return to America from the European field.
Present Truth Started
In the early part of 1884, soon after Elder Butler's arrival in England, it was decided to begin at Grimsby, with M. C. Wilcox as editor, an eight-page semimonthly paper, called the Present Truth. The same is now being published as a sixteen-page weekly at London, England, with a weekly issue of some 18,000 copies.
In 1889, Elder Holser reported the British Mission as consisting of eight churches, with two hundred Sabbath-keepers, of whom sixty-five were in London. The tithe for the previous year was $1,244.58. There were two ordained ministers, two licentiates, two ship missionaries, and seven Bible workers. It was about this time that Elders Wm. Hutchinson and Francis Hope entered the English mission.
The Pacific Press in London
During the year 1890 the Pacific Press Publishing Company, of Oakland, California, established a branch office at 48 Paternoster Row, London, and a printing office at 451 Holloway Road, London, N. The book sales from the office for the first year, at wholesale prices, were $9,556.89.
In February, 1895, Elder Robinson rendered the following report: "In Great Britain there are eleven churches, 363 members, five ministers, and one licentiate. The tithe for the past year was $5,077.20, or an average of $13.98 per member. The property of the publishing office is now owned and managed by the International Tract Society, Limited, an English corporation."
In December, 1895, the Foreign Mission Secretary reported for Great Britain a membership of 560. The tithes had increased during the year $1,000. At that date, eight companies were meeting on the Sabbath at different places in London.
Thus the work in this mission field advanced, at times almost imperceptibly. Seeds do not spring up in some kinds of soil as quickly as in others. Their germination is slower, but their growth is surer and hardier. So with the truth of the third message in this kingdom. Its seed has been sown, taken root, and grown slowly till now it has reached comparatively large proportions.
The Australasian Mission
May 10, 1885, Elders S. N. Haskell, J. O. Corliss and his family, M. C. Israel and his family, Wm. E. Arnold, and Henry Scott sailed from San Francisco to open a mission in the Australian field. Eleven years before this time, in 1874, at a meeting held in Battle Creek, Mrs. White said that many nations would yet receive the truth, and that she had seen printing presses running, and books and papers being printed in various countries. When asked to specify what countries were referred to, the reply was that Australia was the only name she could remember.
The Bible Echo
Under the earnest and successful labors of Elder Haskell and company, the message was so rapidly advanced that the printing of a paper in Australia was deemed necessary. Accordingly, arrangements were made for publishing, and on Jan. 1, 1886, a sixteen-page monthly was issued at Melbourne, called the Bible Echo and Signs of the Times. Of the first number an edition of six thousand was printed, while the regular issue was only three thousand.
First Church Organized in Australia
Sunday, April 10, 1886, the first Seventh-day Adventist church in Australia was organized. There were eighteen present who had signed the covenant, and seven others applied for admission by baptism. These were baptized the following Sabbath, and each Sabbath for a number of weeks members were added, until the church numbered fifty-five. Up to May, 1886, the entire number enrolled was ninety. Besides these, there were about thirty-five in other places who were keeping the Sabbath.
In the printing office were two good presses and an engine, all paid for and owned by Seventh-day Adventists in that far-distant land-about seven 422 thousand miles from our large office located in Oakland, Cal.
During 1886 the message extended to New Zealand. A report from the Australian field states that there were fifty Sabbath-keepers in New Zealand. The amount received from book sales at the office was $700. Besides this the canvassers had sold four hundred copies of Great Controversy in New Zealand, and one thousand copies of Thoughts on Daniel in Australia.
Australian Office Building
From a report rendered July 19, 1889, we glean the following facts: A building for a printing office in Melbourne has been completed, containing a chapel for church services.
Tasmania Entered
A conference has been organized both in Australia and in New Zealand, and the work extended, by Elders Israel and Steed, to Tasmania. In the latter place three churches have already been organized, with an aggregate membership of one hundred and thirty-six. Besides these there are other scattered Sabbathkeepers not yet organized.
The tithes for the year in the Australian field were $9,371. There were fifteen canvassers in the field, whose book sales amounted to $19,500.
In Elder Haskell's second trip around the world, he again visited Australia, attended their conference held in August, 1889, and in many ways rendered efficient aid, which was much appreciated by that newly organized company. Different workers from America have from time to time visited Australia in the interest of the one great cause-the upbuilding and strengthening of the work of God.
Mrs. White in Australia
In the fall of 1891, Mrs. E. G. White, her son, W. C. White, Elder Geo. B. Starr, and others left California for Australia, arriving there in December-midsummer in that continent. The testimony of Mrs. White, notwithstanding the bodily infirmity under which she labored during the nine years of her sojourn in that land, aided greatly in placing the work in a proper relation to the spirit and tenor of the third angel's message. During the time they were in Australia Elder J. O. Corliss again connected with the work here, and W. A. Colcord and others entered the field as ministers, teachers, etc.
Elder Olsen in Australia
During Elder O. A. Olsen's administration as president of the General Conference, he visited all of our leading institutions throughout the length and breadth of the land. This required extensive travel-a trip around the world. This he took the better to acquaint himself with their needs and the condition of the various missions, that thus he might be prepared to serve them impartially. It was on this journey, in 1893, that he spent several weeks in Australia.
Australasian Union Conference
During this time the Australasian Union Conference was organized, being composed of the Australian and New Zealand conferences and the Australian mission fields. This conference meets once in two years, and is conducted on the plan of the union conferences in other countries. During the year 1893 the few canvassers who were in this field sold an edition of 5,000 Steps to Christ, and a second edition of the same number was printed. In the summer of 1894-95, they took 4,000 orders for subscription books in four months.
Elder Prescott in Australia
In 1895 Elder W. W. Prescott, the Educational Secretary of the denomination, spent a number of months in this conference, devoting much time and thought to this branch of the work. In the mean time he conducted an educational institute which was to them of great benefit.
The report made to the General Conference of the work for the year was rendered by Elder W. C. White and is as follows: "The Australian Union Conference is composed of seventeen churches with 1074 members, who paid a tithe the previous year of $9,810.10. This conference has twelve ordained ministers, two licentiates, three Bible workers, and fifty canvassers, who sold during the year $28,731.11 worth of books. During the year the colony of New South Wales, with six churches, and 321 members, was separated from the Australian Conference, and named the New South Wales Conference."
South African Mission
At the General Conference held in Battle Creek in 1886, the question was considered of opening a mission in South Africa. As action was taken favoring the undertaking, with the opening summer of 1887 an effort was made to establish the work in that distant land, where a few, who had already begun to observe the Sabbath, were calling for laborers.
Elders Boyd and Robinson in South Africa
For this purpose, on May 11, Elder C. L. Boyd and his family, Elder D. A. Robinson and his wife, with other workers, sailed from New York City, en route to Africa, by way of Liverpool and London. Three years later, at the General Conference, Mr. P. W. B. Wessels stated that when these laborers arrived in Africa there were about forty persons who were already observing the Sabbath of the fourth commandment as the result of reading publications on the subject and from the study of the Scriptures.
Elders Robinson and Boyd began the mission work in Cape Town, and from there it extended northeast nearly eight hundred miles to Kimberley, in the diamond fields.
Up to the year 1889, there were only two ministers, one licentiate, four churches, and eighty members; these paid a tithe of $2,798.36. During this year Elder Ira J. Hankins, of America, labored in Cape Town with good results, and Mr. and Mrs. Druillard came from Nebraska to connect with the work at this place, and share in the labors and privations that fall upon those called to pioneer the work in a new field. Mrs. Druillard's labors were confined principally to the book depository, where the business of this department was left to her management; while Mr. Druillard was occupied in the general missionary cause. During the year, on ships calling at this port, he sold books amounting to $750.
Elder Haskell in Africa
It was in August of this same year that Elder Haskell arrived in Cape Town. Five months were well spent in visiting and laboring with the different companies in South Africa. By this visit the cause was strengthened and built up, and his own heart encouraged in that he saw fruit of his labor. An interest in the educational work was aroused, insomuch that twelve students from Africa came to America to attend our denominational schools.
In the meantime the canvassing work received due consideration. An institute in the interest of this work was held in Cape Town, conducted by Mr. E. M. Morrison, which gave new life and energy to this important branch of the message. Immediately following the instruction given at this institute, thirteen canvassers, in six months, sold and delivered books to the amount of $5,621.28. In fact, so numerous were the orders that they completely "swamped" the London office, as books could not be prepared fast enough to meet the demand.
In the year 1892, Elder A. T. Robinson connected with the work in South Africa. At that time the work had grown to that extent that a new depository was required to take the place of the old. Hence a new building was erected sufficiently large to furnish room for meetings of the church.
College Building in Africa
Thus the work has continued to advance step by step, until at Claremont, a suburb of Cape Town, a college building was erected costing $35,000. The only help desired of the American brethren was to send a force of teachers qualified to teach a college course, and they themselves would meet the expense. This request being complied with, the school opened Feb. 1, 1893.
The South African Conference
The South African Conference was organized in 1892. At the General Conference in 1893 it was voted into the General Conference. It then had five churches, one hundred and thirty-eight members, who paid a tithe the previous year of $34,077.32. At this conference the South African Conference was represented by Peter Wessels, who generously donated to the General Conference $16,000, this being more than the General Conference had expended in opening up the work in South Africa. In addition to this gift, he and one of his brothers donated $40,000 to begin the free dispensary work in the city of Chicago.
At the General Conference in 1895 the Foreign Mission Secretary said of the African field: "The conference in South Africa has been organized but two years, but in that time the General Conference has sent into that field twelve workers. Two of these have gone into the interior as self-supporting missionaries, while the others have entered the work in various departments. That conference has a flourishing school, and orphans' home, and a sanitarium in process of erection. The statistics show their membership as 184."
Papers Published in South Africa
The subject of religious liberty in South Africa has aroused our people in the last few months to publish two papers, one in the Holland language, called De Wachter; the other in English, called The South African Sentinel and Gospel Echo. The latter has a circulation of 4,000.
South African Union Conference
In January, 1903, the South African Union Conference was organized, consisting of the Cape Colony and Natal-Transvaal conferences, and Basutoland and Matabeleland missions under the control of the Union Conference. In the conference there are fifteen organized churches with 595 members, nine unorganized companies of ninety members, and thirty isolated Sabbathkeepers,- a total of 715, who paid the tithe of $7,850. There were thirty-nine laborers, of whom twenty-one were on the pay-roll of the various conferences.
The Polynesian Field
In the year 1876, Elder James White and the writer sent a volume of the Signs of the Times and some tracts, accompanied by a letter, to Pitcairn Island. These documents were placed on a ship going around Cape Horn to New York. We were assured that the ship would stop at Pitcairn, and there the parcel would be delivered. We knew not a person on the island, and knew nothing of the island itself, save its reputation as having for its inhabitants a devoted, godly people. The papers were sent at a venture.
Visit to Pitcairn
We heard nothing from the people or our literature until Mr. John I. Tay made his visit to the island, in the year 1886, ten years later, when we learned that as the result of reading the volume of the Signs and the tracts, the whole island, at one time, almost decided to change their day of worship from the first day of the week to the seventh day, and keep the Lord's Sabbath. This they did not do, however, until the time of Mr. Tay's visit. He had been for a long time deeply impressed to visit the island, but knew nothing of the people personally, nor of their interest already kindled in the truth.
After his return to America, he pleaded most earnestly for a ship to be constructed with which missionaries could be transported from island to island in the Pacific Ocean. He attended the General Conference held in the year 1889, with this thought uppermost in mind, and there he plead the cause of the Polynesian Islands. The conference, seeing the utility of the undertaking, voted to raise, by donations, the sum of $12,000 with which to build or buy a ship to work among the islands of the Pacific Ocean.
The Pitcairn Built
In harmony with this action the ship Pitcairn was built, in the summer of 1890, near Benicia, about thirty miles from Oakland, Cal., at a cost of $12,035.22. In three fourths of a year this sum of money was raised, and donated by the Sabbath-schools for this purpose alone, and never was a gift more cheerfully and enthusiastically made. The ship was dedicated at Oakland, Cal., Sept. 25, 1890. About fifteen hundred people assembled on the ship and wharf to witness the ceremony.
The Pitcairn's First Cruise
The vessel sailed on its first cruise from San Francisco for its distant field of labor, October 20. On board as missionaries were Elder E. H. Gates and his wife, Elder A. J. Reed and his wife, John I. Tay and his wife, with a missionary crew under Captain Marsh. This vessel went first to Pitcairn Island, four thousand miles south of San Francisco, where it arrived November 25. When the ship left the island, December 17, eighty-two adults had received baptism, and had been organized into a Seventh-day Adventist church. The vessel then made its way to the Society, Hervey, Samoan, Friendly, and Fiji groups, leaving religious books and health and temperance tracts with the English-speaking people. During eight months, to September, 1891, the missionaries sold books to the amount of $1,900 besides distributing a large amount of reading matter free.
The missionaries were stationed as follows: Elder Reed at Tahiti; Elder Gates remained at Pitcairn to finish the work already begun there; while Mr. Tay chose to labor on the island of Fiji. In the Review of April 14, 1904, Elder Fulton says of the work on Fiji: "There are now more than one hundred and fifty Sabbathkeepers in this mission field." From Fiji, the vessel sailed to Aukland, New Zealand, for necessary repairs and needed improvements, and also for a supply of books.
Death of Missionaries
After an absence of one year, eleven months, and eighteen days, the Pitcairn returned to San Francisco, where it arrived Oct. 9, 1892. During this time Captain Marsh had passed away, and been buried in the island of New Zealand. Mr. Tay was stricken with pneumonia, from which he never recovered. He, too, passed peacefully away, and was laid to rest in the distant land of Fiji; and thus were two precious lives given so soon to the Polynesian Mission.
The missionaries located on the island of Tahiti, at Papaete, were led to rejoice in seeing, almost immediately, fruits of their labor. They were enabled to send to the homeland, at this date, the cheering report of forty persons converted and organized into a Seventh-day Adventist church.
The Pitcairn's Second Trip
The vessel set sail from San Francisco on its second voyage, Jan. 17, 1893, with the following missionaries: B. J. Cady and his wife, J. M. Cole and his wife, E. C. Chapman and his wife, and M. G. Kellogg, M.D. Miss Hattie Andre, of Ohio, accompanied them as teacher for Pitcairn Island. In the fall of 1893, Mr. Cady opened a school at Raiatea, of the Society group, with sixty scholars. At the close of the first term the number had increased to one hundred and five. At the opening of the second term there were one hundred and twenty pupils in attendance.
The Pitcairn's Third Trip
The third cruise of the ship was taken in 1893-94. The missionaries for this voyage were G. C. Wellman and his wife and Lillian White, all of Michigan who were booked for Raiatea, where they were to assist Elder Cady in his work. Mr. Stringer and his wife went as self-supporting missionaries. They stopped at Rurutu. At Raratonga (where the people kept Saturday for Sunday), Dr. Caldwell and his wife were stationed; while Elder Buckner and his wife, of California, were left at Pitcairn. During his sojourn with this people, many new industries were introduced, which have in many ways proved beneficial to the inhabitants. First of all, a windmill for grinding the corn which is now raised on the island was built, and from the same wind-power, light machinery is carried, which has led to other industries heretofore unknown to the islanders.
The Pitcairn's Fourth Trip
December 15, 1895, the Foreign Mission Secretary said:-
"The Pitcairn is now in port from its fourth cruise. . . . The work has been planted in nine different groups, and the following laborers are employed in the same:-
"In Pitcairn Island, teachers, E. S. Butz and wife, and Hattie Andre. Norfolk Island, some self-supporting missionaries are engaged in the work here, who came from Australia. Society Islands, minister, B. J. Cady; medical missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Prickett. Raratonga, medical missionaries, Dr. J. E. Caldwell and wife, Misses Lillian White and Maude Young; teachers, G. O. Wellman and wife, Elder J. D. Rice and wife. Fiji, Elder J. M. Cole and wife. Friendly Islands, Elder E. Hilliard and wife. Rurutu, Mr. and Mrs. Stringer, self-supporting missionaries. Hawaii, Elder E. H. Gates and wife; teachers, H. H. Brand and wife. Samoa, Dr. F. E. Braucht and wife. Elder D. A. Owen and son and daughter, self-supporting missionaries. "The Pitcairn has sold and given away large quantities of literature during its four voyages. In consequence, Sabbath-keepers have sprung up in many places. Churches have been organized at Pitcairn Island, Norfolk and Tahiti."
The Pitcairn Sold
As there are now facilities for reaching the Polynesian field which did not exist when the ship was constructed, the vessel has been sold, and other means employed for carrying on the work. Elder E. H. Gates is now superintendent of the Polynesian field, and reports progress in the various groups.
The West Indies
In the winter of 1889, Mr. Wm. Arnold of America, began colporteur work in the West Indies. While thus engaged he was successful in obtaining the names and addresses of twelve hundred persons, which were sent to the International Tract Society for its use in missionary work. By correspondence and the sending of reading matter to these addresses, an interest was awakened in the truth, and thus was the way opened for the promulgation of the gospel through the preaching of the Word.
In response to the call made for ministerial labor, Elder D. A. Ball, in November, 1890, went to the Barbadoes and to other points, to labor. Several persons accepted the truth as the result of his efforts. In 1892, Mr. Patterson, from California, canvassed the islands for "Bible Readings" with good success. In 1893, B. B. Newman went from Florida to Jamaica to take the superintendency of the canvassing work during the absence of Mr. Arnold. Mr. Evans and Mr. Hackett also went to the Indies the same year, to engage in this branch of work. In the month of May, Elder Haysmer and his wife entered this field to labor as the way might open. Soon after this Mr. Arnold returned, this time to canvass for books treating upon the subject of health. Up to July, 1895, books of this character had been sold in Jamaica alone to the amount of $8,200, while the sale of religious books amounted to $7,654, or a total of $15,854. This distribution of so large an amount of literature aided much in establishing at Kingston a well-organized church of seventy-five members, and opening avenues for ministerial labor in other parts of the island.
Trinidad
The work here was introduced in a manner similar to that of Jamaica. In the year 1889, Mr. F. B. Grant and his wife were invited to visit the island for the purpose of introducing our denominational literature, and by invitation Elder Flowers and his wife soon followed them to labor as the way opened. They met with good success, until Elder Flowers was stricken with fever, which caused his death, June 29, 1894. Elder E. W. Webster was chosen as his successor, and he sailed from New York in August, 1895.
In 1896 the laborers in the West Indies were as follows: In Jamaica, Elder A.
J. Haysmer and W. W. Eastman, and a number of canvassers were in the Bahama Islands. In the Lesser Antilles, where Elder E. Van Deusen and his wife with C. F. Parmlee and his wife as Bible workers, Mr. Bean and Mr. Hackett as canvassers. In Trinidad, Elder E. W. Webster and his wife, with Miss Stella Colvin as medical missionary. The results,-one hundred and ten Sabbath-keepers in Jamaica, and fifty Sabbath-keepers in Trinidad, centered around Couva; one church in Barbadoes, and one company in Antigua, Lesser Antilles.
Central America
Elder F. J. Hutchins and his wife left the United States for the Bay Islands, Nov. 16, 1891. At this time there were, principally in Ruatan, about twenty persons who were observing the Sabbath of the fourth commandment according to the decalogue, their attention being first called to this truth by reading matter sent them by post. Three years later, in 1894, W. A. Miller and his wife left California for Bonaca, where they connected with the educational work as teachers in a school which was opened July 4, 1894, in a school-building erected by Seventh-day Adventists. The attendance during the first term was an average of thirty-four. In 1895 the school was pronounced self-sustaining, as the number of pupils had increased to forty-five.
At the General Conference held in 1895, Elder Hutchins reported one hundred persons on the islands who were obeying the message, and he also stated that there had been two meeting-houses erected and were owned by Seventh-day Adventists. On account of a scarcity of land, and therefore very valuable for cultivation, one of these houses of worship was built over the water. These two buildings and the school-house were deeded to the General Conference Association. The value of the Conference property on the island was estimated to be $1,789.60. The amount of books sold up to 1895 was $2,243.
Small Ship for Central America
The attention of the Conference being directed to the convenience and advantages of having a small ship by which missionaries could be conveyed from one island to another, it was voted that such a boat be constructed for the work among the Bay Islands at a cost not to exceed $3,000.
In 1896, there were only four laborers in Central America: Elder F. J. Hutchins and his wife, and Elder J. A. Morrow and his wife in Spanish Honduras. At Belize, the capital of British Honduras, was a company of believers who were keeping the seventh day according to the fourth commandment. The greater part of the labor in this field has been performed in the islands of the Caribbean Sea. Here several thousand dollars' worth of books had been sold, and sixty persons were rejoicing in the truth of the third angel's message.
Elder Hutchins' Death
About twelve years did Elder F. J. Hutchins labor most faithfully and earnestly in the Central American field. At last his endurance failed, and he succumbed to disease. He now rests in sleep, awaiting the call from the Master-the call that shall awake the faithful.
South America
It was through the printed page that the views of Seventh-day Adventists were first introduced into South America. In October, 1891, Messrs. Snyder, Stauffer, and Nowlin began their work as canvassers in Argentine. In 1893, by vote of the General Conference, Elder F. H. Westphal, of Illinois, a German minister, connected with the work in this mission field, and in 1894, Frank Kelley, of California, went to the United States of Colombia as a self-supporting missionary. A few months later, these were followed by other laborers, and thus a beginning was made in this new mission. In 1896 the following report was given concerning the work in this field: Chile has one minister, Elder G. H. Baber, who arrived Oct. 19, 1895; and two canvassers, F. W. Richards and F. H. Davis. Argentine has also two ministers, F. H. Westphal and Jean Vuilleumier; and two canvassers, O. Oppegard and C. A. Nowlin. Besides these there are four Bible workers, Lucy Post, Mr. and Mrs. Snyder, and John McCarthy. Brazil has two ministers, Elder H.
W. Thurston and F. H. Graff; and three canvassers, A. B. Stauffer, J. F. and A. J. A. Berger. British Guiana has two ministers, Elder W. G. Kneeland and Elder P. Giddings; and two medical missionaries, Dr. B. J. Fercoit and his wife. In 1896, there had been one thousand dollars' worth of books sold in Chile, and thirty Sabbath-keepers had accepted the Sabbath and kindred truths by reading the literature purchased of the canvassers. In Brazil and Argentine books had been sold to the amount of ten thousand dollars; and what was still better, there were one hundred observing the Sabbath. One church and five Sabbathschools had been organized. In Argentine there were three organized churches, at Buenos Ayres, Crespo, and San Cristobal, respectively. There was also one organized church in British Guiana, and fifty Sabbath-keepers, making a total of one hundred and fifty Seventh-day Adventists in South America.
The Southern Missionary Society
Strictly speaking, this society cannot be called foreign, notwithstanding it is doing a work in evangelizing a foreign people (Africans) in our home land. Much credit is due to the persevering efforts of Elder J. E. White, under the blessing of God, for the results already attained.
In the winter of 1893, when I was serving as president of the Illinois Conference, Elder White came to me heavily burdened for the colored people in the Southern States. As he was spending a few weeks in Chicago, he requested the privilege of laboring for the colored people living in the city. Most gladly was the request granted, and there really began his work for this unfortunate people.
Elder White's Missionary Steamer
From that time he was praying and planning for the Southern field. As he studied, his plans matured, culminating in the construction of a steamer near Lake Michigan, called the Morning Star. Provided with this floating "Bethel," he went to Chicago, thence down the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, reaching Vicksburg, Miss., Jan. 10, 1895. Here, with a few associates he began his labors on virgin soil.
Work of the Southern Missionary Society
We quote from a report made by Elder White at the General Conference, April 9, 1903, which gives the results of labor, and shows the condition of the Southern missionary work at that date:-
"Our Society has built up and is now operating five schools in Mississippi. . . . These schools are located at Vicksburg, Yazoo City, Columbus, and Jackson. . . . Our laborers have also carried forward efforts in Nashville, Memphis, and Edgefield Junction, in Tennessee, and in Louisville and Bowling Green, in Kentucky.
Workers in the South
"At the present time there are twenty-seven workers in different departments of the Society. Five ordained ministers have been developed in the work of the Southern Missionary Society. . . . Thirteen school-teachers have in different ways been fitted for their work. . . . One young man is being educated by the Society as a physician, at the Meharry Medical College, of Nashville, and another is being assisted in his course at the same school. . . . Some good Bible workers have been developed. Some of the teachers are also becoming proficient workers in this department.
The Steamer Morning Star
"The Morning Star is my personal property, built with my own money. Further than this, the running expenses of this boat have all been paid from my own income. I will also say that the living expenses on the boat were always met by myself. Often the company numbered from ten to eighteen hands. . . . Even the salaries of all the workers employed by the Society for years were not taken from donations, but from my own personal income.
How Money Came for the Southern Mission
"The question may be raised, 'Where did you get this money?' The Lord gave it to us. Some little books were brought out. First the Gospel Primer, the original design of which was for use in teaching the colored people. The sale of a few thousand copies was expected, but to our astonishment it has reached nearly a million copies.
"Mother [Mrs. E. G. White] helped us with the book Christ our Saviour, which had a sale of three or four hundred thousand. Two or three hundred thousand copies of Best Stories have been sold. It is estimated that a sufficient number of Coming King have been circulated to make a column four miles high. With the royalties from these books, besides carrying many other enterprises and lines of work, we built the Morning Star."
In Many Lands
Mexico
Our work in this country began in the year 1894, in the establishment of a medical mission at Guadalajara. In 1896 the force of laborers was reported as follows: Elder D. T. Jones and his wife, who had charge of the mission. The teachers were Ora A. Osborne. Mrs. A. Cooper, Kate Ross, and a native helper. The medical missionaries were Dr. J. A. Neal, A. Cooper, Mrs. A. J. Rice, Mrs. Bartlett, and Mrs. Rachel Flowers. Forty patients per day were patronizing the mission, and forty students attended the mission school. A new sanitarium was being constructed at this date, at a cost of $12,000.
Central Africa
In 1893 the cause of the third angel's message had so advanced that the General Conference Committee felt justified in recommending that a mission be established in Central Africa. It was therefore voted, "That as soon as practicable a mission be opened in Matabeleland." In harmony with this action a party of Seventh-day Adventists, in 1894, entered that country and selected a farm of 12,000 acres. At the conference in 1895, Elder C. B. Tripp and his wife, W. H. Anderson and his wife, and Dr. A. S. Carmichael were chosen as the missionaries for this distant field. They at once began preparations for the long journey, and after a prosperous voyage reached their destination July 26, 1895.
The Gold Coast
For a number of years the Macedonian cry for help had come to Seventh-day Adventists from the West Coast of Africa. An interest had been awakened in the truth by reading Adventist publications, but not until the year 1894 or thereabout was help sent. Then Elder Sanford and Mr. Rudolph were invited by the General Conference Committee to take up the work that had been so long waiting. They entered the field with zeal and courage. Not long afterward, however, Elder Sanford was smitten with the fever, so prevalent there that the country is called "the white man's grave." He had three attacks, and then, in order to live, he was compelled to return to America. Others were sent to the West Coast, among whom were Elder D. U. Hale, Geo. F. Kerr and his wife, and G. P. Riggs. The latter, however , was so weakened by disease that his life was despaired of, and he fled to England in the hope of being benefited by a change of climate; in this he and his friends were disappointed, for he gradually failed, and finally died, and there he was buried. He, too, awaits the coming of the Lifegiver.
India
Jan. 12, 1890, Elder Haskell sailed from Port Durban, southeast coast of Africa, for Calcutta, India, China, and Japan. Previous to this date, Percy T. Magan, his secretary, had joined him. The purpose of this journey to India was in the line of "prospecting" to gain information that would enable them to give counsel and advice when active missionary operations should begin by Seventh-day Adventists in that field. With the thought in mind of establishing a mission in India, The General Conference, in 1893, recommended that Wm. Lenker go to that country as colporteur. In compliance with this recommendation, he went to India and introduced the literature of Seventh-day Adventists. At a later date Mr. Lenker reported that he and four other persons had, up to 1896, canvassed in various parts of India, and had sold $10,000 worth of publications. To show the interest created by the books sold, he further stated that while canvassing in the vicinity of Madras, on the west coast of India, "a native preacher walked sixty miles to purchase a copy of Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation."
Georgia Burrus in India
In 1895 Miss Georgia Burrus left California for India. On arriving there she at once began the study of the Bengali language, and soon entered upon the mission work. Up to 1896 several persons had begun the observance of the Lord's Sabbath through association with our workers.
The laborers in the field in 1896 were Elder D. A. Robinson and his wife. Miss May Taylor and Miss Georgia Burrus were Bible workers. Mr. Lenker and Mr. Masters were canvassers. A suitable building had been secured for the mission home, and calls for physicians, nurses, and further help to meet the demands that were pressing upon them had been made to the home land. To this call Elder Brown, with others, responded. Both he and Elder D. A. Robinson died at Karmatar, Bengal, India, the last of December, 1899.
Hawaii, Sandwich Islands
In the year 1884, Mr. La Rue and Henry Scott, at their own expense, went as missionaries to Hawaii. They began their labor by doing personal missionary work and selling books. This awakened such an interest on the island that the General Conference, in November, 1885, voted that Elder Wm. Healy go the next season to Hawaii to labor, and that the California Conference be requested to loan a tent for this purpose. Thus equipped Elder Healy and those already on the island conducted a tent-meeting during the summer of 1886. As the result of this effort a number of persons accepted the message. Mr. La Rue remained in Honolulu till the year 1889, when he set sail for Hong Kong, China.
Chinese Work in Hawaii
But little ministerial labor was furnished the island until the General Conference convened in the month of March, 1895, at which time a vote was taken that "Elder Gates and his wife, with Mr. and Mrs. Brown as teachers for the Chinese, go to Honolulu to engage in missionary labor." The work of teaching began at once, and Elder Gates, although in feeble health, did what he could in pushing the work. A physician and nurses soon followed the missionaries, and the work in that line of the message was well begun.
Summary of Missions, Jan. 1, 1903
The report of the Foreign Missionary Secretary, rendered Dec. 31, 1902, presents the work of the message as carried on outside the United States as follows:-
The Australian Union Conference, made up of the conferences of Victoria, New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and West Australia.
The European General Conference, composed of the German Union Conference, West German, East German, South German, Holland and Flemish Belgium, Austro-Hungary, and Balkan States, German Swiss, South Russian, North Russian, and Middle Russian.
The Scandinavian Union Conference, consisting of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.
The British Union Conference, embracing North England, South England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
The French Latin Union Conference, comprising the French-Swiss, France, and Italy.
The Oriental Mission, comprising Egypt, Syria, and Turkey.
The South African Union Conference, comprising Cape Colony, Natal-Transvaal, Basutoland, and Matabeleland.
Miscellaneous: Bermuda, Brazil, British and Dutch Guiana, Central America (South), China, Fiji, India, Jamaica, Japan, Lesser Antilles, Mexico, Nyassaland, Pitcairn, Porto Rico, River Plate, Raratonga, Samoa, Society Islands, Sumatra, Tonga, Trinidad, West Coast (South America), and West Coast (Africa). The number of active workers in these different fields, including ministers, licentiates, Bible workers, colporteurs, and canvassers, is 754.
Strategic Points Established
From these brief statements in regard to our missions we can say, as did the Foreign Mission Secretary in the year 1896: "With these strategic positions now occupied by the message in almost every part of the world, God, by his infinite power, can accomplish a great and powerful work in a very short time. He will cut short his work in righteousness."