Every individual who receives the third angel’s message receives it in trust, to be communicated by him to all mankind. Our exalted privilege, our supreme honor, and our personal responsibility in this work, will be fully set forth in the several readings, but a definite idea of the progress of the message in the most remote fields can be more fully gained from the letters of our missionaries who are actively engaged at the front. We can give only a few of the latest letters, but these express the general trend of all. The Lord is blessing his faithful laborers. Souls are being converted, and in turn fitting themselves and giving of their meager resources to carry the light to others. A part of the selections might be read each day during the week, either at one of the services—where two are held—or following the regular reading. The arrangement of this matter, however, is left to the option of the elder.GCB July 1, 1900, page 187.1

SOUTH AMERICA

LAHe

Elder F. J. Hutchins, who has labored for several years in the Central American mission field, was recently appointed to take charge of the work from Cape Gracius southward, extending it along the northern coast of South America, so far as he finds practicable, until reaching British Guiana. He and his wife have traveled in the mission boat, “Herald,” locating canvassers at different stations, and following up the interest, until quite a number of companies have been developed. Recently they wrote that unless additional help could be supplied, it would be necessary to lay up the vessel, as they were unable to fill all the openings made by our publications. This they have done for a short time, and have been holding meetings at St. Andrews, from which Brother Hutchins writes, under date of August 27:—GCB July 1, 1900, page 187.2

“We are still at this place, holding meetings. My wife and I live on the boat. We rented a house in the southern part of the island for a place of meeting. After taking out the partitions, we fitted it up with some furnishings from the boat. We go from this place to our vessel in a yawl boat. The distance is about two miles. During the day we visit with the people, holding meetings each evening. If you could see us some dark night bounding over the billows in our little yawl, with her sails spread, you would rather look on than participate. We have to make a narrow passage in the way, and have had quite a hard time to find it in the dark; but we have now learned our marks better, so are getting along nicely.GCB July 1, 1900, page 187.3

“Fourteen have begun the observance of the Sabbath, and we have reason to believe that others will take their stand soon. There are a number of children of the Sabbath-keepers; this gives us a good Sabbath-school. The people are calling for a day school, and truly they need it. I am thinking of starting one in the house where we meet, and placing one of the brethren in charge of it. He is a Jamaican, who has been with me as a canvasser, and could teach the little ones. But I need him in the canvassing work, so we must soon have a teacher. He should be able to preach, also.GCB July 1, 1900, page 187.4

“We expect to hold meetings in the north end of the island as soon as we are clear to slacken the effort here. On St. Andrews there is but one church of any denomination.”GCB July 1, 1900, page 187.5

ENTRE RIOS, ARGENTINE

LAHe

Elder F. H. Westphal, superintendent of the Argentine mission field, has begun work in Uruguay. He writes:—GCB July 1, 1900, page 187.6

“I have just returned from Uruguay. Brother Brooking and I labored there three weeks. Two families have already embraced the truth. It was necessary for me to return, because of the general meeting, but Brother Brooking will remain to follow up the work.”GCB July 1, 1900, page 187.7

Brother N. Z. Town, now connected with the school recently opened in Argentine Republic, reports:—GCB July 1, 1900, page 187.8

“The Lord is blessing us in the school. A short time ago I presented the ten-cent-a-week plan to the students, telling them how it had succeeded in the States. All the adult students decided to adopt it. One young man has already gone out from here to teach a church school, and at least four more will enter the work when school closes.”GCB July 1, 1900, page 187.9

CENTRAL AMERICA.—BELIZE, BRITISH HONDURAS

LAHe

Elder H. C. Goodrich, director of the Northern Central American mission field, writes:—GCB July 1, 1900, page 188.1

“I left home August 1, for Ruatan, expecting to visit every place in Central America where we had any people.GCB July 1, 1900, page 188.2

“One place of interest that I visited was Half Moon Bay, on the west side of the island, where a brother and his two married daughters live. They have a little dwelling-house fitted up for meetings, and have Sabbath school. There are fifteen or twenty families here who were baptized, and forty children, with no school. I preached at night to an attentive audience.GCB July 1, 1900, page 188.3

“At Utilla we have a little church of ten members, with a nice building, and a school of about twenty-five scholars, which is having a good influence upon the people. A clerk and treasurer were elected, and a tract society organized.GCB July 1, 1900, page 188.4

“At Puerto Cortez I found a brother and his wife, strong in the faith. She had been waiting two years for baptism. A sister who was almost persuaded to obey when Elder Morrow was there was also baptized. Like everybody else here, these sisters wore rings on their fingers and in their ears. When I spoke of this, I met with the peculiar objection that it would not be safe for a married woman to go away from home without this token of her having a protector. But before the baptism all were stripped off and laid aside for good. A young man began to keep the Sabbath while I was there, and desires to enter the canvassing work. And at the last meeting, still another sister took her stand for the Sabbath. There seems to be a good interest among the Spanish and Carib Indians of the interior. I was sorry to leave this place. I believe it to be a fruitful field.GCB July 1, 1900, page 188.5

“I left Puerto Cortez for Belize, in a small schooner,—slow and inconvenient,—the only chance in sight for weeks. We were forty-eight hours on the way, and had one of the worst storms I ever experienced. Our boat was no more than an eggshell on the waves. It was intensely dark, and we were among the keys. I knew the danger, but put my trust in God; for I knew all the storms and oceans could not hinder me from reaching my destination if he had a work for me there.GCB July 1, 1900, page 188.6

“At Clark’s Cay I found one sister who appears to be real Christian. I baptized her mother and brother, and herself and husband; another brother will be baptized when he returns from a sea voyage. Others are under conviction.GCB July 1, 1900, page 188.7

“At another place there have been nine or ten conversions, and some will be baptized soon. The Lord wrought mightily for them. The words preached were simple, but the power was of God. One of the converts was a man who fourteen years ago began keeping the Sabbath through reading ‘Great Controversy,’ but tobacco and whiskey have always held him in bondage until now. Another was a man whose wife uses tobacco and is profane, immoral, and quarrelsome. He used tobacco, and was a thief. Now if that man stands, it will prove to all, the mighty power of God.GCB July 1, 1900, page 188.8

“I received in these trips fifty-nine dollars and sixty cents in tithes and offerings, and six orders for the Review.GCB July 1, 1900, page 188.9

CALCUTTA, INDIA

LAHe

The war in China means much to the missionary in the Orient. Concerning this, Elder W. A. Spicer writes:—GCB July 1, 1900, page 188.10

“The East is becoming so stirred up, one hardly knows how things will turn. What a problem China presents to-day! In years past missionaries have been comparatively free to go at will, save in a few places. But now, even though the powers settle things, there will be the bitterness against the foreigner. It is too bad that we have not been in China years before. Now is our time to work in India. The old hostility against foreigners that existed soon after the subjugation of the country, is not so prevalent with the Indians, and there is peace and a settled country in which to work. How long this will continue, no one can tell. If the powers should get to fighting over Asiatic spoils, it is easy to see that India would be a harder field than now. It looks as if a world crisis were just before us. The Lord may yet hold the winds for a little season. But how are we to carry the message to these countries? The only thing we can do is to work hard, expecting great things, seeking God for power.”GCB July 1, 1900, page 188.11

HONGKONG, CHINA

LAHe

Brother A. La Rue is our only missionary in the empire of China. He is located at Hongkong, where he devotes his time to ship missionary work. As vessels from every country come into this port, he has opportunity to circulate literature very widely, and in this way is preaching the message to representatives from every nation. Recently a British war vessel brought in several young men who were keeping the Sabbath. Of these, Brother La Rue writes:-GCB July 1, 1900, page 189.1

“A young man on the British war vessel—was keeping the Sabbath when the boat left England for South Africa. While in port at the latter place he told some of his companions that the Bible taught the seventh-day Sabbath. This created quite an interest, and fifteen or twenty decided to try to observe it. All, save one, were young men. As soon as the ship arrived at Hongkong, this brother was taken off and put aboard a torpedo boat bound for Wei-hai-wei, but the other vessel lay here about a month, affording me an opportunity to present our different points of truth to the young men. They spent all their spare time at my house. Some were there every evening that they could leave the ship. They were so interested. The Spirit of the Lord seemed to take hold of them and impress the truth upon their hearts. They began to pay their tithes before leaving here, and are now sending it to me every month. The boat is somewhere near Taku, north China. The young men were very anxious to be baptized, but had no opportunity. I now hear that three or four have been called to go to the front. Poor fellows! the Lord only knows what will ever become of them.GCB July 1, 1900, page 189.2

“Another young brother, a soldier, is trying to live out the truth. He comes to my house and reads the Bible and has prayer, whenever he can. He has a call to leave for some other country shortly. We are in the closing scenes of this world’s history.”GCB July 1, 1900, page 189.3

TOKYO, JAPAN

LAHe

The work in Japan is developing quite rapidly. Much is due to the circulation of the Japanese paper. Interests are springing up in all parts of the empire. This has been reported recently through the Review. Brother S. Hasegawa, a native laborer, writes of the progress in another part of the city of Tokyo, some miles distant from our other mission:-GCB July 1, 1900, page 189.4

“The Lord is blessing in the work, and we are encouraged. Three are now ready for baptism. One is an elderly lady of excellent type. She is very tender-hearted and zealous, and is doing missionary work as best she can. She is the mother of a government officer who is about my age and quite a free thinker, but he is respectful to her, as her conduct is indeed honorable. I am sure she will be a very good factor in our church, for able lady workers are needed here. We have just organized a Sabbath school in this part of the city. We are having good meetings.”GCB July 1, 1900, page 189.5

PADANG, SUMATRA

LAHe

Elder R. W. Munson has been in Padang, Sumatra, East Indies, less than one year. The Lord has blessed his labors, and some are already keeping the Sabbath. He writes:-GCB July 1, 1900, page 189.6

“My semiannual statement shows almost one hundred dollars earned toward self-support the first six months. The last six months will show very nearly, if not quite, three times as much. We must work hard for self-support, if we are to expand here. I very much need help for the boy’s school, which has an enrollment of fifty-three, and is growing, so that I may be released to preach and translate. My faith is strong in God for the development of this work. We keep well, and are of good courage in the Lord. Time is hurrying to its close. Do not fail to help us in every way you can.”GCB July 1, 1900, page 189.7

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

LAHe

From Brother David Ostlund, who is our only laborer in this field, under date of September 10:-GCB July 1, 1900, page 189.8

“I am enjoying the nearness and blessing of the Lord in my work. Many are the difficulties here to contend with. Though this land has the name of being Christian, it is not much better than heathen. Hardly anyone has an understanding of what conversion is. The Bible is believe to be the divine Word only in part- very much of the human is thought to be in it. Because of this, in all our work the foundation must first be laid, if we wish to lead the people further. Other denominations have labored here for several years, and have few, if any, adherents. Our mission has had the privilege of seeing some fruit, for which we are thankful. We have a little company of Sabbath-keepers at this place, and two brethren in the western part of the island. Four have been baptized. I have been publishing a paper at my own expense since the beginning of the year. I trust it may be bread cast upon the waters.”GCB July 1, 1900, page 189.9

RHODESIA, SOUTH CENTRAL AFRICA

LAHe

The work has made excellent progress in Matabeleland the past year. The following is a recent letter from Elder F. L. Mead, the superintendent of the work in this field:-GCB July 1, 1900, page 190.1

“Recently two more young men have cast in their lot with us, making fifteen during the past eighteen months. They manifest much earnestness in their Christian experience, and cheerfully take up the duties of paying tithes and offerings.GCB July 1, 1900, page 190.2

“A few weeks ago one lad asked leave to go over to the Umguzie Valley, a distance of fifty miles each way. It appears that some three years ago he borrowed of a friend five shillings, and desired to pay this obligation. These young men show considerable tact in meeting opposition. One white trader was today making light of the idea of serving a God that required him to give up all of his cherished habits. ‘Why,’ he said, ‘my god lets me smoke, drink beer, and dance, while your God makes you give up all these things;’ to which a young man replied, ‘Yes, your god lets you smoke and drink beer and dance, and he will let you burn, too, one of these days.’ The talk ended right there.GCB July 1, 1900, page 190.3

“For eighteen months during the war it was very difficult to obtain supplies of any kind. One young man was so anxious to obtain a Zulu Bible, that he cheerfully walked seventy-two miles to another mission station, and back again-one hundred and forty-four miles-in order to obtain a copy. And more, he refused to let anyone make him a present of one, but insisted on paying for it with money he had earned.GCB July 1, 1900, page 190.4

“One missionary told Brother Anderson that he considered a boy doing well if he learned to read the Bible intelligently in nine months. But our boys are able to read it in three months; and they know what it means, and have the spirit to do as it says. Another missionary of experience recently told me that no one need expect any converts until he had been in the country ten years. Well, we are glad to know that the Lord can convert men in less time, and is doing it right before our eyes. These things cause us to rejoice in our work for the Lord, and they make a deep impression on the minds of the white people of Buluwayo, with whom I am brought in business contact.GCB July 1, 1900, page 190.5

“We will soon have some young natives to act as helpers and teachers. This will be a great assistance to us in many ways. We are planning for aggressive work, even if we should not have all the help in sight that we would like. We want to enter the territory east of Buluwayo, also go north, to the Zambezi, the Byassa, and Tanganyika countries. I see no reason why we should not enter these places, and I see many reasons why we should go.”GCB July 1, 1900, page 190.6

KUPAVULA, RHODESIA, SOUTH CENTRAL AFRICA

LAHe

Brother and Sister Anderson and Brother J. A. Chaney are located at Kupavula, a station which has been opened during the past year, about thirty miles from the Mission Farm. The following letter from Brother Anderson was written from that place:—GCB July 1, 1900, page 190.7

“Mrs. Anderson and myself are alone here. Brother Chaney has gone to the Mission Farm for a short time. We have a school with a regular attendance of twenty, and direct two more schools taught by our native children in kraals near by. With the shop, and the care of a family of twelve,-eight native children and four young men in training for missionaries,-the teaching, and the building that must be done, our time is fully employed.GCB July 1, 1900, page 190.8

“We hope that we are to see four more families added to our force in Matabeleland next April. We have this to encourage them: two more were converted at this station last week. The converts are paying their tithe. Their sole object in life seems to be to fit themselves to labor for their own people. They deny themselves of breakfast one morning each week, that they may have a contribution for foreign missions. We read in the Bible of a poor widow who gave two mites and cast in more than they all, because she gave her living. We see these poor, benighted heathen, who have only food and clothing, giving twenty-five cents a week to carry forward the message. Does not God see? Will he not bless? Is not here a sacrifice worthy of imitation by many in the homeland? This is done even by children but five and six years old. Surely, ‘A little child shall lead them.’ The Lord has set his hand to the work; his Spirit is moving upon hearts; the latter rain is beginning to fall, and our God is being glorified among the heathen. If you could hear the testimonies given in our Friday evening social meetings, you could but say, ‘What hath God wrought!’GCB July 1, 1900, page 190.9

“The sermon that one of our boys preached to-day would have put to shame more than one preacher of several years’ experience. I think it was the best I ever heard in the Matabele tongue. One year ago this boy could not read, and knew not God as a personal Saviour. His text was the first four verses of the ninety-first Psalm:—GCB July 1, 1900, page 191.1

“‘He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.’GCB July 1, 1900, page 191.2

“I had expected to speak a few words at the close, but when he finished, I felt that I had nothing to add. I was at a loss to know how to say anything that would not detract from what already had been said. So, after making a few announcements, and suggesting that they remember what they had heard, we sang in the Matabele language a song on the near advent of Christ, and closed. Pray for us, that we may have health and strength for the work, and that the blessing of the Lord may continue with us.”GCB July 1, 1900, page 191.3

With what gratitude we should view the progress of the Message, knowing that every soul converted, every new field entered, and every devoted laborer sent forth, means the hastening of the return of our Lord. The work should be increased many fold. May this week of prayer date the beginning of its enlargement, because we have laid upon the altar of sacrifice, ourselves, our families, and our all.GCB July 1, 1900, page 191.4

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