OUR EVANGELISTIC WORK

L. T. NICOLA

God has also richly blessed the efforts of our workers to advance the truth. From many fields there has been reported a large increase in our membership. This feature of our work will ever be considered as of the greatest interest and importance, and second to none other except the spiritual advancement of the people. Increase in membership and spiritual advancement should go hand in hand. The word of the Lord recognizes the importance of progress in both directions. The commission is, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”GCB July 1, 1896, page 703.4

The tent- and camp-meetings the past season, as a general thing, witnessed great spiritual blessings. In some places very remarkable evidences of the special blessing of the Lord were seen.GCB July 1, 1896, page 703.5

THE WORK IN THE SOUTHERN STATES

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Special advancement has seemed to mark the work in the Southern field. A large number of laborers has been sent to that field during the past few months; and the best of all is, that God is greatly blessing the efforts put forth in behalf of the salvation of souls. The General Conference has opened a school for the colored people, near Huntsville, Ala., known as the Oakwood Industrial School. The farm for this purpose was purchased one year ago; but on account of the lack of funds, the work could not be pushed as rapidly as would otherwise have been done. But a beginning has been made, a school is in operation, and we have every reason to believe that God is blessing the work in connection with it. Seventeen students were enrolled at the opening of the school, and many others would have been there, but we could not receive them, on account of the present lack of facilities.GCB July 1, 1896, page 703.6

The Graysville Academy has recently passed under the management of the General Conference. The work there is moving on well. Great opportunities for our work have appeared in the Southern field, and it is the purpose to improve them as rapidly as funds and laborers can be found. The situation there is, in many respects, different from that in the North; but the Lord is opening the way in a remarkable manner, and this indicates that victory will in the end crown the efforts put forth.GCB July 1, 1896, page 704.1

THE WORK IN AFRICA

LTNe

The reports from other parts of the field are equally encouraging. The latest communications from our missionaries in Matabeleland are of a most cheering nature. They have been permitted to return to the mission farm since the close of the Matabele war. The natives on the farm proved true and loyal to them during the war; and the Matabeles did not destroy the mission property as was done with other similar property in that country. This is certainly additional evidence of the Lord’s special favor and blessing in behalf of our work in that field. The way is now open for a large increase in our operations there, and the Foreign Mission Board is now selecting other persons to go there. Arrangements are also being made to ship lumber and other building material for the use of that mission.GCB July 1, 1896, page 704.2

The brethren of the West Coast Mission have established their headquarters on a large plat of land donated by one of the native brethren, for mission purposes. The land is about forty miles from Cape Coast Castle, and plans are being made to open a mission there at the earliest possible date.GCB July 1, 1896, page 704.3

THE WORK IN INDIA

LTNe

Urgent appeals have recently been received by the Foreign Mission Board from our brethren in India, asking that additional workers be sent there without delay. The Board has recommended that Dr. O. G. Place and wife, and four competent nurses from the Sanitarium, take up work in that field. Arrangements have been completed, and these workers are now on their way to Calcutta.GCB July 1, 1896, page 704.4

THE WORK AT LARGE

LTNe

Of the work in all parts of the world we can speak encouragingly. The truth is, the Lord has gone out before us in a remarkable manner. The harvest is white, and has for a long time been ready for the sickle. The situation is urgent, as when one sees a field of grain ready to be gathered, but which will spoil unless the reapers save it.GCB July 1, 1896, page 704.5

Plans are being laid to open the work in China and Japan. At the recent meeting of the Foreign Mission Board, Elder W. C. Grainger was recommended to go to Japan to take up missionary work. Brother T. H. Okahira, a native of that country, was recommended to accompany him. It is with much satisfaction that he is able to return to his native land, to engage in giving the third angel’s message to his fellow countrymen.GCB July 1, 1896, page 704.6

THE RECENT COUNCIL

LTNe

It would give me much pleasure to enter into a consideration of the many important matters taken up during this occasion, but quite full particulars are given by the secretaries elsewhere in this number, so I need only speak of the council in a general way. The Lord came very near, and it proved to be a blessed sitting together. While the work has been marred by many imperfections, which have been hindrances to its rapid progress, yet the Lord has not withdrawn his precious Spirit, and when we depend wholly upon him, he comes near, and fills our hearts with hope and comfort.GCB July 1, 1896, page 704.7

THE ANNUAL SEASON OF PRAYER

LTNe

The annual season of prayer and fasting has just closed. There has not yet been opportunity to receive reports of this special season from the churches throughout the field. We can only say that in Battle Creek a rich spiritual blessing has been enjoyed. The Lord has indeed come very near to the brethren and sisters in this place. The College, the Sanitarium, and the Review Office, as well as the church in general, have experienced a refreshing. The richness of the blessing on this occasion is indicated by the liberal contributions to foreign missions, which, at this time, amount to ten thousand two hundred and fifty dollars; and more will be received. There can be no better evidence of the blessing of God upon people than when their hearts are moved to liberality toward the work. If there have been similar results in our other churches, this last special season of prayer has been one of the most blessed and profitable seasons ever enjoyed by our people. It should be thus. We are on the borders of the eternal inheritance. While there is much to be done, we have the assurance that a great work will be done in a short time, and that the Lord will cut his work short in righteousness. May the church arise and shine! Has not the time come for the message to go to the world with great power? It surely has.GCB July 1, 1896, page 704.8

THE NEXT GENERAL CONFERENCE

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The next General Conference is close at hand. It will be held at Lincoln, Nebr., February 19 to March 8, and will be preceded by a Bible institute, beginning February 9. The general arrangements for this important gathering have been perfected. We call upon all our people to make this meeting a special subject of prayer. It is exceedingly important that we have in our Conference deliberations so much of the special help of God that all our work may bear the evidences of divine guidance. Soon the last important meetings of earth, and the last General Conference, will have been held, and then the next great meeting of God’s people will be around the throne in his everlasting kingdom. Dear reader, that will be a meeting above all meetings that none of us should fail to attend. O. A. OLSEN.GCB July 1, 1896, page 705.1