SOUTH AMERICA
PACIFIC OCEAN(
VOL. XXIII
MIAMI,
FLORIDA, MAY, 1946
No. 5
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Evangelism in the Postwar World
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O ENDEAVOR in our world today is earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we
more highly regarded by heaven than have sealed the servants of our God in their
is the task of gathering out from all foreheads." Revelation 7:1-3.
The prophet was shown four winds, which
nations an obedient people for God, nor is any
were about to
other of such
special interest
smite the
earth with
and concern to
every Adventuniversal deist. Probably
struction.. Dino other Bible
vine interposiprophecy so
tion holds
graphically
back these
portrays the
winds until all
relation of
the people
evangelisiT, to
who will obey
God's message
this postwar
are sealed with
world and ilthe seal of the
luminates the
present situaliving God.
Winds are
tion for Adsometimes
ventists as
used in Bible
does the
The Inter-American Division Headquarte rs Office, Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida.
prophecy as a
prophecy of.
symbol of war,
Revelation 7:
1-3. We do well to study carefully our work upheaval, overturning, and destruction. The
which has been marked out for us by our four corners of the earth refer to the four
heavenly Father.
general points of direction — east, west, north,
"After these things I saw four angels stand- and south, and signifies that these angels have
ing on the four corners of the earth, holding charge of the whole earth.
the four winds of the earth, that the wind
Since the rise of God's last message in 1844,
should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, there probably has never been a time when the
nor on any tree. And I saw another angel as- destructive winds of war seemed about to encending from the east, having the seal of the gulf the entire globe as during World War II.
living God: and he cried with a loud voice to But the work of calling out a people from every
the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt nation to receive the seal of God was not
the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the finished. So the winds of war were stayed.
-41
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2
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION MESSENGER
The global conflict came to an end.
who will fully surrender their lives to ment if possible
Him. "When we have entire, whole: lapse into an ore
A Final Opportunity
hearted consecration to the service of a mere ecclesias'
The end of the war had a great many Christ, God will recognize that fact by gelism as a sir
different meanings for different people. an outpouring of His Spirit without our perils. Wt
But to the informed Adventist it had measure."— Mrs. E. G. White in Re- emphasis on
one transcendent significance: Heaven view and Herald, July 21, 1896.
stitutionalism.'
is • now giving us, as it were, a final opWhat will be our response to the ministers to let
portunity to carry God's message quick- challenge of this mighty hour? One of serve tables. V\
ly to all peoples, so that all His chosen
he most striking texts in the Old Ta
hands of our
ones may he called out and sealed for tament is 2 Chronicles 16:9, which pic- dinary church activitit.,.
the heavenly home. It means that we tures the great God searching among lar church officers ought
must now be praying, planning, work- all the ,peoples of earth for His man that they have no time
ing, and giving for an unprecedented ad- and His woman through whom He may message to those in darks
vance in the finishing of our task. It is show His power. Will God find the it in the ever-increasing den
a summons for an all-out evangelism in object of His quet in you and me?
churches for pastors. We f
When Napoleon led his soldiers into prevailing tendency to co
which every Adventist must do his full
part.
the Battle of the Pyramids, he pointed the entire income of conft
Our hearts should be sobered by the to these great man-made monuments of established churches, with
realization that we have in the past the distant past, and spurred them to thing left for evangelism in tut,,
failed to rise to all opportunities and greater action with the words: "Sol- tered fields.
privileges. If every one had worked diers, think that from the summit of
There must be no turning asit,„ frr
for souls as he should, the work of God these pyramids forty centuries are look- our objectives. Our pace and scope
would have been finished years ago, ing down upon you." In this final hour evangelism must be increast ,
and Christ would have come ere this it seems that sixty centuries of time ened; greatly widened,
mt
and gathered us home. In view of this, are looking down upon God's remnant, rowed. Evangelism must be mar
shall we not give ourselves so fully to to see how they will act their part for dominant note and supreme objet
God that there will be no failure to God. In Life Sketches, page 246, we in the lives of the workers
"tie '
rise to the opportunities of this final real, "Never since the creation of the and in every plan and
hour?
world were such important interests cause.
,4110
Should not every Adventist be in- at stake as now depend upon the action
We need ay;
quiring of the Master, "Lord, what can of men who believe and are giving the in the world,.
I do to help gather in the remaining last message of warning to the world." evangelistic urg.
souls who will obey Thy message?
We must never forget our position in gelistic spirit.
Lord, how can I help finish the task relation to the world around us. SevTo every soul who ha
that Thou hast appointed to me?"
enth-day Adventists are not merely an- blessed hope, the questio.
God is waiting to demonstrate what other denomination in the ordinary sense I he true to the call of,, oi
He can do through a fully surrendered of the term. We are not merely to hour in spending and bein;
nt
ministry and laity. When D. L. Moody build up a great church organization. make known God's special message for
was about to undertake his first trip to Seventh-day Adventists are called in this time? May God help us, that, like
England to conduct evangelistic meet- these last days to occupy a position the apostle Paul, we shall not be disings, he and a party of clergymen were comparable to that which Noah was obedient to the heavenly vision. — J. L.
discussing what might be the probable called to fill in the days before the Snider in Review and Herald, January
result of these projected evangelistic Flood, and to do a work in preparing a 24, 1946.
campaigns in England. They all knew people to meet God comparable to that
that England was different from Ameri- which John the Baptist was called to
I I II *3)MITIU4 W'rkMI I *-7-11 7 -.411•WP=
f:
/I I I I.-2-1ca. The people were more conservative. do in the days preceding the first adAntillian Union Mission
So it was a live question as to what vent.
Superintendent
H. B. LUNDQUIST
One Supreme Purpose
kind of results might be expected.
Secretary-Treasurer and Auditor F. S. THOMPSON
After considerable ,discussion Mr.
Seventh-day Adventists are in this
Apartado 50, General Peraza
Havana, Cuba
Varley, an English clergyman, looked world for one supreme purpose — to
at Moody and said, "Moody, God is prepare the way for the second coming
waiting to show the world what He can of Christ and to make ready a people
do through one man who is fully sur- by preaching the special preparatory
rendered to Him." It is said that Moody message of Revelation 14:6-12. Our High Lights of Progress
leaped to his feet, and with great earn- success or failure depends on how we BY C. L. TORREY
estness declared, "Varley, by the grace give this message to every nation. We
Here are a few 'facts gleaned from
of God, I will be that man !"
can accomplish our mission only by a the various reports given during the
never-ceasing, ever-increasing evangel- Antillian Union Mission annual session
Wholehearted Consecration
ism. The one great purpose for which that was recently held in Havana, Cub*:
In this little remnant of time the we exist makes evangelism our impera- In that union, between the years 1937
Lord is waiting to show the world what tive and supreme business.
and 1941, 3,008 souls were baptized,
He can do through those of His people
Satan would defeat this advent move- whereas during the period from 1941
ONITet.
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION MESSENGER
273 baptized. A
this 'union of
1 be held during
3'
:,:en very effec'''Yon in interest.ige. In Cuba,
`Iraduated from
Air. In Puerto
"fwenty-six persons
_fie Sabbath as a result
VOL.
; the Voice of Prophecy
studying the lessons of
+/1+'
'4:601 of the air.'
4 resting to observe,that since
of forty-three young peo4-1
-1'graduated from, our train*
Cuba, thirty-three of these
elq
And of these forty-three
ire qie.'at present thirty-one employed
•
:ganized work. This is surely
evidence of the benefit that comes
•
fu' '-hat operates a training center
aration of its young people
ya
se*-nix in the Lord's vineyard. It is
.ddi'aging to know that other schools
' )planned within the Antillian Union,
time do a similar work to
'ucted in Cuba.
%TO: feature of growth
'fission is the
re were held
';',1?sTionary Volun:r to be held in this field.
ee two Cuba conferences,
..,i3rat the new camp site in
vhich is situated just a
s_ort onstadce from the college at Santa
Clara, Cuba. The other was held in
Puerto Rico. Both were well attended,
and seemed to give new life to our Missionary Volunteer work in those fields.
Plans are now under way for the holding of another such camp during the
summer of 1946.
A youth's Congress was held in San
Juan, Puerto Rico, in February, 1946.
At this important gathering, Dr. J. E.
Weaver, associate secretary of the General Conference Department of Education, was present to help and inspire the
youth of that mission. Our enthusiastic
leader of young people in Inter-America, Elder A. H. Roth, accompanied Dr.
Weaver on this trip and others during
the winter months, and their combined
efforts, with those of the local workers,
were greatly appreciated by our youth
and their leaders all through the southern part of the Division territory.
All through the Antillian Union Mission it seems that new life is entering
into the program of advancement, and
3
If it were possible for us to share
with our readers much of the correspondence that comes to the Division
office, we feel sure their hearts would
be touched with the earnest appeals
that come to us for three principal
things; namely, prayer for the success
of the efforts being carried on by leaders and laymen in the British West
Indies; additional help, especially for
the thriving medical work that has been
undertaken so recently; and then, of
course, for additional funds for the
support of the rapidly advancing program all through that field. We thank
God as we see the work expanding all
through that field, as well as in other
parts of our Division.
British West Indies
The field secretary, M. E. Lowry,
Union Mission
sends in these good words: "The work
Superintendent
R. H. PIERSON
in the Cayman Islands is moving forSecretary-Treasurer and Auditor CLYDE 0. FRANZ
ward nicely, and I can see great posPostal Address: P. 0. Box 22
Mandeville, Jamaica, B. W. I.
sibilities there. Our colporteur has already passed the goal set for him for
the entire year (194,5). Truly the Lord
is blessing the work in that field. We
A Symposium—
have two Seventh-day Adventist nurses
Did You Know?
on the island who are doing a splendid
Did you know that' the work in the work, and have created a good influence
British West Indies Union Mission is in favor of our work. One of our sisgetting well under way in this the third ters is endeavoring to conduct a day
year of its operation as a separate union school on her own initiative, and this
mission? Goa:s have been set for the has helped the Sabbath school attenwinning of souls during 1946; evangelis- dance in Georgetown immensely, for
tic work has been definitely outlined for practically all of the children are now
each local field, and each available coming to Sabbath school as well as
evangelist within the union; and the lay- to the day school.
man's movement, doubtless the strong"Here on the island of Jamaica our
est in the entire Division, is "all out" work is going forward as it has never
for the winning of souls in 1946. In- gone before. We now have more than
deed, our youngest member in the sis- 8,000 enrolled in the Bible school, and
terhood of union missions, is really set- some are already preparing for baptism.
ting a pace in organization and activity I believe a good harvest is before us.
that is a challenge to every other field Our colporteurs have done well, — in
within the Division. Some fields excel fact, too well for the supply of books
in one line, some in another; and it is that we have been able to secure!
well that we take courage and inspira"We are of 'good courage, Brother
tion from the best work that is being Calkins. The Lord has never let us
done in each section of our territory.
down yet, and I am sure that we shall
In a recent letter to the Division of- find a way out of all our problems. The
fice, Brother Pierson, the superintendent brethren are working closely together,
of the union, writes: "The Lord has trying to leave no stone unturned for
certainly been blessing us here, and we the promotion of the work in this field."
want others to know of His goodness to
Dr. Clifford R. Anderson's report to
us." In another letter he reports that the Division Committee, as presented
the income from the newly established in Miami, at the time of the annual
medical work in Kingston is "most meeting, is a real inspiration. It is too
heartening," and that even with limited bad that we have not sufficient space
equipment and other facilities, there to reprint it in its entirety; but we
has been a good increase in business. quote a few statements that are indicaHe feels that the medical work as a tive of the trend of our medical work
whole will exceed expectations. This is in Kingston. Dr. Anderson says:
certainly an encouraging note, is it not?
"The major medical project of the
the future is bright with promise of a
good work during the present year.
With the arrival of two new families
for Haiti, our leaders in that Frenchspeaking field are making wider plans
for the work than ever before, and we
look for a rich harvest of souls as a result of their efforts. As announced elsewhere, these new families are: Mr. and
Mrs. I. A. Loeppke and Mr. and Mrs.
W. K. Dennis, who have been studying
French at the Theological Seminary in
Washington, D. C., for a number of
months prior to their coming to the
mission field.
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION MESSENGER
4
Inter-American Division during the past
year has been the establishment of the
Andrews Memorial Hospital and Clinic
in. Jamaica. Under the blessing of God
we now have two complete hospitals in
operation, and the prospects for the
future are bright. During the past year
we have also been able to organize our
first school of nursing in this Division,
thus providing for the training of our
young people as medical missionaries in
the lands of the Caribbean. God has
richly blessed this new venture. The
local newspapers have given us much
favorable publicity, and we have gained
many friends among the business men
of the island.
"What is being done in Jamaica
should be repeated in other parts of the
Inter-Americ'an Division. The challenge
of a world unwarned lies before us.
We must lay larger plans. This work
has been. too long delayed. It is time
to arise and finish it, not only in our
Own territory, but throughout the
world."
Caribbean Union Mission
Superintendent
W. E. READ
Secretory-Treas. and Auditor .. F. E. VANSICKLE
Postal Address: Box 221, Port-of-Spain,
Trinidad, British 'West Indies _
4111WYM
,10.-M=.
411W)M7.:„1-.
Meetings
in the Caribbean
Union
By WESLEY AMUNDSEN Departmental Secretary
Inter-American Division
The annual meeting of the Caribbean
Union Mission Committee was held at
the Caribbean Training College in Trinidad, B. W. I., January 17 to 24, 1946.
The report of the union superintendent,
Pastor W. E. Read, was most inspiring,
for all through his report the breath
of courage and praise to God could be
readily discerned. The recital of new
advances made, of souls won, of objectives, attained, thrilled the hearts of
the delegates assembled, until they were
led to cry out: "What hath God
wrought!"
For the first time in the history of
the union the four-figure mark in the
number of baptisms was reached and
passed, the exact number being 1,409.
Tithe receipts also showed a good gain
over those of 1944, when the total income from this source amounted to
$110,747.04 in the Caribbean Union.
So 1945 will go down in history once
more as the best year in the progress of
our work in that field. The same thing
can be said of our work in practically
all of its other phases, for the Lord has
been good to our people of the Caribbean, and has rewarded their faithful
effor'..s. in His cause.
Elder R. E. Cash, home missionary
secretary of the union, stated that they
received seven one-hundred-dollar offerings during the campaign, and at
least twelve fifty-dollar offerings. In
the French West Indies Mission, where
ours is the only Protestant church, our
people have, done Jemarkably -well in
the Ingathering work, and we praise
God for their achievements.
But the report that Captures our interest, and, touches our hearts is the
one that comes to us from a leper institution, as reported by Elder C. B.
Sutton, the director of the British Guiana Mission. Said he: "You will be interested to know that the little church
at the leper colony in Lancaster, carried away the Ingathering banner for
1945, the members having raised an
average of seven dollars per individual•.
In spite of their physiCal handicaps
they have been faithful and willing in
their service, and have Fathered together
many small gifts in and around the
institution where they live. They have
worked away, day after day, happy in
the thought of having a part in the
work of the Master. The largest gift
reported was one dollar, and the total
amount raised was more than one hun-'
dred dollars. One blind sister who was
unable to leave her room, told the story
of missions and gave papers to her
friends who came to the institution to
visit her. Some of these kind friends
took papers with them and solicited
outside the institution for her, and
later, brought the offerings to her. Thus
she was able to reach her goal. Surely
the Lord will reward such faithfu!ness."
Once more our hearts were touched,
and our courage renewed, as we heard
of the faithfulness of our believers in
the French West Indies Mission, who,
although they are very, very poor, and
have suffered greatly during the war,
gave more to missions during 1945, than
they have ever given before. In that
field we have .a church membership of
more than 600, and almost that many
more, who are unbaptized Sabbath
school members.
Greater Evangelism
The keynote of the whole meeting
was greater and still greater evangelism.
May, 1946
A goal for the winning of souls was set
for 1946 for 2,000 for the Caribbean
Union. Every possible agency is to
be brought into action for the attainment of this good goal. Ministers and
laity will work together, hand in hand,
as they go forward with the message of
truth for these last days.
It is planned that at some given time
during the year one hundred lay preachers will simultaneously commence one
hundred lay evangelistic efforts within
the union. Plans for the training of lay
preachers were given careful study, and
the layman's movement is spreading
throughout the field. We heard of
whole churches having been raised up
in certain sections, by consecrated laymen. In a single church the laymen
conducted two evangelistic efforts in
one year, and as a result more than
forty persons were .brought into the
message, and added to the church.
Distribution of Literature
The Caribbean Union Committee
voted to conduct one of the largest
tract distribution campaigns ever known
in these fields. They have ordered 1,2.00,
000 special tracts that are to be distributed by church members in a systematic way, with the purpose in mind
of making contact with as many persons
as possible who might become definite..
ly interested in the truth. This is what
we call breadth of vision.
The publishing work of the union,
under the able leadership of A. R. Haig
and his local field leaders, has made
rapid strides during recent months. The
1945 deliveries have amounted to close
to $100,000. This large sales record has
AlaY 1446 '
.'INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION MESSENGER
entailed much hard work, for a great
deal of the territory is sparsely settled.
Well may the Caribbean Union be proud
of its bookman's army and its colporteur brigades. Tens of thousands of
magazines are being sold weekly by
well-trained .magazine workers, and no
corner of the field is left, unentered by
these pioneers of the message.
Some of the experiences presented by
Brother Haig in his report to the committee include that of a nurse who saved
a man from suicide; a home worker
who helped to bring seven people into
the truth; and a chaplain who receives
books and magazines from one of our
colporteurs, and even helps him to take
orders and sell literature. We were also
told -that In a certain oilfield, where
other religious organizations have been
barred from entry, our young men and
women have been given free access. So
the book work spreads to all parts of
the field, and the message is being
carried by means of the' printed page,
to many who would not hear the truth
by any other method.
Our great need is for books for the
Dutch people of Dutch Guiana; and
French literature for French Guiana.
We also need other literature such as
can be used among the East Indian people of whom there are some 400,000 in
this union field alone.
Educational Work
The educational work continues to advance in spite of many obstacles. The
Caribbean Training College is enjoying
its best enrolment in the history of the
school. New units have been added to
the ones already in operation. An at-
Colporteur Group,
Paramaribo, Dutch
Guiana, S. A.
tractive new printshop captures the attention of all who pass by, and is a
place of special interest to those who
visit the school.
Professor A. R. Tucker and his wife
are giving strong leadership to the work
of this training center, and it is believed that the year 1946 will see continued improvement in the progress of
this important phase of the work, as
well as in all other features of mission
advance throughout the territory of the
Caribbean Union Mission.
Central American
Union
Superintendent
N. H. KINZER
Secretary-Treasurer and Auditor .. .. D. A. CONE
Postal Address: Apartado 1059, San Jose,
Costa Rica, Central America
kalWKirC.
-413V-3i.i>=1"&l.-:=11111MMIC
On the Onward March
in Central America
BY NCC.I. H. KINZER
The Central American Union Mission
comprises the republics of Guatemala,
Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El
Salvador, and Panama, including also
the Canal Zone and the islands of
Providencia and San Andres, of Colombia. It is said that the Central American republics constitute a chain connecting North and South America; and
these republics certainly constitute a
most interesting field, boasting a variety
of climates and peoples.
Guatemala is perhaps the most picturesque of the Central American countries. It is also one of the most outstanding in the Western Hemisphere as
regards Indian life. We are happy to
be able to report that our mission work
is onward in Guatemala. Not long ago
Pastor Jose C. Aguilar held a series of
meetings for the public in Totonicapon.
Pastor M. W. Sickler, the director of
the mission, now reports that the first
baptism has been held in this important
center, and that prospects are good for
the organization of a new church in
that place. One of the new believers
has donated property in Totonicapan,
on which we hope soon to build a
church.
One of the most densely populated
countries of the world-is the little republic of El Salvador. Elder Orley Ford
is the new director of this needy field,
and cheering reports have reached us
regarding a series of evangelistic meetings that have been conducted in dif-
5
ferent parts of El Salvador. Pastor
David Garcia,• accompanied by Brother
Ru:)en Ruiz, recently held a series of
meetings in Sonsonate. We are glad to
report that as a result of this effort
thirty people have been baptized. El
Salvador is opening its doors to the
message, and under the direction of our
loyal workers in that mission we look
for greater progress in the days to come.
Honduras is also an interesting field.
The greater part of our work there is
among the English-speaking people along
the north coast, and in the Bay Islands.
But Elder Peter Nygaard, the director
of the mission, has taken a special interest in the development of the work
among the Spanish-speaking people of
this republic. Evangelistic efforts • have
been held in La Ceiba, San Jose, Perspire, Choluteca, and Olanchito during
the past year. Recently an effort was
held in a small town close to Tegucigalpa, and as a result of those meetings our
church in Tegucigalpa is now filled to
capacity every Sabbath.
One of the most interesting projects
in Honduras at the present time is our
school on the island of Guanaja, which
is under the leadership of Brother Elden Ford. This is a real missionary
enterprise, and is growing rapidly into
what we hope will become a strong secondary training center.
Farther to the south is the Nicaragua
Mission, of which Elder R. G. Jones is
the director and the secretary-treasurer.
This field has perhaps the smallest force
of workers of any of our local missions
within the Division. Not long ago
Brother U. Morgan went to Bluefields
to take charge of the work among the
English-speaking people along the east
coast of Nicaragua. Work has been
started among the Mosquito Indians in
the northern part of Nicaragua. Recently Elder Jones, assisted by Elder
Revelo, held evangelistic meetings in
the city of Leon. We hope to organize
a church before long in that place. It
cheers our hearts to observe that the
work shows steady progress in Nicaragua.
In San Jose, Costa Rica, the Central
American Union Mission offices are , located, and also our training school,
which is now known as Colegio Vocational de America Central. We are glad
to report that during the 1945 school
year the .student enrollment was the
largest our training school in that place
has ever enjoyed. One of the main
activities during the present school year
6
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION MESSENGER
was the construction of a new dining
hall. You can readily understand that
it has been a problem to accommodate
150 students in a dining hall that was
built f or only seventy-five. With the
financial help received from the Division and from the General Conference,
a beautiful dining hall has now been
built, which adds greatly to the convenience of operating the service department of the institution.
Elder R. T. Minesinger has been appointed to serve as the director of the
Costa Rica Mission, and under his
leadership the work continues to move
forward. Brethren Gonzalo Gonzales
and Juan M. Castillo are holding a series of meetings at Chomes, on the
Pacific Coast of the republic. Letters
from these brethren tell us that nearly
the whole town is attending the meetings. Many people are manifesting a
definite interest in the precious message
which is being presented to them. Like
other Central American countries, Costa
Rica has perhaps shown a greater interest in developing the work among the
English-speaking people than among
those of the Spanish language; but of
late the Spanish work is also showing
progress.
Along the Pacific Coast, where until
recently very little work had been done,
we now have several organized churches
and groups.
The Panama Conference is the largest field in the Central American. Union.
It not only comprises the Republic of
Panama, but also the Canal Zone and
the islands of Providencia and San Andres, of Colombia. Special interest is
being centered at this time upon the
development of the Panama Academy,
which is known as the Colegio Industrial
Panamefio. This school opened its doors
only a few months ago. The present
student enrollment is sixty-five, and
Prof. L. A. Wheeler is the principal of
this new training school. The buildings
of the Panama Academy are still under
construction. A part of the girls' dormitory is almost finished, and plans are
under way to finish the building as soon
as possible. The boys live in small,
temporary houses which have been
erected for them. It is hoped that at
least a part of the new dormitory for
the boys will be ready for the coming
school year.
Elder Samuel Farrell recently held a
tent effort in Panama City. Seventy
candidates have been baptized, and a
new church has been organized. Pastor
A. R. Ogden, our pion* worker, has
been assisting Brother Farrell in this
effort, and the last available report indicated that twenty-five or thirty more
believers will be baptized as a result of
this good work.
We trust that this brief report of the
work in Central America will help our
brethren to realize that the blessing of
God is resting upon the sacred work in
these picturesque and interesting fields.
We humbly request the prayers of our
brethren all through the Inter-American
Division, that the work in this field may
prosper to the winning of many precious
souls for the heavenly kingdom.
Colombia - Venezuela
Union Mission
Superintendent
W. A. BEECHER/A
Secretary-Treas. and Auditor A. P. CHRISTIANSEN
Postal Address: Apartado 39, Medellin,
Colombia, South America
Further Word From Curacao
By L. H. GARDINER, Director
Curacao Mission
NOTE. — In the April issue of the MESSENGER
there appeared some interesting paragraphs concerning our work on the island of Curacao, which
were taken from the annual report of the Director, L. H. Gardiner; and, in this issue the story
of mission work in that interesting field is continued. — Editor.
Another means that has been used
effectively in this field for promoting
right principles, is that of placing the
Christian Home Calendar upon the walls
of 750 homes. Every time the members
of the home look upon these calendars
they are reminded that the seventh day
is the Sabbath of the Lord. It is both
interesting and encouraging to observe
that there is a great demand for these
calendars, and next year we hope to distribute at least 1,200 of them in this
field.
There is a young man in the mission
who feels especially called to the ministry, and he is doing all he can to gain
the necessary preparation for that line
of work. He works full time at his
regular employment, and after working
hours he sells books. During the last
three months he has delivered more
than $550.00 worth. It is not ability
that sells the books. It is the power of
God.
Another Story
Here is the story of another of our
men. He is a painter by trade, and
while he was painting for the Americans
one day, he said that he heard a voice
say to him: "If you do not go into the
May, 1946
colporteur work you are a lost man."
So impressive was this message that
came to him, that he asked for his rez,
lease from his present work, that very
evening.
The next morning he appeared ai
office, saying that he wanted to':"$.•
books. He has very little educatiok,
He cannot learn a canvass, for his min‘
apparently will not retain it; but he isS
eager to have a part in the Lord's work,
and was given the opportunity. When
he-steps up to the door of a house and
someone comes to greet him, he will say:
"Don't you want to buy a book? This
is a good one." That is all the presentation he gives. If the person does not
want the book, he will say: "Here is
another. Maybe you will like this one
better." His method is just as simple
as that; but he usually sells one of the
books before leaving. During the last
eleven months he has delivered more
than $3,025.00 worth of books. Again
we are reminded that the work of God
is done, "not by might, nor by power;
but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of
hosts." Zech. 4:6.
The workers in Curacao are of good
courage, and wish to take their full share
of responsibility in the work -of God,
doing all they can for the winning of
souls. Pray for us here in our isolated
field, that we may measure up to God's
ideal for us, and do our utmost in His
great harvest field.
e-
-
"Strength to resist evil is best gained
by aggressive service." — A. A. p. 105.
DIVISION DIRECTORY
President
C. L. TORREY - Secretary-Treasurer 6- Auditor
Asst.
Secretary-Treasurer
R.
SANDERS
E.
R. B. CALDWELL - - - Assistant Auditor
DEPARTMENTAL SECRETARIES
Publishing
D. A. MCADAMS
A. H. Rom - - - Educational, Missionary
Volunteer and Home Commission
WESLEY AMUNDSEN - - HOME Missionary,
Radio and Sabbath School;
Associate, Ministerial Association
J. L. BROWN - - - Ministerial Association;
Associate, Home Missionary,
Radio and Sabbath School
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION MESSENGER
C. L. TORREY, Editor,
GLENN CALKINS Associate Editor
EFFIE A. JAMES, Assistant Editor
Published monthly as the Official Organ of the
Inter-American Division Conference of Seventhday Adventists, Box 228, Coconut Grove,
Miami, Florida, U.S. A.
GLENN CALKINS
Price: SO cents a year
Entered at Cristobal, Canal Zone, as second-class
matter under the Act of Congress of March 3,
1879. Printed at Cristobal, Canal Zone, Isthmus
of Panama.
VOL. XXIII
MAY, 1946
No. 5
May. 1946
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION MESSENGER
the edge of Tecpatin! Many people,
young and old, had come to 'meet us.
Mexican Union Mission
They formed two columns, and it
W. E. MURRAY
uperintendent
seemed that the whole town had turned
Secretary-Treasurer and Auditor,.: 3". G. PETTEY
out to give us a royal welcome; and all
Postal Address: Vallarta Sur 644,
Monterrey, N. L. I'1exico
during our stay in that place, we were
never short of company, but were al<- 441!.-",--155A1M
1111*Mi2i.Z.1
-2M-4110>.
ways surrounded by interested specta1 Medical Missionary Trip
tors.
at the Tehuantepec Mission
The response of the people was wonBY J. A. SALAZAR, Director
derfully inspiring. It seemed that everyDr. Baez recently made quite an ex- thing we did caused the utmost interest
tensive trip through the, Tehuantepec and admiration. We arrived at TecpaMission in company with the writer. tan well after dark, having traveled all
We started from Puebla, and continued day; but the people were eager to hear
our journey down to Nuinero Uno, in from us, and 'the modest meeting place
Chiapas; and were able Ito travel by was already well filled, there being some
rail at first, and all went well. We were five hundred people in the building, and
able to treat a goodly nuniber of people almost as many more- on the outside.
and relieve much suffering as we trav- It was therefore necessary for one to
eled from place to place. i But later on, raise his voice so that he could be heard
when we left the more densely popu- by all; and to keep this up during the
lated areas, and got out into the open entire discourse was quite a difficult
country, it was necessary for us to task. The people were really hungry to
travel on horseback, and we began to hear the word of truth, and listened atdrop a little behind our schedule, for tentively all through the service.
the number of sick people increased,
The next morning very early, the
and travel was slower than it had been. people began to come for consultations
I helped the doctor as best I could, with Dr. Baez; and it was strenuous
but it touched my heart to see so many work that we did in the endeavor to
sick folk begging for medical help, and care for 153 patients in the two days
I wished so much that I knew more of of our stay there. I might explain that
medical science so that I, might be of in Chiapas it never freezes; vegetation
more help in this branch of our work. is luxuriant, rains abound, and with
In the back country, and even in some these conditions there are constant
towns of considerable size, there are no plagues of mosquitoes, gnats, ticks,
doctors and no chemists' shops; but hardbacks, and other insects too nuplenty of ignorance, numerous plagues, merous to mention. These insects proand much sickness on all sides. Many duce many skin diseases, tumors, and
thought that I was a physician also, a kind of fungus or leprosy in the ears,
and told me their troubles-before I had to such an extent that the flesh falls off
time to explain that I was only helping in pieces, and also the cartilage beneath
Dr. Baez, and would do what I could it, in some instances.
to arrange for them to see him, and get
We had to admit that these pests
the help they needed.
had some sort of intelligence, for when
These journeys on horseback were we arrived it seemed that they left their
long and tiresome, and sometimes un- former victims and showed a definite
expected rain would pour down upon preference for us. In fact, they left me
us until the upper parts of our bodies with many an unwanted reminder of
were drenched. When we waded through, their attention, and I am still trying
the rivers, as we had to do on some to heal up the wounds they left upon
occasions, the work was completed on me. This costly lesson taught me that
the other part of our bodies. But all I should go better prepared for such a
this wearisome travel was mitigated trip. The need of real medical work in
upon arrival at our destinations, for the regions we visited is very great,
everywhere we were well received, and and very apparent. Doctors are rarely
our physical needs were supplied; and seen in such places, and their visits are
in turn, we were able to help the peo- short when they do come. It takes real
ple who came to'us for medical care.
missionaries to endure the hardships inOur journey from Agua Escondida to cident to service in places like these.
Tecpatan was long; the road was bad,
Our next stop was at Ribera Guadaand the riding very tiresome; but what lupe; and from there we went to Tierra
a picture greeted us upon our arrival at Blanca; and later, to Copainala. In
- 7
each of these places we did similar work,
treating as many as we could, and ministering to their spiritual needs as well;
but we could not possibly attend to all
who came to us. Continuing our journey, we went to Tuxtla, traveling by
way of Pichucalco, and stopping over
at Ribera Blanca Rosa en route. In
each of these places we did our best to
meet the physical and spiritual needs of
the people. Brother Arriaga went a part
of the way with us in this district. In
Col Trinidad, Brother Josue Fernandez
met us and guided us from place to
place; and before leaving his district a
baptism was performed, which really
did our hearts good.
At San Agustin, we were entertained
at the spacious home of Brother Mena.
He himself was suffering with a terrible
carbuncle which the doctor treated
promptly, and with excellent results.
We found many people needing medical
care, and a number desired baptism; so
we were kept' busy every hour of our
stay, and before leaving we celebrated
the Lord's Supper with our dear people. This was a feast of good things,
and warmed our hearts greatly.
On and on we went, meeting always
many sick people, and multitudes hungry for the Bread of Life. At San Isidro
we found a good congregation, with a
church on a beautiful hill, and here
again we served as medical missionaries
and pastors to the flock of God. At last
we reached the end of our journey, arriving at Numero Uno, Chiapas, five
days late, due to heavy rains, shortage
of horses, and other hindrances. Many
of the people had come and gone, thinking that we had changed our plans, and
would not come. But messengers were
sent out quickly, with the last, sure
message that we had finally arrived. We
spent four days in Numero Uno, treating seventy-seven patients, baptizing
thirty-four persons, attending the thirteenth Sabbath services, and celebrating
the Lord's supper.
This was a wonderful trip. God protected us all along the way. We were
able to treat 1,165 people, to baptize
sixty-one precious souls, and to bring
in some funds for the support of the
work. Although many were unable to
pay anything for medical care, others did
pay something, so that we gathered during the tour the sum of about $290.00,
(U. S.).
We have recently received a letter
from the brethren in Tecpatan, signed
(Continued on Page 8)
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION MESSENGER
8
People
Places
and
Projects
BY RUTH CONARD
+ The first of our Division office family
to return to headquarters following the
winter trip into the field was Elder McAdams, who spent a few days at home
in January before starting out again on
another itinerary. On February 8, Elders Calkins and Torrey returned to
Miami. Elder Calkins had been in
Mexico and Central America, and Elder
Torrey attended meetings in Jamaica
and Colombia, and audited the union
books in the Caribbean Union. The men
all brought back excellent reports of
progress in the field.
4* Elder D. A. McAdams attended a
meeting of the Pacific Press Publishing
Association in Mountain View, California, the latter part of January, in the
interests of the publishing work.
+ Elder W. E. Baxter, Senior, arrived
in Panama in January to serve as president of, that conference. Elder Baxter
has spent long years in mission service
in the Inter-American Division, and has
labored in many sections of the field.
He is therefore well acquainted with
mission problems.
+ Prof. J. J. Ewing, who went to
Mexico last year as principal of the
Escuela Agricola Industrial Mexicana,
is taking special work in Spanish, and
plans to return to the school at the
beginning of the new school term this
year.
+ A letter from Elder Amundsen, who
has been traveling recently in -the Colombia-Venezuela Union Mission, tells
of his work as follows: "I have been
quite busy here and there, as you can
well imagine. Just now we are conducting a series of lay workers' meetings in
Bucaramanga, Colombia. There are
about fifty representatives here. We
had about forty at Caracas. I believe
we are getting under way here too, with
a greater laymen's movement. The laymen at Caracas set goals to win not less
than 107 souls this year."
4* Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Caldwell, of the
Division office-, were happy to have as
visitors during the month of January,
Mrs. Caldwell's parents, Mr. and Mrs.
0. C. Punches, of Mount Vernon, Ohio,
and her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs.
Oscar Burt, of Grand Ledge, Michigan.
4. Miss Etta Hewgley, secretary to
Elders McAdams and Brown in the
Division office, had the privilege of entertaining her sister and brother-in-law,
Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Casey, of Fort
Worth, Texas, during February. While
here, they made a trip to Cuba with
Miss Hewgley, visiting our union office
in Havana, and other places of interest
on the island.
+ During the month of January, Mrs.
C. L. Torrey visited Miss Nora Atkins,
in Orlando, Florida.
Coming Events
May 4
- Medical Missionary Day
June 1 - - - Home Missionary Day
June 8 - Elementary Schools Offering
June 29 - Thirteenth Sabbath Offering
(Overflow to Southern European Division)
July 6 - - - Home Missionary Day
July 27 - - - Midsummer Offering
for Missions
+ At its annual union meeting last
winter, the Mexican Union Mission set
a goal of 2,300 baptisms for the present
year. This is considerably more than
have ever been brought into the church
before in one year in Mexico, and even
higher than the goal of 2,000 set by
the Division. But the workers are going
courageously forward, believing that
with the help of the Lord they can reach
even this high goal during 1946.
+ During the month of February, Elder Roth's father and mother, Elder and
Mrs. J. H. Roth, and his sister, paid a
visit to Miami. Elder J. H. Roth is
the president of the Kansas Conference.
+ Mrs. Calkins spent about two months
in California during the past winter,
visiting her daughter, Mrs. Otto Arndal,
while Elder Calkins was away from
home on a trip into the field.
4 There is at present an extended
building program under way in San
Jose, Costa Rica. It consists of two
two-story buildings. The lower floor of•
one building will be used as a church;
and the upstairs, containing about ten
rooms, will make an adequate office
headquarters for the Central American
Union Mission. The downstairs of the
other building will be used as a clinic,
and upstairs will contain the offices of
the Costa Rica Mission.
May, 1946
4.- Mr. R. B. Caldwell, assistant auditor
of the Division, left Miami on an auditing trip beginning February 15. He
went first to Medellin, Colombia, spending about three weeks there; then to
San Jose, Costa Rica, for two weeks;
and from there, to Monterrey; Mexico.
He expects to return to the Division office the latter part of April.
4* Miss Helen Lanham, secretary to
Elder Amundsen, was happy to have a
visit from her mother, Dr. Helen Lanham, of Orlando, Florida, during the
month of February.
4. Elder V. A. Sauza, who has during
recent months been spending a portion
of his time in Glendale, California,
helping to record the Spanish Voice of
Prophecy programs, is now devoting his
entire time to evangelistic work in
Mexico, and to the training of other
workers along evangelistic lines.
4* Professor W. E. Nelson, treasurer of
the General Conference, spent a number of days in Mexico during January,
considering plans in connection with
the carrying forward of the work in
that field.
Special Terms to Adults
Making up High School Credits
In these days when increasing emphasis is placed on a thorough-going
education, there are many persons beyond the usual high school age who wish
to make up certain gaps in their high
school education. To such persons the
Home Study Institute offers specially
low tuition rates and expert guidance
in getting at the essentials. Interested
persons are invited to write us for full
information concerning the special terms
and the possibility of an accelerated
program where that is desired.
Address: Home Study Institute
Takoma Park, Washington 12, D. C.
A MEDICAL MISSIONARY TRIP . . .
(Continued from page 7)
by many persons, asking for the doctor
to return; but since Dr. Baez has now
established himself in Cd. del Maiz, it
will not be possible for us to respond to
this invitation. Oh that we had more
medical missionaries in Mexico! The
need is great, and the people are eager
and willing to respond to all we can
do for them.