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Vol. XXVI 
NEW ADVANCES IN INTER-AMERICA 
By E. F. HACKMAN, President 
Inter-American Division 
Late in 1948 the General Conference Sabbath 
School Department passed on to us the welcome 
news that the Inter-American Division had been 
chosen as the recipient of the Thirteenth Sabbath 
Offering overflow for the third quarter of 1949. 
Furthermore, they requested us to select specific 
projects to be benefitted by this particular offering, 
and to provide appropriate promotion material 
as early as possible. 
While this two-fold duty was a pleasant one, 
it was by no means an easy task; for we could 
see glaring needs all over the Division, and our 
hearts have been stirred for many months with 
the desire to see definite help provided in many 
places. Some projects have been delayed for years 
because of the shortage of funds with which to 
proceed. However, after prayerful and careful 
consideration, the Inter-American Division Com-
mittee finally voted to assign the "overflow offer-
ing" to three important enterprises; namely, Indian 
work in southern Mexico and Guatemala; a san-
itarium-hospital at Mayaguez, Puerto Rico; and 
chapels in the French West Indies Mission. If 
each of these projects could receive as much as 
$10,000, this would bring great rejoicing to our 
people, and would be the means of opening up 
the work in new places in a number of instances. 
For many years the Division Committee has 
felt the necessity of doing more for the millions of 
Indians within our territory. Many years ago a 
small beginning was made among the Arekuna and 
Akawaio Indians of British Guiana. We have also 
many Indian believers in southern Mexico, Ni-
caragua, Panama, and Guatemala. In the spring 
of this year we opened our first Indian training 
school at Momostenango, Guatemala; and it is 
our plan to place the graduates of this school 
in charge of small A. B. C. schools in various 
parts of that country. We believe this small be-
ginning will develop into a large and important 
work for the Indian populations of interior 
Guatemala. 
Our leaders, and the church membership of 
Puerto Rico, have long looked forward to the 
time when they would have a sanitarium of their 
own. The way has providentially opened up, funds 
have been raised, and the doctors are on the 
ground, ready to connect with a denominationally 
owned and operated medical center; but additional 
funds will be needed for equipment. We are look-
ing forward in faith to the time when the Thir-
teenth Sabbath Offering will be taken in all the 
churches around the circle of the world, at the 
close of the third quarter of this year, believing 
that the necessary funds for the Puerto Rico med-
ical unit will be forthcoming because of the 
sympathetic interest in this good work, which is 
shared by the entire church membership, and 
especially by the constituency of the Inter-Ameri-
can Division. 
Then again, one of our very most pressing 
needs in all the Division is the need to provide 
chapels for our believers on the islands of Mar-
tinique and Guadeloupe, in the French West In-
dian Mission of the Caribbean Union. In these two 
islands we own but one church building; and in 
some instances the congregations have been or-
dered out of the rented quarters which they have 
occupied in the past, and have absolutely nowhere 
to go for the holding of regular churth services. 
This need still exists, after plans and appeals have 
been reviewed year after year; and it cheers our 
hearts greatly to learn of the possibility that defi-
nite help can be provided through the co-opera-
tion of our Sabbath school members, in Septem-
ber of this year. 
It is my earnest hope that all our Sabbath schools 
in this Division will rally to these three special 
appeals for help within our own field, and that 
we shall make the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering 
to be received at the close of this present quarter, 
the very largest Sabbath school offering in all our 
history. Since we are to be the beneficiaries of the 
overflow from this offering, surely we should 
2 �
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION MESSENGER �
August 
lead out in a strong way, and do our utmost, by prayer 
and sacrifice to make this a really blessed occasion all 
through the field. 
During this quarter the eyes of the Adventist world will 
be turned upon Inter-America in a special way. May God 
impress the hearts of His people everywhere, and give them 
the spirit of liberality, that the special needs of His work 
may be supplied at this time. 
The Calendar Issue 
Throughout the entire Inter-American Division there 
is a growing protest against the so-called Calendar Reform. 
While this subject is being agitated by the public, it is really 
the time for God's servants to do what they can to bring 
the true aspects of the calendar issue before the people, 
and also tactfully to bring before them the true Sabbath 
of the Bible. 
Since this question is soon to be discussed in high inter-
national councils, it behooves us to do everything within 
our power to educate responsible men and women every-
where as to the real issues involved. 
Because the situation is urgent, the General Conference 
has requested Elder B. F. Perez, who is in charge of the 
Spanish broadcasts of the Voice of Prophecy, to visit in-
fluential men in Inter- and South America in order to 
secure their co-operation toward the defeat of the new 
world calendar scheme. Brother Perez left on this trip 
early in May, and his first letter indicates that he has had 
a good reception by leading officials thus far contacted 
in Latin America. 
While in Cuba, Brother Perez visited a number of prom-
inent government officials. The Secretary to the Minister 
of the Interior was so deeply interested in the calendar 
subject that he left his office, and with his personal car 
took Brother Perez to visit several other persons. They 
also had good conversations with the Secretary of State, 
the Secretary of Commerce, and with the members of 
the Commission. 
Since his work in Cuba, Brother Perez has visited gov-
ernment officials in Mexico, Guatemala, and Salvador. 
In Mexico he had a most profitable meeting with the 
important leaders of the Protestant churches, and they prom-
ised their co-operation. They also plan to initiate a campaign 
against the movement known as calendar reform. 
We have not yet received word as to what the other 
unions are doing to combat this calendar movement, but 
Elder H. J. Westphal, of Mexico City, writes that they are 
planning to distribute among the higher class of people 
7,000 copies of the pamphlet on the change of the calendar 
which were sent them by the General Conference. In ad-
dition they are printing 100,000 copies of the same pam-
phlet on cheaper paper for promiscuous distribution among 
the reading public. They are also circulating a petition among 
the people in protest of the proposed calendar reform. If 
every field would do as Mexico is doing, we would certainly 
stir up a lot of opposition to this wicked scheme that has 
been set in operation again during recent months.—E. F. H. 
Some Interesting Facts Concerning Radio 
And Bible Correspondence Work 
In the Inter-American Division 
From among the more than twenty thousand active stu-
dents in our Bible Correspondence Schools in the Inter-
American Division, over twelve thousand are reported as def-
initely interested in the message. While the degree of inter-
est may vary,—from those who are definitely interested, to 
those who have already begun keeping the Sabbath of the 
Bible, and others who are already in baptismal classes, 
still this interest is a marvelous demonstration of the 
effectiveness of our radio broadcasts and the work of the 
correspondence schools as evangelizing forces in our work. 
If this interest is properly attended to during 1949, we 
should see a goodly harvest of souls as a result, perhaps 
running into the thousands. 
At the time of this writing, in May, 1949, some twenty-
five strategically located stations are releasing our religious 
programs,—the Voice of Prophecy, in the English, Spanish 
and French languages. In the Republic of Mexico, some 
fifty or more stations carry our Health broadcast without 
charge. 
The facilities of our twenty-four correspondence schools 
now cover the entire Division territory, and also operate 
in the languages in which we are broadcasting, plus the 
Dutch language in Dutch Guiana, where we have a cor-
responding language broadcast. 
While we thank God for the stations we now have, 
still, due to the many islands, multiple language, and political 
sections of our Division territory, there are still great 
unentered metropolitan centers where our broadcasts do 
not reach. We hope to add new stations in these territories 
as funds permit. 
Surely God has given us this marvelous facility for just 
such an hour as this. With unwarned millions of people 
to be reached with a maximum of speed and a minimum 
of time, and with economy of expenditure, the radio offers 
the ideal medium for bringing this message quickly to 
the masses. 
Like an angel flying in the midst of heaven, radio is 
literally lightening the earth with the glory of this message 
of truth, and this great work definitely includes the terri-
tories and the peoples of the Inter-American Division. 
—L. H. LINDBECK 
Antillian Union Mission 
President �
 H. B. LUNDQUIST 
Secretary-Treasurer & Auditor � F. S. THOMPSON 
Postal Address: Apartado 50, General Peraza, 
Havana, Cuba 
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Onward, Ever Onward 
On the evening of April 26, the delegates of the 27 
churches of West Cuba Conference assembled for their 
1949 conference session in the new Vibora, Havana, Cuba, 
church. This conference, which consists of 1,770 Seventh-
day Adventist members, is under the leadership of Elder 
R. J'. Roy. 
In addition to the regular delegates, ministers and the 
workers from the conference, Elder and Mrs. E. J. Lorntz, 
of the General Conference, W. E. Murray, of the Inter-
American Division, and F. S. Thompson, L. L. Reile, and 
W. A. Wild from the Antillian Union, were present. 
Elder Lorntz was formerly the president of the Cuba Con-
ference when the entire island was in one field, and we 
were happy to have him and Mrs. Lorntz with us at this 
meeting, and also at the session of the East Cuba Conference 
which followed. 
The proceedings of the conference extended over five days, 
closing on Sunday night, May 1, when Elder Braulio Perez 
spoke to the assembly on the calendar question. Elder 
Perez was starting out on his trip through the Latin Amer-
ican capitals, where he is working with high government 
August �
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION MESSENGER �
3 
officials in the interests of holding in check the so-called 
reform, or revision of the present world calendar. We 
appreciated Elder Perez' sermon, and his presence with 
us at this particular meeting. 
In a spirit of unity and progress the proceedings of 
the conference session were carried on. The days were 
filled with Bible studies, preaching, reports of the workers 
from the field, and the departmental secretaries; and also 
with the reports from the various sub-committees that had 
been appointed for the sessions. There were also reports 
from the president and the secretary-treasurer of the con-
ference. 
During the two-year period just closed, 298 persons 
were baptized in West Cuba, thus bringing the member-
ship at the close of 1948 up to 1,770. The book sales for the 
last biennial period were very good, totaling $77,000.00. 
The colporteurs numbered 31, and surely this is an excellent 
record for these faithful workers. 
The president reported that there had been held an aver-
age of practically eight major evangelistic efforts per year 
during the last biennial period; that the tithe for the same 
period reached $93,000.00, and that these figures indicate 
a healthy increase over the reports of former years. 
The Sabbath school work in West Cuba is also going 
forward with real progress. In fact, this is true also of 
the work of the other departments as well. By comparison 
with the church membership it is interesting to observe 
that we have 2,091 Sabbath school members in West Cuba, 
who are organized into 56 regular Sabbath schools and 34 
branch Sabbath schools, 
Brother Celestino Roque reported that there are 600 
members in the Missionary Volunteer Societies of West 
Cuba, 16 church schools, and 19 teachers. The great evan-
gelistic possibilities of these schools are shown by the fact 
that there are more students attending the church schools 
from non-Adventist homes than otherwise, 346 being from 
non-Adventist homes, and 139 from the homes of our 
church members. 
The spiritual messages which came to us from day to 
day were of great encouragement to all in attendance. 
Plans were laid for greatly enlarging our activities in 
West Cuba during the next two years. Large plans were 
laid for entering new territory, and all in all, it was a very 
good meeting. 
The officers and other personnel elected for the coming 
two-year period are as follows: R. J. Roy, president; Sil-
vio Sales, secretary-treasurer; CeIestino Roque, secretary 
of the Missionary Volunteer, Educational, and Sabbath 
School Departments; R. J .Roy, secretary of the Home 
Missionary Department; Juan Palau, secretary of the 
Publishing Department; and Miss Riener Macias, secretary- 
treasurer of the Tract Society. �
—W. E. MURRAY 
Progress in East Cuba 
The East Cuba Conference has as its territory the two 
provinces of the Republic of Cuba called Camaguey and 
Oriente. This territory embraces about one-half of the is-
land. Our conference in this section has its headquarters 
at Camaguey, which has become a large aviation center 
during recent years. 
The East Cuba session of 1949 was called to order at 
Holguin, Cuba, by the president, Elder Miguel Vazquez, 
on Tuesday evening, May 3. The meetings extended to the 
end of the week, covering a period of about five days, and 
closing on Saturday evening, May 7. The meetings were 
held in the church building that was recently erected in 
this prosperous city, and the entire series was characterized 
by a spirit of Christian unity and understanding. 
During the days of the East Cuba meeting a large number 
of reports were presented to the assembly, most of them 
of a most encouraging nature. These reports were prepared 
and presented by the workers in the field, the departmental 
secretaries, and the president and secretary-treasurer of 
the conference. Space does not permit of our telling all of 
the good things we heard while in attendance at the meet-
ings in Holguin, but we shall mention a few of the high 
points of special interest. 
A very active church-building campaign has been carried 
on in this field during the past two years; and it was re-
ported that six or seven larger church buildings have been 
financed during this time. Six of these have been completed 
and dedicated, and one is still in the process of construction. 
During the two-year period this conference has been 
able to get together, chiefly through the two-percent fund, 
the sum of $25,000.00 for the construction of these edi-
fices. The Holguin church is one of the fine examples of 
this particular campaign. In East Cuba also, 222 persons 
have been baptized during the past 24 months, thus bring-
ing the membership up to 1,814 at the close of 1948. 
In this field we have 14 church schools, and four affili-
ated private schools, with a total enrollment of 511 
students, 122 from Seventh-day Adventist homes, and 389 
from the homes of non-Adventists in the conference. We 
believe that this situation brings to us a great opportunity, 
and constitutes a real challenge in the field of personal 
evangelism in the church schools. 
We were happy to learn that in this part of Cuba 30 
colporteurs are carrying forward a most marvelous ministry 
with our books, and other literature, they having sold 
publications during the past two years to the amount of 
$59,000.00. It is interesting to notice in passing that the 
total sales for the preceding two-year period amounted 
to $46,000.00, which certainly indicates a very good in-
crease in sales during the past biennial period. 
In the East Cuba Conference this year the Harvest In-
gathering campaign is being pushed with greater zeal than 
ever before that the goal of $10,000.00 may be reached 
in due time. We learned that in former years the Ingather-
ing receipts have reached in the neighborhood of four or 
five thousand dollars only, so this feature of the work is 
also very evidently on the up grade, along with the others. 
Some excellent reports were given by the departmental 
secretaries of the conference; and special interest was man-
ifested by the delegates in the reports concerning our 
Sabbath school and lay-preaching work. At one of the 
meetings there were 14 lay preachers in attendance, one 
of these being a woman. These laymen will hold during 
1949 at last one lay preaching effort each. Three others 
decided while at the meeting that they would join the lay-
preaching forces of East Cuba, each holding an effort 
during the present year. Eight of the laymen's efforts will 
be held in entirely new places. It was good to see the zeal 
and enthusiasm of these consecrated workers; and we wish 
them much of the blessing of the Lord in their chosen 
fields of activity. 
The officers and personnel elected at this meeting for 
the forthcoming two-year period are as follows: Miguel 
Vazquez, president; A. P. Christiansen, secretary-treasurer; 
David Caveda, Home Missionary, Missionary Volunteer, 
and Educational secretary. Brother Caveda will also serve 
as secretary of the Radio Department. Bernardo Hernandez 
was elected to serve as Publishing Department secretary; 
Elder R. W. Numbers and Family 
4 �
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION MESSENGER �
August 
and the conference president will also carry the Sabbath 
School Departmental secretaryship. 
Attending this meeting from the General Conference 
were Elder and Mrs. E. J. Lorntz. From the Division, W. 
E. Murray attended, and from the Antillian Union, F. 
S. Thompson, W. A. Wild and L. L. Reile. The coming 
year should be one of continual progress in this inter- 
esting part of the Antillian Union. �
—W. E. MURRAY 
British West Indies Union Mission 
President 
 R. W. NUMBERS 
Secretary-Treasurer & Auditor �
 C. 0. FRANZ 
Postal Address: P. 0. Box 22, 
Mandeville, Jamaica, B. W. I. 
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An Introduction to the New President 
At the time of the annual meeting of the Inter-American 
Division Committee, which was held last December, in 
Santa Clara, Cuba, Elder R. H. Pierson, who for a number 
of years has successfully carried the presidency of the 
British West Indies Union, was appointed as the president 
of the Caribbean Union. Since that time the British West 
Indies Union has been without a president; but the work 
has not suffered in the interim, because of the faithful 
work of Brother Clyde Franz, the secretary-treasurer of 
the union, who has labored untiringly to carry the added 
responsibilities which this vacancy has placed upon his 
shoulders. 
We are now happy to announce that Elder R. W. 
Numbers, of the Canadian Union, has accepted the call 
of the General Conference to serve as president of this 
rapidly-growing mission field. Recent correspondence from 
Brother Numbers indicates that both he and his family 
have passed their medical examinations, and hope to be able 
to reach their new field of labor some time during the 
month of June. 
Elder Numbers comes to Inter-America with a good 
background of ministerial, evangelistic, and executive ex-
perience. He was graduated from Washington Missionary 
-X 
College in 1935, and began his ministerial work in the 
West Pennsylvania Conference of the Columbia Union. 
Later he did evangelistic work in the East Pennsylvania 
Conference, and labored there until 1940, when he was 
called to the Central Union, where he served as pastor-
evangelist of several of our large churches in Boulder, 
Colorado, and in Kansas City, Missouri. 
In the fall of 1944, Elder Numbers accepted the call 
to serve as president of the Maritime Conference of the 
Canadian Union, where he successfully carried his respon-
sibilities until the time of his present appointment to the 
British West Indies Union. 
Mrs. Numbers is also a missionary, in her own right. 
She will be remembered as the daughter of Elder W. H. 
Branson, and spent a large share of her life in the South 
African Division. We hereby extend a hearty welcome to 
Elder and Mrs. Numbers and their lovely family, and feel 
quite confident that God will greatly bless their labors in the 
British West Indies Union. �
—E. F. H. 
Caribbean Union Mission 
President �
 R. H. PIERSON 
Secretary-Treasurer & Auditor � 0. H. EMMERSON 
Postal Address: P. 0. Box 221, 
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, B. W. I. 
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Ingathering in Tobago 
A Missionary Volunteer on the Island of Tobago, who 
was employed as a domestic servant in a guest house, 
told a most. interesting experience in connection with his 
efforts in the Ingathering Campaign a few months ago. 
When the campaign started, this young man carried his 
papers with him wherever he went. An English tourist 
at the guest house had boasted that he was an agnostic, 
so our young man prayed most earnestly for wisdom to 
know how to approach him in the interests of the Ingath-
ering work. He memorized a special canvass and waited 
for his opportunity, which was not long delayed. 
One day the violent crying of an infant at the guest 
house, rather unexpectedly brought the English gentlemen 
and our young man into conversation, on this rather remote 
subject; but the young man had but one thought in his 
mind, and that was, how to begin to tell this tourist about 
our work. Presently he heard himself saying: 
"Mr. Sennett, do you know anything about the work 
of Seventh-day Adventists?" 
"No," he replied, "I do not believe in God, and to me 
the Bible is a pack of foolishness. I believe in helping 
humanity and in trying to make this world a better place 
to live in, without all this talk about God and heaven." 
Here was the young man's opportunity! He said: "That 
is just the work I have to present to you," and forthwith he 
presented the Ingathering magazine which describes the 
work of Adventists in helping humanity around the world." 
The guest said, "So you need money!" Promptly the 
young man replied, "Yes, Sir." 
Guest: "Well, how much do you want?" 
Solicitor: "To advance such a great world-wide work 
for one minute requires $18.00. I hope you can see fit to 
help us with it for that amount of time." 
The guest readily gave that amount; and later, in telling 
the experience the boy requested that the Scarborough 
church supply him with some other literature for this 
August �
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION ,MESSENGER �
5 
gentleman. Some of the members found a copy of Review 
and Herald, which told about Adventist relief work in 
Europe. This, and two copies of Life and Health were 
soon placed in the hands of the tourist. In telling the 
experience, the young man stated that he noticed that 
when the guest left the hotel he was careful to take the 
papers with him. We join this earnest Missionary Volunteer 
in the hope that the seed sown by his efforts may bear 
fruit to the glory of God. 
This is really a rather unusual experience, in view of the 
fact that most of our solicitors throughout the West Indies 
receive very small contributions. It is interesting to observe 
also that our young worker had memorized a special can-
vass, and had prayed for a number of days that the Lord 
would help him to make the right contact, and impress 
this gentleman to give something toward the support of 
our work. 
The young man who told this experience was a delegate 
to our Youth's Congress in Trinidad, and upon his return 
to the island of Tobago, he said they had put up a motto 
in front of their church which reads: "BEGIN WHERE 
YOU ARE, WITH WHAT YOU HAVE, AND SHARE 
YOUR FAITH!" �
—PERCY W. MANUEL 
Central American Union Mission 
President �
 A. V. LARSON 
Secretary-Treasurer & Auditor 
 D. A. CONE 
Postal Address: Apartado 1059, 
San Jose, Costa Rica, Central America 
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Suffering for the Faith 
Central America is a most colorful and interesting part 
of the Inter-American Division. Sometimes we wish it 
were possible to devote an entire issue of the Messenger 
to that field, for then we could give a more nearly complete 
picture of what is happening among the local missions 
of that territory. 
The work of the training school in San Jose, Costa Rica, 
is a most vital and interesting one, for its influence reaches 
to the boundaries of the union. The new educational en-
terprise at Momostenango, Guatemala, is another interest-
ing story, with a bright future. The noble work being done 
in Honduras, in spite of many difficulties; the medical 
project in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua; as well as the num-
erous features of our mission program in Panama and 
Salvador,—all are distinctive activities that are worthy of 
our prayers and all the help we can possibly give them. 
For the few inches of space available in this issue of 
the Division paper, we have chosen to pass along one 
brief experience which we trust will bring courage to all 
whose attention is attracted to it. Our worker, probably 
Elder J. L. Brown, who was formerly the president of the 
union, tells the following story: 
"During the Honduras Mission annual session in 1947, 
a former priestess was baptized. Upon returning to her 
home she found that the news of her baptism had preceded 
her, and that the people were awaiting her arrival, and 
that of the other Adventist delegates who accompained 
her. Some of the citizens of her home town became in-
toxicated and tried to force our session delegation to drink 
strong national whiskey with them. In fact, they pulled 
their revolvers, and stoned some of the believers. They 
cast some out of the houses which they had rented, and 
the trouble continued for some time. 
"However, a later communication from Cuyamel, the 
home of this former priestess, states that everyone of the 
believers is of good courage, and they are calling for an 
evangelist to start a series of meetings in that place, for 
they believe that many of their former enemies will attend 
our meetings and eventually accept the message of truth. 
"The same letter which tells of the courage of our be-
lievers also states that one man paid $100.00 to get mu-
sicians and dancers to start a mob in front of our church 
while meetings were being carried on, hoping in this way 
to break up the meetings. A translation of a few lines from 
this letter reads as follows: 
"'The people are very much excited, and are trying to 
chase us out of this village. They have stoned us and 
insulted us, not once, but many times. They have also used 
ugly and insulting words during the hours when we have 
been holding our meetings.' However, none of these dear 
believers are discouraged, but are determined to press 
forward. 
"May we all be as courageous as they are! Let us pray 
for them that they may be faithful, and let us also pray for 
ourselves, that when we face similar trials and persecution 
we shall be as faithful as they, and as loyal to our convic- 
tions as were the martyrs of olden times." �
—J. L. B. 
Appointments and Transfers 
Elder Donald J. Thomann, formerly of the Central Am-
erican Union, has recently accepted a call to the secretary-
ship of the Home Missionary and Sabbath School depart-
ments of the Mexican Union Mission. Elder and Mrs. 
Thomann have spent a number of years in our educational 
Group of young 
ladies and their 
Preceptress, Miss 
Ruth Ingram, at 
Central Amer-
ican Vocational 
College, San Jose, 
Costa Rica. 
"Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the 
living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver. The grace of Christ in the soul 
is like a spring in the desert, welling up to refresh all, and making those who are ready to perish 
eager to drink of the water of life."—Desire of Ages, page 195. (Italics ours.) 
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION MESSENGER �
August 
Church in Mundo Nobo, Curacao, N. W. I. Mission Home Can 
Be Seen in Part, in Rear, at the Right. 
work in Costa Rica. They have already moved to Mexico 
City and have taken up their new work. 
Professor Charles R. Taylor and his family have accepted 
a call to connect with the Mexican Union where Brother 
Taylor will serve as Educational and Missionary Volunteer 
secretary. For the past six years Brother Taylor has been 
a member of our school faculty in Santa Clara, Cuba. 
Elder and Mrs. Alvin J. Stewart, who for several years 
have been located in Nicaragua, where Elder Stewart served 
as president of the mission, have accepted a call to depart-
mental work in the Puerto Rico Conference, and have al-
ready assumed their new duties. 
Elder B. L. Archbold, formerly the director of our Pan-
ama Academy, has recently been called to the Educational 
and Missionary Volunteer secretaryship of the Caribbean 
Union. The Archbolds have taken up their abode in Trin-
idad, and are getting started in their new assignments. 
Elder Jose Castrejon, until recently the director of the 
Southwest Mission in the Mexican Union, has accepted 
work in the Puerto Rico Conference as an evangelist. The 
Castrejons are already busy with their latest undertakings. 
Elder Rafael Fleitas and his family have responded to 
the call of the Mexican Union for a Union Publishing 
Departmental secretary. Elder Fleitas has served as our 
union book man for some years in the Colombia-Venezuela 
Union. 
Elder Andres Riffel and his family, together with Elder 
Nicolas Chaij and his family, were recently transfered from 
Cuba, to San Jose, Costa Rica, by a special, chartered 
plane, both of these families having accepted work in 
the Central American Training School; Elder Riffel as 
director, and Elder Chaij as Bible Instructor. 
Elder and Mrs. David Baasch, who have until recently 
served in the Puerto Rico Conference of the Antillian 
Union, have been moved to Medellin, Colombia, where 
Brother Baasch has taken up his new work as Home Mis-
sionary, Sabbath School, and Educational secretary of the 
Colombia-Venezuela Mission. 
Professor Clyde Bushnell and his family have recently 
taken up their new work in the Colombia-Venezuela Union 
Training School at Medellin, Colombia. Brother Bushnell 
is the director of that institution, and comes to us as a new 
recruit, from the Forest Lake Academy in the Florida 
Conference. 
Brother B. 0. Maxson, until recently the editor of the 
Pacific Press Publishing Association, Canal Zone Branch, 
6 
Our Representative 
"I �
has accepted a call to connect with the 
Mexican Union as secretary of the 
Radio Department. 
Miss Mildred Diehl has recently ar-
rived at our Monternorelos Sanitarium 
and Hospital from the United States. 
She is a member of the nursing staff of 
our rapidly expanding medical work 
in Mexico. 
Brother Roy Williams, who has 
recently been treasurer of the Panama 
Academy, has accepted the call of the 
Mexican Union Mission to become 
secretary-treasurer of the Southest Mis-
sion. Brother Williams and his family 
have already made this transfer, and 
have taken up their new work in 
Mexico. 
Elder Fernon Retzer and his family 
recently left New Orleans by boat, en 
route to Barranquilla, Colombia. Brother Retzer will become 
the director of the Atlantic Colombia Mission, in the 
Colombia-Venezuela Union. 
Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Fleenor, with their little girl, 
left Miami a few weeks ago, en route to their new field 
of labor. Brother Fleenor is to serve as Cashier in the Co-
lombia-Venezuela Union Mission office. 
Elder A. Roy Norcliffe and his family, of Johnstown, Pa., 
sailed recently for Colombia, where Brother Norcliffe is 
to become the director of the Upper Magdalena Mission, 
with headquarters at Bogota, Colombia. 
Elder R. E. Gibson, formerly the manager of the Andrews 
Memorial Hospital, in Kingston, Jamaica, has taken up 
his new duties as president of the Bahamas Mission. He 
is nicely settled in Nassau, and reports many interesting 
observations in connection with his new assignment there. 
Brother Charles Pierce, recently called from the United 
States to serve in the Dominican Republic of the Antillian 
Union, has arrived in the field to take up his new duties 
as the director of Santo Domingo Academy. His family 
will come later. 
Brother John Carr and his family have accepted the 
call of the Antillian Union for work in Santa Clara, Cuba, 
where Brother Carr has now become the director of the 
Agricultural activities of our training center in that field, 
and has already assumed his new duties. 
Brother Glenn Houck, who has for the past several years 
served most successfully as the director of the Agricultural 
Department at the Santa Clara School in Cuba, has recent-
ly accepted similar work with the Central American Union 
Training School in San Jose, Costa Rica. At this writing 
he is on his way to his new field, and is visiting our school 
plants in Mexico and in Honduras en route to Costa Rica. 
Elder Jorge Rendon, of the Atlantic Colombia Mission, 
has recently received a call from the South American Di-
vision for evangelistic and pastoral work in the Ecuador 
Mission. Elder Rendon and his family are making their 
move during the month of June. 
Elder and Mrs. E. E. Parchment, of Kingston, Jamaica, 
are at present in the French West Indies, where Brother 
Parchment has been called to serve for a few months assist-
ing in the church-building program now going on in the 
islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. This good help 
will be very much appreciated in the French West Indian 
field. We have learned that Mrs. Parchment is to enjoy a 
leave of absence to her home country, British Guiana, in 
the near future. 
August �
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION MESSENGER �
7 
We extend a most hearty welcome to all of our new re-
cruits who have recently joined our ranks in the Inter-
American Division. We know that they will all have plenty 
of work to do, and as they struggle with the many problems 
that will confront them in their various spheres of activity 
we are sure that they can have the confidence that the 
Lord is going before them, and will bless their efforts as 
they labor for the building up of His work. 
To those who have been transferred from one situation 
to another, we extend our best wishes, and the hope that 
they may be prospered in their new undertakings. Some 
of those who have been called to other parts of the Division 
field will be taking up work which is practically new to 
them, and doubtless they will meet many perplexities. 
We wish them every blessing and pray that the Lord will 
strengthen each of them as they proceed with their new 
duties. �
—W. E. MURRAY 
KODACHROME SONG SLIDES 
(In Spanish) 
Evangelists and youth leaders who use 2X2 Kodachrome 
slides may now obtain a complete set of 21 Spanish 
hymns and choruses on a beautiful picture background. 
These are the hymns and choruses which were shown at 
the Division Council in Santa Clara last December. 
A total of seventy slides are now available at thirty cents 
(US currency) per slide, plus postage. Additional songs 
will be made later on; and if you wish a permanent order 
as the new material of the same high quality is prepared, 
please so indicate when placing order for the initial supply. 
For information concerning the present stock, or per-
manent standing orders for new songs as they are produced, 
you may write to S. L. Folkenberg, Box 3005, Santurce, 
Puerto Rico; but please place your orders through your 
conference treasurer, so that the charge can be handled 
accordingly. �
—A. H. ROTH 
Lay Preachers' Report as of March 31, 1949 
No. Lay Preachers in Inter-American Division __ 1,065 
No. Lay Efforts in Progress in the Division �
531 
Average Attendance at Meetings of Laymen in 
�
I. A. D. 
 13,820 
No. of Persons in .Baptismal Classes Resulting �
 1,863 
No. of Persons Baptized thus far in 1949 from 
Laymen's efforts 
�
418 
—WESLEY AMUNDSEN 
DIVISION DIRECTORY 
E. F. HACKMAN _____________________________________________________________ 
President 
W. E. MURRAY 
 Secretary 
L. F. BOHNER �
 Treasurer & Auditor 
R. B. CALDWELL �
 Asst. Treas. Cr Auditor 
DEPARTMENTAL SECRETARIES 
J. C. CULPEPPER 
 Publishing 
A. H. ROTH Educational, Missionary Volunteer and Home Commotion 
WESLEY AMUNDSEN Home Missionary, Sabbath School and Temperance 
T. H. LINT/BECK ______ �_______________ �
 Radio & Press Relations 
W. E. MURRAY �
 Ministerial Association 
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION MESSENGER 
W. E. MURRAY, Editor 
E. F. HACKMAN �
 Associate Editor 
EFFIE A. JAMES �
 Associate Editor 
Published monthly as the Official Organ of the Inter-American Division 
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Box 228, Coconut Grove, 
Miami, Florida, Id. S. A. Price: 50 cents a year 
Printed at Colegio de las AntiIlas, Santa Clara, Cuba. 
Vol XXVI �August, 1949 �No. 8 
The Auvuteit's god 
SOFIE SCHAEFER GRUNZEUG, daughter of Joseph and 
Centa Rahm Schaefer, was born in Munich, Germany, November 
29, 1905, and died at the Florida Sanitarium and Hospital, 
Orlando, Florida, U. S. A., April 5, 1949, at the age of 43 years, 
following an extended illness, during which she manifested 
commendable Christian fortitude and great faith. 
She was united in marriage with Brother Max Grunzeug on 
June 30, 1929, in Munich, Germany, and to this union there 
was born one son, Henry Grunzeug, also a native of Germany, 
who came with his parents to Inter-America in 1939. 
The first work of Elder and Mrs. Grunzeug in this Division 
was in Venezuela, where they labored for ten years, Brother 
Grunzeug serving first in the Publishing Department of the 
Mission, and during the last four years, in connection with the 
Caracas Church in pastoral capacity among our believers there. 
Mrs. Grunzeug also worked as a nurse in the Dispensario Ad-
ventista until she was obliged to discontinue her activities and 
leave for the United States for medical aid in consequence of 
her last illness. 
This devoted couple have rendered valuable service in the 
cause of God both in Europe and in the Inter-American Division. 
Everything was done for the restoration of health in the case 
of Sister Grunzeug, that medical science could suggest, but she 
passed peacefully to rest on April 5, and was laid to rest in 
the Greenwood Cemetery, Orlando, Florida, on April 7, 1949, 
there to await the call of the Lifegiver. 
Besides her parents, her husband, and her son, Sister Grunzeug 
leaves to mourn their loss, two sisters, Mrs. Mary Schaefer Siegel, 
and Mrs. Thilde Schaefer Herckert, both of whom are residents 
of Germany. The funeral services were under the direction of 
Elder F. W. Avery, who spoke in English; and Elder W. K. 
Ising, of the General Conference, spoke words of comfort in 
German. Elder W. E. Murray, of the Inter-American Division, 
also assisted in the services, and helped Elder Grunzeug by counsel 
and sympathy during this hour of his deep sorrow. We shall 
miss our faithful sister from the ranks of the Inter-American 
Division staff of workers, but are comforted in the confidence 
that she sleeps in Jesus, and in the bright hope of the resurrection 
morning. �
—j. 
Tidings From Far and Near 
Nassau, Bahamas, April 28.—My visit to Andros Island 
was most profitable. Meetings were held in every church, 
with overflowing crowds, and baptisms were held in every 
church except one. We baptized twenty precious souls, 
which brings our baptisms to approximately sixty already 
this year.—R. E. GIBSON, President, Bahamas Mission. 
Mandeville, Jamaica, May 10.—We are glad to report 
that we had an excellent Week of Prayer last week 
during which over 40 came forward to join the baptismal 
class and to follow their Lord. We are very grateful for the 
victories gained, and the reconsecration of those who had 
already given their hearts to the Lord.--B. G. BUTHERUS 
Cristobal, Canal Zone, May 16.—You will be interested 
to know that Brother R. E. Delafield has had another 
baptism in which 27 souls were added to the church. This 
makes a total of 155 thus far. We are, also having other 
baptisms elsewhere in the Panama Conference. 
—L. D. MINNER 
Miami, Florida, May 23.—Friends and associates of the 
family of Brother Vicente Moreno, will be glad to learn 
that Sister Moreno and the children are continuing their 
studies at Southwestern funior College, at Keene, Texas, 
in preparation for future service. Thus they are courageously 
moving forward in spite of the death of our dear Brother 
Moreno, and we extend best wishes for the early completion 
of their plans, so that Sister Moreno may take up active 
service once more in the cause that is dear to us all.—E. A. J. 
8 �
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION MESSENGER �
August 
People - Places - Projects 
THE long-anticipated opportunity of receiving a special 
gift for Inter-American Division through the Sabbath School 
Offering overflow, is now "just around the corner!" Next 
month, on September 24, which is the 13th Sabbath of 
the third quarter, the Sabbath school world will be thinking 
of our field, and praying for the work here. They will be 
making appeals for Inter-America, and many of God's 
people will bring their gifts which represent great sacrifices, 
that the work in this Division may go forward! Let 
EVERY ONE OF US HERE IN INTER-AMERICA 
have an extra special part in the offering to be taken up 
on September 24. * * * 
Medellin, Colombia, May 1.—The Norcliffe family, new 
recruits for the Upper Magdalena Mission, arrived in their 
new home in Bogota, Colombia, April 18. The following 
Sabbath, April 23, which was their first Sabbath in the 
field, Brother Norcliffe had the unique experience of 
celebrating a baptism in the city of Bogota. Of course the 
candidates were ready and waiting for baptism, but it 
was an interesting experience for him anyway. He will 
have some serious problems to face, due to political unrest, 
but his courage is good and the opportunities unlimited. 
In the town of Malaga, where we had a church and a 
church school, all of the Liberal element has been driven 
out of town by the Conservatives. Our school teacher, Ju-
lieta Oviedo, a young girl, was the last one to leave town. 
She stayed there and continued teaching as long as there 
was one child to come to school. She wrote me when she 
finally had to leave, saying: "There is no use to stay here 
now, because the school has left me." We thank God for 
faithful workers such as Miss Oviedo, who are not afraid 
to stay by the work in spite of most trying circumstances. 
-GEO. C. NICKLE 
Mandeville, Jamaica, May 13.—In all our fields the work 
of evangelism is moving forward. Every field but one has 
shown an increase in the number of souls baptized in the 
first quarter of this year. I think in West Jamaica they 
had twice as many new members baptized in the first 
quarter of 1949, as during the same period of last year. 
Really, we all can unite in saying: "To God be the glory, 
great things He hath done." 
-H. S. WALTERS, Secretary, Educational and 
M .V. Depts., British West Indies Union 
Balboa, Canal Zone, June 5. Praise God 179 persons 
have now been baptized, as follows: 52, Spanish Church; 
48, Second Spanish Church; 31, Colio Verde Church; 22, 
Rio Abajo Church; 13, Chorrillo Church; 11, Gamboa 
Church; 1, Juan Hill Church; and 1, for the Conference 
church. Still others will be baptized in June, as two more 
baptisms are to conclude the twenty-weeks revival. You 
are right. Let's have a goal and aim high for Christ. 
-R. E. DELAFIELD 
San Salvador, C. A., May 19.—Our effort here in the city 
is keeping Brother Arroyo and me quite busy. We rented 
a hall on the far side of the city and have averaged an 
attendance of at least 250 each night for the past seven 
weeks. We are also continuing regular services in the 
church, and have not encouraged our members to attend the 
effort regularly, in order to give room for the new ones. 
Our brethren are supposed to bring a visitor in order to 
get admission. Rains are beginning, which will no doubt 
bother us somewhat from now on. 
We enjoyed Brother Barulio Perez' visit here and I 
am sure it was profitable. �
-ORLEY FORD 
* * 
Mandeville, Jamaica, May 3.—We are happy to report 
that Pastor Lee Gouldbourne has held an effort in the little 
town of Lucea, and now has more than 30 persons in the 
baptismal class. 
Pastor Reid has held a spear-head effort at Duncans, 
from which he has already baptized 6 new members, and 
has as many more waiting for this sacred rite. 
Pastor Fletcher has baptized 20 converts at Cambridge, 
and is now engaged in another effort at Harrywatch, where 
there is a very good interest. 
Pastor Earl Parchment held his first effort this year 
at Mount Horeb, and has 25 persons enrolled in the bap-
tismal class. 
Pastor Lindo held an effort at Portland Point, a new 
place, and now has a Sabbath school in operation there. 
We are happy to be able to report 162 baptisms in the 
West Jamaica Conference for the first quarter of 1949. 
S. NATION, President, West Jamaica Conference. 
WE are really happy to learn that the Central American 
Training College has opened its new school year with twice 
as many students enrolled as it had last year. Naturally, 
Professor Andres Riffel, the new director, is of good 
courage. �
-E. F. H. 
BE SURE to read Elder Hackman's front-page article in 
this issue, in which he presents the three major projects 
toward which our next 13th Sabbath Offering overflow 
has been dedicated. Wouldn't you like to have a part in 
helping in the establishment of the Mayagiiez medical 
center, the work for the Indian peoples of Inter-America, 
and new chapels for the French West Indies, particularly 
in Martinique and Guadeloupe? Here is another great 
opportunity which is knocking at the door of each believer 
and friend of the work in Inter-America. �—j. 
CHURCH CALENDAR OF 
SPECIAL DAYS 
August 6 �
 Home Missionary Day 
September 3 �
 Home Missionary Day 
September 10-17 �
 El Centinela & English 
Periodical Week 
SEPTEMBER 24 �
 Thirteenth Sabbath Offering 
(OVERFLOW TO INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION) 
October 1 
 Colporteur Rally Day 
October 8 � Voice of Prophecy Offering 
October 29 __ Temperance Rally Day and Offering 
REMEMBER THE DATE * AND PLAN FOR A LIBERAL OFFERING * SEPTEMBER 24, 1949