Clyde 0. Franz 
THE INTER-A.MERICA.1•T 
The Run-a-way Steward 
By CLYDE 0. FRANZ, Treasurer 
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION 
NOW IT came to pass that there 
was in a certain country of the Inter-
American Division, a man who was a 
steward of his Lord's goods. It was 
obvious that this steward had been the 
recipient and custodian of many bless-
ings. He owned a comfortable home. 
Around this home were cultivated acres, 
groves of fruit, and herds of cattle. 
The steward was known in his 
local church as a man of piety and good 
deeds. He was faithful in his attendance 
at the Sabbath school and church 
services. He was numbered among the 
faithful at the mid-week prayer meeting. 
But gradually, almost imperceptibly, a change came 
about. As the steward meditated on his growing savings 
account, his flourishing crops, his fat cattle, he seemed 
to have less and less time for the things of the church. 
Attendance at the services of the church began to seem 
less important to him, and the desire to associate with 
his brethren in the faith became less urgent. 
It came to pass on a certain morning that the steward 
was looking over his fields and planning his programme 
for the day. As he was occupied in this task, a messenger, 
sent from the Lord, appeared at his side and reminded 
him that on this day the members of the local church 
were dedicating their time to the repairing, cleaning, and 
painting of the Lord's sanctuary. "Give of your strength 
and your means to this project," the messenger urged. 
The steward promised to consider this matter. He felt 
that he ought to go, but finally he decided that he must 
care for urgent business in an opposite direction from 
the church. 
A few days later the messenger of the Lord again 
appeared to the steward. His countenance betrayed the 
fact that his message was a serious one. "The records 
of the church treasurer indicate that you have fallen 
behind in paying your tithe to the 
Lord." The steward appeared to be 
startled. He had really not intended to 
defraud the Lord. He had just been too 
busy, and so he promised to go to the 
bank immediately and draw from his 
savings sufficient to pay his debt to 
the Lord. 
He went to the bank. He drew out 
the necessary amount, but upon leaving 
the bank he encountered an acquaint-
ance who offered him a field at a very 
good price, almost exactly the amount 
that he had withdrawn. He did not go 
to the church treasurer; rather he went 
t o see this property and he purchased it. 
Once more the messenger of the Lord appeared to 
the steward. "You are to go to the Middle East Division," 
was the message this time. 
"Oh, no!" responded the steward. "I cannot possibly 
do that. How can I leave my farms and my cattle and 
my business?" 
"The Lord does not ask you to go personally," 
responded the messenger, "but it will be good for your 
soul and will help finish the Lord's work, if you will give 
a generous 13th Sabbath offering. The overflow from 
this offering will, work for you in the Middle East 
Division." 
As he thought of the small amounts he had been 
placing in the Sabbath school envelope recently, the 
steward was pricked in his conscience. He determined 
that he would do better. But on the morning when the 
13th Sabbath offering was to be received, a strange 
malady afflicted the steward, and he told his wife that 
he did not feel well enough to go to Sabbath school that 
day. His wife wondered at his good appetite at break-
fast, in spite of his malady. By noon the steward felt 
much better and appeared quite normal again. 
(Continued on page 10) 
VOL. XL �
OCTOBER, 1963 �
No.10 
Left to right: a prison guard, Sister Carlota Lopez, Prisoners Saul Mineros Barrera 
and Pablo Pineda Castro, Brother Humberto Lopez, and the other guard stand 
beside the Adventist welfare centre truck which took them from prison to church. 
Eugene Berle (back row, left): president of the French Guiana Mission, stands 
with 12 new church members, baptised on June 29, the first fruits of an 
evangelistic effort; whichelder Berle held--in Cayenne from March,10 to May. 29. 
More than 150 interested Pedant heVe) manifested a desire to follow' Christ 
wherever He may lead, and 45 are studying in a regular baptismal class. 
2 
Adventist Truth Penetrates Prison Walls 
FOR more than two years Carlota 
de Lopez has been working in the 
San Salvador prison, dedicating her 
Sabbath afternoons to visiting the 
prisoners, giving them tracts, and 
conducting a Bible study for all who 
wished to hear the Word of God 
explained. She, first with Moses 
Cortes and then with Saul Cortes, 
helped all who followed one of the 
Bible correspondence school courses. 
This has never been easy work, but 
at times it was made even more 
difficult by the opposition of prison 
authorities. Although he was not in 
full agreement with them, Colonel 
Sanchez, the warden, did finally give 
permission for these lay workers to 
hold meetings every Sabbath after-
noon between two and four o'clock. 
As some 20 of the 1,000 prisoners 
studied their lessons with interest 
and application, the Bible truths 
touched their hearts. When they 
comprehended the truth on baptism, 
they began to beg that they be 
privileged to take that important 
step. Two of the interested men 
added that they did not wish to 
continue unless they could personally 
receive the blessing of baptism. 
Sister Carlota worked diligently to 
find a plan that would make a 
could be baptised. Finally, after 
praying earnestly that God would 
touch the colonel's heart, Sister 
Carlota visited Colonel Sanchez 
again. How grateful she was to hear 
the warden say that he would give 
permission for the men to visit the 
Seventh-day Adventist church on the 
following Sabbath. 
Thus it was that on Sabbath, June 
8, 1963, F. A. Arroyo, president of 
the Salvador Mission, and Humberto 
Lopez, husband of Sister Carlota, 
went to the warden's office to receive 
Prisoners Pineda Castro and Mineros 
Barrera. After caring for the 
necessary details, the men, hand-
cuffed to their two guards, walked 
out of the prison to the mission bus. 
The new believers and their guards 
occupied the front pews in the 
church, with the guards in strategic 
positions as a means of precaution. 
There they listened attentively during 
the Sabbath school and divine 
service. David Garcia, the church 
pastor, administered the rite of 
baptism, which resulted in a touching 
consecration service. While those 
men, now brothers in Christ, buried 
their old lives in the baptismal 
waters, the church members prayer-
fully renewed their baptismal vows. 
Afterward the new members stood at 
the front of the church so that their 
brethren could file by, to greet and 
(Continued on page 11) 
MESSENGrER 
baptismal service possible. For a 
short time it seemed that a baptism 
could be realised within the prison 
walls, but finally the authorities said 
that it would not be convenient. 
What could be done? Every Sabbath 
Sister Carlota and Sister Cerna heard 
the interested men ask when they 
Dominican Mission Granted Conference Status 
By A. RAY NORCLIFFE 
IT IS a pleasure to announce to 
the readers of the MESSENGER that 
the Dominican Mission of Seventh-
day Adventists has been organised 
into a conference. The Antillian 
Union Committee voted on July 22 
to approve the report of the survey 
committee and pass on its request 
to the Inter-American Division for 
conference status for this field. On 
the 24th of the same month the 
Inter-American Division Committee 
voted favourably, granting conference 
status as of August 1, 1963. 
On the campus of the Dominican 
Academy, more than 180 accredited 
delegates met on the evening of 
July 31 to open the 11th biennial 
session of the Dominican Mission. W. 
E. Murray, vice president of the 
General Conference, and C. L. 
Powers, president of the Inter-
American Division, both brought 
greetings to the delegates, and Elder 
Murray presented a stirring message 
entitled, "To the Ends of the Earth." 
On Thursday morning, following 
the devotional study by Elder 
Powers, the delegates were seated, 
and five new churches were received 
into the brotherhood of churches. 
Gabriel Castro, mission president, 
presented a report showing that the 
membership had grown to 5,722. 
The year 1962 was a banner year in 
baptisms. During that year 1,329 
souls were added to the church, 840 
as a result of the effort held in Santo 
Domingo by Arturo Schmidt. The 
report showed increases in Ingather-
ing, tithe, mission offerings, and 
mission financial standing. 
It was the writer's privilege to read 
to the assembled delegates a letter 
from the division president advising 
of the decision of the division corn- 
mittee to grant conference status to 
the Dominican Mission. The recom-
mendations of the survey committee 
were read and comments were made 
by the union and division presidents. 
When the moment came to vote, the 
entire delegation stood in unison; 
then they bowed their heads while 
Elder Murray asked God's blessing 
on the newly formed conference. 
Elder Murray, representing the 
General Conference, signed the 
charter first; then Elders Powers, 
Norcliffe, and Castro. Afterwards 
each delegates signed as he was 
called by the secretary. This was 
truly a happy and important moment 
in the history of the work of Seventh-
day Adventists in the Dominican 
Republic, and it is with great 
satisfaction that we of the Antillian 
Union realise that all four of our 
local fields are now conferences. 
The administration of the former 
mission was re-elected for the 
newly formed conference: president 
Gabriel Castro, and secretary-
treasurer, Angel Perez. Departmental 
secretaries elected were: Colombino 
Gonzalez, lay activities, Sabbath 
school, and radio; Juan Rodriguez, 
MV, education, and temperance; 
Albert Walters, publishing; Gabriel 
(Continued on page 7) 
Top right: Elder W. E. Murray singning 
the charter. 
Right centre: A. R. Norcliffe reading a 
letter from the president of the Inter-
American Division advising the 
delegates that conference status had 
been granted. 
Below left: Part of the audience that 
attended the Sabbath services. 
Below right: Gabriel Castro giving •his 
president's report. 
0 C T 0" 11 E 1111,,,I 963 �
3 
Messages to the Church ... 
,13ehaect i Stand at the Owl 
A review of Christ's message to the church of Laodicea 
By ROBERT L. ROWE 
RAPIDLY fulfilling signs impress 
earnest Bible students that the end 
of all things is at hand. Events 
happen almost daily that would have 
profoundly moved the pioneers of 
the Advent message. The signs in the 
political, social, and religious world 
fill our daily paper and news 
magazines. 
Yet in spite of the amazing focus 
of the prophetic messages upon our 
day, personal preparation for the 
greatest event of the ages is being 
neglected or deferred by an alarming 
number within the church. Too many 
members still find that houses and 
lands and money-making schemes 
occupy the major portion of their 
thoughts. Instead of discussing ways 
and means to further the gospel to 
earth's distant outreaches and to their 
neighbours nearby, they make the 
central topic of their conversation . 
a new car, a TV programme, or, 
perhaps, their neighbour's short-
comings. Too seldom do they discuss 
the work of the Lord and preparation 
for His coming. 
The time has come when each 
church member should make a 
prayerful, careful analysis of his 
spiritual condition. Though so-called 
reform groups are mistaken in their 
message, there is genuine need for 
spiritual advancement. Let us not 
conclude that because some are 
radical or critical that there is no 
need for personal improvement. 
Jesus' words on the Mount of Olives 
speak down the centuries to our day: 
"So likewise ye, when ye shall see 
all these things, know that it is near, 
even at the doors" (Matt. 24:33). To 
those who see these fulfilling signs 
He warns of the suddenness of the 
end, as in the days of Noah and Lot, 
and urges a constant readiness for 
that great day. 
A Special Message 
To the church in the various 
periods of history Jesus sent a special 
message to help it meet the various 
problems of the age and successfully 
evade the pitfalls of the evil one. In 
Our own day He has sent a message 
4 
especially designed to prepare a 
people to stand before Him when He 
comes. It is a message of solemn 
importance, one that we neglect only 
at our spiritual peril. It is a message 
to willing hearts. 
Christ is pictured standing outside 
the heart, seeking admittance to the 
audience chamber of the soul: 
"Behold, I stand at the door, and 
knock: if any man hear my voice, 
and open the door, I will come in to 
him, and will sup with him, and he 
with me" (Rev. 3:20). 
What a theme for contemplation! 
The Majesty of heaven seeks me, for 
He says, "If any man." Communion, 
fellowship with the blessed Lord, is 
possible for me! 
Much may be gained by a study of 
the message to the church of 
Laodicea. Some of its truths cut deep 
with the sword of the Spirit, but it 
closes with the greatest promise ever 
given to man—a promise of fellow-
ship forever with the Redeemer in 
His kingdom. No wonder the prophet 
wrote, "He that hath an ear, let 
him hear what the Spirit saith to the 
churches" (Rev. 3:22). 
Seventh-day Adventists have 
taught for more than 100 years that 
we are living in the time of the 
investigative judgment. Each word 
and act and motive is being weighed 
in the sanctuary above. With what 
interest, then, we should study the 
message to the church of Laodicea—
a name defined to mean "judging the 
people" or "a people adjudged." 
Because of the appalling spiritual 
need of the group described in the 
message it is easy to feel that the 
major application is to contemporary 
non-Adventist churches. True, the 
message has an application to the 
entire Christian church, but it also 
contains special counsel, and applies 
with particular force to those who 
claim to be God's remnant people. 
So important is it that the Lord's 
messenger tells us that the destiny 
of the church hangs upon this 
message (see Early Writings, p. 270). 
She further declares that some will 
not receive it, but will rise up against 
it, and that this will cause a shaking 
among God's people. One group will 
accept it, be purified, and fitted for 
translation, another group will reject 
it and go out from among us (Ibid.). 
Especially Applicable 
Since the shaking and related 
events take place only a short time 
before Christ's advent, the message 
to Laodicea is an all-important 
present truth. "The Laodicean 
message must be proclaimed with 
power; for it is now especially 
applicable. Now, more than ever 
before, are seen pride, worldly 
ambition, self-exaltation, double-
dealing, hypocrisy, and deception. 
Many are speaking great swelling 
words of vanity, saying, 'I am rich, 
and increased with goods, and have 
need of nothing.' Yet they are 
miserable, and poor, and blind, and 
naked."—The SDA Bible Commen-
tary, Ellen G. White Comments, on 
Rev. 3:15, p. 962. 
Those who find it easier to see 
their neighbour's faults than their 
own sometimes have used the 
"straight testimony" of the Lord to 
Laodicea against fellow church 
members. This is contrary to the 
purpose for which the message was 
given. It was not designed "to lead 
brother to sit in judgment over his 
brother, . . . but for each individual 
to search his own heart, and attend 
to his own individual work."—
Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, p. 223. 
Its proclamation must always be in 
meekness and love. There is need to 
"put away your faculty for seeing 
the mistakes of others. Turn your 
attention to your own defects. Your 
self-righteousness is nauseating to the 
Lord Jesus Christ. [Rev. 3:15-18 
quoted.] These words apply to the 
churches and to many of those in 
positions of trust in the work of 
God."—The SDA Bible Commentary, 
Ellen G. White Comments, on 
Rev. 3:15, p. 963. 
Now, what does "the faithful and 
true witness" say to Laodicea? First 
He says, "I know thy works." 
MESSENGER 
Seventh-day Adventists are becoming 
well-known today as a people of 
good works—disaster relief, local 
welfare work, a worldwide ministry 
through schools and hospitals. Week 
by week the church seeks to promote 
greater acts of mercy by calling for 
individual reports and soliciting a 
response to local challenges in the 
home missionary service. It is 
encouraging to J hear the reports 
telling of gospel literature given 
away, needy persons helped, acts of 
mercy performed. We should thank 
God for the privilege of helping 
others. 
The message to the church of 
Laodicea is much concerned with 
our works. In spite of the relatively 
large achievements and high per 
capitas of the church, Jesus says, 
"Thou art neither cold nor hot. . . . 
Thou are lukewarm" (Rev. 3:15, 16). 
As we think of the great need that 
still exists in the world, and the 
tremendous numbers of the unwarned 
and unsaved, we should feel that we 
have only begun to do what we 
ought to do. And even when we have 
done all that we possibly can, we 
have done only that which was our 
duty. The emphasis upon lukewarm-
ness indicates that our works are 
short of the Lord's expectation. With 
such a message, "What manner of 
persons ought ye to be in all holy 
conversation and godliness." Think 
of what we ought to be and do in 
such an hour! 
Message of Warning 
To continue in a lukewarm state 
will bring rejection; therefore God 
sends a message of warning to the 
church. The Lord's messenger to the 
remnant declares that "the message 
to the Loadicean church applies most 
decidedly to those whose religious 
experience is insipid, who do not 
bear decided witness in favour of the 
truth."—Ibid., p. 962. Again, "You 
may manifest great zeal in missionary 
effort, and yet because it is corrupted 
with selfishness, and tastes strongly 
of self, it is nought in the sight of 
God; for it is a tainted, corrupted 
offering."—Ibid., p. 961. "Your self-
righteousness is nauseating."—Ibid., 
p. 963. "The ardour of the first love 
has lapsed into a selfish egotism."—
Ibid., p. 962. "There may be a 
wonderful appearance for zeal and 
ceremonies, but this is the substance 
of their self-inflated religion. Christ 
represents them as nauseating to His 
taste."—Ibid. 
These are not pleasing words, but 
the True Witness has yet more to say 
to His people. Because God loves, 
He rebukes and chastens. Every 
honest Christian will carefully search 
his own heart and ask, as did the 
disciples at the Last Supper, "Is it I?" 
"Thou sayest, I am rich, and 
increased with goods, and have need 
of nothing" (Rev. 3:17). It is easy to 
interpret statistics wrongly and so 
reach erroneous conclusions. Even to 
be increased with the Lord's goods 
has its dangers. We have a world-
wide network of schools and hospitals 
and publishing houses. Compared 
with the days of poverty and the 
small numbers at the beginning of 
our work, we have much. But if 
merely the number of members, 
churches, hospitals, and schools is 
what counts most with God, we are 
in the wrong camp. Other religious 
organisations far exceed ours, and, 
according to prophecy, always will. 
If our riches are the doctrines that 
we believe and teach, we are on 
safer ground. However, though we 
have a set of doctrines that can be 
defended from the Scriptures, this 
very fact may bring to us a certain 
smugness and pride that will prevent 
others from receiving these vital 
truths. And with many there is 
dependence on doctrinal books to 
outline or explain the truth. How 
would we fare if brought unexpected-
ly before rulers and councils to 
explain our beliefs from the Word of 
God alone? Other things have taken 
the time that belongs to Bible study, 
and the deep searching for truth 
done by the pioneers years ago is 
accepted as sufficient for our needs. 
We are in danger of giving assent to 
1 chefs that we have never searched 
out for ourselves. In days like these, 
when every wind of doctrine is 
blowing, we should be keen students 
of the Word. 
If riches refer to budget figures, 
there is much to be thankful for. 
Per capita giving of the church is 
among the highest of all religious 
bodies. Yet here, too, are indications 
of lukewarmness. Sabbath school 
statistics show a steady decline of 
mission offerings in relation to tithe. 
What does this mean? It means that 
though we have more money today, 
we are giving a smaller percentage 
of it to God. 
Consider, too, the witness that is 
borne to the world by the way we 
use what is left. Of how many of us 
today is the following from the Spirit 
of Prophecy and accurate picture? "I 
have been shown that God's people 
who profess to believe present truth 
are not in a waiting, watching 
position. They are increasing in 
riches and are laying up their 
treasures upon the earth. They are 
becoming rich in worldly things, but 
not rich toward God. They do not 
believe in the shortness of time; they 
do not believe that the end of all 
things is at hand, that Christ is at 
the door. They may profess much 
faith; but they deceive their own 
souls, for they will act out all the 
faith that they really possess. Their 
words show the character of their 
faith, and testify to those around 
them that the coming of Christ is not 
to be in this generation. According 
tc their faith will be their works. 
Their preparations are being made to 
remain in this world. They are 
adding house to house, and land to 
land, and are citizens of this world." 
-Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 196 ,197. 
Christ is knocking at the door of 
the heart. Before He brings the last 
great events of history, He seeks to 
prepare and save His people. There is 
danger that we may become so 
absorbed in the world's mad race for 
things, that we shall not hear His 
voice. Perhaps we hear, but are too 
soon attracted away. We need to 
provide for our families; but every-
thing not required for our basic 
needs, if we have true faith in His 
coming, we shall devote to the cause 
of Christ. When earnest pleas are 
made for teachers and workers to 
bring the truth to those longing to 
know it, how can we justify 
expenditures for things that we do 
not really need? 
Long ago Ellen G. White 
suggested a plan that might help 
curb needless spending—keep a small 
bank, and when we are inclined to 
buy something e do not really need, 
put an equal amount in the bank for 
the Lord's work. When we are no 
longer lukewarm, we shall count it a 
privilege to give as much as we can 
to God's cause. 
—Review and Herald 
CALVARY 
By Edith V. Spillman 
A hill, 
Two thieves, 
Rabble, 
Darkness, 
Three crosses, 
Salvation's nativity— 
On Calvary. 
OCTOBER, 1963 �
5 
P 
s �
a e 
Ch ri stians 
By LOUISE C. KLEUSER 
THE problem of the backslider 
should receive the church's sym-
pathetic and intelligent attention. 
These poorly adjusted and displaced 
believers may be found on any 
church-membership list. Among them 
are some who may have forgotten 
God entirely, but many are in an 
approachable mood, ready to return 
to their church when the occasion 
presents itselt. It is tragic, however, 
that entirely too many are pro-
crastinating when some initiative on 
their part might readily restore their 
peace of mind and a satisfactory 
church relationship. Such persons 
must be very unhappy. They have 
exchanged their Christian joy for a 
"mess of pottage." 
God still loves backsliders and is 
calling to them to return to His fold. 
"I will heal their backsliding," He 
says, "I will love them freely." Read 
the context of Hosea 14. The concern 
and expression of the Father's love 
is that of a soul physician conveying 
cheerful news to his patient. 
The Bible has many similar 
promises, warm with the love of God. 
We readily recall the interest of the 
prodigal son's father in Luke 15. 
The chapter's theme is finding the 
lost. First we read that the good 
shepherd continued his search for the 
straying sheep until he found it. 
Next, the possessor of the coin that 
had rolled away from sight diligently 
swept the house until it was found. 
Last—and what a story!—the father 
of a willful son scanned the horizon 
awaiting his return. When, after long 
delay, his son, clothed in the rags 
the world had provided, did return, 
that loving father went out to meet 
him There was no scolding; he called 
on his entire household to rejoice 
with him. Reclaiming the lost, 
restoring their status in the house-
hold of God, should be accompanied 
with great rejoicing. Rebuke finds no 
6 
place when we love the displaced 
Christian back to God. 
Is There Excuse for Backsliding? 
The displaced Christians should 
first be lovingly instructed and then 
definitely alerted as to the true cause 
for his detour from the right path. 
We must help him to face up to 
Satan's wiles the next time. The 
enemy will be even more determined 
to trip up the vacillating one. Back-
sliding must be healed. The patient 
should voluntarily come to the Great 
Physician for a cure, as from a 
malady. It may require drastic 
measures to produce a thorough work 
of healing, but unless this is achieved, 
the disease of distrust and unfaithful-
ness to God may return, with greater 
problems for the future. And here 
we might remark that several re-
baptisms will not effect the cure. 
Baptism is the outward sign of a 
spiritual experience within. The Bible 
does not teach that this rite itself 
provides a cure. 
Biblically speaking, there can be 
;to excuse for backsliding. Sin may 
have been courted unwittingly, but 
it is still an offense against God—and 
man, perhaps. It must be made clear 
to the defeated one that all sin leads 
to death at last. Backsliding, there-
fore, is no exception. Lovingly, these 
facts should be presented by the 
Bible teacher. The straying soul must 
understand that to be restored in the 
church he must return to his earlier 
status—that of the born-again Christ-
ian. He takes the initiative by 
acknowledging his fault, while the 
church opens her arms to receive 
him. In God's sight he is justified 
because he humbly asks forgiveness 
(Hosea 14:1-4). 
During the period when the 
repentant believer reflects on his 
detachment from Christ, he should 
not be subjected to an embarrassing 
probing into his former behaviour; he 
should be dealt with in love and 
mercy. The Bible does not teach a 
human confessional for an earthly 
priesthood; it leads the sinner 
directly to God's mercy seat. There 
Christ's love warms the heart and 
urges a return to a life of obedience, 
whether in Sabbathkeeping, healthful 
living, stewardship, or any other 
neglected responsibility. His changed 
status toward God now makes him 
alert to any duty which the Holy 
Spirit is now controlling. 
Still applying the analogy of dis-
placement from Christ, here let us 
consider another type of delinquent 
believer the church should endeavour 
to help. Since apostolic times the 
warnings to maintain the "faith once 
delivered to the saints" have been 
studied by the church. Today these 
New Testament warnings have new 
significance because of the varied 
accumulating voices that question, 
distort, and destroy sound doctrine, 
too often tearing down the very 
foundation upon which Bible doctrine 
is built—the sound interpretation of 
truth. We realise with much concern 
that some of these innovators of 
truth arise within the church itself, 
apparently oblivious to their sinful 
course. Often without direct intent of 
perverting the truths of the Bible, 
such guides soon reveal their shallow-
ness in Bible knowledge and in their 
weakening Christian experience. 
In 2 Timothy 3 Paul referred to 
the self-sufficiency of headstrong men 
during earth's last days. Church 
members, those maintaining "a form 
of godliness, but denying the power 
thereof," "lovers of pleasures more 
than lovers of God," would be par-
taking of the spirit of these perilous 
times. In his Epistle Paul continues 
his admonition to preach the pure 
Word of God by sound doctrine. 
Again he warns that seducers and 
deceivers would increase to persecute 
the true believers. Such a picture of 
our times should make any Christian 
cautious. It is most important not to 
sell the truth bought at the price of 
great sacrifice. 
But in conflict with the enemy of 
all truth, the church today may 
expect to have some weaker elements 
to nurse along into a Christian 
experience. It is always inspiring 
when we may help frustrated souls 
find their way back to the Word of 
God and become well established in 
its doctrinal teachings. When this is 
in progress we would advise our lay 
believers to counsel well with their 
pastors. Confusion of doctrine may 
(Continued on page 12) 
MESSENGER 
Doctor Francisco Moncada Reyes, dean of the school of medicine of the University 
of the Andes, cutting the ribbon at the inauguration of the Adventist Clinic 
in Merida, Venezuela. 
"Ask and It Shall 
Be Given" 
FOR the dozen believers at the 
new mission station in Merida, 
Venezuela, Sunday, June 16, 1963, 
was a day of great rejoicing. During 
the morning hours of that memorable 
day more than 200 friends, doctors 
from the faculty of medicine of the 
nearby University of the Andes, 
businessmen, and neighbours, 
gathered for the inauguration of the 
Adventist clinic. 
After a warm welcome Dr. Walter 
Bishop explained the purpose of the 
clinic and the great mission of the 
Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 
world. The writer offered a fervent 
prayer of dedication. Dr. Francisco 
Moncada Reyes, dean of the school 
of medicine, cut the symbolic ribbon, 
formally opening the clinic. He 
remarked, "On few occasions has an 
instrument like a pair of scissors cut 
a ribbon to give mankind so generous 
a service, rendered by people of 
faith and conscience who wish only to 
help those who suffer." 
The idea of the clinic was born 
when a house was rented on the 
other side of the city. Doctor Bishop, 
a young Adventist doctor from the 
Argentine and a graduate of the 
University of the Andes, where he 
now teaches medicine, became 
enthusiastic when the idea was 
suggested to him. The plan was left 
in the hands of our Divine Leader, 
and the members began to work. As 
if led by a superior power, six men, 
unskilled in the handling of saw and 
paint, dedicated their Sundays to 
settling, cleaning, and arranging the 
place. 
At the same time, with the help 
of Colporteur Juan Solis, we visited 
businessmen, governmental author-
ities, and professors in the faculty of 
medicine, inviting them to share 
with the Adventists in the establish-
ing of a clinic in that section of 
Merida. With great joy we saw 
hearts respond under the influence 
of God's Spirit. Several companies 
offered us equipment and medicines. 
Dr. Pedro Rincon, president of the 
university, donated dental equipment 
valuing more than 3,000 bolivars. 
The minister of health promised to 
provided the special medicines we 
would need. From the wastepaper 
basket to the typewriter, all was 
donated—equipment worth more than 
9,500 bolivars, including medicines 
valued at some 5,000 bolivars. We 
OCTOBER; 1963 
can say that these voluntary con-
tribution were made by new friends 
attracted by the right arm of the 
message. 
The Adventist clinic will be open 
to serve the needy every Sunday and 
Thursday. Doctor Bishop with 
another doctor and two nurses have 
begun this praiseworthy ministry. 
Many are the sick who come search-
ing for relief for their bodies and 
hope for their souls. 
Soon we will offer dental service 
in co-operation with the students of 
the dental school. We will also give 
clothing, food, vitamins, and a glass 
of milk daily to undernourished 
children. 
And all this became a reality in 
less than four months! We praise God 
who works great things with few and 
weak instruments to manifest His 
power among the great of earth. 
—Tirso Escandon 
DOMINICAN MISSION . . . 
(Continued from page 3) 
Castro, public relations; Cesar 
Puesan, Book and Bible House 
manager. Tulio Haylock was elected 
director and business manager of the 
Dominican Academy. 
Sabbath services were held in the 
auditorium of the conservatory of 
music, on beautiful George Washing- 
ton Boulevard, in Santo Domingo, 
where more than 900 members 
gathered to hear the stirring message 
presented by Elder Murray as he 
recounted evidences of God's leader-
ship, not only in the early days but 
also in his church today. In the 
afternoon reports were given by a 
number of the workers, and the day 
came to a close with a solemn ordina-
tion service in which four young 
workers, Angel Gomez. Dionisio 
Christian, Americo Ciuffardi, and Joel 
Gomez, were dedicated to the gospel 
ministry. Elder Murray gave the 
ordination sermon: the writer offered 
the dedicatory prayer; Elder Powers 
gave the charge; and Elder Castro, 
the welcome. 
A wave of sadness spread over the 
congregation as the announcement 
was made that Angel Gomez had 
accepted a call to pastoral work in 
Nicaragua and Dionisio Christian had 
accepted a call to serve as educa-
tional and MV secretary of the 
Panama Conference. On the other 
hand, there was joy that these 
brethren were going forth to preach 
this gospel message in other parts of 
the Inter-American Division. We are 
certain that God will bless their 
efforts as they serve in broader fields 
of labour. 
Readers of the MESSENGER will 
be happy to know that by the end 
of July two pastors in the Dominican 
field had reached their 1963 goals of 
(Continued on page 11) 
7 
With the Departments 
Publishing 
Antillian Union Colporteurs 
Make New Strides 
It is impossible to 'give up-to-date 
news concerning the colporteurs of 
the Antillian Union, for even while 
we are writing these lines to tell of 
their success, they are, with the help 
of God, reaching still greater heights 
of accomplishment. 
Early in the year the Puerto Rico 
Book and Bible House, anticipating 
the needs of the colporteurs and 
students for the summer, sent the 
Pacific Press the largest single order 
they ever received, and we under-
stand that when the books arrived, it 
was a major problem to find storage 
space for them. Some feared that the 
management had overestimated its 
needs. 
However, before the end of June 
every book had been shipped to the 
colporteurs, and it was necessary to 
telephone the Pacific Press asking 
that more books be sent by airmail in 
order that all the colporteurs might 
make their deliveries at the end of 
June. Also, another large order was 
placed to care for needs during the 
month of July. 
The total delivery in Puerto Rico 
for the month of June was 
$28.895.40, not only the highest ever 
made in any one month in that field, 
but a figure higher than the total 
delivery reported for the entire 
Antillian Union in June last year. 
The Dominican colporteurs are not 
behind their Puerto Rican com-
panions, for their June delivery was 
also the highest in their history, and 
a 199% increase over Tune, 1962. 
Early calculations indicate that July 
deliveries will be even better in that 
field. 
Although there have been almost 
insurmountable difficulties in some 
sections of the Antillian Union, the 
publishing department closes its 
records for the first half of 1963 on a 
note of triumph, with a total gain of 
$24,716.38 in deliveries in the two 
fields where work can be carried on 
in a normal way. It is also encourag-
ing to learn that even in the restricted 
areas of the union the colporteurs are 
still able to deliver a few books from 
time to time, and we pray that God 
will soon make it possible for them 
to make new strides also. 
—Fred B. Moore 
Directing Souls into 
God's Kingdom 
To lead souls to Jesus and into 
God's kingdom is the purpose of 
Inter-America's literature programme. 
One local conference president said, 
"One of the reasons for the rapid 
growth in the number of baptisms in 
our field is because our colporteurs 
have been placing our truth-filled 
publications into the homes of many, 
many families during the past years. 
The hearts of the people have been 
softened and prepared for church 
membership." 
A love for souls led the regular 
and student colporteurs of Puerto 
Rico to reach their highest monthly 
report in all Puerto Rican history 
d u r i n g June—$28,895.40. From 
Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, and 
Mexico record-breaking reports of the 
work of student and regular colpor-
teurs will be seen during July and 
August. From other parts of our 
division the strong campaign of 
udent and regular colpor-
teurs will be seen during July and 
August. From other parts of our 
division the strong campaign of 
student and regular colporteurs will 
be carried out from November to 
February. 
Miraculous percentage gains 
during the first six months of 1963 
over the same period of last year in 
several local fields reach from 123% 
to 963%. The Mexican Union has a 
gain of 52%. Besides the blessings 
of God, one of the reasons for this 
great success is that local fields have 
recently appointed their first, second, 
and even third assistant publishing 
leader. 
With Inter-America's forward look 
and in an all-out effort to direct more 
and more souls into God's kingdom, 
the publishing department is rapidly 
moving toward a two-million-dollar 
delivery programme per year. 
—J. C. Culpepper 
student and regular colporteurs will 
be carried out from November to 
February. 
Miraculous percentage gains 
during the first six months of 1963 
over the same period of last year in 
several local fields reach from 123% 
to 963%. The Mexican Union has a 
gain of 52%. Besides the blessings 
of God, one of the reasons for this 
great success is that local fields have 
recently appointed their first, second, 
and even third assistant publishing 
leader. 
With Inter-America's forward look 
and in an all-out effort to direct more 
and more souls into God's kingdom, 
the publishing department is rapidly 
moving toward a two-million-dollar 
delivery programme per year. 
—J. C. Culpepper 
On July 21 the Voice of 
Prophecy was on the air again 
in Mexico City. This time it is 
broadcast from station XEL, 
known as Radio Capital. Please 
pray that this programme will 
remain on the air and reach the 
many millions in Mexico City. 
On July 21 the Voice of 
Prophecy was on the air again 
in Mexico City. This time it is 
broadcast from station XEL, 
known as Radio Capital. Please 
pray that this programme will 
remain on the air and reach the 
many millions in Mexico City. 
8 �
MESSENGER 
8 �
MESSENGER 
Lay workers present at the institute held in Fort-de-France, FWI. 
Radio 
Radio Bible School 
Wins Another Soul 
On February 20, 1962, a gospel 
mail carrier from the Tizimin, 
Yucatan, district enrolled a man in 
the radio Bible school correspondence 
course entitled "Toward a Better 
Life." One year later, in early 1963, 
this student graduated, and in the 
month of May he and his wife were 
baptised. On June 20, just a month 
after his baptism, I went to visit 
these new church members. At his 
home I found 12 souls filled with 
new-found love for God, the result 
of the work of the radio Bible school 
and of these new brethren who had 
helped them. 
These 12 interested believers wish 
to be baptised as soon as possible. 
More than that, they are building a 
house where they can hold their 
religious services. The leader of the 
group is Eustaqui Puc, the recent 
graduate from the Voice of Prophecy. 
Once again this story underlines 
the fact that the radio Bible school 
wins souls and our gospel mail 
carriers help to search out these souls. 
—Nicanor Alfaro 
A Prisoner Writes . . . 
"One important thing for us is that 
we are now subject of Jesus Christ. 
Now the standards that control our 
lives are totally different from before 
—they are spiritual ideals. The flag 
that flies victoriously in the palace of 
our hearts is the flag of the cross. 
Now that we have crowned Christ 
the King of our lives, we are happy 
to express ourselves in a language 
that is worthy of the country of joy 
and peace where we will live one 
day. 
"All this is new to us and new to 
our former friends, some of whom 
try to ridicule us while others admire 
our stand. This admiration becomes 
interest, giving us an opportunity to 
testify of what we have learned and 
to invite these friends to enroll in the 
Bible course. We trust this will result 
in their being redeemed by the blood 
of the lamb of God." 
—Angerfeclroza Cardenas 
0 C T.0 B E R ,::1 9 6 3 
Lay Congress in FWI 
Monday, May 27, to Wednesday, 
the 29th, were memorable days for 
the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 
Martinique, French West Indies. 
Delegates from all the churches and 
companies of that picturesque island 
came to Fort-de-France to attend the 
special meetings planned for them by 
J. E. Edwards, secretary of the Home 
Missionary Department of the 
General Conference, B. L. Archbold, 
lay activities secretary of the Inter-
American Division, and S. B. Jean-
Elie, secretary of the same depart-
ment of the Franco-Haitian Union. 
Never will the delegates forget the 
instructions imparted to them as 
these men, on fire for God, pointed 
out ways to achieve an unfinished 
task. 
Especially thrilling was the sym-
posium on Wednesday afternoon 
when many of the laity related their 
experiences in soul winning. These 
lay workers set a goal of 178 souls 
won to God during the balance of 
1963. 
This was followed by a solemn 
torch-lighting ceremony, the thrilling 
climax to three wonderful days. As 
the light was passed from the General 
Conference representative to the 
division representative, to the 
representatives of the Franco-Haitian 
Union, to the mission workers, 
including every minister, then to 
church officers and members, each 
one dedicated himself anew to the 
task of saving souls for the Master, 
until every person in Martinique and 
everywhere has been told that Jesus 
is even at the door. 
Eric Toussaint 
Rallies in East Jamaica 
The recent visit of J. E. Edwards, 
home missionary secretary of the 
General Conference, and B. L. 
Archbold, lay activities secretary of 
the Inter-American Division, to the 
East Jamaica Conference will long 
be remembered for the inspiration 
and spiritual revival which these 
men brought to our field. 
Three outstanding rallies were 
conducted from June 18 to 20 by 
these brethren, ably assisted by W. 
A. Holgate, lay activities secretary of 
the West Indies Union, and C. S. 
Greene, secretary of the same depart-
ment of the local conference. The 
object of the meetings, to re-
emphasise the importance of the 
person-to-person method of soul 
winning, was brought into focus in a 
clear, dynamic fashion. 
The high light of the rallies came 
on the closing night when the lay-
men from Rupert Henry's district 
presented 33 candidates for baptism 
as a direct result of their efforts. The 
baptism was held in an unfinished 
church building, without roof or 
windows. The setting was also 
unique in that the service was 
performed in an improved canvas 
baptistry. Over 1,000 people gathered 
inside for the service with another 
500 who had to stand around the 
building on the outside. The audience 
listened with rapt attention as Elder 
Edwards brought a - soul-stirring 
message to them. Pastor Henry, 
assisted by K. 0. Boyd, chaplain of 
Andrews Memorial Hospital, 
performed the rite of baptism. 
—H. E. Nembhard 
9 
Delegates to the secretaries and treasurers council held in Jamaica. 
Around the Unions 
eatomfila-Verteauda 
�
......111.•••••••=••••=0, �
 
Six Months of 
Blessings 
As we review the reports for the 
first six months of 1963, we can only 
exclaim, "What bath God wrought 
in the Colombia-Venezuela Union!" 
A total of 1,063 souls have been 
added to the church by baptism, an 
increase of 324 over the same period 
last year. This brings, the total union 
membership to 19,809 as of June 30. 
Sabbath school members number 
29,057. Without doubt the member-
ship in the Colombia-Venezuela 
Union will pass the 20,000-mark this 
year. 
L. S. Camacho reports that the 
treasury department has recorded an 
18.5% increase in tithe over the first 
six months 'of 1962. God's blessings 
have also been demonstrated by 
similar increases in offerings and in 
Ingathering receipts. 
One of the most encouraging notes 
of progress is the excellent work our 
literature evangelists have realised 
with the printed page. With God's 
blessing A dventist publications 
valuing Ps.1,100,000 have been 
delivered, an increase of 33% over 
January to June of last year. 
Certainly God has bared his 
powerful arm to perform great feats 
in the Colombia-Venezuela Union. 
We give thanks for God's many bless-
ings, and we consecrate ourselves 
anew to Him and to His service. 
—A.. H. Riffel 
Wed Judie6 
Council for Secretaries 
and Treasurers 
One of the high lights in the West 
Indies Union during the second 
quarter was the council for secre-
taries and treasurers 'which convened 
10 
at Richmond Hill Inn, Montego Bay, 
from April 21 to 23. It would be 
difficult to find a more suitable 
location than this site overlooking 
the city and harbour of Montego 
Bay. This was the second council of 
its kind, the first having been held 
at Silver Springs, Ocho Rios, eight 
years ago. 
In attendance were all the admin-
istrators of the three Jamaica Con-
ference, the Bahamas Mission, the 
Cayman Islands Mission, West Indies 
College, Andrews Memorial Hospital, 
and representahtives from Kingsway 
and Harrison Memorial High Schools. 
We were favoured in having R. J. 
Radcliffe, of the General Conference 
auditing department, and C. L. 
Powers and R. B. Caldwell, president 
and assistant treasurer of the Inter-
American Division respectively, who 
gave valuable counsel. 
W. U. Campbell, V. T. Boyce, and 
M. G. Nembhard led out in the 
discussions on policies pertaining to 
our conferences, missions, and in 
stitutions. Various workers were 
invited to present assigned topics. 
This council was well timed, and all 
returned to their respective fields 
with renewed determination to do 
more efficient work in "the Master's 
service. 
G. Nembhard 
THE RUN-A-WAY STEWARD . . . 
(Continued from page 1) 
It came to pass that a few weeks 
later, as the steward was again out in 
his fields, he saw that storm clouds 
were gathering. Soon the winds 
began to blow stronger and ever 
stronger. Too late he realised that 
this was no ordinary storm. 
When the hurricane was past, the 
steward, bruised and bleeding, crept 
out from the remains of what had 
once been a house. As he looked 
around, he saw that his cattle were 
dead, his crops ruined, his coconuts 
gone. "What a fool I have been! I 
thought that I could enrich myself 
by holding back the Lord's portion. 
Now the wind has taken everything. 
I know what I will do. I will go back 
to the church. I will renew my vows. 
I will return to the Lord His portion 
of all that comes to my hands." 
And he did! 
"Faith and love are the true riches, 
the pure gold which the True Witness 
counsels the lukewarm to buy. . . . It 
makes the heart rich; for it has been 
purged until it is pure, and the more 
it is tested the more brilliant is its 
luster." 
TT, pp. 477,478. 
'MESSENGER 
eenttat arnetica 
News Items 
► The Panama Conference reports 
that Albert Green, pastor of the 
Panama City Central church, won 55 
souls during the first six months of 
1963. 
IP- Medical Student Frank McNiel 
is spending his vacation from Loma 
Linda University at the Nicaragua 
Adventist Hospital. Frank is the son 
of Elder Fred McNiel, who laid 
down his life while on business for 
his Lord, after many years of service 
in the Colombia-Venezuela Union. 
0. Efrain Murillo has baptised 72 
souls as a result of his Spanish effort 
in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. The 
work is growing so rapidly that the 
new church is already too small. The 
recently baptised members have 
purchased another lot in a new sub-
division of town and are raising 
funds to start a second Spanish 
church in Limon. 
DO' 
Camilo Avila, with his wife and 
two children, have arrived in 
Tegucigalpa, Honduras, where he is 
assuming his new responsibility as 
treasurer of the Honduras Mission. 
W. H. Waller is the mission 
president. 
10- 
Emeterio Escobar has donated 
a church building, including its 
furniture and the lot on which the 
building is situated, to the Salvador 
Mission. This new house of worship 
will serve as another light in the 
Republic of El Salvador to guide 
sinners on the road to heaven. 
10- T. J. Harper, president of 
Colegio Vocational de America 
Central, has returned to the college 
after studying for one year at the 
University of Colorado. Faculty and 
students gave the Harpers a hearty 
welcome on their return. 
O. During the month of May 
another successful VBS venture was 
held in Belize, British Honduras. 
Under the direction of Mrs. S. F. 
Clarke, the school attracted an 
attendance of 123 children, many of 
them non-Adventists. Mrs. Frank 
Skoretz and Clara Ferrera assisted. 
At the interesting graduation pro-
gramme Mrs. Ferrera introduced the 
Bible correspondence course,. and 15 
of the visitos - accepted an invitation 
to enroll on one of them. 
No- Whenever the,piogramme "Your 
OC TOBER;r1 963 
Radio Doctor" is being aired, one 
can hear it coming from the majority 
of homes in Belize, British Honduras. 
A group of Alcoholics Anonymous 
heard the two programmes on 
alcoholism and liked them so well 
that they requsted that the pro-
grammes be repeated at one of their 
meetings. Victor Ferrera took a tape 
recorder to the place where their 
meetings were held. So pleased were 
they with the programme that they 
asked Mr. Ferrera to return and bring 
some along to lecture. Although 
this group is particular about the 
people who visit them, they are glad 
to have help from the Adventists. 
—L. L. Reile 
DOMINICAN MISSION . . . 
(Continued from page 7) 
100 baptisms. Ramon Salcedo has 
baptised 119, and Angel Gomez, 103, 
thus becoming the first ministers in 
the Antillian Union to baptise 100 
souls this year. 
We are certain that, with the 
Lord's blessing, the coming biennial 
period will be the very best in the 
history of the Seventh-day Adventist 
church in the Dominican Republic. 
We ask an interest in your prayers 
that the work may continue to go 
forward in this land that Columbus 
loved best. 
ADVENTIST TRUTH . . . 
(Continued from page 2) 
congratulate them. Mrs. Carmen 
Portillo gave the men a beautiful 
Bible each as a memorial of the most 
important day in their lives. 
As they were making preparations 
to leave, the men asked that the 
handcuffs be replaced so that they 
could return to the prison. The 
guards replied that that would not be 
necessary, for were not these 
prisoners indeed new creatures no 
longer in need of chains to secure 
them? At the prison the colonel met 
and congratulated them. 
Thus the San Salvador church saw 
how the doors of the prison open to 
those "feet that bring good tidings, 
that publish peace." They saw the 
fulfillment of the promise, "I will go 
before thee . . I will break in pieces 
the gates of brass, and cut in sunder 
the bars of iron" (Isaiah 45:2). 
Still there is much to be done in 
that penal centre. There are others 
who are interested and who will 
some day_be members of our church. 
liVith the help of the Voice of 
Four-year-old son of Teodoro and 
Francisca Valero, Rafael Valero shows 
how he became the youngest champion 
in the 1963 Ingathering campaign in 
the East Venezuela Mission. 
Prophecy and the unselfish efforts of 
our missionary-minded laity the work 
will soon be finished there, and in all 
parts of this country will be heard 
the announcement of the imminent 
return of our beloved Saviour in 
glory. 
—Reported by F. A. Arroyo 
"1"1-1£ INTER-AMERICAN 
ESSENGER 
SYLVIA POWERS �
Editor 
DAVID H. BAASCH �Associate Editor 
UNION CORRESPONDENTS 
Antillian Union 
Caribbean Union 
Central American Union �
Ella Santa Cruz 
Colombia-Venezuela Union �
A. H. Riffel 
Franco-Haitian Union �S. F. Monnier 
Mexican Union �
R. F. Williams 
West Indies Union �
Mrs. W. A. Holgate 
Published monthly as the Official Organ of th. 
Inter-American Division of the General Con 
Terence of Seventh-day Adventists, Box 760. 
Coral Gables, Miami, Florida, U.S.A. 
Price: $1.00 a year. 
Printed by the College Press, Caribbean Union 
College, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, W.I. 
All communications relating to editorial and 
circulation matters should be addressed to 
"The Messenger", Box 760, Coral Gables. 
Miami, Florida, U.S.A. 
YI All,articles bearing' the credit line "Review 
tind Hetale are reprinted from the Review 
and Herald, the general church paper of flip 
Seventh-day Adventists. 
11 
�
Lillian Norcliffe 
�K. W. Whitney 
These four workers, left to right: Angel Gomez, Joel Gomez, Americo Ciuffardi, 
and Dionisio Christian, were dedicated to the gospel ministry on Sabbath, 
August 3, in the Dominican Conference. After the service Pastors Angel Gomez 
and Dionisio Christian accepted calls to work in the Central American Union. 
News Brevities . . . 
► On Sabbath, August 10, Roy E. 
Perrin, president of the Franco-
Haitian Seminary, and Nahum 
Dorval, minister in the South Haiti 
Mission, were ordained to the gospel 
ministry in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. 
► Salvador Monzon, district leader, 
4,728 Baptisms Durnig 
2nd Quarter, 1963 
Four Thousand seven 
hundred and twenty-eight in-
dividuals chose to join the 
Seventh-day Adventist Church 
in Inter-America during the 
second quarter of 1963. Never 
have so many joined our church 
in the second quarter of the 
year. This, added to a record-
breaking first quarter, has given 
us 8,122 new members by 
baptism during 1963. Our total 
membership is now 167,064. 
We thank the Lord for these 
wonderful blessings, but 
humbly ask for even greater 
victories in the future. 
—David H. Baasch 
and Leopoldo Blanco, a faithful lay 
member, are building a church in 
Liberia, Costa Rica. Brother Blanco 
has had some outstanding evidences 
of God's blessings on his crops, as he 
dedicated portions to the Lord's 
work. The proceeds are used in the 
building of the church. 
► 0. D. Anderson, M.D., an 
Adventist physician of Miami, 
Florida, dedicated the week of 
August 4 to 11 to attending the 
regional meetings held in Cape 
Haitian and Port-au-Prince, Haiti. 
Dr. Anderson's health lectures and 
personal interviews were greatly 
appreciated by both the workers and 
laity in the two Haiti missions. 
► Francisco Arroyo, president of 
the Salvador Mission, has written 
that they are now starting the third 
Seventh-day Adventist church in the 
city of San Salvador. One of the 
members has donated land for this 
project, and the members are raising 
funds to construct the building. 
► The Eben-Ezer church in Port-
au-Prince, Haiti, has been the scene 
of great activity recently. Twenty 
teachers, under the general leader-
ship of Gabriel Desvarieux, have 
been directing 250 enthusiastic 
children in a Vacation Bible School. 
DISPLACED CHRISTIANS . . . 
(Continued from page 6) 
be accompanied with the malady of 
an obstinate spirit. It may then 
necessitate the persuasive counsel of 
several experienced church leaders. 
The most devoted may become 
deceived in his reasoning: neither 
does experience or age shield a saint 
from self-deception. 
Forget the Lapse 
When the brother or sister who has 
become the object of Satan's thrust 
on 
doctrinal confusion sincerely 
recognises his dangerous course, then 
let those who are sound in the faith 
refrain from referring to this un-
fortunate lapse. Elements of 
skepticism hover close to those of 
faith. In church fellowship each is 
to receive new 'courage and strength 
from the other members. The church 
acts as a unit; divisions of opinion 
and disharmony on points of doctrine 
merely indicate that the sanctifying 
work must continue. But weak and 
defective as the church may be, she 
is still the object of God's supreme 
love. 
The church of Christ has been 
aptly compared to a ship meeting the 
lashes of a severe storm. We do well 
here to reread Acts, chapter 27. The 
angel of God had revealed to Paul 
how the storm-tossed passengers 
could be safe. They were to believe 
God and act under His commands. 
Paul's counsel received from the 
angel was for, all to stay in the ship: 
"Except these abide in the ship, ye 
cannot be saved." No member of the 
crew was to act independently. Thus, 
acting in unison, each doing his part 
to save himself, his brother, and the 
ship, all came safely to shore. 
When eventually the old ship Zion 
sails into port' because the church's 
mission is accomplished, then, using 
this analogy of Paul's shipwreck, it 
may be said of the redeeme4 "That 
they escaped all safe to land." We 
have been especially counseled to 
learn the lessons for which this in-
spiring chapter was included in the 
Bible. Brother and sister, it will soon 
be heaven at last! Hold fast to the 
truth. Hold fast in unity of spirit. 
Make certain that you take your 
position on the ship, so you will not 
be among the displaced. Cherish the 
fellowship of the saved. 
—Review and Herald 
12 �
MESSENGER