The Inter-American Div-ision essenger A FEAST OF GOOD THINGS Seventh-day Adventist churches in all parts of the Inter- American Division will observe the annual Week of Prayer November 7-14, 1959. We urge every member of the church to read carefully and prayerfully this timely message from the officers of the General Conference regarding the spiritual blessings that await us in the observance of this special Week of Prayer. —Editors The annual Week of Prayer in the Adventist Church means a week of emphasis on spiritual refreshing and revival. From year to year our Church members and others who have attended the meetings of this week around the world have received grand spiritual blessings. Our members have taken time to devote to medita- tion and prayer, and this has brought a new spiritual vision for the ensuing year. Hundreds and thousands have, as it were, taken inventory of the influence of their lives on their neighbours and friends, they have evaluated anew their devotion to the cause of Christ, and have had time for introspection of their personal relations with their God. The Weeks of Prayer have con- tributed to the upbuilding of a vital Christian experience on the part of laity and the ministry. The Week of Prayer for 1959 will soon be here. It presents a privilege and a challenge in victorious spiritual living. There is imperative need for special prayer to God at this time, by all who profess the name of Christ. Let us pray that God in His tender mercy and love will hold for a little while longer the winds of commotion and uncertainty in this old, disillusioned world till the work of the Gospel shall be finished. Let us beseech our God to strengthen the bonds of spiritual unity in the church in all the world. Pray, brethren, in all lands, for personal piety. Think of your brethren in the remote parts of the world who may be suffering persecution and hardship for the name of Jesus. There has never been a time when we needed to pray more for the evangelization of the earth's multitudes than now. On our knees before God we should present earnest supplications that He will make bare His mighty arm in opening to the Gospel some of the territories yet closed. Pray that the ministry of the remnant people may be endowed with the power of Pentecost for the preaching of the Word in time's closing hours. As we pray let us remember the following: "The same compassionate Saviour lives to- day, and He is willing to listen to the prayer of faith as when He walked visibly among men. The natural cooperated with the supernatural. It is a part of God's plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did we not thus ask."—Great Controversy, p. 525. As we receive the blessings of the Week of Prayer, let us study how to retain them and share them. After the week passes let us con- tinue our fervor and earnestness in private prayer, devotion and meditation. Read the Bible regularly and take time to think about the grand truths God has given us. Let us lay hold with a firmer grip of faith than ever in the past on the "great and precious promises" of God's Holy Word. Diligence in continuing our missionary work and Christian service for others will help us in a substantial way to keep the blessings of the Week of Prayer. Let us be aware of the fact that we are drawing near to the end of time when Jesus our Lord shall appear. Let the hope of His coming and the promise of life eternal he a constant light on our pathway. May God bless the Advent people around the world in the 1959 Week of Prayer! —General Conference Officers VOL. XXXV1 � OCTOBER, 1959 � No. 10 cotaitrad , ,ept IN ME INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION BAPTISMAL � REPORT SIX MONTHS, ENDING JUNE 30, 1959 Mission or Conference � Baptized � Goal To Date � To Date % of Goal Reached Dominican 127 300 42.3 East Cuba 51 150 34.0 Puerto Rico 218 300 72.6 West Cuba 52 150 34.6 ANTILLIAN UNION 448 900 49.7 British Guiana 61 225 27.1 Leeward Islands 166 335 49.5 South Caribbean 484 418 115.7 Surinam 16 22 72.7 CARIBBEAN UNION 727 1,000 72.7 British Honduras 23 60 38.3 Costa Rica 51 100 51.0 Guatemala 143 138 103.0 Honduras 106 100 106.0 Nicaragua 103 112 91.9 Panama 283 187 151.3 Salvador 105 103 101.9 CENTRAL AMERICAN 814 800 101.7 Atlantic Colombia 150 225 66.6 Colombian Islands 42 25 168.0 East Venezuela 32 125 25.6 Netherlands Antilles 33 50 66.0 Pacific Colombia 105 225 46.6 Upper Magdalena 288 450 64.0 West Venezuela 55 100 55.0 COLOMBIA-VENEZUELA 705 1,200 58.7 French Guiana 25 French West Indies 167 200 83.5 North Haiti 308 425 72.4 South Haiti 191 200 95.5 FRANCO-HAITIAN UNION 666 850 78.3 Central Mexican 36 100 36.0 Inter-Oceanic 140 200 70.0 North Mexican 118 175 67.4 Pacific Mexican 137 200 68.5 South Mexican 244 225 108.4 Southeast Mexican 175 225 77.7 MEXICAN UNION 850 1,125 75.5 Bahamas 6 50 12.0 Cayman Islands 9 15 60.0 East Jamaica 494 913 54.1 West Jamaica 430 912 47.1 WEST INDIES UNION 939 1,890 49.6 IAD STAFF 2 INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION TOTALS 5,151 7,765 66.3 A Thrilling Report Once each quarter the secretarial department of the Inter-American Div:sion receives a very interesting report from each of the seven unions in the Division. This report brings us the latest statistical information from each union territory. We carefully note the increase in number of organized churches. (There are 1,213 in the Division now.) We check the membership figures and are thrilled (Continued on page 7) The South Caribbean Con Ference The islands of Trinidad, Tobago, St. Vincent, Grenada, and the Grena- dines comprise the South Caribbean Conference, the third largest field in the Inter-American Division More than 8,600 Seventh-day Adventists are members of this conference. "Evangelism is the main activity of the Conference," states Elder A. A. Ward, the president. The baptismal report from South Caribbean for the first six months of 1959 would indi- cate that such is the case. Our brethren in the South Carib- bean fie:d have proposed to baptize 1,000 souls during 1959. During the first half of the year 447 souls were baptized into the church. Ministers and laymen have joined forces in the soul-winning program-the minis- ters are holding evangelistic crusades in tents, halls and churches, the lay- men are conducting meetings in homes, churches, temporary shelters, and in the open. Men, women, and children are responding to the preaching of the Advent Message. On June 28, 1959, four of our minis- ters baptized one hundred and twenty souls. Brother Ward requests our people to pray for the continued blessings of God upon the work in the South Caribbean Conference. -Arthur H. Roth MESSENGER TO THE 0-1UPC1-4 Cu June 28, 1959, one hundred twenty souls were baptized in Trinidad. OCTOBER, 1959 SABBATH OBSERVANCE Forty-five years ago, when I was serving as president of the Quebec Conference in Canada, I learned that an Adventist family living several hundred miles from the nearest Seventh-day Adventist church had had never been visited by one of our ministers. Without delay I wrote them a letter stating that I would arrive by train at a certain hour and date to visit them. At the appointed time my train pulled into the station, but there was no one to meet me. My letter had gone astray. Not knowing where to go, I stepped up to an elderly cab-driver and asked him if he happened to know the family and their address. "Yes, indeed," said he. "Just step into my carriage and I will take you to their home a mile or two out in the country." As his horse was jogging along the old man became friendly and quite talkative. He said, "You know the family where you are going is a very strange family. They keep Saturday for Sun- day. They do not drink or smoke. They do not dance or take part in By A. V. OLSON any gay social functions. They never play cards and never go to the theatre. They certainly are a strange family." Then with great earnestness and feeling in his voice he added, as he leaned over to me, "But let me tell you, if there is a Christian family in this whole community, they are that one. They are real Christians. They are a wonderful family." What was there about this family that made the old coachman think they were so strange? Were they really odd or queer? No, not at all. It a as just that their lives were out of harmony with the worldly social standards of the community. The people of the world in the days of the apostles felt the same way about the early Christians. Writing to the new believers, the apostle Peter said: "They think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot". (1 Peter 4:4). It has always been so and always will be so till the end of time. If we refuse to conform to the stan- dards of the world, choosing rather to conform to the standard of righteousness, people will think we are strange. But down deep in their souls they will have the conviction that we are true Christians. One thing that marks us as differ- ent is our observance of the Bible Sabbath. "The Sabbath is a sign of the relationship existing between God and His people, a sign that they honour His law. It distinguishes between His loyal subjects and transgressors." —Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 349, 350. The observance of the Sabbath may at times involve hardship and trial, but for the true child of God it is a day of joy and gladness. It was given to man by a loving God to be a rich blessing. "Great blessings," we are told, "are enfolded in the observance of the Sabbath, and God desires that the Sabbath shall be to us a day of joy." —Ibid. In order that the Sabbath may be to us all that God designs it shall be, we must observe it according to His directions. We must keep it holy. "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy;" is the divine command. This we cannot do unless we have been sanctified—made holy by the same God who sanctified the Sabbath. "In order to keep the Sabbath holy, men must themselves be holy." —The Desire of Ages, p. 283. An unconverted man can no more keep the Sabbath holy than a man whose hands are covered with grime can receive a pure white object and keep it clean. The moment he touches it, it will be soiled. No, a man whose heart is not in tune with the heart of God cannot keep the Sabbath holy. Neither can he find joy in trying to keep it. To him it becomes a burden. Any Seventh-day Adventist who finds it irksome to keep the Sabbath according to the instruction given in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy may know that there is something wrong or lacking in his Christian experience. The true Christian who under- stands the meaning and purpose of 3 God's holy day will not find the Sabbath tedious, but a joy a n d delight. He loves it and longs for it. During the week he remembers it and plans his work so as to be ready to welcome the sacred hours when- they come. How this preparation is to be made is clearly stated in the follow- ing lines: "On Friday let the prepara- tion for the Sabbath be completed. See that all the clothing is in readiness and that all the cooking is done. Let the boots be -blacked and the baths -be taken. It is possible to do this. If 'you' make it a • rule you can do it. The Sabbath is not to be given to the repairing of garments, to the cooking of food, to pleasure seeking, or to any other worldly employment. Before the setting of the sun, let all secular work be laid aside and all secular papers be put out of sight. Parents, explain your work and its purpose -to your children, and let them share in your preparation to 'cep") the Sabbath according to the commandment. . . . Before the setting of the sun, let the members of the family assemble to read Gorl.'s word, to sing and to pray "—Testimonies, vol, 6, pp. 355, 356. ,,, It is to be feared that in many Adventist homes this instruction is not heeded as it should be. We are in danger of forgetting the sacred- ness of the day and of permitting ourselves to do things on God's holy day of which the Lord of the Sab- bath cannot approve. It is necessary that we guard well the edges of the Sabbath: The hours at the beginning and at the end of the Sabbath are jUst as sacred as those in the middle of the day. That which is wrong at noon is wrong at eventide. "From even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath" (Lev. 23:32). According to the forth command- ment we are to lay aside all secular employment on the Sabbath. The businessman must close his shop or office; the farmer must cease his toil in field and garden. The mind must be WithdraWn from the busy cares and pleasures of the world. It is possible to sit with folded hands at home or in church and still break the Sabbath. Thinking about worldly things, planning for the days ahead, is not in harmony with the spirit of true Sabbathkeeping. Playing games such as baseball, football, or basketball is certainly a violation of the prohibition against doing our own pleasures on God's holy day (see Isa. 58:13, 14). The same would be true in regard to watching television and listening to the radio, unless religious pro- grammes are involved. Great care must also be exercised in the selec- tion of the books and papers that we read on the Sabbath. There are good books that can be read with profit on other days that are not proper for Sabbath reading. The same holds true in the field of music. Traveling on the Sabbath should be carefully controlled. The Lord has given us valuable instruction on The lights of Home By INEZ BRASIER The lights of home! So clear they glow, I shall not lose The way, I know. Though courage fail, When rough this way And long- to me, And drear the day, My heart is glad. Through all the gloam I always see The lights of home. ..•••••••••••.0 this point: "If we desire the blessing promised to the obedient, we must observe the Sabbath more strictly. I fear that we often travel on this day when it might be avoided. In har- mony with the light which the Lord has given in regard to the observance of the Sabbath, we should be more careful about traveling on the boats or cars on this day . . . In order to reach the churches that need our help, and to give them the message that God desires them to hear, it may be necessary for us to travel on the Sabbath; but so far as possible we should secure our tickets and make all necessary arrangements on some other day. When starting on a jour- ney we should make every possible effort to plan so as to avoid reaching our destination on the Sabbath." —Ibid., pp. 359, 360. When these lines were written there was no air traffic, so the plane is not mentioned, but the same principle is involved in air travel. Furthermore, I believe that Seventh- day Adventists need to seek the Lord for guidance in the use of their own cars on the Sabbath. We cannot be too careful. The blessing of the Lord is promised on condition that we turn away our feet from the Sabbath, from doing our pleasure on His holy day. Although we are to rest from all secular toil and pleasure on the Sabbath, the day is not to be spent in bed or in idleness. "Let not the precious hours of the Sabbath be wasted in bed. On Sabbath morning the family should be astir early." —Ibid., p. 357. There are duties to be performed, things to be enjoyed. Part of the day is to be spent in attending Sabbath school and church. This is God's plan for us. "Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation" (Lev. 23:3). A "holy convocation" is a gathering of God's people for divine worship. When Jesus was here on earth it was His custom to go to the syna- gogue on the Sabbath. We are to follow His example. We cannot afford to lose the spiritual help and blessing that the Lord has in store for those who faithfully attend the services of the church. To this end is the divine admonition: "Not for- saking the assembling of ourselves together, as the mariner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Heb. 10:25). In the home pleasant and profit- able hours can be spent reading Bible stories and our good books and papers. Playing sacred, music and singing the sweet songs of Zion add much to the joy and happiness of the day. Calling on the sick and making other missionary visits is in harmony with good Sabbathkeeping. Then, "As the sun goes down, let the voice of prayer and the hymn of praise mark the close of the sacred hours and invite God's presence through the cares of the week of labour. "Thus parents can rr ake the Sab- bath, as it should be, the most joyful day of the week. They can lead their children to regard it as a delight,_the day of days, the holy of the Lord, honourable." —Ibid. —Review and Herald -4 � MESSENGER A NUTRITION AUTHORITY DISCUSSES MRS. WHITE - Part II By CLIVE M. McCAY, 1311.D (Editor's Note: The following article, and one which anneared in last month's issue of the MESSENGER, are condensations of a series of articles that Dr. McCoy originally prepared for the "Review and Herald.") I earlier stated that Mrs. White was a remarkable woman, particularly in terms of her health views. I wish, now, to be specific, in support of this statement, by comparing certain of her teachings with present-day well- established facts on nutrition. Though, for convenience, I shall quote, in part, from her book The Ministry of Healing, first published in 1905, most of what she there sets forth was pre- sented in various of her writings of much earlier days. Today there is a widespread move- ment to reduce the intake of fats, especially animal fats, in order to reduce the blood cholesterol and the dangers of atherosclerosis. Mrs. White wrote, "Nut foods are coming largely into use to take the place of flesh meats. . . . When properly pre- pared, olives, like nuts, supply the place of butter and flesh meats. The oil, as eaten in the olive, is far pre- ferable to animal oil or fat."—The Ministry of Healing, p. 298. Near the end of Mrs. White's life in 1915 men began to appreciate that the milling of white flour re- moved most of the vitamins, part of the protein, and the important trace minerals such as iron. However, even nutritional authorities were very slow to inveigh against white bread. Today nutritionists know that these vital constituents are lost when the bran and germ are taken from the wheat. Mrs. White wrote, "For use in bread- making, the superfine white flour is not the best. Its use is neither health- ful nor economical. Fine-flour bread is lacking in nutritive elements to be found in bread made from the whole wheat."—Ibid., p. 300. In spite of her emphasis upon a given type of diet, Mrs. White ap- preciated that there were some people who could not tolerate foods that were well suited to the majority. Today it is we.' recognized that there are a few people with very sensitive intestines that suffer if the diet has much fiber. Mrs. White wrote "Foods that are palatable and wholesome to one person may be distasteful, and even harmful, to another. Some can- not use milk, while others thrive on it. . . . For some the coarser grain OCTOBER, 1959 preparations are good food, while others cannot use them." Ibid., p. 320. Today it is well recognized that overeating and overweight produce much ill health. This is one of the few areas in which all professional nutritionists agree. Mrs. White wrote, "There should not be a great variety at any one meal, for this encourages overeating and causes indegestion."—Ibid., p. 299. "Abste- miousness in diet is rewarded with mental and moral vigor." "At each meal take only two or three kinds of simple food, and eat no more than is required to satisfy hunger."—Ibid., pp. 308, 310. Throughout the whole period span- ned by Mrs. White's life it was cus- tomary to eat elaborate meals upon the weekly holy day. She wrote, "We should not provide for the Sabbath a more liberal supply or a greater variety of food than for other days. Instead of this the food should be more simple, and less should be eaten in order that the mind may be clear and vigorous to comprehend spiritual things."—Ibid., p. 307. All thinking people will agree with this today, though many fail to practice it. Meals served in many courses have almost passed from the American home due probably to the disappear- ance of maids rather than a compre- hension of Mrs. White's philosophy that all food should be put on the table at once, instead of in courses, so that one will know what is avail- able and not overeat. (See The Min- istry of Healing, p. 306). Every thinking person today would agree with such wise statements of Mrs. White as, "Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power—these are the true remedies." —Ibid., p. 127. "Parents should early seek to interest their children in the study of physiology and should teach them its simpler principles. . . . An education in the things that concern life and health is more im- portant to them than a knowledge of many of the sciences taught in the schools."—Ibid., pp. 385, 386. Or take these statements: "The best food for the infant is the food that nature provides. Of this it should not be needlessly deprived." Ibid., p. 383,_ "In the entertainment of guests there should be greater simplicity."—Ibid.. p. 322. "Where wrong habits of diet have been in- dulged, there should be no delay in reform."—Ibid., p. 308. "Take active exercise every day, and see if you do not receive benefit."—Ibicl., p. 310. "One of the surest hindrances to. the recovery of the sick is the centering of attention upon themselves."—Ibid., p. 256. To sum up the discussion: Every modern specialist in nutrition whose life is dedicated to human welfare must be impressed in four respects by the writings and leadership of Ellen G. White. In the first place, her basic concepts about the relation between diet and health have been verified to an un- usual degree by scientific advances of the past decades. Someone may at- tempt to explain this remarkable fact by saying: "Mrs. White simply borrowed her ideas from others." But how would she know which ideas to borrow and which to reject out of the bewildering array of theories and health teachings current in the nine- teenth century? She would have had to be a most amazing person, with knowledge beyond her times, in order to do this successfully! In the second place, everyone who attempts to teach nutrition can hardly conceive of a leadership such as that of Mrs. White that was able to induce a substantial number of people to improve their diets. In the third place, one can only speculate about the large number of sufferers during the past century who could have had improved health if they !lad accepted the teachings of Mrs. White. Finally, one can wonder how to make her teachings more widely known in order to benefit the over- crowded earth that seems inevitable tomorrow unless the present rate of increase of the world's population is decreased. In spite of her emphisis upon a of Mrs. White were written long be- fore the advent of modern scientific nutrition, no better over-all guide is available toda.N. —Review and Herald 5 "Oh; Mother," exclaimed Mildred from the kitchen, "what can be wrong with my pan of bread dough? It should be ready for kneading now and it has hardly risen at all!" Her mother came in and surveyed the situation calmly. "Well, my dear," she explained, -either your yeast was not good or you didn't use enough of it. Had your yeast been right, your bread would have been right." And so it is in your life and mine. A lack of leaven—or what is still worse, poor leaven—makes us inferior Christians or even makes us com- pletely unchristian. How vital it is, then, to closely watch the quality of the leaven in our lives! Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took; and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.' The body, soul and spirit of a natural man can - never develop into a full- fledged child of God unless it becomes leavened by the Spirit of God and completely permeated thereby. The whole must become leavened. A little Christian boy was once watching a woman peel and slice some potatoes. Soon she came to one that was nice and white on the out- side but was hollow and black inside. "That is not a real Christian potato," the little fellow remarked. "It isn't good all the way through and it isn't at all like what it pretends to be on the outside." It was like a professing Christian who isn't wholly leavened by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said of Nathanael, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Here was a thoroughly leavened man; and only such will enter the kingdom of heaven, for we read in Revelation 14:5: "In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." Would you be among that holy, happy throng? Then permit the Holy Spirit to suffuse your being and burn out every besetting sin, that you may be ready for Christ's return. A wealthy man became very ill and was informed that he should put his house in order. Sorrowful, he told his little daughter, about twelve years 6 old, that he was going to have to leave her and the family for a long tirne. She asked: "Daddy, will you have a mansion where you are going?" He could only turn his face to the wall and weep. He had refused the leaven until he felt it might now be too late. I'm sure you sometimes wish you could do great things for God and for your fellow men. You would like to achieve something that would help to hasten the Lord's return and usher in His kingdom. Such an experience is possible• if you are entirely consecrated. God can do great things through people who will permit themselves to become thoroughly leavened by His Holy Spirit. Let us 'never allow pride to make us forget that "it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil. '2:13). Even Jesus said, "I can of mine own self do nothing" (John 5:30). "It is the fire that prevails," de- clared Samuel Chadwick.. "Wesley Whitefield and General Booth wrought wonders by the fire kindled by the Holy Ghost. Men ablaze are invincible. Hell trembles when men kindle. Sin, worldliness, unbelief, hell, are proof against everything but fire. The church is powerless without the fire of the Holy Ghost." Yes, the leaven of the Holy Spirit is what makes the difference. There is another kind of leaven. Jesus warned, "Take heed and be- ware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees" (Matt. 16:6). Again He says, "Except your right- eousness shall exceed the righteous- ness of the scribes and Phar'sees, ye shall in no case 'enter into the king- dom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20). The Jewish leaders of Jesus' day considered themselves the ultimate expression of righteousness. They paid tithe; they kept the Sabbath (in accordance with their distorted ideas of what constitutes true Sabbath- keeping); and were scrupulously care- ful in other matters. But, said Jesus, while all these- acts of obedience were right and proper, other deeds of righteousness should not be neglected. He considered their spiritual leaven to be of very poor quality; in fact, of a very evil quality for He stated in Luke 12:1 that it was "hypocrisy "! A fisherman was asked how he knew that Christ is risen. "Do you see those cottages near that high cliff?" he asked, pointing toward the shore. "Well, when I am far out at sea with my back to the east, I know when the sun has risen by its reflection in those windows. Just so do I know that Chrst is risen, for I 'see His re- flection in the faces and words and deeds of these about me." Only those who are so completely leavened with the Holy Spirit as to reflect the image of Jesus fully will be able to go home with Him to mingle and fellowship with the angels of heaven. The only way we can be pure, however, is to be born pure. Jesus declared we must be born anew— born of God—if we are to be children of God and inherit His kingdom. Paul explained that we must "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Eph. 4:24). Mere pro- fession or reformation or church membership is not sufficient. A lad in Boston, rather small for his years, worked in an office as errand boy for four men who did business there. One day they were poking fun at him about his size, and said to him, "You'll never amount to much. You're too small." "Well," he retorted, "small as I am I can do something that none of you four men can do." "Oh, and what is that?" they asked patronizingly. "I can keep from using God's name in vain," replied the little fellow. The leaven had been doing its work on this lad. Is it working in you? —Review and Herald MESSENGER LEAVENED LIVES BY BEN H. PALMER Today is the day of opportunity in Korea! The work has never gone faster; there has never been a greater interest, and we have never had a greater increase in Sabbath school -members than now. A short time ago, the pastor of one of our churches in a nearby village was in my office. He mentioned that they were meeting three times each Sabbath in his church because they did not have room for the, people to sit. I asked him how many his church would seat and he told me that it was only, a small building and would seat about ninety or, a hundred. Then I asked him about his Sabbath school membership and be said they had between 390 to 400 members. This is not an isolated case but in- dicates the condition of many of our churches in Korea today. Compara- tively speaking, Korea is not a large country, neither does she have a large population- compared to other parts of the Far Eastern Division; but, the acceptance of the gospel among the Korean people has been spectacular, especially in the past year. The activ'ties of both our laymen and our Sabbath schools in Korea are almost unbelievable. Not long ago a young man by the name of Kim gye Sang, whose life was miraculously saved during the war, came to a knowledge of the truth through reading the book, "Daniel and the Revelation". Not long after this, Mr. Kim came into contact with our church where he took studies and was baptized. With a heart full of zeal to tell others of his new-found faith, he decided one, day to go to the country to hold some meetings. This young man had no special train- ing in soul winning, neither did he have very much education, but he loved the truth .and wanted to tell others about it. He had no money, nor could he seem to find anyone in- terested enough in his project to finance him; so, he sold most of his clothes and used the money to buy a few tracts and some paper that he OCTOBER, 1959 could use for drawing pictures to illustrate his lectures. Armed now with a few bundles of tracts, his Bible, some paper, and the clothes he had on, he started out for the country. He went to a village where he felt sure no worker had ever, been before. He went out into the street and started talking to a group of children, telling them stories, and showing them pictures that he had drawn on the sheets of paper that he had brought along. All the children were interested in pictures and stories, so they began to gather around. Seeing the crowd, others came, and still others. Some of the children ran home to get their mothers, their brothers and sisters, aunts. uncles, cous'ns—all came to see the boy who had the strange pictures and to hear what he had to say about them. Before he knew it, this young man had a crowd, and it kept getting larger and larger. They did not leave but stayed to hear more. After talking to them for nearly two hours, he announced to them that the meeting had come to an end for that day, but that he would continue the next night. The next night it was the same way. He had two hundred and more attending each evening. The vil- lagers shared their homes with him. They shared their rice with him, and promised him support if he would re- main with them and be their teacher. Now, as a result of the faithful effort of this one Young man, who sacrificed everything, even his clothes, for the gospel, in that one area alone there are over four hun- dred keening the Sabbath, and doubt- less many, many more will take their stand for the truth in the future as a result of the gospel seed that has been sown. The problem that is confronting us in Korea today is not evangelism so much as the problem of taking care of the neople that are coming to us. We feel that the Lord is pouring out His Spirit upon this people for the final movements in the finshing of the work. We feel strongly that if we do not step through this open door now, it may close, and we may never have this opportunity again. Your prayers and Sabbath school offerings will help us to enter this open door and take full advantage of the tremendous interest that exists in this land of the "Morning Calm"! "The night cometh when no man can work." A THRILLING REPORT (From page 2) to find that, as of June 30, 1959, there are 130,951 members of the Adventist family in Inter-America. The tithe figures and the record of Sabbath school offerings claim our attention as the statistical report is totaled up each quarter. But there is one column that is more thrilling than all the rest. It carries the heading "Number of Members Added during quarter by Baptism". In this column we find a record of decisions made for Christ, decisions that resulted in baptism and membership in the remnant church. As we checked the June 30, 1959, statistical report we were happy to find that four of the seven unions in Inter-America have an increase in baptisms for the second quarter of 1959 when compared with the same period in 1958. These four, in order of increase, are as follows: Central American Union � — 74% Increase Mexican Union � — 67% Increase Colombia-Venezuela Union — 25% Increase Franco-Haitian Union � — 6% Increase Would you like to know how many persons were baptized in your mis- sion or conference during the first six months of 1959? You will find this information on page 2 of this issue of the Messenger. One field reached 168% of its baptismal goal during this period. Another reached 151%. Five other fields have more than 100%. Is your home field one of these? �—Clyde 0. Franz 7 KOREA'S OPEN DOOR By C. A. WILLIAMS, Home Missionary Secretary, Korea Mission Two men were in a foxhole in the jungles of the South Pacific. It was night and the enemy was throwing up an occasional flare accompanied by a barrage of shells. The men in the foxhole were trying to get some sleep. Suddenly, over to the right of them some distance away they heard a man crying, "I'm afraid. I don't want to die." One of the men in the fox- hole went out to get him and bring him back After finding him the rescuer dis- covered he needed assistance in carry- ing the wounded soldier back to the foxhole. He called to his buddy to come and help. His buddy arrived and suggested that they wait for another flare to see how badly the man was wounded. In the light of the next flare they saw that the wounded man had been hit in the stomach by a shell. They carried him to their foxhole and made him as comfortable as possible. It was apparent that he could live only a short time. The wounded boy, only eighteen years old, kept repeating, "I'm afraid to die." He was asked, "Why are you eh aid to die?" He answered, "I don't know what will happen afterward." "Don't you know about God?" asked one of the men. "No," said the boy, "I have never had time to learn about God." What would you have said to that boy? Would you have said, "Now look, boy, before you die I'll tell you about the 2300-day prophecy, the prophecy of Daniel 2, the seventh- day Sabbath, and the tithing question. Then you must be baptized"? Just what would you have said to him? One of the men in the foxhole bent over the wourCed boy and said, "I will tell you about God. God made this earth. Everything you see is the handiwork of the Creator, He made the animals and created man. And because man sinned He even gave 8 His own Son, Jesus, to die for you and me that we might have eternal life. Now, all you have to do is accept by faith Jesus' sacrifice for you. If you put your trust in Jesus, He will take care of, you after you die." He then added these words, "It's that simple." Is it that simple for you too? Why did Jesus die? Not to prove to us what day is the Sabbath. I believe in the Sabbath and keep it. I am glad I am fortunate enough to know the truth on this question, but keeping the Sabbath will not get me into the kingdom. Jesus did not die to prove to me the validity of the 2300-day pro- phecy. I believe it and am glad that I know about it, but mere knowledge concerning this prophecy- will not -get me into the kingdom. Salvation does not come through knowledge of these things but through the blood of Jesus Christ. Why did Jesus die for me? Because He loved me. The plan of salvation is based on love. The wounded boy in the foxhole never kept a Sabbath; he never paid tithe; he wasn't even baptized. But if he put his trust in Jesus as his Saviour in those last few minutes, of his life, he will be resurrected when Jesus comes again. Jesus kept the Sabbath for him. Jesus was baptized for him. Why was Jesus baptized? Was He baptized for cleansing from sin, as we are? No, Jesus had no sin. He was baptized as an example to us and because in His great wisdom He knew there would be men and women in the last few minutes of their lives who would find Him as their Saviour and would have no opportunity to receive this rite. His baptism is im- puted to them. Why do I keep the Sabbath, pay tithe, and observe the beliefs of my church? The answer is simple. I want to, because Jesus has changed my heart. People often say to me, "your church doesn't allow you to dance, smoke, drink, and attend movies." I answer that it isn't because my church forbids these things that I refrain from doing them, but God has called me to live this way, and I have united with a people who have chosen to have their lives guided by these ideals. I don't follow worldly prac- tices because I don't want to. I have a better way of life. If you are keeping the Sabbath merely to fulfill a legal obligation, better rethink your religion. You are wasting your time and are not a happy Christian. If you are paying tithe because you are afraid God will withhold a blessing, study into the matter. YqU'll discover that no one can buy blessings from God. He gives them; they are a gift. I keep the Sabbath because I love the Man who came from heaven and showed me how to keep His day holy. I pay tithe and offerings because I love Jesus who came to earth and asked me to have a part in helping H m with His work. Christ died for me because He loved me and when I understand and grasp this great love, I cannot help loving Him in re- turn. As a personal testimony concerning my Christian experience I can say this: I am having fun being a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. It is the way of true joy and happiness. How do you feel about your own experience? Are you enjoying it, or are you merely fulfilling legal obliga- tions? A little boy who was dipping his finger into some honey was asked by a man how it tasted. The boy said, "It is very sweet." The man continued, "How sweet is `very sweet'?" The boy tried to explain and finally gave up, saying, "Here, you dip your finger in and see for yourself." I -give you the same challenge. Have fun being a Christian, then you too will know how sweet it is. —Review and Herald MESSENGER "IT'S THAT SIMPLE" By ROGER McNEILY R. R. Figuhr, ‘President General Conference G. R. Nash, Secretary General Conference Sabbath School Department THE SABBATH SCHOOL Col porteu r Evangelism News Notes • Faithful colporteur Jose Pagan with his ability in Christian sales- manship has placed books in many Puerto Rican homes. He returns often, visits and studies with many of these clients. Then he arranges to give Bible studies. What a happy Sab- bath in March, 1959, for Brother Pagan and many others as they wit- nessed a beautiful baptismal service. It was especially thrilling for our col- porteur to note that three of the four baptized were souls he had personally won to Christ. • A new Seventh-day Adventist church building which will accom- modate 150 people was dedicated in Florida, Cuba, on January 31, 1959. The interest in this place was begun 40 years ago by the visit of a colpor- teur and the sale of a copy of the book Great Controversy. • Recently two- of the souls Brother Alejandro Colon had won to Christ through the literature ministry were baptized in Havana. He has now organized a branch Sabbath school with 18 persons attending. • Luis Leonor, a student colpor- teur in Cuba, works with large books during the week and sells magazines at the International Airport on Sun- days. The first Sunday he sold 60 magazines, all that he had taken with him. The second Sunday he again sold all he had taken, 140 this time! Surely this is real colporteur evange- lism. • The June, 1959, report for the Inter-American Division Publishing Department was our all-time, history- making, largest monthly report in deliveries. With the amount of $104,504.47 worth of inspiring in- structive and convincing publica- tions distributed in one month as compared with the previous top record of $95,886.72 deliveries in December, 1958, many souls will surely be won to Christ. • The Mexican Union reported a 148 per cent gain in deliveries during June over the same month of 1958. For the first six months of 1959 the Mexican Union shows a 30 per cent gain, the Caribbean Union a 28 per cent gain, Antillian Union a 21 per cent gain and the West Indies Union a 15 per cent gain. We rejoice with these unions over these outstanding accomplishments. —J. C. Culpepper � .•.••••••• � IF JESUS WERE NOT THERE BY SARA SEHULSTER Should I be counted worthy to walk those streets so fair, Heaven would not be heaven if Jesus were not there. Though all my best beloved walked those streets with me, It still would not be heaven if Him I did not see. Though angels bid me welcome and I had a mansion fair, I would not count it heaven if Jesus were not there. .....mig•••••••••••, � he SABBATH SCHOOL WORKER contains a wealth of helpful suggestions on the various phases of Sabbath school work. Its many practical sugges- tions for superintendents and division leaders, to- gether with teaching aids for all classes, from the cradle roll to the adult division, make the SAB- BATH SCHOOL WORKER an invaluable tool for all who are endeavoring to build successful and progressive Sabbath schools. The SABBATH SCHOOL WORKER, with its helps for teachers and leaders in every division of the Sabbath school, and with its timely messages from world Sabbath school leaders, is an invaluable aid to every officer and teacher in their soul-win- ning activities through the Sabbath school. Order From Your Book & Bible House OCTOBER, 1959 � --9 114"44144 TI-IE UNIONS ...m.rdm•memo. arttieliart Antillian Union News • Four graduates who recently re- ceived their degrees from Antillian College with majors in religion have returned to their fields to serve their Master with greater efficiency. Israel Gonzalez will pastor the Cienfuegos district in the West Cuba Conference; and Nelson Gomez will assist in the publishing department of the same conference. Lamartine Hanare has returned to the Franco-Haitian Union, where he heads the publishing de- partment; and the Puerto Rico Con- ference has called Eliezer Candelaria as a ministerial intern. • Arnaisticio Caballieri, a junior ministerial student from Antillian Col- lege, recently received the largest single order in canvassing history in the Antillian Union—a $2,000 order for the book, "Primeros Auxilios". Visiting the department of "Asistencia Cultural al Campesino" in the Min- istry of Defense in Havana, Cuba, he presented our book on First Aid as a teacher's text in the rural schools. Before the authorities would commit themselves, they sent a copy of the book to a doctor for his criticism and observations. The doctor re- turned the book with the statement that it was the best treatment he had seen of the subject. Brother Cabal- lied delivered $2,995 worth of books during June. Other students from Antillian College also made enviable records. Luis Leonor assured himself his first scholarship by delivering, $750 worth of our literature; and four other students had sufficient orders at the end of their first month's canvas. sing for a scholarship. • The Puerto Rico Academy was host to 75 laymen and all the work- ers of the Puerto Rico Conference from July 17 to 21 for a Lay Evange- lism School. Elder V. W. Schoen, director of lay activities in the Inter- American Division, Elder T. R. Hay- lock of the Antillian Union, and Elder Felix Rodriguez of the Puerto Rico Conference, led out in teaching the delegates how to find interests and 10 then to lead these souls to Christ. Elder. Alfredo Aeschlimann, head of the department of religion at Antillian College, and Elder A. H. Riffel, pre- sident of the Puerto Rico Conference, also gave the group valuable instruc- tion. A highlight of the meetings was the first investing in the Antillian Union of twenty-six of the modern "120". This group takes its name from the 120-in the upper room who were baptized by the Holy Spirit and then went out from Jerusalem to spread the gospel story to the then known world. • The laymen of Puerto Rico set a goal of 509 souls for the next twelve months, pledging to begin at least fifty lay efforts the first Sunday in September. Symbolizing these aims and goals, a torch service climaxed the five days of study and inspiration. Elder Rodriguez, home missionary secretary of the Puerto Rico Confer- ence, entered the darkened chapel bearing high his torch. As he reached the ministers and district pastors, he lighted their candles, and they in turn passed their light on to each layman present until the whole room glowed with light. —Mrs. C. L. Powers .....•••••••=m.01•••••=0.M•••••••••••• &Old amenicatt Baptisms in Central America There is a good reason for the smiles on the faces of the Central American Union office group in the accompanying picture. Their smiles are being reflected around the Union, as the report of baptisms for the first half of 1959 arrives in the hands of each worker. The Union baptismal goal for the year is 1,600 souls, Under the blessing of God, the halfway mark of 800 was reached and passed by June 30, as may be seen on the baptismal chart in the picture. A hearty welcome to these new be- lievers! Already the figures have in- creased, as these words are being written, with prospects of other bap- tisms in the very near future. The 1959 evangelistic campaign is being followed with keen interest, as all departments cooperate with heavenly agencies to reap a greater harvest than ever before. —Dora Reed Central American Union workers happily display their union baptismal report for the first six months of 1959. News Notes • Teachers and students of the Central American Vocational College are happy to have the S. E. Cole family back in their midst after fur- lough. The Coles spent much of their furlough time at Pacific Union College where Brother Cole completed the work for the Master of Arts in Mathe- matics. We are sure that this added training will be of much benefit to the students who study under Brother Cole's direction. • Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Larson have arrived in Nicaragua to begin their duties in the new hospital at La Trinidad, he as treasurer and she as instructor in the nursing depart- ment. • Two new ministerial workers have joined the group in the Costa Rica Mission: Brother Enrique Gar- butt, recently graduated from Antil- lian College in Cuba, and Brother Jaime Kaine, a graduate of the Cen- tral American Vocational College. • The M an a g u a, Nicaragua, Second Church is holding another evangelistic effort! Ignoring the fact that the church is still under con- struction, Pastor Rocha and his fine group of lay workers are preaching there every night to an audience of MESSENGER New Sabbath-keepers preparing or baptism in Acapulco, Mexico. 100 or 150 persons. Of the twelve already baptized, Pastor Rocha credits eleven to the work of his faithful lay helpers. Another baptism is planned within the next two weeks. —Dora Reed gtatt co, Maitian Two Lay Preachers' School in Haiti Two important gatherings of lay preachers were held in Haiti during the month of June. In company with our competent home missionary sec- retary of the Division, Pastor V. W. Schoen, we first went to Cape Haitian in the Northern part of the republic, the headquarters of the North Haiti Mission. From Friday evening until Sabbath of the following week—eight days—we had the joy of studying the secrets of a fruitful lay ministry with one hundred forty lay preachers. It was a real satisfaction to see these brethren and sisters come from the different parts of this mission which has almost 10,000 members. They were faithful, punctual, attentive pupils, taking part in all the instruc- tion given them. Our hearts were moved when, at the close of the school, we were able to invest as mem- bers of this modern group of the "120" sixty brethren and sisters who have already demonstrated their faithfulness and their calling. Doubt- less there will soon be many other lay preachers in the North Haiti Mis- sion who will be joining this glorious company. Sunday, June 28, we left the Cape at four o'clock in the morning and by ten were at Port-au-Prince. That even- ing we met with seventy lay preachers in the South Haiti Mission. During the week we presented the same courses as the week before and to a group equally attentive. All too soon, the end of the week came. This time we were able to invest fifty lay preach- ers as members of the select group, the "120". Our hearts were moved when one of our veterans entered the darkened room bearing aloft the lighted torch representing the activi- ties of our lay members. How inspir- ing were the words of encouragement given by a sister in the name of the sisters who are lay preachers, by a OCTOBER, 1959 young brother representing the in- creasing army of lay preachers, and by the president of the mission in the name of the mission workers. We believe that these brethren and sisters on their return home will maintain their promise—that of win- ning 2,400 souls in the next twelve months. This figure may seem high, but with the help of the Lord it will be reached. At these two schools we greatly ap- preciated the presence of the mission officers and many of the district lead- ers. We were astonished to hear one of our ordained ministers state that he had never attended a school for lay preachers, but we were happy to hear his statement that this one had opened new horizons to him. The departmental secretaries of the two missions really worked and cooperated in every way possible There is no doubt that hundreds of our l-reth- ren and sisters carry in their hearts the insignia of the "120". —S F. Monnier iltexicart Adventism in Acapulco Acapulco is renowned in the West- ern Hemisphere as a tourist Mecca and a great resort area. Some months ago Vicente Limon, the president of the Inter Oceanic Mission, challenged the workers and membership of the mission to also make Acapulco a focal point for the Advent Message. During the month of June, 1959, brethren Jose Zazueta and Guizar Is- rael held evangelistic meetings in Acapulco. More than twenty-five have expressed a desire to join the church and are preparing for baptism. Five have already been baptized. A branch Sabbath school of a dozen persons has also been organized by the new Sabbath-keepers in Acapulco. Pray for the preaching of the Ad- vent Message in Acapulco and all of Mexico. —Arthur H. Roth INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION MESSENGER CLYDE 0. FRANZ � Editor ARTHUR H. ROTH � Associate Editor MERCEDES ENGLAND � Associate Editor UNION CORRESPONDENTS Antillian � Alberta Jacobs Caribbean Union � K. W. Whitney Central American Union � Dora Reed Colombia-Venezuela Union _... Tirso Escandon 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 the Inter-American Division of the General Con- ference 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 anr1 circulation matters should be addressed to "The Messenger", Box 760, Coral Gables, Miami, Florida, U.S.A. * All articles hearing the credit line "Review and Herald" are reprinted from the Review and H^raid. general church paper of Seventh- day Adventists. 11 I a a a a a New Welfare Centre In Villahermosa, Mexico The new Welfare Centre, located on Marcos Diaz Street in Villaher- mosa, Tabasco, was inaugurated May 20, 1959. The ceremony was well- attended, and on the occasion of the inauguration a number of needy per- sons were presented with food and clothing, thus giving demonstration of what the Centre proposes to do in the future. After nearly two months of opera- tion this Welfare Centre is now carry- ing on a very busy programme, with the cooperation of the members of the Villahermosa church. They are gathering used clothing, food, and medicine as donations to the Centre to be distributed later to the needy. Twelve ladies have dedicated two or three hours daily to attend the sick and give injections and simple treat- ments; some days they have treated as many as 25 persons. Already, as a result of this work, three families with twelve members are now attend- ing the Adventist church. With this new unit the southeast region now has two active welfare centres. —R. F. Williams + Elder William Tol reports that an airstrip 2,000 feet long by 100 feet wide has been completed at Paruima, British Guiana, in the "Davis Indian" country. This. airstrip will greatly improve the economy of the area since farm produce will now be flown to market. Before the com- pletion of the airstrip it was almost impossible to move any quantity of produce to market, due to the 4.41...00..moovem.o.alm.o.mwro •••04m.o..m.o.m.o.mpo•NoPc V "The Deepest injury" "To rob God in tithes and of- ferings is a violation of the plain injunction of Jehovah, and works the deepest injury to those who do it; for it deprives them of the blessing of God, which is promised to those who deal honestly with Him."-5T, p. 644. 00).1•1.0.1•041110,00.04/104.1.0.0.4•1•04M1.04•••0•••.:0 Elder Winston Cunningham. isolated location of this mission station. • H. A. Roach returned to his homeland, the Bahama Islands, on August 15 where he will serve as principal of the Bahamas junior Academy in Nassau. Brother Roach has just completed his college work at Oshawa Missionary College, where he was chosen as president of his class and had the distinction of win- ning the International Temperance Oratorical Contest. • Two of our Inter-American col- leges have recently welcomed new staff members who will serve as heads of the respective Bible Departments of these institutions. Elder R. R. Widmer and family arrived at West Indies College, Mandeville, Jamaica, on July 28. Elder I. T. Crowder and family arrived in Port-of-Spain, Trini- dad, on August 5 and will be con- nected with Caribbean Union College. + The Inter-American Division evangelist, Elder H. I. Westphal, left Miami for Maracaibo, Venezuela, on August 7. He will conduct a three- month evangelistic campaign in Mara- caibo, assisted by a number of work- ers from the Colombia-Venezuela Union. ORDINATION OF WINSTON CUNNINGHAM A large number of Adventist be- lievers came to the little town of Siquirres, Costa Rica, on March 15 to witness the ordination of their district pastor, Winston Cunningham. It was a very impressive service in which Elder Fernon Retzer of the Central American Union gave the ordination sermon, Elder D. C. Pre- nier the charge, and Elder C. E. Fill- man the welcome to the ministry. When Elder Cunningham came to this district two years ago, there was only a small, rather poorly constructed church building in Siquirres. As the membership grew it soon became too small, and now the congregation, all working together, has built and equipped a nice new church building that will seat about 275 persons and has installed new benches. They did this with only about $750 help from the mission. At the dedication service held recently there were over six hundred persons present. They were standing in the aisles, they were stand- ing outside at the windows, they were standing in front of the building al- most out to the street. It was a good sign of the life and vigour of the church in that section. Elders Prenier, Fillman, and Andrean assisted Elder Cunningham in this important service and a number of local members also took part. � —C. E. Fillman tOIIIIIMINIE12111111111111111111111111111111111111111111141111111111111111111111-: DEATH OF ELDER J. L. McELHANY Seventh-day Adventists in Inter- America will be saddened to learn of the death of Elder J. L. McElhany who passed to his rest in Glendale, California, on the morning of June 25, 1959. Elder McElhany served as president of the General Conference from 1936 to 1950. He was recog- nized by his fellow believers in all the world as a faithful Chris- tian, an able and conscientious administrator of God's work, and a true friend. The Inter-American Division extends deepest sym- pathy to Mrs. McElhany and the family. We look forward to meet- ing Elder McElhany in the first resurrection. M a a a a a a 12 � MESSENGER