AUSTRALASIAN UNION CONFERENCE. SECOND MEETING.
SEPTEMBER 14, 1906, 3:30 P. M.
AFTER singing, prayer was offered by J. Pallant.
E. H. Gates gave a general report of the Island mission
work for the past three years, as follows :—
... Though the people of those countries are addicted
to health-destroying dietetic habits, a real interest is
shown in our health foods. In Singapore and in the
Malay Peninsula a large number of subscriptions have
been obtained for the Good Health, and the health food
sales at our store are on the increase. We know person
ally of individuals not of our faith who have made im
portant reformations in their habits of living as the
result of the teachings in our health literature. Treat
ment rooms fairly well equipped have been opened in
the city, and are reasonably well patronised. There
is no good reason that the health work should not be
come an important factor in pioneering the last message
in thousands of homes in Malaysia.
The time will probably soon come when a sanitarium
will be a necessity at some point near Singapore. Some
wealthy and influential men have already shown an
interest in this enterprise. The premier of the State of
Johore, on the Asiatic side of the strait north of Singa
pore, has given us encouragement that land will be given
for sanitarium purposes. Probably in no other place
are our God-given health principles more needed than
in those countries.
Our two canvassers who have worked in the East
Indian field have had excellent success. A large number
of the " Desire of Ages " and " Daniel and Revelation "
have been placed in the hands of not only English people,
but of Chinese, Eurasians, and Malays, who are able to
read English,—Catholics as well as Protestants.
Our little tract on the second advent, translated into
Malay, sells readily, and will do its part in preparing
the way for the Lord's coming. An anti-opium tract
has also been put into Malay, and is now called for in
Chinese. The book "Christ Our Saviour," is being
translated into Baba Malay, and will soon be ready for
the printer.
That the dissemination of our literature among the
swarming millions of the East is to be the chief means
of giving those peoples the last message, can not for a
moment be doubted when we get a close view of the
conditions which obtain there. To learn the numerous
dialects of these congested regions so that the living
preacher may be able to give the message by word of
mouth is an impossibility unless the Lord bestows
the gift of tongues. Again, in the Dutch East Indies,
to proselyte among the Mohammedans is at present
forbidden by law; but there is no law to forbid the
circulation of religious literature.
By means of our little army of canvassers, we can
quickly carry the printed page through those vast re-
gions. So important does this work seem, that the
Union Conference Committee is seriously planning to
establish a printing plant in or near Singapore as soon
as the man can be found to take charge of it. The
chairman of the General Conference Publishing De
partment has just written us, asking counsel as to the
advisability of that body starting a printing office in
Singapore, where literature can be produced for the
millions of heathen in China, Japan, Korea, and the
surrounding regions. We hope that by a union of the
two conferences a well equipped printing plant may be
established in that important centre. God has spoken,
saying that our literature should fall everywhere like
the leaves of autumn. Is it not safe to heed His word ?
Among the most important needs of Singapore at
the present moment are a church edifice of our own,
and an industrial school in the country in connection
with the printing office. It is impossible to rent such a
house as we need for church purposes.
A piece of ground in a central and eminently respect
able part of the city, is offered us for sale, andit would seem
to be the part of wisdom to secure it, though the price is
high. This will, of course, call for a further expenditure
for a church building. May we not look to our Sabbath-
schools for financial help in securing a church building
where the message may be faithfully declared in that
large city ?
A school is another imperative necessity in the
same place. Though no effort was made to start a
school, we have already about twenty children and
youth in the little school that was begun several months
ago. This is conducted by Sister Jones, who is already
over-worked, assisted by a young Chinese sister who
accepted the truth early this year. The children in this
school are Chinese, Eurasians, English, and Javanese.
The present location of the school is in the mission house
in the heart of the city. The Spirit of Prophecy has in
structed us to locate our schools in the country. This
will call for land and buildings, and a teacher who can
give all her time to the school work.
Our superintendent in the field is negotiating for a
piece of land outside of the city. A Mohammedan
has already offered us fifteen acres of land free of cost
for school purposes....
Observations
The underlined highlighted sections demonstrate the role of Ellen White's counsel in the development of mission work.
This exerpt provides a view of the thinking behind the actions so necessary for solid development of Adventist work: Worship, publishing, health, and education.
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