The Inter-American Division
essence)"
From the 49th Session
of the General Conference . . .
A MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH
DEAR FELLOW BELIEVERS IN ALL THE WORLD:
From the forty-ninth session of the General Conference
in San Francisco we send you, one and all, our warmest
greetings. Wherever you may be, whether in a busy city
such as Tokyo, Calcutta, London, or New York, or on some
lonely outpost in the African jungles, or amid the foothills
of the Himalayas, or on some far Pacific island, we want you to
know that we are thinking of you at this moment and praying
for you, eager to share with you the blessings of this great
gathering of God's people that we have been privileged to
entoy.
We could not possibly forget you, for every few moments
a thousand lights flash out upon the huge world map beside
the platform in the main auditorium. Each marks the location
of some Adventist church or mission or institution and we
know that somewhere you are there, bearing your faithful
witness for the Lord. As all the lights blaze forth again and
again, by day and night, we remember you in tender love
and our hearts are warmed anew at thought of the glorious
fellowship which binds our hearts as one.
We wish you could have been with us to hear the
thrilling reports of the progress of God's work in all the
world. As day after day, division leaders told their story of
spectacular advances, of old barriers swept away, of new
countries entered, it became overwhelmingly clear that
something tremendous is happening in the world, something
dramatic, dynamic, challenging, something that cries out to
us all in trumpet tones, "This is the finger of God!"
People speak today of "exploding" nations and
"exploding" populations, but we are witnessing a church with
its schools and colleges bursting at the seams, with sanitariums,
hospitals, and clinics overflowing with patients, with church
buildings overcrowded with members, and with thousands
upon thousands of honest-hearted people in many countries
and communions flocking to join the remnant who "keep
the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus."
Truly this is a great day to be alive, a day of marvelous
possibilities for the church and for every individual member.
VOL. XXXIX NOVEMBER, 1962
We are aware, of course, that we live in a time of
troubles. Dark clouds loom on every horizon. Deadly dangers
threaten. The perils of the last days are upon us. Yet they
do not discourage us. We see in them signs of the soon
coming of our Lord in power and glory.
At this moment God is mercifully holding the winds of
strife. He is restraining the powers of evil. By so doing He
is granting us what may well be the last brief time of peace
we shall ever know in this earth, and our last opportunity to
finish His work. Let us make the most of it! Let us seize
it while we may!
'I his is no time for doubt. Never was there so much
evidence that God has been leading this movement from its
inception a century ago, and that He is leading it today.
All about us—in the happenings among the nations and in
the expansion of the church—we see prophecy fulfilled and
fulfilling, declaring to us and all mankind that the end is
near and "the hour of his judgment is come." We have not
followed "cunningly devised fables" but the truth of the
living God. Let us cherish it with ever deeper affection,
casting not away our confidence but declaring our faith
and hope with certainty.
At the climax of this great conference the assembled
delegates—all of us—stood before God in silent dedication to
Him and to His cause, praying for the enabling and unifying
power of His Holy Spirit. We invite you to unite with us
in this act of dedication. Wherever you may be at this
moment, will you not close your eyes and say, "I too give
myself to Thee, dear Lord, in this mighty hour. Use me as
Thou wilt. Touch my heart with the live coal from the altar.
Set me on fire for Thee!"
Before us, in the quadrennium ahead, lie the greatest
achievements of the church. God is waiting to bless us beyond
our greatest dreams. May His• people everywhere be ready
to move on with Him, our lives as open channels through
which He, by His Holy Spirit, can pour Himself forth in
blessing to mankind.
(Continued on page 12)
No. 1 0

619 Baptised in Santo Domingo
By ARTHUR SCHMIDT
We are very happy to, report that
619 people have been baptised as a
result of the evangelistic campaign
conducted in the city of Santo
Domingo. A completely new church
has been organised in the suburb of
Gascue, where we already had a
beautiful church building, but no
congregation. With the Lord's
blessing, we now have 110 baptised
members in the new congregation.
We have also organised a new church
group of over 100, which meets
weekly in the old Paramount
Theatre.
Our evangelistic campaign began
on the 20th of February, 1962 and
was carried on simultaneously in two
auditoriums. It ended on the 7th of
June. There were many interesting
conversions, and we have seen very
clearly the hand of God in all that
has been done.
Our first words of gratitude are to
God for His protection during this
series of meetings. We are also
San Jose, Puerto Rico church building.
2 MESSENGER
thankful to the organisations which
have made this Campaign possible,
including the Dominican Mission, the
Antillian Union and the Inter-
American Division. They have given
liberally of funds and personnel. The
Puerto Rico Conference co-operated
by sending two of its ministers,
Ramon Anglada and Daniel Lopez.
The workers who formed the
evangelistic team are the following:
Ramon Anglada, Susana Bayas,
Dionisio Christian, Angel Gomez,
Dora Gomez, Joel Gomez, Idolidia
Gomez, Josefa Gonzalez, Dr. Hum-
berto Hernandez, Gladys Hernandez,
Daniel Lopez, Lourdes Polanco,
Nerce Puesan, Esther Santana, Jose
Valentin and Esther Valentin. The
treasurer of our evangelistic group
was Brother Rafael Irsula, treasurer
of the Mission, our secretary was
Virtudes Irsula, and the evangelist
was Arthur Schmidt. To all these
brethren and co-labourers in evange-
lism, we express our most sincere
appreciation. We also wish to thank
our faithful lay members, who helped
so consistently by giving Bible
studies, passing out handbills, bring-
ing their friends and enhancing the
meetings with music and song.
Truly we give thanks to God
because the gospel of Christ still
touches hearts. We have seen that in
these turbulent times there are many
sincere souls who are ready to
receive Jesus. May God help us to
be faithful in doing our part as
Christians, as we await the soon
return of Jesus Christ.
(Editor's Note: Elder Arthur Schmidt is
one of the outstanding evangelists in the
South American Division. Our brethren in
that Division very kindly lent us his services
for a period of six months.)
New Church in
San Jose, Puerto Rico
A very attractive new church,
located in the section of San Jose in
the metropolitan area of San Juan,
Puerto Rico, has been built and
dedicated. ,during the past year,
replacing one of the oldest buildings
o c c u p i e d by the Seventh-day
Adventists on this island.
Each Sabbath about 250 members
and interested persons meet here
under the leadership of Elder Pedro
Perales. There is a class of 35 study-
ing in preparation for baptism. These
are fruits of a recent two-week effort
held by Elder Raul Villanueva, the
Puerto Rico Conference evangelist.
"Men hate the sinner, while they
love the sin. Christ hates the sin, but
loves the sinner. This will be the spirit
of all who follow Him. Christian love
is slow to censure, quick to discern
penitence, ready to forgive, to
encourage, to set the wanderer in the
path of holiness, and to stay his feet
therein."
—The Faith I Live By, p. 98
 R. R. FIGUHR
President, General Conference
The 49th General
Conference Session
A complete report of the
Forty-ninth General Conference
Session held in San Francisco,
California, has been published in the
Review and Herald. We wish all of
you could read it, for it is truly
inspiring. In this issue of the
Messenger, we can only bring you
very brief glimpses of the great
session, where 1,215 delegates,
representing more than 1,307,000
Adventists in all the world, gathered
from July 26 to August 4. Here are
some items of special interest to us
in the Inter-American Division:
Elders R. R. Figuhr, W. R. Beach,
and C. L. Torrey were re-elected as
president, secretary and treasurer,
respectively, of the G e n e r al
Conference.
Elder A. H. Roth was appointed
to be the executive secretary to the
president of the General Conference
at world headquarters in Washing-
ton, D.C.
Elder C. L. Powers was elected
to succeed Elder A. H. Roth as
president of our own Inter-American
Division. Elder Powers has served
the Inter-American Division, first in
Colombia-Venezuela, as mission
treasurer, mission president and
school director; later, in the Antillian
Union as treasurer. He comes to us
now from the presidency of the
Franco-Haitian Union.
Elder V. W. Schoen was elected
associate secretary of the General
NOVEMBER, 1962
W. R. BEACH C. L. TORREY
Secretary, General Conference Treasurer, General Conference
C on f er en c e Home Missionary
Department.
Elder B. L. Archbold was elected
Lay Activities secretary of the Inter-
American Division. He has served as
colporteur, church school teacher,
departmental secretary and school
principal in the Central American.
Union; as dean of men and teacher
at West Indies Training College, and
as departmental secretary and con-
ference president in the Caribbean
Union. Recently he has been presi-
dent of the Caribbean, Un*)n
College.
Elder H. J. Westphal was called
to serve as a pastor-evangelist in the
Texas Conference.
Other Inter-American Division C. L. POWERS
staff members were re-elected to President, Inter-American Division
serve as follows: C. 0. Franz,
Treasurer; David H. Baasch, Secre-
tary and Ministerial Association; G.
E. Maxson, Missionary Volunteer;
Fernon Retzer, Sabbath School and
Radio; W. J. Brown, Educational
and Public Relations; Ernest von
Pohle, M.D., Medical.
R. B. Caldwell will continue as
auditor and assistant treasurer.
A. B. King will also continue as
assistant treasurer.
We are publishing in this issue
several pictures taken during the
Session, showing scenes from the
World Mission Pageant of Sabbath
afternoon, July 28, presented before
an audience of 20,000 people, and
also pictures of the Inter-American
Division programme presented July
31 at the General Conference B. L. ARCHBOLD
Session. Lay Activities, Inter-American Division
3
 the joys they miss and the restraints
to which they are subjected by their
ailments. How they long for the
freedom of health! Even the rich
FREEDOM IN CHRIST have their frustrations, for after all,
By M. V. CAMPBELL money will not buy happiness or
friends. If wealth brings liberty, then
why do millionaires sometimes travel
A devotional study presented at the Their actions show that in our day incognito in order to have the
General Conference Session. and in many lands people feel as did freedom that would be denied them
In the human heart there are many the American Revolutionary patriot, were their names and resources
strong desires. The aspirations of one Patrick Henry, who said: "Is life so known?
man may differ considerably from dear, or peace so sweet, as to be Possibly the dread dictator who
those of his neighbour, but there is purchased at the price of chains and rules his country so autocratically has
one yearning that is well-nigh slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I the least real freedom of all. Never
universal—the yearning for freedom. know not what course others may does he dare so much as to take a
What man is there who does not take, but as for me, give me liberty, short stroll without his bodyguards.
wish to think his own thoughts, to or give me death!" He is always in fear of assassins, of
speak his own mind and, within It is interesting to notice what
false friends, and of envious
reasonable limits, to do as be pleases? various people mean when they speak associates. Without doubt his soul
George Washington said, "Inter- of liberty. Those living under an too cries out for liberty. Yes, com-
woven is the love of liberty with autocratic government usually desire plete liberty is greatly coveted, hotly
every ligament of the heart." political freedom. This longing has
led to many uprisings, revolutions, pursued, but rarely realised.
Those of us who live in lands and wars. Though one's country may There is only one source of true
where liberty is experienced, tend to be independent and have a demo- freedom. It comes from Jesus. Said
take it for granted and forget the cratic form of government, many He, "If the Son therefore shall make
great blessing that is ours. One need citizens even then complain of you free, ye shall be free indeed"
but visit even for a brief tune the restrictions and obstructions. (John 8:36). Paul said, "Where the
people of a nation where a dictator The poor man envies the rich, Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty"
rules without regard to the desires realising that he by no means has (2 Cor. 3:17). God is the Creator of
of the people, to realise `that they the opportunities that are open to liberty. Adam and Eve were free in
too long for freedom. In many cases his wealthy neighbour. He feels Paradise; with sin, freedom vanished.
they risk life to leave their homeland shackled and chained by his poverty. It is restored only by and through
in search for liberty elsewhere. The chronically ill know full well of Jesus.

Mission Pageant: Puerto Rican delegation. Mission Pageant: Colombia-Venezuelan delegation.

4 MESSENGER
 Freedom From, Fear, Worry,
and Care
When we think of liberty, it is
not some; abStract ideal. 'We want
freedom from some particular harass-
ment that is troubling us. The fette:s
from which men crave freed6th the
most are those that bind the mind
and the soul. These are felt by
citizens of free countries as well as
those of dependent lands. The rich
and the poor, the strong . and the
weak, all are frequently in bondage
to fear, worry, apprehension, and
dread. If all anxiety could suddenly
be removed 'from eve:v human heart.
what a change that alone would
make!
One of Roosevelt's Four Freedoms
was "Freedom From Fear," but now,
years after the war fought to gain
the Four Freedoms was supposedly
won, there is probably more cause
for alarm than ever before. We are
living in days when men's hearts
truly fail them for fear. We are
dwelling in the shadow of weapons
of destruction that cause horror and
terror even to the brave.
But to the troubled heart Jesus Mission Pageant: French West Indies delegation.
can Ming peace. He is the Prince of
Peace. Just as He stilled the boister- There is, however, no need for time, by occupying the mind,
ous waves of Galilee, so He can anyone to leave this meeting with a prevents any worry from re-entering.
quiet the qualms of our troubled single worry. Cast all your care upon The verse ends with words, "think
hearts. He is the One who can give Jesus, He will gladly carry it for you on these things."
true freedom from fear. The world and set you free, leaving you calm Let us notice for a moment the
about us may be in panic, but with and untroubled in mind and sou]. things that are listed on which we
Jesus in our hearts we r can have A Christian can truly be free from are to meditate. It is not a long list,
confidence and be at ease. fear. Why should one be afraid but it is sufficient. Notice, we are
while serving the Maker of the to think on the things that are true,
Jesus Will Bear Our Cares universe? Jesus knows the future. He the things that are honest, just, pure,
controls the future. If you give your- lovely, and of good report. This
How can Jesus take away our self to Him and let Him be the pilot excludes the thoughts that are un-
worries, our cares, and our fears? H of your life, He can steer you true, dishonest, unjust, impure, and
does it by taking them from us and through all danger and bring you unlovely.
bearing them in our stead. We are safely to the homeland.
invited to give all our worries to A Challenge
Cast your cares upon Him, He is
Him. The apostle Peter refers to this Let me challenge you to try this.
able to bear them. He delights to
as "casting all your care upon him" First, cast all your care upon Jesus.
bear them. Yield yourself, your
(I Peter 5:7). We frequently refer to Next, fill your mind only with the
worries and your cares, to Jesus, and
Jesus as the great Sin-Bearer, and He will care for you. He never things that are true and think only
thank God, He is, but in addition to worries, but He will gladly carry of the things that are honest. Then,
our sins He also carries our worries,
your worries. even from the list of things that may
our cares, our dread and fear, in be true, eliminate all that are not
fact, every misgiving or concern, When we give Jesus all of our
troubles it is well to fill our minds also just and pure and lovely. Think
whether small or great. only on these things of good report.
with better things, otherwise these
Perhaps it would not be wise to troubles may return. The Scriptures Fill your mind with these lovely,
ask whether anyone entered this tell of the things we should ponder, pure, just, honest, and true thoughts
meeting with a heart burdened with the subjects that should be the and see whether your troubles and
some great anxiety. It is probable burden of our thoughts. The eighth your fears do not fade away, leaving
that some did, perhaps a few have verse of the fourth chapter of you with the peace of Jesus.
more than mere anxiety, for the Philippians gives us a mental He says, "Let not your heart be
world is filled with nervousness, exercise that strengthens the mind troubled: ye believe in God, believe
alarm, and dread. and the character and at the same also in me (John 14:1), Again in
NOVEMBER, 1962 5
the same chapter He gives us the
result. Verse 27 says, "Peace I leave
with you, my peace I give unto you;
not as the world giveth, give I unto
you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid."
No man apart from, Jesus knows
what it means to be untroubled, or
unafraid. Without Him, no heart is
at peace, no mind free from
foreboding. Jesus says to you, His
follower: "Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid." To
the weary soul who has not yet given
up the world for Him, He says:
"Come unto me, all ye that labour
and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest."
There is no sugges ion that the
Christian will never have trials or
persecution. In fact, we are assured
that he will. Jesus said, "In the
world ye shall have tribulation: but
be of good cheer; I have overcome
the world" (John 16:33).
There will be_ trouble — many
troubles all around us. Trouble will
be on the outside but, ace wi bin.
We May be in the miclif- of terrifying
conditions, vet free from fear.
One who has freedom from fear
might seem to be free indeed, but
there is another freedom that is
infinitely greater thdr*. this and
incomparably greater than the com-
bined Four Freedoms listed by
Franklin Boos .welt. This is freedom
from sin.
Mission Pageant: Jamaican delegation displays new Jamaican flag.
6 MESSENGER
Christ's Blood Cleanses
The Christian can fully enjoy this
liberty. The Bible frequently refers
to it. One such text is 1 John 1:7:
"The blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from, all sin." There are
few burdens that are more difficult
to bear than the burden of guilt. It
is not easy to live with a bad
conscience, and the weight of
iniquity will sink one in the end.
However, people do become
accustomed to living with sin and
the burden of a guilty conscience
until it seems almost to be the
normal life. It is not a pleasant life,
but everyone else sins, so we tend
to excuse our own offenses. It is
more difficult to overlook the trans-
gressions of others, but we persuade
ourselves that our errors, which look
grievous when in the life of a
neighbour, take on a much more
pleasing colour when we are the
ones who commit them!
But there is no need to be
burdened with sin. The blood .of
Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin.
Not the slightest defect need remain.
The blood of Jesus searches out
every blemish in our characters,
every impure thought, as well as
every wicked deed. All are washed
away by the precious blood of Jesus.
This leaves a man pure in motive,
in impulse, in mind, in speech, in
action. Can anything else compare
with this experience? Can any other
freedom be likened to freedom from
sin?
Let us notice that there is but one
cleansing agent--the blood of Jesus
Christ. He came to this earth for one
purpose, to save from sin. The
shedding of His blood in our behalf
has made possible our salvation.
Belief in Him brings about the new
birth. Confession of sin in His name
brings forgiveness. He is able to
keep us from falling and to present
us faultless.
Men have tried to rid themselves
of their guilt in other ways. Thou-
sands, through the ages, have been
ding penance by performing arduous
tasks, others have been making long
pilgrimages, all in the hope of
leaving sin behind, but at the end
of their penances and pilgrimages
they still carry the same burden, sin
still clings to them.
An Act of God
No man can free himself from his
imperfections; it takes an act of God.
God gave His Son and His Son gave
His life; His blood washes away all
sin.
"There is a fountain filled with
blood,
Drawn from rmmanuers veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that
flood,
Lose all their guilty stains."
Jesus came to wash away sin. He
did not come in vain, for anyone
can now be saved. The vilest sinner
who comes to Jesus may become the
purest saint; no one is excluded.
"God so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten son, that
whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have everlasting life"
(John 3:16).
The word "whosoever" in this text
includes every living being. You and
I may be made free from sin, you
and I need not perish. We may have
everlasting life. Jesus came for this
one purpose, to save His people from
their sins. Remember though, this
was not done without cost to Jesus.
It cost His life. He died to bring us
freedom from sin.
When can we experience this
freedom? We can have it now. There
is no need to wait. There is danger
in delay. Any who have not been
baptised should take that step. It is
a part of cleansing from sin. It
expresses one's belief in the death
and resurrection of Jesus and in His Again the lad,,,stumbled, but this Here and now, in this life, we
cleansing power. time he did not fall. No, his father may be free men in Christ Jesus. We
Ananias said to Paul in Damascus was holding his hand so that he may have the experience of being
after that persecutor had met Jesus couldn't fall. This is God's promise free from every fear and worry, and
on the way, "Why tarriest thou? to us: "I the Lord have called thee in best of all, free from every sin.
arise, and be baptised, and wash righteousness, and will hold thine In the kingdom that soon will
away thy sins" (Acts 22:16). Baptism hand, and will keep thee" (Isa. 42:6). come we shall be free even from the
then has a part in the washing and Best of all, Jesus covers us with results of sin. That will immediately
cleansing from sin. It signifies the the robe of His righteousness. The banish all fear, perplexity, and
acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus. sinless life that He lived becomes, dread. In that land there will be
But what about sins following through faith in Him, our life. Every nothing to cause worry or alarm.
baptism? Surely many are committed. imperfection, defect, and sin is There will be no sickness, no
How are these washed away? I John forgiven. We are made free from sorrow, no poverty, no wars, no
1:9 says: "If we confess our sins, them. Christ's righteousness becomes deaths; God shall wipe away all
he is faithful and just to forgive us outs through faith. tears. Throughout the ceaseless ages
our sins, and to cleanse us from all Jesus gives us liberty, full freedom all will enjoy the vigor of eternal
unrighteousness." Again Jesus from sin. To those who have not youth. There will be no sorrow, no
cleanses, making us free from sin. experienced the cleansing power of regrets. No conscience will be
Does this freedom from sin, then, Jesus it seems that the whole human troubled, for there will be no sin.
mean continual sinning, confessing,
receiving cleansing, and then sinning
again? No, far from it. Jesus can
give us victory over sin. "Let not
sin therefore reign in your mortal
body, that ye should obey it in the
lusts thereof. . . . For sin shall not
have dominion over you: for ye are
not under the law, but under grace"
(Rom. 6:12-14).
Others may be dominated by sin,
but Christ can break its power over
you if you accept and follow Him.
Sin shall not have dominion over
you. We do not continue in this
freedom from sin in our own power
any more than we attain it in the
first place by ourselves. The blood
of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all
sin, it washes us. cleari, and Jesus
can keep us clean and free from sin.
Jude, verse 24, reads: "Now unto
him that is able to keep you from
falling, and to present you faultless
before the presence of his glory with
exceeding joy." Jesus is able to do
this for you. Why not let Him?
"Daddy, You Hold My Hand"
I heard a story of a small boy who
loved to walk by his tall, strong
father. The lad would reach up and Mission Pageant: Mexican delegation.
grip one of his father's fingers. Once,
as they walked, the boy stumbled, race is in the clutches of sin, that Best of all, We shall dwell with
and his hold on his father's finger it is a hopeless disease, a corrupting Jesus, the Author of peace, the One
slipped and he fell. pestilence. This may seem true, but whose blood washed away all sin.
When the father had picked him in Jesus there is healing. This will be the fruition of every
up and comforted him, he said to "There is a balm in Gilead hope.
him, "Now try it again, but this time That makes the wounded whole;
hold my finger tighter." The little There will be joy—hearts over-
There is a balm in Gilead,
boy, who even before the fall was flowing with happiness in company
To heal the sin-sick soul."
grasping his father's finger as firmly with our Lord. This will be freedom
Jesus does heal the sin-sick soul.
as he could, said, "No, Daddy, you indeed, the,, end of the pilgrimage—
He will gladly apply the balm of
hold my hand," so they walked on, the final homeland of free men in
Gilead to our wounded hearts; He
the father's big hand closed over that Christ Jesus!
will cleanse from our lives all
of his small son. unrighteousness. —Review and Herald
NOVEMBER, 1962 7

Who Is On The Lord's Side?
By R. A. VINCE
(Youth Sermon Preached at the Citjic
Auditorium, Sabbath, July 28, 1962.)
In considering the responsibility of
this service, it was impressed upon
me to remember that I am to address
fifth-generation Adventists for whom
the old rallying calls 'of the first-
generation Adventists can hardly be
regarded as novel. Nevertheless, they
must be sounded again with new
urgency.
The Tide of Evil
Our youth today face a problem
symptomatic of the times—not bore-
dom, or emptiness of ambition, but
an increasing involvement in the
swirling 'currents of human activity.
The focus of interest and importance
is falling increasingly upon the
y o u n g e r generation. 5`' Youth are
wanted in industry and commerce,
research and exploration, politics and
professions, p.'ace and war. It is a
credit card with the finest recom-
mendations just to be young.
"This is a time of speCial danger
for the young: Temptations surround
them on every hand; and while it is
easy work to float with the current,
the strongest effort is :required to
8 MESSENGER
press against the tide of evil."
Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 421.
The relentless currents of human
activity involve us all. Sooner or later
we make a choice of some kind that
puts us into a certain stream along
which we are borne. Very 'often the
final outcome is not what was
anticipated. Them is nothing more
important to Youth today than to be
going in the right direction and not
merely to be borne along by popular
pressures.
Social Pressure
When Moses delayed to come
down out of the mount, the people
of Israel pressured Aaron into
making a golden calf. "So they gave
it me:. then I cast it into the fire,
and there came out this calf"
(Ex. 32:24). When confronted with
the return of Moses, Aaron sought
to cover his own weakness by falling
back upon the baseless defence that
the people were to blame, and that
a surprising miracle had occurred
which he had not anticipated.
Certainly Aaron had not realised the
lengths to which his early compliance
with popular pressure would lead.
Today, conformity is characteristic
of the times. In a time of unions,
common markets, worldwide fashions
and patterns of living, the people
have become the great criterion.
"What are 'the people' doing, think-
ing, saying7even ,wearing?" too often•
is, the vital question for many.
The' 'warning of Jesus to us as
recorded in Matthew '24 parallels the
story of Aaron and: the golden calf.
Some will say, "My lord delayeth
his coming; and :Shall begin to . . .
eat and drink „with, the drunken"
(Matt. 24:48, 49). For them there
will be a sad "There shall
be, weeping and gnashing of teeth"
(verse 51).
The Golden Calf
The wise man declared, "Bread of
deceit is sweet to a man; but after-
wards his mouth shall be filled with
gravel" (Prov. 20:17). Popularity is
sweet, but its end result is ofttimes
bitter. Aaron cast the gold into the
furnace and there came out the in-
famous calf. Eve cast in the simple
act of straying from her husband's
side to listen to the voice of the
tempter, and there came out a
flaming sword that barred the way
to the Garden of Eden. Adolf
Eichman chose the popular plaudits
of Nazism and there came out one
of the greatest crimes of history. The
popular stream carried him on its
crest—and finally out of his depth.
Likewise, the gambler throws in
the dice and there come out poverty
and wretchedness. The drunkard
throws in the "social glass" and there
comes out social ostracism. Another
person throws in a visit to the
Elder A. H. Roth introduces Elder and
Mrs. Orley Ford to the General Con-
ference Session. After 45 years of
mission service, Elder Ford declares:
"Although officially retired, as all old
Fords finally must be, yet I find in the
used car lot, the older the car the
greater its sales value, so as the oldest
Ford on the road I take courage and
feel that I don't need to be retired but
just get a re-tread. . ."
Inter-American programme: Group in typical costumes Inter-American programme: Flowers for the delegates
sings "Mas Alla del Sol". expressed Inter-America's warmth and friendship.

movies, or in the dance hall, or reads Jesus, their Captain, for His orders." (1 Cor. 7:31) are of this sort. It is in
the unclean book—and there comes Messages to Young People, p. 138. these things, left outside the pale of
out a secret sin which grips like a prohibition, that the set of our
vice. The kind of consecration called affections is often revealed to us.
for is not intellectual acceptance of
How is it with you, young friend? the Advent message, neither is it a
Has the world made its inroads into momentary response to an emotional Things Above
your spiritual life? Are there any appeal. It is dedicating one's life, in Scripture gives us good counsel as
among us caught_ in the riptide of its whole flow, to the service of God. to how we should go about setting
popular sin and fashionable world- Says Paul, "Set your affection on our affection on things above.
liness and who is out of his depth things above, not on things on the This is, first through a disciplined
today? earth" (Col. 3:2). This is real con- devotional life.
"When you have lost your way on secration. Affection is not superficial "Now set your heart and your
the lonesome road, intellectualism or emotionalism. It is soul to seek the Lord your God"
When the course you do not know, the controlling factor in life. It is a (1 Chron. 22:19).
And your thoughts extend to the permanent attitude or habit of
journey's end think in g. It reveals our true "There js an altar I must build,
But your progress there is slow; character, determines our influence, Strong and foursquare of rough-
If you're og the track, you can still and decides our destiny. Therefore, hewn stone,
turn back With bitter labour shaped and laid,
To see what the signpost showed,
our affection should be set—at the And I must build it all alone.
But the time to decide that you outset—on things above and not on No other hand but mine must rear
need a guide things on the earth. That altar in the secret place,
Is just at the fork of the road." "One ship drives east, and another Remote, untrod, where even now
—C. H. Lufburrow drives west God waits to meet me face to face."
With the self-same winds that blow, Second, we should recognise our
'Tis the set of the sails and not need of the church and our obliga-
Separation and Consecration the gale tions to its service. King David once
Which tells us the way to go."
Moses' call to the people of Israel said, "I have set my affection to the
is God's call to Adventist youth house of my-God.. . . Who then is
today. "Who is on the Lord's side? Things of the Earth willing to consecrate his service this
let him come unto me" (Ex. 32:26). There are two kinds of earthly day unto the Lord?" (1 Chron.
"Consecrate yourselves today to the things against which we should set 29:3-5). God's need for labourers in
Lord, . . . that he may bestow upon our affections—the plainly sinful and His vineyard is greater than the
you a blessing this day" (verse 29). the relatively sinful. With the plainly world's need. To carry on the work
"Those who stand under the sinful, immediate renunciation is the of the church God can use only
bloodstained banner of Prince only way (Rom. 13:12-14; Isa. 1:16). dedicated Christian lives. The world
Immanuel should be faithful soldiers In the case of the relatively sinful, knows no such restriction for the
in Christ's army. They should never where perhaps no definite "Thou accomplishment of its objectives.
be disloyal, never be untrue. Many shalt not" may be quoted in black God is looking to consecrated youth
of the young will volunteer to stand and white, lie so often "the golden today to take up the task involved
with Jesus, the Prince of Life. But earrings" which once cast into the in carrying the Advent message to all
if they would continue to stand with furnace produced a sad result. Frivol- the world "in this generation." Will
Him they must constantly look unto ity (Eccl. 10:13) and worldly fashion (Continued on page 12)
9
NOVEMBER, 1962
 .....•••••••••••••••••,
the western part of the island, in a
caravan of nine buses. Others from
antietian Matanzas and Las Villas in the West Centiat ameticart
A./ Cuba ConferenCe, came in their own •••••••••••=1••

automobiles. We had a very wonder-

ful Sabbath school and church
service., The attendance at the con- Evangelism in Costa Rica
News From Cuba gress was swelled by brethren who
visited us from the neighbouring An evangelistic campaign in the
We have recently held one JMV churches. A congregation of more
camp and one MV congress at the conservative Catholic city of San
than 800 filled our school auditorium, Jose, capital of Costa Rica, Central
Seminary in Santa Clara, Cuba. and the surrounding corridors. An
Truly these meetings have brought America, was carried on by Elder
80-voice choir, with members from Henry J. Westphal and his asso-
us many blessings, both physical and all the churches of the Conference, ciates from February through May.
spiritual. sang several special numbers of Two nights a week there were
The Lord blessed us with an praise to the Lord. meetings in the Escarre baseball
attendance of 180 boys and girls in The congress ended with the stadium and two nights in the
the junior camp, and 325 young men words of Paul in Ephesians 5:14: Guadalupe section of the city in a
and women attended the congress. "Awake, thou that sleepest, and "bubble" (air) tent—quite a novelty
From all parts of ,.tle East Cuba arise from the dead, and Christ shall for the sountry. Later, six meetings
Conference, more than 500 people give thee light." a week were held.
left their homes to spend a few When Elder Oscar Santa Cruz was
days at the Seminary. We thank God For all that this MV camp and looking for a lot on which to put up
that there was no accident of any congress have meant to us, we say the tent, he met with blunt refusals
kind to lament. with reverence, "Thank thee, Lord. everywhere. Approaching the owner
Thank thee very much." of a well-located vacant lot, he
We were able to bring campers
and attendants to the congress from —Alejandro Delgado decided not to mention the real
purpose of the tent meeting until a
friendly basis had been established.
"You will have to see my son,"
the lady told him, "and he is very
busy. You might see him between
12:30 and 1:00 p.m., but I doubt
that he will be interested."
When the mission president re-
turned, the lady said, "My son and
I decided we didn't want to have a
circus next door. It would be un-
pleasant to have wild animals so
close."
"Oh, but it's not for a circus!"
Then Elder Santa Cruz told her
plainly that he was a Seventh-day
Adventist minister searching for a
place where religious meetings could
be held.
"Why didn't you tell me that in
the first place!" she exclaimed. "I'll
be glad to let you have it for that.
I took in the first Protestant
................ missionaries sent here 45 years ago,
when no one else would befriend
them. I still have the Bible they
gave me."
This lady was very faithful about
Inter-American programme: The twenty-one flags of our division were presented attending the meetings in the tent
at the close of the prOgramme. pitched on her lot.
10 MESSENGER
 Mexican Mission, commenced an
- After the first baptism, the newly good for you, you had better not
interested people began attendingevangelistic effort in the town of hold another meeting. You can talk
Panaba, Yucatan. The local author-
the services at the Adventist church. about the Constitution defending
ities, even though they had given
Twice, just before presenting the your liberty, but here yo mando
testing truths, a prayer vigil was
permission for the meetings, were (I am boss)!
held from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. aroused by the Catholic church, and "After this scathing lecture by the
Encouraging personal" experiencestried to run Brother Alfaro out of chief authority )in Panaba, I was
town, but with God's protection he
were related and special prayers for allowed to go, and again heard
personal victories were offered. was able to finish the series of threats and insults from the crowd,
There were 136 who received meetings and see some fruits from as though I were a common criminal.
diplomas for finishing the free health
his efforts. I immediately left by bus for the
correspondence course sponsored by Listen as Brother Alfaro tells his capital city, Merida, and there
Mrs. Esther Leon and later Miss experience. "Many people attended presented an appeal to the Depart-
Ema Rodriguez. Most of these the first night of our meetings, but ment of Justice. They promised to
students cont in u e d with Bible the next night I was sick, and not send 24 soldiers to protect me from
courses also. able to carry on. I sent a layman in the fanatical people of Panaba. The
As an introduction, Dr. Clifford
my place, and two visiting col- municipal president of Panaba was
Anderson's film strips, "Your Radio
porteurs were on hand to help. That advised of this arrangement, and
Doctor", were shown every evening,
second night about five minutes after from that time on, I was not
having been translated into Spanish.
eight, two men entered the small molested by anyone. We were able
Five of Elder George Vandeman's building, and the colporteurs who to finish the series of meetings.
"It Is Written" films were also were serving as ushers realised that Thanks be to God that on May 28
enjoyed by the audiences as they they were police. The police took two precious souls were baptised,
listened to a taped translation of
the colporteurs to the office of the one being the 'sacristan' or lay
the script. Other attractions were:
municipal president, who, even at assistant to the priest of Panaba, and
thousands of coloured slides, music,
that late hour, was waiting for them the other a young man who is now
fluorescent chalk drawings, and in his office. They were received canvassing. Today many people in
original black light illustrations.
with harsh words, and forbidden to Panaba, are interested in the Advent
The workers assisting for shortsell books. The president also said message, and a good group is study-
periods of time were Elder Miguel that the meetings must not continue. ing the Sabbath school lesson each
Leon, Elder Juan Castillo, Elder and Sabbath. Already we are laying
Mrs. Efrain Murillo, mission "On the third night I was still in plans for a church building. Pray
bed, so sent another layman. He too
president Oscar Santa Cruz, retired for us."
minister Peter Nygaard, Elder Ivanwas taken to the office of the —Roy Williams
Ruiz, and Miss May Hammond, municipal president, where he heard
besides those who helped with the this warning: 'We do not for one
moment more, want to hear evange-
ushering and with the running of the "Not one soul that in penitence and
projectors. lical teachings and heresies. We are faith has claimed His protection will
At the close of the campaign aCatholics, and your presence here is Christ permit to pass under the
disturbing the peace of the com-
baptismal class called "The Under- enemy's power."
lined Bible" was formed in two munity. If you continue, I will put —The Faith I Live By, p. 324
all of you in jail.'
sections. Those attending received
gift Bibles, a ruler and pencil, to "By the fourth night, my health
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION
look up and underline each verse was improved, and I asked God to
MESSENGER
that was read. lead and protect us, for we were in
A new Sabbath school was great danger. We opened the meet- MRS. SYLVIA POWERS
DAVID H. BAASCH
Editor
Associate Editor
organised in Guadalupe and a ing at eight o'clock. Suddenly the DORA REED Associate Editor
silence of the night was broken by
baptism of 18 took place on May 26. UNION CORRESPONDENTS
Others will follow, since approx- the pealing of the bells of the Antillian Union Alberta Jacobs
imately 100 are attending the Catholic church, followed by the Caribbean Union K. W. Whitney
Central American Union W. V. Wiist
baptismal classes. shooting of firecrackers in front of Colombia-Venezuela Union W. T. Collins
—Barbara Westphal that building. In three or four Franco-Haitian Union S. F. Monnier
Mexican Union R. F. Williams
minutes, two policemen appeared at West Indies Union Mrs. W. A. Holgate
the door and ordered me to
Published monthly as the Official Organ of the
accompany them to the office of the Inter-American Division of the General Con-
Mexican municipal president. The office was
filled with men and women, and I
ference of Seventh-day Adventists, Box 760,
Coral Gables, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
Piice: $1.00 a year.
Printed by the College Press, Caribbean Union
was received with jeers and curses. College, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, W.I.
I respectfully greeted the president,
All communications relating to editorial and
New Doors Open but he received me with a threat. 'We circulation matters should be addressed to
don't want you to stay one minute "The Messenger", Box 760, Coral Gables,
Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
in Yucatan more in Panama. You are creating a
scandal by your presence, and if you * All articles bearing the credit line "Review
and Herald" are reprinted from the Review
In the month of March, 1962, don't leave peacefully, we'll take and Herald, the general church paper of the
Seventh-day Adventists.
Brother Nicanor Alfaro, a worker you out by force. The police will not
among the Mayas of the Southeast protect you, so if you know what's
NOVEMBER, 1962 11
 (Instead of the regular Inter-American
Brevities, we are presenting several
items of special interest which we heard
at the General Conference Session.)
► The South American Division is
baptising an average of more than
one thousand souls each month.
► There are now over 70,000
baptised Adventists in the country of
Brazil alone. This is the highest
number of Adventists in any single
country outside the United States.
► The Australasian Division has
become the seventh world division to
reach the one hundred thousand
mark in its Sabbath school
membership.
► The colporteurs in Finland,
Northern Europe, used to visit every
single home in that country once
every two years. Now their goal is
to visit each home once every year!
► The Southern African Division
has added 70,000 new members
during the past quadrennium. Their
new goal is to baptise 2G,000
persons a year and to reach a total
church membership of 250,000—a
quarter of a million!
► The Southern Asia Division
presents the challenge of over 500
million non-Christian inhabitants.
Over 2,000 have been baptised there
since 1958. The membership in this
Division numbers over 27,000.
► The challenge of the Middle
East Division is its great Moslem
population, yet during the past
quadrennium the few workers in
that great area have held over 160
public efforts and won 680 souls.
Each soul represents a great victory
for Christ.
► Our own Inter-American Divi-
sion has almost 160 thousand
baptised members. It is now the
third largest division in the world
field.
12
Ordination of
Juan Jose Suarez
Sabbath afternoon, June 16, it
was the privilege of the writer
to be present in the Caracas
Central church for the ordination
of one of our young Venezuelan
workers, Juan Jose Suarez.
Brother Suarez is a graduate of
the Colombia-Venezuela Union
College. He has ministered to
the churches in Medellin and
Santa Marta, Colombia, and El
Limon and Catia, Venezuela. At
present, Brother Suarez is the
pastor of the Catia (Caracas)
Venezuela, church.
Assisting the writer in the
service of ordination were:
Elders Harold Bohr, president of
the East Venezuela Mission; R.
D. Fleitas, Mission Publishing
Secretary; and Henry Niemann,
pastor of the Caracas Central
church.
It is our sincere desire that
the Pastor of all pastors, our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
will continue to bless the
ministry of Brother Juan Jose
Suarez, grant i n g him even
greater success in the future,
and many more souls as the
results of his gospel ministry.
A. Ray Norcliffe
N OTICE
Due to the extra work involved
with the General Conference
Session, we were unable to publish
the October issue of the
MESSENGER. —The Editors
A MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH
(Continued from page 1)
Let us lay aside everything that
might hinder God's work in us—all
selfishness and self-seeking, all
foolish pride and vainglory, all un-
kind thoughts and cruel criticism.
Everywhere let us "press together"
in brotherly love and sympathy,
humbly esteeming others above our-
selves and happily upholding our
leadership in our prayers and cheer-
ing them on in the discharge of their
heavy responsibilities. May we be a
truly Christian people, with every
one of us seeking to be more and
more like the Master, constantly
whispering, "Let the beauty of
Jesus be seen in me."
This is an hour for greatness.
Great vision. Great thinking. Great
planning. Great devotion. Great
endeavour. God make us worthy of
it and of the mighty talks He has
entrusted to us. Let us follow Him
as he leads us on from victory to
victory in unity and love.
Assuring you again of our affection
and our prayers, we remain
Your brothers and sisters in the
Advent faith,
The Delegates Assembled at the
General Conference Session.
—Review and Herald
WHO IS ON THE LORD'S SIDE?
(Continued from page 9)
you be one who will consecrate his
talents to the Lord today?
Third, and most significant of all,
is our need to follow the example of
the psalmist who declared, "I have
set the Lord always before me:
because he is at my right hand, I
shall not be moved" (Ps. 16:8).
Who is on the Lord's side? Who
will be bold enough to declare him-
self this morning against the fashion-
able worldliness of these perilous
times, and will stand as a faithful
soldier beneath the bloodstained
banner of Prince Emmanuel?
Who will consecrate himself this
day to the Lord to receive the
blessing He is waiting to bestow?
—Review and Herald
MESSENGER