CHURCH DEVELOPMENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 857, 28 December 1929, Page 11

CHURCH DEVELOPMENT

GROWTH OF SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS WORLD-WIDE MOVEMENT

Today Seventh Day Adventists are carrying the message of the Gospel in 135 countries in 349 languages. This fact was revealed by Pastor W. G. Turner, addressing the Seventh Day Adventist convention now in session at the Avondale racecourse. The address was illustrated with lantern slides, depicting the publishing, educational, medical and evangelical work of tlie church and indicated a remarkable world-wide growth. Pastor Turner, who is president of the conference, pointed out that the baptisms in 192 S totalled 25,000, and the amount contributed to the church’s work equalled approximately £8 per capita during the year. The adherents of the church, he said, practised tithing, and claimed to contribute more a head than any other religious organisations toward mission ser-_ vice.

The movement had developed from small beginnings until today the missionaries were in more countries than any other body, preaching in more languages and printing in more tongues. The burden of their message was the second advent of Christ, which was believed to be near.

Pastor Stewart, vice-president of the Australasian Union conference, will exhibit a film, “Cannibals and Christians,” this evening. It depicts native life, habits and customs in some of the primitive South Sea Islands, the pictures being taken by Pastor Stewart during his recent visits to the Solmon Islands and the mandated territory of Papua and New Guinea.