THE FISHERMEN'S NET NEWSLETTER
 March 2000 |
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[ Read this Fisherman's Net newsletter in French, German, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish. ]
Published by New Covenant Ministries
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March 2000 |
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[ Read this Fisherman's Net newsletter in French, German, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish. ]
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The Seventh Day Baptists built a small meeting house on Barney Street sometime before 1712. By 1729, however, they had outgrown this home, and, it is believed, they employed Richard Munday, fresh from completing Newport's Trinity Church in 1726, to design a new building for them. Although no documentary evidence survives of Munday's involvement, the design and details of the Seventh Day Baptist Meeting House are so similar to Trinity Church as to make it almost certain. The new building, erected in 1730, was laid out in the "meeting house plan," typical of many colonial churches in the 17th century. The members of these churches were intent on purifying the excesses of the Church of England and the Catholic Church, and their reforming zeal was also directed at church architecture. The meeting house plan avoided any suggestion of the crucifix, the heart of the floorplan of the Catholic churches and cathedrals of Europe.
Munday's building was simple in plan, but elaborate in the detail and virtuostic in the execution of the woodworking. Complex moldings, raised bolection paneling, and beautifully hand carved balusters on the staircase leading to the wineglass pulpit all attest not only to Munday's skill but to the craftsmanship of his workmen. The Seventh Day Baptist congregation flourished in Newport until the Revolution, when most of the members scattered to avoid the British occupation. Many relocated to Westerly, Rhode Island, a stronghold of the Seventh Day Baptists since 1676, when Rev. William Hiscox, the pastor at Newport, first made contact with settlers in that area. In 1840, the Seventh Day Baptists rented their meeting house to the Fourth Baptist Church for their public meetings, and from 1864 to 1869, the meeting house was used by the Shiloh Baptist Church, an African-American Congregation. The Seventh Day Baptist Meeting House was sold to the Newport Historical Society in 1884, and the building became the first permanent headquarters and exhibit facility of the Society since its founding in 1854. The Society immediately restored the building under the supervision of James Southwick and Newport architect, George Champlin Mason, Jr. The Society, however, was concerned about the building's location near the blacksmith and paint shops surrounding it. In 1887, the building was moved to a site on Touro Street. In 1889, a small addition was added to the rear of the building to house the Newport Natural History Society, and in 1902 another addition was attached to the front of the building.
At that time the meeting house was encased in brick to "fireproof" the building. The Seventh Day Baptist Meeting House has remained the headquarters building of the Newport Historical Society ever since.
Source: "Entering Into Covenant: The History of Seventh Day
Baptists in Newport," by Don A. Sanford, Newport History: the Quarterly Journal of
the Newport Historical Society, vol. 66, part 1, no. 226, Summer 1994. |
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Psalm 139 in a Picture
Within 25 miles of Kisii, Kenya, is a small settlement which is home to a large tea processing company. One of the two Seventh Day Baptist churches in Kenya is located within this settlement.
The religions in Kenya range from 38% Protestant, to 28% Catholic, to 6% Muslim. This indicates a strong presence of those who follow Jesus Chnst Their love for God is also evident in the first two lines of their national anthem: "0 God of all creation, bless this our land and nation." It is also reflected by the number of churches in the cities, towns, and throughout the countryside.
The Sabbath influence is wide-spread, evidenced by the number of businesses closed on Sabbath. It is amazing and also surprising to drive through a town on Sabbath and find few businesses open, even gas stations.
However, this influence comes from other Sabbath-keeping denominations, rather than Seventh Day Baptists. In fact, some of the SDB pastors and workers have been enticed into another Sabbath-keeping group.
Our churches and fellowships there are composed mostly of laborers and, therefore, are limited inlending any economic support to the church. Even though the literacy rate is over 69%, most educated people live in the cities and are not the type of workers found on the tea plantations.
It is interesting to note the number of youth under the age of 15 who speak and read English. Pastor A.M. Sarota was a teacher in the elementary school in Rogongo-Keera. His dedication to the students was only surpassed by his love for Christ and the Church. His influence in both areas is outstanding. With eight children of his own, it is easy to see the positive effect of his influence.
Even so, our hearts were touched by the needs reflected when we visited Pastor Sarota's family, as well as by his letters that followed. We see a man who has resigned his post in the school, hoping to spend more time in the ministry of church growth. He believes that the time invested in the ministry will result in a larger church, thereby helping to support him. However, growth is slow and the needs compound.
A school that uses their church building accepts students from 5 years of age through a level equivalent to the 3rd grade in the United States. Many of the students come from poor families or are orphans. This means that part of the donated income is used to support some of these students.
An orphanage was established in Kisii to care for those who have no relatives. The Christian Child-Care and Medical Home works with the SDB churches in Kenya to facilitate this work. There is a definite need for clothing and supplies to maintain the home.
The budget established by the coordinator for the orphanage is $5,000. This is spent on supplies and medical needs. The address for the home can be obtained from the Missionary Society at 119 Main St., Westerly, RI 02891.
SDB churches in Kenya, as well as in many other countries, fight an ongoing battle against losing their churches to other Sabbathkeeping denominations. Most of these losses occur because they do not have the financial stability and supplies to help new churches or groups.
Our people cannot purchase enough tracts, books, and Bibles to help in the fight. The representatives from other denominations simply visit and convince them that their organization would never leave themwithout what they need to grow. We estimate it would take asmuch as $5,000 per year to have an adequate supply of tracts and books alone. This would enable the Kenyan Conference to provide beginning churches with what they need to evangelize and grow.
Please pray for the work in Kenya. Prayer support is the first step to rebuilding a bridge of compassion and care for our sister Conferences and churches.
-reprinted from the Sabbath Recorder
In 1971, Sister Emile Smikie gave her reminiscence of the beginning of the Jamaica Seventh Day Baptist Church. Her taped remembrances were transcribed by Leon Lawton, giving insight into the personal witness of one person who not only heard a voice from above, but also read a "Voice" from abroad. She began by saying:
"I am old, I am ninety and one years old the 31st of May coming, and so I feel I should not be doing much of the running around; therefore, I only visit the (Chapelton) hospital twice a month. But at the same time I also do the housework in Chapelton. I go to different homes and read and leave reading materials. And at home I go from house to house on the Sabbath after Divine service and read and visit them, so I'm still on the job.
"I am the first Seventh Day Baptist in the island of Jamaica. I was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist for 16 years, and I leaved through some things that did not seem godly and I became a Free 5eventh-day Adventist. That was in 1921, when I leave and started my little mission with two small children- one was born 1915 and the other born 1917.
"Now this was 1921 when the trouble arise in the church and I leave with those two little children. And so I start service with them. I have the Sabbath School lesson and Divine service, and we carry on the three of us. The next week we had another girl about 8 years.
"The second week my husband promises us he would join, and another brother say he would join. So the third week I have half the Post Road Seventh-day Adventist came and joined us to this church that has no name. We have no building, we don't know of any other church that we could join on to.
"Then we get on to the Free Adventist, 1922. Our minister was Elder H.M. Mignot. He join on to us, having joined the Free Adventist. And as he gone on to visit other homes, I note his bag left here.
"So I trouble his book bag, and I found a paper entitled The Voice that said about the Seventh Day Baptist, and it told that not in 1844 Christ enter the most holy place. And I vexed with the little booklet and throw it down and said, 'You don't know anything.'
"That evening when Pastor Mignot and my husband return from their visit, I told Mignot that I trouble his book bag and I found this paper in there that told that Christ did not go into the most holy place in 1844. I said to him, that unbelief that Christ went into the heavenly sanctuary once for all."
Sister Smikie told how she got the address of the editor of The Voice and ordered the free copies offered which came about three weeks later. While reading them with her husband, she said, "I got up off the floor and put my two hands on my head and walk through the room and say, 'If no Seventh Day Baptists then I am a Seventh Day Baptist!' so the two of us became Seventh Day Baptist."1
The Voice was a paper written and published by Rev. Robert C. St. Clair, pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist church in Detroit, Mich. He was described as being "a conscientious man who frowned on everything that had a shade of dishonesty."2 He had been an evangelist with the Methodists until he discovered the Sabbath.
St. Clair came to the Sabbath and attended some Adventist meetings where he agreed with them on the Sabbath question but disagreed with their end-time theology and the prophetic teachings of Ellen G. White.
As pastor of the SDB Church in Detroit, Rev. St. Clair continued his evangelism through preaching, social work, and wide distribution of his publication, The Voice. Aside from its influence in the West Indies, the publication was also credited with helping establish a few churches in the Calcutta area of India during the mid-1920s.
Sister Smikle wrote to Robert St. Clair, who referred her letter to the Association urged that two men be sent immediately to Jamaica.
The Tract Society and Missionary Society joined in the effort, and Pastor C.A. Hansen of Chicago and W.L. Burdick visited the newly opened door in 1923. They found that the Free Seventh-day Adventist Conference of Jamaica was about to break up over dissatisfaction with management of the Conference's affairs and the polity of the denomination.
The two representatives visited the discouraged churches and explained SDB beliefs and practices. As a result, 10 churches formed the Jamaica Seventh Day Baptist Association and were soon joined by five other congregations.
Sister Smikle's story can provide insight for Seventh Day Baptist missions for the 21st century. The interest of one person can spread to family and local church. The distribution of evangelistic literature is still a tool.
The involvement of an Association and the various agencies of the denomination can provide the personnel and support for working with inquiring people.
The seeds sown over 75 years ago have brought an abundant harvest, not only in Jamaica but to England, Canada, and the United States, where their witness continues. The "Voice" for today may come in the form of electronic media, but the response still needs to be by people who see and hear.
Doors are opening. How do we respond?
1Sister Emile Smikie."Beginnings of Jamaica Seventh Day Baptist Churches," transcribed from tape made at Maiden Hall, by Leon Lawton, 1971, Ms 1991.7; c-file, SDB Historical Society.
2Rohert C. St. C/air obituary in Sabbath Recorder Vol 105.2, July1928, p.17
-reprinted from the Sabbath Recorder
Seventh Day Baptist women have traditionaTly been involved in local, denominational, and worldwide missions. In fact, our Women's Society was founded in 1884 for the very purpose of promoting missions. A significant number of our programs, service projects, and contributions still minister to human need.
Of 38 specific programs listed in 1999 "Highlights" from 13 societies, at least eight were identifiable as mission-related.
In North Loup, Neb., Pastor Chris and Becky Mattison and youth shared their experiences in a Blue Ridge Mountain program at a community luncheon; reports were given in Shiloh, N.J., by a new member about her experiences with a mission project and later by an SCSCer; and Battle Creek, Mich., learned about Mrican-American churches and worship style.
Alfred Station, N.Y., ladies were treated twice-to a program about Snell Farm, a ministry to troubled teenaged boys, and then a slide show on work in the Southwest entitled, "Adopt-a-Native-Elder Program for Navajo Indians."
Milton, Wis., ladies also had a double treat: a church member shared her experiences on a hospital ship called "Project Hope," and a guest from Mercy Hospital spoke on "Senior Connection."
While it is nice to hear about others' mission experiences, James encourages us to be "doers of the word, not just hearers" (1:22-25). Some of our many service projects have already appeared on this page in other issues. Here are a few more:
In the community
We have taken care of our elders and/or shut-ins by providing May baskets, lap robes, holiday tray favors, cookies, "Meals on Wheels," or other home-delivered weekly meals as reported by North Loup; Dodge Center, Minn.; Battle Creek; Albion, Wis.; Piverside, Calif.; Alfred Station; and Shiloh. Hebron, Pa., hosted a coffee hour at a hospital long-term care unit.
At the other end of life's spectrum, some of our projects benefited the little ones whom God entrusted to our care. Hebron provided one-piece undershirts for a local obstetrics unit; Albion sponsored a monthly Kids' Club; both North Loup and Dodge Center used meeting time to create quilts for newborns and newlyweds; and Shiloh and Alfred Station maintained their church nurseries, including new handmade crib sheets in Shiloh.
Nor were the Baby Boomers or the Generation Xers forgotten. Towels and sheets were provided from a "treasure chest" in North Loup when a home was destroyed by fire; various greeting cards were sent at appropriate times by ladies in Dodge Center, Shiloh, and Alfred Station; a food pantry was kept at Albion; funeral dinners were served in Hebron, Alfred, Battle Creek, Alfred Station, and Milton.
Battle Creek also supported "Safe Place," a women's shelter; collected blankets for Church Women United; and provided socks, hats, mittens, and coats for Charitable Union.
Overseas ministries
While we all can't go to the foreign mission field, our women have traditionally been generous in sharing what they have. During the past year, the Daytona Beach, Fla., ladies sent men's clothing to student pastors in Malawi. The North Loup "Dr. Grace Missionary Society" lived up to their name by sending garage sale children's clothing to Rwanda. They also sent sewing supplies overseas and asked their youth to send 100 Bibles to the mission field.
Finally, financial contributions too numerous to mention were made throughout the year by our women to individuals, SDB concerns, and local or foreign missions.
If "God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7), then He surely must be pleased with many Seventh Day Baptist women today."
-reprinted from the Sabbath Recorder
"Who is God Anyway?" -the Toronto Crusade
When I was approached by Pastor Herliz Condison about a crusade in Toronto, I became excited. I had always dreamed of conducting evangelistic meetings in Canada.
Pastor Condison told me that the church had been praying about outreach meetings for a long time. I immediately accepted the invitation and began making plans for the crusade.
As the time approached, I learned that the Toronto Seventh Day Baptist Church had been fasting and praying for a blessing from the Lord. On the first of September, I boarded an Air Canada Flight in St. Louis and flew to Toronto.
During my stay, I was hosted by the Condison family. I immediately felt at home and even their 17-pound cat, Dudley, took a shine to me. I like cats. But once, while I was petting Dudley, he decided to bite me. Needless to say, Dudley was disciplined by Pastor Herlitz, and additional food was given to him each day, just in case...
Prior to beginning the crusade, Pastor Condison and I were returning from the Canadian Expo. As we entered Highway 401, we encountered heavy traffic. Moving between two big trucks, we felt all was well- until we felt the impact of a big truck striking us from behind.
The traffic had stopped in front of us, and were being forced into the stationery truck ahead. It was frightening. But the Lord, in His provision, sent protection.
Suddenly, the traffic began to move, and we were no longer trapped between the two trucks. We both knew where that attack had come from: it was Satan's way of attempting to stop the crusade.
Shortly afterwards I began to have severe back pain. I have had back problems in the past, and the enemy knows where to concentrate his attack.
As the pain increased, I thought of going home, but the Holy Spirit reminded me why I had come to Toronto-to tell people about Jesus. I remembered how the church had been fasting and praying for a blessing, to see lost souls come to know the Lord.
I prayed that God would give me the strength to preach through the crusade, and then I would go back to Missouri and seek medical treatment.
God was faithful! I would be in pain during much of the day and night. Sister Hazel was so gracious that sometimes my meals were brought to my room so I wouldn't have to go downstairs.
God was still wonderul and His presence was powerful. Each evening, as I stepped onto the platform the pain would go away and I could proclaim the Word of God in His power and move around.
After the invitation was given and I stepped down from the stage, the pain would return. I could live with that!
Each night new people came and accepted the Lord. As they sought counsel for their lives, there was a great outpouring of God's Holy Spirit, with souls coming from darkness into the light of Jesus Christ.
It was such a blessing to be part of these meetings. I was shown great love and compassion by the saints at Toronto. I will always remember the outpouring of God's Holy Spirit, as He provided for Pastor Herlitz and myself by shielding us from the harm planned by the enemy.
The crusade's theme was, "Who is God Anyway?" He is our Rock, our protector and provider. For those who came to know Him in a personal way during the crusade, He is the One who gives us salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.SR
Foothill Church offers Good News at Monthly Fair
As a means of outreach, the Foothill Community Church in Montrose, Calif., sponsors a booth at the Montrose Street Fair each month.
During the event, members of this Seventh Day Baptist church pass out free "John 3:16 balloons" to people of all ages, including children. They also give out Bibles, cold bottled water, tracts, and free candy. I was blessed to take part in this outreach activity during a visit there. While attending the Foothill church, I presented a program on services provided by the SDB Missionary Society and met with the Evangelism Commiffee, where we discussed church extension and outreach.
Several churches in the Pacific Coast Association have expressed interest in outreach projects for the year 2000.
-reprinted from the Sabbath Recorder
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_ \_ \_ FISH THE INTERNET- READ THE FISHERMEN'S NET NEWSLETTER \_ \_ \_ \_ .e0e. .e0e. This electronic newsletter produced by Fisherman's Net \_ \_ 0HHHH~HHHH0 Publications: a division of New Covenant Ministries. \_ \_ `HHoo ooHH' \_ \_ `HH HH' "The time is coming, says the Lord: when \_ \_ `V' I will make a new covenant." -Jeremiah 31:31-33 \_ \_ \_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
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