NEW UNION ADMINISTRATION BUILDING OPENED By Pastor J. A. McMillan President, British Union Conference ON Wednesday morning, May 24th, promptly at to the good work done by the Stanboroughs and 11 a.m., the Mayor of Watford, Alderman E. H. the Maternity Department. A copy of The Desire Harrowell, arrived at the gates of our new adminis- of Ages was presented to the Mayor by Colin tration offices. A large group of representatives had Wilson, secretary-treasurer of the Union, and Miss assembled from the Northern European Division, Janet Hyde presented a bouquet to the Mayoress. the British Union Committee and staff, the Voice The writer then outlined the reasons for building a of Prophecy staff, and the South and North England a new suite of administrative offices. It is just thirty- Conferences. nine years ago that the old "B.U.C." was erected. The Mayor opened the front doors and then un- At that time the total membership of the Union veiled a bronze plaque in the foyer. In his speech he was 3,622, and the departments of the Union were spoke with appreciation of Adventist influence in cared for by two secretaries. the community of Watford, referring specifically The business of British Advent Missions, the 41 44v The Mayor of Watford leaves the new Union administration building after the opening ceremony. to press for more and more accommodation. All these factors made it imperative that the Union staff should move out. As a result of selling a field on the fringes of Stanborough Park, funds became available to cope with the demands of all these growing interests, and so the erection of a new building became possible. Following this account of development and ex- pansion during the past years, a short Scripture lesson was read by Pastor G. D. King, secretary of the Northern European Division, and a prayer of dedication was offered by Pastor A. F. Tarr, president of the Northern European Division. It is most encouraging to record that since 1922 when the former B.U.C. was opened, the member- ship of the Union has almost trebled. In the sixty years &Om 1889-1949 the annual net growth of the membership was 108.2. From 1950 to 1959 the net annual growth has been 242.8—over twice as many as in the earlier years. Then again, in the unlocks the door of the first sixty years from the opening of our first church building in Ulceby in 1889, forty-five churches were legal body of the church, was at that time carried built. But in the eleven years since 1950, we have by the secretary-treasurer of the Union, and the built more than fifty churches. The Lord has pros- number of offices required was correspondingly few. pered His cause and His people during this past As the work developed, more departments were decade, and we are confident that His protecting care added, and it became necessary to divide the respon- will still overshadow us in the coming days. We sibilities among more men. In 1947 the British believe that the school will expand the boarding Union invited the writer to start the Voice of facilities now that they enjoy the full use of the old Prophecy, and at that time voted to relinquish the college building, which has now reverted to the Union board room, so that a recording studio could educational objectives for which it was orginally be established. For several years the Voice of Pro- built. phecy Bible School and the Home Missionary The Voice of Prophecy will now take over the Departments were carried together,- with the larger old Union office block, where their recording studio number of the Bible School staff operating in the had already been established. upper part of the Stanborough School. The Home For many years we have heard the cry first made Missionary Department and the Voice of Prophecy by the sons of the prophets to Elisha, "Behold now, were divided in 1950, Pastor C. R. Bonney being the place where we dwell with thee is too strait elected to care for the Voice of Prophecy and for us." 2 Kings 6:1. There is now room for Pastor E. R. Warland taking the Home Missionary efficient service to be given, room for expansion, and Sabbath School Departments. The- Home and room for the Spirit of God to direct us forward Missionary and Missionary Volunteer Departments to new frontiers of endeavour. were also housed in the school premises. In the few short weeks since the old fences in As the Stanborough School developed, and the front' of the new building were taken down, the boarding section was introduced, the school began people passing by are becoming increasingly con- Exterior view of the new building in its beautiful setting on Stanborough Park. BRITISH ADVENT MESSENGER scions of the existence of a church organization on Stanborough Park. In all parts of the Union we must face the challenge of a new day, a time of tension and fear, when the church must make a more decided impact upon the thinking of the people. God calls upon us to "arise, be glad, your light is dawning, the Eternal's splendour rises upon you. Though darkness covers all the earth, and a black cloud shrouds the nations, yet the Eternal shines out upon you, His splendour on you gleams, till nations gather to your light and kings to your bright beams." Isa. 60:1-3, Moffatt. In the foyer the Mayor unveils a commemorative plaque and (left below) congratulates the Adventist church ,on its service to the community. Committee in session voted an expression of deep appreciation to all who had contributed to this out- standing achievment. To all local agents, collectors, and organizers, our most hearty thanks—May the Lord's blessing attend all who gave so generously to His cause; may every member who helped, feel a sense of satisfaction in a task accomplished, and may God's blessing go with the funds as they are distributed to sustain His work in the regions beyond our shores. Souls will be in the kingdom as a result of this year's endeavour. LOCAL SESSIONS BEGINNING with the North England Conference, and finishing with the South session, the two con- ferences and the three missions will be holding their biennial meetings throughout the month of UNION NOTES July. Members should plan to attend these impor- tant gatherings. Election of officers, departmental secretaries, and executive committees will take place; STANBOROUGH SCHOOL inspirational messages will be delivered. The meet- ings depend upon YOU for real success. We hope Now that the whole of the former college build- to meet you, there. We are praying that the Lord ing at Stanborough Park has reverted to its original educational use, it is planned that the Stanborough School should bring an increasing number of our young people within the British Union up to G.C.E. level and thus prepare them to enter Newbold. There is urgent need for young people to train for the ministry and Bible work. The gateway to this exalted service is by means of the Ministerial and Bible Instructor Courses offered by Newbold College. The qualifying entrance to Newbold is G.C.E. Ordinary Level in five subjects. Our Union school is well equipped to supply this need for all young people who have aspirations to one or other of the ministerial phases of service. INGATHERING THE Ingathering Campaign of 1961 is over. The figures are most encouraging, and already, although the final totals are not available, the amount is Pastor McMillan recounts a story of progress and ex- well ahead of last year's final figure. The Union pansion in the British Union. JUNE 9, 1961. 3 of which is populated by people of the Moham: i-nedan faith. The district leader is an able and well- trained national named Dessie Kassahun. Getting around and visiting in this widespread field is much of a problem, and Brother Dessie and his co-workers spend much of their time on mule-back along the lonely mountain trails. It was in Brother Dessie Kassahun's district that enemies of our people made a furious attack upon the Adventist village of Dehana, some months ago. The huts were burned and our people driven away, while all their cattle and movables were carried off as spoil. Much suffering and hardship was imposed upon our people because, of this situation, but we are happy to report that our denomination has been able to extend a helping hand, inasmuch as money from the Famine and Disaster Relief Fund has been Miss Janet Hyde presents a bouquet to the Mayoress. made available to them. Pastor Hugo Palm from The Mayor is holding a copy of "The Desire of Ages" Sweden, home missionary secretary of the Ethiopian which he has just accepted. Union, made a strenuous trip of six weeks on mule- back, to this remote area to locate our people and bring them help. There were twenty-one families, will meet with His people and revive us all with numbering 121 people altogether, who were driven refreshing showers of the latter rain. This is our away. The Ethiopian government has also been greatest and most urgent need at this time. helpful in relieving the effects of the disaster. J. A. MCMILLAN. The desert city of Asaita, capital of the Danakils, is also located within the north-eastern district. The city itself is a cluster of flat-roofed stone and mud houses with a population of a few hundred souls: It is situated not far from the northern bank of the Awash river which rises in the interior moun- BY JEEP AND MULE-BACK tains and flows into the desert, where it forms a series of lakes and swamps before evaporating.