117
Foreign Mission Board Rooms
December 9, 19k$
The Foreign Mission Board met in regular monthly business session
Thursday, December 9, at U: 00 p.m. with Mr. Jenkins presiding.
Present: L. H. Jenkins, Mrs. Simeon Atkinson, T. F. Adams, Hill
Montague, Clyde V. Hickerson, J. G. Loving, Rush W. Loving, Rupert
Coleman, J. Levering Evans, M. T. Rankin, G. IT. Sadler, Everett Gill,
Jr., Frank K. Means, Josef Nordenhaug, Louis P. Seay, Fon H. Scofield,
Edna Frances Dawkins, Marjorie E. Moore, Samuel E. Maddox.
Dr. Hickerson led in prayer.
Dr. Rankin gave a report on the situation in China, stating that as yet
there are no serious developments. Dr. Cauthen is in close consultation
with all of our missionaries and v/ith officials of other mission Boards
as well as business groups and American Consular authorities. Dr.
Rankin emphasized again the fact that all decisions with regard to
evacuating missionaries either to other parts of China or to the United
States will be fully supported by our Board, and that we must be ready
to accept eventualities.
Cn motion of Dr. Coleman it was voted that a committee of three Board
members be appointed by the president to act with the house committee
of the office staff in making plans for furnishing our offices. *
Dr. Sadler gave a brief report on Africa, Europe and the Hear East.
Dr. Gill read the following report:
REPORT OF LATIN AMERICAN SECRETARY
The most encouraging news from Latin America is included in a cable
from Dr. Franklin Fowler of Paraguay, stating that he has secured his
license to full medical practice in that republic. As far as I am able
to ascertain, this is one of the first times in recent years that any
evangelical missionary has secured such permission. This means that a
medical program in Paraguay is assured. We have waited purposely, and
I believe wisely, for this permission before proceeding.
Since there is no other evangelical hospital in Paraguay, we have a
great responsibility to erect a
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thy one. This will involve an addi¬
tion to our budget, more nurses, and funds for the erection of the
hospital. However, this has been authorized by the Board for a number
of years, and we are hoping that funds will become available. If and
when erected, it will be the only Baptist hospital in all of South
America. This
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will encourage our missionary doctors in Colombia
and Mexico, who are working on their documents, in an effort to secure
like permission to practice.
In Mexico, we were distressed to hear of an automobile accident in
which Dr. E. Lamar Cole and Orvil Reid were injured. Although it was
not too serious, it necessitated the return of Dr. Cole to the United
States for hospitalization.
The Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention is recommend¬
ing that our Board take over their work in Costa Rica. Without commit¬
ting ourselves, we are he commending that Missionary W. J. Webb of
Guatemala fly down to San Jose, the capital, to investigate and report
in writing to the January Board meeting.
Plans are under way for the organization of theColombian Baptist Con¬
vention in February of ±9h9> In connection with this organization, we
had hoped to visit our work in Venezuela. Whether or not the recent
revolution will make that difficult is problematical. At least, a
proposed visit with the ex-president (now in exile) has been postponedl
Our Board will be represented by Dr. Rankin, Dr. Means, who will con¬
tinue on a tour around the continent; Mr. Fon Scofield, who will film
this historic event; and also the Latin American secretary.
♦Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Williams, and Dr. Alley were appointed to serve on
th i s com: i i t tee .
