January 14, 1971
The Foreign Mission Board held its regular monthly meetings and Appointment Service on
.January 14, 1971 at 3:00 p.m. in the Board's Chapel, Richmond, Virginia, with Drew J.
Gunnells, Jr., president, presiding.
PRESENT: State Members: Drew J. Gunnells, Jr. (Alabama-', Don Mott (Florida-» , Bruce
H. Price (Virginia) , Loyed R. Simmons (California) , John Lee Taylor (Mississippi) .
Local Members: Robert B. Bass, Mrs. R. B. Carter, Sr., J. Roy Clifford, Austin W.
Farley, Joseph B. Flowers, V. Allen Gaines, David S. Hammock, Mrs. Clyde V. Hickerson,
John W. Kincheloe, Jr., John L. Moran, Julian H. Pentecost, Lucius M. Polhill, James
E. Rayhorn, Meredith K. Roberson, Edwin L. fhattuck, M. Hunter Riggins.
Staff: Baker J. Cauthen, James D. Belote, Charles W. Bryan, Louis R. Cobbs, Winston
Crawley, William K. Dawson, Everett L. Deane, H. Cornell Goerner, lone Gray, W. Eugene
Grubbs, Ward S. Hildreth, Eugene L. Hill, J. D. Hughey, Frank K. Means, Floyd H. North,
R. Keith Parks, Norman Price, Sidney C. Reber, Fon H. Scofield, Rogers M. Smith, Truman
Smith, Richard M. Styles, Melvin Torstrick, Joseph B. Underwood, Elizabeth Minshew.
The meeting was called to order.
Mr. Sidney C. Reber, the Board's director of the Management Services Division, led the
audience in singing the opening hymn: "God of Grace and God of Glory."
Mr. Don Mott, Board member from Florida, read a passage of Scripture from the First
Psalm and led in prayer.
Minutes of the Board for December 10, 1970, were approved as received by the Board
members .
Mr. Gunnells extended a cordial welcome to all who were present.
Special guests were recognized.
Missionary guests were called to the platform for a personal introduction: Mr. and
Mrs. Ernest Harvey and son; Miss Edith Vaughan.
REPORTS were called for as follows:
REPORT OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY - Dr. Baker J. Cauthen
Dr. Cauthen mentioned several strategic items contained in his report and gave an en¬
couraging picture on several communications that he had received, indicating most
gratifying results on Lottie Moon Christmas Offering receipts. Dr. Cauthen expressed
genuine appreciation for all that these significant gifts mean to the ongoing of the
cause of missions abroad.
Dr. Cauthen gave the following report, to be distributed and recorded:
Since the last meeting of the Board, I have made a brief trip to Santiago, Chile, to
meet with their Mission. The trip was occasioned by the fact that changed political
conditions in the country have caused the Mission to give a great deal of careful study
to their work and to their prospects for the future.
It was gratifying to note the relaxed atmosphere which was evident from time of arrival
until departure. As far as could be ascertained, there was no undue tension reflected
in any of the formalities for entry or exit, or in attitudes of people encountered.
During the time of the recent election, there was very great tension in the country.
People did not know what might occur, and there were possibilities of violence. Mis¬
sionaries stayed quietly in their homes during the most difficult periods and went
about their work as effectively as possible.
Following the election, the period of tension subsided. Missionaries report that there
have been no interferences with their work during these recent weeks and that it is
possible to carry on the same programs of ministry as before.
They are aware that conditions are very fluid. The various steps being taken by the
government are those which would be expected under the present circumstances. Those
efforts mainly relate to business and to economic measures in the country.
None of this should be interpreted to mean that the recent change in government is of
little or no consequence. It rather means that since the government came into power
by election rather than by military seizure, it is proceeding along a different pattern.
It is to be hoped that the country can continue its development and avoid violence, but
much will depend upon how the government is able to handle its affairs and how the actions
taken by the government are received by the people at large.
