Searching for Diamonds by M. E. Kern

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 21, 1915

Searching for Diamonds

By M. E. Kern

A FEW years ago a young man, Mr. A. R. Dennis, came to the Foreign Mission Seminary to prepare for the work. He seemed to have a burden for the foreign field, but was willing to work anywhere. He did colporteur work during vacation, and was finally sent to South America. For some time he worked in Uruguay as colporteur and secretary-treasurer of the conference, and was recently sent to Buenos Aires, Argentina. There he is working hard, endeavoring to turn the tide in favor of our literature in that great city, and to make a special effort, in these times of financial stress, to reach the higher classes. One incident he relates brings to mind the fact that here and there all over this world are people looking for the light. He writes:—

“Several weeks ago one Friday afternoon I had two hours to work before going home for the Sabbath; so I started down an unpromising side street to finish it quickly. The homes and sometimes the business houses in this country are like people, who cannot be accurately judged from the outside; for, if there is anything worth while, it is placed on the inside; and so it was in this case. Going quickly through a small door, I found myself in a large iron foundry; and calling immediately for the patron, or boss, I told him I was taking orders for ‘The Coming King.’ He asked me what kind of book it was, and I told him it was a religious book, explaining the Bible and its prophecies. After another sentence, he stopped me, asking when he could get it. When I told him that I would deliver it the following Monday, he turned to his foreman and asked him to order one also.

“Early Monday morning I called, but before I could say anything he said, ‘As soon as you told me the name of that book, I knew it was about Jesus and told of his coming. I have a dictionary of the Bible that I got from North America, and I have been studying it in connection with the Bible, but I need more light. I am especially interested in the books of Revelation and Daniel, for nearly all the prophecies are fulfilled, Jesus is coming again, and I want to be ready. I study the Bible daily, and teach it to my children. Many men make fun of me, saying the Bible is a fable, but I believe it is the word of God.’”

“I was greatly surprised, for never before in any city of these countries have I found a native studying the prophecies and knowing that they were nearly all fulfilled. You can imagine I lost no time in telling him I had the book he wanted, explaining the books of Daniel and Revelation verse by verse, called ‘Los Videntes y lo Porvenir,’ or ‘Daniel and the Revelation.’ He and his foreman have ordered it, and want to study it together. The man has also promised to take Bible studies at night.”

Men will work many years digging, hoping to find a diamond, but here is a work much more important. God has honest souls in factories, shops, stores, mansions, and hovels all over the world that are worth more than diamonds. Who will help search them out? M. E. KERN.