Pittsburgh (Pa.) Meeting by D. H. Kress; F. H. Robbins

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 4, 1916

Pittsburgh (Pa.) Meeting

By D. H. Kress; F. H. Robbins

DURING the union conference meetings which were held in Pittsburgh the most popular theater in the city was secured, and at the present writing two Sunday night meetings have been held by Elder Daniells. The theme considered was the second coming of Christ and the signs which indicate its nearness. The interest manifested in these meetings was entirely out of the ordinary. Hundreds were turned away one Sunday night, although the theater has a seating capacity of more than two thousand. It is difficult in large gatherings of this character to determine just what kind of impression is made upon the minds of the hearers. It is only by personal contact that this can be ascertained.

About two thousand names and addresses were handed in, with the request for reading matter on the subjects considered. Many of these were the names of prominent business and professional men of the city. Elder F. H. Robbins and I on Monday morning started out together to call on some of these men and women. One thing has surprised us, and that is the courtesy with which we were received. Naturally we expected to meet some opposition. We have been engaged in this work for one week, and so far we have met no opposition whatever. On the other hand, all whom we have met, possibly with the exception of one, and he is far from being a hopeless case, seem to have been in

readiness to receive truth and to welcome it. Again and again as we would leave these offices, Elder Robbins would say, “Have you ever seen anything like it?” and I would have to admit, “I never have.”

A head waiter at one of the leading hotels, who had requested reading matter, not merely expressed his own interest in present events and their significance as revealed in the Bible, but told us that these things are the common topic of conversation at the tables, and just as two business men were passing into the dining-room, he said, “There are two men who attend the meetings.”

We are surprised to find bright, intelligent business men who have been students of prophecy. “What is meant by the three and one-half years of Revelation 12?” was the question asked by one business man. We sat down with him and explained the 1260-year period, bringing him down to the end, when knowledge shall be increased, and “many shall be purified, and made white, and tried.” The next question was regarding the Sabbath. This also was answered. These were questions which came from an honest inquirer. When we left him, although it took him from his work for one hour, he expressed his appreciation, and said, “I feel that I have taken too much of your valuable time.” We left a supply of reading matter on the topics on which he desired to read.

A literary man about fifty years of age, a graduate of Cornell and of a Glasgow (Scotland) university, inquired concerning our mission, and when we explained it to him, his heart was touched, and tears came to his eyes as he said, in an apologetic manner, that he was not living up to his privileges. Appropriate reading matter was placed in his hands.

The owner of a large store sat down with us and for more than an hour we talked on points of our faith, in answer to his questions. His heart was receptive. He wished to secure the book “Daniel and the Revelation,” and desired other reading matter.

I can explain all this in only one way, and that is that the angels of God go in the way before those who in the spirit of Christ take up this long-neglected work in the cities.

All this emphasizes our need of becoming thoroughly familiar with the Scriptures, so as to be able to give an intelligent answer to questions that are troubling the minds of the people. It also clearly emphasizes the need of having a living experience ourselves. I myself feel more keenly the need of going to the people in the spirit of Christ and of presenting the truth in tender love.

It is useless to attempt this work without a thorough preparation of heart. The time spent in prayerful study of the Bible and the Testimonies in the morning before going out is not time lost. It is better to go without breakfast than to neglect this. When Jacob was left alone and wrestled with God in prayer, he prevailed, and even his brother Esau, whom he had not yet met, became his friend, and when they saw each other face to face, Esau fell on Jacob’s neck and kissed him. When Jacob’s heart was all subdued and mellowed, and he felt his utter helplessness and dependence upon God, God could touch the heart of his brother.

It is evident that the time has come for us to pray and work for those nearest and dearest to us, and to take a special interest in the welfare of our neighbors and friends. God has given to every one his work. In this closing work all will be workers. We are told: “When the churches become living, working churches, the Holy Spirit will be given in answer to their sincere request. Then the truth of God’s Word will be regarded with new interest, and will be explored as if it were a revelation just from the courts above. They will then plead with souls with an earnestness that cannot be repulsed. Then the windows of heaven will be open for the showers of the latter rain.”—Review and Herald, No. 25, 1890.

D. H. KRESS.

MEETINGS were opened in the Pitt Theater, Sunday evening, March 12. Elder Daniells preached three Sunday nights; then, as his evangelistic work begun in Portland a short time ago called him away, Prof. B. G. Wilkinson was invited to take up the work where Brother Daniells left it, and to speak in the theater during this series of meetings.

Dr. D. H. Kress, of Washington, D. C., is here, and he and I are now visiting the business men. Elders D. A. Parsons and J. P. Gaede, five Bible workers, and some colporteurs will visit and hold studies with the people in their homes.

Elder Parsons advertised the meetings well through the newspapers; also used a large number of personal invitations. The people greatly enjoyed Elder Daniells’s lectures, and last Sunday night many said that they highly appreciated Professor Wilkinson’s address.

Pittsburgh is ripe for the message. Letters are coming to the conference office almost every day, asking for reading matter on our faith. Our workers are finding many interested people as they visit. A shrewd, bright, clean-cut business man swung back from his desk in his office chair, and talked to Dr. Kress and me about an hour and a half. He has been a Sunday-school teacher for years, and is familiar with the Scriptures. After talking with us for some time, he asked if we were Seventh-day Adventists. We replied, “Yes.” He said, “Gentlemen, what have you come in here for? Do you want me to shut up my shop on Saturday?” Before we left him, he acknowledged that Saturday is the Sabbath, and we could see the deep movings of the Spirit of God on him in a marked manner. We then bowed our heads together around his desk in a word of earnest prayer. Dr. Kress gave him some reading matter on the Sabbath question and the second coming of Christ. The man said that he had been too much of a fighter and too argumentative. This statement was made after we had pointed out to him the need of having the law of God written in the heart that it might become a pleasure and a delight to do his will. This is only one of many interesting experiences which we are now having.

We solicit an interest in the prayers of our people everywhere that Pittsburgh may be thoroughly warned and that many may accept the truth. F. H. ROBBINS.