Results of a Working Church by W. W. EASTMAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 5, 1913

Results of a Working Church

By W. W. EASTMAN

The apostle Paul, in writing to the Thessalonian church, commends them for their activity in the work of God, and says that the influence of their example had spread abroad.

The experience of the church at Savannah, Ga., seems to be somewhat similar, as shown by the following letter received from Elder L. T. Crisler, the president of the Georgia Conference, which we give with the hope that it will prove an incentive to our people everywhere to do likewise:—

“Some three years ago a church of sixteen white members was organized in Savannah, Ga., with a leader that believed in getting every member to work. This little company began working energetically, distributing tracts from house to house. On Sundays a special work was done by way of selling our magazines, principally the Watchman and the Signs. Later, certain ones selected from the company devoted almost their entire time to selling magazines.

“Soon homes were opened for Bible readings and cottage meetings, which were held in different parts of the city nearly every night in the week. Sometimes two or three meetings would be in progress at the same time. Today this company has increased fourfold, and now occupies a commodious church costing $5,500, and located in the best residence section of the city.

“Among the Negro population of Savannah, numbering thirty-five thousand, a systematic distribution of our literature was carried on by some of this company. The magazines Watchman and Signs were sold by the hundreds every month. One brother found that Sunday was the best day of the week to sell our books to the colored people, and for months has been doing a profitable business. This brother is a hard-working lay member, working at his trade through the week, and spending Sundays in distributing our literature and talking to the people.

“Less than a year ago two of our

colored ministers with two Bible workers began a series of meetings in this section that had been worked so thoroughly with our literature. At that time there was not a Sabbath-keeper. The Lord wonderfully blessed from the start, and in this short time there has been raised up an organized church of one hundred fifty members, and a mission school with sixty-five students. A church building is now in process of erection.

“Our present constituency of over two hundred good, loyal Sabbath-keepers in Savannah is a remarkable demonstration of what the Lord will do with a working church when they go to work for their neighbors with the means that God has provided and with a desire to save souls.”

The above is a plain evidence of what the faithful circulation of our magazines and tracts will do, combined with the efforts of our church-members and the ministry. W. W. EASTMAN.