Fiji

17%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 29, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 17.

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Fiji

SINCE my last report, I have had some interesting experiences in different parts of this field, and the Lord has opened many hearts to inquire after the old paths and the good way. One man came from another island to see me at Buresala, and if it had not been for the direct leadings of the hand of the Lord, I would have been off on another island, many miles away. I had spent a week trying to reach that island, but wind, storm, and rain combined together to drive me back, and I finally had to abandon my trip. When I reached home, this man was coming across to meet me. He said that he had not read any of our publications or heard a sermon; he had heard only that there was a people teaching that the seventh day was the Sabbath. He felt impressed to come and study. We spent over a week together. He had a very bright mind, and it was not hard for him to grasp what the Scriptures said. He went back home, saying that he would obey the Lord whatever the cost might be. I have heard since that there is now another man in his town keeping the Sabbath, besides another in a near-by town.
On the boat on which I sought to reach the island, I had a fellow passenger, who was a Catholic (white). When he heard that I was a Seventh-day Adventist, he leveled his heaviest arguments against us as a people. The Lord helped in all this, and it was not many hours before we were studying God's Word together. Before we parted, we had covered many of the cardinal points of the message. He said that he had never seen his church in the light that the Scriptures spoke of her. His faith was shaken, and he gave expression to some of the doubts that had arisen in his mind. Toward the last, he eagerly read our papers and books. He said, in parting, “This meeting has been very pleasant and profitable to me.” How good it is to know that “when we walk with the Lord, in the light of his Word, . . . a glory he sheds on our way.”
Of course we have our Gethsemanes as well as our Olivets, but it is the hand of our kind Heavenly Father that is on the helm of circumstances, and we triumph still, because he abides with us.
We as workers are all well, and of good courage in the work of the message. Our new school year commenced in February, and all of the students are now back in their accustomed places. Others are coming, and more are preparing to come. Our girls' school has opened on a limited scale, but our motto is, “While we live, we will grow.” The girls' house is being built.
C. H. PARKER.