Work Among the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel by F. C. Gilbert

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 17, 1912

Work Among the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel

By F. C. Gilbert

NOT much has appeared of late in the Review concerning evangelistic work among the literal seed of Israel. But this has not been because nothing has been done among them, nor because there is a lack of interest in the work. I believe there never was a time when our brethren and sisters were more interested in this branch of the work than they are at the present time, and I am grateful for the encouraging words which frequently come to me from our people concerning their interest in this work.

In fact, the interest has grown to such an extent among the people of God that there have come many requests that information concerning how to labor among the Jews be published in such papers as the Review and the union conference papers. In order that this request might be granted, we have ceased to publish Good Tidings of the Messiah, though we regretted very much to discontinue its publication. We feel sure that, under God, that magazine has had its place, and it has been the means of accomplishing some good in the cause of present truth in behalf of these people.

We are glad to report that during the past summer we have had one Jewish brother with a tent effort in Boston, one brother in the canvassing work in Massachusetts, and one in the canvassing work in the Chesapeake Conference; and one sister has been at work translating from English into Yiddish. While we wish that many others were in the work or were preparing to go into the work, we are glad that a beginning is being made.

Only a short time ago several accepted the truth in New York; one brother in Nebraska has recently accepted the truth and desires to prepare himself for the work; and one young man whose mother has recently accepted the truth, desires to go to school to get a training for work in this cause. A young woman is waiting baptism, although she fears that it may greatly distress her people.

It means much to a Jew to accept Christ. When a child of Abraham in the flesh takes a stand for Jesus and for his truth, it means a complete separation from loved ones and friends, if not death as far as friendship or kinship is concerned. But we believe that God has many among these people who will yet accept this blessed message, and we are hoping, praying, and laboring to this end.

We are sure that when our brethren and sisters generally take the interest in the Jews which they should, and pray earnestly for them, we shall see the salvation of God. The apostle Paul tells us, in Rom. 10:1, that his heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved. This indicates to us that if we wish to see Israel saved, we must pray for them. It is the Lord's plan that people should be saved by those of his children who love souls, who pray for the lost. We are sure that when more prayer is offered up for the lost sheep of Israel, we shall see more of them coming to the blessed Saviour.

We have also been conducting an interesting correspondence with many of these people throughout the land, and we are glad to say that the efforts have been blessed of God. Here is a letter from a prominent editor and publisher, which speaks for itself:—

“DEAR SIR: I thank you for sending me a copy of Liberty. I naturally sympathize with the movement of strengthening religious liberty in this country, especially with the object of your sect in maintaining the historic Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, the Sabbath which was observed by Jesus.

“Will you kindly give me the latest statistics of the Seventh-day Adventists, which I will use in the Hebrew Encyclopedia, in the article ‘Sabbath.’

“In my opinion the changing of the day of rest for Sunday, has caused the separation of Christians from the Jews, and is responsible for the persecution of that race.”

His request was granted, and statistics were sent him. He sent this reply:—

“DEAR SIR: I received your favor of the 12th inst., and enclosed statistics regarding the Seventh-day Adventists, which I will make use of in the ninth volume of the Hebrew Encyclopedia, under ‘Sabbath.’ This volume will appear about March, 1913. Meantime, if you have additional information, kindly send it. With many thanks. Will send you a copy of the printed article when it appears in book form.”

Let us continue to pray for the blessing of the Lord upon this work and upon these people. Any one who desires information in reference to work among the Jews can receive it by addressing the undersigned at South Lancaster, Mass.

F. C. GILBERT.