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The Greater Boston Tent Effort

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 2, 1915

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 43.

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The Greater Boston Tent Effort

By K. C. RUSSELL

THE Greater Boston tent meetings have been signally blessed by the presence of the Holy Spirit on different occasions. The meetings opened Sunday evening, June 27, in the Massachusetts Conference camp meeting pavilion, and the attendance has been good when the weather was such that the people could attend the meetings. Bad weather, I understand, has been quite universal, and therefore every tent company has experienced the same difficulties.
These meetings are unique in one particular. It is understood by many of our people that for a long time the spirit of prophecy has instructed us to combine more closely the evangelical and medical lines of work. Very definite instruction has been given the managers of the New England Sanitarium to join with the Massachusetts Conference in working the city of Boston from the sanitarium. In harmony, with plain counsel given by the Spirit of the Lord, the managers of the sanitarium released the members of their junior class of nurses for a period of four months, to help as much as they were able, while obtaining a training in combining the evangelical and medical lines of work. It will be understood, of course, that these inexperienced and untrained nurses in this new line of work could not do so efficient work as experienced Bible workers. Their experience, however, this season will admirably fit them for more effective work another season.
The Massachusetts Conference has furnished these workers with room and board for the services they are rendering. Their work has been chiefly that of visiting the homes of the people, distributing literature, and caring for the sick and suffering. They are being instructed by Mrs. Ella Merrell, an experienced Bible worker, who also acts as the matron of the workers' home.
It may be of interest to the readers to know how the Lord has prepared the hearts of the people to receive the truth for these times. The members of one family who have taken their stand for the truth were impressed with the Sabbath of the fourth commandment years ago in England. It was like this: The wife's father told his daughter that he believed the seventh day of the week was the Bible Sabbath. This expression, although made by her father many years ago, has lingered with her, and when she heard the Sabbath question presented she was in a state of mind favorable to its reception. Her husband had been a sailor, and he was impressed with the Sabbath truth by one of his fellow sailors who desired to get relief from his duties as a sailor on the Sabbath. This produced a profound impression on his mind, and he also was ready to take his stand for the Sabbath as he heard it explained.
Another interesting experience is that of four sisters who reside in one of the suburbs of Boston. They are all married and have homes of their own. They live so far from the tent that it is difficult for them to attend the meetings, so our workers have been visiting them each Wednesday. Their eagerness to hear and receive the truth reminds one of the household of Cornelius, for they are “gladly” receiving the word of God, and they have already taken their stand to obey all of the commandments.
The wife of a prominent physician said that before we came she had been praying for light on the book of Revelation. She now realizes that the message we have brought to her is in response to her longing desire for light.
Another case is that of a woman who attended our meetings a few weeks ago for the first time. We found her to be a devout lover of the Bible and a great searcher for the jewels of truth. Although she has only attended two services and had some private studies, yet as a result she has begun to keep the Sabbath.
A colored minister and his wife have embraced the Sabbath truth. He has met with our colored church in Boston the past two Sabbaths.
A lady who has been a patient at the New England Sanitarium and who first heard the truth there, has taken a noblestand to obey God in every particular.
As we find these dear souls waiting as it were for the message, we can see a signal fulfillment of the words of the spirit of prophecy which has said that many people in the large cities are “waiting” for some one to bring them the truth.
From twenty to twenty-five precious souls have already decided to obey God in all particulars, although at this writing we have not presented the seal of God and the mark of the beast. Our Sabbath services are largely attended, and the Spirit of God is present in power.
The Drs. Kress have assisted a portion of the time during this effort, and their services have been greatly appreciated.
Elder A. V. Cotton has had charge of the business part of the effort, and has assisted in singing and conducting the stereopticon. - K. C. RUSSELL.