ENCOURAGING FOR V. M. SOCIETIES.
By B. C. Stickney
DURING the last five weeks quite a number of interesting letters have been read in our Oakland V. M. Society. One from a lady in Dundee, Scotland, contained money to pay for one year's subscription for the SIGNS, and another from the same place says:— "My father has received a few copies of the SIGNS also a letter from you. We were quite ignorant who the sender was, but if you find it convenient we would be much pleased to receive them from your hand. In return we will send you a copy of the Dundee Advertiser. My father and mother join in best wishes to you." A letter was also read from a gentleman in Australia. His address was taken from an obituary notice in an Australian newspaper. He says:— "I have received several copies of the SIGNS, and must state that I have been greatly benefited by perusing them. Hope you will continue the favor of sending me a few copies, and trust you will still keep up the correspondence." In this letter was enclosed a card with this motto beautifully wrought upon it: "I know that my Redeemer liveth." A lady residing in Nebraska, sending an order to the SIGNS Office for the "Three Messages" and "United States in Prophecy," says of the SIGNS:— "One of your papers has fallen into my hands, and it seemed 'like good news from a far country.' I have prayed for knowledge, and for wisdom to use the knowledge given. I have now received some knowledge, although I have long understood and believed many things as expressed in your paper." A letter from a person in New Zealand, although raising some objection to our views, shows a degree of interest:— "Several copies of the paper of which you speak have reached me, and I have read them with much interest. While cordially admiring the good and religious tone of the paper, I at the same time cannot agree with you on the observance of the Jewish Sabbath. Did it never occur to you that sailing around the world must alter at some point the Sabbath (as the seventh day) to those who do so?" We questioned whether the first-day Sabbath would not be changed in the same way, and reading matter explaining that point was sent. About a year ago a member of our society sent several papers and a letter to a lady in this State. Receiving no answer, she had given up all hope of ever hearing anything, when she was agreeably surprised a short time since by receiving a letter of inquiry from her. This shows that V. M. workers should not become discouraged if the fruit of their labor does not appear at once. The seed is taking root. The writer says:— "I was not at home when your papers came, so they were loaned to a friend. I am not a religious person, but I feel an interest in the cause of which you speak. If convenient I would like to correspond with you, for I do not understand this religion,—this change of heart that I hear people talk of, and perhaps you can enlighten me somewhat. There is also a text of Scripture that I would like very much to have you explain. It is found in Matt. 24:14, 15." Another letter from Australia says:— "Many thanks for your kind offer to send me more papers. I would be gratified to receive one at any time. After reading papers of that kind, it is the custom here to send them to one of the hospitals, where the sick spend many weary hours in reading them, and derive great benefit from them." Thus the seeds of truth are being scattered. Who will engage in the sowing, that they may share in the harvest? M. K. WHITE, Pres.
B. C. STICKNEY, Sec.