The Jews Are Taking Note of Our Work by F. C. Gilbert

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 30, 1915

The Jews Are Taking Note of Our Work

By F. C. Gilbert

Soon after the death of Sister E. G. White, some of the Jewish papers of the country wrote special editorials on the life and work of this servant of the Lord. The comments were very favorable, and the terms they used were eulogistic. It is evident that the Jewish people are noticing our work and our people.

For a number of years the servant of the Lord urged our people to work for the Jews, and repeatedly stated that there is yet to be a great work done for them. Here are a few of her statements:—

“When this gospel shall be presented in its fullness to the Jews, many will accept Christ as the Messiah. . . .

“In the closing proclamation of the gospel, . . . God expects his messengers to take particular interest in the Jewish people whom they find in all parts of the earth. As the Old Testament Scriptures are blended with the New in an explanation of Jehovah’s eternal purpose, this will be to many of the Jews as the dawn of a new creation, the resurrection of the soul. . . .

“Many will by faith receive Christ as their Redeemer. To them will be fulfilled the words, ‘As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.’”

“Among the Jews are some who, like Saul of Tarsus, are mighty in the Scriptures, and these will proclaim with wonderful power the immutability of the law of God. The God of Israel will bring this to pass in our day. His arm is not shortened that it cannot save. As his servants labor in faith for those who have long been neglected and despised, his salvation will be revealed.”—The Acts of the Apostles, pages 380, 381.

In the Wahrheit (Truth), of New York, one of the newspapers noticing her life work, we find the following statement (the article is written in Yiddish, and a translation of the same is given here):—

“We refer to the well-known Sabbath Christian, Mrs. Ellen White. We call her the well-known Sabbath Christian, for she was really the founder of the well-known sect, who are called Seventh-day Adventists. To make it more

simple and plain to us Jews, for brevity we would say, ‘The Christian Sabbath Guardians.’

“The Seventh-day Adventists believe, as do the Jews, that the true Sabbath is Saturday and not Sunday. Jesus Christ himself, they say, also observed the seventh day as the Sabbath. They observe the Sabbath very strictly, closing their business houses during the entire day. They do no kind of work on the Sabbath, and guard it from desecration as does the most pious Jew.

“This sect of Sabbath Christians is spread all over the land. . . . There is scarcely a city in America where these Seventh-day Adventists cannot be found.”

The editor makes some very kind comments on the life of Sister White, and mentions the fact that she was regarded as a real prophetess. After speaking of her misfortune when a child, he remarks, “In her deep sorrow she turned her heart to the comfort of religion.”

In his article the editor not only calls the attention of the Jews to Seventh-day Adventists, to the work they are doing, and to the noble life of Sister White, but he also tells the Jewish people that there is power in religion, in the Christian religion of the Sabbath keeper. This certainly is a great confession on the part of a Jewish editor. It speaks volumes. There is power and comfort in the religion of Christ, which leads the children of God to keep the Sabbath. It gives people power and comfort in their sorrows, and leads them to live beautiful lives.

As Seventh-day Adventists, let us live this life before the Jewish people. We are sure that the editorials written on the life of Sister White will be used of God as food for many Jewish minds. There is power in this truth to change hearts, hearts of Jews as well as of Gentiles. Let us, dear brethren and sisters, show the Jewish people that there is reality in this blessed religion of Jesus. Let us show them that there is power in true Christian Sabbath keeping. Many Jews will yet see Christ as revealed in this truth. May God help us to sow the seed in the hearts of these poor lost sheep.

F. C. GILBERT.