Results of Locating Our Press at Soekaboemi, Java
By J. W. HOFSTRA
From the very first of the arrival of the press family, it became evident that God had called us to Soekaboemi. Naturally, Brother and Sister Munson supposed they would be total strangers to every one in this city; but to both their surprise and delight, they found several old acquaintances, especially among the Chinese. Some of them had been pupils of Brother Munson while he was in Singapore. Others were old friends made during their stay in Padang, Sumatra. Thus the Lord had provided beforehand a circle of friends for whom Brother and Sister Munson could work. These friends soon increased. One of the Chinese is already obeying the Lord in regard to the fourth commandment. He is a very intelligent man, and a bookkeeper in a large printing firm. There is not the least objection to his laying aside his work on the Sabbath and working on Sunday. He is studying the prophecies; and the Spirit of God is doing great things for this brother. A very interesting case is that of Brother Brouwer. He and his family had gone to the Netherlands to reside in The Hague. While there they heard Pastor Klingbeil, with the result that all embraced the truth—the father, the mother, and four grown children. The truth planted itself firmly in the hearts of their children, working in them an irresistible desire to become in time actively engaged in the cause. With the consent and support of their parents, all four of them are in our school at Friedensau, Germany, preparing themselves to become workers. For a long time there seemed to have been some reason which held Brother Brouwer from fully identifying himself with us. Yet that the love of God and the truth had settled deep into his heart, could never be doubted by one who knew anything about him; the very fact of supporting his children in our school, when he always had planned differently for them, would prove beyond dispute his love for the message. Last year he returned to Java, planning to take up his former work as railroad director. After he had been here for some time, he received an invitation from relatives in Soekaboemi to visit them a while, before taking up his work. Brother Brouwer accepted the invitation, and came to this place, not having the least thought of finding Seventh-day Adventists here. The Lord, however, was watching our dear brother, and from what has followed, it is evident that he sent his angel to persuade Brother Brouwer to come to Soekaboemi. On a certain Sunday he had a desire to hear a missionary who holds services twice a month in Soekaboemi. After the services he and some others remained to exchange a few words with this gentleman. Among those remaining was a good old lady who seemed to be especially burdened, desiring to relieve her mind to this missionary. The subject of her story was that “those Seventh-day Adventists” had come to Soekaboemi; that already some of the most influential Chinese were going to the house of the leader to their meetings. This was simply awful, and she desired that something be done immediately to stop this. You can better imagine Brother Brouwer’s surprise than I can put it in writing. He inquired indifferently on what street those people had settled, which information was gladly furnished. The next morning he was on his way to the place, finding the press home and family without much trouble. After they had learned who the brother was, their mutual joy was unbounded. This was fresh evidence of God’s providence in behalf of those who are honest in purpose. He has often met with the company, taking a full interest in its welfare, paying his tithes and offerings. It affords us great pleasure to say that he soon decided to identify himself fully with us. Satan Stirred to Activity
That the devil would not allow us this territory undisputed we full well knew, but that he would be able to use a missionary of the gospel as his agent had not been anticipated. Yet this is exactly what he did. Two nights in succession, a near-by missionary came to visit the press family, desiring, almost demanding, to know all about them, their business, and their plans for the future. He was received with the utmost consideration. Yet I think the Lord warned Brother Munson that this man had evil in his heart. We have sufficient reason to believe that this man went to the assistant resident of Soekaboemi to poison his mind against us and our work. From there it spread to a higher officer. The saying of Paul, that nothing can be done “against the truth, but for it,” was manifested also in this matter. For awhile things were made hard for us, almost unbearable. The officials forbade us to hold any public meetings; we were not allowed to do any charitable work, to speak of our religion, to sell or give away tracts, nor even to teach English. We obeyed, so no one can say we have shown disrespect for the officers of this land. When the conditions in Soekaboemi had come to the point that the company there could not live consistent Christian lives, under the existing regulations, we believed our time for action had come, and that the Lord was ready to give deliverance. The restrictions and refusals had come to us from the highest official of that territory. For this reason the only course open to us was to see the governor-general. We therefore wrote his excellency, asking the privilege of an audience, on a certain Tuesday. On that day, early in the morning, we were on our way to Buitenzorg, arriving at seven twenty-two. After our arrival, I was taken ill. We decided to find a secluded place in the botanical garden of the palace to seek God’s face, to ask him to take away our affliction, and prosper our mission with the governor. Brother Munson and I engaged in prayer, appealing to the One who has always proved himself “a very present help in trouble.” A little before ten we went to the palace. One of the secretaries told us his excellency desired to meet us at ten thirty. We were given chairs, and bidden to “be seated.” We sat down, glad for the opportunity to turn our heart once more heavenward in prayer and praise. At ten fifteen this same officer came again, asking us if we were ready to follow him, stating, “His excellency is ready to receive the gentlemen.” We arose immediately, allowing him to take the lead. As we came to the door of the reception-room, he rapped; and on hearing a voice say “Come,” he opened the door, and bade us enter, closing the door behind us. When we stepped in, his excellency arose, coming a few paces toward us, saying, “Well, pastor, I am glad to see you; how is your health?” Then turning to Brother Munson, “I am glad to meet you.” Pointing toward some chairs, he said, “Gentlemen, be seated;” and he returned to his seat. His excellency Sir Idenburg is one of those splendid characters seldom met in any walk of life. He is a man of ordinary14height, has a fine, well-developed physique, and a splendid, manly bearing. As soon as one touches anything concerning the religion of Christ, and the worship of God, he finds that he is dealing with a man of deep experience in that direction. After assuming an expectant position, he continued, “What is there on your mind you desired to see me about?” As answer to his inquiry we asked him the privilege of briefly relating to him our story from the beginning, in order that we might place our case properly before him. To this he consented. We then told him the object of our press, and why we had located in Soekaboemi. We told him of the restrictions placed upon us. We told him that this was taking away from us the privilege of living consistent Christian lives; that we had no desire of becoming lawbreakers, and for that reason came to him that he might remove the obstructions placed in our path. He made no effort to conceal his surprise that such restrictions should have been made; it seemed hard for him to believe it. He next inquired of us if we knew why we had been forbidden to teach English, saying he knew of no laws to forbid this in any place. We told him this was done for fear we might teach religion in that way. His excellency then pressed a bell, which proved to be a call for his general secretary. While waiting for him, he made use of these few moments to inquire concerning the prosperity of our individual labors, and the health of our families, instructing us to carry his cordial greetings to them. When the governor learned that we were also hindered from public work, he told us how to get out of this difficulty. By this time the general secretary had arrived, and seated himself. His excellency discussed our statements with him, asking him if he perchance knew of some laws on which the actions regarding us were taken, receiving a negative answer. Being satisfied that his own idea concerning this matter was correct, he restored to us the privileges taken from us, giving us liberty to do these things we asked; adding some instruction as to how to proceed in the future. He advised us to send a request to him to do gospel work in one of the most important districts of Java; also much larger than the other districts. “This will place you,” said he, “beyond future interference of any one.” After we had thanked him for granting us an audience and giving us the liberties he had, besides giving valuable counsel, he wished us God’s blessing upon our labors, and let us depart. Thus was the truth once more established, of which we read in Rev. 3:8: “Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” We took the first train home, rejoicing in God for his unbounded mercy toward us. When we told the good news to the company at Soekaboemi, they also praised the Lord with us for the blessings bestowed on his work and children.