p. 13 | Java, East Indies by R. W. Munson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 18, 1912

Java, East Indies

By R. W. Munson

R. W. MUNSON

ONE OF OUR CHURCH COMPANIES IN LITTLE RUSSIA (KNEELING AT THE LEFT IS ELDER J. PERK)

There is a bright, intelligent Amboynese gentleman, by the name of Kayulola (Kah-you-ló’-lâ), who is truly interested in the message. The other evening when I called at his house, he asked me to hold a weekly meeting there. He called the next evening, and asked for light on the health-reform question, and particularly with reference to the use of tobacco. When I read the scriptures that bear on that question, he readily assented to the soundness of our position, and means, I think, to give up tobacco. He is a graduate of the government training-school for teachers, and was for a good many years in the government service as a Malay schoolmaster. He is now editor of a Malay newspaper, but also teaches Malay to gentlemen who are passing examination in that language. While he has a very good income, he would gladly be content with far less if he could be entirely engaged in missionary work. He is a high-minded man, whom it is a privilege to know, and is an earnest Christian.

Timotheus, a Javanese Scripture-reader, in the employ of the Roman Catholic Church, heard something about our truth six or seven months ago from some one who had met Mr. Pietersz, twenty miles away in his village, or town. During these last six months Timotheus has come into Batavia, a walk of some five or six hours, no less than five times to try to find Mr. Pietersz, in order to learn more about the truth. On Sabbath the third of June he came in for the sixth time, and succeeded at last in locating the home of Mr. Pietersz. He reached there about six in the morning, having walked a good part of the night. He then waited till one o’clock, in order to meet Mr. Pietersz when he should return from his work, as librarian in the military hospital library. They spent three hours, from one till four, investigating what the Bible says about the Sabbath. Then Timotheus started home, and said he would reach there about nine that night. This was necessary, as the following day was Sunday, and he must be with his flock on that day. But on Monday he returned, after arranging for some one to look after his daily meetings. He came to the mission, and for three days studied the truth with Emmanuel. He told us that the day before he had preached the Sabbath to his people. He had been cautioned not to do this, but he said he could not hide such light, that he must tell it no matter what the consequences might be. I told him that we could not hold out any hope of his being employed by us, for we had no means at our command, which was strictly true. Brother Pietersz also told him that we never employed men who had not shown their faith by their works.

He replied that this was God’s truth, and he was not afraid to trust him for his rice. Surely, said he, God would not leave his children to starve when walking in the path of obedience! May his faith be strong enough to stand the test. He hopes to influence his villagers to accept the message.

There is another village out about half an hour by train where the natives, Mohammedans, are very importunate in asking for a teacher. Formerly Mr. Pietersz used to go out there. We hope to be able by and by to arrange to send him to this village. No teacher is located there by any other church. Doors are opening on every side, and these fine Amboynese men are being prepared of God to carry this message to all parts of the archipelago.

We are full of courage, and have abundant reason to be. We are pleading the promises, and expect to realize just what the early disciples did: “And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” Mark 16: 20.