Pray Ye Therefore by Joel C. Rogers

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

“Pray Ye Therefore”

By Joel C. Rogers

It has been a great pleasure to spend a week with our workers in Paris and in the south of France. Being on the way to meet my wife coming from our Nyassa Mission, I arranged to spend Sabbath at Paris. On arrival I went to the address of the Latin Union, hoping to find Brother L. P. Tieche; but he had changed his office, and was out of the city.

I was about to proceed on my journey, when I found in my note-book the address of Brother Roth’s food store. He directed me to Brother Augsbourger, who is in charge of our Paris mission.

At the Sabbath service, the hall was well filled, over seventy-five being present. They gave the best of attention to my remarks on the progress of the message among the heathen of all lands, based on Isa. 49: 11, 12. A meeting for the youth was held that afternoon, and several adults also attended. The Holy Spirit met with us and impressed our hearts while studying 1 John 2: 12-17, the necessity of complete separation from the world. Several testified of their determination to devote themselves to God’s work. One intelligent young lady had recently separated from her Catholic family to accept the message. Her purpose is to become a missionary, and she is planning to go to one of our schools for preparation.

But it is in the south of France where I am moved to offer up earnestly that harvest petition to the heavenly Husbandman. At Lyons there is a little church of twenty members, and three other persons have just accepted the message. All are working and praying for others.

At Avignon I found Brother Favre and his wife, with no one to help them. This ancient city has never before been entered with this truth. Here, almost under the shadow of the old papal ruins, the message is struggling for a foothold. Five had taken their stand for the truth up to Dec. 7, 1911, when I was there. In the face of bitter opposition they are striving to free themselves from old errors and associations. Deep interest was shown in remarks on Revelation 7 and 14, interpreted by Brother Favre. Both he and his wife are anxiously burdened for souls in this Roman stronghold. Let us join with them in praying for a plentiful harvest.

But at Marseilles my heart was touched more, if possible, than at the other places, by the dearth of laborers. Here were only two workers. This is the great seaport of France, and the second city in population. The boat by which I was to sail to meet my wife at Port Said was two days late, giving me the privilege of spending Sabbath with these workers. Up to this time there have been no resident Sabbath-keepers in Marseilles.

Nearly all our ministers,—and they in France are few indeed,—as well as the few other workers in France, are those who embraced the truth in the French part of Switzerland, and received training in our Swiss school. France has no school for training our young members for the great French field. Such a school is needed with as little delay as possible. There are many waiting individuals to be gathered out of France and the extensive colonies. Madagascar has not one Adventist missionary. How long must that field wait? Let us sincerely join in the prayer for laborers.

JOEL C. ROGERS.

Port Said, Egypt.