Batavia, Java by P. Tunheim

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Aug 13, 1914

Batavia, Java

By P. Tunheim

P. TUNHEIM

Our Malay paper, Malaysian Messenger of Truth, is now on the press for the third time. We are having it printed only once in three months, as we are so short of workers. The last issue sold quite readily. One of our sisters and the writer went into some of the country towns for a few days; and in about four days we sold six hundred copies, besides selling tracts in the Dutch language and taking a number of subscriptions. The number of papers sold does not seem so large when we compare it with the sales in the homeland, where I myself often sold two hundred copies in a day, and sometimes more. But we must remember that in Java the greater part of the people cannot read Malay, so we have to go over much territory to hunt for those who can read this language. When we come to the native Mohammedans, where only a few of them can read, they will say, “We can read only the Arabian letters.” We found a number who had read the first issue of the Malay paper until they could answer questions put before them in regard to the articles it contained. The papers had been turned over so many times that the leaves had come apart. We earnestly pray that the seed that is sown in this way will spring up and bear fruit.

The Lord has also blessed us in distributing the Harvest Ingathering number of the REVIEW from America among the few English and English-speaking people. We had about one hundred and fifty papers sent us, and with these we have collected $106.44. These papers have been the means of enlightening the people concerning our work. Many of them do not know anything about it. This is how the Lord arranges for so many to know about it. The people not only receive the good papers to read, but also get a blessing themselves in giving the money to be used in placing the light before others who sit in darkness.

We have just celebrated the Lord’s ordinances. The Lord came very near to us with his Holy Spirit. There were twenty-two or more who took part. A study was given the previous Sabbath in which it was clearly shown that those who do not obey God’s great precepts do not believe them, and are not prepared to partake of that holy ordinance while willingly transgressing God’s commandments. Several who are not paying tithe did not take part; for they realized that they were not in harmony with God’s Word, and therefore felt that condemnation would rest upon them.

Brother R. T. Sisley is our elder. He gave a beautiful study on God’s care for his people. It pays to serve the God who has promised, “The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.” Isa. 54:10.

For a number of weeks we have held meetings in our mission house, in both Dutch and Malay, but the attendance has not been large. The Dutch meetings have been better attended than the Malay. Brother Van de Groep, who has recently come here, helps in the work and conducts the Dutch services, while our native evangelist and the writer conduct the Malay. We hope that some may take their stand as a result of the meetings. We are now holding two meetings a week in the mission home, one in Dutch and the other in Malay. The remaining evenings are taken up with open-air meetings for the Chinese; for it seems so difficult to get the Chinese to come to the houses. In the midst of the Chinese quarter, the government has just built a beautiful market place, and it seems to be providentially prepared as a place where the three angels’ messages can be sounded to the many thousands of Chinese people who are sitting in gross darkness. We sometimes have large congregations. While many come and go, yet a great many stand and listen with great interest throughout the service.

We have been praying for a long time that the Lord would raise up a Chinese worker; for we have been in great need of one. The Lord has heard our prayers. A year ago he put it into the heart of an honest man to come to our meetings. Since that time this man has never lost an opportunity to do good wherever he could. He studies the truth and lives every principle of the message. He is a good example to the church, can speak two or three Chinese dialects, and interprets for us from the Malay. Hearing the message in their own tongue, the people are drawn to the meetings.

We realize that money is a god which is cherished by nearly the whole world, and find that to have the believers pay tithe for many months before they are baptized is a good test as to whether they have gained the victory over their bad habits.

Our courage in the Lord is good, although many difficulties arise daily in connection with this work. Satan is working hard, but the Lord is stronger than he. Dear brethren and sisters, pray for us and our work that many souls may be won for God as a result of our labors.