A Disappointment by W. R. French

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C.

FromReview and Herald, Harvest Ingathering Number

“A Disappointment”

By W. R. French

WHILE visiting our stations and out-stations in East Bengal, we stopped over Sabbath with a company of believers. Upon hearing that we were in those parts, two men came from a distance on foot to meet us, bearing a message from their villagers. They arrived just at the close of Sabbath school; so we sat down again to visit and talk with them. Like all faithful messengers, they could not rest until they had borne their message. One man began: “We have come a long distance as representatives of our villagers. In our village there are Christians, Mohammedans, and Hindus. We have heard of your teaching, and believe it is the true gospel, and a number of us are anxious to hear further concerning this teaching of Jesus. We have heard through your paper that he is coming soon. Do send us some one to teach us more concerning this end-of-the-world teaching.

“We have united and erected a school building,” he continued, “and furnished it with maps, benches, chairs, and tables. We want our children educated in the true religion. Now our prayer is that you will send us a man who can instruct both us and our children in the common education and also in this gospel.”

When they had delivered their message, they sat eagerly waiting for a reply. I first told them that the distance was forbidding, but they at once rose to the situation; so I had to tell them plainly that there was no money in our treasury this year with which to take up new work. “But when can you come to us?” they pressed me.

Then I had to tell them that I could make them no promises. You should have seen the look of disappointment on their faces when I told them this. They returned to their homes with heavy hearts, bearing their message of disappointment, and we went on our way with sad hearts, praying God to send men and means for the work. W. R. FRENCH. Calcutta, India.