Ceylon by M. M. MATTISON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 10, 1915

Ceylon

By M. M. MATTISON

M. M. MATTISON

LAST April while canvassing in the city of Bombay, my wife and I received the call to go to Ceylon to present our message to the people of that beautiful island. Soon afterwards we left Bombay by steamer, landing in Colombo, June 12.

We found the conditions and people in Ceylon quite different from those in India, so scarcely knew how to begin our work, especially as we were alone and knew no one on the island. However, we were soon comfortably settled in a suburb of Colombo, near the sea, and began to present our magazines to the people, trusting the Lord to give us subscriptions. We were surprised at the success which attended our efforts from the start. The Ceylonese people, whether Buddhist, Catholic, or Protestant, willingly subscribed, and the Lord gave us very interesting experiences.

One man, a Singhalese, after seeing the magazine and learning who I was, said he had heard of our truth, and what he knew of it he believed. He desired to know more, so I have sent him several tracts.

A man whom I met in the rest house at Negombo, upon learning that I was a missionary, was much interested in our views of the European conflict. He said that from what he knew of the prophecies he believed as we do. I also showed that we as a people were giving the world the Bible interpretation of these events. He then gave me ten rupees to help in the work. I also had the privilege of meeting his mother, who lives in Calcutta. She also is interested in these things.

Another very interesting experience was with the telegraph master at Kurunegala. I was wiring for magazines to our head office in Lucknow. Thinking possibly the censor would stop the telegram on account of my using our code, I explained to the telegraph master what I wanted, and went to the rest house for the night, leaving him to word the telegram to suit himself. The next morning I received the following note from him: “Have wired the following: ‘Great demand for Oriental Watchman magazine. Rush the order.’ Please book my name and my assistant’s as yearly subscribers.” He had never seen the magazine, and did not know the rate, but was impressed to subscribe.

Many other experiences the Lord gave, but space will not permit me to relate them.

Nearly every postmaster, telegraph master, and station master that I canvassed in Ceylon subscribed. I secured many subscriptions from doctors, lawyers, judges, teachers, government officials, and business men of every rank.

AT RIGHT, FIRST FRUITS AMONG HOTTENTOTS; AT LEFT, THE BROTHER WHO WON HIM TO CHRIST

As we were leaving the island in December for our conference at Calcutta, upon reviewing the five months spent in Ceylon, I found the Lord had given me over twelve hundred subscriptions in that land of which we have so often sung, “Though every prospect pleases, and only man is vile.” We thank the Lord that he gave us the privilege of seeing this beautiful island, but above all for the part in giving the gospel message to its inhabitants.