California by Chas. W. Peter

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 27, 1905

California

By Chas. W. Peter

SAN FRANCISCO.—In the past I have prayed very earnestly that at some time I would be called to become a foreign missionary. Now for almost a year I have been a foreign missionary in cosmopolitan San Francisco. I am not in India, China, or Africa, but I meet representatives from every nation that the sun shines upon, on board the many vessels that drop anchor in the harbor here.

Many precious experiences, which I would gladly relate if I had time and space, would show that it pays to “cast bread upon the waters.” There are over twenty foreign boats in the harbor, and one hundred and twenty-nine vessels chartered and now on the way here from foreign ports.

I want to relate one incident that occurred here. Some of the Korean converts in Korea wrote to some of their countrymen here about the Sabbath truth. These latter came to us, and on their prayer-meeting night I met with them. Eighteen were present. They had Bibles in their own language to study while one exhorted them. After speaking to them, and leading in prayer, our Japanese brother spoke to them through an interpreter. The next time

I met with them, I gave a study on the Sabbath question. The leader and interpreter—a member of the Presbyterian Church—came to me, requesting to attend our college. I wrote to Professor Howell. He presented the matter to the students, and they raised the amount necessary to pay his tuition to the end of the school year. He was baptized a few days ago. Another man with whom I labored last year was baptized at the same time.

I have precious experiences with other workers in this field. Mr. ——, who has three hundred and fifty boys under his charge at the Y. M. C. A., is taking a Bible course from The Family Bible Teacher studies. He invited me into his private room the other evening, to pray with him.

The pastor of three Finnish churches of Astoria, Ore., after taking treatment of me at the Hydriatic Dispensary, requested us to go to Astoria and start treatment rooms, saying that he and his people would patronize us. There are about three thousand Finns in Astoria.

CHAS. W. PETER.