p. 16 | Ceylon by Harry Armstrong

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Sep 28, 1905

Ceylon

By Harry Armstrong

COLUMBO.—The work seems to move slowly among so many difficulties. Oftentimes after we have worked hard and long to bring people up to the point of decision, we see them turn away with an indifference that brings sadness to us. But we meet with some encouragement, and we know that God has a people in the East whom he desires to gather unto himself.

We have our little Sabbath-school each week, and we enjoy the lessons prepared for this new quarter. We also have a Tamil Bible class each Sabbath, at which the Tamil Sabbath-keepers are present. I do wish you could see this class. I think there can not be another like it in the world.

We have just completed our furniture and fittings for the tent, and now we have two hundred good, strong, portable chairs, which are our very own. I know the Lord has greatly blessed us in preparing these things at such a small cost. This month we have had an organ given us, for which we are indeed thankful.

Before this reaches you, we shall in all probability have opened our tent effort. How I do wish we could have begun with a little more help! We are all alone, with the exception of Elder Owen, who has been with us for over two months. However, we are going forward; for the Lord can bless with many or with few. We pray that many may respond to the invitation to attend.

This work and this truth grow more precious to us every day. We hope to be spared to labor among these people until the work shall be finished. I am learning the language, and am just beginning, after five months’ study, to know how to read a little. Tamil is much more difficult than Hindustani, and is not such a beautiful language, but it is a language representing a large and influential people. It is of the utmost importance that some one learn the vernacular, for the purpose of interpreting and translating.

We sincerely trust that the revival of the true missionary spirit which was so much in evidence during the meetings of the General Conference, may become fruitful in answering the need of these foreign fields in which we labor. We have confidence that you will arrange for the sending out of additional laborers as soon as you possibly can do so. Until then we are determined to go forward with just as much as we can do, ever praying that help, experienced help, may soon arrive to strengthen our hands in bringing the light of present truth to those who are sitting in darkness.

HARRY ARMSTRONG.