Ceylon by HARRY ARMSTRONG

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 30, 1905

Ceylon

By HARRY ARMSTRONG

COLOMBO.—It is now nearly three months since we received a valuable contribution of a tent, which was kindly donated to this work by the students of 'Healdsburg College. The tent arrived safely, and in good condition. We have since that time prepared the furniture and fittings, including chairs, center pole, wall poles, and stakes. We soon found that our tent fund was not sufficient to purchase even the two hundred chairs at store prices, so we arranged to buy the wood from the timber yard, and make them ourselves. Elder Owen designed a folding chair suitable for our needs, and then we began a work of industry, planing and sawing, screwing and nailing, until the two hundred chairs were completed. By making them ourselves we have saved a sum equal to five hundred rupees, and have gained an experience that will serve us in any emergency.

All the furniture and fittings are now complete, and just as soon as we receive definite word about the land on which we hope to pitch, we shall go forward in our first public effort among this people. This month we have had presented to us a good organ, which is just what we need for our tent services. We believe that as we open our services to the public, the people will open their hearts to the truth, and that they will also sustain the work.

We are having parlor meetings, and a good interest is maintained in them. There are some here who love the truth, and we hope to see them continue in their interest. We have a class of Tamil Sabbath-keepers who meet with us every Sabbath. They have been keeping the Sabbath since 1844. God's Holy Spirit caused a great awakening among some who were specially seeking him at that time, and they saw the Sabbath truth, and kept it. They were driven out of the churches, and were persecuted, but they have been firm and faithful even until now. They were much pleased to meet with us, and have been gathering into our bungalow every Sabbath to learn more of the truth. We speak to them through an interpreter, and they drink in the good things the Lord has given us.

We believe that the opening of the tent services will prove a great blessing to many, and to this end we ask you to remember this work before the throne of grace. God has a people here, and he will gather them out by the power of the voice of the third angel's message, and so work in them that it can be said of them, 'Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.'

Brethren and sisters, let us be faithful and true, let us be strong and courageous, and 'let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.'

HARRY ARMSTRONG.