p. 17 | Ceylon by Harry Armstrong

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Dec 21, 1905

Ceylon

By Harry Armstrong

COLPETTY, COLOMBO.—To-day we opened our tent to the public, and held our first meeting. Never before have I held meetings in such a beautiful place. We had our platform nicely carpeted, and draped with art muslin. We also had a row of twelve palms and ferns extending across the platform, which made the scene cool and refreshing to the eye. The two hundred chairs were arranged to form a crescent leading up to the platform. The ground in the East is troubled with much insect life, such as ants, white ants, lizards, and even snakes. To insure comfort and safety, we carpeted the whole tent with matting, and used plenty of tar on all stakes, poles, and other furniture and fittings. A large cobra was seen within a few yards of the tent yesterday. While we were erecting the tent, I killed a young snake that had crawled in among the timbers.

A little before six o’clock the people began to gather, and at six o’clock we opened our meeting; before we sang the second hymn, over one hundred and fifty persons had taken their seats, and before the meeting closed, over two hundred persons were sitting in the tent, or standing around it. These were educated English-speaking people, and not a few of them represented the higher classes of society. It was no ordinary meeting, for the presence of the Lord was with us in power, and the people were deeply moved. The Lord gave me much freedom in presenting the truth of the ‘infallible word,’ as the life, light, and salvation of souls, in contrast to the forms, creeds, and outward observances of men. Our meetings will continue every evening, and we know that the truth as it is in Jesus will convince many, and that some will accept it to their soul’s salvation.

We are thankful that we are able to labor in the East. Our hearts are filled with deep and sincere gratitude for all the tokens of good that we see. Of course, there is opposition, and also persecution, which we have to meet from day to day. There are many here who would gladly sweep us from the face of the earth if they could do so. They have made a special business of warning others against coming to our meeting. But the truth has prevailed, and will prevail.

I called upon the editor of the Times, and told him about our opening meetings, and something of our work in different parts of the world. He was much pleased, and published a long notice in both morning and evening editions. This notice was then copied by other papers. Through these favors, we are saved much expense in advertising. We are getting out a few folders, and these will be taken to the homes of the people.

How I do wish that we could have opened up this effort with a good, strong force! I am sure that even in England or America we would not think of beginning a campaign with so little help. But Elder Owen and we are all that are here; and inasmuch as we do not have the laborers in the East, we must do all we can, trusting the Lord to be all in all to us. Some day in the near future, we believe, this dearth of laborers will cease. We are sure our hands will be strengthened as soon as it is possible; and until then we will hold on to the plow, even though we tread the furrow alone.

We shall have a book-stall in connection with our tent services, and shall make an effort to place our literature in the hands of the people. If they will only read our publications, they will learn as much as they can ever learn from the public platform. After delivering a discourse on any subject, we shall bring it before them again by our literature.

You will be pleased to know that I can now read the Tamil language. There are two hundred and seventy characters, besides several Sanskrit characters; and while they look very strange at first, they are just as easy to learn as A B C. I am now writing a Tamil tract, which will cover the different points of the message. The title is, ‘Our Sovereign Lord, Creator, and Redeemer.’ I am sure that money will come in so that we can print it and place it among a people who have never heard the message in their own tongue.

We are thankful to say that we have quite a wide circle of friends who are

interested in the truth. We hope these tent-meetings will bring some of these to a decision. Our Tamil Sabbath-keepers meet with us every Sabbath. Last week we conducted a meeting without the aid of an interpreter. Very few words were spoken, but we turned them from one text to another, and let the Word of God do everything.

We love our work. We would, however, have it move more rapidly. But here in the East, as you know, it is very difficult to get any one to do to-day what can be put off until to-morrow. But our courage is good, and we are thankful that we are alive.

HARRY ARMSTRONG.