Algeria by S. JESPERSSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jan 11, 1906

Algeria

By S. JESPERSSON

We arrived here safely the eighth of August, after spending a very profitable time in France on our way from Switzerland to Algeria.

When we arrived in Algiers, the heat seemed rather severe, so the next day we took the train for Blida, a town of from twenty-five thousand to thirty thousand inhabitants, one hundred kilometers from Algiers. This place is said to be somewhat cooler and healthier than the densely populated parts of Algiers. We stayed in Blida about two months, until the hot season was over, and the tourists, as well as those who had gone to Europe and other places to spend the summer, were expected soon to return to their homes.

We have been well ever since coming here; it was quite hot during August and September, but we did not suffer severely from the heat. During the summer months it is very dull here, so we have not been able to do as much as we desired; but it was fortunate that we came here so early in the year, for now we know better what to expect another year, and we have had time to become familiar with the people and their customs. Most of the inhabitants are Arabs, but there are also many Europeans and some of other nationalities. The professed Christians are nearly all Catholics, and as the Europeans are the most powerful here, it is a Catholic place. Thus far every one is free to exercise his religion according to his own conscience, so there is a great deal of business going on on Sunday. A Sunday law, however, has already been spoken of, and will no doubt soon appear on the table again for consideration; so we see it was high time to enter this field.

The Catholics are, of course, held in great darkness here as well as everywhere else, but even among them we find soberly thinking persons. I will just cite one example. Through the recommendation of one of the physicians I gained an entrance into a very good family. The man was suffering from neuralgia, and the doctor asked me to give his patient massage. As I did not come on Sabbath to give him his treatment, he soon learned of our religion, and asked me many questions in regard to our belief; and almost every time I gave him massage, I could also tell him of the truth, and, although he is far from being a pious man, he took great interest in what I said. Many times he said to his wife: “That is right; they have a much better religion than ‘we,’” etc. When I went there one evening after the Sabbath, he asked me in regard to the signs of the times and many other things, and finally he put the straight question to me, “What do you think of the pope?” I said, “I hardly feel free to state just what I think, or rather what the Bible says, of him, as you are one of that faith.” “Yes, yes,” he replied, and his wife also, “just speak out freely; never mind.” “Well,” I said, “the Bible says that he is the man of sin, the son of perdition.” To this he replied, “I believe that that is just what he is.”

Having finished the treatment, I said, “Now I will read you some about the signs of the times if you wish me to do so,” to which he quickly answered in the affirmative. So I sat down and opened to them the Word of God, and held a good Bible reading with them. The Lord blessed in a special manner, and they exclaimed: “What a wonderful book is that! and what knowledge, and so true it is!”

I pray the Lord that this people may some day give their hearts to God, and so learn the truth, not only in theory, but in spirit and love.

Here the medical work was the “entering wedge,” as we have been told that it is to be. May the Lord help us to find the sincere ones, and to do our best for everybody. We are glad to be here, and we praise the Lord for his goodness to us, and it is our earnest desire to serve him faithfully. When the great gathering shall take place, we also expect to be there, bringing precious sheaves from this part of the great harvest field. Remember us and the work here in your prayer. Our address is 7th Rue Michelet, Alger, Algeria.

S. JESPERSSON.

Dec. 7, 1905.