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Giving the Truth to the Jews

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 14, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 24.

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Giving the Truth to the Jews

By F. C. GILBERT

We are glad to announce through the columns of the Review that the giving of this truth has already begun among the Jews. This message, the Bible says, must go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. So in harmony with the message that came to us at the last General Conference, beside other communications that have been sent from the servant of the Lord bearing on this question, a building was rented in Boston, Mass., in the very center of a Ghetto, containing thirty thousand Jews, and on the eleventh of April, this place was dedicated to the work of preaching this truth among the Jews. Elder E. W. Farnsworth, president of the Atlantic Union Conference, was present and spoke; Elder Fitzgerald, vice-president of the union, and a number of the ministering brethren, including Elder K. C. Russell, of Washington, D. C. In the evening several addresses were given by ministers of other denominations who are interested in the Jews.
The work thus far has been very encouraging, for which we thank the Lord. To give a description in any wise adequate to the giving of the gospel to the Jews would take much more space than can be spared in this paper. But, suffice it to say, we thank the Lord there is enough power in this message to compel the Jews to listen and to think, even as there was in the days of the Saviour, and in the days of the apostles.
We are holding several meetings a week, and thus far there has not been a meeting but what we have had some Jews present, and some evenings we have had a very good attendance. It has indeed been blessed to see these bright intelligent men sit and listen to the truth one and two hours at a time, including the time given them to ask questions.
The change of sentiment among the Jews to-day with reference to the gospel is wonderful, especially when they find out that we are not like other Christians, but keep the Sabbath and do not eat swine-flesh. Somehow they are puzzled, amazed, dazed, perplexed. Wednesday evening is given up to the asking of questions, after a short talk, and almost invariably they will ask why did Jesus overthrow the law and the prophets, and teach Sunday-keeping and pork-eating. When we show them from the New Testament that Jesus observed the law, kept the Sabbath, and did not give permission to eat swine-flesh they seem almost breathless, and they act as though a new revelation had come to them. Consequently they do not know how or where to class us. They do not consider us as they do other Christians, yet they know we are not really Jews. They are surprised to learn that thousands of people in this land and in other lands believe in Moses and in the prophets, observe the Sabbath, and many other things which the Old Testament teaches.
The Melrose Sanitarium has given us a nurse, who daily goes to the homes of the people, and she is being treated very kindly. Then there are several other workers who are visiting the people, and are preparing to give them Bible readings, as the Lord will open the way.
Two afternoons each week we have about forty girls in our sewing schools, and we could have many more; but as we lack teachers and means to carry the work still further we can not take any more. It is blessed to hear them sing the hymns about Jesus, and they learn to love these songs. What a precious privilege to teach these dear children about their own Saviour!
Then two evenings each week we have classes to teach the Jews English. We have quite a number of nice young men and women who are anxious to learn the language, and ways are opening up to teach them and talk to them about the Saviour.
The work in many ways is very hard; but we certainly believe the time has fully come when the Holy Spirit wants the gospel given to the Jews; and who but this people have anything to give to them. Just as the Jews were originally the only people to give the Bread of Life to the gentiles, so this people to-day are the only ones who have the true Bread of Life to give to the Jews.
We need your prayers; we need your sympathy, we need your help; and God is giving us many indications that his hand is in this work. In other items in the future we hope to tell you more about the progress of the work in various ways. Pray for the work and the workers; and if any one desires to assist in this work it will be greatly appreciated. Any donations for this work may be senteither to the Mission Board at Takoma Park, D. C., or to H. B. Tucker, Secretary Central New England Tract Society, South Lancaster, Mass., stating that it is for the Jewish work. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee.”
F. C. GILBERT, 107 Stanford St., Boston, Mass.