p. 17 | Paris by B. L. Morse

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 24, 1903

Paris

By B. L. Morse

THE work which was begun in Paris last October, with the opening of the mission school, has progressed slowly but steadily. Three branches of work are at present carried on,—the school for the students; the canvassing work, engaged in by the students, by means of which they meet part of their school expense, and at the same time learn to deal with the people; and the evening lectures for the public.

The students, sixteen in number, are as hard-working, warm-hearted, earnest seekers of the truths of this message as are to be found in any school. This plan of combined study and practical work affords the student the splendid advantage of gaining a practical experience while securing the necessary literary and scientific qualifications. This method develops efficient workers in a short time.

Paris is a modern, progressive city of nearly three million people. Naturally to the average Parisian does not manifest an interest in religious worship, nor care for religious reading, preferring the light, fascinating novel to religious journals. Before beginning our work, the idea prevailed that papers could not be sold in Paris. However, this has now been proved to be a false theory. The sales are not large. The students spend about two hours each day with the papers, and generally average from five to ten copies for that time. Occasionally some sell from fifteen to twenty. They often have invitations to explain the Scriptures.

A short time ago notice was given in the Paris papers that forty thousand Breton fishermen of Northwest France were in a starving condition. Aid was asked. The subject was discussed in the school; it was decided to lay aside the studies to solicit aid from the people, and at the same time sell the papers, the entire price of which was to be given to that suffering people. That two days’ effort was closed by a public missionary service. A representative of a leading journal, which was receiving and forwarding the funds thus collected, was present by invitation to receive the result of the effort. A brief paragraph appeared in the journal the next morning, giving our name and address as promoters of a good work. This it is hoped will carry weight with the police. Several times some of the boys have had rather embarrassing experiences in their efforts to convince the police of the honesty of their reports as to address and work. Since then no one has been disturbed.

The evening meetings and services have also given tangible results. A few have accepted the truth. One of them is a young man from South America. His former life of dissipation forced him to leave home for medical attendance. Hearing of the sanitarium at Basel, he went there for treatment, and received much benefit. Before returning home he came to Paris. Instead of attending theaters, etc., as it was thought he would do, he took lodging with a quiet family, and became quite a regular attendant at our evening meetings. Time passed; his day to leave Paris was fixed, but for some reason he did not leave. The next Sabbath he came to the service following the Sabbath-school, and gave himself into the Master’s keeping. He is now at the school, seeking further instruction in the truths of the Bible. Thus the Spirit works upon the hearts of men.

The outlook for results from aggressive work in the French field is good. It is true that this country has rested long under the shadow of sin. However, notwithstanding that fact, the time has now come for light to shine forth. It must; for "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." B. L. MORSE.