We wish that every one of our sisters had the same determination to do something to reach others with the truth, that is expressed in the following extract from a recent letter:—
I am an isolated Sabbath-keeper, but I want to be a worker for the Lord. My prayer is, Here am I, send me; but where and how? There are a good many hard-working, neglected women around me, and I myself am a hard-working farmer's wife, and the idea has recently come to me that I could devote one afternoon of each week to these women,—form a reading circle, or sewing circle, or a gathering of some kind; and while they were at work, I could read to them something which would reveal the truth. There is a great field of work here, and none of our ministers have been here. I have my own housework to do, and that takes nearly all my time, but I could give a part of it to this work. I have a horse and buggy at my command, and it does seem to me that I must help to spread this truth to my neighbors. I must work, or I shall die spiritually.”
As I have read from time to time the articles from the pen of Mrs. S. M. I. Henry, strange thoughts have passed through my mind relative to the work that women should do for the Master. I was glad that there was to be an advance step in working for Jesus; but as I talked with other sisters, who I thought had much more time than I, I found some of them afraid to take up the work, and sign the cards, lest they should obligate themselves to perform some task beyond their capacity. We all felt that we had all we could do with our home work. But at last I thought I would write and investigate for myself. And then the letter of tenderness and love which I received, with cards to work for others, made me happy in God; and I felt that there was surely one Christian heart that appreciated a sister’s trials and labors of love.
Having the care of five orphan children, it seemed useless to use the cards; but God’s ways are not our ways, nor his thoughts our thoughts. Half a mile away from me lived a family upon whom I have never called, although they have lived there for years. So the Lord sent the woman to my house. When she called, the study cards were lying on the table, and she asked, “What are these for?” It was then easy for me to tell her of the work, and of the love of Christ, and she said, “I will sign the cards, and be glad to have you come in and read with me.” She then told me that some time before a lady used to call and bring her the Signs of the Times, and how she had missed her visits of late. I gave her a copy of the Signs, and could but be amazed to see how the Spirit of the Lord worked while I looked on.
Only this morning I asked the Lord to give me the opportunity of helping some one aside from my daily home cares. I did not see any way of doing this all day, but in the evening when my husband came home he brought with him an old man, who said he was hungry, and had no money. We prepared him a supper, principally of bread, nut butter, and honey. I told him we had no dairy butter, and he ate with relish what we gave him. I gave him some of our papers. I asked him if he was a Christian, and the tears ran down his face, as he answered, “No, I am not; but I wish I was.” You people are, if you are Adventists. May God bless you for your kindness to me.” He then went on his way, and we do not know what the result of this short acquaintance may be in his life.
Surely we sisters have a share of the Master’s work to perform, and in doing it we shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit. I am glad of an opportunity of doing a little for the Master.
*We were glad to receive the following report from a band of Christian women, whose work began before the Special Call to Women was sent out, but which is the real woman’s gospel work:—*
Four years ago we organized a Christian Help Band, and have held weekly meetings since that time, except in hot weather. We have solicited money and clothing from the rich, and distributed to the needy. We have made clothing and quilts. One winter we made over thirty comforters, and placed them where they were needed. We help as many as possible, whether they are members of the church or not. We have helped poor women who have drinking husbands, to get washtubs, washboards, clothesline, and soap, so that they could earn a living for their hungry children. We have made up boxes and barrels of clothing and sent them to missions and orphans’ homes. Last week fourteen of us went to an orphans’ home and sewed all day, making and repairing seventy garments. Last summer we sold over one hundred wall pockets, and sent the proceeds to the Southern mission. We stand ready to relieve any case of distress of which we hear. This city has ten thousand inhabitants, and as many more tourists come here to spend the winter.
I want to tell you how wonderfully the Lord is working in our neighborhood,—a small spot in a corner of a large city. A month or two ago two of our sisters and one sister of the Methodist Church began to hold cottage meetings. Women from all churches were invited, and each was to be asked to take charge of the meetings at different times. It has been quite wonderful how at every meeting the Spirit of the Lord has come in, and we have been able to hold up the truth. Nearly every time one of our own sisters has taken charge, and we realize that the Lord is working through us. All express themselves as glad to be present, and say that they have learned something new from the Bible. We ask the prayerful interest of our sisters in this work. One of our sisters, seventy-three years old, sold thirty-two copies of the Signs in two days. She is one of the best leaders of our cottage meetings. Oh, how good is the Lord, and how blessed it is to serve him.