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Some Interesting Letters

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Sep 14, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 46.

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Some Interesting Letters

By Arthur G. Daniells

A. G. DANIELLS
In an article last week, entitled “Good News from Ceylon,” we told of two men, a lawyer and a school man, who are greatly interested in the truth. We have some letters from these men, written to our brethren in India, which will be of interest to our readers, indicating as they do the simple faith and real earnestness of these seekers after light. The first three are from the school man, Samuel G. Lee:—
“I have read ‘Daniel and the Revelation,’ and am convinced that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord. We have been holding meetings and worship on that day for nearly two months. What we can say is, ‘Come over and help us.’ We meet with much opposition. I rejoice to suffer in the cause of the kingdom. It is impossible to observe the Sabbath of the Lord and be in partnership with the churches here, which are following the higher critics. Therefore, please take steps at once to start work here. I will turn over to the mission the school which is entirely under me; but we cannot do anything until we meet and know each other properly.”
The next letter was written to the International Tract Society:—
“Your kind letter of the 25th ult. was duly received. Thanks for the literature sent. Besides these I received by post ‘The Great Controversy,’ ‘Bible Readings,’ and ‘Daniel and the Revelation.’ I particularly began to study the latter book and read most of what was said of the beast and the image and the mark of the beast, etc. I began to rise very early in the morning, at 4:30 or 5. But on the twenty-third my hand bag, with other valuables and this ‘Daniel and the Revelation,’ was stolen from my home.
“I am of Christian parents, brought up in the belief that the Bible is the inspired word of God. My parents were Congregationalists, but I came to learn that believer’s baptism is God’s appointment, and so was baptized on Nov. 19, 1893. Then I was the senior mathematical master, Wesley College, Colombo. The more I began to follow the Bible the more I found myself alone. So I had to organize a college in Colombo, ‘City College’ (1894-1907). Boys were prepared up to the London University matriculation standard. I kept teachers who were Christians and non-smokers and abstainers. I felt that real Christian work in school cannot be carried on freely when the school is placed under government grant. So I was content with the few given me. My wife was educated at the Isabella Thoburn College, at Lucknow, 1907.
“We closed the work in Colombo and came to Jaffna, where we have been the last seven years. We could not accept the teachings of the churches here. They are under higher critics. Now, after reading the books received from you, we have accepted the seventh day as the Sabbath, and are holding worship on that day. We sent a letter to Pastor James. Can you urge the superintendent at Lucknow, and Pastor James, to send some one to Jaffna, Ceylon, to help us? I will allow my school to be a place for meetings.
“Can’t you send some one at once to teach and help, as there are seven or eight families of us, or a community of about twenty-five in all?
“Yours in God’s keeping.”
“P. S.—I am ready to turn the educational work over to your mission. Pray for me.”
Mr. Lee’s third letter follows:—
“DEAR MR. JAMES: Pastor Thomas was here for three days, and we were much helped by his visit. I have finished reading ‘The Great Controversy,’ and have seen the truth and am determined to follow it. The Sabbath observance causes much persecution, but the Lord is sufficient in these trials. I desire to work in a line consonant with the new light. Some most bitter persecutors have become calmer. Mr. Thambipillai is very bright. He is a young lawyer. I have two boys and four girls. The older boy is fourteen years of age, and the youngest girl is two years old. They all speak English. Some decisive action must be taken by us. Please put us in the way. At first my wife was very bitter. Now she is calmer as I tried to explain more gently.
“Do you get financial help from the government for your schools? I can get certificates almost equal to F. A. from a London incorporated educational body called the College of Preceptors. I can hold these examinations in Ceylon, India, and Burma, Scripture being one subject, Tamil language another. In Ceylon we have hill stations within one hundred and fifty miles of the harbor. Owing to Sabbath observance required by new light, I have to reorganize many matters. I desire the earnest prayers of believers that the rest of my life may be devoted to God’s kingdom according to God’s way.
“Yours very truly.”
The following letter is from the lawyer to whom reference has been made:—
“SIR: I was in receipt of your kind letter about eight or ten days ago, but did not write to you, as I thought you would be at Coimbatore. Some two days ago I remitted to you a sum of 84 rupees and 8 annas, which is the amount of tithes from us. We sold some jewels, and therefore were able to make that collection. I am aware that Mr. Lee went up to Coimbatore, and am waiting to know some good news. I am glad that you remember us in your prayers. I feel that at this time God will lead us by his hand and show us the way in life. Surely, if God will show us, and particularly myself, as to what I should do for our salvation, and for his glory, we are prepared to obey him. We should be glad if God would give us help to prevail with him in the manner that Jacob did. Jacob had a greater advantage than any of us have; for he was face to face with him, and would not let him go unless he blessed him. ‘The Great Controversy’ is an excellent book. I do not know that there is any other book similar to that which is better that I can get. I have not written Pastor James as yet, as I do not know where he will be during this month.
“Yours obediently.”
The earnestness and zeal of these seekers after truth should appeal mightily to us who have so much light and so many privileges and blessings, and lead us to put forth every effort to send experienced workers to Ceylon to help these dear people.