p. 18 | Messengers for God by W. J. Walter

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 24, 1914

Messengers for God

By W. J. Walter

AFTER much prayer and counsel, it was thought best to hold an evangelistic tent effort the first week in July, in connection with the organizing of the new medical evangelistic class of the Hinsdale Sanitarium. Elder W. A. Westworth and Prof. J. G. Lamson took the leading part in this. The lessons and instruction were a great uplift to the entire sanitarium family, not only workers but patients as well.

Elder Westworth gave a series of studies on the new birth, showing that it means a complete giving up of all for the Master, and that nothing short of such surrender will be acceptable. Professor Lamson brought a definite and searching message. Prof. Frederick Griggs was with us on Sabbath and gave an inspiring talk to the new class, and also to the nurses of the sanitarium.

The class was organized with a membership of twenty; later, four others came in, making twenty-four at the present writing. We have the German, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, Italian, Spanish, and English languages represented.

Believing Christ's plan of sending out the seventy to be the model for this class, a careful and prayerful study was conducted with these students from the Bible and the Testimonies on the sending out of the seventy. They went out two and two, like lambs among wolves, into every city and place which Christ would visit. So these students went to all the towns and villages surrounding Hinsdale, as well as the great city of Chicago, teaching the people that the kingdom of God is at hand. Four centers have already been opened in the city, and we expect to open two more the first of the month, the Lord willing. Each center has two or three workers, who are furnished with a monthly railroad ticket, enabling them to be at their home in Hinsdale each night for counsel and prayer, and for their classes, so that each morning they may be started aright.

We are also working the rural districts. The boys have been working this part of the vineyard, with good success, using the small books as well as the different magazines. Our plan is to hold schools of health, give temperance lectures, and do all we can to acquaint the people with the message for this time. We have held a temperance stereopticon lecture in the Methodist church in the southwestern part of the county, and organized a school of health with the Ladies' Aid Society of the same church.

The workers carry with them a supply of tracts for free distribution. They plan to leave a tract in every home, in this way planting the seeds of truth. They use Life and Health, Life Boat, Signs, Watchman, Liberty, and Protestant Magazine, also the small books, in their work. Profits from the sale of these books and magazines assist them in their expenses, and at the same time the literature brings the truth to the people and opens the way for the workers to talk and hold studies with them. They have already found several openings for Bible study, and people are asking about the Sabbath truth.

The workers in the city are having most interesting experiences. They find many in need of treatments, and this affords them wonderful opportunities to pray with the people and tell them about the healing power of Jesus, and that he is

soon coming again. Already two have begun to keep the Sabbath as the result of the work done by the workers in the colored district.

We are all of good courage, and have every reason to believe that he who has begun the good work will care for it and prosper it.

We can use literature in all languages, if sent postpaid to the Students' Hall, Hinsdale, Ill. W. J. WALTER.