Untitled article by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 2, 1882

From England.

By Editor

From a private letter written by Eld. A. A. John, who is laboring at Great Grimsby, England, we extract the following:—

Since in the providence of God I have been called to this distant field, it gives me pleasure to see signs which indicate that God has a few people here who are willing to obey his word. I would not have you think that the prospects are at all flattering. No. Every advance step that is taken requires earnest effort to take it.

I am convinced that the masses will be warned by “open air” meetings in the market-places and on the streets. This plan has been carried out, by the Methodists and others, very successfully.

The SIGNS has done, and will do, a good work for a certain class between the aristocracy and peasantry.

Many persons have thought that in Great Britain, Elder Loughborough had an easy and desirable field; but it is a mistaken opinion. Although the English language is spoken here, the idiom is so different from what it is in America, that we are not always understood, and many times we cannot understand others. We are compelled to conform to their modes of expression. Even in missionary work, I have had to adopt a certain English expression, so that I can be understood.

No. 34 of the SIGNS is before me, and I must say that I am proud of it, and am thankful that I have the privilege, unworthy as I may be, to offer it to the people of England as our representative missionary paper. I notice a few changes in the make-up of this number. Though I liked the appearance of the SIGNS before, I think this is an improvement. I will examine myself, and endeavor to make some change in my make-up that will better fit me to represent it.

The work here at Grimsby is advancing slowly, but, I trust, surely. Seven are already keeping the Sabbath; several others are convinced, for whom we hope.

Although the battle goes hard, we are trusting in God for grace to do the work, and we feel that victory will be sure. We pray for the over-burdened ones in America. It gives us joy to think that our pilgrimage is nearly ended, and that the everlasting rest will soon be given to those who have borne the burdens so long. May God help us to finish our course with joy.