A Little Press That Speaks in Different Languages by L. V. Finster

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 1, 1916

A Little Press That Speaks in Different Languages

By L. V. Finster

THE Philippine Mission job press was very busy last year, operating two shifts a day, and part of the time running all night. It has printed books and tracts in the Tagalog, Cebuano, Panayano, and Ilocano languages, besides our paper in the Tagalog. Our books show that $12,678.74 worth of literature has gone from our office. A little over two hundred dollars’ worth may have been returned by our agents, leaving more than $12,400 worth of books, tracts, and papers put into the homes of the Filipinos.

But what has this accomplished? Our Bible workers are kept more than busy following up the interests thus created. In the northern part of Luzon a man, after reading some tracts, walked two days to inquire of Elder Hay about the truth. Our tent meeting in San Pablo, where more than one hundred have been baptized, was started by our canvassers. At our last missionary meeting, one of our colporteurs said that in a certain town he was stopped by a policeman and questioned as to his work. The policeman seeing the canvasser’s book bag, said, “I infer from that bag that you are an optician carrying glasses.” Receiving an affirmative reply, the policeman asked to see the glasses. When he saw the books and Bibles, he said, “Why, these are books!” The worker replied, “Yes, but they are glasses for the souls of men. Many are in darkness, and these help them to see. The Bible is a light unto our feet. There are many people needing these to help them find the way into the kingdom of God.” After being shown these “glasses,” the policeman allowed the canvasser to go on his way in peace.

We have twenty-six Filipino and two foreign colporteurs at present in the field.

Last week I baptized two men from the town of Luta who had received the truth from our colporteurs. A Pampango, who recently accepted the truth, has translated four tracts into his native language. Thus a new tongue has been added to those in which is being proclaimed the message of the coming King.

L. V. FINSTER.