The Message Going to the Jews by F. C. Gilbert

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1916

The Message Going to the Jews

By F. C. Gilbert

KNOWING that our people are interested in every branch of the work of God, I feel sure that a report of the work among the Jews will be read with interest. While the number of converts is not so large as we should like, we are thankful that progress has been made. The past year has been one of special interest in scattering our literature. It has been very encouraging to note the liberal spirit shown by our people in this work. This is as it should be; for the

servant of the Lord has made the following statement with reference to the work among the Jews:—

“In the closing proclamation of the gospel, when special work is to be done for classes of people hitherto neglected, God expects his messengers to take particular interest in the Jewish people whom they find in all parts of the earth.”—“Acts of the Apostles,” p. 381.

As surely as we take special interest in these people, so surely shall we awaken an interest in them in our work and in this message, and we shall see progress made. This was illustrated a short time ago.

One of our ministering brethren called on a Jewish rabbi who had bought a magazine from the minister’s wife. The rabbi was asked to sign the petitions against abridging the freedom of the press, and against the District of Columbia Sunday law. The rabbi very freely did this, and at once began to make inquiry concerning our people. In the words of the brother, who relates his experience: “After finding out what people I represented, he [the rabbi] kept me there for over half an hour, asking questions in regard to our number, our organization, how our work is supported, how we get the people to cease work on the Sabbath, the diet question, and many other things too numerous to mention in this letter. As he wanted to know about our organization, I suggested that he get our 1916 Year Book, and he wanted it as soon as possible, and paid me for it.

“Last Friday Mrs. — and I went to his synagogue. . . . His subject was how he had become acquainted with us and what he had learned about the Seventh-day Adventists. In his sermon he put his own people to shame for not keeping the Sabbath as they should. He spoke in highest terms of our people.”

The writer well remembers a beautiful eulogy on Seventh-day Adventists, delivered by a prominent Jewish assemblyman in one of our State assemblies. It was interesting in the extreme. In conversation with him I expressed appreciation for his speaking so kindly of our people; and he replied, “I could have said a good deal more along the same line.” I then said to him, “Is it not too bad that the Lord has had to select a Gentile people, as the Seventh-day Adventists, to do the work which the Jews ought to do?” Bowing his head in a thoughtful attitude, he quietly replied, “Yes, that is so, that is so.”

While it is extremely difficult to get many Jews to attend a religious Christian service, they do become interested in us and in our work when we go to them in a proper manner, and show a special interest in them.

During the past year more than sixteen thousand tracts in Yiddish and English have been sent out for the Jews, and ten thousand Yiddish magazines. We are sure that this literature has done some good, and the seed will fall into honest hearts. A large number of interesting letters have come to us as a result of this work, and many of the Jews are certainly awakening to a realization of what our truth means. I give a few extracts from these letters:—

“Will you kindly send me a New Testament, as you offer in the different booklets [tracts] you send about?”

“I received your pamphlets and read them with pleasure. . . . Should like to get a little more light about Christian faith. . . . Will you kindly forward me aNew Testament? I shall appreciate it very much.”

“Send me, I pray thee, your books. I wish to read them . . . and examine them. . . . Mr. — commends to me your books. I would like to have them. From me, yours that hopes to have an answer soon with your books. When you will send them, I will be very thankful for them. . . . Please answer me. Send me only Jewish.”

“I just came across the little pamphlet, ‘The Epistle to the Hebrews.’ I am a reformed Hebrew, and am always open for conviction, for I hold no hatred toward any person or church, no matter what the denomination is. . . . I hope that you will please answer, and kindly oblige.” Although this gentleman is past fourscore years of age, he writes very intelligently, inquiring for the truth of God.

I might continue almost indefinitely quoting from correspondence which comes either from Jews direct, or from our people who have interested themselves in the Jews, especially by handing them our literature. There was such a demand for the latest Yiddish magazine that we had unsupplied orders for nearly two thousand copies after an edition of ten thousand was exhausted. We published another edition, and are glad to tell our people that the magazines can be now supplied to those who desire them.

Very few of our large cities have been touched. In such cities as Boston, New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and many others, thousands of these magazines should be scattered. We hope that the brethren and sisters in these cities especially will do what they can to interest their Jewish friends and neighbors in our work and in our literature.

Send for a supply of these magazines to your State tract society, or to the Good Tidings Press, South Lancaster, Mass. The magazines sell to our people for three cents a copy, or three dollars a hundred.

We are glad to learn that several Jews have been baptized and joined us in the Greater New York Conference this winter; one sister has been baptized in western New York, and there are others who we hope will go forward in baptism soon.

Seven Jewish young people have been attending South Lancaster Academy this winter; one brother is a member of the faculty. Jewish young people are also attending some of our other schools. Our courage in God is good. Pray for the work among the lost sheep of Israel.

F. C. GILBERT.