p. 10 | Canvassing on Mt. Lebanon by W. C. Ising

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 14, 1912

Canvassing on Mt. Lebanon

By W. C. Ising

W. C. ISING

THE gospel message is finding its way into all parts of the wide world, and faithful canvassers are disseminating our precious literature in the highways and byways. After working the city of Beirut for some time, during the summer months we have chosen the mountains to whose lofty villages resort many strangers from Egypt and other quarters. Brother T. Zachary, who was our first regular canvasser in Syria, has taken with him Brother Michael from the region of Sidon, and they have gone through some thirty villages during the last three months. They disposed of several thousands of our Arabic tracts, and also sold a goodly number of French and English publications. As they went from village to village, they found many persons eager to buy our literature and to study its contents. On the other hand, there was opposition on the part of the Catholic clergy, who tried to hedge up the way by using their influence to prevent the people from taking the publications offered, often tearing up the tracts before their eyes. In one place a large number of students eagerly purchased the various tracts in the absence of the priests; but on their return the literature was all collected and burned. But it is evident that the seed sown will not be in vain, and that the leaven will work its way through the lump. There are indications of real interest in the truths proclaimed, and we hope to be able to find some honest hearts who are desirous of more light and whom we may win to the kingdom of God by the aid of the Holy Spirit.

Lebanon is a large field of labor, it being chiefly Christian, although the Catholic (Maronites) field is promising of success. The large number of schools which are conducted by Protestants are doing much to enlighten the people and to prepare the way for the entrance of present truth. There are about seven hundred villages waiting to hear the message, and we are determined to give it to them. We have now about ten standard tracts in the Arabic, while “Matthew Twenty-Four” and “Sure Word of Prophecy” are soon to be ready for sale. We hope soon to give further reports of the progress of the work and the speed of the gospel message on Mt. Lebanon.