An Interesting Experience in Searching for Truth
BROTHER F. M. DANA, of New York City, sends an interesting experience of an Italian family, illustrating that all about us there may be honest hearts sincerely searching God’s Word for light. The literature which we send out and the letters which we write may fall into the hands, through the providence of God, of just such ones. “Some time ago an Italian family came to our country and lived on Long Island and in Brooklyn, N. Y., where the father and boys worked at their trades. The father and mother could neither read nor write, and the children received a limited education. From a religious standpoint, they were good Catholics up to the time when two of the sons began to reach out for knowledge and light for themselves. They began to study their Italian Bible, and, though being somewhat in fear of their priest for their daring venture, they also secured an English Bible and a Hebrew-English version that they might make comparisons in their study. “The Sabbath of the fourth commandment soon engaged their attention. This resulted in their conviction that the seventh day is, according to the Bible, the right day to keep, and their consciences urged them to seek a way to keep it. This meant hardships to them, as it threw them into many perplexing situations in trying to get or keep their work. After several attempts, they hardly knew what to do. At this time they knew of no people except the Jews who observed the day. In their perplexity they began to think of making some change, and noticed a farm for sale. One of the sons being a florist, they purchased it and moved onto it so they could live up to their convictions and keep the Sabbath. “The first Sabbath the house caught fire, and they believed the devil was making them break the Sabbath. The next day they attempted to work, and many things went wrong. This caused them to ponder for a moment as to whether or not they were right. Yet there was the plain statement of the commandment that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, and there was the example of their Saviour in keeping it; so their faith reached out for the Word to sustain them in the face of the trying circumstances and the taunts of their neighbors. “In their experience in leaving the Catholic Church, it was not without being specially taken to task by the priests. A priest came and tried to find out why they did not attend his church. They courteously informed him that they had been studying their Bibles and had found out that the church was not living in harmony with the Bible, and therefore they preferred to live according to the light that came to them. They were rebuked for drawing away from the church and studying the Bible for themselves, instead of following the teaching of the church through the priests. “The priest called again in company with another priest, the two thinking they could silence the two sons who were so free in quoting the Scriptures in answer to the questions about their position. The simple faith of the sons and their fearless stand for the light of the Word, displeased the priests. “At the next call the priest brought a bishop with him, whose education and position were calculated to overawe the sons and dislodge them from their new position and bring them back into subjection to the church. But the simple faith of the sons in the plain statement of truth, enabled them to withstand the priest and the bishop. Finally the priest concluded that the son who had been more forward in the study of the Bible was possessed of a devil, and it must be cast out. The son informed the priest that he might cast out the devil if he had the power. The doubt as to his ability to cast out the devil, angered the priest still more, and he proceeded with signs and gestures and motions, but without avail. The sons remained firm in their convictions, and informed the priest that they could not be untrue to their conscience and disobey God. “The two sons and the wife of the older son were recently baptized by one of our Italian ministers, having waited about two years for some one to come and assist them in following their Lord in the Bible way of baptism. We are praying that the parents will soon follow their sons in the sacred right of baptism. With four little girls, the son and his wife have much to bless their humble fireside, and more to live for now with the promises of the message to them as parents. “This story would be incomplete without one more experience—that of their test on keeping the Sabbath. One Sabbath a man came to buy some flowers. The son went out to see what the man wanted. The hired man urged him to sell the fifty cents’ worth, and thus make so much. But the son informed him that he would not do so for fifty thousand dollars, and that if God wanted him to sell the flowers, he could send the man again some other time. The man came back Sunday and bought $2.50 worth, which caused the son to thank the Lord for his blessings and prosperity. “How many of those living about you, do you suppose, may be reaching out for light, groping about for something to satisfy their impoverished souls? “We are exhorted to ‘sow beside all waters,’ not knowing whether this or that shall prosper. God will give the increase, for his word will not return to him void. 1 Cor. 3: 6; Isa. 55: 11. While20probation lingers, may we each and all do our best to warn and help save as many as possible, under the guidance and blessing of Christ Jesus, who died for all.”