Progress of the Work Among the Jews by F. C. Gilbert

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 16, 1911

Progress of the Work Among the Jews

By F. C. Gilbert

I BELIEVE that our brethren and sisters throughout the field will be glad to learn something of the progress of the work among the lost sheep of Israel. There is no question but that this work is one of the most difficult tasks undertaken by Seventh-day Adventists; but we are thankful there are no difficulties too great for our Saviour to overcome. He has declared that the truth must go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. This, of course, includes the Jews. We also read that people from every nation, kindred, and tongue will stand on Mount Zion. It is therefore evident that there will be some of the fleshly brethren of Jesus in the kingdom of God.

Most of the readers of the REVIEW know of the home that has been opened in Concord, Mass. The Lord has blessed us in that enterprise. One evening some months ago a man called at the home. He said he understood it was a home for Jews, and he would like to visit it. After a little he asked if he might stay overnight. He was made welcome, and it being prayer-meeting evening, he was invited to the meeting. It was evident that he saw and heard something that evening to which he had not been accustomed. He told the family that he was a Socialist, and had no faith in religion of any kind.

In the morning he unmasked himself, and began to show his colors. He was a Jew, and did what he could to induce the young people who were in the home to leave the place, promising to find good homes for them among Jewish people. But he found that they were not so easily moved from the hope of the gospel. It was evident that he was there for a purpose. Having satisfied himself that there were some Jews who really believe in Christ, he bade the people good-by, and went away.

To our surprise, a few days later the following, which we have translated from the Yiddish, appeared in a New York Jewish daily newspaper:—

“The Conversion Plague in Boston”

“In Boston also the missionary enterprises are quite active, and many Jewish young people there have been converted. Especially is there great danger with the sect known as ‘Seventh-day Adventists,’ one particular feature of these people being that they observe the Sabbath, and pass themselves as Jews who believe in Jesus. It is therefore much easier for these people to draw into their net Jewish young people.

“This sect has a farm two miles from Concord, Mass. In the town of Concord it is known as ‘Jewish Home.’ The principal of the home is Mr. Gilbert, a converted Jew, and the matron is Mrs. Vanderbilt, a converted Jewess. The purpose of the home is the evangelization of the Jews. Mr. Gilbert and Mrs. Vanderbilt distribute Jewish literature, and offer assistance to needy Jews, and in this way they spread their influence over the Jewish young people.

“At the present time there are two young people there, a young girl about nineteen years old, and a boy about fourteen years old. The girl's name is Celia Eismann, and she hails from Stovisk, County of Guberny, and has been in this country about four years. She formerly lived in Malden, Mass., where she was taken ill. She was taken to the city hospital, where she became acquainted with Mr. Gilbert. She refuses to divulge the names of her friends in Malden. The boy's name is Mendel Friedberg, and his parents live somewhere in the vicinity of Weston Street, Roxbury.

“These two Jewish young people observe all the regulation ceremonies. They bend the knee in prayer, and bow the head at meal-time, and thank Jesus that he has helped them to find a place at the home.

“Mrs. Vanderbilt is about forty years of age. She comes from pious parents of Austria. She says that about thirteen years ago she was in Chicago, and read much in the Old Testament, and became informed from reading that there is a Messiah, and that this Messiah is Jesus.

“Now this home is a net whereto are drawn many Jewish young people. Here their minds are filled with foolish ideas. They are separated from their friends, and are transformed into pious Christians.”—Jewish Forward, New York. May 6, 1911.

Although this man had come to the home to oppose the truth and to give an evil report of the work, his article was a testimony in favor of the truth and of Christianity. This was quite a bit of free advertising for the Jews to give Christian people, and it proved the beginning of much free advertising in the Jewish papers since. We are sure that the people of God will rejoice to know that the time has come when the Holy Spirit is breaking down the prejudice of the Jews, and this is a sign to us of the blessing of the Lord upon his work and upon his people.

We feel sure that when we call your attention to what has been written in many of the Jewish papers since, you will say that the Lord is working for his cause. We hope that all who read these lines will do what they can to visit their Jewish friends and neighbors, giving them literature. We have plenty of it on hand; be sure to get a supply. Send to your State tract society, and if they do not have it on hand, they will see that you get it. This is the time to work for the Jews. Pray for the lost sheep of Israel.

Our monthly paper, Good Tidings of the Messiah, published in the interests of the work among the Jews, will help you learn how to work for the Jews. It costs twenty-five cents a year—ten numbers. Send for sample copies. Order through your State tract society, or of Good Tidings, Concord, Mass.

F. C. GILBERT.