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A Good Testimony

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 28, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 39.

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A Good Testimony

By F. G. Lane

A LITTLE experience which at first seemed rather discouraging to us, but later proved encouraging, as the Lord turned it to his own glory, we will pass on to the readers of the REVIEW.
A certain woman who had accepted the truth, and who we hoped would become a faithful child of God, was visited by the wife of one of the citizens here (who, by the way, introduced us to his little circle of influence as Antichrist, false prophet, etc.). She succeeded in convincing this woman that she was being greatly deceived, that the Sabbath was only for the Jews, and was nailed to the cross; not only that, but a temporary spirit of hatred for all Sabbath-keepers was aroused in her. Of course she immediately ceased attending our meetings. This occurred over three months ago.
The other day I received word from a cousin of hers asking that I come and instruct her in the different points of our faith. During my first visit I asked her concerning her cousin who had turned from the truth. Her reply was: “She doesn’t attend service anywhere now. She says that she is disgusted with the various missions because of the continual strife and contention among the members—except the Seventh-day Adventist mission. She says: ‘That is my church. The members seem to be as one family. There is a spirit of love and unity there which is not found elsewhere, and I shall return some day.’”
It was because of this good testimony that the cousin sent for me to come and instruct her in the truth, and she has accepted all so far. Thus, while there may be many little things in the life of the missionary tending to discourage him, yet he can see that the Lord is going on before, and that doors are being rapidly opened for the closing up of the work.
There are places opening before us now into which we should enter, but thus far we have been unable to do so. When we came to Caracas, we found a company waiting for some one to come to teach them the truth. These are now rejoicing in the message. No doubt there are other waiting ones. I learned some time ago of a certain village in the country to which a young woman, having been converted, went, and succeeded in gathering a little company out of Babylon. They have no leader, they belong to no church, they are educated in no creed. Possibly they are waiting for some one to bring them the truth. I hope to visit this village soon.
Just yesterday I learned of another case. A Spaniard, who through the study of his Bible was converted to Christ, separated from Rome, and has won several others to the Lord. Possibly these, as the company in Caracas, are only waiting for some one to bring them the message. We want to visit this place as soon as possible, yet it seems that the work in the city demands all our time. We can be in but one place at a time. Is there not some one who will come over and help us give the message to this people? Venezuela is a large country. The people are in the grossest darkness. There is no land more in need of the gospel than this. From the darkness and superstition of Romish civilization to the lowest cannibal, are souls to be reached by the last message. Truly the work is great, but our Captain goes on before, and we are all of good courage.
F. G. LANE.