During the past year we have put forth efforts in various ways to bring the message to the Jews. This is a difficult problem. The experiences of the Jews for many centuries in their relation to the Christian world have been of such a character that a terrible impression has been given to their posterity. Many even of the most prominent men among the Jews in this country still teach their Jewish fellows that the Christian religion is a persecuting religion; and that as long as the Christian feels as he does toward the Jew, there can be little common ground of faith and co-operation between them. It is evident, however, that this truth must go to the Jews, and we believe that the time has come when a special work should be done for them. The God of Israel, who overthrew for his servants the walls of Jericho, still lives, and if we will walk out by faith in his promises, he will give us wisdom to throw down this great and terrible wall of prejudice.
Repeatedly have messages come from the servant of the Lord that the time would come when hundreds if not thousands of the Jews would take their stand for this truth. This gives us the assurance that when the Jews hear the truth, many of them will accept it. In one of the recent messages given, the statement is made that “our work is to be given as freely to the Jews as to the Gentiles;” and again: “We are to preach the gospel to the Jews as well as to the Gentiles.” It is for us, therefore, to pray and to seek the Lord for counsel and guidance how we may be able to accomplish this work; for the Lord never gives us a command that we can not carry out.
During the past year we have sent out much literature to the Jews, and we are sure that God's blessing has attended it. Hundreds of Jews in different parts of the land have been visited, some by those who are handling the Good Tidings, and others by the colporteurs visiting from house to house. Still others have come to the churches where we have held meetings. Every time a Jew meets and converses with a Sabbath-keeper, prejudice is removed. It is a surprising thing to Jews to learn of a people in this land, as well as in other parts of the world, who observe the seventh day as the Sabbath, practise tithe-paying, eat no swine's flesh, and believe that God speaks to prophets now, even as in the days of ancient Israel. For centuries the Jews have been led to believe that the religion of the Christian is as different from that of the Old Testament as Judaism is different from paganism. Now all this error must be unlearned, all these wrong and erroneous ideas must be put away, and in their place must be planted the life-giving principles of the gospel.
GOOD TIDINGS HOME
No doubt there are thousands of Jews who would be glad to hear about this people and their work, if the matter could be presented to them in the right light; therefore we hope that our people everywhere will take an interest in the Jews. During the past year a number of Jews have been baptized in different parts of the land, and we believe that there are many among them who will gladly accept the truth of God.
At the present time we have three young people attending the South Lancaster Academy; also four Jews at the Good Tidings Home, in Concord, Mass. In the home we are conducting a Bible school three days each week this winter, and the Lord's blessing is attending the effort. In connection with these studies, we have occasional field days, thus combining practical work with the study of the truth.
The readers of the REVIEW doubtless remember that at the last General Conference Council held at Washington, D. C., the Jewish work was placed under the fostering care of the General Conference, and is now under the Foreign Department of the General Conference. We are planning to develop a strong, aggressive work, and hope that our people will co-operate in carrying it forward.
We would be pleased to send literature in the Jewish and English languages for distribution among the Jews, and are sure that this work would be a good beginning in your vicinity. We are receiving many calls from different cities where there seems a desire to hear upon the part of some of the Jews who have read our literature and met our people. We know of nothing that will create a desire to know about the truth more than the placing of this literature in the hands of the Jews.
In order to carry on the literature work, the correspondence work, the work at the Good Tidings Home, etc., we must have means. We hope that the Holy Spirit will open the hearts of the children of God to do what they can for the work among the lost sheep of Israel. All donations for the Jewish work should be sent either to your conference treasurer, or else directly to Elder W. T. Knox, treasurer of the General Conference, Takoma Park, D. C. Any who wish to obtain literature to give to the Jews should address the Good Tidings, Concord, Mass.
Many have said they would like to know how to reach the Jews, and how to help break down the prejudice which exists. The literature, with the blessing of the Lord, will do a great deal in this direction. But if you wish to get still more help, send for the Good Tidings of the Messiah, Concord, Mass. This is a monthly magazine published in the interests of the work among the Jews, and you will find in this paper many valuable suggestions for reaching your Jewish neighbors and friends. Sample copies will be gladly sent to any one sending his name and address. Pray for the work among the Jews.
