Dominica by Philip Giddings

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 3, 1910

Dominica

By Philip Giddings

CONTRARY to arrangements, we had to return to this place instead of proceeding to Guadeloupe. Realizing the need of our message in that French island without one Protestant denomination, and the seeming readiness of some to listen, we regret having to postpone the carrying out of our plans.

However, we set ourselves to the task that awaited us. We at once started revival meetings. A Sabbath for fasting and prayer was appointed. For weeks we wrestled with God in prayer over the existing condition. Rays began to pierce through, until there was light again in the church. We then appointed a praise service to thank the Lord for what he had done for us.

Our latest accession is an English proprietor of a neighboring estate. He said that for years he had wanted to make a systematic study of the Bible, and so was glad when he heard of our return.

His attention was particularly arrested by seeing a copy of the Family Bible Teacher, which he borrowed from a sister of the church. The more he studied it, the more interesting it became. He next borrowed the book, “Daniel and the Revelation,” and his interest grew. Then he asked if I would give an evening every week to study those things more closely with him. We arranged for Thursday at 4:30 P. M. Once or twice as we sat down to study, some one came to him to buy lumber, but he sent word that something more important was claiming his attention then, and requested his customer to call the next day.

From 4:30 P. M. until after 8 P. M., we would study. Nothing satisfies him until it is proved by a “Thus saith the Lord.” We took subject after subject until, after weeks of study, he said one evening: “There is not one missing link. The Bible is a new and interesting book to me now. I believe if others could see what I see in it to-day, they would like it as I do.”

He bought six sets of the Family Bible Teacher, and sent one to a brother in Paris, two to his mother and brother in London, one to a lady in Switzerland, and two elsewhere.

Already he has received letters from some, saying they are studying the leaflets with interest, and that it is quite a help to the study of the Bible.

He gave me the address of his mother, so that our London minister might be put in touch with her. Writing to her son of the Adventists she knows in England, she said, “They are good Christians;” and although she does not agree at present with them on the Sabbath question, she is studying the readings with care.

This gentleman is working far and near with rich and poor. He has ordered three copies of “Daniel and the Revelation” to loan, and has presented the “History of the Sabbath” to a woman of the first family in this town, who is now reading it.

This man has lived in London, Paris, Switzerland, Venezuela, Central America, and Mexico, and visited Germany, Austria, and Rome, and can speak English, French, Spanish, and German. Being a man of sound experience and intelligence, he can, with the grace of God, be a factor in the proclamation of this message. We continue our study every Thursday evening. May the Lord, who has begun a good work in him, carry it on to a finish. We ask the readers of the REVIEW to remember our work here at the throne of grace.

PHILIP GIDDINGS.