Faithful Unto Death by E. R. P.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 25, 1909

Faithful Unto Death

By E. R. P.

As already announced in the columns of the REVIEW, our dear brother, Arthur A. Reinke, one of the four canvassers recently sent as pioneers in the canvassing work of Mexico, has fallen. When the General Conference, in response to a request from Mexico, decided to send four canvassers to that field to search out the land, and act as pioneers in the canvassing work, Brother Arthur Reinke, of California, but formerly of Pennsylvania, responded to the call.

Reports from these young men have been published from time to time. The Lord has blessed them in the study of the language, and given them success even from the first.

Brother Reinke was faithful in his work, and died at his post. We trust that he sleeps in Jesus, and will come forth in the first resurrection, to share the reward that awaits the faithful.

This is another link in the long chain of experiences that attend the proclamation of the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. The laborers who thus give themselves a willing sacrifice in service for the lost are but following in the footsteps of the Master, who went about doing good while he lived, and then gave his life for the salvation of those for whom he labored.

This experience is repeated most frequently in the history of our foreign mission work. The graves of our missionaries are the landmarks of the gospel. While we sorrow deeply for those who are thus laid away, we rejoice that these sacrifices are not depressing, and that they never turn back the wheels of progress. Whenever a worker falls, others step quickly into the gap, and the battle against sin continues to be waged victoriously over the graves of the fallen.

Thus it is with those who place the prospects of everlasting life above the attractions of this temporal life. Every such experience makes us long more ardently for the ushering in of that day when the heroes of the gospel shall fall no more, but, all renewed to life, shall join in the shouts of final victory.

The following letter from Elder George W. Reaser, superintendent of the Mexican Mission field, gives further details:—

“I know that you will share with us in the keenness of our sorrow when I impart to you the sad news of the death of our dear brother, Arthur A. Reinke. He fell asleep at 8:30 P. M., Feb. 4, 1909, at the age of twenty-five years, as a result of complications which followed typhoid fever. Just before the holidays he desired to change his place of labor from Mexico City, and we requested him to go to Cuatla, which is about eighty miles south of Mexico City, and at an altitude of four thousand feet above sea-level.

“We had arranged for him to sojourn there at the home of Dr. A. A. John while canvassing the city. Having finished the canvass of the city, and ordered his books for delivery, he decided to go to Puebla. Immediately after arriving at the latter place, he became ill, and notified Brother G. W. Caviness of his sickness. Brother Caviness sent immediate word for him to come to his home in Tacubaya. He remained in Puebla about two weeks, however, before he decided to come. We naturally regret that he did not come immediately, so he could have had the best of care.

“On his arrival at Mexico City, we met him with a carriage at the train, and took him to the home of Brother Caviness, where he had the care of a physician of excellent standing, and also of a professional nurse, until the end came.

“We supposed that he was improving, but apparently the high altitude affected his heart action, so that, greatly to our surprise, he suddenly passed away on the date above mentioned. We will lay him to rest in the Dolores Cemetery, here in Tacubaya, until the Life-giver comes to call him forth.

“His parents are in Pennsylvania, and he has two brothers residing in the State of Washington. Those of us who were best acquainted with him fully believe that he sleeps in Jesus. He made excellent progress in acquiring the language, and had fully decided to devote his life to the salvation of souls in Mexico.

“While our hearts are filled with sadness, we naturally cry out: ‘How long shall death, the tyrant, reign and triumph o’er the just?’ The answer comes back to us from the Word of God: ‘Till Jesus comes.’”

E. R. P.