p. 4 | The Strangers at our Door by William Ambrose Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 9, 1908

The Strangers at our Door

By William Ambrose Spicer

We have all read of the migrations of the tribes who came down from the north of Europe upon Rome, and carved the Western empire into the ten kingdoms. But according to the National Geographical Magazine, the migration from Europe into the United States is the greatest in history. Writing last year of the peaceful invasion from across the Atlantic, this journal said:—

No migration in history is comparable to the great hordes that have crossed the Atlantic during the past twenty years to enter our territory. In 1905, 1,026,499 immigrants were admitted; in 1906, 1,100,735, and in the present year the total will exceed the record of 1906 by many thousands. Since June 30, 1900, 6,000,000 have been admitted.

The analysis of the immigration records shows that more than one third of the arrivals intended to remain in the State of New York. One sixth were destined for Pennsylvania. One twelfth were expecting to go on to Illinois.

These figures show how great a proportion are flocking into the large centers of population, as New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago. While thousands find their way to the West, the vast body are congregating in the Eastern States. It indicates the great responsibility upon our conferences in these Eastern districts for the evangelization of these strangers of many tongues.

Not many days ago there was a terrible explosion in a coal-mine, in western Pennsylvania, in which nearly two hundred lives were lost, and the mining town of Jacob’s Creek was plunged into mourning. The people were mostly Russians and Bohemians. Announcements regarding relief and information to the people had to be given in these languages. Passing through on a train shortly after the accident, and seeing the disconsolate groups, waiting for the slow clearing of the mines, I wondered if by any possibility any of our Russian or Bohemian literature had ever been distributed among these people. Very likely not.

We have not until lately been prepared to handle the leaflets and papers in the Russian, Hungarian, Polish, Bohemian, Finnish, Italian, and other tongues, aside from the German and the Scandinavian. Now, however, the New York office of the Review and Herald is a depository for publications in all the languages of Europe. Our people who know of settlements of foreign-speaking peoples should find out their nationality and write to A. Boettcher, Review and Herald, 32 Union Square East, New York City, making inquiry regarding tracts and books available. He is the agent of the General Conference, recently come from Helsingfors, Finland, to give special attention to fostering this work among peoples who have been largely neglected. There are true hearts among them to be reached, and now we have the literature that must prove the life-line thrown out to the perishing.

In the North Michigan News Sheet Brother O. Montgomery gives an interesting report of work among the Finns. A Finlander named Evans had come into the truth through reading our Finnish books. The report continues:—

After reading “Great Controversy,” he was so delighted with the new light which he had found that he began to talk it to his neighbors; he loaned the book to a friend by the name of Loganin, who, upon reading the book, and carefully comparing it with the Bible, was convinced of the Sabbath, and began to keep it with his family before he had finished the book.

The next week after Brother Evans came to our home, I visited these people, holding meetings among the settlers, Brother Evans acting as interpreter, as he can speak the English. He lives several miles back in the woods in a scattered community of Finnish homesteaders. Following a trail of several miles through the deep woods, we came to the house of Brother Loganin, with whom we spent the afternoon and night in studying the Bible.

In tears, this man said, through the interpreter, “Surely God must have some great message to give, that he would move upon the heart of an Englishman to tramp through the woods in the rain and mud, to look on the poor Finn.” He said he did not feel worthy that I should come under his roof. He wanted me to tell him the message God had sent to him. I assure you it gave me pleasure to give him the third angel’s message and see the joy with which he received it.

The same report tells of a growing interest among Finnish communities in several parts of northern Michigan. Providence has surely guided many souls across the sea to find the truth in this new land. Let us make use of the means provided for working in behalf of the strangers at our gates. W. A. S.