p. 19 | Courage in Egypt by Jay J. Nethery

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 26, 1907

Courage in Egypt

By Jay J. Nethery

OUR hearts are cheered to read the good reports from different parts of the world-wide field. It is truly a grand age in which we are living, as soon we shall see the Saviour visibly appearing in the clouds of heaven. Before God's people experience this, they must first warn the world of that day. What a mighty responsibility! This can easily be done when every soul is submissive to the Spirit of God.

The reports of the Gland meeting are so interesting that we can hardly wait until the good old REVIEW makes its weekly appearance. The move made in regard to turning the Washington training-school into a foreign missionary seminary will cheer the hearts of the foreign missionaries. We rejoice to know that soon many, we hope hundreds, will be in training for the front. Although the few workers in the Levant are greatly disappointed in losing the direct efforts of Professor and Mrs. Salisbury, whose coming we had been looking forward to with joy, still when we see that the change is for a great missionary advance the world over, by which we hope the Levant may be materially benefited, we can only submit to the leading of the Lord, and pray that the school may be all that it should be. We know that it will be if the consecrated young people of the States, who are needed in the difficult fields, will offer themselves for service and attend the school. May this be so! Where are the young men and women whom God is calling into the mission-fields? I hope our young people may take advantage of this excellent opportunity. It is true that there are multitudes of difficulties to be encountered which may not be met in the home land, but this is no reason for staying at home. Come, expecting to meet difficulties, and to conquer by God's help. How true is the following:—

“Those who engage in this work should not consult their ease or inclination; neither should they have love for popularity or display. When churches see young men possessing zeal to qualify themselves to extend their labors to the cities, villages, and towns that have never been aroused to the truth, and missionaries volunteering to go to other nations to carry the truth to them, the churches will be encouraged and strengthened far more than to themselves receive the labors of inexperienced young men.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. III, page 204.

Here is one way of doing missionary work at home while in a foreign field. I am confident that if the young people will offer themselves for the missions, the churches will be aroused to a higher interest, in the message, and the tithe will more freely find its way into the treasury to support these workers. Sometimes the brethren and sisters, as well as the workers in the home land, are somewhat discouraged as they see so much time and money expended at home, and such small results in places where the truth has been preached over and over again. Truly the time has come to strengthen the work in distant fields, and allow our energetic churches at home to warn the few remaining neighbors, who need to have their attention called to the message.

Last Sabbath was a good day in Egypt. The two Egyptian young men who have been keeping the Sabbath since last January, were, with their mother and Brother Awada's oldest daughter, baptized in a canal leading from the Nile. The Lord has been blessing these persons. The aged mother was very happy that she could take this step with her twin sons, whom she has been anxious to educate. The different points of faith have been studied with them carefully, and they all felt that the Lord had especially blessed them in allowing them to know the message for these days. The young men are planning to attend our school in England this coming year. This would be a great help to them, and may the Lord prepare them that they may be the means of carrying the truth to the inhabitants of their own country.

We find some interest among the different nationalities. The great need is for more workers to join the few here. We realize that such fields as China, Korea, India, and other densely populated portions must soon be supplied, but at the same time we feel that Egypt should have a few more workers. Such places as Alexandria and Port Said, being important ports in the world, and having large populations, should be occupied at once. Therefore we add our note to the bugle-call to service. May the Lord impress the right ones to answer the call to Egypt, as well as to the other parts of the world-wide field. Any question regarding climate, customs of the people, etc., from any one who has an idea of coming here to labor, will be gladly answered.

We are now in the midst of the heat. It is not unbearable, although it is warm. The evenings are always pleasant. This is called the “Land of Darkness,” but it is doubtful if there is any place on earth where there is more sunshine, or such beautiful moonshine and starlit skies.

JAY J. NETHERY.

Cairo.