p. 18 | J. F. BALLENGER by J. F. Ballenger

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 20, 1907

J. F. BALLENGER

By J. F. Ballenger

California

LONG BEACH.—Sabbath, May 18, was a very encouraging day for the church at this place. The little company here was cheered to see twenty candidates follow their Lord in the ordinance of baptism. The majority of these were converts from the Spanish people, the result of Bible readings and instruction given them through an interpreter. One whole family embraced the truth in this way, and from these, several families are rejoicing in it.

Little did we think that a man seventy years of age, who had never studied any other language but the English, could be used to bring people of a foreign tongue who could not speak the English, to understand and accept the great message for to-day. But the difficulty is that we are not willing to let the Lord use us, fearing our inability to do what the Lord could do with us if we would let him.

About half of the candidates were youth and children, the fruits of the instruction given by a devoted young man in our church-school. We shall probably never know the results of our church-school work until “the roll is called up yonder.”

It was a beautiful little lake where the baptismal ceremony took place, and the weather was all we could ask. About half a dozen little boys came into the water and stood together while we baptized each in turn. Then followed about the same number of little girls, who remained standing together until the rite was performed for each. Some on the shore remarked that it was a scene over which the angels rejoiced.

The Lord has ordained abundant means, especially through our church-schools, whereby we may bring the lambs to the fold. Brethren, let us make use of this means and save our children.