The Missionary by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 10, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 35.

The Missionary.

By Editor

Chicago Mission.

BROTHER W. C. WHITE gives the following interesting account of his visit to the Chicago Mission, on his journey East. It is highly suggestive to workers in all fields, and we are pleased to publish it for their benefit. And we are happy to report that the San Francisco Mission has been turned into a training school as much of this present season as a worker could be spared from other duties to lead it. It is hoped that in the future much more may be done in this respect. We have a deep interest in the Chicago Mission; our visit there impressed us with the importance of the field, and the efficiency of the work being done there. Illinois ought to rejoice in the responsibility and privilege of having such a mission:—

"I stopped one day to visit our friends at the Chicago City Mission. I found them very pleasantly located at 3652 Vincennes Avenue. They have found, as we have, that it is not necessary to be near the center of a large city, as but few meetings are held at the mission rooms. We found Brother and Sister Starr, and the ten young people who are studying, and working with them, all of good courage about their work. Their principal work is to arouse and cultivate an interest in the study of the Bible, especially the prophecies and those Scriptures that point out the signs of Christ's coming and that relate to our present duty.

"As soon as the nature of their work is understood, they are heartily welcomed into the houses of the rich and the poor, the church members, and the discouraged and skeptical. And frequently after spending an evening in reading selected passages of Scripture, in which one passage explains another, until some Bible doctrine which has before seemed difficult and hard to be understood, is made clear and plain, such remarks are made, as, 'That is just what I wanted to know. I believe the Lord sent you here;' and, 'I have enjoyed this very much. When can we have another reading.'

"At the time of my visit, the young people at the mission were nearly all beginners, several of the more experienced ones having been sent away in companies of two and three, to work in other cities. These beginners fit themselves for the work by a thorough course of study, and by accompanying those of more experience and assisting them in their readings.

"The results of this kind of work cannot be easily estimated, but the workers have been encouraged by seeing more than twenty decide to keep all of the commandments. Some facts learned from the workers, made quite an impression on my mind. As soon as the workers have learned how to conduct the readings, and how to introduce themselves and explain the object of their visit, they have no trouble in arranging for as many readings as they are able to hold; those accustomed to the work averaging three or four a day. Ladies meet a more hearty welcome, and are quite as successful in maintaining an interest, as gentlemen. Here is a vast field of labor open to young women. There are, no doubt, a score or more in each of our Conferences who would gladly devote themselves to this work if an opportunity was offered and a competent teacher provided. I hope the San Francisco City Mission will be made a training school for this work."