Your ShelfYour Projects

South Carolina

14%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 8, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 45.

Read the full edition

South Carolina

By D. E. BLAKE

SPARTANBURG.—The evidences of the Lord's blessing and help in sowing the seeds of truth among the colored people in this field are very manifest, from the encouraging interest that is seen among those not of our faith, and even among those who at first strongly opposed the truth.
As the principal phases of the message are studied with interested persons, these, in turn, impart them to their friends, some of whom are among the opposers, and thus these gain some knowledge of the truth, which creates a desire to know more, until they finally see that the truth we have, and are trying to give them, is not “keeping Saturday for Sunday,” as they usually express it, but that Saturday, the seventh day, is the Sabbath of the Lord, and then they become anxious to know all they can about it.
Here is an illustration: A woman who saw one of the handbills announcing our tent-meetings, attended one night, and heard a lecture on the signs of the times. She was much interested, and returned a few nights after, when the subject of the Sabbath was taken up. On the following night she came again, bringing a number of her friends, when the subject of the first day of the week was considered. At the close of the meeting, she requested me to visit her, and give her more light on the subject. I complied with her request the day following. After the study she said to me, in substance: “Had I seen on that handbill the name of your denomination, I never would have heard you, never; for I had heard that Seventh-day Adventists do not believe in a burning hell that awaits the wicked at death, do not believe that our loved ones who die faithful to God go directly to heaven, do not believe in sanctification, and many other things, so I decided that I would not go to hear that doctrine; but since I attended your tent-meetings, and studied with you, I am beginning to change my ideas of your faith.”
I did not try to refute any of her objections, but sought opportunities to study with her on these points; and last evening, in company with three others, a study on the state of the dead showed her the teaching of the Scriptures on this subject. She saw the error of her cherished ideas, and is now rejoicing in the light that is shining on her pathway. Much wisdom is required in dealing with such cases. Instead of tearing down their honest but unscriptural positions, we should give them the truth.
Our little company is having rich experiences, and our courage is good. We look forward, with pleasure, to the time when we shall have a little church building in which to worship with many of these honest hearts who are now studying the truths we hold dear. The thirty-fourth psalm voices the sentiment of our hearts.
D. E. BLAKE.