Work Among the Jews by F. C. Gilbert

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Oct 4, 1906

Work Among the Jews

By F. C. Gilbert

F. C. GILBERT

We are glad to state that not only is the Lord working upon the hearts of the Jews in Boston and its vicinity, but in other places also we hear of their inquiring concerning the teachings of this people, and why we believe so nearly as they do. At a number of the camp-meetings in the Lake Union, as well as in the Atlantic Union Conferences, we have seen many of the Jews present. Some of them seemed very anxious to know about these things, and if it is really true that Jesus is the Christ. It seems so strange to the Jews to find a people so like themselves. They almost feel as if we were brethren. A canvasser called on a Jewish family, and told them, among other things, that he was a Sabbath-keeper, and did not eat pork. The Jew held forth his hand, and said to the canvasser, “We are brothers.”

At the eastern Pennsylvania camp-meeting which was held at Sunbury, there were present some of the time as many as one hundred Jews, and some of the young men would come and stay one or two hours at a time to listen to what was said from the Word of God. They literally begged for reading-matter, saying they really wanted to know. Some of the poor Jews are so discouraged that they say it is no use any more. They feel that the Lord has been away from them so long he will not hear their cries, and therefore it is no use hoping that he ever will hear again.

While at the Chicago camp-meeting it was blessed indeed to see one Jewish man, after a hard and bitter struggle, give in, and accept the Lord Jesus as the Christ.

At the camp-meeting recently held at Lawrence, Mass., there were quite a number of Jews present, and we had two meetings for them. The Lord indeed blessed us, and his Spirit moved upon the hearts of many of them, so that some actually confessed that it was the truth. But their experiences of the past with those whom they considered Christians, came up before them, and it seemed hard for them to yield. The great need in this work is the mighty power of the Holy Spirit to convince the hearts of the Jews so that they will readily see that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

One sister who lives in Pennsylvania recently came in contact with some Jews. They soon found out her belief, and were quite surprised to learn that she was a Sabbath-keeper, and did not eat swine’s flesh. As a result seven Jews drove over one evening to have an interview with her, and to find out what her belief was. They were very much interested, and desired to know more about this. Is it not true, as the spirit of prophecy has said, “The time has come when the Jews are to be given light”?

The work in Boston is encouraging, and we are looking to the Lord to greatly bless the work this fall and winter.

Some weeks ago we took the children of the sewing school for an outing. They had looked forward to this with much pleasure; and their hearts were made glad when they had the opportunity given them to actually see flowers, and be able to pick them as their very own. They greatly enjoyed the day, and we were certainly blessed as we endeavored to tell them some things about the blessed Lord.

We expect to start our sewing school again soon. We would like to have twice as many children this winter as we had last spring, and we are sure the blessing of the Lord will attend the work. Of course we have to furnish everything free, material, needles, etc. It would be greatly appreciated if any one would assist in securing materials necessary for this branch of the work, as it would give us many more opportunities to go into the people’s homes.

While at the camp-ground at Lawrence, Mass., four little Catholic girls came, each with a penny. I asked them what they wanted done with the pennies.

They said that they might be used to help some little girls. I told them about our little Jewish girls, and they said they would like the pennies to help them. May God bless the dear people everywhere, and lead them to pray and to desire that the children of Abraham in the flesh may become the children of Abraham in the Spirit.

107 Staniford St., Boston, Mass.