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Work Among the Jews

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 9, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 32.

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Work Among the Jews

By F. C. Gilbert

It is evident to every Bible student, and especially to lovers of present truth, that God has some very precious promises in his Word for ancient Israel. There is no doubt, either, but that the Lord will certainly fulfil them; for they are still beloved for the fathers' sakes. God has not cast them away, even though they have left him. He says in his Word, “When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; . . . he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.” Deut. 4: 30, 31.
The Lord has not forgotten them; for the spirit of prophecy has said: “There are among the Jews many who will come to the light, and who will proclaim the immutability of the law of God with wonderful power. The Lord God will work. He will do wonderful things in righteousness.” “Souls will be saved from the Jewish nation.” “Many of the Jewish people will by faith receive Christ as their Redeemer.”
From the experiences which we are having among them it is evident that these words will be fulfilled. One Jew who had been coming to the meeting for some time and had opposed us much, finally told one of our workers, “I shall not dare talk against your religion any more.” One evening two Jews came into the mission, and it was evident they had been having a rather warm discussion about our work and our people. Finally one said, “You are not Protestant, are you?” The other asked, “Are you not Protestant?” By investigation I found that the one thought we could not be Protestant because we neither observed the first day of the week nor ate swine-flesh. The other thought we must be Protestant because we protested against Rome and apostate Judaism. I then explained to them that they were both right.
As our workers go among the Jews and give them tracts and Testaments, there are times when it seems they must certainly be mobbed. The worker will then turn and ask, “Do you keep the Sabbath?” The Jews reply, “Certainly, we believe it.” The worker then asks, “Do you think it right to eat swine-flesh?” “Of course not,” comes the reply. They are then told that we, too, observe the seventh day and do not eat swine-flesh. Instead of a mob they have an audience, and the Jews then wish to know all about us. They are puzzled, for they can not seem to understand it.
As the workers go into the homes of the people, they are asked what their motive can be in coming to them. When told that it is only to help them, the Jewish women often take the worker by the hand, and with tears streaming down their faces as they kiss the hand, they say, “Thank you; God bless you.” It seems so impossible to them to think there are Christians who really love the Jews, and are willing to help them.
One young man who attended several of the meetings, would stop for a little talk afterward. One evening I asked him what he thought of the truth he had heard. He asked, “What kind of religion is this?” I said, “It is the Christian religion, the religion of our own blessed Messiah.” “Oh,” he said, “it has a good taste, and I like it.” Yes, bless God, the truth does have a good taste when the poor Jew sees that it is the word of God.
In visiting the Jewish women in their homes, a Testament was left with one. A few days later the workers called, and the following testimony was given: “This is a very good book. It make me pious. It make me good. It is so good. My husband come home; he read it; he like it. He sit up nearly all night to read it. It make him good. I feel so pious I must help my friend. I go to see a neighbor who need help, and I help her.” Yes, indeed, the New Testament is a blessed good book, and when the Jews see there are a people who believe it, and who can interpret it by their lives, it will lead them to want to do something for their friends and neighbors.
A short time ago a young rabbi came into the mission, and told how he had read the New Testament, and some Jewish literature, with the result that he was convinced that Jesus is the Messiah. He was given a Bible reading, and when he received more light, he wanted to stay in the mission and be all the time with the workers, for he felt that he could get more help. He has not taken a public stand yet, but we feel sure that he will soon do so, for he is talking the truth to others.
A young man who had read the New Testament came into the mission when there were quite a few Jews present. He said to them: “I read this New Testament, and I find in it that Jesus is our best Friend. He is not our enemy as we have been taught, but he is the best friend the Jews have.” Certainly the eyes of the blind are being opened, the ears of the deaf are being restored, and the dead bones are beginning to show signs of life. Bless God, the truth is beginning to go to the Jews.
There are many more interesting things going on, not only in the Bostonfield, but in other parts of the country. We shall probably tell more of these later. It is evident that God is visiting these people, and, beloved, shall we not do what we can in this their time of visitation? We are greatly in need of a resident physician, a lady and gentleman nurse, and a stenographer; and we need means to carry on this work. When we think of what the early church did for the Gentiles,—how they suffered, bled, and died in order to bring to the world the light of the gospel,—we ought to feel it a privilege to do what we can to give to these poor people, who have been without a priest, a king, or prophet these many, many centuries, a few crumbs of the bread of life. May God stir the hearts of this people to remember these poor Jews, who once had the kingdom of God, and many of whom to-day are ready to receive it, if they can only see it in its purity.
If any one desires to assist in this work, he can send remittances to H. B. Tucker, Secretary Central New England Conference, South Lancaster, Mass., or to the Treasurer of the Mission Board, Takoma Park, D. C., stating that it is for the Jewish work.
If there are those who would like to know anything further about this work, we shall be glad to give them any information we can. Pray for the work and the workers.
F. C. GILBERT.
107 Staniford St., Boston, Mass.