NEWFOUNDLAND by H. J. Farman

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Feb 19, 1901

NEWFOUNDLAND

By H. J. Farman

SINCE my last report the work has progressed slowly but surely. As in other fields, there are difficulties to meet and victories to be won. There are, however, many encouraging omens, for which we thank God. During the last year over seventeen hundred dollars' worth of books and more than fifty dollars' worth of papers and tracts have been sold. This has not only given work, but has also given an experience to many who would otherwise have missed a great blessing. There can be no work more beneficial, spiritually and mentally, than the canvassing work, if taken hold of with right motives. There is much self-sacrifice connected with it, to be sure; but when compared with what Christ sacrificed for us, how small are all our sacrifices! We ought to be thankful that we have an opportunity to have a part in the closing work of saving men from their sins by pointing them to the Lamb of God. The last year's work has proved that our literature can be sold here, and the interest with which some are reading well repays for all the trouble we have had. The fact is we have had no trouble, but have enjoyed the privilege of doing what little we could.

As the summer and fall are the only parts of the year in which canvassing can be carried on here, it has been an important question to decide how the interest already awakened can be matured. But one plan seems feasible—to send the people papers and tracts. This we can do once or twice a month, as dog-teams take the mail over the ice and snow to the different settlements. The people have plenty of time to read, and those who can do so are glad to get reading-matter. We appeal to those who have late, clean copies of our papers, such as Review, Signs, Instructor, Life Boat, and Little Friend, to send them to Mrs. E. B. Ayres, 33 Freshwater Road, St. John's, Newfoundland, postage prepaid. They will be thankfully received, and sent out to interested readers.

So far as accessions to the faith are concerned, we can not report as many as we should be glad to. This is seed-time, instead of harvest; and it takes the people a long while to become convinced that they are in error. A few here in Brigus are following the Lord, and others are studying the blessed Bible to know the way. There are several good openings for meetings where the people are calling for ministerial help, but there is no one to fill the calls.

Since Elder Giles was obliged to leave the island on account of failing health, the work which he began is at a standstill, and I have all I can do, holding meetings in three places. Is not the Lord putting His Spirit upon some one, and bidding him to go into the vineyard and work, who will come here and help us? No one need think it is an easy field, nor need any think it an exceptionally hard one; for there are as true-hearted people here as in any place I have been in. When they once see the truth, and the Spirit of God impresses it upon their hearts, they will yield to it as readily as do others. Educational privileges have been very limited in the past, and the people have been taught to rely on what their teachers have told them, rather than read and know for themselves. Of course this condition pleases Satan, and helps to hold the people in bondage, but when they are once free in Christ, they enjoy that freedom as much as any people I ever saw.

Any one thinking of coming to this island should

be in possession of good health, with strong lungs, and able to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Such will find as hearty a welcome here as in any place to which they can go. I will give any information I can concerning this field, to any one who is contemplating making this his field of labor.

H. J. FARMAN.

Brigus, C. B., Newfoundland.