ARIZONA by W. L. Black

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 9, 1900

ARIZONA

By W. L. Black

TUCSON.—In December, 1898, my wife and I came to this place, praying and believing that the Lord would lead us to souls ready to receive the truth. While canvassing, several Bible readers were obtained; and after working personally with them for some time, our hearts were cheered by two persons’ accepting the truth. We were then greatly impressed to visit the M. E. Spanish minister, although we were unable to speak Spanish. We were cordially received by him. We told him of our work, how we were teaching both publicly and from house to house the message of a soon-coming Saviour. We received an invitation to attend his prayer-meeting the next evening, which we did. Among those who were present was a Spanish teacher who understands English. At the request of Elder Serna, their minister, she acted as interpreter, he feeling incompetent in the English language.

We then began Bible studies twice a week in the Spanish church, and it was good to see the people rejoice in the light they received. After a few weeks, Elder Serna went to visit another church in his charge, leaving me in charge of his work here. Upon his return I began regular daily Bible studies

with him, and found him willing to take a “Thus saith the Lord” upon all the subjects studied. He soon accepted the Sabbath, and began keeping it even before we had presented it to his people. We both began labor with his people to give them the truth. The same truths which he had daily studied, he preached in demonstration of the Spirit and power, showing his people the blessed light that God had so graciously given him. He became so earnest in his work that he would arise at midnight to study, in order to be prepared to give the message to his people. After sufficient labor, a vote was taken to ascertain how many were willing to walk in the new light, and all but five in this church responded to the invitation.

After this we went to give the truth to his other congregation at Solomonville. At this place we did much hard labor. Besides our regular public meetings, we had Bible studies from morning till night. We did not need to seek the people; for they sought us, coming to us and asking us to teach them the truth. As a result of the work at this place, fifty persons began to obey the truth, and have continued faithful.

Two months later the M. E. superintendent of Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona mission fields came to turn them from these unpopular truths, but all in vain. Brother Serna and Brother Williams went to meet him, and reviewed his two discourses. Then he came here to work against us, but the Lord gave us the victory; and as a result, the people were left much stronger. In these two places about eighty Spanish brethren are rejoicing in the blessed truth, and are studying the Bible as never before.

Elder Serna, being a man of power and well educated in his own language, will prove, if faithful, a great help in giving the third angel’s message to those of his nationality. We rejoice also in the work that has been done among the American people. We are praising God daily for his wondrous workings and the leadings of his Spirit. W. L. BLACK.