GEORGIA by M. W. LEWIS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 9, 1901

GEORGIA

By M. W. LEWIS

COVINGTON.—My wife and I came here late last fall to engage in house-to-house work, and thus prepare the way for a course of lectures. We had been offered a good hall in which to hold a series of meetings, but we thought it best first to awaken an interest and get the people to reading. On account of prejudice, we had to urge our way to their firesides. But while doing Bible work, praying with and for the families, they have learned that we are their friends. Some of the best families are reading our literature. We feared that when we came to the Sabbath question, many would refuse to read; but most of them have taken the second package, some remarking: “That is a strong argument in favor of the seventh day.” Nearly all are studying the “Test of the Ages” now. We have also reached the same question in our Bible work. Quite a number are deeply interested.

Much has been done to remove prejudice, and to prepare the way for a course of lectures, by holding Bible readings, distributing the Signs of the Times, visiting the sick and ministering to their needs, suggesting simple remedies for la grippe, etc. This brings us in close contact with the people, and opens the way for us to call their attention to the precious promises of Jesus. Such work not only impresses parents, but the children also. To illustrate: A little girl seven years old who had heard us give a few Bible studies, on hearing us pray in our family prayer service, said to her mother one day: “Mama, papa never prays. I think we ought to have family worship. Mama, you ought to pray and teach us to; for we do not know how to pray. I think it is your duty. Suppose, mama, some one should ask me, saying, ‘Sister Ruth, lead us in prayer,’ I should not know what to say.” This was spoken with all the earnestness a child of her age could command. These parents belong to the Baptist church, but do not hold family prayer. And it seemed to us that the Lord was reproving them through their child. Their oldest daughter, who is eleven years old, having read one of our books, “Best Stories from the Best Book,” called the attention of her father to the sleep of the dead, and quoted so much scripture that he was not able to meet the argument. So he ordered her not to come around him any more with such stuff; for he did not wish to hear it. But his wife suggested that they all come into my room, and get me to settle the difficulty. All agreed to leave it to me, but I informed them that the Bible must settle all such difficulties. And sure enough, we found that the girl was in advance of her father on the subject, simply because she took the Bible as it reads. At the close of the study the father admitted that the girl was right.

Let us get the books before the people, plant the seeds, and the Lord will water them, and in His own good time will give the increase. “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” Many parents will be reached by their children. If the Lord used children in the promulgation of the First Message, He is just as able to use them in the last message. And no doubt He will! My mind was impressed with these words, found in Mal. 4: 5, 6: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” The fifth verse tells the time when a special work in this respect is to be done, just before the coming of Christ. The sixth verse shows the nature of the work to be done by the parents and their children in their relation to each other. In many instances, parents have been led into the truth by their children, while in other cases children have been brought into this closing message by their parents. The greater responsibility, of course, rests upon the parents.

We find it rather hard, on account of much prejudice, and a lack of money among the common people, to sell “Christ’s Object Lessons.” However, we have taken nineteen or twenty orders, sold a few other books, and have taken a few orders for the Signs of the Times.

Elder Drummond, who has charge of the work in Macon, Ga., reports success in selling “Christ’s Object Lessons.” The prospect in the State concerning the work in general is rather quiet, and yet we see omens of prosperity. We are planting seeds, and we believe that the Lord will give the increase by and by. It takes time for things to mature in this part of the country, but when developed, the quality is almost unsurpassed. Things that mature slowly endure better when grown. May the Lord bless the work not only in this State, but in all the world, until the message shall have finished its work. Please remember the work here in your prayers.

M. W. LEWIS.