Algiers, North Africa by S. Jesperson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 13, 1909

Algiers, North Africa

By S. Jesperson

THIS is the fourth year of our work here; and we are glad to say that the Lord has been with us and blessed our efforts. It was rather hard to gain an entrance; but, nevertheless, the Lord soon opened a few doors for us, and we have had the pleasure of seeing several take their stand for the truth,—some remaining here, others going to other places. The second year two were baptized; and the following year four, who had already received baptism, accepted the message. One of these died soon after he had accepted the Sabbath, and another died just before we came back last fall. It was sad to lose these dear friends, especially as our number was small; but they were both sick and suffering, and we could only thank God that he had laid them to rest, confident also that when the Life-giver comes, we shall meet them again; not as members of a small, feeble, and despised company, but as numbered with the great throng standing on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

This year an attempt was made to hold public meetings in two different places, but at one of the halls the attendance was so small that the meetings had to be discontinued. At the other hall conditions were a little better, and several of those who had attended the meetings the year before, continued to come. Three of them, together with one who had become interested this year, were baptized last Sabbath. This was a good day for all of us. We first gathered in our little meeting hall for a study of the Word of God, and for the usual preliminaries; then we went down to the Mediterranean, where these four dear souls were buried with their Saviour in the watery grave. These four persons represented four different nationalities: one being of Danish origin, one French, one Spanish, and the fourth, a lady of seventy-three years, was a German. It is gratifying to see how the Lord unites young and old, and gathers a people to himself from different nations and tongues, and makes them all one in him. May they also prove faithful unto the end, and be a blessing to their fellow men.

We praise the Lord for what he has done; and we know that if his servants are humble before him, he will do greater things for them, and draw many souls to himself, even from among the Mohammedans, who constitute the greatest number of this country's population. God is good and mighty, and to him be all the glory.

S. JESPERSON.