We see many tokens of God's presence among us, and the signs of a steady onward march of the truth are not wanting in the land of the papacy. It is a continual battle to rescue a soul from death here; but the power of God is able to accomplish the same miracles to-day as in the early history of the apostolic church. One soul gained on this battle-field gives us as much comfort and encouragement as does the raising up of a church of believers would in more favored lands.
PALATINE, THE MOST FAMOUS OF THE SEVEN HILLS OF ROME
Just the other day I had a visit from a young school-teacher of the Italian army, whom we have been able to secure right from the bosom of the Catholic Church. When he first came to see me, he was a bigoted Catholic, to whom the very name Protestant was offensive. To-day he is a strong believer in this truth. After a year's absence from Rome, he still remains firm in his new belief, and Catholicism has completely lost its grip upon him. Although he was in Rome only on a flying visit this time, yet he came to see me twice, and asked for an appointment for Bible study.
A young school-teacher at Florence, who has been reading our literature, writes me more favorably each time, and shows a real interest in this precious message. The simple reading of our new tract, entitled “After Death,” was sufficient to cause him to receive with enthusiasm the truth on the immortality question.
Here in Rome itself there are a number who are much stirred over the truth, and who are almost persuaded to fully take their stand with us. They are thoroughly convinced of the message, but need the power of God to give them the complete victory on the temperance question.
A few Sabbaths ago we had a meeting where the power of God came in and stirred mightily the hearts of the people present. At this meeting a colporteur of the Bible Society, with whom we have been in touch for nearly a year, and with whom we have studied the message, united with those in Rome who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. In the testimony that he rendered to the power of the truth, and during his reception into the church, the tender Spirit of God worked so mightily upon the hearts of those present that tears flowed, and souls were converted to God. It was the general expression that we had really returned to the days of the primitive church. And as we were assembled in the same city where Paul spent so many blessed Sabbaths with the primitive church, we felt that God was indeed setting his seal upon the last church in the world's history, so that we might experience the continuation of the blessing upon the apostolic church. Our hearts were full of gratitude to God, and we went forth with new courage, satisfied that the Lord has good things in store for the work here.
During the service, a Catholic priest, who has been attending our meetings for some time, was so moved upon by the Spirit of God that he decided that very day to unite with the people among whom God is working in such a wonderful way.
In these special manifestations of his presence we see evidences that God is beginning to make his power felt in the strongholds of Satan, as time is short, and the work must be done quickly.
The colporteur who has united with us has a province assigned to him by the Bible Society; and as he goes about selling Bibles, he wished to use his time in a special manner to spread the light of the third angel's message, and create an interest in this truth. Thus we can send our workers to continue the good beginning. I am endeavoring to instruct him very carefully in the points of the message, and am arming him with a good19supply of our tracts, that he may be a power for good in his province in southern Italy.
Thus God raises up men who can begin to spread the message where we are not yet prepared to go. In these Catholic countries arguments are not sufficient; the heart must be stirred, or no impression can be made. God must work, for man is helpless; and if God does not come in and help in a special way, the most determined and persistent efforts amount to nothing. Under the melting power of the Spirit, even a soul molded under the very shadow of the Vatican may be transformed into an apostle of present truth. CHAS. T. EVERSON.
