The Third Angel's Message Must Be Given to the Jews — No. 3
WHILE on a tour recently among the cities in the Western New York Conference, I saw what I have seen manifested many times in the past, the kindly feelings of the Jews toward our people, their willingness to hear the message, and their desire even to help our work. In Sayre, Pa., is a very wealthy Jew who had learned of our people. Brother Baum desired very much that I should meet him. I went to see him, and a more pleasant man it would be difficult to find. On entering I gave him the Jewish salutation, Shalom ale-chem (Peace be to thee), and immediately the man was pleased. For three hours we talked about present truth, and as I opened up to him the oracles of the Bible, and showed him that Seventh-day Adventists are the real and the true Jews, and are fulfilling the Scriptures today, the man was pleased and helped. How hungry and interested he seemed! And he was glad and grateful for the light that had come to him. He was willing to hire a hall, and have us give the message to all the people in the town. He came to meeting that night, and at the close of the service he called Elder Baum aside, and asked him how much was yet to be done on the church our people are now building. When Elder Baum told him what there is yet to do, he told Brother Baum that he would pay for the laying of the sidewalks. He also told me that any time we would hold meetings in the town, he would gladly hire a hall and pay for it. Seventh-day Adventists appeared to him in a new light, and he saw that they are a people who have the truth of God, and are really the true Israelites. While in the city of Elmira, N. Y., I, with Elder De L'horbe, called upon a Jewish woman who had shown some interest in the message. While visiting with her this woman's niece came to the house, and for about two hours we talked with these two Jewish women about present truth. The Spirit of the Lord was present with us, and while the young lady raised many objections to popular Christianity, she seemed interested to learn that the Seventh-day Adventist people believe in many points as do the Jews. One of them came to the service that night, and she felt deeply impressed that this is God's truth and the Lord's message for today. At the close of this service a man came to me, and told me that he was a Jew. He said he had been looking for light, and had visited nearly every church in the city. He told me that his wife had seen the announcement of the service for that evening, and wished him to attend it. He said that he greatly appreciated the truth that he had heard, and felt thankful that there was light from the Word of God even for the Jews in these days. He expressed himself grateful for the message, as he saw many things in the Old Testament in an altogether new light. The Jews have hitherto thought that the Gentiles have nothing whatever to do with the Old Testament, and they have always believed and have been taught that the New Testament is the only book that has anything to say about the Saviour. But when they see that the New Testament is simply a key to unlock the treasures that are contained in the Old Testament, their eyes are opened, and they see wonderful light in the Word of God. This is exactly what the prophet of the Lord said would come to pass; and in so far as we follow the light the Lord has given to us, we shall surely prosper and be blessed in this work. Although the Jew will not go to Christian churches, he will read; and we believe that when he once reads about Christianity and becomes somewhat enlightened, he will be impressed by the Holy Spirit to go to the places of worship where this message is preached, to find out more concerning it. The Testimony says, “The God of Israel will bring this to pass in our day.”—The Acts of the Apostles, page 381. But we must work in right lines for this people. We are fully convinced, therefore, that one of the greatest efforts we can put forth in behalf of the Jews is a publicity campaign. We need to place in their hands our literature instructing them who we are and what we believe. We must endeavor by the help of God to create within them a desire to know what true Christianity is. We must cause them to forget error by placing truth in their hands. If they will not come to us, we must go to them. While holding meetings recently in the city of Buffalo, I gave our people instruction as to the best methods of working for the Jews. At the close of one of the meetings a sister who had been present at this instruction meeting, told of her call at a Jewish home that day while canvassing. When she wished to show the book, she was told that the woman was a Jewess. Then she told this Jewish woman that she also was a Christian Sabbath keeper, and kept the Sabbath of the Lord and believed in all the prophets. She was at once invited in, and the sister said that the instruction she had received the day before was not only timely, but very helpful in enabling her to gain access to that Jewish home and heart. We are now preparing a magazine in the Yiddish language, which we hope will be ready before long, and we trust that our dear brethren and sisters will do all they can to circulate this among their Jewish friends and neighbors. We are also working with other literature which we hope will be out soon, that this people may become known among the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Dear brethren and sisters, pray for the Jews. Remember the poor lost sheep of Israel. When Jesus was here, he had compassion on them. Matt. 9:36. Why?—Because they were as sheep without a shepherd. What was then true is also true today. If any of our people desire information that will enable them to answer the objections they will meet in working among the Jews, we shall be pleased to give such help as far as we are able. Address Jewish Department, F. C. Gilbert, Secretary, South Lancaster, Mass.