CHAS. T. EVERSON by Chas. T. Everson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 18, 1906

CHAS. T. EVERSON

By Chas. T. Everson

Italy

ROME.—The more I study this great truth, the more I am persuaded that we are occupying, not theoretically, but practically, a position that no one else fills in this world,—that of teaching the Bible in its simplicity to the people. The other denominations do not do this, and the best of them are uncertain of its value as divine revelation. But amid the doubts and mists that assail the people, there is one denomination that lifts its head, and to a man says, We believe that the Bible is all from God. This is the only distinct voice in the world that can be heard on this subject. It is plainly to be seen that we are filling a place, and fulfilling a prophecy.

Just last evening I was forcibly impressed with that fact, when teaching a canon from the church of Rome—a very intellectual man, who comes to my home three times a week to study the truth with me. He was passing the hall one evening, and was led by curiosity to enter; he stood a moment near the door, then sat down, and listened to the study. He told me that he had never heard anything like that before, and the method of proving the Bible by the Bible impressed him so forcibly that he desired to arrange to continue the study. He is coming regularly, and each study makes him more contented and more certain of this truth. Last night we studied the subject of the new earth, and he seemed much comforted. After all, what these poor Catholics need is the comfort found in Christ.

When this man first came to visit me, he told me that he thought the Italian people needed to get a clear religious conception from lectures on philosophy and religion; the whole Catholic religion consists of philosophical teachings. But the other evening he said, “I am beginning to feel a new experience entering into my life, a feeling of peace and tranquillity that I never knew before.” He added, “If I were to tell the people what they need, I should say they need to know more of God as Father, more of the religion of the heart, and more trust in Jesus.” He told me again yesterday that the knowledge that we have in the Bible is astonishing, and he never saw anything like it anywhere else.

We are praying for him that God may lead him fully into the truth; for it means something for a man of his standing to take a firm stand for the message. The Church of Rome has just offered to reinstate him, with all his degrees and a better position, if he will return. So there are temptations brought to bear upon him. But God will bring him through, we pray.

We expect to open up work this year at Turin, a city about the size of San Francisco before the earthquake. It is the ancient capital of the Italian reigning house, and is situated in a part of the country that bids fair to bring forth good results. Professor Fant will go there, and, assisted by a young man, will soon begin a series of meetings. We have already some Sabbath-keepers there, who will form a little nucleus, so that the work will not be so difficult. When I passed through on my way to the camp-meeting, I held some meetings in a private house, and had a good interest in the Bible studies.

We have also begun a new campaign at Rome, with the prayer and faith that God will work mightily for us here the coming year. We have many studying the truth; and the truth is powerful. Many are becoming convinced of their duty, but thus far we have found great difficulty about the Sabbath question, because the country is poor, and work is scarce. But we know that God must have some solution of this problem, also, for this people. Some, when they are confronted with the serious difficulties, talk of going to America, as they think that there they can better find a way to observe the Sabbath. There is a young man now who is employed as accountant in the city government, who tells me that he sees no other way out of the difficulty than to go to America, and there he is sure he will find a way to obey the truth.