An Encouraging Reminiscence
By L. C. H.
“Bread upon the waters cast
Shall be gathered at the last.” It was the autumn of 1878. A timid girl of sixteen was attending school at the Baptist College, Kalamazoo, Mich. A limited number of tracts on the third angel's message was issued from the office of THE ADVENT REVIEW, and she had supplied herself with quite a number of these, which she desired to distribute. How to do this was a problem long studied. There seemed no opening for their distribution. Urged forward by a tender conscience, she set out one day. Calling at each house as she passed along, she would modestly present a tract to the person answering the ring at the door. Each was received with becoming respect. It is safe to presume that there was not another Seventh-day Adventist in the place at that date. Just what became of this precious seed so faithfully, prayerfully, cast upon the waters we may never know. But the recent notice in the REVIEW of the death of Prof. August Kunze, recalls the fact that a little later we read that a student of theology in the Kalamazoo Baptist College, a German by the name of August Kunze, had discovered in the waste a Sabbath tract from the press of THE ADVENT REVIEW, and was led by perusing this tract to observe the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and wrote requesting further doctrinal tracts which he had found advertised on the cover. Later Professor Kunze removed to Battle Creek, and became connected with the work there. In an after acquaintance with Professor Kunze the young lady, while a student at Battle Creek College, never mentioned to any one the struggle with conscience and timidity, but could only wonder if that Sabbath tract “found in the waste,” possibly might be a return after many days of the “bread cast upon the waters” amid such buffetings of Satan. Dear timid reader, remember the promise, “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” Our kind heavenly Friend keeps account of these efforts made for his sake. He may not be able to trust us with the knowledge of results, but be sure “he knows.” L. C. H.