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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 10, 1904

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 81, No. 10.

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Scotland

By W. A. Westworth

EDINBURGH.—We have just closed the first workers’ institute and canvassers’ school in the Scottish field, and can only praise the Master for the many blessings granted, and for the good spirit that was with us from the first meeting.
Elder O. A. Olsen and Brethren Sisley, Ritchie, and Scott, besides the writer, were in attendance. The instruction given was witnessed by the power of the Spirit, and all experienced an increase of zeal and courage in the work of saving souls.
The meeting convened in Glasgow, January 10-18, and consisted of daily instruction in the canvassing work, which was appreciated especially by several who were just entering the work; Bible studies on the message and our special work as a people; methods of work; Bible readings; Sabbath-school work; and house-to-house work with the papers. In the evening we had services for the public. This work will be continued by Brother and Sister Ritchie.
A tract and missionary department was added to the general work, to develop the interest which may be awakened by the canvassers, it being the purpose to carry on a systematic work with all who will read and study the tracts and books. Sister Ritchie was chosen secretary of this department.
Each day had a period of four and one-half hours for work in the city, and many hundreds of Present Truth were thus sold. We have had a steady increase in the ranks of the canvassers, and the special help given them at this gathering was much appreciated.
Although our funds have not been sufficient to keep all the men at work, still the blessing of God has attended the efforts put forth. During the holiday season all were busy with the special edition of our British paper, Present Truth; and perhaps in view of the general effort in America on behalf of the special Signs, a few figures may be of interest. Our membership consists of seventy-five or eighty, an increase of thirty during the past season. This number, including all ages of both sexes, sold of this special number seventeen thousand, or a little more. This means about two hundred and fifteen per member; or, estimating the number of Seventh-day Adventists in the States as seventy thousand, it would mean an edition of fifteen million and fifty thousand for the States. This is besides a weekly sale of about twenty-six hundred. But, brethren and sisters, the message must go, and to this end all must work constantly. One brother made a record sale of twelve hundred and sixty papers in eight days’ work. He writes, “God sold the papers, I simply handed them out to the people;” and again, referring to his effort to let the light shine and bring men to a knowledge of the truth, he adds, “I must, I must, I must;” and yet six months ago this brother did not know a thing about the message. The book sales for the past quarter have amounted to $3,650.
At this meeting we studied the field, and decided to run two tents the coming season, if possible. We have only two preachers, but each will have the help of a Bible worker. The past season has demonstrated that tent-meetings are a good means of placing the truth before the people of this country, and we are anxious to do all we can in this way, but the funds are short. As the week-of-prayer readings intimated, Europe did not begin to get the amount that had been expected. Hence we shall be unable to do the work we hope to, unless a tent is given us. We now have one ready for work, kindly given by New York last year. Are there not some who can help us to get another tent, and thus have part in the work in the land of the covenanters? Eighteen thousand martyrs attested their faith with their blood near this place, and will not God repay Scotland with the light of this last glorious message? We believe he will.
The field is ripe, and there is much to be done. May God lead each one to realize that this is indeed a work in which each must do his part, or be shut out. We are of good courage in the Lord, and are anxiously waiting for the time when the children of the King will be gathered where the sorrows of sin will not hurt nor defile.
W. A. WESTWORTH.