p. 18 | The Value of Simple Faithfulness by J. B. Stuyvesant

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 25, 1915

The Value of Simple Faithfulness

By J. B. Stuyvesant

J. B. STUYVESANT

The port of — is built in the midst of a tropical swamp and along the narrow strip of beach which separates that swamp from a large lagoon. The deadly mosquito abounds, and numerous are the deaths from the dreadful fevers. A northern visitor in viewing most of the place would be inclined to exclaim, “How can a human being live here?” But bad as are conditions from a health standpoint, the moral conditions are said to be even worse, and greatly resemble those of Sodom just before its destruction.

It certainly is a place where God needs some of the little lights, which he has said we should be, to shine out in witness for him; and he has not left himself without such even there.

Walking along the path by the beach, one might see an elderly black man sitting in the door of a very small room, making and repairing shoes. If a stranger, one might not even notice this humble workman; but that little shop is a real “lighthouse” in the midst of the surrounding darkness, and a wholesome influence has gone out from it and made itself felt in that wicked town, and several persons are now rejoicing in new light and fresh courage because of it.

About two years ago this brother, who is a Seventh-day Adventist, settled here. He is not a preacher, nor a great talker, nor does he spend much time running or lounging about the town. But as he sits at his work, people often come and sit on his little porch for a friendly chat; and while he works, like Paul of old, he simply tells them of the truth that fills his mind and heart; and when he can, he lends them books or papers to read.

What has been the result of this simple effort? When I recently had the pleasure of holding a few studies in his neighborhood, I found several of his immediate neighbors interested in the truth to such an extent that, after a few studies, three of them were willing to begin keeping the Sabbath, and another promised to do so when he could get certain necessary matters regulated, while several others are seriously thinking or reading about it. One young man who had known this way in another country, but had become discouraged and back-slidden, fell in with this brother, and was encouraged to make a new start in the right way. Another backslider who frequently passes the little shop, told me that for some time he did not know that our brother was an Adventist, but he finally noticed that the shop was always closed on Saturday; and though he did not for some time reveal the fact that he himself had once known and walked in this blessed way, he nevertheless was made to consider his present evil condition, and to feel that he must find a way out of his entanglements and return to the Lord before it is too late.

This humble workman has made no stir, is possessed of no extraordinary talents, and has made no unusual effort. He has simply loved this message, and meditated upon it, and talked it to others as he has had opportunity, and the Lord has impressed the message upon some who are receiving and obeying it. He has tried to be faithful to the truth and to his neighbors, and souls are being blessed as a result. Cannot we all do that much for God and this message?