Scotland by Alexander Ritchie

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Oct 15, 1903

Scotland

By Alexander Ritchie

It is only three months since my wife and I landed in the town of Kirkcaldy. The same evening I preached my first sermon in the first tent set up in Scotland to proclaim the third angel’s message. Since that time we have had various experiences. A bitter attack was made upon our work, and especially upon Sister White, by the so-called Disciples,

Church of Christ. But by their bitter hatred and false teachings, they have plainly showed themselves to be of “the synagogue of Satan.”

There is a great deal of rain in Scotland, and some thought that it would be impossible to hold tent-meetings; but from the first, we have had excellent meetings, and the attendance has been good. More than once, scores have been unable to gain admission to the tent, and have stood outside and listened to the sermon.

We have carried on the tent work alone, with the exception of help one night a week from Elder Westworth, the superintendent of the Scottish mission field. But the dear canvassers, both brethren and sisters, have stood by nobly, helping to the utmost of their ability, and for their willing help and co-operation we most heartily thank the Lord. I never knew a place so stirred by the message as this place is. Everywhere, in the workshops and factories, in the churches and on the streets, people are discussing the Sabbath question. The newspapers have given liberal space to reports of our meetings, and have printed the arguments on both sides.

A number left the Disciples, and joined us. This stirred the dragon’s wrath, and they sent away for a man to come and oppose us. He challenged us to debate; I declined because of what the Lord has said on this point in the Testimonies. But we offered them our tent for one night to state their side of the question. This drew a large crowd. Our challenger started out by defaming us, and especially Sister White. The majority of the people were thoroughly disgusted. He closed his argument by challenging us to prove: first, that there were two distinct laws in the Bible; second, that the law was kept between creation and Moses; third, that the Sabbath was kept for three hundred years after Christ, before the first day of the week was observed as a Sabbath.

We found it easy to prove these three points, and prepared special charts presenting the Scriptural and historical proofs. Three evenings were spent in the consideration of these topics, and the large audience declared the points fully proved.

This attack upon the truth has increased the interest greatly. “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee.” I have sold over twenty of Sister White’s small books. Up to the present (September 19), twenty-four persons have taken their stand on the side of truth, and are keeping the Sabbath of the Lord.

We have a Sabbath-school of twenty-four members, and our Sabbath meetings are attended by thirty or forty persons. The people have given liberally to help our work. The donations for three months amount to more than one hundred and thirteen dollars.

We praise the Lord for his prospering hand with us, and we know it is only by his blessing and the co-operation of holy angels that we have been able to accomplish anything. The Lord has given us a beautiful flock. They rejoice in the truth. We have presented the Scriptural teaching on the spirit of prophecy and tithing, and it was well received.

The climate of this country agrees with us, and we are both in fairly good health. Mrs. Ritchie is busily engaged in Bible work. If any of our friends in America would like to help us in our work, and have a share in bringing the truth to these dear Scotch people, they can not do better than to send us some tracts on the Sabbath and the second coming of Christ. Some of the little Words of Truth, tract No. 23, entitled “The Rest Day,” would be very suitable, also “Who Changed the Sabbath?” “Seal of God,” etc. We also ask the brethren and sisters in America to pray for us and the Lord’s work in this field.

ALEXANDER RITCHIE.

Kirkcaldy, Scotland.