A Personal Experience by Otto Eisele

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Sep 10, 1903

A Personal Experience

By Otto Eisele

THE Master has richly blessed me in the work the past week, although many were harvesting.

I canvassed near the territory where I made my first delivery in June, and people tell me that a man has been up north selling some wonderful books called “Daniel and the Revelation.” Their neighbors are now getting interested in the books, and are ordering them. I met some who have read the book, and are much pleased with it. My daily prayer is that this book will do the people some good, and that God will help me to have the true missionary spirit in my work for the salvation of souls.

O that God would stir us up mightily with the realization of the times in which we are living, and put within us a spirit of consecration for service! May we all arise and finish the work that the Master has given us to do. Rom. 13:11-13.

I gave a man a canvass the other day, and when I was about half through, he said that he did not want the book. In 1898 there was a man around, he said, selling the same kind of book, and the ministers had forbidden them to read the book, telling them that it was false. After talking with him for a time, he signed for the book. He then told me that it would be of no use for me to stay in the neighborhood, as many had the book. But you know that a Seventh-day Adventist canvasser must not flee from the enemy. In the Christian’s armor the Lord made no provision for the back. He does not expect us to flee, but to be strong in the power of his might, and to stand, like the brave, with our face to the foe. Eph. 6:10, 11. I can see how the Master is fighting the battles for me. O how good it is to know the Lord is going before us!

I had a rich experience with a man whose son was killed by lightning three weeks ago. When I first gave him a canvass for the book, he was quite indifferent. I told him that I made a delivery up north at the time his son was killed, and the people liked the books very much. As soon as he saw I knew something of the circumstances connected with the death of his son, he appeared interested, and told me all about it. He then took me into the house, showed me the picture of the boy, and said that he could not understand why he was taken. This gave an opportunity to read a few passages of Scriptures

to him. After reading Job 5:17, 18; 33:29, 30; and 22:21, he seemed comforted, and with tears in his eyes said that he supposed that there was a lesson in it for him, and that it must be for the best. When I was about ready to go, he subscribed for a book. I trust that it will do him good.

I am glad to have a part in the Lord’s harvest field. It is good to go where the Lord wants me to go. Pray for me, that I may do my work for the Master well.

OTTO EISELE.