JOTTINGS FROM OUR HELPING HAND MISSION.
[BRETHREN B. F. RICHARDS AND G. W. REASER IN CHARGE.] In one of our meetings, the second officer of the recently wrecked ship New York came forward to make a surrender to the Lord, and in his testimony stated that he had promised the Lord at the time of the disaster, that if He would spare his life, he would serve Him the remainder of his days. He believed that God had guided him to that Mission. On another occasion a young man came forward to seek the Lord, and in his testimony stated that he had once made the foolish remark that he had rather be dead than dead broke, and the statement had nearly cost him his life, as it caused him to make a reckless balloon ascension. While he was in the air, 2,000 feet from mother earth, and in imminent peril of being dashed to pieces, he called upon God for help, and the Lord in mercy spared his life. He that moment purposed that he would give his life to the One who had not only purchased him, but who had saved him from a terrible death. One poor despondent man took poison and came to the Mission to die; but through the mercy of God, and the prompt action of the physicians and nurses, he was restored to consciousness and health. Many hopeless persons have come to the point where they have determined to take their own lives, but God, in His great goodness, sends them to the Mission, instead of to the place where they thought to end their existence, and the wonderful result not infrequently follows that they are “saved by grace,” and Satan is thwarted in his purpose of trying to plunge precious souls into eternity without hope. As we started home the other evening after the service, we observed a man lying on his face in the gutter, besmeared with blood and the filth of the street. He was placed in the hands of the trained nurses, who are always ready for deeds of mercy, and in a short time he became conscious, and was sent to his home. One of the saddest sights that comes to our notice in the Mission work is to see college graduates, who are still young men, but who have so far lost their self-respect and manhood, through following after strong drink, that they really fill the Bible description of “natural brute beasts.” But many of these who have been so terribly depraved, are making good progress toward sobriety, manhood, and a home in heaven. It is truly marvelous to see the change in their countenances when they yield to the drawing influence of the Holy Spirit, and permit the Sun of Righteousness to fill their souls. It is very encouraging, and strengthens our faith in the fact that this work is established in the providence of God, to receive so many substantial offerings from the Lord’s people in so many parts of the great harvest field. They come in the way of money, fruit, bedding, clothing, and other useful articles. Anything that can be used in the homes of the people can likewise be used to advantage in the Mission, and we can assure the many friends of the work that their liberality is appreciated by the Giver of every good and perfect gift, and by those who are in charge at the Mission. The presence of Christian friends, who assist us by their songs and by their prayers, is appreciated. When you come to the city, visit the Mission. We have recently begun a series of health talks in the afternoons, in which a remarkable degree of interest is manifested. These are conducted from the standpoint of the Bible and science, and are intensely practical. God is with the work, and Christ is all in all to the workers; and marvelous things are being done in the name of the Lord.