JOTTINGS FROM OUR HELPING HAND MISSION.
[BRETHREN B. F. RICHARDS AND G. W. REASER IN CHARGE.] ONE of the first-fruits unto God in the Mission, made the statement, at the time of family worship, recently, that he had been in the habit of taking occasional “sprees” in the past; and on one occasion since he had accepted the Saviour, for three days the desire for strong drink had come upon him with so much power that it seemed impossible to resist. While this terrible struggle was going on, Satan “took a hand,” and sent one of his agents—an acquaintance—to him, who invited him into a saloon to “take a glass of beer.” At first he hesitated; but later, yielded, and stood by the bar until the beer was poured out for him. In that critical moment the Lord came to his rescue and gave him power to refuse to drink the contents of the glass. He then promised the Lord that he would not again yield so far as to be enticed into one of Satan’s dens. May he daily claim, by faith, the power of God to enable him to keep his promise. These babes in Christ need much help, and we trust that every child of God who reads these lines, will pray, not only for the workers in the Mission, but for “these little ones.” It is a source of great encouragement and strength to the workers to know that they are being lifted up in arms of faith to the throne of grace, by those who have power with God in prayer. Keep on praying. Another interesting circumstance must be mentioned: A man nearly sixty years old came to us and requested that we give him ten cents to pay his fare across the bay. We asked him how he came to be in need of assistance, and received the candid reply that it was all his own fault. He had come to the city a few days before with $25, a good watch and chain, a valise, a new buggy robe, and some clothing; but that now his effects were all gone, for he had gotten drunk, and in some way lost them all. He held in his hand a badly-soiled card, which proved to be a receipt for his watch and chain, but the writing on it was so poorly executed in pencil, and so nearly effaced, that it seemed impossible to decipher it. By consulting a city directory, we identified the signature, and, after going to the second address, found his watch, chain, valise, and clothing, in the “Nine Spot” Saloon, and restored them to the rightful owner. When we came out of the saloon—and you may be sure that we never visit such places unless the Lord calls us there on errands of mercy—we felt a hundred-fold repaid for all the trouble it cost us, by the heartfelt expressions of gratitude from the man who had received his property. In astonishment he asked us how we had found them so quickly, and stated that he had sought the assistance of two policemen, and both of them replied that they were not able to help him out of his difficulty. In response to his question, we told him that the Lord had helped us to locate his goods, for we were coworkers with Him. He wanted to know how much he owed us for our assistance, but we assured him that he had nothing to pay. One of the brethren saw him safely on the boat, and we trust that he has effectually learned the lesson “that the way of the transgressor is hard.” As we write these lines, we have just overheard a young man who has been at the Mission for a few days, say to another as they converse together in the chapel, that he has learned more about God and the Bible since coming here than in all the rest of his life. The following are one evening’s testimonies in a social meeting:— About five weeks ago I went to the Lord, and I have considerable to do this week. Was up in the mountains, and all my friends they want me to take a drink, but I say, “No, boys, I no go near the bar now;” and I hope the Lord will keep me that way. I praise God and I rejoice every day in Him. He has taught me how to pray and love Him every day. I would like every one of you in here to have written down in your pay-roll “eternal life.” This world does not pay very much; I found that out. I praise God that He has brought me to Him and learned me how to live for Him, and I know that when I go away from here I will have eternal life. I had little contentment here a few weeks ago; I could not stay around a place like this, but now it is a pleasure to me. I praise God that He led me in the way of hearing the Gospel preached after many years of serving the devil. I now feel like praising and serving Him the balance of my days. I praise God for the peace and joy He gives us, and for upholding us with the right hand of His righteousness. I want to always live in such a way that He will always be with me. I praise God that I know that my Redeemer liveth, and because He lives I shall live also. I got a letter to-day, handed to me by a gentleman I know, an inquiry made for me by my mother, and I am thankful that her prayers were answered; and that was the word I sent. I am very glad I started in this new life, and intend to follow it, by the help of God.