The Forward Movement in Paris by Arnold Roth; Oscar Roth

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 20, 1902

The Forward Movement in Paris

By Arnold Roth; Oscar Roth

It is with great interest and joy that we are perusing the studies on Physiology and Practical Hydrotherapy. Once a week our little company meet together to partake of the feast of health principles. Although we are but few, we want to be in line with those who are preparing to meet their Lord. We know that this means not only to become perfect in soul and mind, but that our body also must be made perfect by the power of the great Physician, through these life-giving principles.

It does not pay to “stand off to criticise and condemn,” nor even to wait to see what will become of the Forward Movement. Our instructions are: “Do medical missionary work. Thus you will gain access to the hearts of the people. The way will be prepared for more decided proclamation of the truth. You will find that relieving their physical suffering gives you opportunity to minister to their spiritual needs.”

The time has come for every one of us to step forward with faith and assurance, in order to be able to meet the enemy and overcome him. If we as a people had labored more in harmony with the light given us, we would have seen greater results from our efforts, especially in Catholic countries, where people are slow to grasp higher thoughts of truth.

The indifference of the French people to their spiritual well-being is alarming, even among the few thousand Protestants. Worldly interests prevail in everything. Still, it is the will of God that this nation hear the good tidings, and know of their danger. How can the message be given them? He who has not lived among them, who has not seen the incredulity, the indifference, the lightness, the immorality, displayed everywhere and in everything, cannot comprehend the difficulties to be met in overcoming the obstacles by which the prince of darkness has surrounded this great nation.

But the arm of God is not too short, and we have the firm assurance that he has prepared a way through which France can be reached. We believe that the Forward Movement will find nowhere a more fitting application than right here. We feel that it is especially for us and France that solemn exhortations and warnings are repeated in our dear REVIEW.

We thank God for the privilege we have of hearing and comprehending these truths, and our desire is to put them into practice. These exhortations have come as an answer to our prayers, and have lighted the way in which we were endeavoring to walk. They have shown us the will of God, and consequently we are going ahead with great courage, being assured that he will make us succeed in the undertaking we have begun in our weakness.

The Lord has helped and blessed us beyond our hopes, so much so that we believe the day is not far distant when we shall be able to establish a medical mission, together with a health-food factory. We have the assurance that these will prove the entering wedge, the plow that will prepare the soil, the right arm of the message, and will open the doors of hearts.

It is a great privilege to be employed in the work of saving souls. It is good to be in the Lord’s service, and trials but tend to strengthen our faith. Dear brethren and co-laborers, our hearts are with you in this work, which is particularly blessed of God to the good of all. Remember France in your prayers.

ARNOLD ROTH, OSCAR ROTH. 5, rue Broca, Paris V.