GREECE by H. A. Henderson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 6, 1900

GREECE

By H. A. Henderson

“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.” I find much comfort in contemplating this text, as the work so far has seemed much like casting bread upon the waters. As I engage in the work of teaching, telling the news of salvation, and distributing what few tracts we have in the Greek language, and see the eagerness of the people to learn more of the love of Christ, I feel indeed that the harvest is ripe.

On every side is work to be done. A few weeks ago, when going to Syra to visit some interested persons of whom I had heard, I was landed very early in the morning. Hardly knowing what to do, I walked up to the public square. Soon a nice-looking man came by, and I asked him where I could find a room, and he kindly took me to a restaurant. I found him to be a professor from the university in Athens; and taking out my Greek Bible, I gave him a reading on the Sabbath question. He was much interested, and gladly received reading-matter. I have many such experiences.

Last Sunday I visited an evangelist who was preaching in a neighboring village. He greeted me kindly, and together we went out into the street. Soon we were surrounded with about four hundred people, who listened eagerly while the brother spoke to them from the word of God. After the meeting I was invited to come and assist him the next evening in a meeting in a small hall. On my arrival at the place of meeting, I found the room full of people, but my friend had not come. So, going to his rooms, I found him in trouble, as the police, instigated by the chief priest, had ordered him not to preach again. After prayer together, we decided to go down and hold a song service, as we had a few of our gospel hymns translated into the Greek language. Before long the people were singing, with us, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” After a few minutes the policemen came in, and ordered the lights out, and the meeting to be disbanded immediately. Of course it had to be done, but it was evident that the sympathy of the people was with us. We thanked God for the victory.

As yet we are at liberty to do personal work, and stand ready to do just as the Lord leads. I am told that there is perfect freedom of speech in Crete. I hope that the time is not far distant when we shall have a worker there. There is an excellent opportunity for mission work in Athens.

My attention has been called to another line of work: each year there are many thousand English-speaking persons passing through Greece. These all lodge at a few hotels. Arrangements will be made to have the Signs of the Times placed on the reading tables in these hotels. Not long ago I noticed a copy of the Signs, which I had left on the reading table a few weeks before, literally worn out with reading; and the proprietor told me that he would be pleased to have the paper on the table each week. The results of this work may only be known in the kingdom of heaven.

I am of good courage, and already have evidences of fruits from my labors. Brethren, pray for this needy field.

H. A. HENDERSON.

Nauplia, Greece.