LETTER FROM ENGLAND

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 5, 1878

LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

The following is from a private letter written from England, July 23. After acknowledging the receipt of a letter from Sr. White, Bro. Ings says:—

I have faith to believe that He who has so many times raised up his worn servants will still have a care for you, and it shall be my constant prayer that God may bless you in restoring you both to health.

He then continues:—

My first visit in England was to Southampton, where I have several cousins. I gave them reading matter, and I was astonished to see the effect our publications had. I brought quite a quantity with me; but the demand was so great that I found it necessary to order more from America, and now I am expecting the second lot every day, and find myself in great need of them. It seems to me that this field has been neglected so long that God would show us as a people how far we are behind his providence, by using those not in the truth to scatter his message. People wanted tracts to give to the members of their churches; others wanted them to give to their neighbors; some wanted them to send away, and to-day hundreds are reading who knew nothing about these things two months ago.

One woman came twelve miles to visit her sister. She started in a rain storm. Her friends tried to persuade her not to come, but she said something seemed to impel her. She came, and remained two days, and went back rejoicing in the truth. I have since visited her. I think I never saw a person more soundly converted. She told me that on her way back she felt like running to tell her husband and neighbors what precious truths she had found. She says the Bible is a new book to her. Her husband is not a professor, but does not oppose her.

She has a good influence in the neighborhood. When I visited her, she had scattered tracts, and several were interested. She wished me to go with her to a chapel of Bible Christians. We found the congregation assembled, but no minister. I was urged to use the time. Tremblingly I explained the second chapter of Daniel. The interest was great. An influential lady in the church invited me to her house, and requested me to go over the same ground in the hearing of her husband and others who were not at the chapel. After this we again went to the meeting-house, where we found quite an audience, but no minister. I was again invited to use the time, which I did, explaining Matt. 24. The Lord helped me. I was urged to stay longer, but promised to mail them tracts that would give them light on the Bible. I was surprised to see such interest. They said they never knew there were such things in the Bible before. I left the interest in the hands of Sr. K., who will be a shining light in that section. I expect to hear of good results from her labors.

She ordered the REVIEW and between four and five dollars’ worth of books and tracts. She will pay s. B.; and wants to be baptized. Now I mention this circumstance to show how the way is open for a minister here, and that people are just as anxious to hear the truth as they are in America.

I have spent several weeks in doing missionary work. I have visited nearly two hundred families. I am treated with respect, and have found many interesting cases. Several are convinced; and if a course of lectures could be given I should look for a harvest of souls. Two have decided to obey the truth, and I have just heard that another has taken a stand. I have just received a letter from a person to whom I have given tracts. He wants the Life of Wm. Miller, Nature and Destiny of Man, and other publications, and says he will forward the money on learning the cost. Yesterday I received another order. In some cases I have been forced to accept money for tracts, and in others persons have desired to pay for them; but I buy the truth and sell it not. (That is, tracts.)

I am in good health and courage, but am puzzled to know what to do. I have asked in prayer to be directed. I have thought I would remain here three weeks longer, then if no special light came I should return to Switzerland. I shall try, by the help of God, while I am here, to prepare the way for Bro. Loughborough, so that he may have a foothold. He would find many friends to the truth here. The way would be opened for lectures; and, this being a seaport where vessels are constantly leaving for all parts of the globe, it would make an excellent point for doing missionary labor.

I find as good people in England as in any country I have been in, yet all the medium class have all they can do to live, and in consequence it might be quite a while before a mission here would be self-sustaining; but I think when the people see the truth they will be more stable than those in America. Of course, obstacles and trials would be found here as well as elsewhere; but I believe God is ready to set his hand to the work in this island.

We shall all welcome Bro. Loughborough and W. C. White, and their wives, on this side of the ocean; and if it should be in the order of God to send his worn servants here, they too would receive a hearty greeting from all of like precious faith.