p. 191 | LETTERS FROM EGYPT

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 12, 1878

LETTERS FROM EGYPT.

LETTER FROM BRO. RUPP.

Dear Bro. Ribton: Our work, by the grace of the Lord, is making good progress in Alexandria, although not without battles and disappointments. We commenced our Sabbath morning services two weeks ago, and they have greatly helped to strengthen us in faith. A dear brother of mine who, up to the present time, had always fought against the gospel with rationalistic arguments, has now, by divine grace, not only begun to attend the meetings and study the Bible seriously, but to observe the Sabbath, and to pray God to convert him and turn him from the unbelief into which he had fallen. Pray for him; for I believe that when he becomes advanced in the knowledge of the truth he will do the work of a Paul, being endowed with freedom of language, sincerity of heart, and zeal for doing good.

The rest of my family, although still somewhat indifferent, are disposed to accept the present truth. Another family is regular in attendance upon our meetings, and will shortly be united to our number; and since we have opened a Sabbath-school for children, this family sends four children every Sabbath. We have many other hearers who promise well.

You will see from this how much it has pleased the Lord to bless the work in Alexandria, and everything promises that in a short time Alexandria will have a complete little church of commandment-keepers. In addition to this, I feel thankful for the freedom we have in our meeting-room, and the great help we have had from our dear Bro. Bertola, both spiritually and in pecuniary matters; for he has paid all our expenses. We have even opened a library of books and tracts.

However, if on the one hand we have blessings, trials are not wanting on the other. An undercurrent of persecution has been raised against us by the followers of the beast, and it requires much strength to defend ourselves; for these persons even make use of the weapon of slander, in order to bring Bro. Bertola and me into disrepute. At first the thought of the impending departure of Bro. Bertola terrified me; but now I feel that “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.” But Bro. Bertola will not forsake us for a very long time; for after a year’s absence, he will, God willing, return to Alexandria. Meanwhile I entreat you to write often.

I am waiting anxiously for the tracts on prophecy you promised me; we also want a collection of hymns worded according to the present truth. Bro. Bertola urges me to compose another hymn for the Sabbath day, which I will endeavor to do and send it to you. Remember us in your prayers, and with Christian salutes to all the brethren, believe me, your brother in faith and hope, Giuseppe Rupp.

Alexandria, Oct. 14.

FROM BRO. BERTOLA.

Very dear Bro. Ribton: The moment I received your much-prized letter of the 6th inst., I hastened to Bro. Rupp at his office in the courts, and there we read together the many quotations from Scripture it contained. These encouraged us to continue the work that God has given us to do, for which we are rejected, not by God, but by men.

You may continue to send LES SIGNES DES TEMPS to Sig. ______, of Cairo, who will also pay his subscription to it. Two more brethren, I hope, will be baptized in the Nile this month.

Our worship of our Creator on the Sabbath is held in the morning from eight o’clock to nine, and to the great encouragement of all, eleven were present on the 5th, and fourteen on the 12th. We announce our service for Friday evening, on account of the new hearers who come, but we explain to all that Friday is already past, and that we have entered upon the Sabbath of the Lord by him blessed and sanctified.

We have formed a little library of useful books, ancient and modern, with religious books and tracts, and all have contributed their share. These works are read, and also lent out with a receipt, and then returned to our loved librarian and brother, Sig. Carlo Rupp, brother of Giuseppe, who, from being a scorner of the word of God, has now been called by the Lord to a knowledge of the truth.

For the Sabbath we have also placed a little box, in order that each one may contribute his mite to meet the small expense of petroleum and sundries, and to afford, if possible, a little reserve fund to help the most needy brethren. One of our brethren has brought us some hymns set to music, to these we have added some others of our own, and so we sing praises to the Lord as best we can. Rather than use the imperfect and unscriptural hymns in general use, we will wait for the Italian collection which we hope our brethren in Bale will print for us. We have Bibles enough for the present, having obtained ten new ones from the Bible depot (but not yet paid for), which cost 30 francs ($6). We have also six New Testaments of mine, but we still want a large Bible with references, for the preacher.

I should have been in Constantinople ever since the first of the present month; but instead I have been compelled to defer my departure in order not to abandon these dear brethren, who literally hang upon my words, and show such an interest that all who have heard the gospel preached a few times continue to attend.

With Sig. Monnet and Cerioni there remain only a half dozen of formalists, individuals of such a character that I did not even care to invite them to come to us, and would rather not see them present, because they are of that stationary class that walk in the old traditions of their fathers, without having even an argument to defend them.

I had last week a letter from the Methodist minister Ragghinati [the same orator whom Bro. Andrews heard at the Methodist church at Naples. H. P. R.], to whom I replied at once. I do not know whether my frankness displeased him or not, but I seek not honor from man, but the glory of God, who has wonderfully saved me and called me to render testimony to the whole truth.

If I had time, I would be glad to write to Mons. G. B. Cretin, Baptist minister now at LaFère in France, a great friend of mine, with all his family, where I was entertained for three months with great kindness when he was at Lyons; it was from him that I first learned about baptism. I would be glad if he had LES SIGNES DES TEMPS, because, as he is a scriptural and conscientious controversialist and endowed with many spiritual gifts, I think he would become convinced of the truth.

Much love to all the brethren, both in Italy and elsewhere; especially remember me to Bro. Andrews. Ever yours in the Lord, R. Bertola.

Alexandria, Oct. 14.

FROM BRO. RUPP.

Dear Brother: I received your valued letter of the 6th, from which I derived much consolation, and by which I feel myself much strengthened. You show me more clearly that the Lord is at my right hand with the ministry of his angels so that I need fear no one, and it is this thought only that fortifies me. In a short time Bro. Bertola will leave me, and I shall be left alone in the struggle against Satan and his satellites; but the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he is my shield and my fortress, and will ever be with me, to the end of my career. Only let us never cease to pray that he may give me freedom of speech, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The message of preparation for the coming of the Lord has been received in Alexandria by these chosen souls, and we can say that the work commenced by us, if it does not run, at least is advancing with a steady pace. It is manifest that God helps us. Bro. Bertola, a plain commercial traveler, and I, an employé at the courts, have been enabled to organize a church of commandment-keepers, that have the testimony of Jesus, and are willing to follow the Lamb wheresoever he goes; while we have against us theologians, philosophers, and reverends, who withstand the truth as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses. Truly the Lord has chosen the things that are not to bring to naught the things that are.

Our meetings are well attended, also the Sabbath morning service. Some more brethren will be baptized before Bro. Bertola leaves. If we need your presence, we will call you. After a while we shall begin to instruct these brethren to give tithes of their gains to the work of the Lord.

I have studied with much attention the tract entitled, “Appeal on Immortality,” and find it most convincing; I have also read “The Sinner’s Fate,” the reasoning of which cannot be contradicted; yet there are some texts that seem to oppose the doctrine of the destruction of the wicked, which cause a contradiction that I cannot clear up. [The writer here inquires about Matt. 25:46; the word aionion, eternal, applied to God, also to the punishment of the wicked, etc., in reply to which I sent him the book entitled, “The Nature and Destiny of Man.”] * Giuseppe Rupp.

Oct. 21.

FROM BRO. BERTOLA.

Dear Brother: In a few days I must leave for Constantinople, and it grieves me to leave Bro. Rupp alone at the head of this church, now fairly organized; and this because I see the necessity of a person who can give all his time to the work, for the sake of these brethren who take such an interest in the truth. Therefore I would entreat you to decide on coming here as quickly as possible, at least to stay during the month of January. All are most desirous for you to come, especially since they have heard that I must leave them.

We pray the Lord to direct you with regard to coming here, and also for our dear Bro. Andrews. We deeply grieve to hear of the alarming state of his daughter’s health, and our prayers are offered in her behalf.

Your brother in faith, Romualdo Bertola.

Alexandria, Oct. 26.