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ITALY AND EGYPT

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 6, 1879

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 53, No. 10.

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ITALY AND EGYPT.

THE following extract from a letter written by Dr. Ribton from Alexandria, Egypt, has been forwarded to us by our friends in Switzerland. We will not, by any introductory remarks, keep the reader from its wonderful statements, which show how manifestly the hand of God is at work in those countries. The letter is dated Jan. 10.
“I arrived at Alexandria on the 7th, after a voyage so exceptionally favorable that it showed clearly that the hand of the Lord was with me.
“Were I to live a thousand years I could never forget the scene we had on New Year's evening before my departure. All the brethren assembled for a farewell meeting, and the affection they manifested was something beyond description—a depth of love which only those of the household of faith can comprehend. It was a scene of general weeping, and greatly affected me for the next day.
“I found the little church in Alexandria in a very promising condition. Our Bro. Rupp, full of the Spirit of God, has done wonders, and had he the time at his disposal, and the necessary means, he could have done very much more. I shall now, under Divine direction, endeavor to aid him with all the energy that God gives me. This town is full of Italians, and it is certainly a relief to be able to preach to them without being exposed to stone-throwing, and without the necessity of a guard of police at the door. We have a young Israelite, converted under Bro. Rupp's ministry, now a candidate for baptism, and upon whom the Spirit of God has fallen. He speaks Italian and Arabic equally well. In order to work up our meetings, I am employing him to go around among the Italians with hand-bills, and I hope very soon, with his aid, to open a series of Arabic meetings. He says the Arabs and Copts listen to him willingly, and will gladly come to hear the preaching of the word as we present it.
“I hope to write you more news from here, and good news, after another week.
“The news I have received from Naples gives me much consolation. The meeting on last Sabbath was well attended, and was conducted with much fervor by Bro. Tongobardi, an educated lawyer who has lately fully embraced the truth, and who now acts as leader of the church.”