p. 248 | The Missionary by William Ings

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 20, 1888

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 14, No. 16.

The Missionary.

By William Ings

THE WORK IN LONDON.

UNDER date of February 23, Brother William Ings, of the London Mission, writes thus to the friends of the cause in America:—

DEAR FRIENDS: As you are donating so liberally each week for the support of the work in this city, it may be of interest to you to learn some facts relative to the advancement of the work here. It has been a study with those connected with the work, how this great city, with its five millions of inhabitants, could be warned by the Third Angel's Message. And the conclusion arrived at is that it must be largely accomplished by the distribution of reading matter; but how to get this matter before the people is a question not easily solved. The Lord knows the best way to advance his cause, and when his people cry for help he hears their prayers and sends his angels to open up the way.

There are in England a people known as vegetarians, who are making no small stir, not only in London, but throughout the whole kingdom. Their work is aggressive and minds are being moulded by their teachings. They advocate the use of grains, vegetables, and fruits, as the best and most healthful diet for man. They discourage the use of intoxicating liquors, and many of them condemn the use of tobacco. As a class they are above the average in intelligence. In order to propagate their views these vegetarians are establishing restaurants in the most prominent places throughout the city. They now have twenty-five of these places opened, and thousands resort thither daily. The cheapness of food served draws many to their places, where they soon learn the benefits derived from such a diet.

The habits of the English people vary greatly from those of other nationalities, and especially the Americans. While the last-named act as though it was a waste of time to stop to eat, the English people dote much on their dinner hour, and spend the time in both reading and eating. Usually those visiting these places provide themselves with reading matter, as the supply in the restaurants is not sufficient for the demand; and as these

rooms are usually crowded, the managers would prefer that the stay of their patrons should be as short as possible, in order to make room for others. Therefore, it seemed absurd to think of asking the privilege of placing our periodicals in these restaurants. But the same God that opened the Red Sea and rolled back the waters of Jordan, still lives, and to our joy we found that he had prepared the way before us so that we were enabled to place Good Health and Present Truth in all these restaurants; not one refused, and now about fifteen thousand people can have access to those publications daily.

For convenience, a neat paper holder has been gotten up to hold the periodicals while being read, and when not in use it can be suspended from the hat-rack, thus keeping the reading matter in an accessible place. These holders are models of convenience and are admired by all.

The work here is beginning to show good results, and it is proving a feeder to our depository at Paternoster Row. Calls are daily made inquiring for our publications, and subscriptions for our periodicals are coming in quite rapidly, and we hope that a good foundation is being laid for a permanent worker.

There have also been other steps taken in which we have seen the guiding hand of God. The managers of the Castle Steamship Line, and also those of the Union Line, have more than met our expectations by permitting us to place a library of our bound books on each of their ships for the use of passengers. There are twenty-five ships in the two fleets which make their regular trips to Africa. These companies have also granted us the privilege of placing a file of our periodicals on their reading-room table. We believe this will be conducive of much good, as there are thousands of travelers constantly journeying to and from the distant ports visited by these vessels.

I would also mention an item of interest, the result of missionary work done by the friends at San Francisco. It seems that a young man, a clergyman's son, who had made a voyage or two, visited that port and received some copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES from our ship missionary there. Those on board knowing that this young man was inclined to godliness, said, "Give the papers to Marsh" (as that is his name), and he took possession of them, and while on his voyage to London, read them with more than usual interest, and became convinced of the truths which they contained. On his return he wrote to learn more about us as a people, and to learn more on certain points of truth, saying that although his father was a teacher of the word, he could not get satisfaction from him. This young man seemed to be ripe for the truth, and now is planning to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

"In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good."

Wishing the good work abundant success in America, and that all your work of love may be blessed of God, I remain yours in the blessed hope of eternal life.