The Missionary by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 21, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 32.

The Missionary.

By Editor

Return with Rejoicing.

ALTHOUGH our reaping time is not in this life, the faithful laborer is not left even here without occasion for rejoicing. Said St. John to his well-beloved brother: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth." He who loves the truth, who spends his time and strength in its service, he only knows the joy which is felt when the truth prospers, and sinners are converted unto God.

Besides the report which we published from Brother Ings, we have received private letters which give the most cheering accounts of their prosperity in missionary work. Speaking of the ship work in Portland, he says:—

"We have placed distributors on fourteen passenger steamers—two on each. The Lord has wonderfully wrought for us. Captains who had the reputation of having no regard for such things have with their own hands helped us to fasten the distributors to their finely-finished walls; the cases carrying the precious truth alone decorating those walls. Favors have been granted us far beyond our own expectation.

"It will take means to follow up these openings. These steamers must be supplied, some each day and some every other day. Then there are the San Francisco boats, the hotels, and the two overland trains each day. We sell considerable on these trains, having obtained that privilege.

"It will take 650 Signs per week to do our work, and this number has been ordered. This may seem large at first, but it is a small estimate. We have said nothing about the sailing ships, of which there are twenty on their way to this port from England. We hope to gather up enough for that branch of the work. We shall use 500 Sabbath Sentinels, besides a good many tracts. I think you are not too hasty in securing another press, and enlarging your facilities.

"Is it not about time for something to be done on the overland trains leaving San Francisco?"

This query we cannot answer; we publish it for the consideration of the workers. But we know that "the laborers are few"—we have not laborers enough for the ship work and for these two cities.

Brother Sawyer says of the Chicago Mission: "The Lord has been with us and added his blessing. Five have already embraced the truth." He gives many interesting items of personal experience. He says there is an opening in South Chicago.

Bro. E. W. Whitney writes from Rome, N. Y.: "The work is moving in some branches with us in an encouraging manner, though we long to see it go with greater power. The Signs canvass in the cities is no longer a doubtful matter. This is proving the utility of the reading-room. Our workers found it hard work to take subscribers as long as they depended upon the canvass alone. They were considered agents, and in many instances they could not reach the people. They then struck upon the plan of introducing themselves with the mission card, and now they do their work principally by the card, and let the card represent the character of the work they are doing. This plan seems at once to establish confidence, and but little time is required to take orders, and the increase is wonderful. Some of our workers take over fifty subscriptions per day in these old and agent-overrun cities. Experienced and faithful workers have success in the best streets among what is termed the 'upper class,' where we would not have thought of gaining an entrance a year ago."

This is an item of great interest, and we recommend that all our city workers consider it well. It may be that this will prove the utility of all our mission stations, and that they may add materially to the success of missionary labor. We hope to hear from others as soon as they have had experience in that direction.

Brother Ings writes concerning the recent large fire in East Portland, expressing his belief that the hand of the Lord was over their mission-rooms. He says:—

"The fire started in a drug store in the block adjoining that in which is our depository. Soon other buildings were on fire, and as the spirits and other inflammable matter in the drug store and saloon caught fire, the flames would burst up one hundred and fifty feet high. It looked as though our block would surely go. Some said, move our books; but I could see no light in that. The books would be more or less damaged, and we greatly needed the place for our depository, and it would look like a denial of our faith. My prayers were constant that our heavenly Father, who has power over the elements, would protect us, so that the work so well begun here might not be hindered. And now the building with its precious truth stands as a monument of his mercy, and we are permitted to continue in our good work."

We shall never know till the great day when we know as we are known, how many times the providence of God has interposed in behalf of his people and work; how many times his angels have encamped round about us to deliver us. It is safe to trust his grace.