Letter from Europe by John Nevins Andrews

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jun 6, 1878

Letter from Europe.

By John Nevins Andrews

[WE take the liberty to give to the readers of the SIGNS a portion of a private letter from Brother Andrews. J. E. W.]

Your letter with draft is received. We are extremely grateful for this money raised for the European mission. We shall use this money sacredly for the cause of God, and none of it for our own personal advantage. Through the mercy of God I can now leave the paper in the hands of others and do my part of the work while out in the field. I expect to continue this from this time forward. We have been sowing the truth over Europe by means of the Les Signs. des Temps. Sabbath-keepers are springing up in various places from the reading of the paper, in France, Switzerland, Italy and Egypt. Think of that! At Alexandria there is a considerable company of religious people who understand French. We have been sending them our paper and every person of this company have received the doctrine of Christ's near advent, and five of them have begun to keep the Sabbath. If I had money I would tell Dr. Ribton to take the steamer and go and help these people. At Bari, on the east coast of Italy, is a Baptist minister by the name of Volpi who has been converted by reading our paper. He has a great desire to see Dr. Ribton. The expenses of such a journey would not be great, and I think Brother R. must go there immediately.

Then on the Island of Sicily is a small Baptist church which has just been deserted by an unfaithful pastor, and the way seems to be perfectly opened before us to step in and gather those Baptist friends into the truth. I think I must take the responsibility to send means to Dr. R., that he may either go there himself or send Brother Biglia, one of his most valuable helpers at Naples.

I am at work in behalf of the Swiss churches. This is my first important duty in getting out from the Office at Bâle. God is helping me, but there is very much labor to be done. I hope much from the coming of Willie. I will do the best I can to prepare for his coming.

I have confidence that your father and mother will yet come to Europe.

My courage in the Lord is good. My burden is heavy, but not insupportable. God is good.