The Missionary by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 30, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 50.

The Missionary.

By Editor

CONDENSED REPORTS FROM THE FIELD.

THERE seems to be better prospects for the truth in France than formerly. God, no doubt, still has a people there, despite the curse which hangs over it. France rejected the Reformation, drove the Huguenots and others from her shores or put them to death. America and England profited by her loss, and since that time instability and revolution and infidelity have been characteristics of beautiful France. Those who love the truth have had a hard time to get a footing in France. It seems that everything has been against them, but they have labored on, toiled and sacrificed and suffered for their kindred’s and nation’s sake.

But a new generation is coming upon the stage of action. Many have rejected Christianity, because they supposed that it was manifested in Catholicism. Now there are calls for Protestant ministers. The Protestant State church can get no support from the State till they have quite a large company raised up, while the various missions of other Protestant bodies make very slow progress on account of the great expense. They do not seem to know how to make their missions, or companies, which they raised up, self-sustaining.

With Seventh-day Adventists the work has been different. Our people in France have been faithful in paying the Lord his own, and so love the truth that they will live on the poorest fare, and walk many miles to meet with others of like precious faith. The French are also much interested in matters of healthful living and hygiene. It is hoped that the truth may reach souls in this way.

Elder Burrill reports from Michigan that eight were added to the church at Seville and three were baptized at Wheeler and will unite with the St. Louis church.

C. McReynolds reports an extensive tour of visiting among the churches of Kansas, besides attending four local camp-meetings. Five were baptized among the churches, and thirty were converted and baptized at the camp-meetings, which were seasons of great blessing. Mr. W. F. Crafts was recently at Wichita, where he promised to answer the American Sentinel charges, but when the time came he did not even attempt a reply. The tide seemed to set against Mr. Crafts at Wichita even as at Oakland, the dailies all being friends of religious liberty.

Brother Wilson reports from West Virginia that he has met with much opposition in Wiseburg, in the Sandy Creek district, which a short time ago was flooded with water. The rough element threatened to whip him, and to tear down the tent, but the Lord helped to proclaim his truth faithfully, till opposition was to a great extent disarmed by the “weapons not carnal.” Five persons accepted the truth, and the country was stirred for miles around.

A series of successful tent-meetings has just closed in Washington, D. C., conducted by Elder H. E. Robinson. While the weather was cold, damp, and rainy, no meeting was omitted for ten weeks, stoves having been put in the tent to counteract the effect of the damp weather. Seventy-five sermons were preached, fourteen Bible-readings held, besides fourteen meetings for the children. Sixty dollars’ worth of publications were sold, and over eighty dollars were donated to the meetings. Twenty-two have signed the covenant to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The field is an encouraging one, and many are interested in the truth.

Brother M. Wood has been holding meetings in Riverdale, R. I., and nine adults who never even professed religion before have embraced the truth. A thorough reform has been made in respect to the use of tobacco, as well as in other respects, the brethren deciding to give the cause of God what they had spent for appetite. When the power of the truth of God, the Holy Spirit, is present in the life, there will be a breaking away from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.