OAKLAND V. M. SOCIETY by Mrs. H. S. Tay, Secretary

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jan 8, 1880

OAKLAND V. M. SOCIETY.

By Mrs. H. S. Tay, Secretary

JESUS says, "Go work in my vineyard." This we as members of the Vigilant Missionary Society are trying to do, and we feel more and more encouraged as we see some fruit resulting from our labor.

The following extracts from letters received will give some idea of the interest manifested in reading the Signs. A gentleman in Colorado writes: "Your note of the 6th is at hand, and in reply I would say, the Signs you sent I received, and they are the best papers I ever saw or read. In regard to the Bible teachings they suit me perfectly in every form; the immortality doctrine is just what I am studying, and the Signs are a great help. I will say here I do not believe in the immortality of man, only as a reward—something that is given in reward for well doing. The Signs is the first paper I have found to give me every help. When I began reading I was a Methodist, and I supposed I had an immortal soul, but I found no such thing in the Bible, or nothing to lead me to think I had, and so I found I was wrong. You can rest assured you conferred a great favor in sending me the Signs, and I hope in a short time to add my name to the list of subscribers and become a constant reader of that valuable paper."

A lady in Scotland says: "I received your kind and welcome letter, also your very nice copies of the Signs of the Times, which I must say I had great pleasure in reading, and am happy to learn that there are faithful workers abroad as well as at home here."

A lady writes from New Jersey: "The Signs are valuable; I like them. I have been well posted on all the Advent truths since 1843, except the Sabbath question. In this I have become satisfied you are correct. I try to keep the seventh day as well as I can alone; do no work, but spend it in reading God's word, and the Signs. I have enjoyed the reading and the letters of the sisters. I have enjoyed dear Sr. White's communications. God bless her; may she long live to sound the gospel trump. My age and feebleness of body say to me, time is short. One thing is very surprising: the conformity to the world in these last days; nothing is more detrimental to a life of Bible holiness, yet we see it everywhere, and but little said about it. May the ambassadors of Christ receive a fresh anointing. It is very uncertain whether I live through the winter; the twenty-sixth day of this month closes my eighty-seventh year. Friends and kindred are most all sleeping. The joy of my heart is, my treasure is where it cannot be got by thieves, and my heart is there also."

A gentleman in Colorado writes: "Yours of Oct. 25th came duly to hand as I learned to-day. I have been away from home for the last three months and I am sorry to say that I have not had the pleasure of reading but a few of the papers that you sent me. I have just been reading one; it is quite interesting. Religion is a subject that I am studying and am not satisfied as yet. I will thank you very much for any light that you can throw on the subject."

A lady in Jamaica says: "I beg now to acknowledge the receipt of your kind favor and also four numbers of the Signs of the Times. I thank you very much. In answer to your question whether I am pleased with them I can assure you that I am delighted with them; they contain the great essential truths taken from Holy Writ. I have read them prayerfully, cordially, and shall never be tired to read them over. I have also lent them to my pastor and other Christian friends, and they are all pleased. May I venture to ask you to continue your kindness in sending them to me? I am happy to see the advanced state of Christianity in California."

The same lady still later writes: "I must now apologize for my seeming neglect in not answering your kind note ere this. My sole reason is that I have been very sick with fever; could not leave my bed for some time. I must now return you my many thanks for the papers, tracts, and book sent me; they have indeed been blest to me. More especially the book, Redemption; it is a treasure; it has made me love my Saviour more, and given me a more earnest desire to be like the spotless Lamb of God. Oh, for that lamblike spirit, even to his enemies, Lord, give me that sinless spirit. My friends are of the same mind that it is very profitable. I do thank you and shall feel sorry when I cannot get them, but I shall never be tired of reading them over. You very kindly asked me to name the parts that have struck me most. I answer the first line on the paper, "Signs of the Times." I do pray that the many signs that are visible as to the second coming of Christ may stir up believers and alarm the unconverted. Accept, dear friend, my prayer and earnest wish for the prosperity of this missionary work."

Let us as missionary workers improve every opportunity to spread the truth, that when Christ comes to reward every one according to his works we may be found among the faithful. MRS. H. S. TAY, Secretary.