The Work in Java

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · May 30, 1912

"Our work here is becoming more interesting as the days go by," writes one of our nurses in Java. "As we meet with the Javanese in the villages, we find opportunity to scatter some seeds of truth, which we hope will fall into good ground. Often they listen attentively as we, in simple words, tell of God's love to man, and his plan of redemption.

"We have been treating one poor man for eleven months. He had a dreadful leg, nearly half the skin from the knee down to the toes having come off. It has almost healed now, and he walks about quite nimbly. He told Brother Hungerford the other day that the way to get the people to listen would be to treat the sick, and then they would come to listen. This is a bit of his own experience. I read to him from Matt. 5: 1-8 the last time I went to see him, and he told me he understood it all.

"We have many times spoken of the truth, in a very simple manner, to him and others who gathered in his home, and prayed with and for them, and he says he believes the gospel.

"A poor lad came to us yesterday who has had malaria for a long time. He asked to stay until he was better, saying he would do whatever we wanted him to do in return for help. He gets out into the sunshine, cleaning up the pathways by pulling up the weeds, etc., thus getting a little exercise.

"Whenever we find an opportunity, we endeavor to distribute literature among the people. Very few in the villages can read,—not one, perhaps, in two or three hundred. However, schools are being opened in various places, so some of the rising generation will soon be able to read. Thus Java is being prepared to receive the printed page. May God help us to be wise in scattering the seeds of truth."