Tennessee by J. S. Washburn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 5, 1912

Tennessee

By J. S. Washburn

MEMPHIS.—Since the twenty-third of June we have held tent-meetings in the best part of Memphis, the location being the most central, as far as street-car connections are considered, that we could secure in the city.

Until this year, we have held our tent-meetings in the suburbs, with the intention of sometime pitching in a central part of the city. We looked for a long time for a suitable place, and felt that a special providence finally guided us to this location, and the results have proved this to be true.

Thirty-one have signed the covenant to "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus," and others are keeping the Sabbath. Eighteen have been baptized, and nineteen have already joined the church. We shall have another baptism soon. Among those who have accepted the truth are persons of education and standing.

Among these is a woman from New York. Her husband is an architect and builder of exceptional ability, who represents a New York company that builds only banks. While he is building a marble bank in Memphis, they are living here for a few months. She has fully accepted the truth, and will soon be baptized. Her father had been a Sabbath-keeper, but died when she was quite young. An older sister, now dead, was the wife of one of our missionaries, but she herself had never seen clearly nor understood fully the truth until she attended the tent-meetings in Memphis. Seeds early sown, now spring into life. One interesting feature of the situation here is that several who signed the covenant were Roman Catholics, and are having some unusual experiences.

One of those who signed the covenant was a wholesale cigar merchant. He himself gave up, after a great struggle, the habit of smoking, and has also given up his business.

I am sure that much of the success of the work in Memphis is due to the consecrated efforts of our Bible workers, Sisters Alice M. Patton, Annie Calloway, and Jessie Burrow, and Brother J. M. Boyce. With the exception of one sister who is now kept out of the work by a relative's sickness, all these workers are busy visiting and holding readings with interested persons. Among these are families of leading men on the police force. I believe there should be a great revival of old-fashioned Bible work in our cities.

Our people who are not in conference employ have also been doing personal work and selling the magazines, etc. We are certain that from among our people here successful workers will develop who will have an active part in the great closing work. Since we began work in Memphis, nearly two hundred have signed the covenant to "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." But few of these have proved unfaithful. The church-members number considerably above one hundred, and the prospects are more hopeful than ever. In fact, it seems as if the work here had just begun.

But do not think all goes smoothly in our work in Memphis. We have met and now are facing serious difficulties and perplexities. We are holding a special weekly meeting with one purpose constantly before us, and that is to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. This alone can solve all our difficulties and perplexities in the city work to which the Lord has called us at this time, and in all our world-wide work in all its departments.

If all our people would unite in earnest, consecrated, persistent prayer for the Holy Spirit, surely the measureless flood-tide of the latter rain would be poured out upon the Lord's true soldiers of the greatest cause on earth, and the work be finished and cut short in righteousness. Is it not a fact that Satan and the world are ready for the closing conflict? Is it not true that it is high time the Lord's people were also ready?

Pray for the work in this city; but above all else, let us all remember that "it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." "Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field." Hosea 10:12; Zech. 10:1.

J. S. WASHBURN.