p. 4 | What Brother Jones Did by C. H. Bliss

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 8, 1912

What Brother Jones Did

By C. H. Bliss

C. H. BLISS

It was spring-time. The weather had become warm, and I began to look around for a good locality in which to pitch my tent for a series of tent-meetings.

I had heard of an aged Brother Jones who lived in a small village about fifty miles south of me, and who was anxious for one of our ministers to visit his town. Thinking I might find a good opening there for our work, I decided to pay him a visit. The next Monday morning I started on my journey. Being a stranger to this brother, I decided to know something of him before going to his home. On arriving at the place, I entered a store and inquired of the proprietor if he knew a man in town by the name of Jones. "You mean that Seventh-day Advent, I presume?" "Yes," I said. "Well," said he, "you'll find him at the west end of Ball Street, in a small white cottage." "Thank you. Now pardon me," I said, "but would you kindly tell me what kind of man he is?" "Sure," he said, "he's all right. He's a poor man, but you can depend on what he says. I'd trust him as quick as I would our banker." As I left the store, I overheard the clerk remark, "I'll bet that fellow has an 'ax to grind.'" Indeed I had, but not of the kind he thought. A week later our tent was pitched, and the word went out that "Jones's preacher has come."

The first week of our meeting the attendance was small. However, a little later, our tent was well filled every evening with an interested audience. After about eight weeks of earnest labor, a company of twenty-five or thirty had accepted our faith. This company was later organized into a church, and Brother Jones was elected elder; for he had "a good report of them which are without."

Years ago this good old brother was laid to rest, but his works still follow him. This church has ever been a live, growing one, and each year witnesses some addition to its membership.

Now a report of this meeting was sent to our church paper, and many of our brethren said, "See what Brother Bliss has done!" But God said, "See what Brother Jones did!"

Peoria, Ill.