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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 23, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 43.

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Publishing Department

By E. M. GRAHAM

N. Z. TOWN - - - General Secretary W. W. EASTMAN - - - N. Am. Div. Secretary

Experiences in Home Missionary Work

IN Maryland recently a company numbering five persons was found, some of whom had been keeping the Sabbath about four years through reading our books. They are three miles from the Blythedale church, which has taken them under its care, organizing them into a branch Sabbath-school, and visiting them to further instruct them. Though these persons live only three miles from one of our churches, they did not know about it. Perhaps within a few miles of some of our other churches there are Sabbath-keepers, or people who would be Sabbath-keepers could they hear this truth. Search for them, brethren and sisters.
A brother writes: "I became acquainted with a man last summer who was working on the highway near my place. He seemed to know a good deal about our ideas of Bible truth. In a short time I called on the family and had a pleasant visit. I carried them some reading-matter, sang some gospel hymns with them, had a season of prayer, and left quite pleased with their response to my call. After a time I called again, taking the book 'Great Controversy,' which he bought. At his request I went twice again to see them. Their reception seemed rather cold, so I thought seriously of troubling them no more, but after praying for the family, concluded to go once again, and did so a short time ago, receiving a very cordial reception. At the man's request I explained some points of present truth. When I left, he gave me one dollar for the Ingathering fund; I had given him one of the papers. The family parted from me with tears in their eyes. I now consider them good subjects for labor."
This brother has found the secret of successful work. It is prayer and perseverance. Prayer, and persistent, kindly attention will unlock many hearts.
The chaplain of the Loma Linda Sanitarium writes: "The other evening at Sabbath vespers in the sanitarium parlor the Spirit of the Lord seemed to come near as we read the Word and sang praises. Nearly a dozen of the patients were present, and all seemed interested. After a short song service and prayer, we visited with one another, and finally one of the patients began asking questions as to the difference between us and other evangelistic churches.
"Several gathered round and listened as question after question on the different phases of our faith,—the Sabbath, state of the dead, punishment of the wicked, reward of the righteous, the resurrection, etc.,—was propounded and answered from the Bible. Never did I see persons drink in more readily the precious truth than did these dear souls. It opened an entirely new phase of the salvation offered us through Christ, although most of those present were members of some of the orthodox churches.
"It seems that the Spirit of God is preparing many souls to receive the truth. Our sanitariums are especially prepared of God to reach many who would not receive the truth in any other way."
In many reports that come to hand we find these words, "The Spirit of the Lord is preparing souls to receive the truth." Does not this indicate that the Lord is preparing to cut short his work in righteousness? E. M. GRAHAM.