Sumatra by G. Wood

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 19, 1914

Sumatra

By G. Wood

WE are thankful for the spirit of liberality we find manifested here, and are hoping to have some go forward in baptism when Elders R. C. Porter and F. A. Detamore visit us about the end of the year. Our greatest success, so far, has been among the Chinese- and Malay-speaking people generally. But how to reach the thirty millions of the native population is still a problem.

I have recently engaged a Javanese Christian as my teacher, and he has assisted me in translating studies, which he told me the other night he appreciated. He is a young man who has an independent mind; he does not blindly follow the teachings of others, but thinks for himself. He is editor of one of the Malay newspapers here. I know you will join us in praying that our association with him may help him to see the truth for this time.

Mrs. Wood has a number of readers, several Chinese women among them. One humble Dutch family who are walking in the light as far as they know it, pay tithe and attend Sabbath meetings. A Chinese family that I have been laboring with have recently taken hold earnestly. For some weeks I felt anxious about them, but two Sabbaths ago this man and his wife, accompanied by his brother, came first to our prayer meeting and then to our Sabbath services. He has had an unexpected trial by having done little business for some days. One day he took in but four cents American money, instead of four dollars as he was accustomed to doing. But they are all of good courage, and we help them to draw words of comfort and encouragement from God's Word. G. WOOD.