A Happy Meeting by T. G. Belton

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 14, 1914

A Happy Meeting

By T. G. Belton

While canvassing for "Bible Readings" last summer in a pretty little village in Westmoreland, I was asked if I had seen a certain Mr. S—, a signalman, and an occasional preacher and church worker. I had not, but it was not long before I made my way along the line to the signal box where he was on duty. I had no sooner introduced myself and my book than he surprised me with the question, "Which day do you keep as the Sabbath?" "The seventh," I replied. "So do I," was his unexpected response, as he dipped into his bunker for a battered copy of an edition of "Bible Readings" published about thirty years ago. This book had been given him by a relative who had been over on a visit from Australia. This gentleman had also spoken to Mr. S— about the Bible Sabbath and other subjects, and his words proved to be seed sown in good ground; for Mr. S— studied his "Bible Readings" and his Bible, and as a result accepted many Bible truths which previously he had not understood. One of these was baptism. There was a Baptist church in the village, whose baptistery had not been called into use for about thirteen years, and Mr. S—, on learning the Bible teaching concerning baptism, went to the Baptist minister and arranged to be baptized. The baptism was a great event, the villagers assembling to listen to a rousing sermon on baptism. A paragraph was devoted to the event in the county newspaper. The example of Mr. S— was followed by his mother, two sisters, and two or three other persons.

In his employment as a signalman, however, he had to be on duty on Saturday; but he excused himself on the ground that when he was a Sunday keeper he sometimes had to work on Sunday. But he gradually came to see more and more that he ought to stand out boldly and keep the Sabbath under all circumstances; and since my interview with him, having been offered work in Australia by the relative who had visited him, he has sold his home, and with his mother and sisters has sailed to his new home beyond the seas, where he will have liberty to keep the Sabbath.

T. G. BELTON.