The annual session of the Chesapeake Conference was held in connection with its camp-meeting at Chestertown, Md., September 18-28. The camp was pitched on the grounds where the camp-meeting was held about three years previous. There was a good attendance of our brethren, and also of the people of the city when the weather was favorable. The interest developed so well that it was found necessary to leave a laborer.
An excellent spirit prevailed throughout all the meetings, and the Spirit of God was present to add his blessing. The revival meetings on both the first and second Sabbaths were witnessed to by the presence of the Spirit of God, and many souls found relief in a living Saviour. The truth, as presented each night from the pulpit, met with a hearty response on the part of the audience, and altogether we can say that it was indeed a blessed and profitable meeting.
The report of the president noted advancement in all phases of the work the past year. There was an increase of about $1,600 tithe, and a splendid increase in the amount of foreign mission offerings, over the preceding year. There was also an encouraging growth in the membership of the conference.
The business affairs of the conference moved off harmoniously and profitably. One morning was devoted entirely to the Harvest Ingathering campaign, and the brethren present from the churches subscribed for nine thousand extra copies of the special number of the REVIEW AND HERALD. A meeting devoted entirely to educational matters saw a large number of young people expressing a definite intention to go to the educational institution of the Columbia Union Conference.
Elder Roscoe T. Baer was called again to the presidency of the Chesapeake Conference, and the other officers who served the conference the past year were re-elected.
It is very pleasing to note the activity that is manifested in this conference in raising up memorials for the truth of God. The brethren at Fords Store, Md., have just finished putting up a new edifice to meet their demands. The brethren at Rock Hall have done the same. Through the labors of Elder F. W. Paap, there has been dedicated in the city of Baltimore a new brick building valued at about $15,000. Elder R. H. Martin is also conducting a campaign for the erection of a church building at Wilmington, and on the second of November a church building will be dedicated at Hagerstown, Md., where Brother Peden has been working. Still another church building is to be erected at Whiteisville, Md.
Besides the regular union laborers, there were present Elders W. A. Spicer and C. S. Longacre, Brother A. J. S. Bourdeau, and Dr. H. W. Miller of the Washington Sanitarium. We believe that the prospects for the work in the Chesapeake Conference this coming year are indeed good.
B. G. WILKINSON.
Seeking for Light
By Cicero Holland
Five years ago I borrowed “Coming King” from a friend. After reading it I tried to purchase it, but the woman did not wish to part with the book. I believed much that I read, and was especially impressed with the doctrine of Christ’s second advent.
Shortly after the book was returned to its owner, we moved to another place, but it seemed that I could not forget the “Coming King.” I hungered and thirsted for something better in the way of Christian experience than I then enjoyed, and asked every agent who came to my door if he knew of the book.
Months passed, and still I prayed for light and longed for peace with God. Today I praise the Lord for answering that prayer. I was finally able to secure a copy of “Daniel and the Revelation.” The canvasser who sold me that, of course, was acquainted with the other book I so much desired to procure. Through his efforts we were led to accept the third angel’s message, and today rejoice in the love of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour.
CICERO HOLLAND.
Pennsylvania
By M. G. Wallace
PHILADELPHIA.—On October 5, two new believers were baptized and united with the First African Seventh-day Adventist Church at this place. Slowly but surely the Lord is sending us new recruits, but we know that “to the true and the faithful victory is promised through grace.” For this reason we are very courageous, and seek to improve every opportunity for holding Bible readings or of meeting the people in other ways.
There are many colored people in the southern part of the city, where we are now working, and we have much opposition to meet. We thank God that he does not leave us alone, and we find strength in the promise, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” We ask an interest in your prayers. M. G. WALLACE.
Japanese Experiences
“LAST summer my brother-in-law,” writes one of our native workers in Japan, “a young man about twenty years old, came to Tokio to study to become a novelist. He had seemed to be proof against any influences his elder brother could bring to win his interest in the serious things of life. After he came to us, he began to listen to our study of the Bible, and soon was willing to study it with us. One day I found him painting the borders of an envelope addressed to his elder brother, black.
‘What are you doing that for?’ I asked; ‘you are not in mourning.’
‘I am convicted of my sins,’ he said; ‘and I must die to sin so that I may become a new creature in Christ Jesus. I am writing to my brother and telling him that my old life is dead, and from this time I am going to be a new man, with God’s help.’ He is now in our training-school, earnestly studying the Bible, with new desires and a new aim in life.”
A New Name
By D. W. Reavis
THE REVIEW AND HERALD having had so many appropriate titles given it by its appreciative readers, it has been difficult for some time to coin a new name; but recently one of our subscribers sent for the renewal of “God’s Blessed Paper.” The REVIEW was sent, and proved to be the paper the person wanted.
The REVIEW is, in fact, deserving of this title, because it keeps its readers intelligent upon all phases of our special work in all parts of the world, strengthens faith, and fortifies our people against discouragements in the performance of life’s daily duties. It is an impelling force in our denominational work, always imparting spiritual vitality in the life, and creating a working devotion in the promotion and the support of the message. It keeps our members in trying times from the common tendency to complain, to criticize, and to imbibe unbelief, and is in many ways “a keeper of the flock,”—a faithful, ordained minister,—the voice of the great advent movement throughout the world.
D. W. REAVIS.
Field Notes
THE Benton Harbor (Mich.) church recently received five new believers into membership.
RECENTLY a company of seventeen Sabbath-keepers has been raised up in Huntsville, Ala.
THE workers at Salmon, Idaho, were privileged to baptize fourteen persons on a recent Sabbath.
ELDER J. W. McCOMAS reports twelve new members received into the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) church last month.
ELDER H. BLOCK writes of the baptism of six German brethren and sisters, who have just accepted the truth at St. Johns, western Oregon.
As the result of a tent effort conducted in Syracuse, Ill., the past summer, twenty persons have accepted the third angel's message.
THERE are six new believers at Portsmouth, Va., and Elder J. B. Mallory reports twenty-one as accepting the truth among the colored people of that city.
SEVEN persons have united with the Cincinnati (Ohio) church by baptism. Four new believers have joined the company of colored brethren in that place.
IN Indiana, a few weeks ago, three persons were baptized at the Wabash Valley Sanitarium, and ten added to the church at Anderson. Five persons in Scircleville have commenced the observance of the Sabbath.
THE Elmira (N. Y.) tent effort has resulted in the baptism of eight new believers. Elder J. K. Humphrey, who has been in charge of the Afro-American tent in New York City, baptized thirty-one converts recently. Thirteen accepted the truth during the German tent-meetings, and five from the Danish-Norwegian effort.
The Solution of the Problem
By E. M. GRAHAM
WE have a wealth of periodical literature with which to meet many needs. There is the weekly Signs of the Times, for years our only missionary paper; the Signs of the Times Magazine and the Watchman, which appeal so strongly to men and women whose attention is attracted by the events taking place in the world, by showing the relation of these events to Bible prophecies; Life and Health, which deals with physical reformation; Liberty, on a subject dear especially to Americans, and to others, too; the Protestant Magazine, showing the danger which threatens this country from the aggressions of Rome, which should appeal to all thinking Protestants; the Youth's Instructor, a most excellent young people's paper, one which many people of the world would welcome into their homes; and Our Little Friend, for the children, a paper which is worthy of introduction to many more little ones.
In foreign periodicals we have Evangeliets Sendebud and Lys Over Landet for the Danish-Norwegians; Christlicher Hausfreund, Deutscher Arbeiter, Der Jugendbote, and Die Zeichen der Zeit for the Germans; Tidens Tecken och Sions Vaktare for the Swedish people, all published in this country.
On the one hand, are these magazines and papers, English and foreign, designed to meet many issues; on the other hand, the people who need the saving truths these periodicals contain. How shall they be brought together?
Here is the answer: “Our periodicals are to be distributed by men and women of all stations and walks in life. Young and old are to act a part. . . . Let every one professing the name of Christ act a part in sending forth the message. The end of all things is at hand; ‘prepare to meet thy God.’ Our publications should go everywhere. The circulation of our periodicals should be greatly increased.”—“A Call to Service, Mrs. E. G. White.”
Here is the Lord's solution of the problem: but he is dependent on his people for the solution to be made effective, for to them he has entrusted this work. Surely he will not depend on them in vain, for those who love him will gladly do their part to place the periodicals in the hands of the people.
E. M. GRAHAM.
Back Numbers of Periodicals and Magazines
By E. M. Graham
It has been found that the free distribution of back numbers of periodicals and magazines to the general public is detrimental to the sale of these papers. People are more likely to read the literature they buy than that which is given them, and they value it more highly.
There are ways, however, in which the back numbers may be profitably used. There are poorhouses, hospitals, and other institutions where the poor receive care. These back numbers can be given away in such places, and will usually be gladly received, as generally speaking, there is no superabundance of reading-matter in these places. Our magazines and papers are peculiarly suited for use in such places, as they are light in weight and therefore easily handled by the feeble ones.
In some places there are prisons where gifts of reading-matter are allowed. The back numbers of our magazines and papers can be used in these places, and advantage should be taken of every such opportunity.
These back numbers can also be used in distributors in depot waiting-rooms and other public places. They may be placed on steam-boats and sailing vessels in the seaport towns.
None of our message-filled literature should be wasted. There are always ways whereby it can be profitably used, and who knows which will prosper?
E. M. GRAHAM.
Some Experiences in Periodical Work
By G. C. HOSKIN
One interested sister, in sending her subscription for the Signs, says: “My husband and I never heard a sermon until last summer, when we attended the camp-meeting at Fort Scott, Kans. We have been keeping the Sabbath five years as a result of reading Adventist literature.”
Another subscriber accompanies his renewal with the following little note: “I was preparing myself for the Presbyterian ministry, but now love the third angel’s message much better. I have been studying the Seventh-day Adventist doctrine for about four years, and I believe they have the most Bible truth. I expect to unite with this denomination.”
An individual who had evidently received a copy of the paper in some way and desired more copies writes as follows: “Find enclosed fifty cents, for which send me your paper Signs of the Times for three months as a trial subscription. Having read some of Mrs. E. G. White’s books and a recent issue of your paper, I have become interested.”
The splendid results of our missionary literature can be seen from this: “Am happy to say that I have seen some good results from the distribution of the Signs and tracts. I mailed copies of the Signs and tracts, followed by a six-month subscription to the Signs, to my former professor, who is now an eminent lawyer and judge, requesting him to pass them on to others. I have just been informed that a series of meetings is wanted at that place.”
This one shows some of the results of our paper when sent to outsiders: “One of our brethren, while down-town one day, got in conversation with a man on some of the live topics of today. This man expressed himself as believing that the world is getting worse, and made remarks which showed that he had been reading some of our literature. After talking with him for some time, this brother asked him where he got such ideas, and he said that he had been reading the Signs of the Times, and that he thought it one of the best papers published. His subscription had expired at the time, but he said he expected to renew soon.”
One of our ministers in Southern California, in telling of an incident that came1082to his notice, relates this experience: “One earnest Catholic believer, by the use of one copy of the Signs of the Times containing an article on the second coming of Christ, in his own peculiar way of working and with his thorough understanding of the Catholic mind, persuaded seventeen of his fellow Catholics to take their stand for this great message.”
Here is another extract from a letter that shows the influence of the Signs in pioneer work: “I can highly recommend your paper. I enjoy reading it, and think it a good paper to get before the public. I haven’t quit taking it because I didn’t like it, but since accepting the message, I have bought in the neighborhood of one hundred dollars’ worth of books, all of the cheapest bindings, so you may know that I have several to go through. I appreciate the paper very much, and thank the Lord many times for it. I know it has helped me more than once. When I first accepted this message, doubt sometimes came to my mind, but I could always find something to relieve it in the Signs. I don’t believe that a better paper could get before the public, or into the hands of a new beginner in this last message of mercy.”
One of our field agents sent us the following: “The Signs was one of the prime factors in bringing me into the truth fifteen years ago. An old gentleman living near Shields, N. Dak., a neighbor of my father, when helping father dig some potatoes one day last fall, said, ‘Say, George, some one sends me a paper every little while that is the best thing on religious themes and Bible study that I have ever seen.’ ‘What is the name of the paper?’ said father; ‘would you know the name of the paper if you heard it?’ ‘Yes, I think so.’ ‘Is it the REVIEW AND HERALD?’ ‘No.’ ‘Is it the Signs of the Times?’ ‘Yes, that’s it, that’s it.’ This old man has a married daughter who is just about ready to accept the truth as a result of reading the Signs and other of our publications, and the old gentleman thinks it a dreadful thing; but, the source unknown, he thinks the papers are splendid. The daughter sends the papers. Let the good work go on. Yes, I expect to handle some of the Signs Magazine this year.”
Here is the last one that came to our attention: A sister had been sending the Signs to a family of her relatives, and you can imagine her joy at receiving this letter from her niece: “I liked those little tracts you sent, and how I do love that paper Signs of the Times! There seems to be so much life in it, and it is just the paper I have always wanted. Someway other religious papers seem so cold and distant and I could never get interested, but this dear little paper, I think, could be called the heart paper. It seems to touch a chord that no other religious paper has ever seemed to touch. I was afraid the trouble was with me, and it worried me quite a good deal; but now I see it is the contents of the paper, or rather the tender, loving way in which the contents of the Signs are written, making Christ seem more like an elder brother.”
To close, here is a quotation from a paper written by Mrs. E. G. White, and read at the publishers’ convention of Oct. 3–10, 1906: “Our missionary paper the Signs of the Times is doing its work everywhere, and is opening the way for the truth to be more fully presented. This paper has been made a blessing to very many souls. In the Christian world there are many starving for the bread of life. The Signs of the Times, laden with rich food, is a feast to many who are not of our faith. Our brethren do not all see and realize the importance of this paper; if they did, they would feel a greater personal interest to make it intensely interesting, and then to circulate it everywhere.”
G. C. HOSKIN.
NOTE.—These experiences are from work with the Signs only, but if time would permit, we could give equally interesting and encouraging items from work with other papers and magazines.
The Fourth Sabbath Home Missionary Service, Nov. 22, 1913
READING: “Back Numbers of Periodicals and Magazines.”
SONG: “Christ in Song,” No. 200; or special music.
READING: “Some Experiences in Periodical Work.”
PLANS FOR WORK.
COLLECTION for home missionary work.
CLOSING SONG: “Christ in Song,” No. 96.
BENEDICTION.
Work With Periodicals
By Ellen G. White
If all would realize the necessity of doing to the utmost of their ability in the work of God, having a deep love for souls, feeling the burden of the work as a weight upon them, we should see hundreds engaged as active workers who have hitherto been dull and uninterested, accomplishing nothing. They have felt that “I will not do anything;” there was nothing of importance in this tract and missionary work—nothing worthy of their special interest. Yet it is a fact that the circulation of our papers is doing even a greater work than the living preacher can do. All can do something. Some can do more than others, but all should become intelligent as to how they can work most successfully and methodically in spreading the light of truth, by scattering our publications. We meet with old and young who profess to be children of God, yet who have not grown an inch for years. A Christian indeed will grow in knowledge of the truth; and as he is sanctified through the truth, he will become more and more like Jesus, and more desirous to save souls, the purchase of his blood.
Our sisters have been too willing to excuse themselves from bearing responsibilities which require thought and close application of the mind; yet this is the very discipline they need to perfect Christian experience. They may be workers in the missionary field, having a personal interest in the distribution of tracts and papers which correctly represent our faith. All cannot go abroad to labor, but all can do something at home.
MRS. E. G. WHITE.
Church Missionary Work
By Sharlot M. Hall
My Prayer
SHARLOT M. HALL
Not that there be less to bear,
Not that there be more to share,
But for braver heart for bearing,
But for freer heart for sharing,
Here I pray.
Not for scenes of richer beauty,
Not for paths of lighter duty,
But for clearer eyes for seeing,
Gentler hands, more patient being,
Every day.
Not that joy and peace enfold me,
Not that wealth and pleasure hold me,
But that I may dry a tear,
Speak a word of strength and cheer
On the way.
— N. Y. Observer.
“The Sound of a Going”
By W. E. H.
There is an unusual sound of going among our schools this fall, if I interpret correctly the news items that keep percolating through my correspondence.
The students and teachers of Walla Walla College have been going out to share in the Harvest Ingathering. One excellent feature about their work is that they had system and order in their effort, elements too often lacking in school movements of this kind. President Kellogg says that they began organizing about a week before they went out, choosing leaders, and forming bands of about eight each. He says: “Some time was given for them to meet and consider the work. We had a general meeting the night before we went out. Nearly all connected with the school took some part. We went to the surrounding country, and to a number of the outlying towns. About fifteen hundred papers were distributed, and approximately $150 collected for missions. All took hold of the work with enthusiasm and earnestness. We hoped to reach the twenty-cent mark, but as you will see from the above, we did not succeed in this. There were many profitable experiences, and altogether we feel well pleased with the results.”
From Mount Vernon College, President Salisbury writes that during the week he was away attending the council in Takoma Park, eight new students were enrolled, bringing the total up to 178. There is a sound of students still going to Mount Vernon.
From the Pacific Coast word comes that the enrolment in Pacific Union College has reached an even 200, with 90 young men and 70 young women in the dormitories. President Irwin writes that in the college grades proper, there has been an increase of more than one hundred per cent over last year; that school has been going nearly a month, and that they seem in the main to have a very good class of students.
From Principal Machlan I learned, the one day he was at the council, that South Lancaster Academy has enrolled 250, with the dormitories overflowing into village homes. This brings a strong temptation to add another building, but our conservative New England brethren are going to move cautiously in the matter of investing more money just now.
From Royal Academy in Oregon comes word from Principal Airey that the school opened with a good attendance, notwithstanding the fact that there were a number of cases of whooping-cough in the community; also that the enrolment of a good class of students is steadily increasing since, with an excellent spiritual interest, and prospects of a good year.
From the Southern Training-school, Principal Stone writes that on their opening day the attendance was over fifty per cent larger than a year ago. His report will be found on page 19.
From available sources the present enrolment of four colleges and one academy are given herewith in tabulated form.
When David, the leader of Israel, inquired of the Lord whether or not he should attack the Philistines, of whom the valley of Rephaim lay full, he was given, as a signal to go forward, the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry-trees near his camp. When he should hear this, the word was, “Bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.” Well may the leaders of Israel today rejoice to hear the sound of a going among our schools, for it is none other than the Spirit of the Lord stirring the hearts of our sturdy youth to go up19to these training-centers to qualify for the forward advent movement, already past due. W. E. H.
Plans for Work
Now the matter is before you. In our offices are the papers, in the field are the people, and in our churches are those who can bring these together, to the saving of some honest souls and the warning of others. What shall we do about it? Shall we not, here and now, do our part to bridge the gulf and to show the Lord he has not depended on us in vain, by arranging to take a certain number of periodicals or magazines each week? Now is the time to act, for soon it will be forever too late.
NOTE FOR LEADER.— Orders should here be taken for clubs of these periodicals and magazines. Let the missionary secretary be ready with note-book and pencil to take down the names of those ordering and the number of papers wanted.
The School Roster
ACADEMIC
COLLEGE
TOTAL
Union College
215 (217)1
100 (92)
315 (309)
South Lancaster Academy
150 (188)
100 (62)
250 (250)
Pacific Union College
140 (99)
60 (25)
200 (124)
Emanuel Missionary College
125 (152)
65 (57)
190 (209)
Mount Vernon College
137 (131)
41 (16)
178 (147)
Totals
767 (787)
366 (252)
1133 (1039)
Educational Department
By John L. Shaw; William E. Howell
J. L. SHAWGeneral SecretaryW. E. HOWELLN. Am. Div. Asst. Secretary
Foreign and miscellaneous ........................
9560
956.00
400.40
FOREIGN UNION CONFERENCES AND MISSIONS
British
69
8488
4122.96
3920.24
133061
2700.03
2742.85
Australasian
75
4883
8692.95
6763.75
....
2246.34
1907.37
South African
12
980
1346.64
983.56
....
.....
133.68
Indian
31
4672
578.46
587.90
....
.....
82.92
Scandinavian
144
22519
11155.95
6510.79
5203
320.87
510.46
East German
95
9295
2694.19
10770.00
55550
1526.38
4890.30
West German
108
9950
2756.96
.....
56761
1532.05
.....
Danube
36
3544
801.38
.....
3855
.....
.....
Central European
90
9145
2935.48
.....
22199
596.15
.....
Russian
22
....
1201.02
1334.76
....
8.32
.....
Siberian
6
....
332.07
.....
....
.....
.....
Latin
5
293
386.61
423.98
3617
91.46
111.63
Mexican
..
....
.....
.....
....
.....
157.28
Porto Rico
..
....
.....
319.40
....
.....
.....
Cuba
10
322
854.10
559.40
552
50.90
11.89
West Caribbean
5
....
638.23
977.92
2402
168.40
190.94
Philippine Is.
..
....
.....
246.88
....
.....
.....
Levant
12
764
61.84
108.68
....
.....
.....
Korean
..
....
3.90
.....
....
57.30
.....
South American
19
1071
1405.70
4226.19
232
180.15
117.61
Japan
9
696
11.56
.53
1825
59.60
32.18
Totals, foreign
748
76622
39980.00
37733.98
285257
9537.95
10889.11
Totals, N. Am.
590
35903
33752.12
29817.72
127017
12701.70
14547.80
Grand totals
1338
112525
$73732.12
$67551.70
412274
$22239.65
$25436.91
Comparative Book Summary
1908
1909
1910
1911
1912
1913
Jan. ....
$25,929.06
$40,677.06
$42,532.23
$44,495.65
$53,931.97
$64,262.88
Feb. ....
30,466.40
48,748.21
50,990.34
53,923.57
53,525.18
62,813.12
March ...
35,757.15
52,703.85
55,711.55
73,015.56
73,374.99
66,640.42
April ...
43,858.29
55,109.54
64,042.39
73,548.31
73,027.32
73,520.45
May ....
67,455.44
82,971.94
86,333.58
81,923.78
94,166.15
101,640.01
June ....
82,878.67
124,412.34
112,606.05
135,888.76
137,838.38
139,217.06
July ....
120,973.89
95,445.21
103,919.12
127,256.86
156,166.90
140,576.74
Aug. ....
66,946.38
71,652.07
91,145.11
91,810.46
103,165.60
111,660.64
Sept. ...
51,148.56
55,625.41
66,523.65
86,001.72
67,551.70
73,732.12
Oct. ....
62,719.91
52,669.93
62,461.13
81,367.89
70,219.07
Nov. ....
53,787.31
49,064.99
58,211.68
67,600.00
77,424.87
Dec. ....
39,873.18
45,759.73
54,663.93
58,386.24
57,291.91
Totals
$681,794.24
$775,741.18
$849,140.76
$976,218.80
$1,017,684.13
Comparative Summary of American Periodicals
1910
1911
1912
1913
1910
1911
1912
1913
Jan.1
86462
122202
121666
177080
Aug.
152520
215773
183119
153849
Feb.
116198
99234
144257
201659
Sept.
120020
135179
173077
127017
March
132165
244003
207520
166499
Oct.
116157
164537
587830
April
183981
192757
189498
152088
Nov.
102795
110326
108755
May
174886
141204
162220
166465
Dec.
99137
98541
111199
June
193727
145025
163120
156550
July
222146
197582
191937
176772
Totals.
1703194
1866363
2344207
: Multiply number of magazines in any month by ten cents to get value.
The Lord’s Guidance to Honest Souls
By E. M. Graham
FROM a brother in the State of Washington we have another evidence of the way in which the Lord is guiding our people to the honest-hearted ones. His account of this experience is as follows:—
“A few months ago, having been trying to think of some way that I might help to advance the cause, I dreamed that a neighbor of mine, whose family consists of himself, wife, grown daughter, and boy of eleven years, was in my presence, and asked me to express to him my opinion of the state of the dead. I told him that my opinion was of no importance whatever, but asked what was his opinion. He gave the popular view as20his opinion, and again requested that I give mine. I refused to give my opinion, but said I should be willing to show him what the Bible said on the subject. He asked me to do so, and expressed himself as astonished to see such things in the Bible, and said that the explanation was the most reasonable he had ever seen or heard. The dream then ended and I awoke.
“From the time of waking there was a strong impression on my mind, as if some person in authority had spoken to me, that I should go and hold Bible readings with that family. This impression continued for weeks, ever growing stronger. I had visited the family only in a business way, and had never talked on Bible subjects with any of them, and how could I go and hold Bible readings with them? But after weeks had passed, I concluded to go.
“The daughter was doing domestic work away from home. One day I took my Bible and called at the house. I found them engaged in a game with a neighbor who had called in for the evening. So after visiting awhile I returned home. But the impression that I should hold Bible readings with that family would give me no rest. In about a week I went again, and again I was hindered, and could do nothing but visit awhile and return home. In obedience to the impression, which had grown stronger, I went again in about another week. These people are Norwegians, and at this visit the daughter was at home, and there was nothing to hinder holding a Bible reading.
“After visiting for a few minutes, I said to the daughter, ‘Ruth, can you read Norwegian?’ ‘Yes,’ was her reply. ‘I wish you would get your father’s Bible, and show me how John 3:16 reads.’ She got the Bible, and the whole family sat around the kitchen-table and listened. After calling attention to the last part of the verse, I took them to Luke 18:30 (last part); 2 Peter 3:13; Isa. 65:17-25, all the while leaving the impression that they were teaching me. In this way I gave them a Bible reading on the ‘home of the saved’ before they knew it. When I had finished that subject, the one came up that was before us in the dream, and the talk and study of it were practically just as I had dreamed. Thus the dear Lord showed me how to go before these people and open the Scriptures to them. I have tried the same plan in other families, and, as in this case, it has resulted in a cordial invitation to come and hold more studies.
“A short time ago I stepped into a strange house to get shelter from the rain. The woman, with her children, sat down to entertain me. I asked if we might not have a little Bible study while the rain lasted. Having their consent, I requested them to get their Bibles, and I gave them a study on the ‘home of the saved.’ The woman expressed herself as being surprised to read such things in the Bible, but said that such a home would be a great deal better than the one that popular theology tells about.”
These experiences remind us of these words: “Find access to the people in whose neighborhood you live. As you tell them of the truth, use words of Christ-like sympathy. Remember that the Lord1085Jesus is the Master Worker. He waters the seed sown. He puts into your minds words that will reach hearts. Expect that God will sustain the consecrated, unselfish worker.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, page 41.