Suggestions for Extending the Circulation of Our Papers
By D. T. BOURDEAU
D. T. BOURDEAU
EVERY one professing faith in present truth should hail with joy the present movement for extending the circulation of our periodicals, and should give a practical answer to this question: How can I help forward this movement which must contribute to the furtherance of the glorious work of the third angel's message? It is hoped the following suggestions will help in returning a proper answer to this question.
1. Pray for those who prepare matter for our papers, that they may with cheerfulness, wisdom, and power present the very truths the people need. Pray that you may secure many subscribers for these periodicals. Great wisdom is required to do this work in such a manner as to secure the most telling and encouraging results. Different temperaments, conditions, and circumstances have to be met, and earnest and persevering prayers should be offered with full confidence that God is willing to hear the petitions offered to him for the success of his work in the earth, and to remove every difficulty in our way. As we pray, we must bear in mind that prayers are ineffectual if no special effort is put forth comporting therewith. As we pray, we must think, plan, and work. The greatest drawback that can come to any enterprise is inactivity on the part of those who pretend to be its friends and supporters. There is danger with not a few of shrinking before prompt and hard work because it costs much to perform it. There is where selfishness often comes in, and the greatest blessings are lost. The richest blessings are received in doing that which costs us the most. Could we be saved to-day if Christ had not undertaken our salvation at an infinite cost and sacrifice? Let us, therefore, get out of self and into Christ, and do the work that now occupies our attention, remembering that to wait for a more convenient season, for an easier time, is an excuse of Satan's own invention to keep us from doing what we ought to do immediately.
2. In harmony with the Scriptural exhortation, “Let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith,” first labor to lead those who profess faith in the final gospel message and claim to belong to God's remnant people, to take our papers and go immediately to work in getting others to subscribe for them. Thus we shall be putting out our talents to the exchangers by increasing the number of workers for the glorious object in view.
3. With due regard for what the Scriptures say on honoring sacred things bearing the marks of age and priority of existence, and taking in the sense of the Scriptural injunction, Render, therefore, honor to whom honor is due, in which is couched a principle which is applicable to things as well as to individuals, stir up your own veneration and respect, and those of like faith, in favor of our oldest paper, our church paper, THE ADVENT REVIEW AND SABBATH HERALD, and first get as many of our own people to subscribe for it as you can, not in the least neglecting our other good papers, which have their special and important missions to fill.
4. Let our ministers and workers stir up believers on this subject in brief, pointed, spicy speeches in public services, defining the respective missions of our different papers, giving an idea of their plans and objects, and quoting from them, especially from the one that they make the special topic for the occasion. Let such services be followed by testimony meetings, giving all full liberty to say something in their own way in favor of our papers, especially encouraging the narration of the experience and the benefits they and others have derived from reading these periodicals. Make this matter a heart-to-heart work by speaking to each separately, especially at his home, where you will have opportunity to inquire into his financial and spiritual condition, and to observe whether there are any obstacles in the way of his taking our papers, and, if there is, to help him in removing them. Our workers should discriminate between the financial conditions of those with whom they work, and not urge those who are cramped financially to take all our papers at one time. With such recommend the good old REVIEW, or the Little Friend; if dealing with little ones, or the Youth's Instructor for the youth. The latter paper can be wisely used with some as an aid in securing their subscription for some of our more advanced papers; and the same is true of the Life Boat and Life and Health.
5. Let all our people go to those whom they are canvassing, with words of courage and good cheer, and never indulge in words bordering onto scolding, even when dealing with delinquents. A face radiant with joy and cheerful with encouraging words usually meets with good favor, and is generally productive of good results; while a frowning face, faultfinding, overurging, and drumming, however good the motive that prompts them and the object in view, are passive, and very often seriously mar the11work, and hinder or defeat its accomplishment. Forced obedience is agreeable neither to God nor to those who view things as God views them. Let us, therefore, not speak nor act in such a way as to cause those whom we are canvassing for our papers or other literature to think that we are forcing them to subscribe. Let us rather, in presenting the attractions and inestimable value of the literature we offer, call for willing, cheerful volunteers, and manifest the principles couched in the proverb, “He that winneth souls is wise.” When a yearly subscription can not be obtained, try for a shorter period; and when a short-time subscription is taken, the reader should be visited and encouraged to extend his subscription to a year. This means, of course, that you are to follow up all your subscribers, and to do in each case as the faithful shepherd does with his sheep.
6. Recognizing, as far as possible, the fact that to him who digs for his spiritual food and pays for it, it is sweet and appreciated, induce those whom you are canvassing to pay for their papers. But even as you do this, you will meet those whose circumstances are such that they can not pay down for the paper; and they will want it very much, and will promise to give the amount needed as soon as possible. You will also meet honest people who hunger and thirst for the very truths contained in the papers, but who feel that they can not promise to pay for them. What can be done under such circumstances? Shall we deprive these hungry, starving souls of the message-filled papers lest we shall have to sacrifice something? If we are to be workers for Christ, we can not refuse the poor the gospel, though it costs us something to give it to them. Few lose anything by becoming responsible, to the extent of their ability, for the subscriptions of these poor people. When they can do no more as individuals, appeal should be made to the church, and the literature be provided from a missionary fund, which should always be bountifully maintained in every society. Never permit honest, hungry, starving souls to perish for want of spiritual food. In this very work the Lord tests you to see whether you love your neighbor as yourself. Will you stand the test?
The Sabbath and the Creator
By Cyrus Simmons
CYRUS SIMMONS
The word “Shabath,” or “Sabbath,” signifies rest. It is the name given by God to the seventh day of the week. “But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Ex. 20:10. “The seventh day” and “the Sabbath” are interchangeable expressions used by God to mean the same day. “And rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Ex. 20:11. Therefore the word “Sabbath,” according to divine authority, can not be properly applied to any other but the seventh day of the week, because that is the only day that has been hallowed by the rest and the presence of God.
The Sabbath means more than the rest obtained by cessation from physical and mental labor. It means God’s rest, the rest that only God can give. Hence in a special and sacred way this day belongs to him. He calls it “my holy day.” Isa. 58:13. Since only from him we can obtain that saving rest signified by the Sabbath, Jesus invites us, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28. “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” Heb. 4:1. “For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, and God did rest the seventh day from all his works.” “And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.” Heb. 4:4, 5. “There remaineth therefore a Sabbath rest” (R. V.), or, margin, “a keeping of a Sabbath to the people of God.” “For he that is entered into his rest [that is, God’s rest], he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” Heb. 4:9, 10. It is evident that the rest which God wishes us to see in, and to get out of, the Sabbath is not our own rest, but his rest which pertains to salvation.
The commemoration of the Sabbath is enjoined as a memorial of God’s creation of the world. “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, . . . for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth,” etc. Ex. 20:8, 11. It is a sign of his re-creation or redemption of man. “Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep; for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.” Ex. 31:13.
Thus “the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity” (Isa. 57:15) has made the Sabbath to mark the weekly cycles of time, and to proclaim not only the almightiness of God in the creation of the worlds, but his wonderful love in the re-creation, or redemption, of man. Remember, “The Sabbath day was made” (Mark 2:27), not simply appointed or set apart, or designated. It was made by Christ; “therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:28. It was made by the God who lived before the first day was spoken into existence: “Before the day was I am he.” Isa. 43:13. The conclusion is inevitable that it takes the God who can create, who can make his covenant with day and night, who can appoint “the ordinances of heaven and earth” (Jer. 33:25), to be able to make the Sabbath day.
The Lord speaks in prophecy of a power that would arise that would think to change his law. Dan. 7:25. The papacy admits that it has changed the law of God by instituting Sunday, the first day of the week, for the Sabbath, instead of the seventh day. Many of the Christian world accept this change by keeping Sunday. When we consider the Godlike, omnipotent, and creative power associated with, and necessary for, the creation of the Sabbath, how is it possible for us to place any sanctity or sacredness in, or find any divine authority for, the observance of a weekly rest day appointed by man? Instead of worshiping God by keeping Sunday are we not meeting the disapprobation of Heaven by trampling under foot the Sabbath, the very day that God has made to commemorate the creative power of its Author? Can we enter into God’s rest if we do not keep his rest day, or the Sabbath? Do we really believe that he is the Creator and Redeemer of the world, if we do not “remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy”? Ex. 20:8.
Laboring in Prayer
By T. E. BOWEN
T. E. BOWEN
God looks not on the outward appearance. He looks upon the heart. Among men, he is counted as the most valued laborer who can make the most brilliant speech, and sway an audience by his powerful words. No doubt these are great gifts, and can be used by the Masterworkman to good advantage when fully consecrated to him.
The Lord also regards as very precious other ways of laboring not always appreciated by men. Paul, the great missionary, associated with himself men who knew how to pray. He counted as valuable help that brother who knew the secret of pleading with God until the evidence was obtained that Heaven heard, and the answer was coming.
Such a laborer he found in Epaphras. Speaking of him, in writing to the Colossians, he says: “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” Col. 4: 12.
What a beautiful testimony! He was an earnest laborer for others in prayer. After all, we judge one another not so much by what is said, but by the connection maintained with Heaven in prayer.
No one is shut out from this kind of labor. The aged pilgrim, too feeble to brave the storms any more, can go into his closet, and there on his knees carry on the same work Moses did on the mountain, when Aaron and Hur supported his hands toward heaven, while the victorious armies of Israel, led by Joshua, were fighting the battles of the Lord on the plains below.
Many are the victories through prayer. By the prayer of Elijah the heavens were restrained from giving rain for three and one-half years, and again they gave rain abundantly in answer to prayer.
Near the close of Israel’s captivity, in answer to the prayer of Daniel, God sent a leader to bring his people back to their beloved land and city.
It was the night of wrestling in prayer that brought to the overcomer Jacob the12name of Israel. Interesting are the many instances where God wrought real enterprises resulting to the Lord’s cause through the labors of men of God upon their knees in prayer.
The Saviour of men spent much time thus. His victories were achieved on the mountainside alone with his Father. Thus was his soul strengthened and his followers kept. To Peter he once said: “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.”
“Lord, teach us to pray,” might be an appropriate prayer for us now, even as it was for the disciples of old.
— THE — MISSIONARY CAMPAIGN
By D. W. REAVIS
The Church the Training Place for Workers
“As churches are established, it should be set before them that it is even from among them that men must be taken to carry the truth to others, and raise up new churches; therefore, they must all work, and cultivate to the utmost the talents that God has given them, and be training their minds to engage in the service of their Master. If these messengers are pure in heart and life, if their example is what it should be, their labors will be highly successful; for they have a most powerful truth, one that is clear and connected, and that has convincing arguments in its favor. They have God on their side, and the angels of God to work with their efforts.”—Gospel Workers, page 50.
The following experience illustrates that of many of our ministers who became successful workers by beginning at home with tract distribution:—
“About thirty years ago, while on the farm, I thought I ought to do something to advance this blessed cause. Having been in the first angel’s message of 1843 and 1844, I felt that the third angel’s message was going too slowly; so I secured some tracts, and began my work, leaving some of them at every house, and with the explanation that they were free, and that they would be called for in a few days, and other reading-matter left.
“I had good success in this missionary work. After I had made the third delivery, the people requested me to speak to them in their schoolhouse. I reluctantly accepted the invitation, and began to explain, the best I could, the Scriptures upon the subjects treated in the tracts. These meetings continued, and church after church was raised up. In this way I began my ministry. The Lord greatly blessed my efforts in responding to the impression that he gave me that I ought to do something to forward the message; and this he will do for every one who will attempt something for God and for the advancement of his truth. J. G. SAUNDERS.”
“The great work now to be accomplished is to bring up the people of God to engage in the work and exert a holy influence. They should act the part of laborers. With wisdom, caution, and love, they should labor for the salvation of neighbors and friends. There is too distant a feeling manifested. The cross is not laid right hold of, and borne as it should be. All should feel that they are their brother’s keeper, that they are in a great degree responsible for the souls of those around them. The brethren err when they leave this work all to the ministers.”—Gospel Workers, page 54. D. W. REAVIS.
_Our Missionary Attitude_
By H. H. Burkholder
THE readers of the Visitor have already been apprised of the fact that at our good camp-meeting such a wave of missionary enthusiasm swept over the camp that the conference voted (1) that one half of its workers, together with one half of its tithe, be held subject to the call of the General Conference for use in aggressive work in the destitute fields in the regions beyond; and (2) that this plan of sharing our workers and means with the more needy countries of earth be adopted as a permanent policy of the Ohio Conference till the gospel work is finished.
It is not at all improbable that some of those who were not present may consider this action of the conference hasty, and think that we have overstepped the bounds of reason.
Some may also imagine that we have jeopardized our home interests in proposing so liberally to the fields abroad. But I wish to say, in reply to these or any kindred questions that may arise in the minds of any concerning this matter, that there was no excitement, no fanaticism, connected with this movement.
The Ohio Conference voluntarily and deliberately placed herself on record as willing and ready to act her part in the work God calls upon his people to do now. We profess to believe that Christ will come, according to his promise, in this generation. We also profess to believe that “this gospel of the kingdom must be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come:” that the time is due for the “everlasting gospel to be preached unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water.”
The step we have taken to share our laborers and our means with the other more needy and destitute nations of earth is in perfect accord with the inspired word we have quoted.
We have also assumed a friendly attitude toward the Mission Board, a willingness to co-operate with them in any consistent way to finish the work, and to bring an end to the reign of sin and suffering.
Let no one entertain fears that the members of the Mission Board will make unreasonable requests of us, nor manifest indifference toward our home interests. They will gladly co-operate with us in all our efforts to strengthen and build up the recruiting field at home. I sincerely believe that we have taken a step forward; and that God’s blessing upon us in return will strengthen us, broaden our ideas, enlarge our hearts, increase our faith, and deepen our interest in his closing work.
I thank the Lord for the encouragement I find in the REVIEW AND HERALD of Jan. 13, 1903: “Already many are receiving the Holy Spirit, and no longer will the way be blocked by listless indifference.”
“Christian, rouse! fight in this warfare,
Cease not till the victory’s won;
Till your Captain loud proclaimeth,
‘Servant of the Lord, well done!’
He, alone, who thus is faithful.
Who abideth to the end,
Hath the promise, in the Kingdom
An eternity to spend.”
—H. H. Burkholder, in The Welcome Visitor.
On Anger and Self-Control
“ANGER is a thing that comes in a hurry, and leaves you to regret its coming the rest of your natural life.” “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”
*A Canvasser’s Experience***
IN a personal letter to Brother H. H. Hall a Missouri worker gives the following account of an interesting experience in territory where large books are not supposed to sell so readily:—
There was a sawmill camp a few miles away, and the foreman told me that Sunday was the only time I could work there; that they were all very busy on other days, and every man had to stand at his post, and could not stop a minute. One of the employees was a preacher, and preached every Sunday to the camp. Last Sunday morning I went down early, and canvassed the preacher, the first thing. I took his order, and he asked me to speak to the people in his place at eleven o’clock. I said I would; and when the time came, he introduced me to the congregation, and at the same time told them that my book was the best one he ever saw. I spoke on the coming of Christ, and after the meeting, sold eighteen books,—value fifty-seven dollars,—and then went on my way rejoicing. Now, Brother Hall, I am here in the Mississippi bottom selling large books, while others are just across the river selling small books. I have walked and blistered my feet to-day, but have sold ten copies of “Great Controversy”—value thirty-two dollars. All the canvassers in Missouri are generally doing well. This book work must take on larger dimensions. We must lengthen our cords and strengthen our stakes. I have been canvassing for fourteen years, and have never seen the people more ready to buy books.
MRS. G. F. JONES
By Mrs. G. F. Jones
From Rarotonga to Singapore
MRS. G. F. JONES
After laboring in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, exactly one year, it was thought best that Brother Piper should again take charge of that field, and that we should open up the work in the city of Singapore. To reach that place, we first took a steamer to Auckland, New Zealand. On board we found a crew of about thirty shipwrecked sailors, with the captain and officers, whose ship had struck the reef of the island of Mangaia early one morning at the very hour they expected to sight it. The natives of the island in the meanwhile treated them kindly, and supplied their wants, until the steamer picked them up and conveyed them to Auckland. We kept them well supplied with our literature, which they seemed to appreciate.
The four days we spent in Auckland most pleasantly at Dr. Caro’s new and well-patronized sanitarium, and we were glad to meet Brother Baker and the members of the Auckland church. In four more days we reached Sydney, where we were met by Brother Gates, who took us on to Wahroonga, where we stayed over Sabbath at our delightful sanitarium, which was like a haven of rest, and a foretaste of paradise.
The three weeks we were waiting for our third and last steamer were passed mostly at Avondale, and it will always be a source of much encouragement to us to think of that earnest band of students, preparing themselves to carry the light of truth to those who “sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.” We trust that some may come over and help us, in our labors, and also some14from Dr. Kress’s class of nurses, if the Lord so wills.
On leaving Sydney for Singapore, our first stop was at Brisbane, Queensland, where we improved the few hours allowed us on shore by visiting Brother Nellis and his family and a few others. This was the last opportunity we were to have of meeting any of the brethren until reaching our destination, when we hoped to see Brother Munson.
We were very fortunate in having a pleasant class of fellow passengers, one of whom was a young English missionary, who had labored mostly in India, and was on his way home to recuperate his health. He was always most willing, and even anxious, to converse on health reform, and to read all we could give him on that subject, and intends to put what he has learned into practise when he gets on land. He thought that while traveling on the ocean it was not the best time to begin.
Another of the passengers was a Boer gentleman, who at first fought in the war, afterward became a spy, then was taken prisoner and sent to Bermuda. We were glad to have a supply of Dutch tracts to give him, and to find that he read them very carefully and with great interest. He said war was a very bad thing, and had a most demoralizing effect on every one connected with it. It was distressing to hear of some of the sights he had witnessed—how, after a battle, some of the wounded would be cursing, others praying, and others imploring some one to put an end to their dreadful suffering. His home and fruit-trees were all burned down; and while he was away in Bermuda, his wife, baby, and another child died of grief and exposure.
Nearly five more days brought us within sight of British New Guinea, and adjacent islands. The scenery was very fine. We landed at Samarai, one of the islands off the extreme eastern point of New Guinea. It was intensely hot ashore, and we were glad to return to our steamer. The natives are very dark skinned, with thick woolly hair. It seemed strange to see the children with ringlets that looked exactly like wool. Hats are needless, and they wear next to no clothing. Their teeth are jet black, and their gums and tongues the brightest red color, from the betel-nut, which they chew almost constantly. This nut contains stimulating properties,
so the outward disfigurement is not the worst evil. Their huts are made from the sago-palm, and so constructed that no light is admitted. It seemed too bad to pass on and leave those people in such a pitiable condition, utterly helpless, with no one to tell them of a Saviour’s love. In two more days we sighted the island of New Ireland on our right, and, soon after, that of New Britain on our left, both of them mountainous. In the latter are four volcanoes, in close proximity, called “Father,” “Mother,” “Son,” and “Daughter.” The crater of one has entirely fallen in. The “Daughter” is still active, while the remaining two are completely covered with verdure of many shades, and rising abruptly out of the deep-blue water, form a most pleasing picture. In this island we called at three ports—Herbertshohe, Matupi, and Simpson’s Haven—all three at the northeastern end. The former is at present the seat of government, but they intend removing it to the latter place, it being a landlocked harbor, although a most deadly place for fever. This is about six miles from the scene of the late massacre of the Catholic missionaries. The day before our arrival, one of the ringleaders had been shot. Another boy, supposed to be less guilty, was brought on board our steamer, to be conveyed to New Guinea a prisoner for life.
GHOST HOUSE, GERMAN NEW GUINEA
The natives here have a more savage and less intelligent appearance than those we saw in New Guinea, and are said to be so fierce in the interior that no white man has ventured farther than twenty miles from the coast. We were told of a chief who keeps slaves for the purpose of eating them, and kills one every few days. Their native money consists of a particular kind of small shell resembling the cowrie, bored and strung together on a narrow strip of cane. A fathom is worth about two shillings English, or one-half dollar American. Their lack of clothing is evidently compensated for by their numerous ornaments,—necklaces; armlets (always very tight and worn on the upper arm, serving also as a receptacle for their pipes when not smoking); feathers fixed in their hair; rings, sticks, or bones through the nose, which are from two to six or seven inches long; large rings inside the hole bored in the lobe of the ear, and generally touching the shoulder; strings of dogs’ or other teeth round their foreheads; red paint round their eyes, ears, and mouths. When not chewing the betel-nut, almost invariably a pipe is seen in the mouth. Quite a number bleach their hair with lime, which contrasts strangely with their dark skin. Many are covered from head to foot with ringworm, but they seem to pay no attention to it.
In the harbor between Matupi and Simpson’s Haven were two strange-looking islands, which made their appearance in one night some years ago. It is said that one is inhabited by three hundred people. At the edge of the sea, just below the volcano, the water could be seen steaming, and one day we sailed up a creek where the water was of a yellowish color, from the sulphur contained in it. The water became hotter as we went along, until it steamed, and we could not hold our hands in it.
Our next stopping-place was Frederick Wilhelm’s Hafen, on the north coast of German New Guinea—as deadly a place as beautiful. Here we were joined by a German missionary and his wife, who were returning home to save their lives. He told us that out of thirty missionaries who had gone there, twenty had succumbed to fever. He himself had been there, in all, fourteen years, and intended returning again when he had recovered sufficiently. He had learned to love the natives, and they him. He said they had never tried to harm him, although at a short distance from his station they lately planned to kill every white man and capture the steamer on her arrival, killing every man on board. Fortunately, their murderous design was frustrated by its becoming known a few minutes prior to its intended execution.
A planter told us he often found it necessary to shoot down numbers of them, to keep them intimidated. It is not hard to see which plan is the successful—love or fear; God’s way or man’s. This good missionary learned the language for only four hundred natives, each village having its language, not dialect, and, as he expressed it, “as different from one another as German is from Greek.”15
And after spending so many years among them, only one boy converted is, apparently, the fruit of his labor. He says, however, he hopes for more, and that if he had lowered the standard, he could have had many, like the Catholics, whose missions seem to be in a very flourishing condition. Those he has known have a legend of the flood and ark, and say that first a dove was sent out, then a cassowary, and, lastly, a pig, which did not return. They also believe that a good spirit was once among them, but went away, and will return from the east.
In 1873 when a Russian man-of-war called to leave a botanist, they thought this was the good spirit’s return, and prepared quantities of food in his honor. But when a gun was fired, they all decided this could not be the good spirit, and were afraid. The first time they saw a white man, they thought he was an evil spirit, and that his clothes were a part of himself. On one occasion, when they saw Mr. Hofmann, the missionary, take off a shoe, they ran away, and were very much afraid. This people have never, so far as is known, worshiped idols, but have a great many ceremonies, are strong believers in ghosts and magic, and are very unwilling to give all this up.
They have a kind of temples which they call “ghost houses,” where they place the skulls of their dead friends, and hold their religious feasts. These the women are never allowed to enter, as it is believed they do not have souls. Their noses and ears are bored through when they are infants of about three months, as a preventive of death. They were much concerned about Mr. Hofmann’s little girl’s nose and ears not being pierced, and did all they could to get him to do it. They are invariably fond of children, and however much they may hate and kill one another and white people, they will always spare the children.
After passing the northern coast of Dutch New Guinea, and through the beautiful Dampier Strait, which occupied three hours, and leaving the island of Ceram on our right, we came to Banda, a beautiful little group of three islands, one of which is a large, active volcano. We visited one of the famous nutmeg plantations, distributing a quantity of Dutch literature, which seemed to be highly appreciated, as it was in every Dutch port at which we called. We also saw the noted Coral Gardens, in company with a colonel and his wife, first-class passengers in our steamer. I mention this because, not being of the same class, we did not have many opportunities of meeting; yet the Lord was able to bring us together, and we had a very pleasant and most interesting visit with this good lady, who was full of inquiries on the Scriptures, especially on the second coming of Christ, in which she is a firm believer. She seems to be an earnest Christian. Several times after this she would steal away to our
end of the steamer, and ask questions on different points of truth, some of which she was willing to accept as soon as presented. What she could not see so clearly, she was not only willing, but anxious, to investigate, and we left with her a supply of literature, for which she was very thankful. We hope to see her again, as they are stationed at Singapore for six months at least. And we trust she will allow the Holy Spirit to lead her into all truth, as he desires to do, not only for her own sake, but for the sake of the many others whom she could reach because of her position and influence.
I might add that, just as surely as the Lord was working to impress hearts on the steamer, it was plainly to be seen that the enemy was not asleep, and results of his labors of snatching away the good seed could be noticed. However, this did not discourage us, but quite the contrary, as we remembered God’s precious promises. “The Lord knoweth them that are his.” See John 10: 29, also 2 Cor. 13:8.
After calling at Macassar and Batavia, in two days we arrived safely at Singapore, in good health, and of courage in the Lord, knowing that the work is his, and thankful for the privilege of having a part in the last message.
