Work in Chicago by W. S. Sadler

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 9, 1905

Work in Chicago

By W. S. Sadler

MANY phases of missionary work are being carried forward by our people in Chicago, some under the direction of the Northern Illinois Conference, and some under special efforts for those of other nationalities, while other efforts are being carried forward by the medical missionary branch of the work recently incorporated under the name “The Workingmen’s Home and Life Boat Mission.”

My labors being in connection with this work, I will not undertake to report concerning the progress of other branches of the work, but will send a few items of interest concerning this department of the work which have developed since my last report in the REVIEW.

The work in our large cities is beset with many difficulties. Success is achieved only as the result of persistent effort, prayer, and hard work. But where the enemy has wrought his greatest ravages on the souls and bodies of our fellow men, there it would seem the Lord especially works his marvelous transformations of human character.

Sunday evenings I have quite regularly spent at the Brookline Mission. This is a mission opened by Jay W. Cummings, a real estate dealer, who accepted the truth several years ago, and has since taken an active part in the work of spreading the third angel’s message in Chicago. Brother Cummings rented this place, started meetings several times a week, including Sabbath-school and services Sabbath morning. I have been presenting the special themes of the message here to interested audiences each Sunday evening. The attendance has been quite regular, and I never saw a better interest. Brother Cummings tells me that two sisters have begun to keep the Sabbath, and we hope that many others will soon take their stand, as we are now presenting the Sabbath question. A number of leading people in this section of the city have attended these meetings, some quite regularly. This is but an illustration of what a business man can do if his energies are devoted to the spread of the truth.

A number have been baptized in the Life Boat Mission baptistery since my last report, and have united with either the little Life Boat Mission Company or the South Side church.

The work at the police station has been especially blessed. It is indeed impressive to see the effect of the reading

of the Word of God upon the men and women who have been brought to the Harrison Street Police Station. When the Bible is first read to them, they sometimes scoff, but after a few minutes tears may be seen running down their cheeks, and soon they are heard requesting prayer. Our workers have the kind co-operation of all the police authorities; especially does the friendly co-operation of the Christian matron enable them to find homes for many a friendless girl who has drifted into the hands of the police while wandering about in this great city.

Each evening between seven and eight, before the regular gospel service at the Life Boat Mission, Bible studies are held for the mission converts, and others who choose to attend, at which a systematic course of doctrinal subjects is presented. The writer and Brother Van Dorn alternate in conducting this class.

Sister Odell, our hospital worker, and others, make regular visits to over thirty of the largest hospitals in the city. Their work is well received by patients, physicians, and nurses, and many opportunities have been developed for Bible readings in the homes of these patients.

The Suburban Maternity Home in Hinsdale is constantly filled. Almost every girl who has been received into this place has been thoroughly converted before leaving. Good homes have been found for most of them, and where they could possibly care for their little ones, homes have been found for these also among our own people. Most of these in the Home are not of the ordinary, depraved, and abandoned type, but those who have passed through some particularly sad or unfortunate experience.

We have recently had brought to our notice cases of a number of men in prison who, through reading The Life Boat, have secured The Signs of the Times, “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,” and other denominational books, and some are now keeping the Sabbath even under these trying circumstances.

Mr. C. B. Kimbell, a wealthy gentleman of Chicago (at this writing we have just received the news of his death in California), secured a most beautiful tract of land, seventeen miles from Chicago, in the suburb of Hinsdale (this is the tract of land spoken of by Sister White in an article concerning her visit to this place some time ago).

The work of building a small institution, or, rather, enlarging one of the buildings on the premises so as to accommodate thirty or forty patients, is well under way, and if the weather is favorable, will be finished in two or three months. Dr. and Mrs. Paulson are already located at Hinsdale, and are much encouraged by the way in which a kind Providence is opening up the work before them. The doctors have many opportunities to present our work in churches and before other audiences in Chicago.

We thank the Lord most sincerely for his guiding hand which has been over the work in Chicago, and ask the readers of the REVIEW to pray for his continued blessing to rest upon all the workers engaged in bringing the last warning message before the thousands of all nationalities who sit in darkness in this great city.

W. S. SADLER.