p. 29 | IN OTHER COUNTRIES

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 24, 1878

IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

Perhaps many of the readers of the REVIEW are not aware to what extent missionary labor in connection with the cause of present truth is being performed in other countries. Missionary workers in these countries meet with difficulties unknown to our American brethren and sisters.

The work in Naples, Italy, under the labors of Bro. H. P. Ribton, presents a very encouraging aspect. Although surrounded with difficulties that would have disheartened many, since they first received the light he and his wife have labored incessantly to bring it before others. There is now good prospect that there will soon be a strong company of Seventh-day Adventists there,—one qualified to uphold and carry forward the work in that city, even without the assistance of Bro. Ribton. They are making strenuous efforts to interest in the truth people of different languages, by means of correspondence, the distribution of publications, etc. They have those in their midst who are familiar with various languages spoken in Europe, who are zealously engaged in this work. As the result, individuals are constantly becoming interested, and taking their stand with the little company of Sabbath-keepers in that place. Men who embrace the truth in that country take their lives in their hands. Not only does it often take away their means of support, but it subjects them to personal violence at the hands of unprincipled men, who are incited to such deeds by the priests. The lives of some who have attended Bro. Ribton’s lectures have been threatened, unless they remained away; and some have gone without food several days rather than to labor on the Sabbath.

In Holland the Sabbath question is being agitated, and people are embracing the truth, as the following extract from a letter written by a gentleman in that country testifies. In fact this is the case in all countries, as far as we have knowledge. The letter has been translated from the French language.

“Very Dear Brother: Through the kindness of my friend and brother, —— ——, I have received your letter and the paper, Les Signes des Temps. I will gladly subscribe for it, and I wish you to send all the previous numbers, with the tracts advertised in the first number. Be so kind as to tell me how much they will be, and I will send you the money by mail.

“By the grace of God my eyes have been opened, and I see the error in regard to the Sabbath, which man has changed from the seventh to the first day. For some weeks I have had the happiness of worshiping the Lord on his Sabbath, and of keeping the divine commandments with my wife, mother, and three daughters.

“The Lord has in a special manner blessed Bro. ——’s efforts who, with my aid, and the help of tracts, has been able to show the will of God in regard to the Sabbath, until now there are twenty-three persons who are closely bound together to keep the Lord’s Sabbath. Although the difficulties and the opposition are great, we feel that our Heavenly Father helps us, and that he will fulfill his promises.

“A brother who was very much opposed at first is now conquered by the Spirit and word of God. He went to the firm for which he works and asked his master to excuse him on the Sabbath, which he did at once, as Bro. —— was much thought of and a faithful workman. One sister who was with a distinguished family was obliged to leave her situation. Her friends told her she would never find another, but the Lord has proved that he is all-powerful. This week she has found another situation, where she can keep the Sabbath.”

The following extracts from letters received by missionary workers among our Swedish brethren show how the truth is gaining ground among that people:—

“The HAROLD is as dear to me as my own life, and I long for it every month. The article on the Atonement must not, for anything, be discontinued; for, that is one of the best pieces in the paper. Even those who have separated themselves from us, and have feelings of enmity against us, like this.

“I feel very happy that the coming of our Saviour is so near, and that these truths are so clear, and have so firm a foundation. I feel my weakness, but my whole trust is in my Lord, who loves me so much. My whole desire is to stand under his banner and consecrate the remainder of my time to the work of God. I will do what I can in spreading the HAROLD and tracts; for this work is a pleasure to me!”

Another letter reads as follows: “I have had the privilege of reading a copy of the HAROLD which speaks of the second coming of Christ, and I like it very much. If you will be kind enough to send me some good tracts, I will send you money as soon as I am informed how much they cost.”

Another brother from Sweden writes: “A thousand thanks for your welcome letter and the papers, which we have received. We are very thankful to you for your kindness in sending the HAROLD to us. If the Lord grants me health, so that I continue to work, I will try to pay for it by New Year’s; for we like the paper very much, and many of our friends around here also read it with interest. We believe it advocates the plain truths of the word of God.”

The following was received at the HAROLD office, from a gentleman in Sweden who has recently embraced the truth from reading the HAROLD:—

“Beloved Brethren in Christ: I thank my Heavenly Father for his great love manifested to me in ordering it so that I receive the HAROLD. Through it and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I have been brought to see many precious truths concerning which I have been in darkness during the past fifteen years that I have endeavored to be a child of God. I also return my sincere and heartfelt thanks to you, my dear brethren and sisters in a far-off country, for your love and care to us in sending the HAROLD to us who live so far up in the northern part of Sweden.

“I will here make a little confession about what came into my mind when I first saw the HAROLD. I happened to come across it at some unbelievers’, in this town, to whom it had been sent by some of their relatives in America. My eye fell upon a discussion upon the immortality question, and when I saw that the paper advocated the non-immortality of the soul, I told them to throw such papers in the fire, and not allow them to be read among us; but a thought struck my mind, that I must prove all things and keep that which is good. I borrowed some of them, took them home and compared them with the Bible, that standard by which we shall be proved and judged in the last day. Then I saw that all the HAROLD contained was in conformity with the revealed word of God, and I ask, Is it not good? Yes; it is the truth, dear brethren. I now keep the Lord’s Sabbath, but am very lonely, meeting with opposition all around. Pray for me and my family, that we may be united in the truth.” M. L. Huntley.

Battle Creek, Mich.