HOW CAN WE HELP THE ITALIAN MISSION?
By S. N. Haskell
There has never been so great a call for our publications as at the present time. There is scarcely a civilized nation in the world from which we do not receive direct appeals for our works. Men in whose hearts God inspires a desire to labor for others, are being raised up in all parts of the world. They immediately find that demands for our publications are far greater than can be supplied by their individual resources, and they appeal to us for help. It is the same in this country, especially through the Southern States. The Signs of the Times sent out by vigilant missionary workers have created a thirst for the truth in hundreds of hearts, and calls for reading matter are constantly being received. Some of these calls, it would seem, would melt the heart even of the most worldly professed Seventh-day Adventist. But what has prompted us to speak now more particularly is the call from Italy for publications, and the opening that presents itself on the Mediterranean Sea. I give a few extracts from a private letter received from Bro. Ribton, of Italy, who has, under great difficulties, commenced a successful mission there:— “The only way to reach large numbers of people is by tract distribution. If we want to do an extensive work in Italy, it must be by this means. From Naples as a center, I can send the message forth from the Alps to the Pyramids. I am constantly receiving calls for Italian tracts.” After speaking of the necessity for an Italian Signs of the Times, and tracts in that language, he says:— “Meantime, I am anxious to send English tracts to many persons in different parts of the Mediterranean as well as here. Much can be done by correspondence if I can only find time for it. Since the first of November I have given out nearly one hundred papers in English, French, German, and Italian, all of them in good quarters.” Again he says: “This month I sent some papers and tracts to Malta, and have received a very encouraging letter, requesting me to send more to four or five people there; and in Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt, I have also broken ground, and they have sent an earnest request to have a preacher sent to them. There are many English and American people scattered all over the Mediterranean, who, I am convinced, would gladly receive the Advent message. From the south of France to the northern coast of Africa, Algiers, Malta, Tunis, and Egypt, English-speaking people are everywhere dispersed, and in numbers. I am very glad to receive the Signs and the Review and Herald, and send them all out, in different directions, to English people. I believe the foundation of a mighty work has been laid. “A brother is leaving on commercial business next month for Egypt. He is a practical preacher, and promises to do his best to spread the message there. I have connections with India, Australia, and New Zealand, by which I may be able, by degrees, to open a correspondence. From the pillars of Hercules to the old kingdom of Porus we may spread the message of our soon-coming King. It would be a very desirable thing if we could establish a well-furnished library of Advent books and tracts for the Mediterranean service. I am treating with a bookseller in Malta to see if he will undertake an agency for them, and hope to find another also in Cairo.” Now, dear brethren and sisters, what shall we do in cases like this? If we get up a personal matter, and simply raise a few dollars to send directly to Bro. Ribton, and then think our duty done, we shall not act wisely, nor discharge the duty devolving upon us. It is the province of the General Tract Society to assist in such cases, with our publications. We have already shipped to Naples, Italy, nearly one hundred dollars’ worth of publications, trusting that our brethren and the various tract societies will stand by the General Tract Society, financially. We hope soon to effect more permanent arrangements. Therefore to our brethren we say, Instead of thinking your duty performed by making a small personal donation, support that fund which deals out its publications to all parts of the world. The Italian mission is under the supervision of our worthy brother, Eld. J. N. Andrews, and the European mission is under the care of the General Conference Committee, and is sustained by the general funds at Battle Creek. We invite the friends of the cause everywhere to remember the general tract fund. An investment here is more secure, and will yield a far greater income, than any bank stock or worldly enterprise in this world. You are thus placing the truth before thousands whom God has prepared to receive the light, and securing stars in the crown of righteousness to be placed upon your brow in the kingdom of glory.