p. 809 | THE WORCESTER MISSION by S. N. HASKELL

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, December 23, 1884

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 51

THE WORCESTER MISSION.

By S. N. HASKELL

The city of Worcester, Mass., contains about seventy-five thousand inhabitants. There has been much missionary work performed here the past two years. During the summer of 1883, about two thousand short-term subscriptions for the Signs were taken. For many years a strong prejudice has existed here against the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. In the fall of 1883, a camp-meeting was held in this city, which awakened quite an interest in the public mind. During the past summer nearly five hundred subscriptions have been taken for Vol. IV. of “Spirit of Prophecy,” and several persons have been engaged in the holding of Bible-readings, doing colporter work, etc. Within the last two months the seed sown has been yielding precious fruit. The enemy’s stronghold has been broken down, and although much opposition is manifested, the tide is setting in favor of the truth of God.

A short time ago I spent Sabbath and first-day at the mission rooms. About twenty-five attended the meetings, the most of whom had recently taken their stand on the Sabbath. Bible-readings are held every day and evening. Bro. Israel has a crippled son of eleven years, who cannot walk without a crutch. He goes out with papers and tracts, which he sells and loans. At the same time he finds families desiring Bible-readings, and in some cases he has held readings and prayed with persons. This shows what a child can do if properly instructed. Bible-readings held with individuals enable them to withstand the opposition much better than preaching. Many call for a copy of the readings for the purpose of holding readings with persons who labor to turn them from the truth. Certainly God is on the side of his truth.

We believe that if more of our city missions were conducted on the plan of holding Bible-readings in families, in connection with canvassing and colporter work, much greater results would be seen in the salvation of souls. God’s word is powerful, and it carries a conviction that cannot be withstood by unbelief. It was the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, with which our Saviour prevailed against the attacks of Satan. “It is written,” were the words he used. Martin Luther once said that he had done but little except to set the word of God running through the earth, and in a short time, while he took a chat with his loved Katharine, down came thrones and kingdoms. If we can do no more than to present the word, praying that it may have free course and be glorified, it will accomplish far more than great efforts put forth in human strength. S. N. HASKELL.