THE BUFFALO MISSION by H. E. Robinson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, January 6, 1885

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 1

THE BUFFALO MISSION.

By H. E. Robinson

Nearly a year has now passed since this mission was established, and a brief report of its work, visible results, and future probabilities may be of interest to all the friends of the cause. A very desirable location was secured, and suitable apartments for public reading and lecture rooms were furnished and opened about March 1, 1884. At that time the city missions were quite a new feature of our work, and no very definite plan of action had been devised. It was soon discovered that but few could be reached by the reading-room alone, and I began a course of lectures on the prophecies, endeavoring to call attention to our work by notices and short articles on present truth in the city papers. We did not suppose that much could be done in such a city as Buffalo by canvassing for our books and papers. Several who attended the lectures embraced the truth, which gave us courage; but only a few, comparatively, could be reached in this way. Then the canvass for the Signs of the Times was entered upon, with such success in obtaining subscriptions that we were all astonished to see how large a field for work had been opened. We now found that having a public reading-room and a well known location was a great help, enabling us to so gain the confidence of the people as to induce them to subscribe for our papers.

At the beginning of the tent season I was called to another field of labor, so that only a few Bible-readings or sermons have been given during the summer. Considerable missionary work was done on board vessels and boats, in hospitals, and in a general way; but the principal work was canvassing for the Signs. It has been fully demonstrated that this can be made successful. One canvasser took 107 subscriptions in two consecutive days. Another took 37 in one day, and 248 in ten days. All who made a thorough effort did well, so that about 1260 names of paying subscribers were secured. With the blessing of God the seed thus sown is already bearing fruit, and many things certainly indicate that much more can be done in a few months to come. Three have commenced to keep the Sabbath by reading, and now all my time could be employed in holding Bible-readings and doing missionary work from house to house. Others will also devote a part of their time to this part of the work, and we believe that many can be led to accept the truth. My heart is made tender as I see how some are hungering for the bread of life, and how eagerly they listen to an explanation of the word of God, which reveals the momentous events of the near future.

Dear brethren and sisters, we who have so much light can hardly realize the darkness that is over the minds of many concerning the character and work of God. Shall we not during the new year seek wisdom from above, and consecrate ourselves to this closing message? Especially do I hope that those in our Conference will remember us in their prayers, and press the cause forward till all within our borders have heard the warning.

H. E. ROBINSON.