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THE KING’S BUSINESS
them were compelled at the point of the sword, to kiss the cross and submit to so- called Christian baptism. Besides this, there is a natural shrinking from taking a step which will bring upon them a veritable storm of abuse from their friends and rela tives. While the persecution which Jews usually have to undergo when first they confess their faith in Jesus Christ, is severe, that which is meted out to them when .they become baptized, is intensified ten-fold. A Jew who has received Christian baptism is, to his unconverted: brethren, a thing despised, loathed and abominated; *an object of scorn, ridicule and contempt. At the close of a recent mid-we.ek prayer meeting in “The Church of the Open Door,” a rather unusual ceremony was wit \ \ T HEN the writer was asked to take * * up this work among the Mexican camps, he wondered if he would be able to produce “the goods,” in view of the exist ing conditions—Atheism and Socialism on one hand, and on the other the dense super stition, ignorance and indifference of many. While debating the proposition, different passages of Scripture would come to mind, such as, “My words they are Spirit and they are life;” “The Word of God is quick and powerful;” “My Word shall not return unto me void * * * but. shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” With these messages from God we could not doubt His call to take up the work, and now after three months of seed-sowing we are glad to report that He has done exceeding abundantly above all that we had hoped for. For, since we began this work, » four young men have accepted Christ as their Savior, and from the three families whose pictures appeared in the April num ber, eight children are now attending ad American Sunday school. One of the
nessed, when seven of our Jewish converts presented themselves for baptism. The conversion of a Jew is a matter of such rare occurrence that a ceremony where seven of them were baptized at one time, was of especial interest. One of these can didates, herself but a convert of a few weeks, already had won her first soul for Christ, and bringing her girl friend (a Gentile) with her, they were baptized at the same time. We desire the prayers of God’s people for these .who have left Judaism, for already some of them have had to face terrible persecution at the hands of mem bers of their own families. Pray also for eight or more converts who have not as yet the courage to be baptized because of fear o f the consequences of such an act. women testifies that she is glad we came to her house with the Gospel, for both she and her husband are so happy.. The latter was embracing the Socialist teaching, but now he is a changed man, and she said “I want my children to be brought up in the true Christian faith.” Another woman testifies that all her life she devotedly prayed to the saints, and had never received any help from them, but, now “since the short time I have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ I am so happy and feel so much better in my health. Oh, if we had only known it years ago, what a lot of trouble and affliction we might have, been saved:” One of the young men converted said, “I can’t describe the joy I feel since my sins have been forgiven, and I am happy all the day long.” His companions and he read and pray each night. We have found some very hungry souls in many of the camps and have not had to stand and knock for admittance, for there is always a hearty invitation to come in.
------------ O------------ THE SPANISH WORK R. H. Bender, Supt.
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