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THE KING’S BUSINESS
mindful o f the presence and prayers o f the pastors o f the respective fields where we labored, who, in all instances where they were called upon, co-operated heartily. Special mention should be made o f Rev. Mr. Mitchell and Rev. Mr. Kennedy, o f Cypress Park; Rev. Mr. Paige and Rev.. Mr. Gunn, o f the North Broadway District, and Dr. Adams o f the Atherton Baptist Church. Prayers are asked for the next summer campaign to which we are looking forward. safety in Christ!” “ Safety, certainty and enjoyment.” The superintendent thanked me heartily and I had a great number out on my next visit. So we must be “ all things to all men” in these fields. One home I visited at Kerto Camp was saddened by- death. The father went out to his work near Lost Hills, promising to send for his wife, but he never returned. Poor fellow, while working on top o f a derrick, his foot slipped and he fell to his death. He left a wife and three children. At Belridge, while I was preaching the Gospel, a young man engaged in cleaning a storage tank was overcome by the gas and perished. He was only eighteen years o f age—a nice, clean young fellow. It was most sad. I held a little service for him and it was a great opportunity to present the Gospel. The foreman was also over come, and nearly died. This man had- a wife and seven children. When I talked with him his face was as white as a sheet; still he went on—unsaved! Everywhere here men daily take their lives in their hands, yet how few seem to even consider their latter end. It makes one think o f the hymn— “ Come; for angel hosts are musing, O’er this sight so strangely sad, God beseeching—men refusing To be made forever glad!” Everything to gain and nothing to lose,”
remark as to what the grace o f God can do for an individual. After the tent was removed to Cypress Park, the work was. interrupted by the rain, which wrecked the tent, and we moved to the Presbyterian church near by. Here backsliders were reclaimed, one aged brother taking up the work his wife left at the Union Rescue Mission. Joy in the Christian life and in the serv ice of our common Lord, was the key-note o f the entire summer campaign. W e are D URING the past month we have held about twenty Gospel preaching services, and nearly as many Bible study classes; interviewed about 600 men; given out New Testaments, Gospels by John and Gospel tracts. There have been some results and interest. A few who once made a profes sion have confessed their wanderings and cgme back to God. Anyone who goes through these vast oil fields will soon realize the difficulties one has to overcome—the indifference and the sin in every conceivable form one encounters, and how hard it is to arouse interest to get sinners to come out and hear God’s Word. It requires the “wis dom which cometh. from above” to know how to reach men, and knowing my own weakness it is my daily prayer to be guided in the will o f God. T o give the right word, “a word in season”—how good it is, how blessed! Like a good man out o f the treasures o f his heart to bring forth the things new and old which hold the atten tion and interest, and give out the mes sage o f life and peace. At the' Kerto Camp o f the K. T. & O. Co. I tried many times to get the men out, but one day the thought came to me to make an address on “ Safety First,” and this brought them. Not only the men but the superintendent also. Needless to say "Safety First” meant really “ safety fir s t -
---------------O --------------- WORK IN THE OIL FIELDS By Frank J. Shelley
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