697
TH E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
November 1924
Although we felt that she was not quite ready to take the decisive step, yet, knowing she was leaving the city the next day we urged her to then and there settle this greatest of all questions. She confessed that she was not restrained by the ordinary Jewish objections, but was anxious not to make a mistake. Once before, she admitted that she had thought “ Christian Science” was the true faith, but after some months’ expe rience in it she had reversed her opinion. Not deeming it wise to press her beyond a certain point at that time, and after making arrangements for her friend to see her again, we left her in the care of the Lord, feeling certain that her decision was only a matter of days. Imagine the joy with which her first letter was received when it was read informing us that she had made good use of the Testament given her, and that she had definitely received the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour. 7 , 38» 3 8 » SEAMEN’S WORK Claude Pearson, Supt.— Our W orkers board all vessels in the port, o f San Pedro, holding Gospel Services and Distributing Literature. The above picture was taken on one of our French vessels, while we were in San Francisco assisting Mr. Zimmerman. This particular boat makes two trips a year to San Pedro and San Francisco. On one visit she carries a cargo and her regular crew. On the other she has from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty cadets in training for the French Merchant Service. You will notice there are twenty-four men besides ourselves in the picture. Each man here, as well as fifteen others besides the officers, received Gospels, tracts and pam phlets along with a personal message. We are mailing to those in the picture one of the photographs, on the back of which is John 3:16 written in French and our autograph. We are certain that upon the vessel’s return (when she will have the cadets) we will receive a warm welcome, and we shall have a French speaking Christian give them a strong Gospel message. We want you to have a part in the service, so are soliciting prayer in advance. Personal chats with the Captains are not always possible because they are usually so busy, but on one vessel the Cap tain asked for a whole Bible instead of the Gospel given him. Upon asking the reason, he said, “ If a member of the crew should die and it was necessary to bury him at sea, a Bible would be helpful.” Of course we agreed, but in formed him it would do more good to use the Bible for the living, though it is a great comfort in case of death. You can see what a splendid opportunity we had for a real defi-
room fixed up much like a chapel, with large comfortable chairs on the platform, a pulpit, large pulpit Bible, comfort able chairs for the congregation, and last, but not least, a very attractive curtain around the edge of the platform, thus setting the pulpit and the platform aside from the rest of the room. Here each Monday noon a group gather to hear the Gospel in song and word. Every employee is welcome in this ser vice, and during the past few weeks God has been blessing mightily. The time is short, which makes it necessarily important that the message and the service be short too. But this is just a start, for we hope that as the fall comes on we may be able to have five simultaneous meetings held in these shops once a week. We are also praying that God may give us health and strength to hold similar meetings between here and Salt Lake as we did last Spring. The opening has already been afforded us of going into the shops on the Santa Pe, on the coast lines, Hence, as we write, we covet a large place in your prayers that His will might be accomplished in this wonderful work. You say, “ But does this work pay?” Not from the standpoint of finances, for no offerings are taken up, and the work is supported entirely by God’s own people who feel led to give, but it pays from the standpoint of souls. The othef day we were leaving one of these meetings when there stepped up from the group of men, a big man, one who had heard us many times, and as he shook Our hands he said, “ My, that was fine.” Fifty-five years had passed over his head, but yet, we realized as we stood talk ing to him that the most important thing he could ever do was to accept the Lord Jesus. Would he do it? This ques tion was put to him, and after waiting a moment for his answer we asked him again, and then we heard him say: “ I will!” This is only one of a great number who have in the days gone by taken their stand as a result of the work done in the shops. Will you help us in this work? Many prayer helpers are being raised up. If you will join uS send us your name and we will send you, from time to time, special requests for the work. “ Pray without ceasing;” (1 Thess. 5:17). WORK AMONG THE JEWS James A . Vaus, Supt.— Bible classes and Personal W ork, Street Meet ings and Semi-monthly Mass Meetings for Jews of Los Angeles. A Jewess, whose home was in an eastern city, was spend ing a few weeks in Los Angeles, California. Having been previously acquainted with one of the girl students of the Bible Institute, she came here to look up her friend. This student friend had a great love for God’s people, Israel, and was much interested in their evangelization. With the coming of this Jewess, there was born in the heart of the friend a great désiré that this Jewish girl might be converted before .returning to her home in the East. A room in the Institute Building was secured for her, and she was soon made acquainted with the young women who were taking the Training Course. The Christian atmosphere of the Bible Institute, the com pelling, attractive power of the Gospel as exemplified in the lives of the girl students, maae a profound and lasting impression upon her. Several good opportunities to press home the question of personal relation to God were taken advantage of, and it appeared that her decision was not far distant. One day the friend brought this Jewess to the office of the Jewish Department where, together with the writer* her objections were carefully considered and discussed.
SEAMEN ON FRENCH VESSEL WHO WERE GIVEN THE GOSPEL MESSAGE
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