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ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM FAITHFUL WORKERS

MY DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:—

I am thinking of you all this morning as being at breakfast while I write—discussing the Heavenly Manna text for the day: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee,” and I am sure the discussion going on is reminding all of the greatness of the privilege of that perfect peace. I am trying to the more thoroughly bring my own heart into that state of staying (fixing) upon the Lord that I might enjoy still more completely the perfect peace.

I am having a great blessing in association with the dear ones here. The community is a country one, and great opposition is manifest by the people, but there is a gathering here which would shame many large cities—about fifty persons. The population is only about 8,000 persons. Bro. S__________, the leader, used to

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be a chemist and druggist, but has recently given up his business entirely, so that both himself and wife might engage in the Colporteur work, which they are determined to make the best of, although some conditions here make the work far more difficult than in America. They are aided very much in reaching small towns by an automobile, capable of holding two, the expense of maintaining which is less than the railway fares of one person would be, and they are thus able to carry their books with them while canvassing, and to deliver at once.

I am trying to get as accurate an idea of the Colporteur situation as I can while here, that I may give you an intelligible report of it when I get home, and have been out myself to do some canvassing, that I might know from actual experience the attitude of the people. I find that one of the greatest hindrances here is the absolute indifference of the great majority to any kind of religious matter, and the engagement to a remarkable degree in the pursuit of pleasure. I shall make some canvassing experiments in other parts where time will permit.

The friends everywhere are longing to see you. Many of them have come into the Truth only recently, and they are very anxious to express personally their gratitude to God in bringing the knowledge of his plan to them through you. They love you most sincerely and when I have mentioned your hope to be able to come next year a wave of joy seemed to pass over them all. One dear sister here tells me she wanted to tell you her feelings of gratitude for what the Lord had given her through you, and she wrote seven letters, one after the other, in an attempt to put her thoughts into words, but she never sent you any of them, because she thought they weren’t good enough. Doubtless in the Kingdom she will be able to express all she feels.

The zeal and love of the friends is a constant lesson and reminder, and I feel that I am learning very much by my association with them all. I pray that I may have heavenly wisdom to apply the lessons learned.

With much love to you, dear Brother Russell, and to every one of the dear ones at the Bible House, and asking that you will kindly remember me specially in prayer that I may use and not abuse my precious privileges in the Lord’s glorious service, and assuring you that every day I remember yourself and the dear ones with you,

Your brother and servant in our Lord,

A. E. WILLIAMSON,—England.

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DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:—

It is with pleasure I pen you these few lines, just to inform you of the blessings received in the service granted me in the harvest field, “not of merit but of grace,” and never did I feel so weak in myself as of late, but the Apostle so clearly brings the matter to our view, saying, “When I am weak, then am I strong,” etc.

Knowing of your love toward all the Lord’s people, I am glad to be able to express, on behalf of those whom it has been my privilege to meet, their love toward you, dear brother, which has been manifested in so many ways.

I firmly believe that those who are having the greatest joys “in the Lord” at the present time are those who have first made a careful and prayerful study of the DAWNS, with Bible in hand, thereby putting on the armor, and having done so are active in service to the extent of their ability, in whatever position the Lord has placed them. These seem to be the clearest in Present Truth, and find the yoke easy, rejoicing that they have the privilege of suffering with him.

I enclose a part of a letter received yesterday from a very dear Colporteur brother who has a family to support. It reads as follows:—

“I often think what an opportunity there is for those of our single brothers of good ability and with no encumbrance. I would not think of using my time in secular employment, while the opportunity was afforded of doing “harvest” work, if I were single. I am glad that the dear Lord has given me the privilege of using a little time this way, and trust I will be able to put in a few more months. In the last seven days I have sold 250 books.

“‘Lord, if I may,
I’ll serve another day.'”

A dear sister has also written me, saying: “Since you were here the Lord has opened the way, and now I am in the ‘harvest field.’ And oh, the blessings that come from day to day! How unworthy I am of such favors!”

And now, dear brother, may the Lord continue to bless you, as you endeavor to serve the household of faith. As ever,

Your brother in our Redeemer,

W. M. HERSEE,—Pilgrim.

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DEAR BRETHREN:—

I ask the prayers of the office household that I may be emptied of self and filled with the holy Spirit and wisdom of our Father for this work.

I would like to tell you of the condition of the Church in A__________: I can say as a class they are growing in grace and knowledge, and from what I have seen and heard from other places I think that there is more of grace and peace than in many classes, and I attribute it to our being willing to partake of what is “meat in due season,” as it is given to us from the “storehouse” by the appointed servant.

There is none in our company who is pushing ahead for meat not yet due, so that all the little disturbances that come from differences of opinion on such points are avoided—that is, we might say, spiritual dyspepsia, cramps and pains from undigested food.

Nearly all the class a short time ago started to reread the set of DAWNS, twelve pages a day, and are being blessed in it. We have three and sometimes four elders, so avoid strife on that line, and develop new material.

Your brother and servant in the service of our Lord and Redeemer, J. H. HENIKA,—Georgia.

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— September 1, 1907 —