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INTERESTING LETTERS

“NOTHING LEFT BUT TIME FOR PRAYER”

BELOVED BROTHER RUSSELL:—

The year must not pass without a word from us to cheer and encourage you and to wish you God’s choicest blessing on your every word, thought and deed, which go forth to His glory.

At this juncture we have just closed a long session of many weeks of the PHOTO-DRAMA. The experience has been trying, but helpful, because it has shown us that the Apostle’s admonition is still needed—”Ye have need of patience,” and we find we are still in need of extreme watchfulness in points of character which we were beginning to think were nearly invulnerable.

We are glad indeed now that so many thousands by means of the PHOTO-DRAMA have been brought into direct touch with the Truth—a pure message—and especially at a time when the clergy (who should be feeding and comforting their sheep) are positively impotent and have no message to give. On the other hand many of them—the majority, in fact—are preaching war and urging the use of carnal weapons as the highest ideal for young and old.

The attendance at the PHOTO-DRAMA during recent weeks has been phenomenal, and many are the encomiums received concerning it. We feel it a duty to speak of Brother Shearn in this connection, because his energies have been continuous day and night. In every case he has schemed successfully on the side of economy, and has overcome obstacles in cases where many an able man would have given up the fight.

Indefatigable is the best word in our language we can find for him, and that is not expressive enough. He has kept us going at full steam while the work was on; and it was indeed, as the hymn says, “Nothing left but time for prayer.” The wonderful and unselfish co-operation of an army of brethren shows what the Truth can do; and the unanimity among them has been sufficiently marked to impress the visitors, who in their turn have expressed delight and admiration at such service.

We have slowed down now and are glad of a little respite; and though we do not expect to be able to put in so much time to the DRAMA if it continues, we hope to do our best.

Yours in the dear Lord, F. GUARD.—England.

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THE TRACT STILL DOING GOOD

DEAR BRETHREN:—

Greetings in Jesus’ precious name. Just a few lines to inform you of things in general up here. In February last year I received a tract from a brother dealing on Scripture. It appealed to me so much that I became a Bible student, and my wife as well. Before that I was a Roman Catholic, and my wife belonged to the Church of England; it is needless to say that there were religious disagreements which were not binding us together. On the other hand, now, we are pulling together in spite of the very hard and especially trying times. My sister-in-law is also a Bible student, having gotten the start from us.

Since last February, I am glad to say, there are several of my neighbors interested in Scripture, and I am in hope of some becoming like us.

One of my methods is to write down some pointed Scripture texts and ask my neighbors what they think of them. As they have to look up the Bible for these, they get interested. hence, I refer them to the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES.

Now, brethren, I am isolated here and cannot go up to Edmonton to take part in the class, because I am a farmer and cannot be away from home long enough. If any of the brethren are on their way through this section, my house will be always welcome to them if they want to stop a day with me to discuss Bible topics.

With my best wishes, I remain,

Your brother in the service of the Lord, C. R. BANNISTER.

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NOW AN UNBROKEN FAMILY

OUR DEAR PASTOR AND BROTHER IN CHRIST:—

My heart is full to overflowing, and I must tell you of the great blessings I received at Providence, and what it did for Brother Kies.

As he belonged to the M.E.Church, lived as near right as possible—was a worker, etc.—he thought he was a Christian, but now he says, “Why, I never was a Christian; for I never acknowledged I was a sinner, and never took Jesus for my personal Savior.” So your theme, “What is a Christian?” struck him very favorably and gave him a foundation to start on.

Then at the afternoon meeting he got the Plan; and in the evening at Boston he found out what and how to do when you are a Christian. Oh, it became so plain to him; and he says he wouldn’t take a thousand dollars for what he got!

I am a babe in Christ also, and symbolized my consecration Nov. 2, in Springfield, Mass., and have been trying to let my light shine; and he says he has noticed it and has been watching me; and that when you spoke of that in Boston it just hit him.

Oh, what it has done for us both, praise His name! He expects to withdraw from the Methodist Church and give his reason and testimony how he got “truly converted.” We are all rejoicing, and Brother and Sister Merrill say, “Now we are an unbroken family.” And oh, I am so happy!

I could hardly give him up, but now he is given back to me; you can imagine my joy.

Yours in the one blessed hope, SR. CLARENCE KIES.

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— February 15, 1915 —