Visit to Northern Italy
Weary and worn from the arduous labors of our northern trip, I
would gladly have rested a few weeks in our home at Basle. But the
next morning after our arrival, the brethren presented the necessity of
a speedy visit to Italy, as some there were becoming discouraged, and
were in great need of help. Arrangements were therefore made to start
the next Thursday morning, less than a week from the time we reached
home.
The intervening time was spent in writing letters to some of the
workers in Europe, and in earnest labor, both public and private, for the
young people connected with the office at Basle. Various influences
had been at work to draw their minds away from true devotion to
God; and they had allowed their interest and affection to be divided,
giving to others that place in their hearts which the Lord alone should
occupy. Sunday morning I met with them in their season of prayer, and
spoke about thirty minutes upon the necessity of faithfulness in their
labors. At the close of my remarks, a request was made for all to rise
who would from that time make most earnest efforts to reach a higher
standard. All arose. My heart was greatly drawn out for these young
people, that they might improve all the powers that God had given
them, and become faithful, devoted soldiers of the cross of Christ.
In the Sabbath congregation we saw a number of new ones who
had become interested in the truth through reading. Among these were
several young men, students from a theological school in the city. One
of them, although every inducement was held out by his relatives and
by the college professors, has since taken his stand decidedly for the
truth. He understands the French, the German, and the English, has
served a two-years’ apprenticeship in a printing office, and is now
doing good work in our office as German translator. As we near the
end, and the work increases, we look for such conversions to be more
and more frequent. All through these countries there is talent that God
will yet use to advance his cause.
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