200 Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists
and the average attendance was from forty to fifty. There, on the
dirt floor of the stable which was sometimes strewn with leaves or
straw, or sitting on boards placed across boxes, these would sit and
listen for an hour or two, and then would remain after the meeting
closed, to talk over what had been said. Occasionally the meeting
would be interrupted by the movements and noise of the quadrupeds;
but the exercises were immediately resumed without any apparent
disturbance. The people appreciate this kind of personal labor, and
often make bitter complaints because their own ministers do not visit
them oftener. Although not a very agreeable manner of working, it is,
as we have seen, in many cases the only way of reaching the people,
and we believe that the blessing of God will attend the labor thus put
forth.
It is a continual study to know how the work can best be advanced
in these valleys. One thing is certain, that whatever is accomplished
will be by the utmost diligence and perseverance. There must be a
steady light shining in the darkness, notwithstanding this light for a
time will not be comprehended. Then, again, we must have more books
and pamphlets in the French and Italian languages. We are moving
altogether too slowly in this respect. Time is passing. Workers who are
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willing to enter these foreign fields either as evangelists or translators
should be selected and educated. May God grant the workers, now
three in number, who are laboring in these valleys, the necessary
courage and strength that they may prosecute their work with such
zeal and earnestness that they may see abundant fruit of their labors in
the kingdom of God.
As we go from these valleys, it is with mingled feelings of joy
and sorrow,—of joy because there ever existed a people who were not
afraid, even many years before the first gleamings of the Reformation,
to stand in defense of Bible truth; of sorrow because so few of their
descendants manifest a desire to continue to walk in the light as it
shines from the word of God. We feel confident, however, that the
Lord will again work for this people, and restore to those who will
come to the light, their former purity and fidelity to his service. The
clear light of the third angel’s message will yet be reflected from the
honest-hearted in these valleys. The light in them which has grown
dim will be brightened.