(p146)

CHAPTER XIII

TEN YEARS IN GENTILE EVANGELISTIC WORK

1. By the advice of my brethren, it was decided for me to engage in general evangelistic work among the Gentiles. Before doing this, I felt, like Gideon, that I must be sure the Lord had called me to this phase of the work, and so I asked Him for two signs.[1] He gave them to me in so clear a manner that I could not doubt that He had called me. This gave me much courage, and I felt clear to start the work of preaching to the Gentiles with the consciousness that God would be with me. Still my heart’s desire all the time was for my Jewish brethren, and in every city or town where I went, I would do what I could to give to them the bread of eternal life.[2]

2. God indeed blessed the labors among the Gentiles. He gave me some fruits by the way to lay at the feet of Jesus. Of course there were not the peculiar obstacles to meet in working among this kind of people that there were among the Jews. A minister who is truly devoted to God, will always find an abundance to do in winning souls to Christ.

3. In the different cities where I worked, at times I found it rather difficult when laboring with the Catholic element. While in one of the cities in Western Massachusetts, I found that fully two-thirds of the city was Catholic. ^(p147) The Lord, however, was moving on the hearts of the people to listen to the gospel; and while at times an officer was required to keep order at the services, he frequently forgot his official capacity, and listened to the word of God with much interest. Thus the seed was being sown in Gentile hearts.

4. After a time, the conviction came to me that I should go to the city of B———-, Massachusetts, and preach Christ. This was the city where I was converted. At first it seemed like a cross to go to this place, where I had spent several years before I had learned Christ; but the Lord laid the burden on my heart to go and preach Christ to the people of that city. I earnestly plead with the Lord to make His will known whether it was my duty to go, and He made it clear to me that I should go.

5. A singular incident happened the first day after we pitched our tent, which made it evident that God had called us to this place. The committee on public property had given my beloved fellow-laborer, the late Pastor M. D. Mattson, and me the privilege of erecting our gospel tent on the city park property. While we were in the midst of making our preparation, one of the aldermen came to us and wanted to know who we were and what we purposed to do. He was informed that we were there to preach the gospel, and were given the official right to. He was very indignant, and gave us distinctly to understand that we would not be allowed to remain there. We continued to make preparations for the services, and had already advertised when the meetings would begin. We believed God had called us to this place, and that He would take care of the results. ^(p149) The next morning, while going to the village, we noticed a decided activity on the part of the people in reference to the tent that was being erected on the common. Soon word came to us that the city government had taken the matter in hand, and it gave room for apprehension. It was apparent to us that the Lord had some souls in the city whom He wished to know His blessed gospel truth, and the devil was endeavoring to hinder the work.

6. During this same afternoon, a young man came hurrying to the tent on a bicycle with a message that he must see the man in charge of the tent. On opening the letter, it was found that a real battle had been started between factions of the city government concerning the gospel tent. This message was a notification to us, to the effect that we were to remain where we were and to watch developments. We did not exactly understand the situation, but we concluded to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.[3]

7. Hearing many rumors during the day that there was likely to be trouble if we remained, although we ought to stay because the Lord had precious souls in the place, we decided to open our meeting the evening we had advertised. We had an excellent attendance at the first service, and it certainly seemed that God would bless the work if we stayed there. At the close of the service, my fellow-laborer and I, with our wives, decided to earnestly seek God in prayer, that He would interpose to the glory of His own name. We had been praying but a few minutes, when we heard footsteps at the tent door. ^(p150) There were evidently a number of persons there by the way the voices sounded. Still we continued to pray. The burden of our prayers was that God would mightily work for His own name’s sake, and we might be allowed to remain there if it was His will. We felt the presence of God, and were sure that God would give us victory.

8. As soon as we arose from our knees, there was a knock at the tent door. On opening it, we faced three men, the majority of the members of the committee on public property of the city. They had been listening to our cries as we sought the Lord, and the Holy Spirit had been moving upon their hearts. They had come to tell us the story of what had taken place among the city officials. It seemed that the authorities of the city were desirous of having us stay, while others were persistent that we should go. They came to say that as they were the persons who had charge of the public property of the city, we might remain there and preach the gospel. We were informed that in all probability, the marshal of the city would call upon us and notify us to leave the place. If we did not, he would doubtless arrest us. The committee said we should remain right there, and if we were arrested, they would assume the responsibility for all the consequences, if we would only stay and preach the gospel.

9. As far as we could learn, none of these men were Christians, but it is evident they were instruments in God’s hands, being used to carry out the will of the Lord. They manifested a remarkable interest in our work, and seemed anxious that it should continue.

^(p151) 10. The papers of the city and vicinity then took up the matter, and day after day the journals reported the war going on in the city government concerning the gospel tent on the common. The news of the war spread, and soon people from outside towns and cities came to hear what was taking place. There was no bloodshed, nor any serious outburst; nevertheless God gave us many souls who came to hear the blessed gospel of His word.

11. This condition continued among the city officials for nearly a month, and the work at the tent increased night after night. The services at times were so crowded that every available seat was taken, and large numbers were obliged to stand. God was blessing the efforts put forth to His glory. As a result of the work in that community a good congregation was led to take their stand for Christ and His truth, and a church was organized.

12. The officials of the city who were opposed to our remaining, never ceased their activities in devising some plans to have us removed; but God in His providence so ordered things that we were allowed to stay for a number of weeks. We were finally notified by the friends of our work that we should have to leave, as the solicitor of the city had discovered that we were not citizens of the town. Therefore we had no right to remain on public property and make it our home. It seemed there was sufficient ground from a technical standpoint so that we should have to go.

13. It now appeared that Satan was to gain the victory. We were right in the height of our interest. ^(p152) The audiences were increasing nightly, and the blessing of God was constantly attending the efforts in giving us souls whose interest was growing, and our work was not done. We had not yet reached that testing time where souls would have to decide whether they would take their stand for the Lord’s cause. To leave the work now would indeed be perilous. We did not know what to do. If it were the enemies of the work who were ordering us off the premises, it would not seem so hard. We could feel that perhaps the Lord would give us still greater victory, and we might yet continue; but the warning came to us from those friends who had enlisted themselves in behalf of our cause. Still we felt that the work was not yet done, and that in some way the Lord would work for us, and would give us a greater victory. We decided to find another location for our tent, if we could; but our search was fruitless.

14. We finally decided to interview the chairman of the committee, who was friendly, and ascertain personally all we could about the matter. He laid the case before us very clearly, and gave us his reasons, which seemed very clear and convincing. However, he finally suggested that we should remove our living tents and take this obstacle out of the way. He said,

“ If you could pack up your goods and remove your living tents, we will still beat them, and we think we will yet get you the opportunity to remain. Gather up your things, ship them away; then come before the committee and state your case. We think that you can remain some time longer.”

We went away feeling in our hearts that the Lord would yet work for His blessed cause.

^(p153) 15. We told the audience that evening what had happened, and a unanimous sentiment was expressed that we should remain if it were possible. We sought the Lord earnestly, and presented ourselves to the committee that evening to tell them what had been done. They gave us a very respectful hearing; and when we were through, they told us to come the next morning to the city clerk and receive their decision. We had the witness in our hearts that we should receive a favorable reply.

16. On calling to see the city official the next morning, we were informed that the committee had decided to grant us leave to remain four weeks longer. The blessed God thus reversed the decision of both friends and foes.[4] It is truly wonderful what the living God can, and does, do, if we place our trust in Him.

17.I found during the ten years of ministry among the Gentiles that the blessed Christ indeed helped me in the work. I had many rich and precious experiences in the gospel ministry; many eyes were opened from darkness to light; many prisoners were released from the prison-house of sin and made free in Christ. At the same time, the Lord was using these experiences to prepare me for the larger work I had on my heart to bring the blessed news of salvation to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

18. However, I used every opportunity in these years to enlighten my Jewish brethren; but I longed for the day to come when I could give my exclusive time to them. ^(p154) It was during these years, too, that I had a great desire to go home to my people in England, and once more to see my dear mother and my other relatives. I longed to be able to bear personal testimony to them of what the grace of Christ could do, and had done, for me, a Jew; and I hoped that the Lord would enable me sometime to enjoy this privilege. Of this I shall speak further.