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Chosen no: R-2075 b, from: 1896 Year. |
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Encouraging Letters.
The following, received July 24, '96, will be encouraging to those who
sometimes see little result from tract distribution. It shows that immediate
results may follow in the experience of the recipient of the tract, though they
may not be apparent for many months.
Florida.
GENTLEMEN:--In 1894, while attending the C.E. Convention at Cleveland,
Ohio, your tract "Do You Know?" fell into my hands. I was much
interested in it, and have often thought of writing for further information;
but for sundry causes have delayed. Have been much interested in reading and
studying the prophecies since reading your tract; but feel the need of some
help and guides. What can you do to help me? What is the "Chart of the
Ages" spoken of in the tract? and what does it cost, etc.? Any information
or helps will be thankfully received.
Yours in Him, __________
Kentucky.
DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:--We had a good meeting Saturday afternoon with
about 75 people present. Yesterday we held two meetings in an old church
building, about twenty miles from here, with an attendance of over one hundred.
Since coming here one week ago fourteen meetings have been held, three in
private houses and eleven in public buildings. Some drove over fifteen miles to
the meeting yesterday. I send a number of names for sample TOWERS.
I had a very peculiar experience in__________county, a mountain
district, where the people think nothing of using pistols, and where the
prejudice against the truth was very strong.
Brother __________ had spoken to one of the leaders in the Christian
Church; he told him we would use the building Saturday evening; and it was so
published. The Methodists held a meeting in a Baptist church building that
evening, and the Christian friends closed their building out of courtesy to
them, they said. It was then understood that we should have the use of the building
Sunday afternoon, but matters were so arranged as to make that impossible. They
then agreed to let us use the building for three services Monday, and
announcement was made to that effect; but when we went there Monday morning, it
was locked, and the janitor refused to open it.
Some who were very anxious to hear what we had to say then went to some
of the leaders in the Baptist Church, who agreed to let us use that building
Monday afternoon and night, and the janitor was paid in advance for cleaning and
lighting. The friends published the meeting by going through the town and
telling every one they met. A member of the Baptist Church, who heard of the
proposed meetings, hurried to town to stop them. He said that if that stranger
preached in the Baptist Church he would have to "stand over his dead
body." As we had no desire to be riddled with bullets from a "Baptist
gun," we decided not to have the meetings in the church.
You can imagine that by this time quite an excitement was stirred up. We
had distributed tracts at the meetings Sunday; and this, with the bitter
feeling aroused in the minds of some by the action of the church members,
created a strong desire for a meeting. Several in sympathy with us then
obtained the school house for the evening. The house was crowded, and I spoke [R2076 : page 294] nearly two hours. The "best
element" of the place attended. We distributed more tracts, and many gave
their names for sample TOWERS. I am inclined to think that the results will be
greater than if we had succeeded in holding meetings without opposition.
I arrived at __________, which is a "Shaker Community," and
was warmly received by Brother E__________. The "Shakers" are very
exclusive religiously and do not permit preachers not of their faith to hold meetings
in their midst. But for the first time in the history of this Community they
departed from that time-honored custom and permitted me to preach in their
school building. We held three meetings with an average attendance of 75 or 80,
I judge. Most of those who attended the meetings were delighted.
Yours in love and service, FRANK DRAPER.
W.T. R-2075b : page 294 - 1896r