Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1904-07-25

r revision of our Bible which the Mis-
sion now feels has become necessary.
Then, alongside of that, I'VE are always
busy publishing books and tracts. We
are expecting to prepare cbildren's
hymn book, also, as a textbook, a
New Testament History, and we have
a great many smaller books and tracts
ready for publication. So there will
be no lack of work.
Our new press arrived about two
months ago, but several parts of it
were broken and it has taken good
while to mend it and set it up. And
even yet we have not been able to
alter the gearing for working it,
though 1 hope it may not be long be-
fore that also is ready. In any case l
believe we shall be ready to start
with it next fall. I trust that the new
press is going to be great help to US.
1t is possible that our mission paper
may be removed from Philippopolis
at the New Year to be published here.
With our old press we could not have
undertaken the work.
We are exceedingly thankful that
the political situation here has con-
siderably improved. 1t is true, there
does not seem much hope for poor
Macedonia as yet, but posi- IDLY her
redemption may be worked out in
some other way. The victories of the
Japs over the Russians make us think
SO. But, aside from that, it is a great
blessing to this cou rIy that
all the political agitation and
unrest has been 80 calm e d.
The evil influence of it all, which I
have already referred to as being so
hurtful amongst our students, has
been hurtful also throughout the
country at large. Our churches and
all the evangelistic work have suf-
fered. But we are hoping and pre-
pairing for better things. We have
appointed a committee to try to stir up
our churches anew. We are planning
for series of general neighborhood
revival meetings.; and as the churches
themselves seem to feel their need
of quickening, and are ready to re-
spond, we trust that great blessing
will follow.
No religious work, whether at home
or abroad, can be without it's ups and
downs. 1t is always happier and
more encouraging when we have the
ups, but wish to assure you that we
are not discouraged because at pres
emit we are in the midst of down.
We know Whose the work is, and He
will never desert it. He loves the
souls of men too we'll to allow their
trials and temptations to snatch them
out of His hands. He will make all
this to work out for good; and all
that we have to do is to keep on pa
tiently in cloud or sunshine, storm or
calm, without questioning. I often
remember with thankfulness a ser<
mon by the late DIR. VIM. M. Taylor
of Broadway Tabernacle, New York,
who pointed out that, in spite of the
fact that Christ Himself told the dis
ciples to get into the boat and row to
the other side, when they obeyed His
command they found the wind con-
trary. And so God may send US out
to this work, and yet the tide of sue
cess may sometimes be against US.
wish to tell you that we never felt
more confident than we do now that
this work is part of Gods plan for
saving the world. You need have no
doubt of it. Continue to help it by
your prayers, your interest and your
| giving. Learn to pray also for other
fields; take in the whole world, and
the more your hearts go out in sym
pathy and love to Christ's brethren
even the least of them-wherever they
are found, the more surely will you
find the blessing of Him Who said
that in doing this you do it to Him
self. And that blessing is that you
inherit the Kingdom prepared for
you,-inherit the riches of Gods grace
poured down upon you as hundred
fold return of all you do for Him.
Believe me, with my love to you all,
your affectionate missionary pastor,
ROBERT THOMSON.
SdmokoU, Bulgaria, June IA, 1904.