Going to Arlington, I was dressed in the finest suit I had ever had in my
life. I overheard two ladies speaking about me. One said, "You can see that
man has seen better days by the fine clothes he wears." I wore that coat
and vest for many years, and couldn't wear it out. Finally I got too stout
and then I gave it away.
* * * * *
At one time the Missionary Board was writing of the need in the
Scandinavian countries, and wanted me to go immediately, though they were
unable to finance me. Also the leading brethren of the Scandinavian
Publishing Company at St. Paul Park almost demanded me to go. I prayed and
wept, and said to the Lord, "Haven't you got any one else to go as you know
I am a poor man, in debt on my home, and would be leaving my family in
need, shifting for themselves." For three days it got darker and darker for
me. Finally the third day toward evening I got desperate, and going into my
bedroom, I prayed earnestly, not knowing where a penny of carfare would
come from. As I was praying I said, "Listen, Lord, you know I am honest and
earnest. Do not let me be deceived. I'll take one of these Bibles on the
table, and close my eyes and throw it up in the air and catch it and the
scripture my thumb is on when I catch it, I'll accept as an answer from
you." I did so, and my thumb was on Mark 10:29-30. "And Jesus answered and
said, Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house or
brethren or sisters or fathers or mothers or wife or children or lands, for
my sake and the gospels, but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this
time, houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands
with persecutions, and in the world to come, eternal life." I said, "Amen."
Then I got a phone message from Saint Paul Park saying, "We have been
looking for you. Why don't you come?" My answer was, "I have no money."
They said they had a check for thirteen dollars for me. I answered, "I am
coming."
From there I went to Chicago to meet Brother E. E. Byrum who was president
of the Missionary Board. He took me into a room and said, "It is almost
cruel to demand you to go when we have no way to finance you, but the need
is so urgent, and we know you have faith and the only thing I can do is to
lay my hands on you and pray for you." He did so, praying and weeping, and
when we got through he took out his purse and emptied it into my hand. It
contained 94 cents. How I got there, I do not know.
I spent some time in Norway and Sweden visiting the churches holding
revival meetings. From there I went on to Denmark where I spent thirteen
months helping the dear faithful workers in raising up eight new
congregations, making a total of thirteen. In 1916 the Missionary Board
sent $25 per month for seven and one half months to wife and the children.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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