The students and community of the College View church had gathered for a Sabbath-evening vespers and baptismal service. For those who knew the story behind this baptism it was a special day of rejoicing.
It all began last fall on September 28, when approximately 400 students of Union College and about as many members of the several Lincoln Seventh-day Adventist churches combined their efforts to place a "This May Startle You" tract in every home in the city. It was a thrill on that Sabbath afternoon to see hundreds of people swarming through the college auditorium, picking up their literature and maps, then scattering to their cars and their territories.
The planning was done by the Missionary Volunteer Society of the College View church under the direction of C. M. Maxwell, sponsor, and Don Schneider, student leader. It was a masterpiece in organization. In addition to small individual maps provided for each group there were large city maps in the auditorium enabling drivers to get their bearings quickly. Cars were stationed at strategic locations all over the city so that any team or car could reach one within a few minutes' time if he should run out of literature or have any left over. Thus literature and manpower was conserved. In about forty-five minutes the city of Lincoln was blanketed with 30,000 pieces of "This May Startle You."
There had been much enthusiasm on the part of officers and pastors as we had discussed the possibilities of using this interesting little tract. The only question in our minds was, How would a tract like this be accepted in a conservative Midwestern city like Lincoln, especially considering that there are well over 2,000 Adventists in a population of about 150,000?
We did not have long to wait, for within two weeks 200 requests had come in for the book From Sabbath to Sunday, by Carlyle B. Haynes. (A card had been inserted in each tract, offering more information in the form of a free book.)
The ministerial association of the college, under the direction of Floyd Bresee, instructor in evangelism, was organized to do the follow-up work. Thirty prospective ministers and Bible instructors took the books directly to those requesting them, and then followed up with another visit or two. If there was further interest, the new book, Time Running Out, by A. S. Maxwell, was left in the home. Well over 400 books were either mailed or placed directly in the homes by these follow-up teams. Nine openings for Bible studies resulted, several people attended one of the several Adventist churches, and at the time of this writing an occasional request still comes in for more information.
One man who wrote in for the book, Charles Vyskocil, had lived in the city of Lincoln for years but had hardly heard of Seventh-day Adventists. His curiosity and interest were aroused by this tract. Don Baer, junior ministerial student, and his wife took From Sabbath to Sunday to him. They returned in a few weeks to find him ready for another book. After several visits they began studies with Mr. Vyskocil. His reading had already convinced him of the Sabbath and he readily accepted the other truths of God's Word. Keeping the Sabbath meant a change in routine in his business as well as that of the men employed by him, but Mr. Vyskocil was determined that if this was right he would carry it out and leave the consequences with God.
Today he is a baptized Seventh-day Adventist. If you were to visit the College View church you would find him in his regular place every Sabbath morning for Sabbath school and church.
According to his own testimony there were two things that especially influenced Mr. Vyskocil in making his decision. One was the initial contact with this startling tract. The other was the persistence and faithfulness with which the Baers followed up his interest. "If they thought enough of me to search me out through three changes of address I decided they must really have something I needed," he said. Mr. Vyskocil is radiant in his new-found faith, and those who had a part in the "This May Startle You" project feel that their efforts have already been well rewarded.
We anticipate that eternity alone will reveal the full impact made on the souls of the city of Lincoln by the 30,000 pieces of "This May Startle You" left in the homes that day.