Notes From the Field by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 16, 1908

Notes From the Field

By G. B. Thompson

DECEMBER 14 I left Washington to attend some meetings in the West. On the way I made a brief visit to my boyhood home in Illinois. I left here about seventeen years ago to preach this message, and I have made only a few short visits since that time. These years have quickly passed, but they have made many changes. I visited the farm where I was raised, but others lived there. Everything I looked at seemed to have a history. The trees seemed like old friends. A marble monument in the cemetery marked the resting-place of my dear father and mother.

Most of the old neighbors have passed away also. My boyhood friends are beginning to look old. When the public school dismissed at noon, I stood on the street and saw a generation, not one of whom I knew, rush by. I was impressed as never before with the rapid flight of time, and the need of improving each day as it comes to us.

While here, I had the privilege of speaking in the Baptist church to a large congregation of old neighbors and friends concerning my visit to India and Egypt, and the progress of our work in these lands.

December 19-22 I joined my brother and a number of other laborers in the Kansas Conference in a general meeting at Oswego. There was a fair attendance from some of the surrounding churches. The Sabbath and evening services were held in the Methodist church, which was kindly given us free for this meeting. The pastor attended, and expressed himself as highly pleased with what he heard. The marked blessing of God was seen throughout the meeting. On the Sabbath a number sought God for victory over besetting sins. On Sunday consideration was given to the $150,000 fund. The weather was very unfavorable, and only fifty-one persons were able to reach the place of meeting. But at this meeting six hundred thirty dollars was raised in cash and pledges for this fund. This was an average of over twelve dollars for each person present, many of whom had already paid their quota, and had, the day before, given an annual donation to foreign missions. We commend this example to other churches. There seems to be no reason why the raising of this fund should take so long if it was pushed as it should be in the churches. We believe it to be the duty of church officers to take this matter up in their churches, and carry it forward to completion.

December 23 I stopped in Topeka. I was glad to meet some other workers here. In the evening I preached in the church upon the power which is in the truths of the third angel's message, as manifested in the transformation of life which it brings to those who receive it, and called attention to the warnings given us through the spirit of prophecy concerning the efforts being put forth to remove the old landmarks of the message. It is this message, and not another, which is to go with a loud cry.

G. B. Thompson.