Virginia

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Apr 6, 1905

BUENA VISTA.— We now have a place in which to hold meetings and Sabbath-school, as our church is enclosed. All seem happy in the Lord. We had the pleasure last Sabbath of baptizing three willing souls in North River.

I expect to leave Buena Vista soon, to meet with the company at Cardwell, where I labored last fall. It is surely time for all to arise and shine, by living the truth as well as by preaching it.

C. B. RULE.

BEFORE the Civil War, Virginia was a prominent and progressive State; but that war left it in straitened circumstances, from which, however, it is now emerging with renewed vigor. Where formerly a bitter spirit was manifested toward those who came from the North, now such are welcomed with a kindly spirit. Many are coming to settle here, and thus the old prejudice will finally be overcome. The prospects for permanent progress have never been better. The people are mostly engaged in agriculture and stock raising, but in some of the cities there are a great number of manufacturing industries, giving employment to many. This State has an area of 42,450 square miles, with a population of 1,854,184; about 1,303,228 of these are white, and about 550,000 are colored.

We have at present one minister laboring among the colored, and five among the white people. Our brethren in the ministry are laboring hard to present the last message to the people, and find that Satan is wroth with them for doing so. While our ministers are laboring to warn the people by the preaching of the Word, others of our number are working to the same end by scattering literature containing the message. From these we have also good reports. How refreshing it is to the canvasser to find souls seeking for the truth. How happy he is! he can travel many miles with such memories cheering him. While we have found a few jewels, there are many more yet to be found, and it is our privilege to find them.

W. H. ZEIDLER.