Utah by A. S. Booth

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jan 6, 1916

Utah

By A. S. Booth

We are glad to report some degree of success in two series of evangelistic meetings held the past summer by the writer and a company of workers, in Ogden and Salt Lake City, Utah. The Ogden meetings began June 13 and closed August 15, and the Salt Lake City series began September 5 and closed November 7,—eighteen weeks altogether. The attendance at these services averaged from seventy-five to five hundred.

Though in some respects this field has been the hardest in which the writer ever labored, yet some seed has been sown, and a number have decided to obey the truth. Thus far over one hundred have signed the church covenant. Fifty-five have united with the church—seventeen with the Ogden church and thirty-eight with the Salt Lake City church. Besides these, twenty or more are seriously considering baptism.

Further instruction and encouragement will doubtless add to the number of church members.

Five newspapers, two in Ogden and three in Salt Lake City, have shown us favor by publishing synopses of the sermons. One hundred and ninety-five articles have been printed besides free church notices. These varied from two or three paragraphs to three columns, averaging ten inches or one-half column each. The circulation of these papers, amounting to about 100,000, has reached Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, and a number of small towns. Thus, many who could not attend the services have had the opportunity of reading the truth. A number of those who have decided to obey the truth were first interested by reading the papers. They not only saw the articles, but the announcement of the services, and came to learn more.

One lady who signed the covenant lived in the country two miles from the car line. She became interested in the articles, and decided to come to the services. She walked the two miles to the car and back several evenings in order to attend the meetings. Afterwards she decided to move her family into the city for the special purpose of hearing the lectures. We hope to see her and a number of her family join the church.

Tourists, seeing the announcements of the services in the papers, have come to the meetings. It pays to get acquainted with the editors, and put forth a determined effort to use the newspapers.

Associated with the writer in these services were the following-named persons: Elder W. M. Adams, president of the conference; Elders H. G. Gjording and W. A. Johnson. Mrs. H. W. Holloway and Miss Ester Smith have rendered valuable service in the Bible work.

For the blessings received and the results obtained, we are thankful to God, and to him be all the glory. Pray for the work and workers in the Utah Conference.

A. S. BOOTH.