Labors in Chicago by W. S. Sadler

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Sep 1, 1904

Labors in Chicago

By W. S. Sadler

It is now six months since I left my field of labor in San Francisco, Cal., and returned east to connect with the medical missionary work in Chicago. This being my field of labor before going to California, I met many former acquaintances, and saw many evidences that our Heavenly Father's protecting care had been over the work. I was especially impressed with the fact that the influence of the Life Boat Mission had extended into a new strata of society. At the mission each night, one can count representatives of almost every class of society. Looking over the mission records, I found that thirty souls had accepted the truths of the third angel's message, been baptized, and were keeping the Sabbath, during the two and a half years I had been laboring on the Pacific coast.

I found Dr. Paulson and his workers, including the Life Boat force, moving to Hinsdale, a beautiful suburb of Chicago, where they have a most salubrious location for their sanitarium work.

Under the faithful labors of Brother Van Dorn and other mission workers, a goodly number of most promising converts were keeping the Sabbath, many of whom had been baptized, and united with our Chicago churches. After counseling with the brethren, we felt that the time had come to organize a Sabbath-keeping company in connection with the Life Boat Mission. Accordingly, on Sabbath, July 9, a company of twenty-two was organized. The writer was appointed leader of this company. Funds were raised to build a baptistery, which was put in during the following week, and the next Sabbath four candidates were baptized, three of whom were sisters. Two of these were married women with homes in the city, and all three of the women candidates belong to the better class of society, which is but another indication of how the work that was begun for the lowest classes of society has extended its influence and attracted the attention of truth-seeking souls throughout the city.

Regular Sabbath-school and preaching service are held each Sabbath with a good attendance, and there is every prospect of a strong work being established here, as there are a number of candidates who desire to be baptized, but are waiting to be more thoroughly instructed before taking this step.

We feel very thankful that the Lord is helping us to more fully gather the various threads of the work, and bind it into one harmonious whole. Mrs. Sadler and I are pursuing our medical studies as time and opportunity allow, while we put forth every effort to hold up this message of light in this darkened city.

W. S. SADLER.