p. 16 | Chicago, Ill by K. C. Russell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 23, 1909

Chicago, Ill.

By K. C. Russell

In response to an urgent call from the president of the Northern Illinois Conference, Elder William Covert, for a special series of meetings in Chicago, I spent eight days with the churches there, beginning on the evening of December 3. During this time we conducted twelve services, four of which were lectures on religious liberty.

We held five services at the South Side church, two of them being on the Sabbaths of December 4 and 11.

A most excellent spirit pervaded these services, as was evidenced by a large number responding on both Sabbaths to an earnest call to give their hearts to God, and be released from the bondage of sin. The attendance at all the meetings was excellent, considering that a severe snow-storm was holding Chicago in its grip at that time.

The Lord has been blessing Elder M. C. Kirkendall as pastor of this church in winning a substantial class of people to the truth. We were gratified to find in connection with this church a substantial church-school of seventy pupils, conducted by two consecrated teachers. We found, by questioning the students, that they had a clear idea as to the object of the church-school. They were able to explain the difference between the instruction given in the public school and that which is given in our schools. These things should ever be kept before the minds of the pupils in our church-schools everywhere.

We spoke twice at the North Side German church—Monday evening, December 6, and Sabbath afternoon, December 11. These meetings were well attended, especially on Sabbath afternoon. The Ravenswood church united with the German church in these services. This church also has an excellent church-school, although not so large as the one on the South Side.

We spoke to the State Street church Sabbath afternoon, December 4, from Heb. 12: 25-28, on the shaking time.

Sunday afternoon I spoke to the Swedish church, located on Oak Street, which is in charge of Elder C. Meleen. This is a neat and commodious church. In the basement is being conducted an ideal hygienic café, which is well patronized. They also have some treatment-rooms, with a good patronage. What a blessing it would be if similar enterprises could be established and conducted on a paying basis in many parts of this and other cities!

Friday evening, December 10, I spoke to our Danish church on Rockwell Street, composed of an attentive congregation

of earnest and intelligent people. The Holy Spirit was present, and souls were greatly blessed.

We regret that the demands of the work in Washington were such that we could not continue the meetings longer with our people in Chicago, and also meet with other companies that we were unable to visit during the limited time we could remain in the city.

In addition to the public meetings, we enjoyed some excellent visits with our people at their homes.

One evening I had the pleasure of meeting with our medical students who are taking the medical course in the Chicago Medical Universities, in order to qualify themselves for missionary service in any country where, in the providence of God, they may be called to labor for perishing souls. It is with great difficulty that they are able to secure their degrees in these universities and remain true to the Sabbath. We should remember these medical students in our prayers, that they may remain steadfast to the truth while they are in these universities, whatever the cost may be. The influence of unswerving fidelity to the truth while in these institutions will have its effect upon their fellow students. It is evident that in the future it will be more difficult for our students to get through these institutions than it has been in the past.

When one considers the magnitude of the work that must be accomplished in such great cities as Chicago, the question naturally arises, How can the workers abbreviate their course of lectures or Bible studies, and thus more quickly bring the people to a decision. In “Early Writings,” page 67, the Lord says: “Some of us have had time to get the truth, and to advance step by step, and every step we have taken has given us strength to take the next. But now time is almost finished, and what we have been years learning, they will have to learn in a few months. They will also have much to unlearn, and much to learn again.”

There can be no question but that these words are applicable, and if those who embrace the truth now must learn it in a much shorter time than many of us who learned it in years past, it is equally true that those who teach it now must condense it in such a manner that those we teach may get it more quickly. “Ye must step fast.”

K. C. RUSSELL.