A Visit to Asheville, N. C.
By K. C. Russell
HAVING a little time to spare between the Cleveland, N. C., and Athens, Tenn., camp-meetings, we decided to spend some time in Asheville, N. C., it being necessary for us to pass through this city on the way to our Tennessee appointment. We reached there Sunday afternoon, August 22, and were met at the train by Elders W. A. Westworth and I. M. Martin. We were taken first to the beautiful parsonage and church edifice that has been donated to the Southeastern Union Conference. The location of this property is a most desirable one. The buildings are neat and substantial, with all the modern conveniences, and are surrounded by a respected and influential class of citizens. These buildings are certainly a most fitting memorial for the truth in this important center in the South. Asheville is a city of twenty-five thousand inhabitants, with a most ideal climate, and is therefore a popular resort for tourists in both the summer and winter months. In the summer season it is visited by people from the South, and in the winter by those who live in the North. Hence, it is a place of continual life and activity. There could be no more ideal place to erect another standard for the third angel's message than in this city. The truths for this time, if rightly presented and lived out in the lives of our people there, will exert a telling influence upon the tourists who visit this place from different parts of the United States. At this writing, Elder Martin, assisted by Prof. A. W. Spaulding, Brother William Cluff and wife, and Sister Amelia Webster, are engaged in a successful series of tent-meetings. At present the meetings have been in progress for five weeks. We rejoice to say that at this early stage of the meetings twenty-one souls have taken their stand for the Sabbath, besides there are a number of other hopeful ones. Among those who have decided for the truth are several of the influential people of Asheville. During our brief and pleasant stay in this city, we had the privilege of speaking twice in the tent, besides visiting a number of those who have taken their stand to obey all of God's commandments. It is indeed a source of encouragement to meet people of moral worth and influence who are ready and willing to respond so quickly to the precious principles of the everlasting gospel. Two of those with whom we conversed, who have recently decided to obey the Lord, said that early in life they had queried why people observed the first day of the week instead of the seventh. It is evident that these persons, like many others who have embraced this truth, received their first impressions in early life, and thus were made more susceptible to the influences of the unpopular truth of the Sabbath in after-years. It should be remembered by our consecrated workers everywhere that there are still many such persons in cities besides Asheville, who are waiting for this message. Elder Martin will continue his meetings in the church building after the weather becomes too cold to hold them in the tent. During our visit in Asheville, Elder Westworth and I had the pleasure of spending one night at the hospitable home of Prof. S. Brownsberger, who resides on his farm four miles from the city. It will be remembered that Professor Brownsberger was president of the Battle Creek College for a term of eight years, and later president of Healdsburg College for five years. Our work in Asheville needs the influence and help of this experienced worker and family in building up the work in this important city.