NEBRASKA by E. W. Farnsworth

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 25, 1878

NEBRASKA

By E. W. Farnsworth

Labor among the Churches.

I visited the church at Orleans, Harlan county, Neb., June 15–17. This church is quite small, yet a good degree of interest in the work is manifested. The preaching was mostly practical, and calculated to impress upon their minds the rapid spread of the truth. Tuesday and Wednesday we spent with the Richmond church, in Furnas county. Our meetings were almost continuous from Tuesday morning till Wednesday night. This little company, although young, is firm and zealous in the truth.

This church is another proof of the efficiency of the T. and M. work. Some over two years ago, Sr. Ake, from Benton county, Iowa, moved here with her family. She lived out the truth, and judiciously distributed our works. She united with her neighbors in their Sunday-school, and for a time acted as superintendent. This gave her greater influence and more extended opportunities for presenting the truth, which she cautiously improved. Soon four or five neighbors, mostly sisters, commenced to keep the Sabbath. Others were deeply interested. About this time Bro. Jenkins came there to labor, and as a result of his faithful work, with what had been done, about thirty commenced to keep the Sabbath. I doubt if one-fourth as much could have been accomplished had not the ministerial labor been preceded by the T. and M. work. Where are the hundreds of God-fearing men and women among us who will go and do likewise?

June 21, I commenced meetings at New Era. Quite a company of Sabbath-keepers were brought out here last winter by the labors of Bro. Boyd. The no-law element is very strong, and through its influence, and other things combined, nearly all had given up the truth, only one family remaining. We had an excellent hearing, however. Quite a congregation of our brethren came in from other places, and the citizens turned out well, so our house was crowded all the time. Some that had never heard before were deeply interested.

I came to Waco, York county, June 27. Bro. H. Shultz labored here last winter, and several accepted the truth. We found this little company faithful to the cause. Our meetings were almost continuous while we were here. Sunday we baptized three. Monday we organized a church of thirteen members. They pledged s. n. to the amount of $113.00. This will be raised considerably. Others are keeping the Sabbath here who will no doubt unite soon.

I commenced meetings with the Linwood church, July 5. This quarterly meeting was a profitable season to us all. Two were baptized. Three united with the church. This little company has had troubles to meet, and we expected to be called upon to help settle them; but we were pleased to find them all settled. They said they did not want me to spend my time in settling their troubles, when I ought to be preaching. I would commend this thought to other churches. This church was organized two years ago. There has been very little preaching here since, yet the membership has nearly doubled.

I now return to Iowa, expecting to assist Bro. Morrison at Winterset.

E. W. FARNSWORTH.