ENGLAND

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 13, 1879

The following letter from Bro. Wm. Ings relative to the encouraging prospects for our cause in England, written to the Vigilant Missionary Society of Battle Creek, we take pleasure in laying before the readers of the REVIEW. It is dated Jan. 23, 1879:—

“DEAR FRIENDS: After an absence of three months I returned from Switzerland to follow up the missionary work commenced here. The friends who accepted the truth last summer are strong in the faith. Bro. Loughborough and wife reached here a few days after my return. All were ready to give them a hearty welcome. Bro. L. is full of hope and courage, and enters upon his work with zeal. He had not been here a week before an invitation was sent him to speak, which he accepted. He has continued meetings to the present time, with interested hearers, and a fair prospect that some will accept the truth. Bro. L. expects to use a tent for the summer campaign, and he will thus reach a greater number of hearers. Every effort is put forth by him to extend the work by correspondence as well as by getting the addresses of interested readers, preaching, visiting, etc.

“I find no abatement of the interest to read on present truth. During the past ten days I have visited three hundred families, and out of this number only one refused to receive tracts. Angels are preparing the way, and minds are impressed that some great event is just before us. As the result of reading, three more good, substantial souls are now rejoicing in the truth. In this country as well as in America those receiving the truth catch the missionary spirit, and watch every opportunity to extend the light to others; and thus it will continue until the third angel’s message shall roll with a mighty swell through the land.

I am now visiting from house to house, loaning tracts, selling our publications, and obtaining subscribers for our periodicals. Yesterday I sold five Annuals; to-day I sold ‘Spirit of Prophecy Vol. i.,’ and I am requested to deliver the three other volumes as soon as the money can be saved up. This sale is the result of reading Sister White’s articles in the Signs. Her articles are read with interest, and I find none but that speak highly of them.

“The Signs takes with the people, and we hope to get many subscribers. None need be afraid to send papers to friends or others in this country. They will be read with interest, and will be loaned. Hundreds of copies could be used to good account in Southampton, if we only had them. Thousands of copies would be read with the greatest of interest all over England. It is interesting to hear the people tell how earnestly their friends and neighbors ask the privilege of reading their papers when they are through with them. In many cases the people wish to mail them to their friends, and thus they are sent to all parts of England and to other countries.

“There is no reason to be discouraged, but we have everything to encourage us. I am thankful I can have some humble part in the closing message.”