THE CAUSE IN MINNESOTA.
By S. N. HASKELL
We have spent four Sabbaths in the State of Minnesota, and held meetings at seven different points, occupying in all twelve entire days, besides other meetings in the evening. At these meetings a large proportion of the churches in this Conference were represented. One brother walked twenty-seven miles to attend the meeting at West Union. The brethren seemed ready to co-operate in the efforts made for the advancement of the cause. Important steps were taken, which, if carried out, will prove a great blessing to the work in Minnesota. Much interest was manifested in placing Sister White's works in each church for a circulating library. Arrangements were made to place them in thirty-seven out of the forty American churches in this Conference, to be paid for by donations independent of other funds. The tract society was in debt at the offices of publication to the amount of $1,200, yet it had a credit of nearly enough from the various districts to liquidate this debt. Several men, by paying $100 each, made an excellent commencement toward establishing a fifteen-hundred dollar reserve fund, so that business with both offices might be conducted upon a strictly cash basis. Over three hundred copies of the Signs of the Times, for missionary work, were subscribed for in clubs during our stay in the Conference. Each ordained minister was appointed to some district in the State, so that the churches might have more ministerial labor, and the young churches could be more fully instructed in every branch of this cause. The new fields entered would be included in their respective districts. From Bro. Jasperson we learned more particularly of the state of the cause among the Scandinavians. God is also at work with them; and the writings of Sister White, as they have appeared in the Review and Tidende, have done very much toward establishing them in present truth. The same is true of our American brethren. If this work is of God, we cannot be too thoroughly acquainted with its character, and what is to be accomplished by it. If God favors his people with spiritual gifts, his blessing will attend those who regard them, and heed the instruction given. They should be read by every family of S. D. Adventists, and loaned to any who would be interested to read them. The Sabbath-school interests were also considered in every place we visited. Steps were taken to procure maps, class records where they did not have any, and Sabbath-school secretary's books. The tithing system is generally adopted throughout the State. We shared a degree of God's blessing in each one of our meetings. The brethren appeared much encouraged, and we hope to see good results.