SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 3, 1879

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND.

By John Norton Loughborough

Another busy week has passed since I reported. We have made some advancement in our work. One more took a stand with us last Sabbath, and others have promised to keep next Sabbath. A brother writes me from London that there is some stir on the Sabbath question there. One joined them last week, and they have many interesting cases of those who are reading and almost persuaded. The efforts of Bro. W. M. Jones and his associates are producing good fruit.

This week we have received another pound ($5 00) from a party here, as a donation toward our new tent. Our congregations at our house increase, and the interest on the part of those who attend is deepening. On the last two Sunday afternoons the sessions of our Bible-class have been quite interesting. We shall soon start a Sabbath-school, as the children of those embracing the truth come in.

Last week a brother in San Francisco who formerly resided in Southampton, sent me the names of about sixty persons of his acquaintance with whom he, with others, will open correspondence, sending them reading matter. May God bless the workers who shall strive with us to place the truth before the people of this vicinity, and all England.

In response to calls from America, we have this week sent out over one hundred addresses for V. M. workers to use in connection with their distribution of Signs. Two or three parties in America have sent us Signs, so that with the thirty copies we take ourselves we now have about fifty copies a week. If we erect a tent, we could use nearly that number each day. We shall do the best we can, and increase our facilities for labor as circumstances demand. We have already a number of subscribers for the Signs and the weekly Instructor, who pay by the week. That is the mode of “taking in” papers here, especially with those of moderate means.

One sister who has lately embraced the Sabbath expresses her thankfulness for the opening of the mission here in the following lines, which were accompanied with a donation of 4s. ($1.00) from her scanty purse:—

“THE ENGLISH MISSION.

“ Far across the mighty deep God’s faithful servants came, From the New World to the Old, Glad tidings to proclaim; “ To found a mission for the truth; God grant that it may be Sustained of Heaven, and fruit appear Throughout eternity. “ May those who hear, not idle stand, But cast the seed abroad, And lend a faithful, helping hand In bringing souls to God. “ And may there be a harvest rich Yet found on English soil; God bless the missionaries in Their ardent, earnest toil. “ Oh! may this glorious truth extend, With conquest, through the land, And Sabbath-keepers soon appear, A strong and numerous band. “ We thank our friends with one consent, Beyond the rolling sea, For sending help to lead us forth To light and liberty. “L. O. NEILL.”

Our motto is, “Onward, and no room for discouragement for those who humbly labor in God’s cause.” Paul says, “Ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.