SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 17, 1879

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND.

By John Norton Loughborough

The last week marks still further progress in our work here. Since my last report a family consisting of the parents and two daughters have fully taken their stand with us. These additions greatly encourage the little company here, and are a great help in our Sabbath meetings.

In our Sunday afternoon Bible-class, after tracing the testimony of both the Old and the New Testament on the Sabbath question, we have been examining secular history as to how, when, and by whom the Sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sunday. Thus far the sessions have been very interesting, and have resulted in establishing all present in the fact that it was a human and not a divine power that undertook to change the Sabbath, while in God's word the seventh day, as ever, is still recognized as the holy Sabbath of the Lord.

New ones are attending our meetings, and becoming interested in the truth. We are sending many papers and letters to different parts of the kingdom, and are receiving favorable letters in return. The papers are being read with interest, and more are wanted. Last week a lady who had received from us the Signs through the post, came several miles to talk with us. She thanked us for the papers, and requested me to come and visit them, and converse with them on the truth. I am to visit them to-day. This lady said that she and her husband were deeply interested in the paper.

In a letter just received from Norfolk county, a gentleman says, “I have received three different papers called the Signs of the Times, which I have read with great interest. I am much pleased with the papers, but would be much more so to know who it is that so much cares for my soul's welfare. If it would not be too much trouble, would you please send me your creed, etc. I would like much to correspond with you. If you can ascertain by any means my friend to whom I am indebted for the paper, I would like to thank him.”

Of course, all to whom we send papers do not thus accept them; yet it seems that there are some who wish to aid us in our work, even though they decline to accept the truth themselves. The following extract from a letter just received from a gentleman in Oxfordshire will illustrate this: “I have received several copies of the Signs of the Times from you, but as they are not according to my views, I decline to continue them. I pass them about, and enclose twelve penny postage stamps for those I have had.”

Our friends in America are taking hold well, both in furnishing us clubs of the Signs, and in mailing papers and corresponding with individuals. With the large additions made last week to our club of Signs, we now have about all we can manage with our present force. We have sent 382 names to the V. M. societies in America. We extend our sincere thanks to these societies for the aid they are rendering us, and we daily pray the Lord to give them wisdom and success in their efforts.

Papers that are sent here should be wrapped in tough paper, and not in common writing-paper. If the bundles are large they should be tied with a string. This suggestion is not intended for the offices of publication, for their papers come safely; but for individuals. This morning the postman handed us a wrap which was made of writing-paper. It was plainly addressed to us here, and stamped, “Potterville, Mich., March 11.” It was also stamped in print with the following: “Found in N. P. B. without contents.” It probably contained something good when it started, and though the contents stopped on the way, we will hope that they may thus fall into the hands of some one who may be benefited thereby.

As the postal treaty is construed by the authorities here, it is not necessary, in paying postage on papers to Great Britain, to pay one penny (two cents) for each paper in a bundle, though the postage on a single paper not exceeding four ounces is one penny. In case there are a number of papers in the package, of less weight than four ounces each, the package is weighed and mailed at the rate of one penny for every four ounces. To illustrate: we receive forty copies of the Instructor weekly from Battle Creek. They do not pay forty pennies (eighty cents) for these, but eight pence (sixteen cents).

Last week we concluded a bargain for a canvass tent, ten-ounce duck, sixty feet in diameter, nine-foot walls, with side poles, center pole, and flag-staff, poles ironed off with ring for hook of upper tackle block, a fifteen-foot bunting English flag, guys, ground stakes, and all complete for erection, £85 ($425.00). The tent is to be completed April 21. We hope to have weather suitable for tent-meetings by the month of May. The weather here at present is quite cold, although we have had a few days of fine weather.

While we are waiting for the tent season before making a thorough effort in public, we are not idle by any means. With other matters I am taking occasion to learn the ways and doctrines of the different sects of Great Britain, so as to know how to adapt our teaching of the truth to the circumstances and conditions of the people. I give an article this week containing some interesting points concerning one of these sects, and will speak of others hereafter.

Pray for us, that in all our efforts to reach the people we may be guided by heavenly wisdom. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

March 25, 1879.