VIRGINIA by I. Sanborn

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

VIRGINIA

By I. Sanborn

Soliloquy.—Our quarterly meeting was held according to appointment. It was a cold, disagreeable time, yet all the brethren and sisters were present except those living at a distance. We were sorry they did not think to report by letter. The church record gave a very brief account of the organization of a church over two years ago, and not the mark of a pen had been made since that time. And as the legality of that organization was thus lost, a resolution to disband was carried. The church was then re-organized, adopting the following covenant:

“We, the undersigned, do hereby associate ourselves together as a church, taking the name of Seventh-day Adventists, and covenanting to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. And we also promise that we will not use tobacco any more in any form, nor opium in any of its forms; and that we will abstain from the use of all kinds of intoxicating liquors, because we believe them to be defiling to Christians. And we further promise that we will let our light shine according to the Scriptures, and thus help spread the third angel’s message throughout the world; that we will not speak evil of our brethren or sisters, nor of our neighbors; and that we will, by our presence and labors, do all we can to sustain and keep up our Sabbath-school and Bible-class, and our prayer and social meetings.”

Nineteen have signed this covenant, and others say they will soon. All the neighbors seem pleased with it. An elder and deacon were ordained. The Spirit of the Lord was present all through the day.

In the evening after the Sabbath, the house was crowded with attentive hearers, who listened to a discourse from Mal. 3:7–11, showing that the professed people of God had gone away from his ordinances of the Sabbath, of tithing, of baptism, and of feet-washing; and that now, in obedience to the invitation in the text, they are returning to these ordinances. We then celebrated the ordinances of the Lord’s house. It was a triumphant meeting.

The strong prejudice that I found against the truth when I came here is fast passing away. We have entirely broken down the spirit of combative contention about the truth, and have exhorted the people to be kind and to respect the feelings of all, and this course is having a most excellent effect on the public mind. I have not had one word of controversy with any person since I have been in the State, though I have preached and talked to a great many people. Prejudice, in all who hear, melts away.

On first-day morning we had an excellent business meeting. After reading the reports of the missionary work, the importance of raising a fund to obtain tracts for me to use in my labors, was considered, and $25.50 was pledged and a considerable of it paid, the rest to be paid at the next quarterly meeting. I then circulated the tithing pledge, and I think all but one signed it, and I believe she will yet do so. Several who are not yet members signed this pledge. The Sabbath-school and Bible-class are prospering.

Such a spirit of earnestness characterized all the meetings as can only be developed by the power of the Spirit of God through obedience to the third angel’s message. The brethren and sisters are all much encouraged to be more faithful to the Lord, and I never was of better courage in my life than at present. May the Lord help us all to be humble and prayerful.

I. SANBORN.