J. W. WESTPHAL by J. W. Westphal

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 9, 1900

J. W. WESTPHAL

By J. W. Westphal

The work in this State is onward. There are many evidences that the Lord is working with and for the people. As the result of the summer's work, about one hundred and fifty persons have accepted the message. With a little further labor, we expect several churches will be organized. Through the labors of Elder S. Mortenson and others a Swedish company of from fifteen to twenty has been brought out in the northwestern part of the State. These will be visited by Elder L. Johnson before the close of the year, and, if thought best, organized into a church. As the result of a camp-meeting, followed by a tent-meeting, at Abilene, and a series of meetings a few miles distant, at Enterprise, about twenty-five persons accepted the message. With but one exception, every family therein is now taking the REVIEW AND HERALD, which, I believe, may be taken as an evidence that a firm foundation has been laid. At Logan, Anthony, and Attica companies have accepted the truth.

The work in Kansas City has been encouraging indeed. In it has been demonstrated the truth of the statement, “The power and efficiency of Seventh-day Adventists depend largely upon the publications that come from our presses.” Especially has it shown the influence of the Signs of the Times. Hundreds of copies came to as many subscribers for several months. During the summer almost fifty persons began to keep the Sabbath, many of whom have already united with the church there. Elder R. W. Parmele, assisted by two Bible workers, has been doing faithful work in the place; but as a rule, these persons had become interested in truth through reading the Signs. But few of these could have been reached in any other way. The Signs is truly a pioneer paper.

Feeling the importance of circulating the Signs, we have started a campaign in its interest. All our churches are being visited in the interest of aggressive missionary work. We find our brethren ready to take hold of it. In a brief space of time sufficient money has been subscribed by our brethren to send the Signs to three thousand persons for six months. Churches have subscribed for from fifty to over three hundred copies. It is a pleasure to see with what willingness they have done this. Families have subscribed for from a few copies to over twenty dollars' worth for this purpose, and that without urging. The papers are sent to some neighboring township where the truth has not yet been presented, and where it may be supplemented with personal work on the part of the members of the church, and by securing renewals from the people before the subscriptions expire. This personal work is necessary to keep alive the missionary spirit. We trust that by the time the first canvass of the churches is completed, the number of papers subscribed for by them will be increased to five or six thousand copies, and thus the total number coming to the States will be eight or ten thousand. Brother N. P. Dixon has been placed in charge of this work, but all are assisting.

The prospects for another year's successful work are encouraging.