Note from Bro. Lawrence.
By R. J. Lawrence
I COMMENCED meetings at Kingsville, Mo., on the evening of Oct. 27, and continued every night till Nov. 27, when the house was occupied by others. I have given twenty-seven lectures, and one review discourse. After I had given ten lectures, some of the people became restless, especially the Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians. They then went to the villages and churches around to get ministers to preach against us, but did not succeed until yesterday. A learned but unpopular United Presbyterian minister spoke on the Sabbath, taking for his text, Mark 2 : 27. He took up the history of the Sabbath, from creation down, and handled it ably till he reached A. D. 70. He then quoted Matt. 24 : 20, and from it made the Sabbath unalterable. Then he asked how it came to be changed; and, quoting his text, said Christ being Lord of the Sabbath had power to change it, which he did by meeting with his disciples on that day, and on no other; and that the disciples never had a meeting by their own appointment only on Sunday. Then he quoted Acts 20 : 7; 1 Cor. 16 : 1, 2; and Rev. 1 : 10, as proof. The Fathers were also brought in; then he closed. We then called the attention of the people, and gave notice that we would reply immediately; but the elder left, and those of his friends who were satisfied with the argument. But quite a respectable congregation stayed and heard the reply, and were generally well satisfied. I think good will come out of it. Some were waiting to hear the other side before deciding, and were very much disappointed in not hearing, from so learned a man, some Scripture authority for the change. There has been a very good attendance from the commencement. Sixteen have commenced to keep the Sabbath; others are investigating. I leave to-morrow for Prairie City to look after the interest there, and then expect to return to this place again.
R. J. LAWRENCE.