Illinois by C. H. Bliss

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 19, 1871

Illinois.

By C. H. Bliss

Sunday, Oct. 29, commenced a course of lectures in Clark Center, Clark Co., Ill., in a small village about one half mile from the R. R. The school-house, the only suitable place for meetings in the town, was well filled the first evening; and, as the lectures progressed, the interest increased until the house was filled to its utmost, with quite a crowd remaining on the outside.

Friday, Nov. 10, was happy to meet G. W. Colcord, who had been holding a few meetings with the friends in Jeffersonville, Wayne Co., with very good results. One more family of three or four commenced to keep the Sabbath.

Sunday, Nov. 12, we presented the Sabbath reform to the people. A large crowd was present to hear. On the next day we had quite a hard storm, making it very muddy. On account of this and other reasons, the congregations have not been so large since.

Nov. 15, met Bro. Kittle, who, having heard of our meetings, came to see us. He and his father and their families have been in this county about four years, keeping the Sabbath alone. We expect to commence a course of lectures in their neighborhood soon.

Nov. 25, we had our first Sabbath meeting. About twenty were out; eight or ten were keeping their first Sabbath. On last Sabbath, between thirty and forty were out and twenty-five voted in favor of the Sabbath. About thirty are now keeping it. We expect to remain with them for some time yet, holding meetings over Sabbaths and Sundays.

We have thus far held about fifty meetings in this vicinity.

Bro. Colcord is now giving lectures every evening about five miles north of here, with a very good interest; while I am holding some meetings here, visiting, and soliciting subscribers for our periodicals. I have thus far obtained six for the REVIEW and four for the Reformer. To the Lord be all the praise.

Brethren, pray for us that the good work may go on. C. H. Bliss.