Clark Co., Ill by C. H. Bliss

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 16, 1872

Clark Co., Ill.

By C. H. Bliss

Feb. 25, in company with Bro. G. W. Colcord, commenced a course of lectures in Potter's Hall; a good interest to hear was manifested from the first.

March 15, went to Clark Center. Bro. R. F. Andrews was present and spoke to us. He held meetings with the brethren of this place over Sabbath and Sunday, and during the week assisted us in our labors at Potter's Hall, which revived the interest very much in that place. The next Sabbath, we returned to Clark Center. Bro. A. spoke in the morning on baptism, after which, five received the ordinance. Bro. Craig kindly opened his house for us, for which may the Lord reward him.

The 24th, we returned to the Hall. A vote was taken in the evening, to ascertain the opinion of the people in regard to the Sabbath, when nearly one hundred voted in favor of the seventh day, and but one in favor of the first.

Monday, the 25th, Bro. A. left us. We truly felt cheered and encouraged by his visit, and notwithstanding his testimony was straight, yet I think it was generally well received, and the brethren are trying to profit by it. Many of them have been awakened to realize the necessity of putting away their filthy habits, and seeking purity and holiness in order to be prepared for translation.

Up to March 30, we had held about thirty meetings with the friends at Potter's Hall and vicinity. Some eight or ten commenced keeping the Sabbath; others we think will soon. Obtained several subscribers for the paper.

A great deal of war is manifested against us, on account of our views, by some professing Christians. One man declared he could throw our tracts into the fire and the men with them. Another, an M. E. minister, stated publicly that we were circulating tracts which were rank poison, infidelity.

Bro. C. remains to labor with the friends near Potter's Hall, as the way may open.

Receiving urgent calls from Martinsville for a course of lectures, I came here March 30th. The people had been warned against us by the ministers of the place; so of course both churches were refused us;

notwithstanding one had been built with the express understanding that it should be free to all denominations. The friends, however, procured a suitable hall, and last evening I spoke, for the first time, on the general work of the Reformation. About two hundred were out, and good attention was paid to the word spoken.

Brethren, when you pray, remember this part of the field. C. H. BLISS.

Martinsville, April 2, 1872.