ILLINOIS by M. G. Huffman

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 28, 1902

ILLINOIS

By M. G. Huffman

BLOOMINGTON.— It was my privilege to spend the week of prayer with the Bloomington church, and I am glad that I can truthfully report that the Lord was pleased to come very near His people by His Spirit. All who participated in the meetings received showers of blessing. I am sure that if all who profess to believe the Third Angel’s Message in Bloomington will live up to their God-given privileges, and show their appreciation of the blessings received during the week of prayer, better days are for the church in that city. Three meetings were held each day; the Lord gave power in the presentation of His word, and souls were stirred. The church was much revived.

I have not learned the exact amount of the annual offerings, but I am quite sure that they were liberal. One brother came to me after the discourse one night, and said that he was deeply impressed by some remarks which had been made during the preaching, that it was his duty to make an offering for his little boy who was four months old; he said he believed it the parents’ duty to make offerings for the children until they become old enough to give for themselves. I am sure that his ideas in that matter are correct, and doubtless many parents would see their children in a far better condition spiritually, were they to adopt this brother’s plan. The next night he came to the meeting with three envelopes,—each containing fifteen dollars,—one for himself, one for his wife, and the other for his little boy.

I received a great blessing during the week of prayer, for which I praise the Lord. May God bless the Bloomington church, and may all the members do what they can by the help of the Lord to get the light of present truth before the people; to this end I shall pray.

From December 30 to January 15 I spent in Battle Creek visiting my family, whom I had not seen before since the General Conference. Battle Creek is not by any means a paradise, as many imagine it before going there. I visited many discouraged souls during my sojourn in that place, and could have spent all my time while there in laboring with such. Many have drifted into Battle Creek as so much driftwood, and can give no good reason why they are there. These do not belong to the church in Battle Creek, and they fail to report to the church to which they belong; hence they pay no tithe, either in Battle Creek or in their home church, and feel under no obligations to help keep up expenses. Yet they murmur and complain, feeling that they are slighted and misused. Oh may the dear Lord help all such to go to work to get the precious truth before those who are sitting in darkness! If they will only do this, it will prove a means of healing to their soul, and a balm to their conscience.

I preached once in the Sanitarium chapel. The Lord was present, and we had a blessed meeting. I also spoke once to the old people in the Old People’s Home. The Spirit of God was present in a marked measure, and I shall not soon forget that meeting. It was good to be there, and hear the testimonies of the old veterans in Israel. God bless the old people!

I am now on my way back to my field of labor in Illinois. I praise God for the part He grants me in His work.

M. G. HUFFMAN.