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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 20, 1901

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 78, No. 34.

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ILLINOIS

By M. G. Huffman

Mt. Erie.—The good work is onward at this place. Elder Charles Thompson and myself came to Mt. Erie the first of June, and we were not long in finding a beautiful location in a grove near the village in which to pitch the tents. We began the meetings the evening of June 13, and continued them until Sunday night, August 4. Both the interest and the attendance were excellent, the congregations ranging from fifty to three hundred, the nights being few when we did not have one hundred or more. The last day was one long to be remembered, as there were three sermons preached and one Bible reading held, besides several song services. And it was estimated that during the day there were five hundred persons on the grounds. As the result of the efforts put forth, we can report a goodly number who have taken their stand with us to keep the “commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,” and the interest is still good.
The friends here are anxious to see a church built, and have offered quite liberally of their means to help erect a building in which more fully to proclaim the Third Angel’s Message. We were impressed that God would be pleased to have us push forward an enterprise of that kind, and we were sure that He would put it into the hearts of the people to aid in that direction. But while we were talking over the matter, the United Brethren, who have a church building in this place, sent us word that they would sell us their church and all the ground connected with it, the organ, stoves, lamps, with all the other furniture, for two hundred dollars. There are three lots, two of which can be sold for fifty dollars, and yet have enough land left for hitching room for horses. Or the two lots can be laid off for burying purposes, and sold for from five dollars to ten dollars a lot. We have concluded to accept their offer. We are circulating a subscription paper, and have already received in pledges one hundred and five dollars. This amount was received in a few hours, and no one to whom the paper has been presented has refused to give something.
We have every reason to believe that the Lord is in the work at this place, and we are greatly encouraged to push forward in the blessed cause until all the honest in heart will have been gathered out from among the rubbish, and prepared to meet the Lord at His coming. We have already held two preaching services in the church, with a full house. The house needs some repairs, but we are confident that the Lord will put it into the hearts of the people to give of the means which belongs to Him.
Brother Thompson has gone home to aid his family in getting ready for the camp-meeting. I will remain a while longer, preaching next Sabbath and Sunday, after which I will go to Kankakee to attend the camp-meeting. I am of good courage in the Lord, praising Him for his His goodness to me. M. G. HUFFMAN.