Illinois | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 13, 1901

Illinois.

Eldred.—Circumstances made it necessary for me to close my meetings in Eldred, although not half the work is done. Yet I have the satisfaction of seeing one good family begin the observance of the Sabbath; and others I believe would have done so. We praise the Lord for His goodness.

Woodburn.—One of our families from Jerseyville has moved to Woodburn, and I was requested to visit them. Here I met Brother Penniman, one of the oldest members of the State, who is now much advanced in years, but who spent the best of his days in the service of God. Our meetings at Woodburn were not much attended by those not of our faith; but they were spicy and full of interest.

Jerseyville.—The quarterly meeting at Jerseyville was one of the best that has yet been held. About fifteen were present to take part, and nearly as many letters were read from absent members. The actual number now residing in Jerseyville is not more than twelve; but the turbulent elements are gone, and all who now remain are in union and fellowship. Two were baptized, and two others made application for membership by letter. J. P. Henderson.

Mulkeytown.—It has been a few days over a month since I began to labor at this place. The attendance has been good. I have been presenting the Sabbath and the law for over a week. Several have acknowledged the truth in words, but not in their actions. I am not looking for great results, and do not regard the effort a failure by any means. Have sold quite a number of Bibles and books, and loaned and given away many tracts, which I hope will yield fruit by and by. C. L. Taggart.

Golden Gate.—I began a series of tent-meetings the 16th of June, about three and one-half miles south of Golden Gate. From the first, the attendance has been fairly good, although the farmers were busy harvesting their wheat. During the week the attendance has been made up largely of young people. The tent is far too small to accommodate those who attend on Sabbath and Sunday evenings. Associated with me are three young men who are doing all they can in disposing of our literature and assisting in the meetings. F. W. Wheeler.

Mt. Erie.—Our meetings here are still continuing, with attendance and interest unabated. We have now held thirty-one public meetings, besides visiting and reading with people at their homes, and have distributed many tracts and papers. Have just presented the specially testing truths of the message, and the people seem interested. Some have taken a decided stand on the Lord’s side. Just how many are decided we cannot tell, but we believe that before the meeting closes, a little company will be developed to hold aloft the torch of truth in this place. C. H. Thompson.

Harvey.—Our tent-meetings at this place opened Friday evening, June 28. The first week the extremely hot weather and heavy rains interfered somewhat with the progress of our services. Within the last few evenings, however, the interest and attendance have materially increased. A good spirit is manifested by the people. Our own people of Harvey and of 71st St., Chicago, manifest a deep interest in the meetings. By this means interested persons from other places are influenced to come and hear. Several of Mrs. Anderson’s Bible readers, seven of whom had already decided before the meetings opened, are attending regularly, and show much interest. C. H. Bliss, J. N. Anderson.

Galesburg.—We held our regular quarterly meeting, July 6. It was a precious experience for us all. Five new members were added to our little company. One of them had a most severe test at the time. Her husband had followed her to the church, and after she had come forward to be received into the church, he walked up to her and said, in a loud, angry voice, “Do you intend to join this church?” She said, firmly, “I do,” to which he replied, “Then you and I drop right here. I want you to understand if you join this church, I’m done with you forever.” She was so overcome that she sat down and cried like a child; but she would not yield, and after she had been questioned, and voted into the church, her husband, who had sat there watching her all the time, was so overcome that, with tears running down his face, he suddenly sprang up, and breaking right into the service, said that he saw he had done wrong, and was sorry for it, and that he wanted his wife to go right on. And as he asked her forgiveness, “Praise the Lord!” broke involuntarily from the lips of nearly every one present, and I’m sure there must have been rejoicing in heaven. Sunday we went out to a small lake, where seven were buried with their Lord in baptism. July 6 our little church was just four and one-half years old, and during all that time there has not been one death among us. The church is steadily growing. Mrs. A. C. Ames.

Pittwood.—At the earnest request of the friends living at Pittwood, I attended the dedication of their new tabernacle, Sabbath and Sunday, July 13 and 14. I was glad to meet with quite a large number of friends living near Pittwood. Representatives were present from Kankakee, Clinton, St. Anne, Martinton, Gissna Park, and Wateska. All enjoyed the meetings, and seemed hungry for the word spoken. On Sabbath afternoon two were baptized, and six united with the church, two by baptism, one by profession of faith, and three by letter. These additions much strengthened and encouraged the church. Their tabernacle is free from debt, with the exception of a little back on the furnishings, which will be readily paid with a donation that was received the day of the dedication. The Illinois colporteur, who is elder of the Pittwood church, reports progress in his work. He has visited and traveled over the territory a number of times, and many have become interested. To one well-to-do family he has sold over forty dollars’ worth of our books. Its members are interested in the truth; and when he visits them, one of the first questions they ask is, “Have you any more new books?” He is seldom charged anything for a night’s lodging, and quite a number have said to him, “If we are not at home when you come, put up your horse, and help yourself to anything you can find; it will all be free.” Many regard him as a spiritual father. The work in northeastern Illinois is gaining ground, which is a cause of rejoicing, and is plainly seen by the cheerful testimonies of the brethren and their liberal donations. S. H. Lane.

A. C. Ames is canvassing Galesburg for “Coming King.”

Elder E. A. Curtis and Victor Thompson are now laboring in Streator, and report an encouraging outlook.

G. E. Nord is soliciting orders for “Daniel and the Revelation,” and P. E. Brotherson is working with “Heralds of the Morning.” Both are at Rockford.

The Illinois Recorder is issued each week at Sheridan by the Illinois Conference, the editors being N. W. Kauble and C. H. Castle. Terms, forty cents a year.

Those brethren who are able and willing to work to assist in preparing for the camp-meeting to be held at Kankakee, August 24 to September 1, should write to Brother R. F. Andrews, at Onarga, Ill., at once.

The expense of sending the Sentinel of Liberty to the Illinois legislature during the last session was $28.56. Donations for this purpose, to the amount of $13.95 have been made, leaving a shortage of $14.61. Let those who are interested in this branch of the work send enough to make up the shortage, to the Illinois Recorder, Sheridan.

The Sheridan Industrial School calendar is now printed, and may be had by addressing those in

charge. A letter from Brother Clarence J. Boyd says: “We welcomed two new students the past week. Our family in the home now numbers twenty-two. These, together with outside students, make our class rooms well filled. All are progressing nicely in study and recitations. Our crops are tended. Have just finished a cistern that will hold one hundred and seventy-five barrels.”

The names and addresses of the Illinois Conference officers are as follows: President, R. F. Andrews, Onarga; Secretary, C. H. Castle, Sheridan; Tract Society Treasurer and Secretary, G. A. Wheeler, Sheridan; Sabbath-school President, Hattie E. Kauble, Sheridan; Sabbath-school Secretary, Mrs. L. K. Curtis, 514 James St., Peoria; State Agent, R. B. Craig, 820 Fayette St., Peoria. The Conference Committee consists of R. F. Andrews; N. W. Kauble; E. A. Curtis, of Sheridan; L. D. Santee, 7115 St. Lawrence Ave., Chicago; and L. H. Christian, 1544 N. Artesian Ave., Chicago.

M. L. Sabin is canvassing at Danville, for “Coming King;” Edward Howard, at East St. Louis, for “Ladies’ Guide;” Chas. Hook, at Chicago, for “Christ’s Object Lessons;” David Pritts, at Streator, for “Desire of Ages;” Archer Wright, at Peoria, for “Coming King;” R. B. Craig, at Peoria; James Prince, at Plano; C. A. Nowlen, at Strasburg, for “Daniel and the Revelation;” E. Edwardson, at Rockford, for “Desire of Ages;” J. B. Fletcher, at East St. Louis, for “Ladies’ Guide;” James Olson, at Sheridan, for “Great Controversy;” C. J. J. Holman, at Galva, for “Prophecies of Jesus;” E. Johnson, at Rockford, for “Coming King;” and W. B. Crabtree, at Peoria, for “Great Controversy.”