p. 814 | NEBRASKA by O. S. Ferren

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 18, 1900

NEBRASKA

By O. S. Ferren

At the Nebraska Conference held at Seward, I was placed in charge of District 7, which includes western Nebraska, the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming. In company with O. A. Hall, I went from College View to Boxbutte County church, where we spent thirteen days, holding meetings, visiting the isolated ones, taking subscriptions for our papers, and baptizing those who were ready for baptism. Here the brethren decided to build a house for school and church purposes, and work and money were soon subscribed to finish the building, and a church-school teacher was engaged. God blessed the work at this place. Our next stop was at Crawford, where we spent eight days, doing church work and visiting all the brethren within twenty miles. One person was baptized, and united with the church. The quarterly meeting was held, and a good spirit prevailed. At both these places all were encouraged to go forward. Several are at work with the World's Outlook Number of the Signs of the Times, and every family takes the REVIEW.

Brother Hall stayed to hold meetings near Crawford, while I went to Hot Springs, S. D., where I met Elder L. E. Johnson. Here we spent five days, holding quarterly meeting, and encouraging all we could to take a firm stand for the truth. One woman received the message, was baptized, and united with the Black Hills church; and one was taken in on former baptism. The Sabbath-school was organized, five subscriptions for the REVIEW AND HERALD were taken; and, after celebrating the ordinances with this small company, we left them in better courage than we found them.

Brother Johnson took me into his buggy, and we started through the hills, our first stop being at Custer, where we spent seven days. This small company has two Sabbath-schools,—one at Custer, one at Four Mile. After visiting the brethren, we appointed meetings at Custer, where almost all came to a three-days' feast. Here we held quarterly meeting, with the Spirit of God present. Instructions on all points of truth were given, and subscriptions for our periodicals were secured. Several persons are selling the extra number of the Signs, in town and country. I think all take the REVIEW.

We next went sixty miles, to Boyd, Wyo., where we spent four days, developing the interest in the truth as far as possible. This company is small. Some have moved away, and one was laid to rest until the Life-giver comes. We held the quarterly meeting with two families, and organized a Sabbath-school. We next went forty miles further on into the country, stopping overnight with a lone sister and her family, in a little log cabin, where we were treated to the best they had. Going on to Sheldon, we found Sabbath-keepers, representatives of four families, with whom we labored three days, celebrating the ordinances, and organizing a Sabbath-school. We left them much encouraged, with two names to be added to the church.

On our way to Lead City, about eighty miles over hills and dales, through the dense forest, the first night found us at a brother's little cabin, both cabin and barn locked. The small one-half window was left so we could open it. Taking the lock from the barn, we were soon housed from the falling snow, and had a comfortable night. We visited two isolated families on our way the next day, and arrived at Lead City just before night. We have held a three-days' meeting, celebrating the ordinances, and electing officers for the Black Hills church. We find a church school in good condition here, with a good spirit among the brethren. After making a few more visits and holding a few more meetings at Deadwood, I shall go home, after an absence of almost four months, and having traveled by team over four hundred miles.

Twelve subscriptions for the REVIEW, ten for the Nebraska Reporter, and nine for other of our papers, were secured. Ten persons were baptized and united with the churches, and about fifteen who had previously been baptized were taken in by vote. Money was raised to pay off the remaining debt of the Black Hills Tract Society. The message is onward in the Black Hills. To the Lord be all the praise.

O. S. FERREN.