p. 125 | DISTRICT 5 by R. M. Kilgore

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 20, 1900

DISTRICT 5.

By R. M. Kilgore

AFTER the council at Battle Creek, I visited my family at Graysville, Tenn., labored with the church two Sabbaths, and was with the Cove and Chattanooga churches one Sabbath each. During the working days I took necessary exercise, working with my hands, preparing for the winter.

At Springdale, Ark., December 1-4, I attended the Sabbath-school convention, and the council of the Arkansas Conference Committee. The action of the General Conference Committee concerning a change of State officers was ratified. The resignation of Elder C. McReynolds, as president, was accepted, and Elder A. E. Field was chosen to fill the vacancy, and Brother Palmer was selected to make the committee complete.

Driving by team about sixty-five miles eastward into the mountains, Elder Field and I reached Hilltop, Ark. The church here had, by its own action, disbanded itself, and was waiting to be properly reorganized, so they might be admitted into the Conference. This was accomplished, leaving a church there of thirteen members, all united in love for one another, and in all points of the message. Proper officers were elected. Elder Field remained to labor further with this and other companies in that part of the State, while I drove back to Springdale, through rain, mud, and, part of the time, a snowstorm, to meet other appointments. On my way west I stopped at Dallas, Tex.

December 15 I arrived at Tucson, Ariz., where I met Brother and Sister Williams and Brother and Sister Black, who have labored here for several months. Here I was pleased to meet Brother M. Serna, formerly a Methodist minister. This brother speaks Spanish, and he, with a large part of two congregations over which he presided, has accepted the Third Angel’s Message. A small company of English-speaking people have also accepted the message. I remained here over two Sabbaths, laboring for both classes, Brother Serna acting as interpreter while speaking to the Mexicans. The simplicity and readiness with which these persons received the word spoken was refreshing. They staggered not at the straight testimony. The love of the truth seemed to be an established principle with all of them, and to know God and Jesus Christ was their only desire. They accept the principles of temperance and health reform, and are practicing them as far as they can. As we set before them the duty of separation from the world, and the Bible standard of dress, as compared with the customs and “idolatrous practices of this degenerate age,” to which “we can not yield one inch,” we were all blessed, and the Spirit was present in power, softening our hearts. During the work of the organization of this church we came in contact with the “wedding ring” and the Chinese “cue.” This served as an object lesson, which will not be easily forgotten, as it so well illustrated the principles involved, upon which we were dwelling. When the heart is fully surrendered to the will and word of God, it is death to the customs, laws, and practices of this world. Brother Sam Kee had surrendered, dispensed with his cue, and was baptized, with seventeen other persons; and a church of twenty-three members was organized. The proper corps of officers was elected, and after ordination, the meeting closed with the celebration of the ordinances. It was good to be there.

Brethren Serna and Black and I then went about one hundred miles to labor for Brother Serna’s other flock, at Solomonville. These are all Spanish-Mexicans. We found them, also, ready to hear, and rejoicing in the truths of the Third Angel’s Message. For months they have stood stiffly for the truth, keeping the Sabbath, amid much opposition from their former brethren and kinsfolk, with an occasional visit of the workers from Tucson. The Bible is all the study book they have, and they make good use of it. It was indeed a pleasure to work for them publicly and from house to house, and by a constant round of Bible readings, teach them the way of the Lord more perfectly.

On the last Sunday, the meeting-house being occupied by other denominations, we went out by a riverside, and spoke to about fifty persons who resorted thither. There, under an Arizona sky, we spent the entire day in presenting the principles of the gospel in regard to the relations they should sustain to one another as members of the family, as members and officers of the church, and in carefully and “critically examining” each one as to his knowledge of God, of sin, and of the cleansing power of the blood of Christ. Seventeen persons were found ready, willing candidates for baptism and church fellowship. The service closed with their solemn burial by baptism into Christ’s death. As we led Brother Serna and his flock down into the water, and baptized them, pastor and people, a deep impression was made upon the minds of all present. Several others who had not previously decided, now expressed their regrets that they were not prepared to be baptized also.

For the closing meeting at night we returned to the meeting-house, where we completed the work of organization, and celebrated the ordinances, in which they all took part with rejoicing. It was indeed a blessed day. The meetings were all enjoyable occasions to me, as well as to them. They need, and must have, more literature in the Spanish language. May the Lord still bless the workers and these brethren and sisters. R. M. KILGORE.