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Reports from the Field

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Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Oct 4, 1877

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 3, No. 38.

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Reports from the Field.

(Condensed from Review and Herald.)
New York.
Brockville.—Elder Reynolds writes that the Lord is blessing the work here. There are now twenty-nine grown persons keeping the Sabbath. He is holding meetings every afternoon and evening. The interest is deep, and is spreading.
Michigan.
Howard City.—Brethren Burrill and Ellsworth write: “We had held but two meetings in Howard city, when Mrs. Morse, a popular Spiritualist lecturer, came to town, and for the first time introduced Spiritualism in this place. At the close of her second meeting, we gave notice that we would review her, and this has given us the ears of the people and an opportunity to introduce the life and death question, which appears to be taking wonderfully well, and awakening an interest to know more of our faith. Last evening about three hundred and fifty were out to listen to a discourse on the sleep of the dead.”
Imlay City.—Brethren Van Deusen and Wellman report that tent-meetings here have now closed. This has been a hard field of labor, there being much prejudice and opposition. About eighty discourses have been given. The people have been faithfully warned, and many are “almost persuaded” to obey, but with the majority, “What will people say?” and “How shall we obtain a living?” have been weightier considerations than their duty to God, and eternal life with its untold blessings. About twelve, however, have taken a stand on the side of truth.
Indiana.
Darlington.—The brethren report the work still onward here. The Lord has given freedom in preaching the word, and many have been deeply impressed. Doubtless a number will embrace the truth. The people are becoming friendly, and are fast losing their prejudice. Five more have been baptized at Thornton.
Wisconsin.
Pardeeville.—Brethren Olds and Smith report thirty keeping the Sabbath, as the fruit of their labors here, twenty-five of whom have entered into covenant relations. An interest is awakened in the country round about, and there are urgent calls for labor.
Westfield.—As some of the fruits of tent labor here, ten have commenced the observance of the Sabbath in this vicinity. A little company have been organized, and a leader appointed; also a Bible-class has been formed.
Loyal.—Elder Decker reports: “I have just closed an excellent meeting at this place. It was well attended by brethren from Maple Works. Discourses were given on the signs of the times, the overcomer’s reward, and Christian duties. Brother Geo. Smith was chosen deacon of the Loyal church. Nine were baptized on first-day, September 9. This church is having a steady increase in membership. It was organized with a membership of sixteen, and now numbers about fifty.”
Rush Creek.—Brother Tenney writes: “The result of the meetings held in this place was favorable considering the circumstances. Eight or ten good substantial people promised to obey the truth, and Sabbath meetings are appointed. We met considerable opposition, some of it arising from ignorance very primitive and complete. For instance, while I was speaking of the Sabbath on the round earth, a man who is an elder of the Disciple church arose and said, ‘The world is as flat as a pancake, and any fool might know it.’ We are thankful for a truth which is attractive to intelligent people.”
Ohio.
Newark.—Elder Waggoner reports the interest in the meetings here increasing, though the circumstances are unfavorable. The weather has been cold and rainy. Some are reading, and are deeply interested who dare not attend at the tent on account of the bad weather. Book sales have not been large; but, including the sales at the camp-meeting, the purchases in the city will at least reach $60. Besides this, great quantities of reading matter have been lent by the tract distributors, and thousands of pages given away. Wherever a house has been missed by the distributors it is found that the neighbors have lent to them, so that about all in the city have read some.
Missouri.
Half Rock.—Brethren Chaffee and Woodruff report having given seventy-five discourses here. Although there has been much opposition, twenty-five have accepted the whole truth. The Sunday following the close of the debate, sixteen were baptized, in the presence of at least eight hundred persons. There will be baptism again in a few days. The meetings still continue with increasing interest, and the whole country seems stirred for miles around.
Kansas.
Bethany and Pioneer.—Brother Ayers writes: “At our meeting at Bethany four were baptized and united with the church. The debate with Elder Field on the nature of man, the destiny of the wicked, and the saints’ inheritance, lasted five days. The Lord vindicated his truth. The elder, after being routed from every line of defense, finally went over to Spiritualism, openly avowing himself to be a Spiritualist, and declaring that all would be obliged to indorse Spiritualism or Adventism (which he called materialism). He wound up with a long exhortation to the people to get their spiritual eyes opened, that they may enjoy the good time coming, when the nations will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks, etc. We commenced meetings with the Pioneer church, Thursday, September 6, and continued over Sabbath and first-day. Seven were added to the church, and six were baptized.”
Minnesota.
Luverne.—Brethren Dimmick and Moore write that their meetings have now closed at this place. A church of thirteen members was organized, and as many more are keeping the Sabbath.