The Cause Still Progressing.
By M. K. W.
As THE reports given in the Review and Herald, our denominational paper, are too numerous and too lengthy to be of interest or profit to the general readers of the SIGNS, we glean from time to time from the most interesting, and present them in a condensed form that they may fully understand the progress the cause is steadily making. The interest that the brethren in the East have in the cause of present truth is shown by the efforts that are made by many in various States to attend the meetings. One brother sixty years of age crossed the lofty range of the Green Mountains on foot to hear Bro. Hutchins preach in Grantville, Vt. Another man and his wife walked fifteen miles and carried a small child that long distance to attend one meeting at Sauk Rapids, Minn. Also a sister walked eight miles through the snow to attend an S. D. Adventist meeting for the first time at West Union. Others have come forty and sixty miles to attend meetings. If this does not show interest pray how should it be manifested? Bro J. E. Morin reports from Battle Creek, where he is now writing for the French paper soon to be published in Switzerland, and for which he has obtained 50 subscribers, that since last January he has “given away 4,633 pages of French tracts, sold $7.32 worth of English tracts, $1.23 worth of French tracts, and 50 cents worth of German tracts, and visited fifty families.” Of his meetings in Manteno, Wis., he says: “During two weeks I held meetings in Manteno among the Roman Catholics. The first week over one hundred came and listened to me, and were very much interested. I spoke to them of the soon coming of Christ. The Sunday following, the priest told them to come no more to listen to me, and he assured them the end of the world would not come for three millions of years. Peace, peace, and there is no peace! The week following, several came no more, and I began to be insulted in the village. One evening I was at the store of a friend, and there came in an important looking personage who said with the greatest confidence, speaking of me, ‘That young Frenchman is a fool.’ My friend replied, ‘Do you know Mr. G., the poor idiot who lives in the village? Well, he came this morning, and said the same words you have just uttered.’ Before denominating any person as a fool we must investigate the theories he advances.” “During that same week I commenced speaking on the prophecies. The people, excited by the priest, intended to assault me. They came into the Hall, but the Lord protected me. They made only a few demonstrations, and went out intending to return in a short time. Before the Hall was an enraged mob making a great noise to drown my words. But the words of truth rose above the din. I was of great courage, and felt that the angel of the Lord was on my side. After the meeting I offered tracts, and they promised to read them. All were convinced of the present truth. Six embraced it. I appointed some one to read one of our French tracts to them and their friends at their meeting each Sabbath; for the majority of them cannot read. The village is really awakened.” Elder D. M. Canright who has been laboring among the churches in Michigan since his departure from Cal., makes the following summary of his labors:— “Churches visited, 54; elders elected and ordained, 10; deacons elected, 10; persons who have united with the different churches, 167; number baptized, 90; number reclaimed, or those who have started for the first time to be Christians, about 400. The majority of these have been young persons, between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five. “Membership of these 54 churches, 1,513; those observing the Sabbath above ten years of age who are not members, 866; total number of Sabbath-keepers, 2,379; children under ten years of age, 827; Systematic Benevolence pledged for 1875, $5,208.96; for 1876, $10,532.20.” Besides the hundreds of scattered Sabbath-keepers, there are twenty-five, or about one-third, of the entire number of churches yet unvisited. According to this estimate, “the entire membership of our churches in Michigan would be 2,269, the number of Sabbath-keepers, 3,568, and the s. b. pledged, at the same rate as the others, would be $15,998.30.” Bro. D. Downer, who is still laboring in Wisconsin, makes the following cheering report of the progress of the cause in Arkansaw:— “The church at Arkansaw is in a prosperous condition. Ex-Governor Washburn had a store near this town, 26x36, and as no goods were being sold in it, I wrote to him, and told him I would like it for a meeting-house. He replied he might be liberal in his price if he could know that I was a good man and preaching sound doctrine. I informed him I was willing to be criticised, and that he might question me. After some correspondence he made me a present of a deed of the house, which cost $2,500. Ex-Governor Washburn will be remembered as being opposed to church gambling, as expressed in his message while governor. I believe God is turning the hearts of some toward us. Let us take courage as never before.” The following stirring lines from sister Mary B. Moore of Phelps Co., Mo., ought to inspire us all with greater energy and activity in the true missionary cause:— “About five miles from here, in the country, the people are anxious to hear our views. They came to me to see if I could not get one of our paper preachers to go out and preach for them. We have no preachers here to go, but perhaps when Bro. Allen comes again, he will go. I told them I would take some of the books belonging to our English Tract Society and go out and read for them. They accepted the offer, and I went out, feeling my own weakness, but trusting in God for help and strength. The first night I read in the meeting-house to about one hundred persons. They were very attentive. I read ‘Exposition of Matt. 24.’ “I have had thirteen readings in private houses, and expect soon to have another in the meeting-house. I found one Sabbath-keeper there, and two have been convinced through the readings, and have commenced to keep the Sabbath.” Would that many others would go and do likewise. If we only have a disposition to engage heartily in the missionary work we shall never lack for opportunities. M. K. W.