The Churches | AdventAI

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · May 31, 1877

The Churches.

(Condensed from Review and Herald.)

New York.

PARMA.— Last week we noticed the close of Bro. Whitney’s second course of lectures in this place. He remained another Sabbath and baptized several, organized a Sabbath-school with three Bible classes of adults, besides the children. We insert a portion of a testimonial signed by many prominent citizens, and published in the (Rochester) Sunday Morning Herald:—

“Rev. S. B. Whitney: Your protracted labors amongst us having drawn to a close, we, the undersigned, desire to convey to you this evidence of our regard and esteem. This action on our part, the simple result of spontaneous feeling, is entirely unaffected by the varied influences of sectarianism; and you will please accept our sentiments as the expressions of a purely personal tribute.”

“Your grand deliverances on the law of God, your highly instructive lectures on the prophecies, your earnest sermons on the faith of Christ and the teachings of the apostles, have been regularly attended by many of us for nearly three months. Novelty undoubtedly attracted some persons at the commencement, but as the Bible was opened, leaf by leaf, and passages usually regarded obscure, because woven into intellectual chains, were explained, those who came at first as passive listeners soon remained eager to investigate. We believe that your positions as advanced here are in harmony with scriptural truth and gospel spirit. To say that your ministration has evoked unwonted interest, is feebly to express its result; and in view of the pleasurable experience you have occasioned us, we most cordially commend your exercises in biblical thought and research to the careful consideration of those of our fellow creatures who can believe that the intelligence with which their Creator has endowed them is a factor in the solution of Truth, as applicable to their own cases, and who are sufficiently free from the trammels of bigotry to care little at the confusion of its elements. We admire the temperate demeanor which has characterized you, and attended you, triumphant, through a period pregnant with trial and annoyance. We believe you to be a sincere expounder of your profession,” “You will at all times receive a hearty welcome to come amongst us.”

Ohio.

NEW ANTIOCH.— Bro. H. A. St. John reports that there are about thirty Sabbath-keepers in this vicinity. He commenced meetings, assisted by Bro. T. J. Butler, May 11. A good degree of interest was manifested to hear. He states that on the next Sunday night it was estimated that not one-half the people that came could get into the large school-room where the meetings were held. The friends felt assured that an audience of twelve or fifteen hundred people could easily have been gathered had there been a place to convene them. A good work evidently remains to be done in Antioch. Elder Butler was to continue meetings another week.

Minnesota.

BEAVER CREEK.— Brn. Fulton and Hill have closed their labors, for the present, in this place. They report a company of eighteen united in keeping the commandments of God. Sabbath meetings, weekly prayer and social meetings and a Sabbath-school are established among them.

Kansas.

OSWEGO.— Bro. L. D. Santee was with the church in this place, May 12 and 13. He reports five more added to the church, and that perfect harmony prevails and all seem to be trying to draw near to God.

Maine.

NEW SWEDEN.— Bro. James Sawyer in speaking of the organization of the church in this place, says: “The Spirit of the Lord was present on the occasion. Thirty-two signed the covenant, and about ten more are ready to join at the earliest opportunity. The ordinances of the Lord’s house were celebrated for the first time. As baptism was administered, an unusual manifestation of God’s Spirit was present. The Baptist friends manifested much respect toward us on this occasion. Our friends in New Sweden express a desire to send the truth to their kinsmen in old Sweden. The Swedish Colony in Maine has representatives from every province in Sweden. We hope this will be the beginning of a good work in that land. We thank God for his blessing upon the Swedish mission in Maine, and for the interest which the American brethren manifest for the Scandinavians in this State.”

Rhode Island.

CURTIS’ CORNERS.— The monthly meeting at this place is reported as one of much interest. Bro. M. Wood gave an interesting discourse on missionary labor, by which all were encouraged. After his discourse, nearly all gave a verbal report of labor. Some expressed a wish that they had more of the SIGNS to send out, stating that as they venture out, the field seems to be open before them.

Tennessee.

SYCAMORE MILLS AND SYCAMORE CHAPEL.— Bro. O. S. writes that he has held four meetings at the Mills the present month. At the last the house was crowded with attentive listeners. About six dollars’ worth of books were sold. He also spoke four times at the Chapel. There is still an encouraging state of things here. When Bro. Owen left, ten had signed a covenant to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Since then, six more have signed it, among whom are the local elder and the acting deacon of the Disciple church. The elder is county surveyor. The deacon is a justice of the peace, and has considerable influence in the neighborhood. There are also six or seven keeping the Sabbath, who have not signed the covenant, making in all over twenty Sabbath-keepers here. They have Sabbath meetings and a Bible class.