Reports from the Field

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Oct 11, 1877

Reports from the Field.

(Condensed from Review and Herald.)

Massachusetts.

DANVERS.—Elder Canright reports the work advancing here. A subscription of fourteen hundred dollars has been received for the purpose of erecting a house of worship. A fine lot has been purchased near where the tent stands, and the job let of building a meeting-house, 32x52, 18-ft. posts, with a good gallery arranged for a prayer-meeting room. The cost of the house all completed, except the seats, done in the best manner, will be $1,700. House to be done December 15. Some help from the brethren in the Conference has been calculated upon. He further states: “On Sunday three sermons were preached against us. We dismissed our meeting, and gave all a chance to hear them. Monday we scattered bills in all the towns around, announcing a reply. Everybody is excited over the matter. The last two nights we have had as large congregations as at any previous time during our meetings. The tent was crowded, and many stood outside. I had freedom in reviewing the orthodox minister on the Sabbath question, and the Methodist on the advent. So far as we can learn, it has been the best thing for us that has happened to us during all our meetings. These things have seemingly raised the interest higher than ever.”

Later, Elder Stone writes: “The past ten days have been filled with interesting events. The review of the discourses of the Congregationalist and Methodist ministers by Elder Canright had a most excellent effect, serving to establish more firmly the friends of the truth. These ministers spoke again last Sunday, September 23, upon the Sabbath question. We had a good audience but told them if they desired we would all go across the street to hear the preaching, adding that I would like much to hear what these ministers could say on the Sabbath question. So I asked those in favor of adjourning to arise. Not one moved; and we went on with our meeting.”

New York.

BLOCKVILLE.—Elder Reynolds writes that tenting here for the season has closed. Wednesday, September 19, sixteen persons were buried with their Lord in baptism. A large number gathered and lined the shore of the beautiful stream selected. A deep feeling of solemnity seemed to rest upon the people, and a calm serenity and holy joy animated the candidates. There are now thirty-three keeping the Sabbath; twenty-eight have signed the covenant.

WELLSVILLE.—Brother Brown reports the work here advancing. There are new and valuable accessions to the number that promise to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The work on the new church is progressing.

Illinois.

MT. VERNON.—Brother I. G. Colcord writes: “We have been here eleven days, and have held sixteen meetings. We commenced with about two hundred hearers, but we now have four hundred. On Sunday evening last we had our largest congregation, notwithstanding there was an M. E. camp-meeting in session at the same time. The interest is good. The people show sincerity, therefore we hope for good results in this place. We have discussed the prophecies, the law, and the Sabbath.”

Indiana.

DARLINGTON.—Brothers Bartlett and Caldwell write: “The work here is onward. Great increase in attendance and interest. Our last Sabbath meeting was one long to be remembered. Aged soldiers of the cross, with tears streaming from their eyes, thanked God for the light of present truth. The middle-aged were equally affected, and several youths have taken their stand for Jesus.”

Missouri.

HALF ROCK.—Brother Chaffee writes: “We closed our meetings in the tent, September 16. The interest was good to the last. Twenty-six have embraced the truth, and united with the church. Twenty-one have been baptized, and several more are keeping the Sabbath, who, we hope, will unite soon. We now have a church here of forty-four members, and the best of feeling prevails among them.”

Texas.

PEORIA.—Elder Kilgore writes: “We have been at work here just a week. About two hundred and fifty were out the first evening. Our congregations have increased at each meeting, and last evening the tent was full. The prospects for good are better than they were at Cleburne at this stage of the meeting.”