Upper Columbia by W. F. Martin

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 31, 1903

Upper Columbia

By W. F. Martin

WHEN our conference was divided into districts for the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” the Milton (Ore.) district was assigned to me. Our share consisted of nearly six hundred books, six for each church-member in our district. Quite a number of the brethren and sisters loyally took hold of the work, and became responsible for the sale of their quotas. There was left on my hands, however, about two hundred and fifty books. With the Lord’s blessing, I succeeded in selling these so as to close up the work in our district soon after January 1.

January 20 I went to Weiser, Idaho, in answer to an urgent call for meetings near that place. Elder Wilson, a First-day Adventist, had been challenging our people for a debate. It was not my desire to enter into a discussion with him, but taking all things into account, it seemed the best thing to do. He affirmed that the ten commandments are abolished, which I denied. I affirmed that Christians are under obligation to observe the Sabbath of the fourth commandment;

this he denied. The discussion lasted four evenings. Before the hour of meeting, I met with the little company of our people there, and we earnestly sought God’s blessing. As a result, the Lord greatly blessed the presentation of his truth. Before the discussion closed, it was manifest to the people that the First-day Adventist minister had completely failed to establish his proposition, and an excellent impression was made for the truth. About two hundred and fifty voted requesting a series of meetings in the near future. Circumstances were such that it was not possible for me to remain longer; but that is an excellent field, and I would be glad to return at an early date to follow up the interest.

I next visited the church at Blackfoot, Idaho, which I was the instrument in God’s hand of raising up about two years ago. Since then they have had no ministerial help, yet have been faithful. I found them all of good courage, and working diligently to bring the truth to others. Nearly every member of the church is engaged in distributing tracts and papers, and some are holding Bible readings with their neighbors. As a result, there is quite an interest, and an urgent call for meetings. Truly, the harvest is great. Sabbath, March 14, was a good day for this church. One brother, an influential physician, was added to the church. So far their meetings have been held in a private house. My courage in God and in his truth is good.

W. F. MARTIN.