Progress of the Cause by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 27, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 13.

Progress of the Cause.

By Editor

THE following items are condensed from reports in the Review and Herald.—

At Richie School-house, De Kalb Co., Mo., Bro. J. W. Watt reports good attendance and interest at his meetings.

At Farragut, Iowa, Bro. R. C. Porter was holding continuous meetings against strong prejudice. Six had decided to obey the commandments.

From Kansas, Bro. M. Enoch reports a recent revival of interest in the churches at Norway, Hubbell, and Washington, and a prosperous state at Ballard’s Falls. He had also organized a church of eleven members at Springside; and mention very profitable T. and M. meetings at Osawkee, held by Brn. Cudney and Cook.

Bro. O. F. Guilford reports closing a series of meetings at Clarksville, Ohio, with seventeen keeping the Sabbath of the Lord.

At Grove City, Ohio, Bro. H. T. Hoover made a short but interesting sojourn, and organized a Sabbath-school. He says: “A Methodist minister, who had heard of Adventists but knew nothing of their doctrines, attended the meetings. Some enemies of the truth wanted him to reply to me, but he said he was convinced that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and he would not be found fighting against the law of God.”

Bro. M. G. Huffman reports profitable meetings in the vicinity of Rochester, Fulton Co., Ind., where “a goodly number have taken a decided stand for the truth.” A Sabbath-school of thirty members had been organized. He had incurred the opposition of the “Christian” minister, as usual.

At Burnettsville, White Co., Ind., Bro. J. M. Rees found a general opposition. He occupied the Methodist Church one night, and was forbidden the further use of it. Then followed a like experience with the Christian Church. He was then promised the use of the Baptist Church, but the minister afterward told him “it would never do,” and began himself preaching against the Adventists. Bro. Rees then left the place, but not until a lot had been donated and a subscription started for a church “with the latch-string on the outside.” Such an interest must bear fruit eventually.

Bro. A. W. Bartlett, after laboring four weeks at Arlington, Rush Co., Ind., was compelled to close because church, hall, and school-house doors were all closed against him. Nevertheless over twenty had begun to keep the Lord’s Sabbath; among these were two school-teachers, and a young man who was about preparing for the ministry in a popular denomination. He is now superintendent of the Sabbath-school organized by Bro. Bartlett. The report closes thus: “This is the first time the message has ever been declared in Rush County. The bitterness of my opposers was unprecedented. A notice signed “Vigilance Committee” warned us to leave town instantly, with many direful threats. Churches which previous to my coming had been at swords points, clasped glad hands to crush the truth, thus exemplifying our position on the speedy unification of the various denominations (not on the basis of truth) to fulfill Rev. 13:14.”

Bro. Victor Thompson reports a revival of interest at Thorntown, Ind.; eleven additions to the church (now numbering fifty-five), ten by baptism; and the erection of a new house of worship, 28x42 feet dimensions. He had also organized a church at Middletown.

At Chicago, Bro. J. F. Hanson had closed a series of meetings with eight decided to keep the Lord’s Sabbath.

Bro. A. O. Tait reports eight keeping all the commandments, as the result of meetings held at Rankin, Ill.

Bro. M. E. Kellogg has been laboring at West Berlin, Vt., where nine have accepted the message, and others are much interested.

Bro. Geo. B. Starr reports encouraging progress of the churches and societies at Stromsburg, Richmond, Lyndon, Elk Creek, Crete, and Friend, Neb., but a want of more extended labor and organization.

Bro. G. C. Tenney had a good interest in meetings at Lucas, Dunn Co., Wis., with some accessions to the cause. He had also attended a general meeting at River Falls, with good results. Here the Baptists had allowed the use of their house of worship.

At Villard, Pope Co., Minn., Bro. A. M. Johnson has been holding meetings which were well attended. He says: “Many say we have the truth, but only a few are willing to take up the cross. Nine have signed the covenant.”

Bro. S. H. Lane reports interesting meetings at Laurel Grove, Va., with good results. The Bible-readings were especially effective in connection with the discourses.

Bro. A. W. Bather has held meetings at Pine Creek, Mich.; six new converts were added to six already there. He says: “This little company are thoroughly imbued with the Spirit of the Master, and have a fervent love for the truth and one another.”

Bro. John Norton Loughborough reports a very successful general meeting at Memphis, Mich., at which many not of the faith were in attendance. He says: “We found on inquiry that nearly every family of our people present were taking the Review. We have learned to read one sign of the times, i. e., where our people take our church paper, and read it faithfully, their interest increases greatly in the truth as the result.” Many resolved to increase their missionary labor, and four decided to give their whole time to canvassing and colporter work. The church at Memphis has eighty members.

Bro. W. S. Hyatt has been laboring as canvasser and colporter in the vicinity of Turin, Cass Co., N. Y. He reports Bible-readings a success wherever he has tried them. He had taken thirty-three orders for the SIGNS.

Bro. Whitney, of the Swiss Mission, sends encouraging reports of the reception of the new German paper, Herold der Wahrheit. Also of the good influence of Les Signes de Temps and a continued interest among our French brethren.

Bro. John Gottlieb Matteson, of the Norway Mission, reports a church of 110 members in Christiana, and four colporters at work in different parts of the country. Bros. Norlin and Johnson are laboring quite successfully in Sweden. Bros. Knud Brorsen, Madsen, and Jensen, continue the work in Denmark. The report adds, “The Lord can truly raise up children to Abraham even among the barren stones of Norway.”