ARKANSAS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 5, 1901

BLACK ROCK.—According to a challenge given by Mr. Lawson, a representative of the Christian church, Mr. Field, of the Seventh-day Adventist church, met him at Black Rock, Ark., September 18-26, to debate the following propositions:—

1. That the seventh-day Sabbath is binding upon Christians in all ages. Mr. Field, affirmative; Mr. Lawson, negative.

2. That the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, is the Lord’s day, and should be observed by all Christians. Mr. Lawson, affirmative; Mr. Field, negative.

Both were to prove their proposition from the Scripture. The decision was left to each one individually. Almost everybody who expressed an opinion spoke in Mr. Field’s favor. To sum it all up, the truth had a grand victory.

As the Lord has told us, “The enemy will seek to cover up and pervert the truth, so that minds shall be confused and bewildered,” but being present and listening, it seemed that the truth was presented so clear and strong that every honest heart could see “what is truth.”

I know that the brethren at Black Rock were strengthened, and we all pray that the end may be to God’s glory by being the means of leading some precious souls into the truth.

The battle is the Lord’s. URBANUS BENDER.

PRESCOTT.—The following is gleaned from the Arkansas Reporter of the 16th ult.: “I closed my work at Cline after organizing a church there of twelve members, and came south August 19, to Newhope, where Elder Field and Brother Hardesty had started our southern local camp-meeting, and had the privilege of being there from Tuesday evening until Sunday evening, when the meeting closed with the church greatly revived and strengthened, and with several accessions. All seemed to be rejoicing in the love of God. I came from there to Prescott, and pitched my tent where I held a meeting six years ago, and organized a church of nine members the next day after I began my meeting. Seven of these members live here, and two, Brethren Lee and Baker, live west of here some distance. Two more have been added to the church since the organization, and several others are interested. A Campbellite minister announced that he would review what I had been preaching. I met with him, and he divided time with me for three hours. The victory was gained for the truth, with the people; but the minister now challenges for a four days’

discussion. Have received back tithe and donations since I have been here (which has been a month) to amount to more than all my time and expenses. I now leave here to look after an interest that Brother Parker has seven miles south of Hot Springs. I am of good courage in the Lord, and know the Lord is blessing the work in Arkansas. Pray for the work in the South. E. B. HOPKINS.