R. F. COTTRELL by R. F. Cottrell

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jan 24, 1878

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 4, No. 4.

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R. F. COTTRELL

By R. F. Cottrell

who are on the side of God and truth.

R. F. COTTRELL

Sabbath Reform in 1877.

[The following is from the Sabbath Memorial of January, 1878, published in London, England, by Elder W. M. Jones :]

With devout thankfulness for all mercies of the past year, and with renewed encouragement we enter upon the duties and pleasures of the New Year. Although trials have been thickly strewn at times in our path, they have been mercifully removed. The promises of the Lord have comforted and supported us. There has been an increase of a thousand Sabbath-keepers during the year. The number of assemblies for Sabbath worship is fully 600; but there are thousands of isolated Sabbath-keepers for whom we feel a special interest and who are not forgotten. They are not alone, for God keeps holy-day with them. We all love to remember one another on the "sweet day of rest." The brethren abound in labors which speak of incessant diligence and self-denial worthy of their high calling in Christ Jesus. Preaching, lectures, tracts, periodicals, and humble, consistent living before all, are making impressions, educating and convicting the public mind, on this distinguished subject, to an extent that has hitherto been unknown. The doctrine of the Sabbath is now promulgated in a dozen different languages, in eight of which there are Sabbath publications, and plans are maturing to publish in other tongues.

The work in Britain progresses chiefly through the circulation of Sabbath literature. In Italy, there are a few indefatigable adherents who labor in hope. Dr. Ribton is a vigilant and hard worker—working much too hard, we fear, for his health. May God bless him in that sunny and classic clime, and give him many faithful associates in his new found faith. Elder Velthuysen, in Holland, travels, and preaches and reaps the harvest of his own sowing. Already more than thirty Hollanders have become commandment-keepers and the work is going forward. We solicit earnest and constant prayer for this brother and his people. To these and other workers on the Continent, to our friends in these Islands, to the multitude of covenant-keepers in the Western Land beyond the wide waters, and to the faithful little band in China, we extend a hearty good cheer and the wish of a happy New Year.