Reports from the Field

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

Reports from the Field.

(Condensed from Review and Herald.)

Denmark.

ALSTRUP.—Elder Matteson writes under date of December 17 : "Yesterday our new meeting-house in Alstrup was dedicated. It can seat about two hundred persons. We held two meetings, and had a full house each time. A brother from Sulsted, who has kept the Sabbath eleven years, was present, and our Sabbath meeting was the first that he had ever attended. There were also friends present from several distant cities.

"A copy of the Advent Tidende, sent to Bergen, Norway, from Chicago has interested many. We have received letters from five persons who have read the paper, and other works which we have sent them. They are much interested in the truths which pertain to our time, and long to hear the message of the second coming of Christ proclaimed among them. There is more religious awakening in Norway than in Denmark, and the temperance cause has made better progress there than here; but there are also souls here who must be won over to the Lord's side and be prepared for his coming. There are many other places where the people long to hear the word of God. May the Lord send out more laborers into the harvest."

Massachusetts.

DANVERS.—A house of worship has been erected in this place, and a series of meetings commenced. Elder Canright writes : "After being away from Danvers about two months, except to stay over night here once in a while, we came back last week, to begin labors again. Our church is done. It was all finished, to the turn of the key, before our meetings commenced. This is the way it ought to be. It is always bad to crowd in meetings when a house is about two-thirds done. The building, the stoves, the seats, and everything complete, has cost $2,050. Everybody admires the house. It suits me by far the best of any I have ever seen. Then it is so easy to speak in—it is just right. It is 32 by 52 feet, with 18 feet posts. Over the entry, which is seven feet wide, is a fine prayer-room, 10 by 26 feet, where the gallery usually is. I think our brethren who are building, would do well to have a pattern of this house.

"Sabbath day all were out. It was the end of the first quarter of our Sabbath-school. The secretary's report showed an average attendance of ninety scholars for the three months, thirty of whom had not missed a Sabbath. The school has been very prosperous and well conducted.

We have good teachers and competent officers throughout the school. Interesting remarks were made on the occasion by several leading brethren. Sabbath afternoon nearly one hundred Sabbath-keepers were present. Nearly all belong here, as we had not invited the brethren from abroad. It was an excellent meeting. Sunday afternoon came our dedication. Before the appointed time, the house was packed till not another could get in. Scores had to go away. The Lord seemed to favor us on every hand. The weather was fine. The music was the best we have ever had. Interesting and appropriate remarks were made by Elder I. Sanborn, of Wisconsin, Elder Haines, who has lately embraced the Sabbath, Elder Mooney, another convert to the Sabbath, Brother Wood, of Boston, and Brother C. W. Stone. In the evening the house was again filled to overflowing. I have now begun another course of lectures here, to continue as long as the interest requires."

New York.

ROME.—Elder S. B. Whitney writes: "January 5 and 6, by the request of the president of our Conference, I was with the church in Rome, our meeting was a good one. The ordinances and business of the church were attended to with order and promptness. The Lord gave freedom in speaking the word, and all seemed encouraged. Some of our old churches can profit greatly, if they will, from the example of this young church. The members have a zeal and interest in the work, and a desire to learn the best methods of performing it, which are commendable; and if they seek humility and consecration, they may be very useful."

Pennsylvania.

POTTER COUNTY.—Brother A. H. Hall writes : "Here among the Alleghanies, I have found about twenty-four good people keeping the Sabbath. Eight or ten were observing the Sabbath when Brother Saunders came here to labor. They need to have our views faithfully presented to them. One good feature of the work among these people is, that nearly all who keep the Sabbath take part in the prayer and social meetings. This is an important point to be gained in new fields."