p. 510 | PENNSYLVANIA

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 6, 1901

PENNSYLVANIA

The sale of books in Pennsylvania for 1900 amounted to $18,500, an increase of $2,000 over the sales of the preceding year.

Philadelphia.—Tent work was begun in this city, June 23. The prospect was favorable for the first two weeks. Several things then combined to impede the progress of the work. The weather became oppressively hot and humid. Several stormy evenings occurred. The Presbyterian evangelistic committee, representing all the Presbyterian churches of the city, pitched a tent just one short square from our tent. They have used every means which their abundant means and worldliness will allow of, to attract the people. Many have turned away their ears from the truth unto fables. It is the custom of the Presbyterians here to keep their tents in one place just two weeks; but they have decided to remain near us a second period of two weeks. We are going forward with small audiences, assured that “we can do nothing against the truth, but for it.” Several earnest souls are manifesting a deep interest in our meetings. The Philadelphia church has set apart Sabbath, August 10, to consider the importance of a suitable and permanent meeting-place for the future, and to pray that God may lead us in moving forward in this matter. W. J. Fitzgerald.

Since the establishment of the Gospel Help Mission in Philadelphia, in 1898, a large amount of work has been done. The following statement will give an idea of the business transacted up to May 1, 1901: Cash received for lodging and food, $6,135.32; paid for rent, $1,385; the remainder of the receipts, $4,750.32, was used in carrying along the mission work: number of men lodged during this period, 50,185; lunches served, 369,464; meetings held, 719; average attendance at meetings, 75; number of prayers asked, 2,299; number of men who sought God for themselves, 316. During this time thirty laborers have been employed, who have gained an experience, and are now in other lines of work. These have all been paid for their services while gaining their experience. The mission has been upheld amid all the trials and difficulties incident to mission work. It has held its place in Philadelphia, and its work is appreciated by other religious denominations and societies. Its order and system receive the approval of all. The furniture and other property of the mission is valued at $581.20. W. F. Schwartz.

Erie.—This church is at work. Two Sabbath-schools and four Sunday-schools were being conducted in different parts of the city [at the time of the quarterly meeting], and I have heard of another Sabbath-school being started, four miles out in the country, since then. The Sunday-night meetings at the church are conducted by Brethren Prescott and Irons, while a good force of workers are at the tent, in another part of the city. At the business meeting, reports were heard from the various departments of church work, the missionary society, Sabbath-school, Christian Help Band, and the Bible school. The latter is now an interesting feature of the tent work every Monday evening, and every evening between six and seven o’clock. We heard also of the good prayer-meetings held at the church each Wednesday evening. Altogether, we have cause for thankfulness that the Lord is at work in Erie. Church Clerk.

Reading.—Our tent-meetings began July 11. It rained every evening for an entire week, and consequently our congregations were small. However, those who did come seemed to be more deeply interested each evening. Since last Thursday the meetings have been as large as could be expected, and on Sunday evening we had the tent full. We are much encouraged. The indications are that quite a number will be converted from sin to righteousness, from darkness to light. The daily newspapers have taken a lively interest in the meetings. The Reading Eagle prints an extract from each sermon, sometimes devoting several columns to it. Pray for the work here. J. H. Schilling.

New Brighton.—We have been holding tent-meetings for two weeks at this place. We were several weeks late in starting, because I had an attack of fever and prostration after the camp-meeting. But I praise the Lord that He has strengthened me and raised me up again for His glorious work. Our attendance has not been very large, yet there are encouraging features in the work. Brother F. F. Fry is my assistant, and puts in a part of his time canvassing. Sister Sue Andrews, of Easton, is also with us, and is having a good experience in the book work. Lee S. Wheeler.

Brethren Kimmell and Lee, who had been canvassing in Beaver County, recently changed their field to Butler County.

Brother J. M. Calvert, formerly a successful canvasser in this State, has been placed in charge of the canvassing work in the Virginia and Chesapeake Conferences.

Brother W. C. Fleischer, who has labored in the canvassing work for the past two years in Westmoreland, Somerset, and Beaver Counties, has connected with Brother W. H. Zeidler, with headquarters at Cooksville, Washington County, and will canvass the surrounding territory.