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ILLINOIS

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 6, 1900

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 10.

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ILLINOIS

By S. H. Lane

WILLOW HILL.—About twenty-five years ago Elders Shrout and John visited this place, and held a short series of meetings, in which they presented the truths that constitute the faith of Seventh-day Adventists. As in all other places, the majority paid but little or no attention to it; but there were a few honest souls who responded to the truth, and have been faithful.
While laboring in Illinois, a sister from that place wrote, requesting that a minister be sent to preach in a house near her home. When the minister, Elder E. A. Curtis, reached there, the way did not open to hold meetings in the house, so he obtained an empty storeroom, in Willow Hill, improvised seats, and, using a dry-goods box for a pulpit, earnestly presented the truth again. Several persons accepted the faith, and regular Sabbath meetings were established, much to the encouragement of those who had for years stood alone. A church was organized, a lot secured, and a church building erected. The brethren built the house, working on it from time to time as they raised the money. They might have borrowed money, and finished it immediately, but they reasoned that it would be better and easier, which reasoning is correct, to raise the money and build as they raised it. This house was completed recently. Besides the work and material contributed, it cost them about five hundred dollars in money; and they have a house that would cost, under ordinary circumstances, probably twelve hundred dollars. They have an organ; and everything is neat and plain, and the house is really a credit to the thriving village. At their request, the writer gave the dedicatory sermon, Sunday, February 4. It was a stormy day, yet, notwithstanding that, the house was well filled. It was dedicated free from debt, and all felt not only like giving to the Lord the house, but like dedicating themselves anew to his service. We are glad to see meeting-houses built at all points where we have a constituency. Let our brethren and sisters work to this end, with the sweet assurance that God will bless every effort. The truth is his, and must and will prevail.
S. H. LANE.