Southern Illinois by C. H. Bliss

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 5, 1872

Southern Illinois.

By C. H. Bliss

It has been some time since I have reported through the REVIEW; yet I have not been all the time idle. After our labors closed at Martinsville and York during the first part of the spring and summer, my health being rather poor, I returned home, where I spent a few weeks working on the farm, and visiting among the friends and relatives, and occasionally holding a few meetings, as the way opened.

Aug. 28, started to Annapolis, Crawford Co., where Bro. Colcord was engaged in giving a course of lectures in the tent, with apparently good interest; but very many coming down with the chills and fever in connection with some other things, caused the interest to decrease very rapidly until but few came out. Sept. 22, our tent was struck by a small gust of wind, and a place torn in the top about twenty feet long. The canvas is very rotten in the top. The sides are quite good yet. It being in good order for storing away, we concluded to take it down and hold meetings in a hall which was freely offered.

We soon closed our meetings there with no apparent result. However, I think a very few in that place may yet embrace the Sabbath. I believe two or three have already expressed their determination to do so.

Friday, Oct. 10, I commenced meetings in Bro. Hiestand's neighborhood, near Palestine. Have spoken twelve times, with increasing interest. Have already presented the Sabbath question. Many acknowledge that it is truth. But oh! how few there are that have vital stamina enough to cause them to act. May God arouse the slumbering people ere it be too late. If the interest continues, I shall remain here several weeks yet. May the Lord direct. Brethren, pray for me. C. H. Bliss.