Northern Missouri and Kansas Tent by J. H. Rogers; L. R. Long

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 5, 1873

Northern Missouri and Kansas Tent.

By J. H. Rogers; L. R. Long

AFTER continuing our meetings in Lee’s Summit five weeks, we took down the tent on the 14th inst. Fifteen have commenced to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, making, in all, twenty. We established Sabbath meetings; twelve signed the covenant to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

The Baptist minister in the place expressed himself very favorable to our position, admitted we had the truth on the Sabbath, and, in the last interview we had with him, said, “Would to God all would keep the Sabbath.” As we parted with him, he wished us good success in the Lord. He publishes a Sunday-school paper there, and is a man of fine attainments.

We met no open opposition there, except from the Methodist minister in charge, who

spoke against us and the Sabbath. Bro. Long was present, took notes, and reviewed him, to the entire satisfaction of all who gave attention.

In accordance with the best light we could get, after looking about some, and advising with brethren in this vicinity, we decided to pitch in Holden, Johnson County, Mo., and commenced with a fair interest and a tent full on Friday night, the 18th, and have had, up to this time, five meetings, presenting the Advent, Signs of the Times, and introducing the Prophecy of Daniel, with an increasing interest to hear.

This is a place of considerable business, about 2500 inhabitants, on the Missouri Pacific, and also the junction of the Mo., Kan., and Texas, R. R. The people appear to be candid in their inquiries, and we are hopeful of reaching some with the truth. As an additional reason for making an effort at this place, there are ten or twelve, living some six or seven miles from here, who embraced the Sabbath under the labors of Bro. Lawrence, two or three years ago. They have had no help since, nor are they organized.

While we were pitching and seating the tent, P. R. Lawrence, of Ottumwa, Iowa, a spiritualist inspirational speaker and healer, seeing our announcement in the paper of this place, and, before putting out his bills, came in, desiring to make arrangements with us to have the tent to lecture in one night and perform his wonderful works, promising if we would do so he would not put out his appointments for the hall; but we declined by telling him we thought we could hardly afford to give him the tent to lecture in, as we were not in harmony with his work, nor had yet represented ourselves to the people, as to the nature of our mission; but he came, and, after our introductory discourse, got up to make his announcements for lecturing, healing, &c. We informed our audience we had nothing in common with him.

He was determined to show his colors, and coming back Sunday afternoon in company with some of his friends, denied our statements being true in reference to their claim of spiritualism being the second coming of Christ, which we showed was true by their writings; we also showed their manifestations to be of Satanic influence, then he declared he would as soon pray to the devil as to God; that he was as good as God; that if he made the devil he was responsible for his acts, and therefore no better. Oh, how precious the truth looks when compared with such blasphemy!

J. H. Rogers, L. R. Long.

Holden, Mo., July 22, 1873.