Minnesota Tent by H. F. Phelps; L. H. Ells

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 19, 1873

Minnesota Tent.

By H. F. Phelps; L. H. Ells

We have now been here three weeks. Have given twenty-four discourses. Have canvassed the Sabbath question. We have had a very deep interest from the beginning. Congregations, week-day evenings, have averaged one hundred; on first-days and first-day evenings, from two to three hundred. Last Sunday, or week ago yesterday, we spoke on the claims of the seventh and first days. In the evening, tried to show the work of Christ in magnifying the law, also Antichrist in changing the law. There were about three hundred present. A good feeling was manifest.

One man asked some questions, which seemed to throw some darkness, not manifesting a very good spirit. We afterward learned that he was a Baptist clergyman. We decided to extend him an invitation to occupy the tent to vindicate the claims of the first day, which we did at our next meeting. He has not as yet accepted, but a Disciple minister came forward and proposed to speak in vindication of the first day. Gave him the privilege. He occupied last evening. He seems to be a Christian gentleman. He manifested a good spirit. His positions were those usually taken by this people: that the law was abolished; the principles of the ten commandments were brought over into the new covenant, the first day taking the place of the seventh.

There were over three hundred present. It was a rainy evening. He spoke about two hours, till 10 o’clock. It still rained. We proposed to begin a reply, to which the congregation loudly assented. Sang “Resting By-and-By,” to relieve the people from their sitting. We then spoke nearly an hour with good liberty. As it was raining too hard to be heard longer, and the people being tired, we gave our appointments, and one by one the people went away in the rain. We complete the review to-morrow evening.

Judging from what we hear, the people still think we have the truth. Some six or eight have already taken a stand. Brethren, pray for us.

H. F. PHELPS, L. H. ELLS.

Hamilton, Fillmore Co., July 28, 1873.

[A previous brief report from this tent was mislaid. —ED. REV.]