Returned by Uriah Smith

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Apr 25, 1878

Returned.

By Uriah Smith

We reached home from the Rome, N. Y., Biblical Institute, April 10. During the three weeks of its continuance quite an amount of work was done. Thirty-five lectures were delivered in the regular Biblical course. Of these we gave thirty-one, besides speaking to the church six times and attending thirteen meetings devoted to literary and miscellaneous exercises.

Brother Haskell, during the few days he was with us, gave four of the Biblical lectures, and spoke six times besides, mostly on such practical themes as the genius of the missionary work, the spirit in which it must be performed, the best methods of labor, and such course of action as offer the best assurance of success—subjects which it is of such vital importance for all to understand, and which he is so well prepared to present.

The interest continued to the close, the members seeming all the while to increase in strength of purpose to make their connection with, and labors in, this glorious cause a complete success. We have faith in the most of these that they will do this. Another resident of Rome decided to cast in his lot with this people. He will assist, the present summer, in publicly presenting the truth. Others are almost persuaded, for whom there are strong grounds to hope.

As we arrived in Battle Creek, Michigan, Wednesday p. m., we found the new building of the Health Institute, or Sanitarium, in the process of dedication. We took occasion to briefly look over the noble structure now finished, and exchange greetings with some of the old friends who were among the cheerful guests. A full account of the occasion will appear in the next Reformer, and we need not speak further of it here. We find all hands busy, and all hearts full of courage and good cheer, drinking into the inspiration of the marvelous advancement of this work, hopeful for the on-coming future, and determined to meet faithfully and fully all its demands upon them.

We are drawing near the grand finale of the work of the Lord upon the earth. A faith will be found with the little flock like that of apostolic times. Truth will be found sacredly cherished by them, gleaming like a pure, untarnished gem amidst the rubbish of the earth. Some jewels will be gathered for the heavenly casket. The final triumph of the overcomer will be glorious. Happy he who shall be found ready to have a part therein! U. S.