Progress of the Cause

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 7, 1876

Progress of the Cause.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

WARREN CO., PA.

I preached eleven times on Quaker Hill, in Elk. The heads of one family began to keep the Sabbath, and there is not much doubt that another family will. A few others are interested. Hope to visit them again ere long. R. F. Cottrell.

POTSDAM, N. Y.

The interest here is still good. Although the temperance excitement, which is still high, and the weather and prevailing sickness have affected our meetings somewhat, yet the attendance has been unusually large. We had an excellent meeting last Sabbath, several expressing their desire to obey the whole truth; and the meetings Saturday evening and Sunday were the most solemn and interesting of any yet held.

An ex-minister, by special appointment, has given a discourse against us, which we reviewed with good effect.

S. H. Whitney, Jacob Wilbur. Aug. 29, 1876.

INDIANA.

Another week of labor has developed the fact that more are interested than we were aware of. Our attendance has not been large the last week. Nearly the same ones come each night. Last Sabbath we held our first Sabbath meeting. Twenty or more were present. Six voted to keep the Sabbath. Several more are deeply interested. Quite a number of those present took part in the social meeting.

The meetings at Marion last Sabbath were excellent. Some fifteen or more testified of their love for the truth, and seemed to rejoice in it. We hope through the blessing of the Lord more will take a stand at this place.

S. H. Lane, A. W. Bartlett. Peru, Ind., Aug. 29, 1876.

VIRGINIA TENT.

On Sunday, Eld. S. Henkel, of New Market, preached on the Sabbath question. Eld. Corliss reviewed him. Mrs. Lane, by urgent request, spoke in a United Brethren church, at Grove Hill; the house was crowded, and only about half were able to get in.

Monday and Tuesday we moved, and pitched the tent at Leaksville, Page Co. We held meeting Tuesday night, and have continued meetings since with an attendance ranging from one to three hundred, and good interest. The past week we have given seventeen discourses, visited twenty or more families, and held two Sabbath meetings at different places with good attendance.

Our hearts have been made sad; for we have been called to part with one of the little ones of our number, Lou Ellen, child of Eld. Corliss, aged nearly twenty months. She was buried last Friday, at New Market. She died of whooping cough. Away from home and among strangers, it is hard to leave the little ones strewn along the way. But the Lifegiver will soon come and we will meet them again, so we sorrow not without hope.

We can report progress and advancement for the cause here, also good courage on the part of the brethren and laborers.

J. O. Corliss, E. B. Lane. New Market, Va., Aug. 29.

WISCONSIN TENT, NO. 2.

We closed our meetings at Viroqua last evening. We have had a good hearing, and many are convinced of the truth; but only six have openly accepted it by rendering obedience. We think that others will yet obey. One thing worked against our success; we could induce the people to read but very little. The principal reason seemed to be that the people are much given to novel-reading.

Yesterday five were baptized. We expect to return in a few weeks, and try to glean some in the vineyard here. Last Sabbath about seventy-five Sabbath-keepers were present at our meeting; fifty-two spoke in the social meeting. They came from five to twenty-five miles. All seemed to be full of courage in the Lord.

We shall, the Lord willing, pitch the tent in Farmer’s Valley, Monroe Co., four miles east of Leon, and commence meetings next Thursday evening. We still ask the prayers of the faithful, that the Lord may bless our efforts to win people to his truth.

Our address, until further notice, will be Leon, Monroe Co., Wis. I. Sanborn.

NASHVILLE, MICH.

I have now been at this place five weeks; have given thirty-seven discourses. Two discourses have been given in opposition which have resulted favorably for the truth. We have had three Sabbath meetings. Eight, all heads of families, have decided to obey the truth. There are many here who acknowledge that the seventh day is the Sabbath, some of whom we have reason to hope will commence its observance.

Bro. Miller is now with me.

H. M. Kenyon. Aug. 28, 1876.

WESTERN KANSAS TENT.

Since our second answer to the M. E. minister of whom we have spoken, our opponents have kept very quiet on the Sabbath and Sunday question, evidently feeling that the word of God outweighs the traditions of men. The interest to hear present truth is extending into the country in almost every direction.

We closed our meeting in this place last Sabbath. Our Sabbath meetings are to be held in the city school-house in the first ward.

We have begun a meeting in the country, eight miles west of Council Grove. The interest appears good; one family has already decided to keep the Sabbath.

J. Lamont, N. W. Vincent. Council Grove, Aug. 29, 1876.

ONARGA, ILLINOIS.

Bro. R. F. Andrews and myself have been here with the new sixty-foot tent six days, and have held eight meetings. The weather is fine. Our congregations number about two hundred and fifty; the interest is increasing, and we labor in hope.

G. W. Colcord.

NEW YORK AND PENN. TENT, NO. 3.

The opposition at Ellington continued to the close of our meetings. Second day, Aug. 21, we took down the tent. The same evening I spoke at Clear Creek in a private house; about forty persons were present, all of whom are deeply interested in the truth. The next evening I held meeting three miles from Ellington, at the request of a family of three who had attended first-days at the tent. I held another meeting there Thursday night, with a good attendance and deep interest. An urgent request was made for a course of lectures. The family referred to embraced the Sabbath.

I held another meeting at Clear Creek Wednesday night, resulting in a most solemn and impressive baptismal season on Thursday morning. Sabbath, Bro. Brown remained with the friends at Clear Creek, to enable me to attend the Randolph quarterly meeting. He reports a most excellent meeting, all bearing testimony of earnest love for the truth.

The present, visible results of tent labor are, that sixteen are keeping the Sabbath, and eight have been baptized. If these are faithful, very many of those now deeply interested and almost persuaded will be added to their number. Immediately after the meetings in Madison Co., I have promised, Providence permitting, to return to Clear Creek, and endeavor to complete the work there. May the Lord continue to bless and overrule to his own honor and glory.

Chas. B. Reynolds.

SOUTHERN KANSAS.

During the past week we have held three meetings in Parsons, and visited from house to house. We have baptized two; and two more have embraced the truth, making seven in town. But six of these do not expect to stay in this place over from two to four weeks, so the prospect for forming a church here is not flattering.

During this time, we have held five meetings five miles north, at Bro. Blake’s. Three have embraced the truth there, and prospects are good for others to follow.

J. H. Cook. Parsons, Aug. 28, 1876.

DAKOTA TENT.

We closed our meetings in Elk Point, Aug. 20. As a result of our labor twenty-four are now keeping the Sabbath. We sold fifty dollars and fifty cents’ worth of books, and obtained twelve subscribers for our periodicals. Through the kindness of the people, more than enough was donated to pay all our expenses.

Our tent is now pitched in Vermillion. We commence meetings to-night. God has helped us in the past, and we ask the prayers of his children that he may sustain us in the future.

F. A. Barlow, E. W. Farnsworth. Vermillion, Clay Co., Dakota, Aug. 25.

MICHIGAN.

On the way to join Bro. Kenyon, I stopped at Carson City to help settle some matters which threatened the prosperity of this church. The people here are erecting a house of worship, and if Bro. and Sr. White could be present at its dedication, all would be greatly pleased.

Sabbath and Sunday, Aug. 26 and 27, I filled Bro. K.’s appointment at Gaines. The meetings were of a very encouraging nature. About twenty came forward for prayers. Three received baptism; and a class of twenty-two was formed. Many of these started for the first time to serve the Lord.

I have now been at Nashville three days. The interest is deepening and we look for a church to be raised up here.

A. O. Burrill.

KENTUCKY TENT.

We have now been at this place three weeks. The interest is still good, the congregations averaging from one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty. The whole country for miles around is being stirred. We have canvassed the Sabbath question fully; and several have commenced its observance. Books sell quite freely.

Invitations are coming in from different directions requesting lectures. One is a petition with twenty-seven names signed, said to be those of the best citizens of the place.

Bro. R. P. Pickens, of Greenup county, is now with me as tent-master, and renders efficient aid in the sale of books, &c., &c. Our health and courage are good. Pray for the cause here. S. Osborn. Bear Wallow, Horse Cave P. O., Aug. 27.

NORTH-EASTERN MISSOURI TENT.

We have removed the tent from Memphis, and for ten days have been laboring in the country six miles from town. This has been a hard field to make an impression on, but at last the waters are being stirred, and the people of the town and surrounding country are greatly agitated.

The preachers of Memphis held a council when we first went there and resolved to let us alone, which they certainly did, that is, while we were there. Since we have left, however, they have become quite brave, and are writing for the papers; while the president of Monticello College has begun the pulpit opposition. Others of the people are corresponding with Dr. Lucas, of Canton, the leading Disciple orator in this country, to come and oppose us. We had a pleasant time with Eld. Browning, a Disciple minister, last week. He preached twice at the tent on the Sunday side, and was reviewed.

The general sentiment here seems to be that we preach the truth. Ten have taken their stand since we came to Memphis, and others have said they shall. We shall go back to Memphis to congratulate the ministers of the town upon their bravery, and to carry on the work there, if any place to preach in can be had.

On the 7th of September we intend to begin meetings in the tent, three miles west of Greenburg, Knox Co., and on Sabbath and Sunday, Sept. 16 and 17. We desire to have a general rally of all Sabbath-keepers within reach. Come in your wagons, bring provisions and bedding, and be at the tent Friday afternoon, the 15th.

We were compelled to give up Bro. Rogers last Thursday, he having received a dispatch that his son Robert was dying. We are glad to hear, however, that there is some hope of his recovery. May the Lord bless him and us and the Conference, officers, preachers and people.

H. Wren, L. R. Long.

TENNESSEE.

From July 25 to Aug. 3, I made some visits which were interesting and, I trust, profitable, and obtained one subscriber for the Review. I was refused the use of a Presbyterian house of worship, but obtained a Baptist house, and commenced meetings Aug. 4; but I was again attacked with the ague and forced to leave the field.

Orlando Soule.

AMONG THE SWEDES.

Within a few days we have had encouraging reports from different directions. One writes from Ishpeming, Mich., “I met a little company of believers at Bangor, Maine; and the Spirit witnessed that they were children of God. I have not met with such people before since I left the Baptist church in Gottland, Sweden, three years ago. This little company were Adventists in name, and all Americans. Since I came to this place I learn that there are Swedish Adventists at Battle Creek who publish a paper called Advent Herald, and I wish to subscribe for it for half a year.”

An American brother in Humboldt Co., California, sends $2.00 for the Herald to be sent to him, as there are Swedes around him who are interested in the truth. Another in Kansas writes to us to send the Herald to a certain Swede; “for he is a very intelligent man and interested.” Another comes from Newton Co., Missouri, of a like import. We also hear that one in Marion, Ind., has begun to keep the Sabbath of late. Another from Boston says, “Send me a copy of the Swedish paper.”

Our dear Bro. Whisby, of Mount Eden, Cal., sends a letter which he just received from Sweden. We extract from it, and also from Bro. Whisby’s:—

“Dear Brother: Inclosed is a letter from Bro. Bruce, in Sweden, which I have read with great joy. I have shed tears of gladness to think that I have, through the grace of God, been the means of bringing some of my fellow-men to the great light of truth. I have received letters from different places in Sweden, where I have sent the Herald and tracts, and where my wife has also sent papers, and we find that the tracts and papers were gladly received. It is my daily prayer that faithful servants may be raised up to go and preach the truth to my countrymen. What great love God has shown me in letting the light shine into my heart! My faith grows stronger every day. I am glad that the coming of Christ is near, and I do wish to be ready when he comes. Come life or death, I will try to gain a complete victory.

May my countrymen be stirred up to seek the Lord! Would that God’s Spirit might be poured out on Old Sweden, so that sinners there might be saved before probation closes.”

The following is an extract from Bro. Bruce’s letter:—

“Ostersling in Stange, Gottland, Sweden, July 18, 1876. “Dear Brother in Christ: Your letter of the 24th was gladly received, and also the tracts, prophetic chart, and journals, for which I return you my heartfelt thanks. You wish to know what good the Herald has done here. I will answer, My housekeeper, eighty years of age, and myself, esteem it of very great value, and

we peruse it with joy and satisfaction. This is the reason she incloses five crowns to you to pay postage and help reward you for the favor you showed us in sending these publications. Madame Lindblad has been my friend for thirty-seven years. She cannot now see to read; therefore, I read for her. This to her is a great consolation. We are both convinced that the papers sent to us teach the Bible truth; and we faithfully study their teachings, and, so far as we are able, keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. There are three of us who keep the Sabbath. The name of the other is Madame Westberg.

“I have for thirty years submitted to the Lord’s reproving Spirit, and endured many severe trials in the spiritual warfare. I am now sixty-eight years of age. I am slender and weak, and wait with joy for my time of deliverance. I know in whom I trust. To live is Christ, and to die is gain.

“May the Lord bless all who have this good work at heart, and give them success in their undertakings. We have sent the papers to many of our acquaintances. We loan papers and tracts to many around us. Some say the resurrection day is the Sabbath. Some are too much taken up with worldly matters to attend to such things. If some one should come here and preach it might be that some would believe.

“Your brother in Christ, A. E. Bruce.”

We have lately received another interesting letter from Bro. Ekdall in Sweden. He is continuing to translate from the Review and Signs, for the Herald.

James Sawyer.