p. 94 | Progress of the Cause

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 14, 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.

ROME, N. Y.

Our meetings closed here last night. We have held them eight weeks. We have had the very finest of weather, have not been broken up for a single night, have had excellent health, and nothing has come up to break up the interest. I have never, for so long a time, had a larger attendance than we have had here from beginning to end. I think we have not had, at any meeting, less than two hundred hearers, and generally about four hundred, and frequently from six hundred to eight hundred. We have had a good many of our brethren from different parts at our meeting nearly every Sabbath.

We have received about $50, donations in money, and have had a good supply of food brought to the tent all along, and have had numerous good homes opened to us in all parts of the city. We have obtained about fifty subscribers for our periodicals, and have disposed of one hundred and forty dollars’ worth of books.

It has become an absolute necessity for us to build a meeting-house here. Preliminary steps have been taken, and we have received so much encouragement that we think it quite certain a house will immediately be put up. More than twenty-five men are ready to go to work on it any day, and we have received nearly money enough to pay for material. The following from the Utica correspondent of the Morning Herald gives a fair summary of our work:—

“This evening the last sermon that will be preached in the Adventists’ tent before it will be removed to the camp-ground, was delivered. The tent was crowded and a good deal of interest was manifested. The elder’s sermon this evening was a general review of the work done during the eight weeks in which they have been laboring here, and its results. The elder has been very zealous in his work and there have been but seven evenings during the whole time that he has not delivered a sermon. He has preached several times in the day time and in all has delivered fifty-nine discourses. He has obtained fifty subscribers for their periodicals and has sold over one hundred dollars’ worth of books and tracts. About seventy-five persons have accepted their faith and keep the seventh day as the Sabbath, and quite a number more have expressed a belief in their doctrine. A regular church and Sabbath-school have been organized and a church building will be erected soon. At a business meeting held Saturday evening, Norman F. Kling was elected chairman of the society, Mrs. N. F. Kling secretary, and Samuel Southhall, treasurer. Norman F. Kling, J. W. Miller, and G. A. Campbell, were appointed as a building committee. Mrs. N. F. Kling has given a lot on the corner of Thomas and Jay streets, and upon this the church edifice will be built unless it can be exchanged for some more desirable location. Thirteen different carpenters in the city have agreed to contribute enough labor to construct the church entire. The paint and labor to put it on have nearly all been offered, and nearly enough money has already been raised to pay for the building material and to furnish the house when completed, so that a church will be built is a foregone conclusion. Elder Canright compliments the city of Rome very highly for the good behaviour of its young people, and expresses his thanks for the courtesies which he has received at the hands of all with whom he has come in contact.”

We are now moving to the camp-ground for our camp-meeting.

D. M. Canright.

Rome, N. Y., Sept. 4, 1876.

INDIANA.

We held our second Sabbath meeting at this place, Peru, last Sabbath. Some twenty were present; one-half of whom were Sabbath-keepers. Ten gave in good, cheering testimonies and expressed thankfulness for truth received. Our meetings have been attended by Americans, Germans, Norwegians, and Swedes. The Germans have purchased German tracts quite freely, and have sent quite a number to Germany. Three Norwegians have commenced to observe the Sabbath. One has subscribed for the TIDENDE. We remain here another week.

S. H. Lane, A. W. Bartlett.

VIRGINIA TENT.

We have visited and preached as usual during the past week. Our congregations averaged about one hundred and twenty-five. We held our first Sabbath meeting at this place last Sabbath, with good attendance; and at Newport twenty-five were present. A good proportion bore testimonies in the social meeting. God was with us. Last Thursday Bro. R. Sawyer, of Potterville, Mich., came unexpectedly into the tent. We rejoiced to see him. He has preached three discourses to the people with the best of acceptance. We only regret that his visit is so short.

Many thanks to the brethren for sending us REVIEWS, SIGNS, INSTRUCTORS, and REFORMERS. If you could see how eagerly they are taken and read, and how many we could dispose of, you would not be afraid of sending us too many. People will beg for them, even after they are all gone.

In regard to paying the freight on them, we have to pay for one hundred pounds, no matter how small the box is. If churches would collect papers, and send boxes of one hundred pounds or more, each box, we could get many more papers for the same amount of money than otherwise. We have already received a number of boxes, and have paid several dollars out of our own pockets for freight on them. This we would willingly do if we had the means to spare; but this we have not. It is difficult to prepay freight, so we think the best way will be to ship the boxes and inform us, and when they arrive we will send you the freight bill, and then you forward the cost of freight on them. But do not send if you can profitably distribute them at home.

Although it may cost something to get this reading matter before the public, still it is an opening in this new field where we can get thousands of our papers, and the present truth, before the people. Very few here take religious papers, and by this means I think we can open the way for subscriptions on our periodicals in thousands of families. So send them on if you have them on hand, and we can dispose of all we can obtain, and may God bless and reward you for your help to this dear people. Send small quantities by mail.

Our courage is good. We can report progress this week. Brethren, pray for this new field.

E. H. Lane, J. O. Corliss.

New Market, Shenandoah Co., Va.

MINNESOTA.

We returned to this place after harvest, according to appointment, and found the interest to hear unabated. Opposition has been fierce. Ministers and church members have done what they could to hinder the work, and the bitterness of some is truly wonderful; but so far the Lord has given his truth the victory. Opposition has only made it shine the brighter. Excitement is high, and the dividing line is being rapidly drawn. Some are deciding against, and we hope and believe some are deciding for, the truth.

Pray for us.

S. Fulton, L. H. Ellis, W. B. Hill.

Farm Hill, Sept. 4, 1876.

KANSAS.

Aug. 26, I went to Rock Creek to arrange for the special meeting to be held at or near the old camp-ground, Oct. 7. Bro. and Sr. White and Bro. Canright are expected. It is also expected that the long-looked-for debate will follow the meeting.

Aug. 27, I preached the funeral discourse of sister Fleak, who died June 20. The church has lost a very valuable member in her death.

All the children in this church appear to be advancing, and determined to go through with their parents. I spoke on S. B., which is now pledged to the amount of $63.20. I have been holding meetings with the Elk Falls church since Sept. 1. The church is in trial and the prospects of doing good are not very flattering.

Smith Sharp.

Sept. 4, 1876.

MUSKINGUM CO., OHIO.

I left Ohio Tent, No. 2, Aug. 23, by the request of our President, Eld. H. A. St. John, and came to this place to look after the work here. I visited, talked with many, and tried to get up a meeting in the village; but after five appointments had proved unsuccessful, I concluded to go to the country to commence a course of lectures. I procured a school-house, and commenced meetings last evening, with an audience of fifty or more, who gave the best of attention.

I greatly desire to keep humble, and stand in the counsel of God, that success may attend the effort at this place. Dear brethren, pray for me that the Lord may bless. My address will be Frazeysburg, Muskingum Co., Ohio.

Wm. Cottrell.

Sept. 6, 1876.

MORRIS CO., KANSAS.

Our meetings in the country still continue, and with increasing interest. The people of this community are, just now, very busy with their threshing and haying, yet they turn out well. We are now on the Sabbath question. A Disciple minister is to give us his understanding of the matter next Sunday night.

J. Lamont.

Council Grove, Sept. 6, 1876.

KENTUCKY TENT.

At the time of my last report the interest was very good, and I thought the novelty would soon be over; but another week has passed, and still the house is filled nearly every evening with attentive hearers. They attend from a distance of fifteen miles. This evening I commence on practical duties.

Our mildew-proof tent has proved a success. It is just the thing needed in this southern climate. From the present appearance, it will add to the value of the tent one-half in durability. There are several keeping the Sabbath, and we expect more soon. There seems to be some little complaining among the clergy, but no open opposition yet. Still pray for us.

S. Osborn.

Bear Wallow, Hart Co., Ky.

MICHIGAN.

Aug. 26, I met with the friends in Dimondale. I found them all of good courage. They sustain weekly prayer and Sabbath meetings, and have a Sabbath-school of about thirty members. Four others have decided to love God and keep his commandments, and have joined the class.

I have held fourteen meetings at Holt (Delhi Center), and Bro. Jones three. The house is well filled every evening, and crowded Sunday nights. The people are intelligent and kind. Dear brethren, pray that they may walk in the advancing light of truth, and be released from error’s chain, as Peter was from the Roman prison.

John Sisley.

TENNESSEE.

August 22, I commenced meetings near Glade Creek. I have spoken every night, and had the ague every other day quite a portion of the time. The attendance has been small, though it is gradually increasing. Opposition has been raised, and the most learned man in the country has been called in. To-day I reviewed a discourse delivered last night upon Adventism, to a full house, apparently with good effect. This evening I review a discourse upon the immortality of the soul. Several are convinced upon the Sabbath question. I hope good may be done here. Up to this date, I have given fifteen lectures.

Pray for the cause here.

Orlando Soule.

OHIO TENT, NO. 1.

We have just closed our labors at New Antioch, after a campaign of two months. Opposition was organized at the first, and kept up persistently and bitterly to the close. On Sunday seventeen signed the covenant, embracing a favorable representation of the intellect and moral influence of the place. Others will do so soon.

T. J. Butler.

Sept. 8, 1876.