Progress of the Cause

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 2, 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.

SMITHLAND, IOWA.

AFTER the Blair Camp-meeting, Bro. Farnsworth and I held meetings with the Smithland church about a week, laboring to help the church in the daytime and speaking to the people generally evenings. Good results seemed to follow. Quite an interest to hear was created in the village, so much so, that the house was filled full toward the last; and it was thought best for Bro. Farnsworth to stay longer and follow up the interest. Six were baptized by Bro. Bartlett, and united with the church. These had been observing the Sabbath previously, having become interested by reading. The friends here have taken much interest in distributing reading matter, with good results. We secured some members for the T. and M. Society and some donations.

NEBRASKA CITY, NEB.

Last Sabbath and Sunday I spent with the church at Nebraska City. This little church has prospered, and grown in grace and the knowledge of the truth. Sunday three young ladies were baptized and united with the church. It was one of the most pleasant baptisms I ever attended.

GEO. I. BUTLER.

BOSTON, OHIO.

THE interest to hear is still good at Boston. The people are willing to hear, but are slow to move. The rain and cold have broken up the interest of our meetings very much. Yet I am not discouraged. They come to hear, and many are thinking, and some are reading. None have yet fully decided to obey, but I hope they will have the moral courage to do so. They are waiting to see what their preachers will say about it. The Lord is good. He has blessed me this season much. I hear from those at Antioch that they are getting along well, and are of good courage. I feel cheered to hear the good reports from other fields.

Pray for me, that I may be fully qualified for the work. T. M. STEWARD.

Boston, Oct. 25, 1876.

KANSAS.

ROCK CREEK.

BRO. CANRIGHT’S sermons at this place on Sabbath and first-day seemed to more than compensate all present for their pains in getting there. A few dear, well-known faces and the familiar scenery around brought fresh to memory our spring camp-meeting. In our daily seasons of prayer the absent loved ones of the household of faith were not forgotten.

Each day of the discussion God’s word, presented with clearness and courtesy, shone brightly in contrast with the opposing jargon of contradictory inconsistencies, made at times more disgusting by low cant and braggadocio. We think Wisdom was justified of all her children there.

MORRIS COUNTY.

Last Sabbath I met with the brethren west of Council Grove at Elm Creek. Thirty-five took part in their prosperous Sabbath-school. They hold one or two weekly prayer-meetings. Yesterday I commenced a series of meetings at Pleasant View. The people are almost impatient for the return of Bro. Lamont.

N. W. VINCENT.

Council Grove, Oct. 23, 1876.

HOWARD LAKE, MINN.

WE began our course of lectures here the evening of the 19th inst. We are preaching in the Christian (Disciple) church. The entire board of trustees have very kindly agreed to let us occupy the house for one month.

The weather thus far has been very unfavorable for night meetings. The nights have been very dark, and the roads muddy. Our congregations have averaged thus far about fifty. Our hearers have listened to our discourses with intense interest. All seem to be delighted with our method of teaching the word of God.

We have preached upon the Saints’ Inheritance, Kingdom of God, and some of the prophecies. If we can have favorable weather, we hope by God’s grace to accomplish good.

Pray for us, that the word of God may have free course. G. M. DIMMICK, N. BATTIN.

WISCONSIN.

ALMA CENTER.

MY last report was from Alma Center, Aug. 10. We continued in that place till Sept. 1, holding thirty-three meetings. Our congregations were not large at any time, on account of the hurrying season of the year and almost continual rain; yet we feel that our effort was not in vain there, as six honest souls embraced the message of mercy, for which we feel to give the Lord all the praise. At the close of this meeting we took down our tent and put it away for the season, Bro. Hogg going home to prepare to hold meetings as the way might open.

TAYLOR.

From Alma I went to Taylor, and commenced meetings in a school-house; continued there till Sept. 25, holding thirty meetings, with very good interest. At the close, fourteen signed the covenant to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Five were baptized. Sept. 26, I went to Pole Grove, and held one meeting. The 27th, four willing souls were buried in baptism. Thus our labors closed in this part of the State for the present. In all, thirty have signed the covenant, and a goodly number have signed for the REVIEW, REFORMER, and INSTRUCTOR. My prayer is that they may all prove faithful, and finally be saved in the kingdom. I am at home for a short time, to prepare for winter; then I hope to find my place in the solemn work. Remember me in your prayers, brethren.

C. W. OLDS.

Johnstown Center, Wis., Oct. 20.

MICHIGAN.

In company with Bro. Fulton, we came to Dimondale and held meetings Oct. 21 and 22. We found the friends all holding on to the truth. The most of them had attended our good camp-meeting, from which they received great benefit. A church was organized consisting of fourteen members, eight of whom were baptized on first-day. Six others were taken under their watch-care. The plan of S. B. was entered into and $43.78 were pledged. This amount will be increased by pledges from some who were not present. We think they did well considering their circumstances. This sum was all devoted to the Conference fund.

Since my last report, I have held thirty-one meetings in Delhi County. Fairs and political gatherings have detracted from the interest of the meetings. Some admit the truth, but think their circumstances forbid their walking in the light. An opposition discourse was given, which we reviewed. Our opponents, not feeling satisfied with the result, sent to Ohio for a certain Eld. Vail who is earnestly engaged in trying to sustain popular error.

My brother Richard is with me, and we shall try to maintain the truth. Pray for us.

JOHN SISLEY.

WEST PLAINS, MICH.

OCT. 6–11, I was with the church at West Plains. I held with them, in all, eight meetings, and spent the remainder of the time in visiting from house to house. On Sabbath a. m., a goodly number of brethren and sisters from Greenville, and Bro. Rasmussen with his Danish brethren, met with this church. At the close of this meeting, three applied for admission and baptism,—Dr. Chaffee and wife to the Greenville church, and a young man, the son of Eld. Withem of the Free Methodist order, to this church. At 11 o’clock A. M. on first-day the above-mentioned persons were buried in baptism by Eld. Fargo. Everything was conducted with decency and in order. This church has had some trials, caused by the lack of judgment of some. If such would seek the counsel of their brethren, and follow it, it would save them and the cause of God from reproach. We regret that we had not more time to spend with this church, but previous arrangements made it necessary for us to leave them for the present. Our earnest prayer is that the Lord will help them to live worthy the vocation wherewith they are called.

ESTELLA.

Oct. 13, I came to Estella, Gratiot Co. There we spent the time from Sabbath to Wednesday with the brethren, visiting from house to house, and holding meetings every night. We found these brethren all in the love of the truth, and determined to keep on. They are most of them young in the truth. They will all need to remember that fallen man is weak in himself, and needs divine grace and wisdom to do all things well. We are anxious to see them prosper and grow in grace; and if those of older experience will move from reason and not from impulse, the Lord will perfect them for a place in his kingdom. Home matters and preparations for leaving home for a large share of the winter compelled us to cut short our stay. Thursday morning we started for home by way of Carson City, where we found Bro. Burrill and the brethren hard at work on their meeting-house, pushing it through toward completion as fast as possible. Friday, the 20th, found us at home with just time enough to make a hasty preparation for the Sabbath. We shall stay here one week; and then, the Lord willing, we will again be at work for souls. Pray for us.

E. VAN DEUSEN.

Vergennes, Mich., Oct. 22.

FRANKLIN CO., IOWA.

I BEGAN meetings nine miles east of Hampton, October 17, with a good audience for the first night. Rain and mud have hindered somewhat; yet the house was well filled yesterday and last night, while I spoke on the coming of Christ and the signs of the times. There seems to be an interest to hear. I need God’s help; for without it I am utter weakness. I sincerely desire to be remembered in the prayers of God’s faithful people.

My address is Hampton, Franklin Co., Iowa.

G. V. KILGORE.

TENNESSEE.

I AM still at Glade Creek. I have baptized three. The State election is now two weeks in the future, and there is so much excitement about it that the people think of little else; therefore I shall enter no new field until it is over, but shall try to finish up the work here and visit the company at Bee Creek.

I expect Bro. Richardson will join me soon. Brethren, pray for us.

ORLANDO SOULE.

GREEN BAY, WIS.

CAME to this place with the expectation of laboring among the French; but as the way did not open as expected, I went to Navarino, Shawano Co., having received an urgent letter from my brother to go and give some lectures. Gave eight lectures; but the roads being very muddy, the nights very dark, and it raining every day, the people could not come out to hear. But before leaving, I was rejoiced to see my brother, with his family, take hold of the truth.

I then returned to Green Bay, and began a course of lectures in the town of Scott, near Wequiock. Have spoken sixteen times. The interest has increased from the first, the congregation ranging from twenty to forty, mostly young people. Many have acknowledged that we have the truth, but none have as yet decided to obey it. Some who come to hear are Catholics. One evening, after having spoken on the Little Horn of the seventh of Daniel, while on our way home we were greeted with a shower of stones. They fell thick and fast around us, but none touched us. Ps. 34:7: “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

We have hopes that some will obey. We feel like consecrating ourselves more fully to the Lord, that we may be humble instruments to bring some souls into the fold of Christ. Expect to remain here another week. Brethren and sisters, pray for us and for the cause here.

MARSHALL ENOCH.

Green Bay, Oct. 20, 1876.

OHIO, DIST. NO. 1.

THIS good quarterly meeting is in the past. The preaching meetings were all held in the Disciple church in the village of Bowersville, excepting one on T. and M. work at the house of the director. One interesting feature of the meeting was the presence of Elder James McFarland of Springfield, O. He was a Presbyterian minister for a number of years; but on account of poor health he has been traveling for a few years past in the interests of the American Tract Society. Now he has got hold of the light on the Sabbath and health reform, and is joyfully walking in both. He is very anxious to get into a place where he can give his whole time to lecturing and distributing reading matter upon these great themes of truth. He spoke to us once on the Sabbath question. May he soon find his proper place in the ranks of reform.

Four members were added to the Bowersville church, and four members to the T. and M. Society. The director presented a report from every member in his district, and what was better still, every one of these reports represented a donation. This reads as it should, viz:—

Number of members, 20. Number of reports received, 20. Number of donors, 20.

The number of pages of tracts and pamphlets distributed during the past quarter is 34,317; no. of families visited, 283; donations received, $20.10; book sales, $14.50; district expenses, nothing. This was the director’s report.

Sr. Elsie Gates is modestly and quietly doing a good work in Springfield. May the Lord abundantly bless her labors of love. We looked about Springfield in view of our next camp-meeting. We think Dist. No. 1 will have at least two active agents this winter for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES and other periodicals. We made arrangements for the distribution of about 1000 Almanacs in this district during the next quarter.

One sad thing to relate in the end, the worthy director soon moves from the State. It is not yet determined who will be his successor. But we pray that his mantle may fall upon some one who will possess even a double portion of his spirit.

H. A. ST. JOHN.

Clay Lick, O., Oct. 20, 1876.