ILLINOIS by G. W. Colcord

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 8, 1877

ILLINOIS

By G. W. Colcord

I greatly rejoice as I report that the blessing of God has rested on the efforts put forth by his servants in Peoria and Knox Counties, since Jan. 20. It is all of God; I praise him.

It will be remembered that in the notice of the meeting, it was announced that the propriety of selling our church at Princeville would be considered; but we had not long been together ere we all concluded that was not the theme upon which we should dwell. Our friends are now hopeful. Regular Sabbath meetings are to be held at Princeville and Eugene, excepting when monthly and quarterly meetings are to be conducted; then we shall expect all who can to meet to worship at P. Sabbath-schools are to be upheld, unless our friends forget Eccl. 5:4–6; and for this I do not look.

One sister, who had married outside the ranks of Sabbath-keepers, was made glad to see her husband give himself to the Lord. Bro. Bliss baptized him last Monday. Another sister, after hearing on the solemn theme of Bible marriage, faithfully considered the subject, and governed herself, as I understand the matter, in keeping with heavenly wisdom. When will our young people learn to be wise? Ay, when will the parents be faithful to teach and tenderly guard their sons and daughters on this point? Brethren in the ministry, are we not guilty? Should not the subject of wedlock be considered in the light of the word? Two brethren had gone back to the tobacco habit; but they promised to “try again.” Five husbands and wives promised to keep the Sabbath, and began while we were still with them. A young man, a member of the M. E. Church, also embraced this precious truth. Will all “endure to the end”?

Some appear to love to sacrifice of their means to publish the message; but others whom I meet excuse themselves, and “plead poverty,” and earnestly endeavor to avoid paying more than a very small sum into God’s treasury. This is too bad! But it is to be explained partly in this way: In the past some have been taught that all God required as a “tithe” was one-tenth of our net profits! whereas it is one-tenth of our entire income. When I see a brother or sister, while enjoying many of God’s temporal blessings, offer to pledge on our S. B. book the sum of two cents per week(!), I pray God to open the mind to see a true picture of their failings. “Will a man rob God?” Will he? Fearful question!

I now hope for Princeville, with reference to S. B. as well as other duties.

G. W. COLCORD.