Progress of the Cause

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 5, 1877

Progress of the Cause.

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

NEWBURYPORT, MASS.

We have pitched our tent in this city. Its population is about thirteen thousand. It is an old town and a seaport. It seemed to be as fair an opening as we could find in this section. We designed to go to Haverhill, but could get no place for the tent.

Our tent is eighty feet in diameter. Bro. Haskell and others have done all they could to help us. We have advertised thoroughly. Had our first meeting last night; but as it was wet and cold and there were several other special attractions elsewhere, we had only one hundred and twenty-five out. We shall hope in God for the best. This will be my address for the present. D. M. CANRIGHT.

June 27.

NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.

Watts Flats, Chautauqua Co., N. Y.

From our good camp-meeting at Aurora, I came to this place. Found the few that had embraced the truth holding on, but needing encouragement and advice; and these they seem to receive gladly. Have commenced a series of meetings at Blockville, with some interest. May God help in the discharge of duty, and give the increase. R. F. COTTRELL.

Tent No. 1.

We came to Raymond’s Corners, Potter Co., Pa., with the sixty-foot tent, Thursday, June 21; we secured a fine location on the school lot adjoining the only church in the place, and pitched the tent the day following. We have held three meetings. The congregation last evening numbered over two hundred, although services were held in the church at the same time.

This is a country place quite thickly inhabited. Years ago, there was a large church of S. D. Adventists here, but various causes operated to break up the work until finally the church was entirely disorganized. Later, the few who remained faithful to the truth reorganized, and are trying to hold up the truth before the people. Our object in coming here was to help and encourage them in this work.

Our P. O. address will be Ulysses, Potter Co., Pa. B. L. WHITNEY. M. H. BROWN.

Tent No. 2.

The interest at Pulaski is constantly rising. We have been presenting the claims of the Sabbath for the past week, which meets with almost general favor. Several of the ministers have controverted the subject in our meetings, and Sunday morning last the Baptist elder preached on it in his church, and I reviewed him in the evening; all of which has resulted in raising the interest to a wonderful pitch, and our attendance is correspondingly increased.

I should have stated in my first report that Bro. Wm. H. Brown, of Adams Center, was here to assist in getting the meetings started, and his wife is with us to preside at the organ, and Sister Isadore Green to assist in singing. Bro. Robinson and his family, who live near here, are doing all they can to make the meeting a success. Bro. S. M. Cobb is also with us to act as tent-master and learn the truth more perfectly, in the good work of spreading which he wishes to engage. S. B. WHITNEY.

Tent No. 3.

We pitched the tent at Rutledge, Cattaraugus Co., so as to commence meetings June 14. We are very pleasantly located, in the center of an orchard, just a little way out of the village.

Eld. Olds, Presbyterian, preached against us the Sunday preceding our arrival, warning his congregation against coming to the tent. The way was thus opened for us, and so on our very first Sunday here we presented the Sabbath question. The result is, that a number have decided to keep the Sabbath, and we have appointed our first baptism for next Sabbath.

The Clear Creek church are doing nobly in staying up our hands and helping in every way. We have met with them on Sabbaths, and have had excellent meetings. One year ago, there was but one Sabbath-keeper near here, and he was in a badly backslidden condition. Last Sabbath, twenty-eight were present, and twenty-six soul-stirring testimonies were given. CHAS. B. REYNOLDS.

Rome, N. Y.

I have remained the past week, since Bro. Canright left, to help the friends here. I have held meetings every evening, have spoken four times, and have baptized five. Three have been received into the church. The interest here is still good, and brotherly love continues. More will be ready for baptism when I return in August. A. H. HALL.

Lewis Co., N. Y.

Our tent-meeting near Glensdale is still in progress. The Lord is working among the people. Backsliders from God are confessing their faults and sins. Ten that never made any profession of religion have been forward for prayers.

One family has commenced to keep the Sabbath, and others have acknowledged its claims. We have not, as yet, spoken in public upon that subject, but propose to make it a specialty next week.

Our congregations are increasing, and we think a goodly number in this place will embrace the “third message” ere long. JACOB WILBUR. A. P. BUMP.

OHIO.

Lima.

In connection with Bro. Geo. Smith, we have been holding meetings for about one week in an old church three miles southeast of Lima. We think the interest is gradually increasing, as is also the attendance. We think there are a few souls here that are inquiring for the “old paths,” that they may “walk therein.”

We have our tent here which we intend to pitch near the church when we have a fair prospect of good weather. Until such time, we shall use the house, if permitted. Our address, until further notice, will be Lima, Allen Co., Ohio. H. A. ST. JOHN.

Van Wert.

Wednesday, June 13, we came to this place, and pitched our tent in a fine grove, two miles and a half east of the city of Van Wert. On the Friday evening following, we gave our first discourse. Sunday we spoke three times to large and appreciative audiences. In the evening the tent was nearly full. In spite of storms, the people have turned out nobly, and appear willing and anxious to hear the “new doctrine.”

We have already found several warm friends who do all in their power to render our stay among them agreeable. Very little prejudice exists, but the people are intelligent, kind, and hospitable. We believe that the Lord has some precious jewels in this region. O. F. GUILFORD.

Troy.

Bro. George Smith and the writer met with the Troy church, June 2 and 3. We found them firm in present truth; union and harmony prevail. They have a large Bible-class, and keep up weekly meetings. Eld. Smith preached a stirring discourse Sabbath morning on present truth. In the afternoon we held a prayer and conference meeting, in which all bore testimony.

Sunday morning we had a business meeting. Their records are kept in good order by their excellent clerk, Sr. Alice Arndt. All had reports ready to send in to the quarterly meeting to be held at Clyde; each report with “My donation” attached.

In the afternoon the ordinances of the Lord’s house were celebrated. Good testimonies were given, and we had a blessed season, long to be remembered. WM. BEEBE.

INDIANA.

Thorntown, Boone Co., Tent No. 1.

Our tent-meetings are still largely attended. The congregations range from two to six hundred. Many are deeply interested. The people come in from the country from one to ten miles. Perfect order is preserved. We receive calls to speak in churches and school-houses near.

We hold Sabbath meetings and Bible-classes. Each week some make up their minds to embrace the truth. Thus the good work moves forward. June 25th, we gave a discourse on the “Eastern Question.” The evening was a stormy one, yet some two hundred and fifty were present. The people were so deeply interested that the leading men sent a committee to wait on us, requesting us to repeat the discourse on Sunday afternoon. They kindly offered to advertise the appointment very extensively. We consented, and Sunday expect to speak on that question. S. H. LANE. A. W. BARTLETT.

KANSAS.

New Liberty.

The interest still continues at this place. Two more have signed the covenant since my last report. Six went forward in baptism to-day, and I hope others will soon follow. Although it is a very busy time of the year, the congregation is rather increasing, some coming seven miles to hear. Opposition is commencing. J. N. AYERS.

Osage City.

The prospects of the little company of Sabbath-keepers at this place are brightening. The social meetings are good. There is a disposition on the part of nearly all to know and do the will of the Lord. One was added to the church by baptism. Quite a number of others are reading and thinking, and will be gathered in during the summer. J. LAMONT. GEO. KENNEDY.

South Mound.

We came to South Mound, June 12, and commenced meetings the evening following. Owing to the press of work, our audiences were small. We have held nine meetings here. Eight were baptized. The church has been strengthened and permanently organized, taking the name of the South Mound church. Bro. Robert Aitken was ordained elder.

The Disciples and Dunkards have been laboring to destroy the law of God. Last Sunday Eld. Hodgson (Dunkard minister) affirmed that the kingdom of Heaven was set up in the days of John the Baptist, and that since that time the kingdom has been firmly established and its laws set forth by Jesus Christ, the king and lawgiver. We replied, “Reasoning from your own premises, you ought to keep the law of God and the Sabbath. Jesus Christ, the lawgiver, is instructing his subjects, and he recognizes a law for the proper observance of the Sabbath. Matt. 12:12.”

There are two horns to the dilemma, and they are slow about accepting either of them. Either the kingdom was not set up in the days of John the Baptist, or else the Sabbath is recognized as among the laws of that kingdom.

To-night we celebrate the ordinances with this church, and to-morrow we start for Crawford Co. J. H. COOK. L. D. SANTEE.

ILLINOIS.

Coleta.

After an absence of nine weeks, I returned home on the 5th inst. Joyful, indeed, it is to meet friends, as we travel the paths of life in this God-forgetting world; but what will it be to greet them on the other shore! I must be there!

Bro. Atteberry spoke last Sabbath evening on the subject of the Second Advent. We held five meetings with our friends at home. Four were baptized, and four received into the church. Dist. No. 11 is doing well for the Ill. T. and M. Society. I hope for Coleta. G. W. COLCORD.

Rockford.

Yesterday we met in this city to commence tent labor. We have secured a lot of a gentleman who, some time ago, boarded several weeks at the Battle Creek Health Institute. He said, “If you stand connected with the Seventh-day Adventists, you can use this lot; otherwise, I should not feel willing to permit you to occupy it.” Who cannot see the point in this friend’s remark? Our co-workers at the Institute have done us a great favor by creating confidence in this man’s mind. R. F. ANDREWS. G. W. COLCORD.

Mackinaw.

We pitched our tent in this town, Thursday, June 15, and have held fifteen meetings. The people turn out well, and listen attentively to the word spoken. Our congregations have steadily increased from the first. From six to eight hundred were out last night. We have spoken three times on the Sabbath question, and many acknowledge the truth. B. F. MERRITT. C. H. BLISS.

MAINE.

I have just finished up a course of lectures in Milton Plantation, Oxford County. Fourteen have embraced the truth and signed the covenant. They have established a Sabbath-school and Bible-class. I have joined Eld. J. B. Goodrich in tent labor. We are now at Fryeburg. R. S. WEBBER.

MICHIGAN.

Port Huron.

The meetings in the tent at this place still continue, and the interest is deepening. Last Sabbath about sixty were out, more than half of whom, till a few days ago, were strangers to our faith. A few Sabbath-keepers were with us from Smith’s Creek and Grant Center. The Spirit of the Lord was in our meeting, and several testimonies were borne for the truth by those who had not been of us, though the Sabbath question had not been publicly presented. We are now in the midst of the testing truth. Our attendance is not large, but quite uniform, and nearly all seem to be convinced that we have the truth. We believe that many will obey it, as quite a number have already signified their intention thus to do.

The prospect is that we shall yet spend some weeks here. D. H. LAMSON. M. S. BURNHAM.

Baltimore, Barry, and Maple Grove.

I commenced meetings in Baltimore about New Years, and continued them for several weeks, with a good hearing. I held Sabbath meetings from the first. About twelve commenced to keep the Sabbath. Many came from a distance.

I then held meetings in the town of Barry for several weeks, with a fair attendance. Ten commenced to keep the Sabbath. June 3, I baptized three at Baltimore and others intend to go forward soon. I have learned that about thirty in different places have commenced to keep the Sabbath since January.

I commenced tent meetings in the town of Maple Grove, June 19. Have held nine meetings. The interest is increasing. Last Sunday night about two hundred and fifty were present, and if it had not rained in the afternoon the tent would have been full. T. M. STEWARD.

Flint.

Through the labors of Brn. Lamson and Jones, we have a little band of commandment-keepers in this city.

The church here, feeling the need of a house of worship, where we shall not be disturbed by the noise and confusion which prevail upon our streets on the Sabbath day, have commenced to build one on a lot donated to us, in a quiet part of the city. The people have given liberally for this purpose.

Bro. Lamson has labored with zeal and has tried to inspire the members with the same spirit. We shall ever remember his unselfish efforts for the advancement of this glorious cause in this city. M. E. HARMON.

WISCONSIN TENT, NO. 4.

We are located in Fall River, Columbia Co., a village of three hundred inhabitants, with two active churches.

We arrived the 25th, and were kindly received by Bro. and Sr. Chase and neighbors. At first we were troubled to find a proper location for the tent, the only vacant places being close by the meeting-houses; but we were relieved from perplexity by the offer from a gentleman to allow us to pitch in his door yard, a beautiful spot, though rather small. Meetings began last evening, with an attendance of one hundred.

This is our address at present. GEO. C. TENNEY. H. W. REED.

Fall River, Wis., June 28.