ILLINOIS by C. H. Bliss

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 11, 1877

ILLINOIS

By C. H. Bliss

Mt. Vernon, Jefferson Co., Oct. 2.

We have now been in this place three weeks and three days, and have held, in all, about thirty meetings. One week ago last Sabbath, five signified a desire to become Christians and unite with the church. These were children of Sabbath-keepers who had come in from a distance to attend this meeting. Last Sabbath fourteen residing in this place arose, thus signifying their determination to hereafter keep the Sabbath. Three or four others informed me that they were keeping the Sabbath, making seventeen or eighteen residents of this place who have commenced to observe the Sabbath since we came here. We have our first baptism next Sabbath.

But now Satan is stirred up. One man threatens my life if we receive a member of his family into our church: another threatens the lock-out argument to keep one at home. But none of these things move us, and the common people hear us gladly.

On next Sunday, Eld. Allen, a Baptist minister of this place, speaks against us. We invited him into the tent, but he refused; however, we shall hear him and reply. Quite a number of the workmen in the machine shops have acknowledged the truth. Perhaps the majority will permit circumstances to control them, but we hope for a few.

The weather is very warm and pleasant. Bro. I. G. Colcord and son render me much assistance; also Bro. J. B. Logan, who has spoken a few time. Bro. L. has ability, and we trust he will be as successful a laborer among us as he has been among his former brethren, the Methodists. We hope for a good large church here.

C. H. BLISS.