KANSAS AND ARKANSAS by J. H. Cook

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 1, 1877

KANSAS AND ARKANSAS.

By J. H. Cook

Since my last report, I have visited the churches at Sackett, Limestone, and Amity, Kan. These meetings were seasons of encouragement. The truth appears to be settling down into hearts. None had fallen away, though these were all new churches.

These meetings were followed by a general quarterly meeting with the Oswego church, at which all the above-named churches were represented. Of this meeting I can safely say, it was a season of refreshing, and also of deep searching of heart. It closed on first-day evening with an ordinance meeting, commencing at six o’clock, and continuing till twelve. Some of our new members who came from the M. E. church said they never had attended such a meeting before.

I left my wife at the hospitable home of Bro. Joseph Stovers, and in company with Bro. A. J. Stover and wife came to Elm Springs, Arkansas. Here we were happy to meet with Bro. and sister Oliver, formerly of Kansas, and Bro. and sister Eastman, who had embraced the Sabbath since they came here. We remained over Sabbath, and had a pleasant meeting with them.

Sunday morning we started for Bro. J. D. Powers’, who lives about sixteen miles from Elm Springs. We reached our destination about two o’clock, having been six hours traveling sixteen miles.

Here we found six Sabbath-keepers. These had all commenced Sabbath observance by reading, which had caused the usual stir. A few say it is right to keep the seventh day. Others are bitter, and threaten the law. In this respect our coming seems timely. Court was just sitting; so with Bro. Powers we went to Fayetteville, and saw the commonwealth attorney, and laid the facts before him, so that if the matter came before the grand jury he might know how to instruct them. Here we obtained fair promises for all conscientious observers of the seventh day. The laws here are about the same as in Missouri, requiring Sabbath observers to be members of a Sabbath-keeping church. We shall give them a temporary organization as soon as we think consistent.

We have held four meetings. So far, the interest is about the same as we have been accustomed to see in Kansas. We hope to hear from all the scattered Sabbath-keepers in Arkansas. We expect to remain at least two or three months.

Our address, for the present, is Fayetteville, Washington Co., Arkansas.

J. H. Cook.

Oct. 18.