WHAT THE REFORMER DOES.
By S. H. Lane
None can estimate the amount of good the REFORMER is capable of doing so well as those who have witnessed the work that it accomplishes when it is properly circulated. A few facts in regard to this matter have come under my observation during the past few months, which are worth recording:— Several years ago the publishers of the REFORMER received from the late Dr. R. T. Trall the names of several hundred persons to whose addresses he had been forwarding a paper called, The Gospel of Health. He wished to discontinue his paper, and have the REFORMER sent to his patrons for the time specified on his subscription lists. I aided in transferring the names from Dr. Trall’s lists to those of the REFORMER, also in mailing the paper; and in doing so, I became aware of the fact that each month quite a number were forwarded to Thorntown, Boone Co., Indiana. When I began labor in Indiana, I decided that I would sometime visit Thorntown, and present the truth. Last summer the way opened, and we pitched our tent there. The sanitary conditions of the town were quite good, much above the general average of towns in this State. It is noted as being a healthy place. We found quite a number of first-class families using graham bread and gems. All the time we were in the place we had no difficulty in obtaining graham bread; and never have we visited a town where we found so little pork used. We visited quite extensively, and not upon a single occasion did we find pork on the table. As soon as people learned that we were health reformers, those who were acquainted with the hygienic system were very friendly to us. Some were still taking the REFORMER, others, the Laws of Life. Thorntown contains about two thousand inhabitants, and never have we found in any town of its size so many men and boys who do not use tobacco. Quite a number here had been either to the Health Institute at Battle Creek, Mich., or to Dr. Perret’s Remedial Institute at LaFayette, Ind. All of these had improved in health. This state of affairs, in my opinion, has been produced, in part at least, by the knowledge obtained through the teachings of health publications and the instruction imparted by the two health institutions I have mentioned. Through the blessing of the Lord twenty-two embraced the truth here, and we organized a church of twenty-one members, only one of whom was using tobacco when first they heard the truth. We ordained two deacons in the church, one of whom was first favorably impressed with our people and the truth while at the Health Institute some years ago. Brethren and sisters of Indiana, shall we not circulate the REFORMER throughout this entire State? Quite a number of places are now being canvassed. When the work is carried on in a thorough manner, subscribers are obtained. We have ordered five hundred Manuals as premiums for REFORMER subscribers. Three hundred are already in the hands of canvassers, and many of them are disposed of. Should all take hold of this work and canvass, we could soon order five hundred more, and before the end of the present year one thousand subscribers would be obtained for the REFORMER. Thus the way would be opened and friends raised up for those who labor in the State, and as the final result souls would embrace the truth and be saved in the kingdom of God. S. H. LANE.