WESTERN TOUR by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 21, 1878

WESTERN TOUR.

By S. N. Haskell

THURSDAY, Feb. 7, we reached Loyal, Wis., and found the brethren gathered from all parts of the district. Our first meeting was held Friday at ten A. M. To give particulars would simply be to say that God was with us from the commencement to the close. Each church in the district was fully represented, every member but one, who was sick, being present. I never have met a company of brethren and sisters among whom there was more of a universal desire to learn how to serve God better, and to give their hearts unreservedly to him, than at this place.

On Sabbath afternoon, four took their stand to keep the commandments of God, and leave the service of Satan. Backsliders were reclaimed, and a general move was made by those present to give themselves anew to God. A heavenly atmosphere pervaded the whole meeting.

Our business meeting on first-day was a success. The brethren were in embarrassing circumstances, owing to the fact that for want of snow nothing is being done here this winter at lumbering, which is the business of the people in this section. Notwithstanding this, our business meeting on Sunday was characterized with a practical interest in the missionary work. Over one hundred copies of the SIGNS were taken by those present, to be used in securing interested readers. These, sent out weekly during the year, will reach as many as five thousand families, allowing for the missionary labor that will be performed by those who become interested.

The plan of obtaining subscribers for the REFORMER with the Household Manual opened a way for them to pay their monthly installments, of which they took advantage. According to the present arrangement, if fifty brethren and sisters each obtain one subscriber per month during the year, for the REFORMER, with the Household Manual as a premium, they will thus pay for one hundred copies of the SIGNS; and many can do much more than this.

These brethren were principally the fruit of Eld. Decker’s first year’s labor as a licentiate.

S. N. HASKELL.