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CLOSING LABORS IN VIRGINIA

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 23, 1878

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 51, No. 21.

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CLOSING LABORS IN VIRGINIA.

By E. B. Lane; E. S. Lane

In harmony with the advice of the General Conference, we have returned to Michigan, and this State will, for the present, be our field of labor.
Since our last report we have had some excellent meetings in Virginia, both in Page and Shenandoah counties. Our quarterly meeting was the best we ever held. There was quite a delegation from Page county, and the Spirit of God was present in every meeting. As the names were called, all the members present promptly responded with feeling testimonies, many of them wet down with tears. New resolutions were formed, and a general advance move was made. The communion season was one long to be remembered by all. Several of the young took a firm stand and bore good testimonies, which deeply affected our hearts.
Our T. and M. society showed advancement, both in the number of members and the quality of the work done. During our labors in Page county we organized a T. and M. society of twelve members.
The Methodist minister, lately come to the Sabbath truth, referred to in our last report, remains firm, and has visited friends over the Blue Ridge Mountains in Madison Co., Va., and excited a great interest and an earnest desire for labor there. Two of our brethren have gone into a small valley called Powell's Fort, and given several discourses on Sundays, and report a growing interest at that place. As many as a score of places are calling for a course of lectures. When we first went to Virginia we met strong opposition from every point, which spread all through the Shenandoah Valley; but by patient labor, visiting and speaking in over sixty different places, we now regard it one of the most promising fields in the Union. Our prayer is that God will send them help and an abundance of his blessing, that this may yet be a large, strong Conference.
Old fields where prejudice ran highest at first are changed, as shown by meetings lately held in those places. We administered baptism near New Market, and were astonished to see the multitude present. For a long distance, the banks of the river were lined with people, many of whom would not formerly come to our meetings. It was a solemn baptism, and a lovely sight that our eyes beheld.
The last night spent in Virginia, by special request we spoke before a large audience in Polytechnic Hall, New Market. We began our labors here, and by a kind Providence closed in the same place, speaking by invitation on the subject of temperance.
One item of interest to us we must mention. On visiting a young brother in Timberville, who, with his family and a sister of his, is living out the truth alone, we were much gratified to find him preaching to the people among whom he was raised. There is a growing interest, and strong indications that a company will join them in keeping the Sabbath of the Lord. While he works at his trade (tomb-stone cutting) he studies, and preaches evenings and on first-days. By his request we spoke on short notice to a full house. This brother was one of the first in Virginia to embrace the truth, having had his attention previously called to it by reading matter sent him by Bro. Zirkle, of Indiana. As he becomes more free to give his time to the ministry, we trust he will become a valuable laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. Thus the seed may be first sown by papers or tracts, and in eternity great may the harvest be. As we think of these things, our hearts gratefully acknowledge the interest that many of our brethren and sisters have taken in sending papers, especially the SIGNS, to persons in Virginia.
In our closing labors in Page county we had crowded houses, and learned of three or four more who had decided to keep the Sabbath. Three followed their Lord in baptism. It was sad to part with our brethren in Virginia, yet we hope to meet them again, with many others from the Old Dominion, in the kingdom of God.
On our return home we spent a few days with our dear brethren in Wood county, Ohio. It seemed good to meet with them, and find nearly all still holding on. We held some excellent meetings, and all seemed much encouraged. We spoke before a large and attentive audience in Bowling Green. We believe this city to be an excellent field of labor for a second course of lectures. We have never felt satisfied with the one we held there a few years ago, as the excitement of the woman's crusade movement stopped us. The interest there seems as good as when we left them three years ago.
E. B. & E. S. LANE.