MINNESOTA

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 1, 1878

Labor among the Churches.

THE first week after camp-meeting I took the large tent to Sauk Center, where Brn. Curtis and Battin are now laboring. A card from Bro. Battin says they are having a good interest, and large congregations every evening.

July 6, 7, I met with the church at Lake Ellen at their quarterly meeting, and found the most of those that came into the truth last spring growing strong in the work.

July 13, 14, I was with the church at New Auburn. This church has been passing through trials, but we hope they will profit by past experiences and soon see better days.

Last Tuesday night, in company with Eld. Fulton and Bro. Hall, came to Maine Prairie, where we found our sixty-foot tent pitched on the bank of a lake, in one of the most beautiful spots in Minnesota. There is a road in front of the tent, the shores of a large lake just in the rear, with a few large oaks for a shade. And what is still better, the Lord is blessing the labors of Brn. Hill and Moore. From three to four hundred are out every evening. I found them in the midst of a discussion on the law and the Sabbath, with Eld. Shoemaker, a leading Disciple minister. The interest is increasing and spreading over this county, and the prospects are that a large church will be raised up here.

July 19. HARRISON GRANT.

Sauk Center, July 23.

We still continue to have a good hearing. The attention is remarkably good. Our audiences range from one hundred and twenty-five to three hundred. People are studying and discussing earnestly. The Episcopal minister struck out against us as “false prophets.” His discourse was reviewed before a full tent, with telling effect. Next the Congregational minister came out, on Sunday evening, in defense of “the Christian Sunday.” We dismissed our meeting, and went, with our congregation, to hear him. Last evening we had the largest crowd that we have had to listen to a review of his sermon. The review will occupy this evening also. The Lord was present to help, and conviction seemed to settle down upon many minds. Some have taken a stand to obey God, and keep his commandments. Others are in “the valley of decision.” May the Lord lead them out into the clear light of truth. Have sold books to the amount of $4.60.

We believe that the brethren remember us in prayer, and ask them to continue to do so.

D. P. CURTIS. N. BATTIN.

Maine Prairie, Stearns Co., July 19.

WE commenced lectures at this place, July 4; gave five lectures on the prophecies and signs of the times, and then took up the law and Sabbath, and the sanctuary. After we had thoroughly canvassed these subjects before an audience of from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty persons, Eld. C. B. Watkins, Disciple minister, announced to speak on the Christian Sabbath, showing Sunday to be the Lord’s day. We gave him the use of the tent on Sunday at 3 P. M., and Bro. W. B. Hill reviewed him in the evening. The truth gained a glorious victory.

Eld. A. Shoemaker, a noted Disciple champion, then came forward and challenged for a discussion. The whole community were deeply stirred, and demanded that the Sabbath question be publicly discussed. It was thought best to defend the truth before the people. The question was, “Resolved, That the Scriptures teach that the seventh-day Sabbath is binding on Christians in this dispensation.” Eld. Hill affirmed, Eld. Shoemaker denied. It was arranged to hold the discussion two evenings, and the time was afterwards extended to four evenings. The attendance was from four to five hundred. Our sixty-foot tent was literally packed. The evening the discussion closed we tested the people on the Sabbath question, and twenty arose thus promising to keep all the commandments. The truth has gained a victory.

We now go on with our lectures with a good prospect of success. We desire the prayers of God’s people.

J. W. MOORE.