p. 71 | ILLINOIS | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 22, 1878

ILLINOIS

Millington, Aug. 14.

We pitched our tent in this place, Aug. 5. This is a small village on the C. B. and Q. railroad, only two miles from Newark, where we have just closed a series of meetings. We shall remain here till camp-meeting, laboring to the best advantage possible.

Each week develops more fruits of our labors in Newark. About fifteen are keeping the Sabbath, besides many friends who are not yet identified with us. We hope and pray for them. There is a large, commodious church building in the place, which Mr. Coy, a merchant, bought of the Congregationalists. Mr. C. kindly permits us to use it free of charge. Our friends are making an effort to buy it.

The following cases show the power of the truth to purify those who embrace it with all the heart: Two men, aged respectively eighty-seven and sixty-five years, the elder of whom had used tobacco sixty-six years, the younger over forty years, both left off its use. Father Barrows, the elder, says he feels little, if any, bad effects from leaving it off. What a rebuke to the middle-aged and the young who say they can't give up tobacco. We can do anything that the Lord requires, if we try by faith in Christ.

Father Barrows informs us that his brother, aged about seventy-five years, who embraced the Sabbath and kindred truths, and who had used the filthy weed for about half a century, has quit its use. He has the consumption, and for a few days past has been so low that his friends despaired of his recovery. When urged to take some stimulant as a substitute for tobacco, he refused, saying that he wanted to die clean and pure. Thank the Lord for a truth that will make a man every whit whole. Bro. B. is improving, and there is hope of his recovery. We do not think leaving off bad habits is going to kill any one.

J. F. BALLENGER.

Belvidere, Aug. 15.

We have now held twenty-six meetings here. We are having a good hearing. At the first nearly all the ministers attended; but since the presentation of the Sabbath truth, some have stayed away. A goodly number have already acknowledged the truthfulness of our positions, and some have commenced the observance of the Sabbath. There is a strong under-current working against us, and two ministers have tried to puzzle us with questions at the conclusion of our services. This resulted in throwing themselves into confusion, and increasing the interest.

We had a very interesting meeting last Sabbath. Brn. Vickery and Bennett assist me in visiting and in caring for the tent.

We are encouraged to hope that a goodly number will be raised up here to hold up the light of the truth in this corner of the Master's vineyard.

R. F. ANDREWS.

Du Quoin, Aug. 12, 1878.

Our discussion closed on last Friday eve. The result is better than we expected. Eld. Crim took different positions on many points from those taken in the Carbondale debate. It became a very easy matter at different times to show Crim vs. Crim, and Crim vs. the Bible. The Lord blessed Bro. Colcord much in his efforts to show the fallacy of Eld. Crim's arguments.

Truth has gained a glorious victory, as admitted by all except a few basely interested. Thus again the “champion of Southern Illinois” has been defeated, even “our enemies themselves being judges.” Several have expressed themselves determined to keep the Sabbath. Bro. Damon, a young Disciple minister from Judsonia, Ark., is now with us. He has accepted the truth in full, and designs preparing himself for usefulness. Bro. C. has just returned from Carbondale, and brings good news from there. The friends are growing firmer, and their numbers increasing. C. H. BLISS.