News from the East by Editor

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · Jul 1, 1875

News from the East.

By Editor

THE cause is still progressing in Kentucky, and as a result earnest calls are being sent in for a tent and some one to labor with it. Between thirty-five and forty are already keeping the Sabbath in Green and Hart counties, as the fruit of Bro. Osborne's labors last winter. May 15, 16, the church at Locust Grove, about twenty-five miles distant, met with them, and Bro. Osborne spoke with great freedom, and all felt the blessing of the Lord in a special manner. A temporary organization was effected, so that they could meet every Sabbath.

Of a meeting near Seward, Neb., held May 22, 23, Bro. Chas. L. Boyd says:—

"Here a church was organized, and the ordinances of the Lord's supper were celebrated. Bro. M. Hackworth was ordained elder, and Bro. E. Hackworth, deacon. It was truly encouraging to see those who but a short time since were breaking the commandments of God; now rendering obedience to them all, and trying to overcome their wrong habits of living, that they may present their bodies a living sacrifice to God."

Bro. D. Downer gives the following report of the meeting held May 30, 31, at Arkansaw, Wis.:—

"Our meetings were held in the large hall, and from one to three hundred were in attendance. On Sunday, eight were baptized. Very many here are interested in our faith. I know of no church in our State that has a better field to labor in than this. Others will soon follow in baptism and in keeping the commandments of God. Twenty-two have recently been baptized. This church is young, vigorous, and strong, to work for God."

Of the work among the Swedes, Bro. J. Sawyer, of Battle Creek, Mich., gives the following interesting items:—

"A few weeks ago, we had news from one locality in Kansas of eight persons who had embraced the Sabbath and formed themselves into a society, and now we have news from another locality in the same State of five families who are also following in the course of the others, and all have embraced the truth by simply reading. God's Spirit and the simple truth are marshaling the mighty hosts of the Lord in places where there is no living preacher.

"Some time since, there came a letter to the Review Office from a school teacher in Sweden, stating that he has learned through the Svensk Advent Harold that there is a weekly paper called Review and Herald published at Battle Creek, which advocates such doctrines as he wishes to examine, and as he can read English a little, he would like to see it; and that another school teacher in the country would like to take the Svensk Harold.

"There are now nearly a hundred silent messengers that are finding their way to Sweden. These speak with power unto those who are ready to investigate. The Harold visits all classes, from His Majesty the king, to the humble peasant in the cottage, and some of the learned are concerned, in view of doctrines which induce their countrymen so suddenly to forsake orthodox tenets. A flame is being kindled there which must necessarily illuminate every corner of the kingdom. And Finland will doubtless soon follow in receiving the last message. Three copies of the May Harold were sent to Finland. The last mail from that country brings intelligence of the late publication of an excellent Swedish-Finnish Lexicon.

"Thus, part of the Finnish nationality who cannot read the Swedish, can yet have "present truth" in pure Finnish, and the "gospel of the kingdom" will yet make its way into the territory of Russia. We see already by the last mail that a newspaper is soon to be published semi-weekly in Finland, which will be edited by a Russian school teacher. This paper is especially intended to serve the interests of Russian residents in Finland. We see easily the truth could find its way through Finland into Russia. This may be the way God designs to use for the purpose of sending it there."

AN OLD CALIFORNIAN.—Pope Pius IX. has lately received from Santa Cruz, Cal., through Cardinal Franchi, Prefect of the Propaganda, the photograph of a Mexican, still living, who has reached the age of 122 years. Beneath the picture are these words, written in Spanish, by the old man himself: "I, Justiniano Roxas, 122 years old, wish the most holy Pope long years of life." The parish register of Santa Cruz shows that Roxas was baptised March 4, 1792, being at that time about 40 years of age. He has always led an exemplary life, and still walks to mass on Sundays with no help but that of his staff, and asks the blessing of the pope, whom he calls the "Capitan de los Padres."