SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 15, 1879

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND.

By John Norton Loughborough

Since my last report two more have commenced the observance of the Sabbath with us. Our Sabbath-school has increased in numbers until we have four large classes and a Bible-class. The children are especially interested in attending.

New parties are attending the discourses given in our house, and our congregations are about as large as we can accommodate. Our tent is now completed, and is really the best one for a single top I ever had. All the ropes and the lacings of the top are on the inside. On the outside, the lacing seam is covered with a strip of duck four inches in width. Between each section seam is worked in, showing on the outside, a cord of red bunting, which gives it a very neat appearance. The tent-maker requested the privilege of putting this in.

The wall is buttoned into loops in the top of the tent. These loops are about eighteen inches apart. The buttons, or toggles, as they call them here, are made about the shape of a gimlet handle, only some smaller. Once in three feet, at the bottom of the wall, are loops of rope passed through two brass eyelets, to be used in pinning the wall to the ground. Each hole in the canvas, in lacing seam and all, is furnished with a brass eyelet.

The side poles of the tent are of the straightest grained pine, eight feet in height and three inches in diameter. These are bound at each end with galvanized iron bands. At the bottom of each pole projects an iron pin six inches in length. This is to keep the pole in its place in case of wind. At the top of the pole is an iron pin five inches in length, which passes through a brass thimble in the top of the tent. On this pin, outside the tent, is placed an acorn of oak about seven inches in length and four in diameter. Around the neck of this acorn the guys of the tent are spliced, which holds the pole in place, and holds the acorn down upon the canvas. This gives the tent a very neat finish on the side poles. Ten of the twenty side poles are furnished with small tackle blocks for tightening the tent. The apparatus for hoisting the tent is peculiar, and consists of a traveler finished with an eye on each side. To this traveler is attached a tackle on each side of the pole, so as to prevent all springing of the pole, and there is no rope bale to the traveler to be sawn off on the pole. The tent is furnished with a superb center pole seven inches in diameter, straight as an arrow, and with a full complement of strong oak stakes all iron bound at their tops. These bands, as well as every iron about the tent, is galvanized, to prevent rust.

As we examined our tent, with flag, poles, stakes, all completed, with sacks, in a substantial and tasty manner, for $425, we were thankful that we decided to purchase it here.

I wrote Bro. White that I thought it would cost about $600 here to purchase a tent and seat it, and get it ready for meetings. We have succeeded in finding favors to that extent that we decided to add to our furniture a harmonium. The price of such an instrument in America would be about $125. We paid $40. It has an excellent tone, and is just the thing for a tent. We trust with its use to add to the interest of the meetings.

The cost of our tent, with seats, lamps, stand, carpet, harmonium, etc., will not probably exceed $575 or £115. We have received donations toward the tent of £15, and others are planning to make sacrifices for the work.

One sister writes from the north of England: “I have dedicated a plot of our garden to the Lord, for the English mission, and have planted it with snow drops. They look very promising. You shall have what they make for your tent. I think my bed of bulbs will make £1. If it makes more you shall have it.”

I mention this to show that those here who receive the truth seek to do all in their power to advance the cause. We ask the prayers of all God’s people that access may be gained to hearts and minds here.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.