LABOR IN ALABAMA by C. W. Olds

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 15, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 36.

LABOR IN ALABAMA.

By C. W. Olds

WE have been in this field for about six months, meeting with success in our labors and think the outlook for future labor quite encouraging. We are at present in the busiest and perhaps richest portion of Alabama. Mining is a leading industry, and business of all kinds is lively.

Here are gathered people from nearly every part of the United States, and especially the North, so that many cities seem like our Northern towns. The Southern people are very kind and courteous, and welcome Northerners with a gratifying cordiality.

Our tracts and papers, which to many are entirely new, are read with interest, with a desire to know more of the truth they advocate. I feel confident that if we had persons here to work on our papers alone, a good list of subscribers could be obtained. However, we have taken forty-five orders each for SIGNS and Sentinel, ordered with some of our subscription books. Many of the SIGNS were taken for only six months, and as the time expires we shall visit the subscribers again, trying to persuade them to renew for a year. The "Great Controversy" and "Marvel of Nations" sell rapidly. One of our agents has delivered 150 "Marvel of Nations" in Birmingham vicinity, and taken 200 orders for "Great Controversy." We have delivered 60 "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation" in the city, and have 200 or more readers for Good Health. We have appointed a few agents among our brethren in Northern Alabama who send in encouraging reports. One agent took twenty-two orders in two and a half days, and another thirty-five in three days for "Marvel of Nations."

There are some discouraging features here as elsewhere, but all our workers should be prepared for this. Our work is much hindered for want of good help; but we hope this lack will soon be made up, and if there are any who desire to assist in this very important branch of the work here, I would be glad to correspond with them.

We have been unable thus far to give as much attention to the preaching of the word as its importance demands, yet we trust ere-long to do more. We desire the prayers of God's people for this important field.

C. W. OLDS. 520 Sixteenth St. N., Birmingham, Ala.