Reports from the Field by Editor

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jan 10, 1878

Reports from the Field.

By Editor

(Condensed from Review and Herald.)

Switzerland.

BALE.—Elder Andrews reports the arrival of Brother and Sister Ings and Sister Sisley from Battle Creek, Mich., who are to assist in the publishing work at Bäle. He says: "Their arrival will enable us to set up a printing office, and to do all the work upon our paper except the press work. We shall also be able now to make up our own tracts. When in London we selected the things necessary to use in making up our tracts, and a few things for the work of type-setting. As soon as these are received we can take all our work into our own hands except the press-work. We hope after a few weeks to be able to make this change, and we trust we can save something on the cost of our paper and our tracts, and at the same time have our work done better than at present.

"In consequence of the delay of one week in the arrival of Brother Ings, I had the privilege of uniting in worship with the Mill Yard church on two Sabbaths. These were to me very precious seasons. This is the oldest organization of Sabbath-keepers now in existence of which we have knowledge. There are many sacred memories connected with this ancient church. May the efforts which Brother Jones is making to bring many to the observance of the commandments of God, be greatly blessed of heaven.

"While in London I listened to a very remarkable discourse by Mr. Spurgeon on the sin of ignorance. I never heard the law of God set forth with greater force and clearness as the supreme and perfect rule of right, and as the standard according to which all human actions must be estimated either as good or bad. He said that the transgression of the law of God is sin even when committed ignorantly. He added: ‘Perhaps there is some commandment that you and I are ignorantly breaking, but our transgression is a sin notwithstanding our ignorance.' I also listened to a very solemn discourse upon the day of judgment by Dean Stanley in Westminster Abbey. His text was Rom. 13:12 ‘The day is at hand.' The Abbey was thronged with people, and they gave the most earnest attention to the word spoken. Mr. Stanley spoke principally upon the character of the judgment, but he also expressed the idea that it is an event at hand."

Denmark.

NORDBY, FANO.—Elder Matteson writes: "I have now been on this island four weeks. The opposition has been very strong. The priest preaches against us, calls us heretics and fanatics, and says that we set the time for the coming of Christ, and that we endeavor to be justified by the law. This excites the people against us, and grown people hoot and jeer at us on the street, and even when they go home from church. Under such circumstances as these, there are not many who have courage enough to attend our meetings. Our audiences number from fifteen to twenty-five. Those, however, who have a desire to learn from the word of God, beg of us not to leave them till the battle has been fought out at present. I have avoided all strife, and have spoken with respect both of the church and the authorities; but it is the testimony about the law of God and the Sabbath that has raised all this commotion. There are now twelve persons here who keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and are trying to prepare for the coming and kingdom of our Saviour. There are others who are convinced. We have commenced a Bible-class, with sixteen members. We have also started a Sabbath-school, and a prayer-meeting."

Southern Switzerland.

MORGES.—Elder Bourdeau writes: "We have now spoken six times on the leading subjects of the advent doctrine. Last Sunday night the hall was crowded, and many had to leave for want of room, although additional seats and chairs were used. The subject was the 'second advent.' I have never seen a better interest than has been manifested here thus far. But we have been under the necessity of closing our effort in the large hall, although we offered to pay a reasonable price for it till we had discussed our principal subjects. Evidently some, jealous of the influence of our preaching, have labored against us. The mayor, who is friendly to us, tried hard to have us occupy the hall free of charges, but the current against him was too strong. Thus the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom was shut out of the hall in which balls, operas, and Spiritualist conferences can be held. We have received, in all, about one hundred francs, enough to cover all the expenses of the hall, and to pay for the use of another hall for two months."

In a later report Elder B. adds: "We are having good meetings in our new hall, which is so arranged as to hold one hundred and sixty persons. It has usually been well filled. Some of the preachers have warned their members against the danger of prying into the mysteries of God. Without referring to them, we have shown that it is not only our privilege, but our imperative duty, to investigate the word of God. One prominent preacher attended our last meeting, and endorsed what he heard before some of his leading members."

Maine.

DENMARK AND EAST FRYEBURG.—These places are about two miles apart. Elder Goodrich reports: "We have held meetings here, and sixteen or eighteen have commenced to keep the commandments. Sabbath meetings have been established. We still hope to see others take their stand to obey the truth. There has been no open opposition, but the keep-away argument has been presented, as usual. However, the Lord gave the increase, and some good souls have embraced the truth. May the Lord bless them, and help them to be faithful."

New York.

PIERREPONT.—Thirteen meetings have been held at this place, by Brethren Hall and Wilcox. Three have united with the church; and it is expected that more will unite soon. They report large congregations, some coming a distance of six miles to hear for the first time, and many are deeply interested.

Michigan.

ALLEGAN COUNTY.—Elder W. H. Littlejohn reports meeting with the church at Monterey December 9 and 10, of which meetings he says: "The results of our labors seemed to be good in the direction of awakening the church to new interest in the service of God, and the establishment of more favorable conditions for a closer union among the brethren than has heretofore existed. On Sabbath, December 15, and on the following Sabbath, I preached to the church in Allegan. The brethren in this place are manifesting an increasing interest in the services of the Lord's house, and seeking for a deeper individual experience in the things of God. In common with the church in Monterey, they manifest a laudable disposition to cultivate harmony and concord, to the end that all who love the Lord's Sabbath, and look for the appearing of the Son of God in the clouds of heaven, may be united in one fold as well as in one hope."

Wisconsin.

POY SIPPI.—Elder Olsen writes: "The Lord blessed in our meetings at this place. They were continued through the week, two meetings each day. Several made a start to serve the Lord, and two were baptized. The brethren are taking hold of the missionary work with commendable zeal."

Minnesota.

LAKE JOHANNA.—Brother C. Nelson writes: "I have been laboring at a place about twelve miles west of Lake Johanna. Here I found some good souls who were strict believers in the Bible, and who, as some of them said, could find no fault with the law of God; but they had no light in regard to our views. They searched the Scriptures daily, and moved very understandingly, as I spoke to them the word of truth. I obtained six subscribers to the Tidende. Six signed the covenant; and from twelve to sixteen, I think, will keep the Lord's Sabbath. Sabbath meetings were established, and a leader appointed, and a Sabbath-school was organized."

Pennsylvania.

WEST PIKE AND HECTOR.—Brother J. G. Saunders has been laboring in these places. They are seven miles apart, and two meetings have been held in each place, alternately. As the result, twelve in West Pike are now keeping the Sabbath, and in Hector sixteen. In each place a class is organized. A spirit of inquiry and investigation still prevails.

Georgia.

REYNOLDS.—Elder Taylor writes: "On coming to this place last week, I found the company of Sabbath-keepers here steadfast, and growing in the knowledge of the truth. They are anxious to have a meeting-house, where they can worship with none to molest. The Lord prospering, by the time Brother Haskell visits us this winter, we shall ask him to assist in dedicating a Seventh-day Adventist meeting-house in Georgia. In several counties in the southern part of the State, some are keeping the Sabbath; others are reading. The truth has made a great change in the religious sentiments of those who have become acquainted with it. The Bible is a new book. Once they took no interest in reading it; now they read it with great pleasure."