Reports from the Field

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Feb 14, 1878

Reports from the Field.

(Condensed from Review and Herald.)

Denmark.

ALSTRUP. — Elder Matteson writes under date of January 14: “Our meetings in the chapel have been well attended during the past two weeks. I am holding the second series of lectures in this vicinity. There is much less prejudice here now than there was last summer. Many minds are awakened, and the truth of God gains ground. There are several families that now have commenced to observe the Sabbath, and many others are very near to us. The enemies that oppose us most, are—old habits, the ways of the world, and the use of strong drink and tobacco. The Spirit of God testifies to the word spoken, and there is often deep feeling in the congregation. We speak without reserve against the prevailing sins, and the people often feel offended; but the majority of them, however, come back to our meetings again. Some find the way before them too hard; others choose rather to suffer with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Pray for us that the Lord may lead in all things to his name’s honor and glory.”

Wisconsin.

OAKLAND.—Elder Haskell writes: “We arrived at this place Friday evening. Found the friends here from a radius of a hundred miles. The meeting had already commenced, as it began at 10 A. M. From the first there were tokens that the Lord was drawing near, and was willing to bless. The brethren seem determined to make the most of the opportunity. There was freedom in speaking, and the social meetings were characterized with feeling. All present, both brethren and sisters, manifested an interest in the business matters. The tract work, and the Bible plan of supporting the cause, were critically examined, and never did the plan of systematic benevolence, and the added one-third appear more beautiful than it did here, as questions were asked bringing out one point after another. I think I never witnessed a more general interest to understand how to go to work, and a disposition to take hold of the work, than was manifested at this meeting. Nine hundred premiums were found inadequate to supply the missionary workers.

Some of our brethren felt obliged to leave Monday afternoon, and those who did so lost the best meeting of the series. The precious season Monday evening will long be remembered. The sweet Spirit of God seemed to set its seal to what had been done, and united hearts more closely in bonds of Christian union. The brethren returned to their homes greatly encouraged. We fully believe that God is willing to work for his people as never before, when they take hold of his work with cheerfulness and obedient hearts.”

Michigan.

OTTAWA COUNTY.—Labor among the churches is reported by Elder Littlejohn and Brother Burnham. After the series of meetings closed at Ravenna they visited Wright. They report as follows: “Our first meeting was held in this place on the evening of January 23, and our last on Sunday, January 28. Fortunately, the brethren in Ravenna are situated so near this place that a large portion of them have been able to be present at our services here, and by this means, have had the benefit of the meetings in both places. The church at Wright is one of the oldest and largest in the State. Its members, at present, number ninety-two in all. Many of them, however, reside in other counties, and are heard from only as they report by letter. What they seemed to need most was an awakening to fresh experience and activity in the things of God. We labored, therefore, to this end, and our efforts were not in vain, since the Lord condescended to pour out his Spirit upon the people in a manner which was calculated to encourage all present. Several who had backslidden were reclaimed, and others started anew in the service of God; nearly the whole church, also, by repeated movements, consecrated themselves fully to the service of God.”

Ohio.

NEWARK.—Elder St. John reports as follows: “For several weeks past I have spent much time in this place. Our meetings have been mainly held in the New Jerusalem church, secured at reasonable rates. Attendance and interest very good. The work moves quite slowly here, but one thing is encouraging, it moves all the time. Eight were baptized yesterday. We are quite confident that a good, strong society will be established here. We leave Brother Guilford to follow up the work. May the blessing of the Lord still rest upon the work in Newark.”

Maine.

NEW SWEDEN.—Brother J. Sawyer reports an interesting quarterly meeting here. He also reports labor one and a half miles from this place, where there are both Swedes and Americans, in which languages he spoke alternately. Some have commenced the observance of the Sabbath by reading their Bibles. He writes: “Last Sunday spoke twice in a schoolhouse filled with people, as anxious to hear the truth as a hungry man is for his dinner. This evening expect to resume meetings in the Adventist neighborhood, and continue them till the time of beginning school among the Swedes. Have spoken every evening for more than two weeks. The weather has been very cold, sometimes preventing a full attendance. The mercury congealed on the 8th ult. at 42° below zero.”

New York.

BLOCKVILLE—Brother B. L. Whitney writes: “In company with Brother Hall we visited this place, found an interesting company of young Sabbath-keepers who were brought into the truth during the past season by the labors of Elder Reynolds. We are much pleased with these young friends of the cause, who seem to love the truth and are rejoicing in the light they have received. They are not yet organized, and will need more labor to bring them in harmony with the work in all points; but they seem earnest in the work, and we are sure there is material here for a good, live church.”

Alabama.

BLADEN SPRINGS.—Elder O. A. Burrill writes: “We have now been here ten days, laboring with those who have begun Sabbath observance. We have organized a church of eighteen members, and there are about fifteen more who will soon join us. I shall give them a short course of lectures. They had their meeting-house burned a few weeks ago. We hope to see another in its place soon. Our brethren in the North know nothing about poverty compared with what is seen in this section. We get our mail only twice each week. We find the law very oppressive on the Sabbath here. We can begin tent labor about the first of March. We very much desire the prayers of God’s people.”