Reports from the Field by Editor

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Mar 28, 1878

Reports from the Field.

By Editor

(Condensed from Review and Herald.)

Michigan.

Westphalia.—Elder J. B. Frisbie and B. F. Lewis report as follows: "We commenced meetings in this place February 8. At first we had twelve hearers, but our congregations increased to seventy and averaged about thirty. There are good, substantial people here, but many of them are nonprofessors. The inhabitants of the surrounding country are mostly German Catholics. There is no other society in the neighborhood. About fourteen have consented to sign the covenant, and there are two here who were keeping the Sabbath, making in all, sixteen to keep up meetings. Several others are convinced on the Sabbath, who, we hope, will soon join the number. In the county paper is the following notice of our meetings: 'The S. D. Adventists are doing a noble work at Westphalia. Their sermons are much admired by the people of that vicinity.' We have given in all, about thirty-seven discourses, closing March 10."

Indiana.

Friendship.—Elder S. H. Lane and J. S. Shrock closed their labors at this place, March 3. They report: "The turnout was good from the first, considering the almost impassable condition of the roads. The interest was good on the part of those who could attend. Through the blessing of God some good was accomplished. Nine embraced the truth, and these, with the two who before had learned it by reading, make a company of eleven, the first company ever raised up in the south-eastern part of the State. Established Sabbath meetings, and obtained sixteen subscribers for our periodicals."

Alabama.

Bladen Springs.—Elder O. A. Burrill writes: "We have held meetings at two different points for more than seven weeks. The Lord has blessed our efforts beyond our own expectations. We leave above fifty adults keeping the Sabbath, nearly half of whom have received the truth since we came. Two churches have been organized, known as the first and second S. D. Adventist churches of Bladen Springs, Alabama. These churches have adopted the Bible plan of S. B. and organized a T. and M. society. They have ordered upwards of 70,000 pages of reading matter. This is a good beginning. About thirty subscribers for our periodicals have been obtained, and I have sold more than 13,000 pages of reading matter. Our brethren who contemplate sending us boxes of reading matter will please correspond with us before doing so."

Iowa.

Decatur County.—Brother C. A. Washburn writes: "Meetings continue near Davis City. Between twenty and twenty-five are now keeping the Sabbath. Eighteen have signed the covenant, three of whom were keeping the Sabbath before. Nearly all of these are heads of families."

Belvidere.—Brother Bartlett writes: "I have given a course of lectures in this place. The Lord blessed. Eight commenced to keep the Sabbath. There is a little company of twelve Sabbath-keepers here now."

Kansas.

New Liberty.—Elder C. F. Stevens held meetings here February 22 to 24. He writes: "The little company here are united, and appear to be growing in the knowledge of the truth. We held five meetings, and celebrated the ordinances. They pledged the added one-third for the T. and M. work; and also subscribed for eight copies of the Signs to circulate among their neighbors."

Hymer.—Brother J. Lamont writes: "Our meetings at this place continued nearly a week. Five were added to the church by baptism. T. and M. Society was organized, consisting of six members. Four copies of the Signs are taken. The prejudice, which was very high here a year ago, has perceptibly decreased. The friends feel encouraged, and are settling into the work."

Minnesota.

Union Lakes.—Elders Curtis and Burch report as follows: "We came to this place February 24, and commenced a course of lectures. The weather and roads have been very unfavorable, and our congregations have been small. We found about the usual amount of prejudice existing in the minds of the people; but, through the blessing of God attending our labors, this has been removed from the minds of those who have attended our meetings, and a good interest has been awakened."