Reports from the Field by Editor

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Feb 7, 1878

Reports from the Field.

By Editor

(Condensed from Review and Herald.)

Massachusetts.

Danvers.—Elder Canright reports as follows: "Our State quarterly meeting has just closed. It was an excellent meeting in every respect. The weather was fine as summer, and a good delegation of brethren and sisters came from all parts of the Conference. Most of our brethren and sisters from the new company at Newburyport were present and enjoyed the meeting greatly. The outside interest and attendance was large. Indeed, it was apparently larger than at any previous time. Our house was crowded. We had an excellent Sabbath-school exercise. There were about one hundred and fifteen in the school that day. This is the largest Sabbath-school any of our friends in these parts have ever seen. It is working finely, with a steady increase of numbers. Sabbath afternoon Elder Haines preached a short sermon, after which we had a most melting social meeting. Sunday was

a good day for us. The truth took a mighty hold. Since we have begun meetings in our new house, twenty-five adult persons, all, except one, heads of families, mostly men, have embraced the Sabbath. These would form a good church of themselves; and still they come. In fact, I do not know how the interest could be better. It is said we have the largest congregations of any church in the place. Our ordinary Sabbath meetings are larger than those of most of the churches on Sunday. The interest is spreading for miles around. We begin to fear that our meeting-house (32x52) will really be too small. Truly this is the Lord's work, and it is marvelous in our eyes. Our enemies do not know what to say any more. Backsliders, sinners, and profane, wicked men, and many of them too, are now seeking God with tears, having erected the family altar, and are becoming devoted men. These are hard arguments to get over. We thank God, and take courage.

"Since we had a season of prayer for Mrs. Canright, she has steadily improved, till now she is quite comfortable, and able to walk about again, though far from being well or out of danger."

Michigan.

Revenna.—Elder Littlejohn and Brother Burnham report meetings of deep interest in this place. Of the Sabbath and Sunday meetings they state: "On the Sabbath, a large delegation of brethren came from Wright, and the occasion proved to be one of great solemnity and profit. On Sunday, also, our meetings were characterized by an outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord that cheered the hearts of all present. On Sunday evening, though it was very dark without, and the rain was falling quite fast, the house was well filled, and with this service our meetings there came to a close. During their continuance they were instrumental, not only in encouraging believers, but also in inducing individuals to the number of seven, to enter anew upon the service of God."

Ohio.

Highland and Clinton Counties.—Elder Waggoner reports labor in these counties. Of these meetings he says: "At Antioch the attendance and interest were good. At Leesburg I gave a discourse on the subject of health, purely from a Bible standpoint, and it was well received by all classes; three physicians were present, who, I was told, indorsed it heartily. At Clyde the brethren have done themselves great credit in their meeting-house. The spirit of sacrifice rested upon the church generally, and where a people are united they can accomplish much."

Texas.

Cleburne and Dallas.—Elder R. M. Kilgore writes: "The brethren and sisters at Cleburne are making good advancement in the Christian life, and are seeking for more and more of the power of godliness. The general quarterly meeting at Dallas was enjoyed greatly by all who came with a mind to work. It was a profitable season. The communion was a solemn and impressive scene. Without a single exception, love and harmony seemed to prevail here."

Iowa.

Silvernale.—Brother J. S. Hart is giving a course of lectures at this place. He writes that the interest is good and is increasing. Nine have signed the covenant, one a deacon of the Baptist church. Others are convinced.

Nebraska.

Orleans.—Elder Boyd writes: "The series of meetings at this place closed last evening. I came here through the influence of Brother Hoyt, whom I found, with some S. D. Baptist friends, observing the Sabbath. My last congregation was the largest one I had during the meetings. Have had some opposition to meet. The minister of the Presbyterian church, spoke on the 'Sunday question.' He told the congregation that so long as a law was binding the penalty for transgression must be inflicted; and said, 'If we go back to the observance of the Jewish Sabbath, I am certain we shall have to return to stoning.' The Lord assisted in reviewing him. One interesting feature of our meetings has been the successful effort to awaken a zeal for the salvation of the youth."

Lancaster County.—Brother Hackworth writes: "I have given a course of lectures in the Crounse school-house, Lancaster county. One family consisting of three grown persons, and six children have taken a firm stand on the truth, and two other families and one teacher are convinced. A local preacher of the M. E. church, an influential man, is very much interested. He admitted before the congregation that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and he is now investigating the subject of the nature of man."