The Missionary by G. B. Starr

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 27, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 20.

The Missionary.

By G. B. Starr

THE WORK IN CHICAGO.

I SEE that no report of our good Chicago meeting has yet appeared in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and although it is late, we feel that it ought still to be reported to your readers. The meeting was held March 28 to April 8, and was the first ever held in our new Central Bible School building, 26 and 28 College Place. There was a good attendance from Illinois and a few came from other States, some coming as far as from Tennessee. Our chapel proved too small for even this first meeting and convinced all that at least we had not built too large.

Most of the labor of the meeting was carried by Elder A. T. Jones and Sister E. G. White, who labored hard to set clearly before us the subjects of "Justification by Faith," "The Righteousness of Christ," and "Civil Government and Religion," and our present position in prophecy in this country. The interest seemed good from the first, but long-cherished unbelief seemed loath to give up to the light and liberty of faith, and darkness for a time seemed to settle over many minds. But the Spirit of God did not leave us, and the light gradually broke in, and some most precious seasons followed. We have never had such meetings before. Many were newly converted to God, and all were benefited greatly. God has certainly sent us increased light, and we feel to praise him for it and to diligently walk in it. The instruction to church officers, canvassers, and reporters was all very valuable.

The Daily Inter-Ocean opened its columns to from three-quarters to a column and a quarter of space daily to the reports of Elder Jones's lectures on "Civil Government and Religion." Our building, a four-story brick, 45x60 feet, containing 38 rooms, elevator, steam heat, range, etc., and the desirable building site of seventy feet of valuable ground, is all paid for by money donated or loaned by our own brethren, amounting in all to $28,000, and not one cent of claim is in the hands of any others. For this we feel very grateful. When our meeting opened, our Mission Expense Fund was in debt about $500. This had accumulated during the first three years of the existence of the city work, the donations and board of the past two years having just met the running expense. A cash donation was very cheerfully made at the meeting, amounting to over $600, which entirely cleared off the indebtedness of the past, and the extra expense of the meeting. This has set our school squarely upon its feet, free from debt, and with the best of prospects before it.

We think we know that the good hand of God has helped us, and we never felt of better courage to go forward in his work; and what is said of the Chicago work may be said to be equally true of other branches of the work in the State. The finances of both the Conference and Tract Society are most encouraging. The canvassing work is also not one of the least of the hopeful features. Several changes

have been made in the officers both of the Conference and Tract Society, bringing in more and stronger help, which we believe will prove to be steps in the right direction.

G. B. STARR.