Reports from the Field by John Norton Loughborough

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · May 1, 1879

Reports from the Field.

By John Norton Loughborough

Southampton, England.

At the time of my last report I was preparing to visit a family in Coxford to whom we had sent the SIGNS. I made the visit, and found the copy of the SIGNS was being read eagerly by four families, and then sent to another neighborhood ten miles away to do its work there.

I found the family deeply interested in all the truth. They invited in several of their neighbors, and I gave them a discourse in the evening, and left them more reading matter. On Monday evening of this week I held another meeting in their house with a larger audience. The interest is such that for the present I shall hold, at least, one meeting a week in this house.

Last night this devoted brother came to the meeting held in our house, and said that he and his wife should keep next Sabbath. He brought me, from the lady of the estate where he works, an invitation to call and visit her. This Christian lady has been reading our works, and is deeply interested. I have appointed to go there to-morrow.

Last Sabbath one more joined us in our Sabbath meeting. In the afternoon we organized a Sabbath-school. We had three classes, comprising seventeen scholars of Sabbath-keepers. Some others also came in; we expect more next Sabbath. In connection with our Sunday afternoon Bible-class we have commenced a Sunday-school for all who wish to attend. This calls in many children who are not with us on the Sabbath.

We are now sending weekly two hundred copies of the SIGNS through the post to all parts of England, Scotland, and Wales. We get many favorable responses, and thus hear of those interested on the sea, as well as those on land, and also hear of many who are interested, but do not reply to our letters.

Our tent is being rapidly hastened to its completion. During last week a friend, on learning that we were making this tent for a public meeting place, gave us $50 to aid in its purchase. All these things are tokens to us that the Lord's hand is set to the work, even here in Great Britain.

We now have about six meetings a week, which, with our writing and necessary missionary correspondence, keeps us busy. We are free in the Lord, and feel that his arm is beneath to strengthen us for our labors.

We would be pleased to get letters from all our friends in America, but as our reports in the SIGNS and Review are quite full, hope they will accept these as answers to theirs; by doing this it will save as much precious time. Our work increases both in amount and interest, and we will therefore try to find time to report every week.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.