Reports from the Field

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

Reports from the Field.

(Condensed from Review and Herald.)

Missouri.

HALF ROCK.—Elder Butler reports a debate held with Elder J. Podget of the Christian (Campbellite) church here. He says: "The debate closed October 22. We claim a triumphant victory for the truth. So far as I know, all of our people who heard the debate, and a goodly number not of our faith, claim this. The debate covered six propositions on the subjects of the Sabbath, Sunday, consciousness in death, destiny of the wicked, and the kingdom. Sixteen sessions were held of two hours each. I think we shall hear no more of debates at Half Rock. On the kingdom question I felt we gained a special victory. He made a desperate effort to maintain the position that the kingdom of God was set up during the lifetime of the apostles, but signally failed. Our position on the kingdom of grace admits all they can possibly prove, while the great fact that the glorious and everlasting kingdom of God will be set up in connection with Christ's second coming stands out as clear and full as a mountain lighted up by the blazing sun. Debates are generally unprofitable, and hence to be avoided; but there are cases where it seems hard to avoid them without conveying the impression that we fear to meet our opponents in open discussion."

Tennessee.

ROBERTSON COUNTY.—October 22, Brother Owen reports: "Since Elder Osborn returned to Kentucky with the tent, we have continued our labors in Robertson county, Tenn. The Lord has turned the hearts of fifteen more to keep the Sabbath. There are more calls for lectures than we can fill in six months. Have just given two lectures in an adjoining county (Simpson, Ky.), with apparently the best interest we have seen yet. We expect to return here after the Kentucky Conference, for which we start this morning."

Rhode Island.

NIANTIC.—Elder Mooney writes, October 21: "I commenced meetings in this place October 3. Have held twenty-two meetings, and have given about twenty discourses. Our meetings have been well attended every evening. The Lord is at work in the place, and quite a good number have started to serve him. The interest is still good; the people say there has not been so great an interest here for many years."

New York.

NORTH LANSING.—Brethren Ballou and Robinson write, October 23: "During the tent season here, sixteen, who continue faithful, have accepted the truth; three others, children of Sabbath-keeping parents, have come to a full decision to obey the Lord; eight have been baptized, and ten have been received into the Genoa church, some of whom kept the Sabbath previously."

Iowa.

OLIN.—Elder Pegg writes: "Closed our meetings at this place, Sunday evening, October 20. Sixteen decided in favor of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. They will hold regular Sabbath meetings."

Massachusetts.

SOUTH AMHERST.—In report of labor by Elder D. A. Robinson, it is stated that at a recent meeting in this place six were baptized and added to the church. Others are expected soon to unite with them.

Connecticut.

NORFOLK.—At a recent meeting at this place seven were baptized, and a church was organized of scattered friends here and in western Massachusetts.