News from the Field by Editor

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · May 20, 1875

News from the Field.

By Editor

A SWEDISH brother from Neosho Co., Kansas, writes: "I am thankful that your paper was recommended to me about a year ago. It led me to search the Bible, to see whether the Sabbath had been changed from the seventh to the first day of the week. My search for evidence of a change was in vain. I have been keeping the Sabbath now about a year, and there are eight of us in all who have accepted the seventh day as a rest-day, and we meet every Sabbath to meditate on God's word. We wish to be remembered in the prayers of the brethren. We are poor. Our crops failed last summer through drouth, chintzbugs, and grasshoppers."

Elder Charles Lee reports among the Swedes that seven have embraced the truth at Lake Crystal, Minn. A brother named Lindblad who received the truth over a year ago, has been laboring in the cause and reports that eight have taken hold of the truth. Also a brother Lasson reports that under his labors several have resolved to obey the truth.

The following letter received from Sweden is of interest:—

"DEAR BRETHREN IN AMERICA: You have made our hearts glad by calling our attention to these precious truths. We are living in a country where superstition and ceremonies prevail to the greatest extent; and where the truth is kept from the people. I stand here alone, with the sword of truth in my hand. There are hundreds of sinners about me; and many cry, 'Come over and help us.' I have now been preaching till my family suffer for want of means to live upon, and as the higher authorities are watching me, I have no help to keep me up. I am obliged to work with my hands to support my sickly wife and six children between the times that I seek poor, perishing souls. God will help me. Oh! that some of the brethren in America could come over and help us! Please send us the Harold and tracts, that the people may read; for many are searching for light and express a great desire to read your publications. The people are so hungry for the word of God that, though they have to wade through the snow-drifts, they fill the largest room that I can get to hold meetings in. May God bless all the dear brethren that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

Bro. S. H. Lane reports interesting meetings in Indiana. At Bunker Hill, Miami Co., where the tent was pitched last summer, eight were baptized April 11. The work is prospering in Indiana.

Elders E. B. Lane and J. O. Corliss write from Pine Run, Mich., as follows:—

"The interest here still deepens. We had our first Sabbath meeting with this people last Sabbath. Forty-five were present; some new ones kept it. Listened to, and reviewed, a second opposition discourse on the Sabbath question, yesterday. By public request, we did not take up our appointment during the opposition discourse, as usual. Both churches were well filled at the same time; and when the evening review came, our large, 40x60 feet church was densely packed. The aisles, which had been seated with loose seats, were filled, and many remained standing. The minister was present, and probably there was never a greater stir here than now. We hope for much good."

Eld. Cornell reports that he is in the midst of a course of lectures in Quincy, Mich., with some prospect of success.

A letter to the Review from Bro. J. R. Purinton, of Madison Co., Ohio, contains the following interesting words:—

"I feel thankful to my God first, and then to you, for the light I have received through the publications you have sent me. Before I received them, I often sought in vain to solve what I thought to be the terrible mysteries of the book of Daniel, the Revelation, and other prophecies. I have asked learned men, and pastors of churches to explain some of these mysteries to me. I asked them because I sought for knowledge, but I asked in vain. Sorrow fills my heart near unto breaking to hear teachers in Israel proclaim a part of God's holy Bible a mystery, because they, blind leaders, have been led by the blind, and have not searched deep enough into the great mine of religious knowledge to discover the precious gold.

Since I have read your publications, my eyes have been opened to see and understand that all "Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." I thank thee, O God, that in the light of the present truth all mysteries vanish. The seals are broken; the scales are falling from the eyes of God's people; the mysteries have become light; for the time has come for us to read, understand, and know, that the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

My father writes me from West Virginia, saying that he has received the publications you sent him, both books and the Review and Herald. He is reading them carefully, he says, for no other purpose than to know the truth. He is deeply interested in them. Some of his neighbors are also reading them with some interest."