Southampton, England by John Norton Loughborough

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · May 22, 1879

Southampton, England.

By John Norton Loughborough

SINCE my last report two more have commenced the observance of the Sabbath with us. Our Sabbath-school has increased in numbers until we have four large classes and a Bible-class. The children are especially interested in attending.

New parties are attending the discourses given in our house, and our congregations are about as large as we can accommodate. Our tent is now completed, and is really the best one for a single top I ever had. All the ropes and the lacings of the top are on the inside. On the outside, the lacing seam is covered with a strip of duck four inches in width. Between each section seam is worked in, showing on the outside, a cord of red bunting, which gives it a very neat appearance. The tent-maker requested the privilege of putting this in.

As we examined our tent, with flag, poles, stakes, all completed, with sacks, in a substantial and tasty manner, for $425, we were thankful that we decided to purchase it here.

I wrote Bro. White that I thought it would cost about $600 here to purchase a tent and seat it, and get it ready for meetings. We have succeeded in finding favors to that extent that we decided to add to our furniture a harmonium, for which we paid $40. It has an excellent tone, and is just the thing for a tent. We trust with its use to add to the interest of the meetings.

The cost of our tent, with seats, lamps, stand, carpet, harmonium, etc., will not probably exceed $575. We have received donations toward the tent of $75, and others are planning to make sacrifices for the work.

One sister writes from the north of England: "I have dedicated a plot of our garden to the Lord, for the English mission, and have planted it with snow-drops. They look very promising. You shall have what they make for your tent. I think my bed of bulbs will make $5. If it makes more you shall have it."

I mention this to show that those here who receive the truth seek to do all in their power to advance the cause. We ask the prayers of all God's people that access may be gained to hearts and minds here.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.