p. 230 | Success in the East

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · May 27, 1875

Success in the East.

REPORTS from the States show that the truth is gaining ground. Bro. Matteson writes as follows from Grundy Co., Iowa:—

For the last three weeks the interest has been good, and some souls have been gained for the truth. Twenty-five are keeping the Sabbath. Nine of these had commenced before I came. Sabbath and first-day seventeen willing souls were buried with Christ in baptism. We have commenced to organize a church of nineteen members. Others will join when there shall be another opportunity for baptism. I intend to return and labor more with them before leaving this State. It has been a source of great joy to see souls converted—some of them from drinking, swearing, and tobacco-using—to the Lord, and to hear them call in humble, earnest prayer on the name of the Lord.

Bro. Downer reports interesting meetings at Mindoro and Burns, Wis., a few more having come out on the truth.

Bro. G. W. Colcord writes from Cerro Gordo, Ill.: In Lovington our friends had raised (in cash and pledges) a sum equal to the debt incurred in building our house of worship; and on first-day, the 17th, the house was dedicated to the worship of God. Our enemies had scouted the idea of our "building a church"! We humbly say, "It is the Lord's doings." Monday, the 25th, three were baptized, and a church of sixteen members organized. Systematic Benevolence was explained, and adopted by some; others waited to understand more fully its direct claims upon them. Of his work for a few days in February, he says:— I have tried to hold the post at Lovington, and push the work into new fields. Hearing of an interest south-west from Lovington, went and spoke seventeen times. These meetings were held in a school-house. Sold some tracts, and obtained ten subscribers for the papers. We understand that seven or more were confirmed in the truth of our position on the Sabbath question. These had heard but few of our lectures in Lovington. They had been reading. Two others have taken their stand with us as the result of those meetings. Of the meetings at Cerro Gordo, he says: From March 19 to April 25, held meetings in Cerro Gordo, commencing in the Presbyterian church; but being requested to close my meetings there "to save division" they said, I finished the course in Mr. Welly's hall. When the meeting-house was closed, I knew not what to do. Thought of the tent; but the air was too cold. Next evening a friend said: "We've secured the hall; announce for to-morrow evening." This was entirely unknown to me. Obtained eight subscribers for periodicals to be sent to Cerro Gordo, besides (by the aid of several brethren in this part of the State) sending 122 for other post-offices. Six kept the last two Sabbaths, and three others have promised to observe it in the future. Now expect to commence tent-work here.

Bro. H. A. St John says of meetings held by him at Ransom, Mich., in the month of March:— It was my thought to hold but a few meetings in this sandy section until the roads and weather were more settled, but the interest was such that I could not leave. Many times loads went away, being unable to get even standing room in the house. Often the house was filled in the evening before it was dark. From eighteen to twenty-five, during this meeting, have signified their intention to obey the truth. Some of these may fall away, but there are others for whom we have strong hope. The interest is still quite good, and investigation goes on.

Bro. Sanborn writes of meetings held by him at Douglas Center, Wis., during the month of April as follows:— Although it was in the hurrying time of seeding, I continued my meetings every evening, and twice on Sabbaths and first-days, for ten days. The result is that ten have commenced to keep the Sabbath; thirteen have been baptized; and a prayer society has been organized numbering fifteen. I also organized Systematic Benevolence amounting to $61.16, a year. This good work is partly due to the faithfulness of sister Zollar, who lived in this neighborhood some time before her death. As I visited from house to house, and talked and prayed with the people, they would often speak of her faithfulness in the truth. By this, all can see how important it is that all the lonely Sabbath-keepers live so faithful to God that their lives may reflect the character of Jesus, and exemplify the power of this truth so that when God shall send his servants into such places to preach, they will not have to clear away a thick cloud of darkness and prejudice, created by an unconsecrated Sabbath-keeper, before they can gain the confidence of the people.

Brn. Hill and Decker of the Minnesota Conference, say some interesting things of an interest awakened in that State by tract labor, from which we take the following:— For the encouragement of those engaged in this good work, we write a brief statement of what has been done in this place. A brother came here from Grove Lake during the past winter, scattered a few tracts, obtained a few subscribers for the Voice of Truth, and went his way. It was not long before he received a letter calling for some one to come and present the present truth to the people. As soon as possible we responded to the call. When we came, we found one family striving to keep all the commandments of God, and also a general interest to hear throughout the neighborhood. We commenced meetings a little over a week ago, and have given nine discourses. The people seemed particularly anxious to hear on the commandments and the Sabbath, and we tried, in the name of the Lord, to speak to them on these great truths. The result is that nearly the whole neighborhood can now say with Paul, "We delight in the law of God after the inward man." It is the spring of the year (a busy time), and the roads are very bad, yet the people come out, night after night, and even women walk long distances to and from the meetings, and the interest is still increasing as new ones take a stand on the truth. The spirit of inquiry is spreading into other neighborhoods, and others are calling for help. All this, dear brethren, from scattering a few tracts and obtaining a few names for the Voice. Go thou, and do likewise. "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, will doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Our hearts are warm in this cause as never before. The message will soon go with power. The Lord will soon come, and angels shout the harvest home.