Extracts from Letters

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 16, 1861

Extracts from Letters.

Bro. M. E. Cornell writes from Laporte City, Iowa, July 8, 1861: "We have been here ten days. We had meetings all day of each Sabbath and first-day, and evenings during the week. Prayer-meeting each morning at 9, and preaching at half-past 10 A. M., and at 1 P. M. The interest has steadily increased till yesterday, when it rose more rapidly.

"We called on those who were convinced that the truth had been preached on the Sabbath question, to manifest it, and eighty-three stood up long enough to be counted. The question was then put to those who were resolved to keep the Sabbath, and go with God's remnant people to the kingdom, and forty-four took the bold stand. We then repaired to the stream, and seventeen were baptized. We remain here another week.

"Our expenses have been $32,09, our receipts, $30,22. If the means do not come, Bro. Griggs and I will work in harvest to get means. We are determined to keep up as long as the way is open, and the Lord is giving success. I can drive the team to reap. Bro. Snook says he will volunteer to carry the wheat together. About $5 worth of books taken here.

"Your remarks on the state of the cause have cheered us. I have long felt the need of something being done. If we could only return to the Lord as a people with fasting and weeping, he might again smile upon us. Here seems to be our only door of hope. I am decidedly in favor of the plan you proposed of a day of fasting and prayer. Such a course is ancient and well tried. All must feel that our necessity is great, and the plan is divine. I hope that all, both preachers and people, will heartily unite in it."

NOTE. We sent $11 Iowa bank notes to Bro. Cornell the 12th, from Missionary fund. Go on, brethren. The friends of the cause will not consent for you to lay up the tent and go into the harvest-field.—Ed.

Bro. J. N. Andrews writes from Lake City, Minnesota, July 8, 1861: "Our tent has been in this place since July 5, and we think the prospect of good quite encouraging. Bro. Allen, Bro. Lashier and myself constitute our present force. Bro. Bostwick will be here probably in a few days. After that, Bro .Al-leu will probably leave for Illinois.

"Here we are in a large village among entire strangers, and only a few shillings of money. If the thing is possible, we shall keep up the tent-meetings through the season. If we cannot do this for lack of means, then we shall lay it by and take school-houses or halls as the way may open."

NOTE.—We sent Bro. Andrews a draft for $10 from missionary funds the 10th. We shall still contend that it will be a pleasure for the brethren abroad to help sustain missionary labor in the new western States, if the few friends in those States do what they can.—Ed.

Sister M. B. Hamilton writes from West Green Lake, Wis.: "I feel to thank the Lord for what he has done for me. He has opened my eyes to see his truth as I have never seen it before. And I feel to praise his great and holy name for it. My companion and myself commenced to keep the Sabbath of the Lord the first Sabbath in this year. There are a few Sabbath-keepers here. We meet together every Sabbath, and have good meetings. The Review is a welcome visitor to us. We love the precious truth it proclaims. I feel that I need that wisdom that is from above. I want to be made pure through the blood of Christ. O that I may be one of the remnant that shall stand on mouut Zion."

Sister M. A. Green writes from Fine, St. Law. Co., N. Y.: "The paper and books that I have been able to borrow are all the preaching and all the companionship I have, so far as my religious sentiments are concerned. There are a few here who profess to love Jesus, and to regard Sunday as the Sabbath; but the majority of the people spend Sunday as though it was a day for visiting and pleasure, while there are none living near who regard the seventh day as the Sabbath. I have never heard one sermon on present truth.

"O, how often, as I look back some six months ago, do I feel that truly Brn. Lawrence and Whitney were God's especial messengers when they came to my house through the deep snow and over bad road, and were the means of interesting my mind more deeply in the investigation of Bible truth. In about two months I commenced to keep the Sabbath, but as I am entirely alone in this, I sometimes feel a spirit of sadness coming over me, which has so far been dispelled by reading the paper and the Bible, or by prayer. I feel that I am like a child, but anxious to learn. I have long regarded the real personal coming of Christ as an event not a great many years distant, as I was well aware that some of the signs which the Saviour said should precede his coming were already past; but I did not know anything of the present position of the Advent believers previous to the visit of the above-named brethren. If any one of the messengers can come here to preach they shall be welcome."