The first annual meeting of the Western New York Conference was held in connection with the tent-meeting at Rochester, N. Y., Aug. 29 to Sept. 9, 1907.
The first meeting was called to order by the president, Elder H. W. Carr, and was largely taken up in the appointment of the usual committees.
At a subsequent meeting, the president gave a brief report of the year's work. In many respects, more had been accomplished than during the previous year, when the New York Conference was undivided. The book sales for the last nine months of the present year were nearly double those of the undivided conference. Activity in selling papers was an encouraging feature of the work. Buffalo Sanitarium has enjoyed its most prosperous experience during the past year. The Tunesassa School has been successful in its first year's experience, and looks forward to a prosperous future. Two young men have entered the ministry, and the workers in every department are encouraged.
On account of the division it was necessary to create a large tent fund. This has not been raised as fully as we had hoped.
The following resolutions were passed, after consideration:—
“1. Resolved, That we recognize with gratitude the guiding, protecting care of God in the prosperity which has attended our conference work during the year that is now closing, and that we pledge ourselves to renewed faithfulness for the coming year.”
“2. Resolved, That we do all we can to carry on a progressive campaign in the canvassing work, (a) each church doing everything in its power to furnish at least one canvasser, (b) and all our workers, including canvassers, doing all in their power to encourage other persons to take up the work, (c) institutes being held at convenient times, and donations of food and cash being called for to help carry them forward.”
It was voted that our Sabbath-schools17be encouraged to adopt the plan of turning over the regular Sabbath-school collections to the Mission Board, and to furnish supplies for their own schools by other contributions.
The supervision of our church-schools is to be vested in the conference committee in connection with the local board. Church elders, ministers, and other workers were urgently recommended to present to our young people the claims of God upon them, and encourage them to enter the Tunesassa School or South Lancaster Academy. The conference pledges its moral support to all the young men and women of the Western New York Conference in preparing themselves for the Lord's work, and recommends to all our young people in need of an education, the scholarship plan as offered by our schools and tract society.
A resolution was passed calling the attention of all our young people to the chapter in “Ministry of Healing,” “The False and the True in Education,” and encouraging them to pledge themselves to avoid harmful reading.
Steps are to be taken at once for opening the way in homes for the care of any who may be in need of homes, and such arrangements are to be made as will enable all to share in this work.
At this meeting the people pledged themselves to greater faithfulness than ever before in the matter of scattering our missionary papers. Signs, Liberty, Watchman, Life and Health, and also our tracts and books, that the coming year might show more accomplished than during any previous year of our work.
Property is to be purchased at Gowanda for the establishment of a sanitarium, which is to become an integral part of the conference.
Donations were called for at this meeting, and are to be taken at other meetings, to pay present obligations on the Tunesassa School, and to complete the projects now under way at that place.
As the treasurer reported that our portion of the $150 000 fund had already been received, a song of jubilee was sung.
Officers for the coming year were elected as follows: President, H. W. Carr; Vice-President, J. W. Raymond; other members of the Executive Committee, F. H. Hicks, F. E. Kriley, E. T. Breitsman; Secretary and Treasurer of the Conference and Tract and Missionary Society, Delight M. Landon; Field Missionary Secretary, Allen Manry; Sabbath-school and Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department, Mrs. Alta Carr; Educational Secretary, R. B. Clapp; Religious Liberty Secretary, T. B. Westbrook; Medical Missionary Secretary, A. R. Satterlee, M. D.; Atlantic Union Conference delegates, H. W. Carr, E. T. Breitsman, A. R. Satterlee.
Ministerial credentials were given to H. W. Carr, J. W. Raymond, C. Meleen, F. Peabody; ministerial license was granted to T. B. Westbrook, R. B. Clapp, F. H. Hicks, B. E. Fisk. Missionary licenses were given to Mrs. Eva Jenks, Miss Effa Gilbert, E. A. Manry, Mrs. R. B. Clapp, Mrs. Helen M. Miller, Delight M. Landon, Mrs. Alta Carr.
As a result of the tent effort preceding the camp-meeting, fifteen honest souls embraced the truth. Twenty-eight were baptized at the close of the camp-meeting, a goodly number of these being promising young people.
All joined in a unanimous vote of thanks to the city of Rochester for the free use of the grounds for the meeting; also to the five daily papers of the city for notices and generous space allowed in their columns and the favorable mention of the services.
DELIGHT M. LANDON, Secretary.
Fruit Already Seen
By E. W. Farnsworth
WE have good words to report from South Lancaster Academy. The year's work opened September 18, and the enrolment has already reached two hundred and fifty-one. This is thirty more than the enrolment for the whole time last year. If as many come this year as generally do after the school opens, we shall have at least three hundred before the end of the year. This shows that a new interest in education is springing up in the minds of our young people, and of their parents also.
That which will gratify both parents and patrons of the academy more than any thing else is to know that the blessing of God is in the school. Friday evening, following the opening, in the students’ prayer-meeting three gave their hearts to the Lord. The next Friday evening eleven more followed; and last Friday evening thirteen came forward for prayers. Sabbath, October 5, eleven were baptized and thirteen united with the church. The States of Vermont, New York, Connecticut, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Maine, also Washington, D. C., are represented by those that were baptized. At the communion service, held in the church in the afternoon, about two hundred and forty in all participated. It was a meeting that will long be remembered, for God was there. The results of the work so far seen are the first-fruits. Let us all pray that the harvest may be much more abundant and glorious. E. W. FARNSWORTH.
Send the Gospel of Salvation
“SEND the gospel of salvation
To a world of dying men;
Tell it out to every nation,
Till the Lord shall come again.”
Love Him Who Loves You
O my soul, dignified with God's image, redeemed by Christ's blood, betrothed by faith, enriched by the Spirit, adorned by graces, ranked with angels — love him by whom thou art so much beloved! Be intent on him who is intent on thee; seek him who seeketh thee; love him who loveth thee — whose love anticipates thine, and is its cause! He has all merit, he is thy reward; he is the vision and the end! Be earnest with the earnest, pure with the pure, holy with the holy! What thou shouldest appear before God, that should God appear to thee! He who is kind and gentle, and of great compassion, requires the meek, the kind, the humble, and compassionate. Love him who drew thee from the lake of misery, and from the miry clay. Choose him for thy friend above all friends, who, when thou art bereft of all things, can alone remain to thee. He will not forsake thee, but will defend thee from devouring foes, lead thee through an unknown region, bring thee to the streets of the heavenly Zion, and place thee with angels in the presence of his majesty, where thou shalt hear the angelic melody — holy, holy, holy! There is the chant of gladness, there the voice of exultation and salvation, of thanksgiving and praise, and perpetual hallelujah! There is accumulated bliss and supereminent glory! — Selected.
Our Literature in Fiji
By J. E. Fulton
THERE is no doubt that the great power of the denomination is found in its literature. Preachers are few in number in comparison with the tens of thousands of tracts and papers and books in every language. Many are the sermons which are preached by the printed page, and there are many staunch believers in the third angel’s message who were led to it through reading our publications.
A GROUP OF BELIEVERS IN FIJI
Our work of printing literature in Fijian began under many difficulties. In the year 1900 Brother J. M. Co’e sent us a small printing-press from Oregon. After the press had arrived, there was no one with any practical experience to do the printing. But we felt that the work must be done, and the Lord helped us get a paper started. In May of that year we started the Rarama, a little paper in the Fijian language. We still publish it every month, and there are a number who have been brought into the truth by this paper. The first Fijian publication, however, in present truth was a tract printed by the Pacific Press Publishing Co., then at Oakland, Cal. At that time I was not so well acquainted with the language, and in writing the tract, I sought the aid of several reliable natives for their criticism of the manuscript. A native minister visited me on several occasions, and manifested considerable interest. As his interest grew, his visits were more frequent. On these occasions I read the manuscript of this tract to him, altering it and correcting it as seemed best. Before he came again, more manuscript was written, which would be read and changed at the succeeding visit. Thus the tract was finished, and the native minister was quite fully convinced of the truth by what he had learned while correcting the tract. He was greatly agitated, and sought the white ministers for light on the Sabbath question, but they could not satisfy him
with a “Thus saith the Lord.” I refer to Pauliasi Bunoa, who was ordained at the last union conference in Australia. He was a great help to us after he accepted the message, and he has ever been a vigorous advocate of present truth. He has not only preached the truth, but some of the most pointed articles for our paper have been from his pen.
We have now a number of tracts on various subjects, a bound book of one hundred pages, a little book of Bible readings, an abridged edition of “Great Controversy” (three hundred pages), and a hymn-book containing one hundred hymns. This is the first hymn-book in the language with the music. At our late Fijian council it was decided to print some new tracts, and revise some of the old ones. A physiology in the Fijian was asked for as well.
The results of the circulation of our literature in Fiji have been beyond our expectations. A family was brought into the truth through reading a torn tract, and others were influenced in favor of the truth by one who had read the tract. In 1903 we published a little booklet-calendar
On each of the twelve pages there was a Bible study along with the calendar of the month. This fell into the hands of one who is now a student at the school in Buresala, and he says that that little tract brought him into the truth. In one section of the largest island, where we now have two churches, quite a number accepted the truth largely through the printed page. We are trying in Fiji to scatter the reading-matter as “the leaves of autumn,” and shall look
for good results from this effort.
J. E. FULTON.
New Jersey
By B. F. Kneeland
BRIDGETON.—September 20-22 I spent in a union meeting of the churches in southern New Jersey, at Bridgeton. Brethren from Vineland, Salem, Camden, Burlington, Trenton, and Atlantic City were present. Elder K. C. Russell rendered very effective assistance throughout the meeting.
This was also the close of the tent effort that Brother Carl B. Haynes has been holding in Bridgeton. These meetings have aroused much interest among the citizens, and several have begun keeping the Sabbath as a result. The presence of the Spirit of God was very marked throughout the meeting. On Sabbath, after an impressive sermon by Elder Russell, twenty-eight came forward for prayers, and all testified to a full victory gained.
Sunday morning it was the privilege of the writer to bury fourteen willing souls with Christ in baptism. It was a beautiful day, and the Holy Spirit witnessed in a marked manner to the service. Some were led to make their decision to be baptized while the ordinance was being administered. The addition of twenty-four new members by baptism during the year has greatly encouraged the Bridgeton church. Brother Haynes will remain for a time to follow up the interest and strengthen the new converts. May God continue to bless the work in this needy field. B. F. KNEELAND.
Korea
By W. R. Smith
SOONAN.—When we came here, our duties were not clearly defined, more than that we were to learn the language as quickly as possible. This we have tried to do, and are thankful that the Lord has blessed our efforts. From the first, the crying need of the work pressed us into active service, and we have tried to be faithful in doing what seemed to be our duty.
Surely the Lord has cared for the work here. New companies of Sabbath-keepers are continuing to spring up. But as they know scarcely anything of the truth, it seemed to us that we must have a building where the workers could meet with all who are interested, and give them proper instruction. There are now eleven companies of Sabbath-keepers. At all these places church-schools are greatly needed, as there is no school system in Korea. But until there are school-teachers, this will be impossible; so, realizing the great need of a little training-school, we went to work to get one. We felt that we must have the school, and believed that the Lord would help us.
We secured from the government a tract of four or five acres, also some old buildings, from which we can get tiles and other material for the roof. The property is worth, altogether, about three hundred yen. It took several months to secure it, and when this was accomplished, we hardly knew what to do. We did not then know that the General council had voted two hundred yen toward building a training-school in Korea. I wrote to some of our relatives in America, and asked them to help us.
The time for the rainy season, to which the people look forward to fill up their rice fields with water and make their crops, was half gone, and no rain had fallen; and, to make matters worse, a hot wind had blown for several days. The natives told us that unless a rain came very soon, their crops would all die. We were perplexed to know whether, in the midst of so many uncertainties, and in the face of an apparent famine, we should go ahead with this work. We decided that as thus far the Lord had helped us, we would go on. I got some of the leading brethren together, and laid the situation before them. They responded by saying, “Let us proceed to build at once.” That day we went to the mountains, about ten miles from our home, and contracted for what timbers we thought we would need. Before we got home, the rain came down almost in torrents.
A few days later we were made glad to read in the REVIEW that one hundred dollars was to be given for the establishing of a training-school in Korea. Still we knew that even with the start we already had, and with the promise of the Korean brethren to do the work, this amount would be gone before the building was completed. But yesterday we felt that thanksgiving was due to our Heavenly Father, when we received a letter from those in America from whom we had sought assistance, containing a further donation of two hundred yen. For God’s prospering care over his work in this portion of his vineyard we are indeed grateful, and request an interest in the prayers of his people.
W. R. SMITH.
The Oklahoma Conference
By William Voth
THE fourteenth annual session of the Oklahoma Conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting at El Reno, Okla., Aug. 23 to Sept. 2, 1907.
At this meeting resolutions were adopted affecting various departments of our work. We pledged ourselves to greater diligence in circulating our literature by encouraging suitable persons to engage in the sale of subscription books, by encouraging the members of the churches to place as many of the forty-per-cent books as possible in the hands of their neighbors and to sell missionary and health papers in the cities. A substantial reduction in the rent of tents to regular canvassers attending the camp-meetings was also recommended.
In reference to education it was recommended that suitable persons be encouraged to attend Keene Academy, that the conference continue to pay one half the salary of the Bible teacher, and that the educational fund for assisting worthy young people be enlarged.
Concerning Sabbath-school work it was recommended that officers and teachers read the Sabbath School Worker, and that all the class donations be given to missions.
Resolutions were passed covering the election of religious liberty secretaries for the conference and the local churches, and the wide distribution of Religious Liberty Leaflets. It was further resolved that the conference regularly supply the journal Liberty to all members of the State legislature, and that our people be urged to write to their respective congressmen and State legislators whenever issues arise involving the principles of religious liberty.
It was recommended that a Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department be organized with secretary in charge, who shall, as soon as consistent, reorganize the societies. Only those who are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and who are willing to enlist for service, will be asked to join.
A temperance resolution was passed,19urging that we seek so to arouse the people to the evils of intemperance that public sentiment will demand the prohibition of the liquor traffic.
It was recommended that we continue the taking of a donation every third Sabbath for the State fund, and that we urge the raising of what is still due on the $150,000 fund. It was voted to pay to the General Conference $2,000 from the surplus tithe, and $1,000 to continue the support of two German workers in New York City.
The following officers were elected: President, Andrew Nelson; Treasurer, T. J. Eagle; Secretary, William Voth; General Missionary, V. O. Cole; Department Secretary of Tract and Missionary Society, T. J. Eagle; Executive Committee, Andrew Nelson, David Voth, U. B. Duke, J. R. Bagby, and A. J. Voth.
Credentials were given to the following persons: Andrew Nelson, A. J. Voth, U. B. Duke, David Voth, J. R. Bagby, D. F. Sturgeon, T. J. Hickman, E. L. Maxwell, William Braley, I. A. Crane, W. S. Lowry, G. G. Rupert.
Ministerial license was granted to V. O. Cole, J. B. Hampton, C. M. McDonald, Isaac Baker, C. M. Hayhurst, W. F. Talbert, R. P. Montgomery, Ray Hickman, Ezra Fillman, W. E. Baxter, H. L. Wilcox.
The following persons received missionary license: T. J. Eagle, William Voth, Daniel Voth, Sophia V. Parker, Faye Eagle, Faye Waters, Luna Stevens, Mary Baxter, J. M. Fittro.
WILLIAM VOTH, Secretary.
Porto Rico
By B. E. Connerly
WE are now in our fifth year in this little tropical island field; and as we look about to take an inventory of our work, we do wonder what the Lord can see has been accomplished. To us it seems little.
In general, we can see great changes in the people of Porto Rico. This is a Catholic field, and Spain educated only twenty per cent of the people, while to-day by day the large majority of the children in the island are under instruction. The Bible and good literature have been and are being distributed among the people, and we now have a number of good religious papers that are well received by them, whereas before they had but fiction and political reading. This change is having a great influence for good, and the people are beginning to compare and choose between the good and the bad.
The visible results of the work this year are not encouraging, and we have neither baptized nor received into the church any members, notwithstanding that a goodly number have asked for baptism and church-membership; but our past experience has taught us that it is better to wait until they prove that the work is of God.
After returning from the Kingston conference, I suffered from physical inability to work, and as Brother and Sister J. C. Brower were unable to do field work while studying the language, Mrs. Connerly did the most of the work on the paper, while the burden of the field work fell on our faithful Brother Nathan Moulton.
The Lord has blessed the brethren in Arecibo, and on my last visit there I found them all of good courage, and some of them were out visiting among their neighbors and selling our paper, El Centinela de la Verdad.
In San Juan two sisters who were baptized a year ago are conducting a little Sabbath-school and selling both El Centinela and the Caribbean Watchman.
The middle of July Brother and Sister Brower went to Ponce to make their home, and the Sabbath-school in their family makes the fourth one in the island, each a little light to which the Spirit of God can call the attention of the honest in heart. Sister Brower is also watching for an interest in medical missionary work.
Brother Moulton spent four months in Santo Domingo, where he did a splendid work. He had planned to sell as many of our books there as possible in opening up that work, but we were disappointed in getting the books. As a result of the work in Santo Domingo, we are sending nearly a thousand copies of El Centinela and twenty-six of the Caribbean Watchman monthly, and nearly every mail brings the Macedonian cry for help. Somebody must locate there soon. Our Earthquake special in March did a good work in getting the people to thinking on the signs of the times; and in August we issued a special on the advent message, which has been gladly received by the people, and I trust may cause some to decide in favor of the message.
B. E. CONNERLY.
Arkansas
By J. S. Rouse
WALNUT RIDGE.—The meeting here is still progressing with good interest.
On a recent Sabbath there were seven who kept the Lord’s Sabbath for the first time. The people are being wonderfully stirred by God’s truth for miles around the tent. They come in and listen to the truth, and take tracts home for their neighbors to read, who can not come.
On a Friday night one of the lodges in the city met to transact some business, but they soon began to discuss the Sabbath question. Presently an old gentleman, a stranger to all, came in and walked to the stand where the lodge Bible was, and when he had opened it, he read the fourth commandment, and said that those people at the tent have the truth of God. He continued to read and preach the third angel’s message with power. When he concluded, he just walked out and left. The members of the lodge were so impressed with the truth that they dismissed without finishing the business they came together to do.
At the close of a sermon on the “Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast,” about twenty or more gave me their hand that they would keep God’s Sabbath.
J. S. ROUSE.
The Sunday Law in Indiana
By A. L. Miller
It will be remembered that Brother Bruce Jarvis, of Seymour, Ind., was arrested for Sunday labor performed June 9, 1907. In the preliminary trial before the police court Brother Jarvis was found guilty on the ground that, since he kept the day from sundown Friday evening until sundown Saturday evening, he did not keep the legal seventh day, which begins at midnight Friday and ends at midnight Saturday. Being found guilty, and to settle this technical point of the law, the case was appealed to the Jackson County circuit court. The case was called in this court before Judge Shea, Friday, September 20, and Brother Jarvis was found not guilty.
The prosecutor made his whole fight, and rested the case, upon the same grounds that he did in the police court; namely, that Brother Jarvis did not keep the legal seventh day, and was therefore guilty.
In the examination of the witnesses he combatted every inch of the ground upon this point of the legal seventh day. When I was asked if Mr. Jarvis was a member of the same church of which I was a minister, the prosecutor objected, saying this was not a question as to what church any one belonged, but as to whether or not Mr. Jarvis kept the seventh day. We are not trying churches to ascertain the church to which he belongs, or whether he belongs to any church, but whether or not he keeps the seventh day. The judge overruled the objection, stating that the answer might have some bearing upon the case, owing to what the church teaches relative to the day to be kept. When the questions were asked as to what day the church taught for the Sabbath, what day it kept, and the time of beginning and ending the Sabbath, strong objections were made by the prosecution, upon the grounds that this was not a question of what a church teaches, was not a question of creeds and cults. To place it upon such a basis would be to make void the law of the land and bend it any way to conform to the dogmas of a church. This is a civil trial, not a religious trial, and it must be tried according to the law, and not according to the teachings of a church. Judge Shea overruled the objection, saying that this was different from ordinary trials; this has something to do with religious rites, as the exemption clause says they must conscientiously observe the seventh day. The judge admitting the evidence, the Sabbath truth was plainly and clearly brought before the court officials. The judge asked Brother Jarvis why he kept the seventh day, Brother Jarvis answered: “I have thoroughly searched the Bible and find nothing to show why we should keep the first day, but all the evidence is that we should keep the seventh day; therefore, I keep it.”
After the evidence was in, and the lawyers had made their pleas, Judge Shea, in substance, gave the following decision:—
“In our dealings with one another we are liable to be too narrow, and not want to give to our fellow man the same rights and privileges that we wish for ourselves. We want to concede to others their natural rights to think and act for themselves, so long as they do not molest their fellow-creatures in the same right. We have many churches holding to different tenets of faith. On baptism different theories are taught and practised; in celebrating the ordinances some practise close communion, and others practise open communion. The law does not interfere with these rights. The intent of the law is evident in the exemption clause, exempting those who conscientiously observe the seventh day. It is not a question as to parts of days, or weeks, or months. These have frequently been changed by man. The Gregorian calendar is different from the Julian calendar. Since it has been proved that he conscientiously observes the seventh day, according to the teaching of the Bible, I therefore find him not guilty.”
How grateful we should be that there are still officials of principle, and that liberty is still ours to enjoy.—A. L. Miller, in Indiana Reporter.
With the Books in California
By Walter Harper
CRESCENT CITY.—July 10 I left San Francisco, Cal., for Crescent City, near the Oregon line, to labor in the canvassing work for the summer. I traveled by ocean steamer, and had a safe and pleasant voyage. The Master had a care for our good ship “Mandalay.” I began work as soon as possible. The Lord went before, and opened a wide door. I saw many tokens of God’s love and care during all the summer. For all this I do thank and praise his holy name.
It has been refreshing to find so many open homes and hearts to receive that grand treasure-casket of truth, “Patriarchs and Prophets.” In one cabin, one Sunday in a redwood logging camp, the dear Lord gave me orders for six copies of “Patriarchs and Prophets” (morocco), and I delivered five of them. This book tells of the apostasy of Satan in heaven, and is one of three books which the spirit of prophecy tells us should be placed now in the homes of the people, for it will open many blind eyes to the truth. It is amazing to see how angels go before and prepare hearts to buy this priceless volume on the very themes the world needs now.
I praise God for a part in his good work. All honor is to our Father in heaven for all I am enabled to accomplish. Please read Isa. 61:10; 63:7; Ps. 28:6, 7. WALTER HARPER.
“Finish the Work”
By E. W. Farnsworth
DELAYS are dangerous. There is pleasure in completing any work we have in hand to do. There is no satisfaction in viewing an unfinished task after the time has passed when it should be accomplished.
For nearly a year we have been trying to finish the work of raising the $150,000 fund. Has the time not come now to close up this account and to finally finish this work? Just one more strong, steady effort will carry us through the campaign, and will enable us to triumph in the accomplishment of our purpose. I have an earnest desire that the Atlantic Union Conference shall complete its part in this work before the close of the conference in Philadelphia, November 14-24. We can do it if we will. These are some of the ways I would suggest to bring about this desirable result:—
1. Let the presidents of the different conferences send letters to all their ministers and churches laying this matter before them and inviting their co-operation.
2. The conference and tract society secretaries should send out kind letters to each church, enclosing a list of pledges where such pledges are still unpaid, inviting them to speedily forward the money.
3. Church elders, librarians, and ministers should labor by personal effort and correspondence to reach all whom they can influence to help finish the work before the date mentioned.
4. Individuals may assist by sending the amount they have pledged to the tract society secretary, and by getting others to do the same. Possibly there may be those who have not yet made any special gift to this fund. Just now is the opportune time for all such to bring their offerings, great and small, that the account may be closed up.
We pray that God may impress every member of the Atlantic Union Conference with his duty in this hour to come to the help of the Lord and to finish this work just now. All will remember the joy and courage brought into the last General Conference by the spontaneous outburst of liberality in finishing the $100,000 fund. Why not repeat that experience at our union conference? Let the response come from every individual, every church, and every conference until the amount in the treasury far exceeds our apportionment of $19,422. We lack only four or five thousand dollars of the full amount; and when this is received, we can sing our song of jubilee.
Come, brethren and sisters, come. Lift once more, lift a little harder, lift a little stronger, and keep lifting until20we can all rejoice in a finished work. Those who have done much may be able to do a little more. Those who have not helped at all should now seize the opportunity.
“Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work.” E. W. FARNSWORTH.
Field Notes and Gleanings
FIVE persons were baptized at Des Moines, Iowa, Sabbath afternoon, October 5.
IN following up the interest resulting from the camp-meeting at El Reno, Okla., Brother D. F. Sturgeon was privileged to see five colored adults take a stand for the truth.
ELDER G. G. Rupert is holding meetings in a schoolhouse near Tecumseh, Okla., and is having a good interest. Some of those who attended his meetings last summer in Tecumseh are attending the meetings in the schoolhouse, and some have taken their stand to keep the commandments of God.
LAST winter while canvassing in Lincoln, Neb., Sister Minnie M. Hahn held some Bible readings, and as a result one sister has been baptized and united with the church. This sister is now, in turn, scattering papers and tracts, and has a good interest among her neighbors. Sister Hahn was compelled to stop canvassing in December on account of her health. Of her later experiences she writes: “This summer my mother, brother, and I have been spending what time we could distributing papers and tracts and giving Bible readings in the suburbs of East Lincoln. Through the Lord’s blessing, the result is wonderful. Yesterday three families kept their first Sabbath (this includes five adults and three children), and another woman is about to decide. With the Lord’s help, we will continue the work until they are established on all points of the truth.”
FROM Brother W. R. Uchtmann, who is assisting Brother F. C. Gilbert in his work among the Jews, comes this word: “The work here among the Jews of Boston is not an easy task, but God is abundantly able to overcome all obstacles and give us the success we are surely expecting. Several have now taken a decided stand for the Messiah, which we trust is but the first-fruit of an abundant harvest.”
SABBATH, October 5, Elder A. G. Haughey organized a church of twenty-one members at Buchanan, Mich. Brother W. E. Videto was present and baptized four. Several younger workers have labored at this place, and this is some of the fruits of their labors. At present H. C. Platon and Myron B. Butterfield are conducting a tent-meeting there, and it is hoped that others will be added to this church.
DURING the past two years considerable canvassing and house-to-house work has been done in Pontiac, Ill., and as a result a church of more than fifteen members has been raised up. During the tent-meeting conducted there the past summer by Brethren J. C. and F. J. Harris and C. A. Hansen, five were baptized, and there are four other new Sabbath-keepers who will join later.
FOR five weeks a meeting was held every night in a tent at Sterling, Ill., by Brethren J. M. Burdick and C. R. Magoon, of which they write: “We have been greatly encouraged by the earnest help given on the part of our dear people here. As the result of united effort three have been added to the church, and three are keeping the Sabbath who have not yet joined us. Others are interested, and we will for some time devote our time to house-to-house work with these and others.”
THE tent-meeting in Baltimore, Md., closed Sunday night, September 15. Brother Morris Lukens writes that “at this, the closing service, the tent was well filled, as usual. We have rented a very pleasant hall, on one of the city’s prominent streets, where services will be held on Sunday evening for some time to come. The interest is being followed with Bible readings in the homes of the people. There are twelve who are keeping the Sabbath, in addition to the twelve who united with the Baltimore churches after camp-meeting.”
THE meetings at Comanche, Tex., conducted by Brethren B. E. Miller and G. A. Lagrone, have just closed, with the attendance remaining good till the last. A recent report says: “Last week the ministers, lawyers, and an ex-judge decided to break up our meeting and get us confused by handing in a number of questions for us to answer; but instead of the enemy’s winning the victory and hindering the cause, the truth prevailed, and the interest of our meetings was increased more than double. The whole town is stirred up over the Sabbath question. The people on the streets are discussing it. Last Sunday we were also attacked by the ministers in the pulpits. To our surprise Monday night the people flocked to the tent more than ever before, anxious to hear more of the truth.” Twenty-one have taken their stand for the commandments of God.
BROTHER B. F. Purdham has closed the tent-meetings at Uniontown, Pa. He writes: “We have secured a good hall for our meetings here, and will do all we can to follow up the work at this place. I think much good can be done by house-to-house work, and by using the excellent literature the Lord has given us in these last days. We have organized a Sabbath-school of twelve members, and hope soon to organize a church, as we have Sabbath-keepers scattered around in this part of the field, and we hope also to see others take hold of the truth.”
AT the suggestion of a brother living in Bloomfield, Conn., Brother W. R. Andrews was invited to fill the pulpit of the Methodist church last winter during the illness of the pastor, and later he had a similar opportunity in the Baptist church at the time of the pastor’s death. The interest aroused was sufficient to call for a tent-meeting. As a result of this tent effort, one of the deacons of the Baptist church, with his wife and five children, accepted the truth. Besides this family, two others took their stand.
