Earlier text: WHO ARE THE MASSES?TRACT & MISSIONARY WORK IN IOWA & NEB.
By George Ide Butler
The tract and Missionary work is one of the most important connected with the progress of this cause. Nothing can be more evident than the necessity for our people generally to become active laborers in scattering the light of the message through the agency of our publications. It is absolutely necessary that our people should see the importance of this work, and not feel that they can leave it upon the few ministers. Enough has already been seen to show how important this work may become if all our membership would enter into it with the right spirit. As the result of circulating our excellent publications, many have already embraced the truth—persons of intelligence and moral worth. We must encourage the tract and missionary work in every way possible, for by so doing we build up the cause most effectually. Having been elected president of the Tract Society in these States, I feel that a great responsibility is placed upon me; and I feel very desirous of seeing our T. & M. work greatly revived and strengthened this Conference year. Perhaps we cannot expect to accomplish special results during the summer, when all are so busy in their farm work. But we want to improve the fall and winter to the best advantage, in circulating reading matter, and especially in getting subscribers for our periodicals. We want to get all our members interested in this great work. We want to prepare for a better campaign than we have ever made before in this Conference. We have been behind in our T. & M. work in comparison with some other Conferences. We should never rest satisfied in such a condition. We have a good field of labor. The people of these States are a reading people, an intelligent people. They embrace the truth with as little labor as those of other States, and we have no real cause of discouragement. Some have indulged in grumbling and criticising until they have brought leanness to their own souls. Let us all lay aside such feelings, and in place of criticism take upon ourselves the blessed labor of saving souls to the cause of Christ. How much satisfaction we should find in this exchange! What peace it would bring to our hearts! What emotions of joy we should experience in seeing souls gathered into the fold through our efforts. Brethren and sisters, let us try it. The point we want to aim at in our Conference is, to get every Seventh-day Adventist to be a member of the Society; and to get every member to do something to set the light of truth before others. Our plan is now to have a general quarterly meeting for the whole T. & M. Society, probably at the Victor church, sometime between the middle and the last of September, at which we want to make plans for future labor and hold a general consultation. We cannot have the necessary time for this at our camp-meeting, where so many things demand attention. We want all the directors who can come to be present. We also want a large attendance of our membership. I speak of this in season, so that the officers of the Society and many others may prepare beforehand for a general rally. The appointment will be given in due season for the directors to get in appointments of district quarterly meetings. The directors should, as far as practicable, visit the several churches in their districts before the time of this meeting, and see that they have publications, appoint librarians wherever necessary, and get all the members of the church to unite with the Society by paying the admission fee of one dollar. And if some are so poor that they cannot raise even this small sum, we believe God would bless those who are able in paying it for them, that each may be a member and a worker. Sometimes those who are poor in this world's goods can do as much in circulating the truth as the more wealthy. Let us all enter into the work together. In union there is strength. Let the directors examine the list of members in each church, and labor earnestly to get those to become members who have not yet joined the Society. This will give them an interest, and their means will be applied to help forward the work of the Society. Brethren and sisters, it is too late in the day for us to hesitate, and question the utility of the tract and missionary work, or to excuse ourselves from the responsibilities we have assumed. Let us discharge our duties in the fear of God, and learn to love the service of God and the salvation of our fellow-men. Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, July 27, 1876. THE MAINE CONFERENCE.
By J. B. GOODRICH
We have called for the first session of the Maine State Conference to be held Aug. 30, at 4 P. M. for the purpose of organizing, and appointing the necessary committees, that we may have more time for devotional exercises on our camp-ground. We hope our churches will not fail to appoint delegates who can attend the camp-meeting, and that each delegate will be on the ground in time to attend the first session of the Conference without fail. We expect the best camp-meeting this fall that we have ever had, and we shall not be disappointed if all do their duty. God has blessed the efforts of his people the past year by giving us some additions to our numbers. His hand is distinctly seen in the work of the third angel's message. Courage, brethren and sisters in Maine. Let us go up to the camp-meeting this fall with Joshua's decision: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” And with the mind of Nehemiah's men: “The people had a mind to work.” We only have the tried servants of the Lord with us once a year, let none of us fail to be present to hear their instruction, and be benefited by it. TO THE BRETHREN IN MAINE.
By J. B. Goodrich
I wish to say a few words to the brethren and sisters in Maine concerning the financial standing of our Conference. Two years ago, we were $200 in debt; one year ago we were $100 behind, and what we want this fall is to free our Conference from financial embarrassment. Shall we do it? We appeal to our churches, and to our scattered brethren and sisters in Maine, to act according to the plain teachings of the Bible. The tithing principle is clearly taught in the Scriptures, in the New Testament as well as in the Old. Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:2. We read in Prov. 3:9: “Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase.” Then it is dishonoring God to withhold the first-fruits, and to leave his cause to suffer by our unfaithfulness. The trouble is, this world is getting a stronger hold on many of us than the “commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” The Great Teacher in Israel indorsed the tithing system. He said, “Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue, and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Luke 11:42. In conclusion, read Mal. 3:10, and act upon it. The Lord speaks, and there is no discount on his words: “Bring ye all the tithes into the store-house, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Let all send in their tithes to the State treasurer, Samuel F. Grant, Hartland, Somerset Co., Maine, or bring them to the camp-meeting.
J. B. GOODRICH. KANSAS T. & M. DIRECTORY.
By J. N. Ayers
Dist. No. 1 comprises Jewell, Osborn, Cloud, Ottawa, Washington, Mitchell, Smith, and Republic Counties; Reuben Worick, Jewell Center, Jewell Co., Kan., Director. Dist. No. 2 comprises Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Doniphan, Atchinson, Jackson, and Pottawatomie Counties; T. W. Wakeman, Palermo, Doniphan Co., Kan., Director. Dist. No. 3 comprises Linn, Bourbon, Allen, Miami, Anderson, Coffey, and Woodson Counties; S. N. Ayers, Centerville, Linn Co., Kan., Director. Dist. No. 4 comprises Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Butler, and Cowley Counties; O. S. Stevens, Bloomfield, Elk Co., Kan., Director. Dist. No. 5 comprises Franklin, Osage, Douglas, Shawnee, and Jefferson Counties; E. M. Kalloch, Williamsburg, Franklin Co., Kan., Director. Dist. No. 6 comprises Crawford, Cherokee, Labette, Neosho, Wilson, and Montgomery Counties; A. J. Stover, Oswego, Labette Co., Kan., Director. President, J. N. Ayers, Farlinville, Linn Co. Vice President, A. W. Cone, Uniontown, Bourbon Co. Secretary, John Gibbs, Williamsburg, Franklin Co. Treasurer, John Heligass, Bloomfield, Elk Co. VIRGINIA TENT.
By E. B. Lane; J. O. Corliss
We pitched our tent on a farm in the country, and commenced meetings July 14. We are near a small group of houses called Newport, in Page Co. The interest to hear has increased from the first, and our congregations exceed the usual village gatherings. We passed over the prophecies and sanctuary, to the Sabbath question, in one week, and held our first Sabbath meeting last Sabbath, with a good attendance. We hear of several families that have decided to keep the Sabbath. We expect to raise up a church here; but who can tell? We are pleased with Bro. White’s suggestion on ministers’ reports, and decide to send a postal card each week. E. B. LANE,
J. O. CORLISS. New Market, Shenandoah Co., Va., July 25. WISCONSIN TENT, NO. 4.
By George C. Tenney; S. S. Smith
We are located in Bro. Carter’s neighborhood, between Mauston and New Lisbon. We began meetings July 12, and have given eight discourses. The interest is quite good. We have an attendance of from seventy-five to one hundred in a sparsely settled district. We have to meet some prejudice arising from bad influences in the past, but no open opposition as yet. The prospect seems to be that there will be a few who will receive the truth, though many are strongly attached to their church and pastor to which they have been recently converted. We feel the need of wisdom, for which we earnestly pray. Our P. O. address is Mauston, Juneau Co., Wis. GEO. C. TENNEY,
S. S. SMITH. BALDWIN, MICH.
By J. B. Frisbie; E. P. Daniels
By following the arrangement of our subjects, which we divided into the prophetic, theoretic and practical, undisturbed union and harmony have prevailed in the presentation of the word. The average attendance is about fifty, but as the harvest is now nearly over, the numbers begin to increase. Sunday we had a congregation, morning and evening, numbering about47two hundred and fifty. After the morning services, the ordinance of baptism was administered to five candidates from Spring Arbor before many witnesses. In and about this place wickedness and infidelity abound, yet the tent interest increases. Some are reading, others are inquiring, while we offer our daily prayer to the Lord of the harvest for a golden sheaf to offer at the door of his house. Pray for us. J. B. FRISBIE,
E. P. DANIELS. Baldwin, Mich., July 24, 1876. Go when the morning shineth,
Go when the noon is bright,
Go when the eve declineth,
Go in the hush of night,
Go with pure mind and feeling,
Fling earthly thoughts away,
And in thy closet, kneeling,
Do thou in secret pray. Remember all who love thee,
All who are loved by thee,
Pray, too, for those that hate thee,
If any such there be;
Then, for thyself, in meekness,
A blessing humbly claim,
And blend with each petition
The great Redeemer’s name. Oh! not a joy or blessing
With this can we compare,
The grace our Father gives us
To pour our souls in prayer.
When in dark clouds of sadness
Before his footstool fall;
And then recall in gladness
The love he gives for all. ROME, N. Y.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
We have now spoken ten times in the tent. We began with a congregation of about four hundred the first night; but each evening we have had more and more. We put up new seats every day till all the available place in our sixty-foot tent was closely seated; then we crowded every seat full, and still we could not seat the audience. Next we built two squares of seats outside the tent, and these are also filled every night. To-day we put up two more squares of seats outside the tent. Last night every seat in the tent and outside was crowded before meeting time, and hundreds stood up, while many went away. I think I have never seen in all respects so deep and extensive an interest as this. I judge that the average attendance is about seven hundred. Saturday night it rained hard, and yet our tent was filled. It sheds rain nicely. That evening I sold about twelve dollars’ worth of books; at every meeting we sell several dollars’ worth. We are now just in the midst of the life and death question. Evidently it is going to stir things considerably. It is said that the best people and first citizens of the city attend regularly. They come from every church. Last Sunday night the Methodists only had a congregation of about twenty, while we had eight or nine hundred. We find several families of Seventh-day Baptists here. They not only attend our meetings, but do all they can to aid us. We also find quite a number of scattered Adventists who have not heard preaching for many years. Everything has been as favorable as it could possibly be thus far. The Lord has seemed to especially prepare the way for this meeting. The influence of the camp-meeting last year has had very much to do with it. Almost every one speaks to us about it in the highest terms. Rome is one of the most beautiful of northern cities. It is very quiet, orderly, and high-toned. The people are mostly wealthy. The population is about fifteen thousand. We have been specially favored in the line of music thus far. Bro. Buel Whitney plays the organ finely; and his brother, a lawyer, from Iowa, happens to be visiting here just now. He is a sweet singer, either alone or in a choir. He has greatly helped us, though not of our faith. We have also had several other good singers, so that our music is not behind the best in the city. We generally have our tent nearly full half an hour before preaching. It is my opinion that something like this will have to go with the tent in large cities. On Sabbath I enjoyed the pleasure of attending a Seventh-day Baptist dedication about ten miles out. Bro. Lewis and Huffman officiated. The house was crowded, and everything was very pleasant. These brethren express a deep interest in our work here. I was much pleased to hear Bro. Huffman say in his sermon that he believed all the prophetic periods ended in 1844, that we were now in the waiting time, and that the last days were upon us. We hope to have the attendance of these brethren more or less during our meetings here. We feel very anxious with regard to these meetings, lest the enemy shall in some way defeat this good work; but God can help us. D. M. CANRIGHT. WESTERN MICHIGAN.
By H. M. Kenyon; M. B. Miller
We closed our meetings at Hastings July 16, having remained here nearly six weeks. The interest was fair at the commencement, extending into the country; but soon the rain hindered the people from coming, and then the hurry of the season, so that our congregation was confined mostly to the city. We did not see all accomplished that we had desired, yet a few are keeping the Sabbath as the result of the meetings, and others are deeply interested, some of whom we hope will obey. These meetings have been a source of encouragement to the church here. Sabbath, July 15, three were baptized, and two were added to the church. We now have our tent pitched at Nashville, Barry Co., a town of one thousand inhabitants. There seems to be but little prejudice among the people against our faith. We have now held four meetings, with good attendance. We hope for success. H. M. KENYON,
M. B. MILLER. Nashville, Barry Co., Mich., July 24, 1876. WHEELOCK, VT.
By A. S. HUTCHINS
Had very profitable meetings with the brethren from Sutton and this place on Sabbath, July 15. Five were taken under the watch-care of the Sutton church. I expect to baptize some here soon. These friends cheerfully entered their names on One of them informed me that he had used in one year in the past fifty-two pounds of tobacco, at an expense of twenty-six dollars. He now resolves that this waste of means, abuse of his physical and mental powers, and dishonor of God, shall cease. A man bore the following testimony in a meeting recently: “I am over eighty years of age. I have been a hard drinker. I drank rum, cider, beer, tea, coffee, and used tobacco, till I was sixty years old; but for more than twenty years I have not touched them.” We say emphatically, This was victory. Yet this man had no hope in God. And shall not Christians have the victory over habits so prejudicial to their happiness? MINNESOTA
By Harrison Grant
Without doubt, those who donated so liberally to start our tents would like to hear from them, so I would say that they are all in the field. No. 1, manned by Elds. Hill and Ells, is pitched near Farm Hill, twenty miles north of Rochester. No. 2, is at Fairmont, Martin Co.; Eld. Curtis, F. W. Morse, and D. C. Birch are with this tent. No. 3 is pitched at Berlin; Eld. Dimmick, N. Battin and E. Palon are with this tent. A letter just received from them says that the interest is increasing, and they hope soon to see fruits of their labors. I earnestly request the brethren all through our Conference to pray for the blessing of God to rest upon the laborers and the work the coming year. HARRISON GRANT.
Osseo, July 20, 1876. June 17, 18, I attended the quarterly T. & M. meeting at Hartland. The 24th I met with the church at South Norridgewock, and baptized eight. Seven united with the church. June 25, in company with Bro. Geo. W. Barker, I met with the Jay church, and held one business meeting. July 1, 2, I was at Somerset Mills; baptized two, and organized a church. Bro. A. T. Gifford was chosen elder, and Bro. R. T. Hobbs, deacon. Bro. A. W. Low was chosen as delegate to attend the State Conference at Richmond. July 8, 9, I attended the quarterly meeting with the church in Cornville, and we had a profitable season. Union and harmony were restored, and two united with the church. The elder, Chas. Stratton, was chosen delegate to the Conference. We celebrated the ordinances. West Paris, Me., July 14, 1876. H. A. ST. JOHN
By H. A. St. John
I REACHED Frazeysburg, where this tent is pitched, Monday evening, at 8:11. I went immediately into the stand and spoke to the people. This was the first time I had attempted to speak in the evening since about the middle of April. About two hundred were present, and good attention was given to the word spoken. The brethren had closed up their meetings here the night previous, and had commenced to take down the tent Monday morning, when they received my telegram. They immediately reseated the tent, and diligently circulated an appointment, which brought out about two hundred, as above mentioned. We have continued meetings up to this date with very good congregations and good attention. There was an opposition discourse in the M. E. church yesterday at 5 P. M., and a reply in the tent in the evening. About four hundred were present. It is impossible to tell what the result will be. Only three persons, as yet, have taken a decided stand to obey. We are very anxious to pitch our tent in Norwalk this week, in another part of the city from tent No. 3, and to continue till camp-meeting; but we are not certain that we shall be able to get away from here this week. Brethren, do not forget to pray for us. Frazeysburg, O., July 24, 1876. THE FRENCH MISSION.
By J. E. Morin
I WENT back to Watseka, Ill., on the 12th of July, and my heart was greatly rejoiced to find three more keeping the Sabbath. These three, one brother and two sisters, were Roman Catholics, and were among the six who had not decided to keep the Sabbath at the time of my last report. We have now in the French church of Watseka eight who were Roman Catholics. I remained with them one week. I have obtained 2 subscribers for the REVIEW; 2, for INSTRUCTOR; 1, for ADVENT TIDENDE; 33, for the French paper, LES SIGNES DES TEMPS. I go this week, with a forty-foot tent, to labor among the French at a place seven miles from Ottawa, La Salle Co. I ask the prayers of the people of God. J. E. MORIN.
Serena, La Salle Co., Ill., July 24, 1876. Hixton, Wis., July 18, 1876
By C. W. Olds; O. A. Hegg
We arrived at Hixton on the 12th, and set about getting everything in readiness to hold meetings. We have had six meetings thus far, and our audience has varied from fifty to two hundred. The interest seems to be good. We are moving forward in the fear of the Lord. Opposition is strong, but we are praying for the Lord to bless his work. Hixton, Wis., July 18, 1876
I HAVE labored here among thirteen Danish families for about three weeks, who live about five miles west of Emmetsburg, in Palo Alto Co., Iowa. The word that has been spoken has had a good effect. Ten souls have commenced to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and we still hope for others to give their hearts to him. Brethren, pray for us. J. F. HANSON. July 26, 1876. CHICAGO, ILL.
By John G. Matteson
The camp-meetings in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, which I attended, were seasons of great interest and much encouragement to me in the Lord. The number of Scandinavians who attended each meeting varied from 60 to 125. The whole number of Danish and Norwegian Sabbath-keepers in these Western States is about 616. There are 500 members of churches, who pay nearly $2,000 S. B. this year. The ADVENT TIDENDE is sent to about 1500 subscribers, including 200 subscribers in Denmark and 60 in Norway. This gives us at least 3,000 readers. Eld. Olsen and myself went to Chicago shortly after the Ripon Camp-meeting. The enemy had tried to lead souls away from the truth, and several had been affected. Two brethren were disfellowshipped. They were the leading spirits in this move, and the church is better off without them. Six persons who were in sympathy with them were pointed out as needing special care and labor, and five brethren were appointed as a committee to try to help them until next quarterly meeting. The Lord blessed our efforts, and a good interest was manifested in the meetings. One sister was baptized and united with us. JOHN G. MATTESON.
Busseyville, Jefferson Co., Wis., July 24. NEBRASKA
By M. Wing; M. Hackworth
Soon after the Iowa Camp-meeting, we pitched the tent at Pawnee City, the county seat of Pawnee County. From the first, the interest has been increasing. We have given thirty-three lectures, and four or five have commenced to keep the Sabbath. We hope others will sign the covenant soon. Opposition is very strong, but we feel confident that the truth will triumph. We expect to remain here a week or two longer. Our prayer is that God will bless his ministers and the truth which they are sent to proclaim. Brethren, pray for us.
M. WING,
M. HACKWORTH. OHIO TENT, NO. 3.
By Wm. Cottrell; A. M. Mann
This tent was opened for services in the south part of the city of Norwalk, on Thursday night, July 20. Brethren, pray for success.
Wm. Cottrell,
A. M. Mann. SOUTH-WESTERN IOWA.
By J. Bartlett; G. V. Kilgore
We have been in Sidney, Iowa, over three weeks. Have given twenty-nine discourses and have sold books to the amount of $13.45. About fourteen have commenced to observe the Sabbath. We will present the subject of the state of the dead next. The audience has averaged one hundred. We hope for the good interest to continue. Pray for us. J. Bartlett,
G. V. Kilgore. SHELDON, ILLINOIS.
By G. W. Colcord
The interest here is still good. To-night we are to review Eld. Van Gorden, U. B., on the Sabbath question. Eld. David, M. E., opposes us on the mortality of man; we answer him one evening this week. Our tent-master scatters about one hundred printed notices almost daily, giving information as to the subject of discourse for that evening. It costs us but a trifle, and surely aids in continuing the interest. We have many friends now, and several have promised to obey the truth. Asking your prayers, we labor in hope. Bro. Morin uses the forty-foot tent near Ottawa. VIRGINIA GROVE MEETING.
By E. B. Lane; E. S. Lane
From a thriving farming region, about thirteen miles north-west of New Market, we received an invitation to come and hold a grove meeting. We went, in company with Bro. Geo. Woods, and held our first meeting Sabbath evening. On reaching the ground our minds were impressed with the feelings and solemnities of a camp-meeting. In a beautiful grove, in front of a nicely built, commodious preacher’s stand, extended long rows of seats, while back of these seats, and on the right and left of them, were three altars for lighting the ground, and at their base an ample supply of choice pine knots for that purpose. As night set in the grounds were so well lighted that the faces of the large audience were plainly visible. Our first discourse was on the soon return of our dear Lord, the people listening with marked attention. The next morning, which was Sunday, at an early hour about one hundred assembled for a prayer and conference meeting. This was followed by a discourse from Mrs. Lane, before several hundred people. We also had discourses in the afternoon and evening with a proportionate attendance. We were earnestly solicited to continue the meetings during the week. People came for miles and heard the truth for the first time. One man of wealth and influence, in another locality, urged us to have a similar meeting on his farm, offering to seat and prepare a grove, and make his house a home for all who would come to labor, and to continue the meeting as long as we might think proper. He also assured us there would be a large audience. We had never visited these parts before, and little expected to find what we saw; for the grove had been prepared for that meeting. It seemed to us that we had attended a camp-meeting; and we felt that a camp-meeting in this State would prove a success. We have consulted others, and all are of the opinion, that a large camp-meeting could be held here this fall, and we have brethren able and willing to take hold of it. With some faith and hope that we might have one, I have purchased a thirty-foot circular tent, which has been used one season, for that purpose. We would rejoice to have our dear Bro. and Sr. White attend such a meeting; but if they could not, we would be glad if some other competent person could be sent by the General Conference Committee. In the meantime, we pray and trust that God will direct all things to his honor and glory. New Market, Shenandoah Co., Va. WESTERN MINNESOTA.
By G. M. Dommick
May 6, 7, in company with Bro. Grant, I met with the company which came out under my labors at Golden Gate. We organized a church of fifteen, baptized seven, and left them rejoicing in the truth. May 9, 10, we met with the brethren at Lower Agency, where Bro. Call and myself had labored together. We found them still holding on to the truth. We held two meetings with them, organized a church of twelve, baptized nine, and then left them rejoicing in hope of eternal life. May 13, 14, I met with the brethren at Koronis. This church needs assistance. Some are very much behind on health reform, and strongly oppose any advancement in that direction. I exhorted them to move with more zeal in this great work. While some members of this church are falling behind, others continue earnest and faithful. One was added to the church. I spent May 16, 17, with the little company at Burbank. Bro. Ells gave a course of lectures at this place, and ten or twelve commenced to keep the Sabbath. I found them in earnest. I organized a church of nine members, and baptized seven. From this place I went to Grove Lake, where I held meetings May 20, 21. I found them still faithful. I was much blessed while preaching to these dear brethren. This church is composed of earnest workers; as a consequence many have been added to their number since the church was organized. On first-day I baptized three. May 27, 28, I met with the company at Lake Ellen. Bro. Collins had labored here, and a few had received the truth. I remained here nearly two weeks, and God blessed my efforts. The brethren were strengthened, and others were added. I organized a church of fifteen, and baptized nine. From camp-meeting, I went to Berlin township, Steele Co., accompanied by Bro. Battin. We pitched our tent and began meetings June 30. Prejudice was very strong here, and our congregations were small. Many are convinced, but none have yet taken a stand. On account of lack of interest, we left that place and pitched our tent in the little village of Geneva, four miles south of Berlin. We have now (July 18) held one meeting. There seems to be but little prejudice here. The people manifest a great desire to hear. We hope, by the blessing of God, to be able to accomplish much good. THE FREEDMEN.
By A. B. Rust
JUNE 11, in company with parson Medling, and by his urgent request, I went to Mansfield to visit a settlement of his people. On reaching our destination, we found about seven hundred had assembled. Their meeting-house was of logs, about eighteen feet square, with a large bower in front. The parson told me that many times he had the bower filled with white people, and the house filled with his own people. The colored people were well dressed and neat. I presented to them the subject of the coming of the Lord, and it seemed to make a deep impression on the minds of some. I obtained five subscribers for the INSTRUCTOR. June 18, again, in company with parson Medling, I went eight miles to another colony of his people; here we found about fifty grown people assembled. I found some intelligent-looking people, and some that I believe love the Lord with all their hearts. They seemed to be very anxious to hear the truth. As I spoke of the soon return of our blessed Lord the tears filled their eyes. Many of the colony have farms of their own, and they are doing quite well. Here I obtained two subscribers for the INSTRUCTOR. June 23, with the parson, I went some forty miles to a settlement of Freedmen in Johnson Co. Here I found some very fine people, most of whom own farms that they have earned since the war. Several of them can read and write. I staid over the Sabbath, and had a good opportunity to talk on the truth. Evening after the Sabbath and Sunday I spoke to them from the 2d and 7th chapters of Daniel, showing them that we are living in the very last days. There is a Baptist parson here (white) who lives near them, and he preaches to them and goes to their houses and talks with them. There are not many white preachers who will do this, but I believe it is as it ought to be; for they are as sheep without a shepherd. At this place I obtained three names for the INSTRUCTOR and one for the REVIEW. They seemed very much interested in the truth. I also gave away six hundred pages of tracts. They seemed very anxious that a mission should be started among them, and I believe they would do what they could to help it. We want it understood that our mission here is not a political one, but our work is to lead people to the Lamb of God. We have a solemn message pertaining to this age of the world. My object in these meetings has been to find out the condition of the Freedmen, and to see if anything could be done to help them to be steady, consistent Christians, and I believe that there are some among them who would make such men and women. Dallas, Texas, July 6, 1876. DAKOTA TENT.
By E. W. Farnsworth; F. A. Barlow
The tent has been at Elk Point over three weeks. Nineteen discourses have been given. The Sabbath question is now before the people. Some have concluded to keep all the commandments of God, and more seem about ready to obey. Our hearers are serious. Opposition is strong. There are six ministers in the place, and nearly all of them are on the war path. We hope for good results here. Dear brethren and sisters, pray for us. E. W. Farnsworth,
F. A. Barlow. GAINES, KENT CO., MICH.
By M. B. Miller
By request of Eld. Kenyon, I attended the two days' meeting held at the above-named place July 22, 23. Sabbath morning brethren came in from different places until our congregation numbered about fifty, besides children. In all, we spoke to them four times, and had one social meeting. On Sunday neighbors turned out until their commodious school-house was well filled. The Lord gave liberty in presenting his word, to which good attention was given. Five adults were present who desired baptism. This church has not had the emblems of the Lord's broken body and spilled blood administered to them for more than ten years, and has heard but two discourses inside of four years. Bro. Hardy now occupies the position of leader, and is anxious that things may be set in good order. This will demand the presence of some one who is fully set apart to the work of the ministry. Here we became acquainted with our colored brethren, which gave us joy. We thank the Lord for a message that is going to peoples, nations, tongues, and kings, and for a gospel that will make “all one in Christ Jesus.”