Progress of the Cause

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 20, 1876

Progress of the Cause.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

NORTHERN MICHIGAN.

GREENVILLE.

We expected to have a large gathering at our Greenville meeting, as it was central for several churches, but the weather was extremely bad. Sabbath morning it rained very hard, and the roads were as bad as they could be. Still, several came from Bushnell, Orleans, Vergennes, Saranac, &c. All the Greenville friends were out.

We had two or three social meetings, and the rest of the time I spoke to them. We celebrated the ordinances Sabbath afternoon; and in the evening re-organized S. B. I was glad to find S. B. kept up promptly, and, I judge, liberally. I think that about all were paying what they ought to, and scarcely any pledges remain long behind or unpaid. Some others pledged who had not before, adding about $40 to the previous amount. Bro. Fargo has kept his S. B. book correctly and neatly. It is refreshing to find now and then an instance where this is done. Fifteen shares were pledged on the Pacific press, a part of which was paid. A few took the Signs.

Sunday morning I preached a sermon to the unconverted, at the close of which twenty came forward to seek the Lord and become Christians. Quite a number of these were grown persons. In the afternoon we went to the river, where I baptized eight, all of whom were received as members of the Greenville church. Two have lately embraced the Sabbath here, and another commenced its observance at this meeting. There will be others to be baptized here soon.

The brethren were anxious to see what interest there would be in the village; so they hired the Good Templer's Hall for Sunday and Monday evenings, and I lectured upon the Signs of the Times. This large hall was filled both evenings, every seat being occupied. No better interest could be asked than was manifested here. All paid the best attention. This place is one of the pleasantest and most lively villages I have visited in the north. There has been no preaching here for more than twelve years; and within that time nearly the whole village has grown up. It now numbers about 3000 inhabitants. I have seen no more promising field for labor than this.

GOWEN.

Tuesday, Bro. Fargo and Maynard went with me seven miles north to the Danish settlement. Here we have a Danish church of eighteen members. They have lately built a neat little meeting-house; and they requested me to dedicate it. It would have been much better could they have had preaching in their own tongue, but as most of them could understand English I went up and did the best I could. I spoke in the morning and also in the evening. Quite a number of outsiders were in. The brethren expressed themselves well pleased. They had no trials to settle—no difficulties to adjust. Their S. B. pledges were high enough, and were promptly paid up without any delinquency. So I had no business matters to attend to. New converts have been embracing the faith here all along. Now that they have a house, they ought to have a course of lectures from a Danish preacher.

ORLEANS.

Wednesday I came with my family to Orleans. The church came together, and we attended to several matters of business. Five were received into the church—one to be baptized. Bro. Kneeland was elected and ordained deacon. We talked a little while upon S. B., after which some raised their figures, and quite a number pledged who had not previously done so; raising the entire pledge about $50, so that it is now $298. There are quite a number of absent members belonging to this church, several of whom pay no S. B. at all. This is entirely wrong. Their duty in this direction is just the same, whether they reside here or somewhere else. We doubt very much the sincerity of those persons who can retain their standing year after year in a church and never contribute anything to its support. The clerk and treasurer should look after all such cases and urge them to duty.

This church has a good, large meeting-house, in the midst of a rich country and in a thick settlement. No effort has been made here for years to present the truth before outsiders. The brethren think that a course of lectures would be well attended. I see no reason why they would not. So many have moved away that the church is sadly small, there being less than twenty resident members. Where we have a meeting-house and a hold like this, it is important to make every effort to retain it. I see so many openings like this where I have been, and so little prospect of anybody's being able to fill them, that it makes me feel very sad; but it does seem to me that it would be more profitable to labor in some of these places than in entirely new fields.

BUSHNELL.

Thursday, I went twelve miles and met with the Bushnell church at the house of Bro. Atkins. We examined the church list, inquired after each member, expelled one, put one under censure, received two into the church, and baptized two. We re-organized S. B., raising it from $80 to $160. Some have lately embraced the Sabbath here, and others are interested. In the evening I preached at the school-house, which was well filled. At the close of my discourse, nine came forward to seek the Lord and become Christians. Some of these were persons of much worth, for whom the church had been anxious a long time. They need a meeting-house here very much, and they think of building one. A few other matters needed attention which I could not give them in so short a time.

By letters received from the places where I have been, I am happy to learn that the good work begun in the several places has continued with a good interest. A brother writes from St. Charles that their meetings have been much better since my visit, and that the young people have taken hold in the meetings. From Jay, also, we learn that all who made a start while I was there are not only holding on, but are active in the prayer-meetings and are growing in the truth. Bro. Fisher and Nelson write from Alma that they have had some glorious meetings. All who made a start at our meetings are taking hold earnestly, and several others have come out. Some have embraced the Sabbath. Eight have given up the use of tobacco. Those who were under discouragement have come out clear and strong. They have also had excellent meetings at Ithaca. Bro. Fisher has remained in each of these places to carry forward this work. For all this we thank the Lord and take courage.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Lyons, Mich.

IOWA.

I MET with the church at Smithland, Jan. 1, 1876. I have now preached five times, and held three prayer and social meetings. The Lord met with us, and his Spirit seemed to rest upon us in power. We all made a covenant with God to live better in the year to come than we have in the past. The Lord is working in this church. It is growing in grace and in numbers. Three commenced to keep the Sabbath the first day of January. J. BARTLETT.

Smithland, Jan. 3, 1876.

CANNON CITY, MINN.

We have been here over two weeks. The meetings were commenced in the Congregational church, but after a few evenings that was closed, and by invitation we went into the Disciple church. That also was soon shut against us; but some who had the most money invested in the house were our friends. These immediately opened the house and furnished it with lights and fuel at their own expense.

As the result thus far, five excellent persons, candid men and heads of families, have voted to keep all the commandments. We hope for others. Pray for us, brethren.

F. W. MOORE.

W. B. HILL.

WISCONSIN.

Dec. 1 and 2, I held two meetings in Burns Valley, for the purpose of encouraging the few commandment-keepers there. We had a good hearing in this community. Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 4 and 5, I had seven excellent meetings with the church at Leon. Seven decided to obey the truth. This church is zealous in the missionary cause, and its workers have an influence which tells for God. They are full of courage in the Lord.

Dec. 11-13, I held eight meetings with the church at Liberty Pole, Vernon Co., in their new meeting-house. The members of this church had been in rather a discouraged condition, but are now beginning to look up and take courage. If they will carefully follow the advice given them, I am satisfied that the Lord will add to their numbers such as shall be saved.

Dec. 14-16, I spoke three times in the same county, at Kickapoo Center. Here I met Bro. Olsen and Atkinson, who also had two meetings for the special benefit of the church, which were greatly blessed of the Lord. I am satisfied the salvation of some there depends entirely upon their faithfulness to God in living out his requirements. I do hope they will be faithful to obey, and will be saved at last. From there, I came to Sand Prairie, where I held nine excellent meetings. We had large hearings at all the meetings. One decided to obey the truth; others are much interested, while the brethren and sisters seem much encouraged to press on.

I. SANBORN.

PLEASANT VIEW, TENN.

I AM at this place lecturing. This is out of my State (Ky.), but it seemed duty to come here. There are now nine here keeping the Sabbath. I baptized five last sixth-day, and the interest has become so great it seems not to be duty to leave here now. Still they are pressing me to come back to Monticello. I speak every night, and in addition to this very frequently in the day time; besides this, I visit and talk. But, notwithstanding such constant labor, the Lord has given me unusually good health. Praise his name. Last Sabbath (fast day) was a good day for us here. Some of the brethren and sisters were here from Edgefield Junction, and we attended the ordinances. Every one of the Sabbath-keepers present, during the entire day had his cup of joy full. Oh! you should have heard their pleadings for help from some consecrated ministers. May the Lord work upon minds to turn them South.

S. OSBORN.

WRIGHT CO., MINN.

AFTER closing our labors at Round Grove, home duties called us for a few weeks. Meantime we met with the brethren at Medford, Mapleton and Wells, where the Lord helped in presenting the word of life, and the brethren and sisters were encouraged and strengthened.

The 10th of this month, we came to Monticello, at the earnest solicitation of sister Walker, formerly of the S. D. Baptist church, but who, with her husband, a leading member of the Methodist church, had of late become deeply interested in our cause. That evening, commenced meetings in a small school-house, near Bro. Walker's. Continued here until the next Wednesday evening, with from twenty to thirty hearers.

We then concluded to go into the village of Monticello, where the Advent church was opened to us. There are four churches in the village. They had been for four weeks trying to hold a union revival meeting at the Baptist house with but indifferent success. Here is one of the strongholds of the Advent Christian church in this State. Some of their strongest men have preached here, and outside the Advent church prejudice has run high against the advent doctrine. We had this to meet from the other churches, and prejudice against the Sabbath and the gifts of the Spirit from all, and especially from the Advent church, though a goodly number of the members have attended our meetings quite regularly, and seem interested. One elder of this church, who was a Sabbath-keeper for several years, but “rejected the counsel of God against himself,” has been especially bitter against us, working privately to keep the people away.

Our congregations have not been large—ranging from ten to sixty. Meetings in the other churches, church fairs, Masonic, Grange, and temperance meetings, Christmas gatherings, and dances, combined with the prejudices against our positions, have kept the people away. The Adventists have a quarterly meeting which commences this evening and continues until Sunday evening. This shuts us out of any place for holding meetings till after that. At the earnest solicitation of some interested ones, we are going out about five miles to hold meetings while it is in progress.

We feel satisfied that we are here in the providence of God, and that there are souls here seeking for the light of truth, whom we can reach. We can see some fruit already, and our courage is good, and confidence in God strong. We ask the prayers of our brethren, that we may be humble, faithful, true, earnest workers for God, “in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation.”

L. H. ELLIS.

D. P. CURTIS.

Monticello, Wright Co., Minn., Dec. 31, 1875.

SAN FRANCISCO.

THE tent-meeting closed in San Francisco, Dec. 12, making eight full months that our tent has been in constant use this season. The district quarterly meeting for Dist. No. 9, Dec. 18, 19, was held in the new church building in San Francisco. Although the building is not fully completed, it was made quite comfortable for the occasion, and is now occupied for meetings every Sabbath. We expect it will soon be completed and dedicated.

The quarterly meeting was an interesting occasion. Five more were voted into the San Francisco church, and it was a time of heartfelt gratitude to God, especially in making mention of his providence which had in such a wonderful manner opened the way for the erection of the church building on Laguna Street.

This church one year ago regarded the erection of a house of worship almost an impossibility; but the house is now erected, and the basement rented for a sufficient sum to meet all the interest on the money it was necessary to hire to complete the house. The church express especial gratitude for the noble part Bro. White has acted in this meeting-house enterprise, not stopping with donating $1000, but standing in the gap to loan the necessary means to complete it.

The Lord is adding some workers to his cause in San Francisco, and we still expect, if we all move humbly in God's order, a large church will be raised up in this world's thoroughfare of travel on this coast. Pray for the work in San Francisco.—J. N. L., in Signs.

ILLINOIS.

BRO. STEWARD writes from Yellowhead, Ill., under date Dec. 27, as follows:—

Several times my meetings have been nearly broken up by the bad going, but I have had one at every appointment until yesterday, when it rained steadily all the forenoon. The interest has been good from the first. The Lord is at work, and some who never made a profession before have made a start. Last night we had an excellent meeting. Quite a number of young folks were out, and after talking about an hour, I asked all who had resolved to serve God in the future to raise the hand. Some six or eight hands were raised. One man of quite a family made sport when he first came to the meetings, but last Sabbath he came to me all broken down, and said he could stand back no longer. Last night he spoke. Others were much affected.

The Lord is good. I do praise his name. May he help me to lead the lambs tenderly, carefully, to the Good Shepherd. Quite a number have promised to keep the Sabbath.