SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, January 22, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 4

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND.

By John Norton Loughborough

A MONTH has passed since my last report, and it has been a month full of interest. If we are not able to report numbers taking their stand with us, we have been made to rejoice by the evidence we have seen that the influence of our work is spreading, and that many, on sea and land, are determined to learn the truth.

The steward of the steamer, mentioned in my last report as having bought six one-dollar volumes, spent one evening with us at Ravenswood, and was deeply interested in a parlor lecture I gave for his benefit, on the subject of the sanctuary. He has got so far in his investigations that he does his Saturday’s work on the boat on Sundays. The captain has also read on the truth, and says the steward is right in his course. They are anxious to assist us all they can to spread the truth in the different ports of Great Britain where they make their semi-monthly visits. They have also donated for the support of the work.

There are difficulties connected with the work of introducing the truth in a kingdom like this which those laboring in free America do not have to meet. I have purposely refrained from speaking of these in my reports, lest any should think us complaining of our field of labor. Far be that from us. We have evidence that God has called us to this field. If our labor should be like that of the minister who in his dream was set to pounding a rock with a sledge, it is our duty, like him, to pound away. If that is what the Lord bids us do, it is for us to pound. Opening the rock belongs to the Lord.

When I read of the trials and privations of those who in the seventh century labored so earnestly on British soil to displace the heathen gods Thor and Woden, and to teach the doctrines of the blessed Jesus; when I read how they, sometimes supperless and almost friendless, lay down in their blankets on the bare earth to awake in the morning and find the falling snow stopping their path; when I see that they yielded not to discouragements or complaints, but said amid it all, “If our way by sea and land is closed, the road to Heaven is still open,” I think: “If, under such circumstances, they did not murmur, why should we complain who meet comparatively slight difficulties in our efforts to plant present truth on the same soil?” We have thousands of brethren and sisters raising their prayers to Heaven in our behalf, and doing all in their power to help and cheer us on in our work. No; we have naught of which to complain; and if we are faithful to our duty, God will water the seed sown, and much fruit will appear by-and-by.

I am informed by Bro. Butler of the anxiety of our people to learn the exact situation here, so I will speak of some matters now, and of some others at another time.

First, then, let it be understood that society here is divided into classes. Of the relation of these classes, I will quote the words of Mr. Robertson, a minister of the Church of England. He says: “In England we are inconsistent people. A rigid barrier exists between class and class, and it is almost never broken down, except in two instances; wealth and talent break it down. Let a man amass enormous wealth, and he will find at his board the noblest in the land. It matters not that he became rich in some questionable way, that shrewd suspicions are entertained of foul practices and unfair means; no one asks about that. Again, talent of a certain class—that talent which amuses—breaks down the rigid lines of demarcation. The accomplished man or woman, who, though astonishingly profligate, can while away an evening, is tolerated—nay, courted—even in the Christian drawing-room. Now, understand me. I do not say that the breaking down of conventional barriers is undesirable. If goodness did it,—if a man, low in birth, were admired because of his virtues,—oh! it would be well for this land of ours! But where wealth and talent, irrespective of goodness, alone possess the key to unlock our English exclusiveness, there, plainly, the apostolic injunction holds because the reason of it holds: ‘What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?’”—Robertson on 2 Cor. 6.

Our readers will at once see the point involved. Those of wealth do not expect to listen to the same man to whom the poor listen. How, then, can we reach them with our preaching? In our hope to find candid, truth-loving persons among those of wealth, we see no way to reach them, except with reading matter. I presume our American vigilant missionary workers will say, “Canvass among them with the papers and books.” But how will you do that, when you find their mansions surrounded with high walls, with great iron gates locked and barred, and no admission unless you have a note of introduction from some of their own class. “Her Royal Majesty’s mail” does find admittance in the post-boxes by their gates. This open avenue we are using, hoping by this means to reach some candid souls, even of the wealthy class.

Lords, nobles, and gentry are perhaps outside the class that we may at present hope to reach with our preaching. We have left to us artisans, merchants, tradesmen, and laborers,—no mean class by any means. The real laborers have had but a poor opportunity to educate and inform themselves until within the last few years, since laws have been passed making the attending of some school compulsory, from the ages of six to fourteen. Ignorance, to an alarming extent, prevails among the poor laborers of mature years. In a town not far from this, as good as the average of English towns, out of a population of six thousand adults the census showed that there were but one thousand that could either read or write.

Be it remembered that in the matter of schools we are where church and state are united, and with the exception of a few private (select) schools, the schools are directly under the control of the churches. These are what are called “parochial schools.” Thus it will be readily seen, that there is no opportunity for “going into the country and speaking in some district school-house;” for there is no such thing here.

There is hardly an opportunity to secure the free use of any place in which to speak the truth. Churches, chapels, and school-rooms are alike closed against it, and in order to secure a place to hold meetings, a good price must be paid for its use. Most public halls rent for from $5.00 to $10.00 per night. Looking at the situation from this standpoint, we feel the force of the expression made a few years ago by Mr. Spurgeon, “If you want the truth to go around the world, you must hire an express train to draw it.”

We know that to introduce the truth into this kingdom will require a steady, earnest, and persevering effort; but in the name of the Lord that effort must be made. In his name we scatter the seeds of truth. If the Lord water the seed sown, fruit will some day appear.

We trust we appreciate the efforts our brethren and sisters in America are making to assist in the work here by sending clubs of papers. Some in Lemoore, Cal., and in other places, have remailed their papers to us. Individuals and V. M. societies have done a good work with the names they have obtained from England. We would here mention the reception, in our last invoice of books from Battle Creek, of twenty-five nice libraries, a donation from J. D. Morton and wife, of Detroit, Michigan. The books are to be loaned, and thus made to continuously tell the story of truth. Bro. and Sr. Morton have our most sincere thanks for this $75 addition to the stock in our circulating libraries.

To-day it is one year since myself and wife first set foot on British soil, in Liverpool. We render praise to God for the tokens of good we have seen in that time. As we enter upon the new year,—the second of our mission here,—we seek Divine guidance, that this year may tell more for the advancement of truth than has the one already past.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Dec. 29, 1879.