SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, February 5, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 6

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND.

By John Norton Loughborough

Our hearts are still cheered by the progress of the work here in Great Britain. Since my last report the steward of the steamer (of whom I have spoken) has spent a second evening with us. He and his companion are keeping the Sabbath, and have fully embraced our views. They desire to identify themselves with us in the truth.

A sister residing near Birmingham, a governess in a first-class family there, has taken her stand to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. Her name is one of a number I sent to the V. M. society of Sheridan, Ill. The Signs mailed to her by that society convicted her on the Sabbath question. She saw our depository at Ravenswood advertised in the Signs, and immediately wrote here for books, which letter led to a correspondence. She is now obeying the truth, with the full permission of the family by whom she is employed. Praise the Lord. He is working on the hearts of the people.

Bro. Veysey of Somersetshire, is with us now, and will remain a few days. God blesses as we pray together, and talk of the truth and the Lord’s leading of this people in the rise and progress of this cause.

There is considerable prejudice against Americans, and there are reasons for this later than the wars of 1776 or 1812. Mormonism has made its raids and ravages among the people. I am told by the people here that a portion of a fresh band of fifty Mormons, that had arrived in Salt Lake from Southampton, were forced to take part in the “Mountain Meadow Massacre.” Some of them escaped from that den of iniquity (Mormonism) as soon as possible after it, and found their way back. Such came with curious impressions of America, and of some of its “clever Yankees.”

Shakerism has one of its camps near Southampton, and some think America is a “queer country” to turn out such sects. Those who read, and are informed, know that such things are not tolerated by the better class in America.

But there are things that hurt us worse than these. Dr. Talmage professed to visit England for his health. He stated in his last sermon before leaving New York (a sermon to which Eld. J. N. Andrews listened) that he was going to take a vacation for his health. It seems that over here he charged £100 ($500) for each of his regular advertised lectures. Before me is a statement in the Hampshire Telegraph relative to a lecture in Brighton, Sussexshire. The sum of £60 had been paid to his agent toward the £100 he demanded. The agent said that Mr. Talmage would not lecture until the whole was paid; so the money was paid over to the agent. This report says: “As the total fees did not exceed £60, while other expenses connected with the lecture amounted to about £20, the committee lost, altogether, £60 by their too enterprising spirit. After the lecture the facts were stated to Dr. Talmage himself, who promised to communicate with the committee, but up to the present time he has not done so.”

Such grasping of means may be refreshing to a man on a health tour, but what kind of an influence is he casting? What impression is he giving of American ministers? It surely makes it harder here for an American who is determined to stand for the right.

About three years ago one Eld. H. S. Earle, well known in some parts of America as a Baptist evangelist, or “revival preacher,” came to Southampton. When we arrived here he was having large assemblies in the philharmonic rooms of the town. He took in as an associate in his work one Eld. Meadows, a man of English birth, but who was educated in America. This man was ordained by Eld. Earle. He was told, in the charge, after ordination, that he was not to concern himself about the Old Testament, or about the law, or about Christ’s second coming, but to preach simply the gospel. Eld. Earle spent last summer in Palestine, for his health. After his return, some unpleasantness came up which has resulted in much bad feeling between the parties, and in establishing two separate meetings. Eld. Meadows wrote a book setting forth his grievances. Soon after, he was brought before the magistrate on the charge of publishing a libel, and after examination, was bound over in the sum of £200, to the next “assizes at Winchester,” there to be tried for libel. This gives some further idea of the situation, in some respects, in general, and at Southampton in particular. But what of all this? We expect to pursue the even tenor of our way, and, by God’s grace, live above such things, and prove to the people that the truth of God and the grace of God can do as much for Americans as it can for Englishmen. God will bless us in standing at our post. Notwithstanding all opposing influences, the truth is gaining ground. In this we will rejoice.

Under the circumstances I have mentioned, it is good to be connected with those who know our course, and to have credentials from them. I was pleased that our late General Conference decided to give all our missionaries special credentials. These credentials would be acceptable and timely here, if they could be sent, and would be an additional testimony to that given by the Conference of which the missionary is a member. I am of the opinion of the blacksmith who said he could hammer out a reputation on his anvil. So, in the name of the Lord, trusting in his mercy and grace, we will stick to the work, sowing the seed, expecting God to water it and cause it to bear fruit.

Pray for us. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.