TEXAS by R. M. Kilgore

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, May 6, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 19

TEXAS

By R. M. Kilgore

Cleburne, Dallas, and Plano.—Appointments were so arranged that I was enabled to attend the church quarterly meeting at each of these places. I labored to build up the spiritual interests of the churches, and to promote among the members greater zeal and activity in the different branches of the work; and I was encouraged to see such a general response, and such a willingness to move forward all along the line.

At Cleburne one was added to the church, and two were baptized.

At Dallas, two were disfellowshipped, one was baptized, and three were added to the church. In this place a marked line is drawn between those who are in harmony with the third angel's message and those who are not. Two parties exist, and separate meetings are held. Those who oppose the message are quite zealous in doing missionary (?) work with opposition books and papers. I find these as I go from place to place; and I am happy to state that I have not yet found one of our brethren or sisters who was in the least affected by these efforts to shake their confidence in the truths of the third angel's message. This spirit of opposition is manifested only among those who have come from the North. Not one of our brethren or sisters of Southern birth has any sympathy with those who are engaged in it, or with their efforts to ruin and tear down what they themselves so recently professed to build up.

At Plano, one was added to the church, and five were baptized. Here we were pleased to meet the brethren Taylor, late Baptist ministers, mention of whom was made in a late REVIEW, and glad to find them well established in all the truths of the message. We hope the success attending Bro. Hunter's labors the past winter will inspire others to put forth greater efforts, and manifest more zeal, in true missionary labor.

The ordinances were celebrated, and the regular quarterly business was attended to at each of these places. We are more and more pleased with the plan of conducting the church quarterly meetings, proposed by the General Conference. The inquiry meeting on the Sabbath, to ascertain the spiritual standing of each member of the church, whether present or absent, is of great importance, and should be strictly attended to. It is not too much to require each member to report his or her standing, either in person or by letter, once each quarter. A duty is here involved.

Between Cleburne and Dallas I stopped to hold two meetings in Bro. Oliver's neighborhood, and while here I baptized Bro. O. and wife, who are growing stronger in the truth, though they are comparatively alone, and meet with much opposition.

I visited all the friends of the cause at Rockwall, and preached once. The Court-house was opened to us, there being no room for us in the churches. I hope the friends there will rally, and stand for the right, and if the battle goes hard, fight the harder. The reward is promised only to the overcomer. Bro. J. M. Huguley, director of this district, is with me, and is assisting in the work.

Terrell, April 25, 1880. R. M. KILGORE.