REPORT OF THE WEEKLY MEETING OF THE BATTLE CREEK V. M. SOCIETY by D. E. F.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, December 23, 1884

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 51

REPORT OF THE WEEKLY MEETING OF THE BATTLE CREEK V. M. SOCIETY.

By D. E. F.

HELD AT THE TABERNACLE, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DEC. 3, 1884, AT 7 P. M.

After singing and a season of earnest, fervent prayer, in which several joined, letters were read of an unusually interesting character, calling forth remarks from several. One remarkable feature in them was the fact of their coming from so many different parts of the field, there being read at this meeting letters from Maine, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Georgia, Russia, and Syria. Another remarkable feature was the fact that of all the letters read at this meeting not one was of a discouraging nature. All were pleased with the reading matter, were desirous of reading more, and in nearly every case the reading matter sent was distributed among others.

A physician from Georgia sends money for books sent him. He says: “I can truly say that to me you are a wonderful people. Under the light of your expositions, to my mind, the Scriptures have unfolded beautifully. They cleared up the subjects of the sanctuary, the unconscious state of the dead, and the annihilation of the wicked. These, to me, are new doctrines.”

A gentleman from Kennedy, N. Y., who has been working among the people with the Swedish Harold, reports that as the result of his efforts, twelve have commenced the observance of the Sabbath.

The reading of letters was followed by general remarks. Bro. Miller, of Jackson, in a few stirring remarks, stated that a few years ago, much was said among us about the shaking time, and asked the question, “Do we believe that we are right on the verge of this time?” He then spoke of the joy and peace he had experienced in laboring personally for his fellow-men.

A lady in Massachusetts writes: “I have received the papers, for which I am deeply grateful, and shall take pleasure in placing any which you may send me in the reading-rooms of the Y. M. C. A.”

A lady in Maine writes: “I want to thank you for those papers which you send me, for I like them very much. I read them all, and then I send them to my friends to read. May God bless you in your work for him.”

A lady in New Jersey says that she is interested in the Signs, and that after reading them she sends them to her friends with the request that, after reading, they would send them to others.

The following is a translation of letters and cards received at the Stimme office during the past few days, and read at the missionary meeting:—

Four or five cards have been received, of which this is a sample: “Pray send me some copies of your paper, because I would like to read it.” Most of these cards were from a College in a Western State, which is a Lutheran institution. One was a Lutheran pastor.

———, Russia, Oct. 23, 1884.

“Dear Stimme: A few days ago I was with Bro. ——, a colporter for the Bible Society here, with whom I saw some of your publications. I read them with the greatest of interest, and would entreat you to send me one or more of each kind of all your works in German; also a specimen copy of your semi-monthly. I wish with all my heart that God would give me, too, an understanding of the truth, and would lead me to keep the right Sabbath soon. To the doctrine of the unconscious state of man after death, I cannot reconcile the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, and would therefore ask for more light on this point; also upon the point that sinners are not to suffer eternal pain. Here in Ehstland, in the cities of Hapsal and Reval on the Baltic, a deep religious movement has been going on for the last five years, the principal feature being the belief that Christ is very soon coming, some even stating as soon as next spring.

“I will send money, if the Lord will, as soon as I am assured that I have the right address.

“With heartfelt greetings, I remain most respectfully yours,

“——— ——.”

“——— ——, Colporter of the Bible Society.

The following letter is from the man mentioned in the preceding one. Bro. —— had written once before to the Office, and had received about 50 cents worth of tracts and some papers:—

Russia, Oct. 28, 1884.

“Dear Stimme der Wahrheit: In love I report that I have received the twenty-seven tracts long ago, and have read them faithfully and with deep interest, in company with my brother. I must confess that I am convinced of the truthfulness of all they contain. But I am all in the dark on the subject of man’s state after death. I do not understand it; for there are the words of our Saviour to the thief on the cross, that he should THAT DAY be with him in paradise; also the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. . . . How can all this be if there is no paradise or hell to which men go after death? Please send me some reading matter explaining this. I love your publications very much. I would have written long ago and sent some money, but as I went with 5 rubles [about $3.65] to the post-office I was told that I must pay 10 rubles if you were to have 5. [The reason for this is that Russian money is at a discount of 50 per cent in all countries outside of Russian territory]. Please find out how I can escape paying double, if it can be done. I would like the good semi-monthly on the prophecies [Stimme]. I send you three addresses to whom please send all the tracts you sent me. Send the bill to me. You may also send me some more. As I travel much in Russia I can scatter them.

“In the hope of a very speedy answer, I remain your humble servant in the work,

“——— ——.”

The Office sent five complete sets to these four addresses and that of the other letter, making twenty-five packages, averaging from 200 to 300 pages each. May God bless.

D. E. F., Sec.