MINNESOTA

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, March 10, 1885.

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 10. Whole No. 1605.

KASOTA, EAGLE LAKE, WELLS, ETC.—Jan. 7 I went to Kasota, and commenced meetings that evening. Bro. D. P. Curtis joined me on the 9th, and we held quarterly meeting with the church on Sabbath and Sunday. We tried to set before the brethren the truth of the present time. They appeared to be encouraged and strengthened. The weather was intensely cold, and few from outside came in.

I went to Eagle Lake, and attended the general meeting and S. S. convention Jan. 17-19. Arranged to hold quarterly meeting with the Alden church the next Sabbath and Sunday. On account of the snow blockade, Bro. Curtis failed to get through. I succeeded with much difficulty, and although the weather was very cold, we had good meetings. I presented the wants of the cause, and the brethren seemed willing to do what they could.

Jan. 30 Bro. Curtis joined me at Wells, and we went to Brush Creek and held meetings on Sabbath and Sunday. Bro. C. continued them till Wednesday night, with a good outside attendance. Thursday evening we commenced meetings in the M. E. church at Wells. After holding a few meetings, interrupted by storms, and the occupancy of the church two evenings by the Methodists, we concluded that the interest was not such as to warrant our stay. We met with the brethren on two Sabbaths, at a school-house near Bro. Kelsey's, and on Sundays held meetings at the school-house.

We came to Beauford Feb. 18, and began meetings the next evening at a school-house about eight miles east of Good Thunder. Held three meetings with increasing interest, when we had to give way for the appointment of a German minister, of which we did not know when we commenced. Feb. 21 we came to Good Thunder, and have been holding meetings every evening since, with an increasing interest. Several have already signified their determination to obey God, and still others are deeply interested. Next Sunday evening, God willing, we expect to resume meetings at the school-house above mentioned.

W. B. HILL.

DIST. NO. 3.—Commencing Jan. 20, I spent three weeks visiting the companies at Silver Creek, Oak Springs, Cambridge, and Sauk Rapids, accompanied by Bro. E. J. Gregory, the director. Our first visit was with the Silver Creek brethren. We tried to set before them the solemnity of the present hour, and the importance of engaging with heart and soul in the work of God. The Lord was present by his Spirit, and hearts were touched. Nearly all promised henceforth to pay the tithe, and quite a lively interest was manifested in the missionary work.

Jan. 26 we started for Oak Springs. On the way we canvassed the villages of Monticello and Otsego. Took twelve orders for “Sunshine” with the Signs, two for “Sunshine” and Stimme, and two for the Signs for three months. Began meetings with the Oak Springs Society, Sabbath, the 31st. Held five meetings and gave two Bible-readings. The brethren here are scattered, and there is not that love and harmony among them that there should be. As a result, regular Sabbath services had not been held for some time. We tried to help these friends to see their true condition, and believe our efforts were not wholly fruitless. Some manifested a considerable interest in the missionary work. Several pledges were made to the different missions and to the camp-meeting fund; and hereafter nearly all will pay tithes. We hope to visit these friends again soon, and help them to get into better working order. In the meantime, we pray that God's blessing may abundantly rest upon them, and that Jesus' prayer (John 17:20, 21) may have its fulfillment in their midst.

The brethren at Cambridge are all Swedes. But few could understand us, so we preached to them but once. There are many here who keep the Sabbath, but only eight or nine are in harmony with the truth. The rest are “Leetites,” S. D. Baptists, believers in the Age-to-Come doctrine, etc. The brethren are of the opinion that if some good Scandinavian laborer could spend two or three months there, a strong company for the truth would be raised up. Our visit seemed to give new life and courage to these dear souls. We hope they may soon be favored with labor in their own language.

At Sauk Rapids we held five meetings. Some interest was shown in the tithing question and the missionary work. Liberal pledges were made to the missions and the camp-meeting fund. Some confessions were made, also promises relative to tithing. Nearly all will try hereafter to be faithful in this matter.

While we were visiting at the above places, some persons at Fair Haven, who had attended a couple of meetings at the house of Bro. Leavitt, set matters on foot for a series of meetings. The use of a hall was secured and offered free of charge. I am now holding meetings there. There seems to be some interest to hear, and we hope good may result. Bro. M. H. Gregory is assisting me in the meetings. Eld. H. Grant has been with us for some time. His counsel and labor among us have been appreciated much. I hope to have an interest in the prayers of God's people. WM. SCHRAM.

Feb. 20.