p. 284 | THE PHILADELPHIA MISSION by D. B. O'Neill

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · May 5, 1885

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 18

THE PHILADELPHIA MISSION.

By D. B. O'Neill

In my recent visit to the mission in Philadelphia, I noted some features in the work that will be of interest to our missionary workers. This mission was opened August 1, 1884, and since that time there have been from one to four persons laboring in connection with it constantly. Several have accepted the truth and are regular attendants at the Sabbath services. Others are somewhat interested. During the winter season, from four to six times each week Eld. Fero has preached in the lecture room to ordinary congregations. The principal difficulty he has found has been that of securing regular attendance. People induced to come by advertisement or invitation are not likely to be present more than once or twice; so on the whole we are inclined to think that ministerial labor in Philadelphia is not as profitable as it can be made in the country or in smaller cities.

The canvassing work has been more successful. Over eight hundred subscriptions have been taken for our different periodicals, mostly for the Signs. In re-canvassing they have found that quite a number, after reading the papers themselves, are sending them to friends in other States and also in other countries. It is remarkable that people who have not yet learned to love the truth, should assist in disseminating it. The percentage of renewals taken is indeed flattering; hence we consider this part of the work encouraging.

A number of Bible readings have been held, and openings are being found for as many as the workers can find time to give. Bro. Kutz has done quite an amount of ship work. He places packages of periodicals on the vessels, and sells books and tracts as way opens.

We are impressed, so far as the great city of Philadelphia is concerned, that it will take hard labor from house to house to get the truth to the hundreds of thousands who reside in the place. Our reading-room has accomplished absolutely nothing thus far. The only real interest gained has been by actual work. We think of changing our location, renting at a more reasonable rate, and carrying forward the work through the summer without ministerial assistance. D. B. O'Neill.