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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, April 21, 1885

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 16

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KANSAS

AMONG THE CHURCHES.—Since my last report I have visited the following churches: Bull's City, Portis, and Lebanon, in Dist. No. 1; and Spring Side, Camahan Creek, and Arispie, in Dist. No. 2; also Topeka, Ft. Scott, Moline, and Emporia.
Most of the members of the Lebanon church have moved away, and one we were obliged to disfellowship; thus leaving the company so small that it is doubtful whether they will be able to keep up their meetings.
The Lord has greatly blessed the recent labors of Bro. C. Flaiz at Portis, and the church there appear full of courage to go forward. Two went out canvassing before we left that district.
The church at Bull's City has now the largest membership of any church in the State. At present there appears to be an interest in the truth throughout the vicinity. The house of worship has become too small for the congregations. Steps were taken for the building of a larger one the present season. Their Sabbath-school would be a credit to any of our churches in the State. Bro. Scott and Bowers have given a good amount of time to canvassing here for “Thoughts” and “Sunshine,” with fair success.
The new companies of Sabbath-keepers at Spring Side, Camahan Creek, and Arispie, I had never before visited. They are the result of the labors of Eld. Will D. Curtis. They have not had the privileges of our older churches; but the readiness they manifested to accept the truth on all points as soon as they had heard, was truly commendable. At Arispie the work had not been completed, for want of time. But as Eld. Curtis and myself presented the truth on the subjects of health and the spirit of prophecy, the use of tea, coffee, tobacco, and pork, was abandoned. I shall remember with pleasure my first visit among those dear brethren.
I called at Topeka, and found the brethren preparing for a vigorous campaign in the capital of our State. The workers there are meeting with good success in canvassing for “Sunshine” and Signs.
I remained at Ft. Scott about fifteen days, and held thirteen meetings. One embraced the Sabbath, and several others seemed interested. The brethren were revived and strengthened in listening anew to the evidences of our faith.
I was at Moline at the time of the quarterly meeting. Church officers were elected, the ordinances observed, and the pamphlet on tithing was read. We afterward held a conference meeting, in which the testimonies of many were to the effect that since reading “Honor Due to God” or hearing the reading of Eld. Butler’s tract, they saw the matter in a clearer light than ever before. Nearly every one signed the pledge to pay in future an honest tithe. May the Lord help all to remember their solemn pledge.
The work at Emporia is still going forward. Eld. Geo. Smith is now laboring there in connection with two colporters. There have, at this writing, thirty-seven embraced the Sabbath, and the interest appears to be extending, new ones being added each week. The workers have now been there about six months, and there is no indication yet as to when they can leave for another field. We now have nearly sixty Sabbath-keepers there. May the Lord abundantly bless the work in Emporia.
April 9.
J. H. Cook.
DIST. NO. 9.—After our last report we continued to hold meetings near El Dorado till March 10. There was but little interest manifested in regard to the truth. One promised to try to obey.
March 12 we began meetings with the Harvey county church at Alta, and continued over Sabbath and first day. The good Spirit of the Lord came into our meetings. Several came forward for prayers, and one signed the covenant.
March 19 we commenced meetings with the brethren at Lakin Center; continued over Sabbath and first day, and visited some during the week. One signed the covenant there.
March 27 we met with the Clarion church for quarterly meeting. As we all tried to draw near to the Lord, his blessing rested upon us, and our hearts were made to rejoice. After this good meeting we returned home to labor in Dist. No. 10 until camp-meeting.
OSCAR AND RUTH HILL.
ARISPIE, SPRING SIDE, ETC.—We left the company at Arispie March 31, having been with them about two weeks. Our efforts there in those two weeks had been crowned with success. The Lord came very near to us in our meetings. Two more signed the covenant. Three were baptized Sunday, the 29th, after we had spoken on baptism. My health is failing me so rapidly that I had to speak sitting down. The Sabbath-school and Sabbath meetings are becoming more interesting all the time. May the prospering hand of God ever rest upon this company!
Tuesday morning, March 31, I felt so much better that we drove to Spring Side, a distance of 20 miles, and in the evening I spoke about thirty-five minutes. Our brethren here decided to hold their quarterly meeting Wednesday evening, April 1. The Lord came especially near to us on this occasion. All consecrated themselves anew to the Lord.
Thursday morning, April 2, we set out on our journey to Greenleaf, a distance of thirty miles. We were pleased to find the brethren and sisters here, with very few exceptions, seeking a closer union with the Master. Here we attended the celebration of the ordinances of the Lord’s house. We had laid our plans to continue some time longer in the work of visiting churches and companies, as there are several of them that need help and encouragement; but my health is failing so rapidly of late, that it seems impossible for us to carry out our plans. After consulting our brethren, and calling upon the Lord for guidance, it seems duty to leave the work for a time and go to Kansas City for treatment.
It is with great sadness that we leave the work. Now, when about to be separated from it, it seems doubly dear to us. May God grant that we may soon be able to return to the post of duty with more fervor than ever before!
WILL D. CURTIS.