SUGGESTIONS ABOUT CONDUCTING A COURSE OF LECTURES.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
INTRODUCTION OF SUBJECTS.
I am persuaded that many of our brethren make a mistake in introducing a course of lectures, I mean in giving the first lecture. The very best introduction that can be made under ordinary circumstances, the one that will interest people the most, and that will secure their attendance the next night, and give them something to talk about to their neighbors, is a lecture on the chart, a lecture on the second chapter of Daniel. This is so simple and so plain that it always interests everybody, and it will bear repeating after you have secured a larger audience. It is a mistake to give the first lecture on some dry, practical subject, or the importance of studying the Scriptures, or why we believe the Bible to be the word of God, or something like that. A lecture like this gives the impression that you are going to talk like common, second-rate preachers.
No; pitch right in the first night with the best thing you have. Even a lecture on the sleep of the dead, annihilation of the wicked, or seventh-day Sabbath would be better than a carefully arranged subject that would not affect anybody. What we want to do is to let the people know that we have something new, stirring, and interesting. You want to get the whole neighborhood talking about you just as soon as you can; but if you commence in a moderate, tame, common-place manner, the impression soon goes out that you don't amount to much. So don't throw away your time in trying to say something that will offend nobody, and please every one; rather set out with something that will astonish all your hearers and create a sensation, and get them to talking about it.
ANNOUNCING YOUR SUBJECT.
During the first two or three weeks of a course of lectures, very much depends upon properly advertising your lecture each evening ahead; that is, at the close of the lecture each evening you should announce your subject for the next evening. It is a matter of no small importance to do this properly. Keep within the bounds of truth, and yet so announce it as to create an interest, create a desire in every one present to hear the next lecture. It will not do simply to tell them it will be a lecture of importance, or something interesting; but you must state the most important points that you propose to take up, how they bear upon the present lecture, and how important it is that they should hear that in order to understand what is to follow. Announce it with confidence, and with as much enthusiasm as you can put into it. If there is any class of people whom it will particularly interest, or specially hit, or be likely to offend, you should say so, and ask your present audience to be sure to invite all such persons to be present. Then they will come out of curiosity to see how you are going to handle somebody else.
About every lecturer has two or three thrilling subjects which he intends to give sometime to draw out the people. These should be given as early as possible, in order to secure a crowd on the start. Suppose you were to lecture on the devil or spiritualism. These subjects always draw a crowd, if anything will; but it is worse than time thrown away to use them for that purpose after you have lectured, say a month, in a place. If you do get in an extra audience that late, you will not hold them, they will not come again; but if you can succeed in getting a crowd the first week, the impression will go out that you have a great interest, and that everybody goes. Then timid souls will dare to come, and come again. At the end of three or four weeks, the character of your meetings is settled any way, and the best you can do then is to work up what you have.
CONNECTING YOUR SUBJECTS.
Very much depends also upon properly connecting your lectures. That is, each one should prepare the way for the next one; and they should be so arranged as to make the connection apparent to every one. For instance, a lecture on the sanctuary alone, disconnected from the messages, or from the subject of the Judgment, would be of no importance. It should be given in such a connection as to explain the 2300 days, the first angel's message, and the investigative Judgment. Hence, these subjects, when begun, should all be given together. So, simply the lecture on the two-horned beast, without connecting it with the third angel's message, would not amount to much. It would be a bad thing to give one lecture on the law, then one on the sleep of the dead, followed by one on the Sabbath. People cannot digest things so fast. Such a course would only fill their minds with objections, and leave them in the fog.
When a subject is introduced, stick to it long enough to clear it all up, and make a deep impression. Where there is a large interest, sometimes a full week of consecutive lectures should be devoted to the nature of man. In short, when you have attacked a strong-hold of the enemy, take the fort before you attack some other point.
D. M. Canright.
GOOD SUGGESTIONS.
By A. S. Hutchins
The remarks in Review No. 6 respecting writing long and too frequent letters were decidedly good. If these suggestions are generally adopted by us, they will call for self-denial on the part of some in the line of letter writing. As we read the article, it seemed so clear and truthful, it showed such a waste of time and means, that we almost wondered the writer did not in the closing paragraph, grant us license to be short in all communications to him, and to write but seldom, instead of stating that he should not like to have his letters “cut down in length or number.”
It seems to me that a very proper place to commence and continue carrying out these valuable hints would be in writing to strong men. Thereby we should show our appreciation of the good practical hints; and we should also have more time and means to use in writing missionary letters to the scattered and lonely ones, to such as have just embraced the truth, and to those who, by suitable communications, we may hope to help to see the precious rays of light from the last message of mercy.
There are afflicted, isolated, and lonely ones, to whom kindred spirits may speak by means of the silent pen, and open a spring of joy and gladness in their hearts. A good warm epistle, breathing words of sweet hope and friendly cheer, will often lift up the bowed down, revive their hopes of Heaven, and quicken their pace in the way to Mount Zion.
The pen in the hand of the ready writer, moved by the great and noble heart of the true missionary worker, is a power. Time is short. The work is winding up. Oh, that we could all be inspired with this thought and energized by the magnitude and importance of the work of the Master! Then would the fast-fleeting moments, and our influence, be more sacredly watched and guarded.
Recently I visited a lonely and very feeble sister, a worthy member of one of our churches, who has scarcely seen a Sabbath-keeper for years. Not one of the church seems to feel any responsibility to write her, assuring her that she still lives in their affections, and that she has their sympathies in her afflictions and declining health. She referred to this, but with no spirit of complaint. It seems to me that such cases should be remembered in our prayers, and that occasionally some words of love should be written to them.
May the Lord bless the scattered and lonely ones, the sad and sorrowing, striving for life eternal. Jesus loves them, yes, he has prayed for them.
“He hears the uncomplaining moan
Of those who sit and weep alone;
He lifts the mourner from the dust;
In him the poor may safely trust.”
Soon will come the “oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”
A. S. HUTCHINS.
HOW IS IT?
By E. R. Jones
CAN the law be abolished, completely done away, and then be changed? Frequently we find persons who stoutly maintain that the law is forever gone, irrecoverably perished, and then say it has been changed.
I recently read an article in the Christian Herald, in which the writer positively affirmed that the law was abolished, done away, taken out of the way; and then a few sentences further on he as positively declared that it had been changed. Now we ask, How can this be? It appears to me, if the law is wholly and forever gone, as some affirm, then there is nothing of it left to change; but if it is in that condition where it can be changed, then it is not abolished, as they say. Will our friends of the abolished-and-changed theory please rise and explain?
Of one thing we are deeply impressed,—that, while truth is plain, harmonious, and beautiful, error is inconsistent, contradictory, crooked, deformed, and ugly. E. R. JONES.
WHAT I HAVE SEEN.
By D. A. Robinson
I do not mean to speak of all that I have ever seen, that might not be profitable; but one thing I have seen, or, perhaps more properly speaking, have heard, is this: I have heard poor men curse and swear about the hard times, say they did not know what they were going to do to get a living, support their families, educate their children, &c.
Hearing a man not long since talking in this strain, cursing the times, lamenting his “hard luck,” and denouncing Providence, my curiosity was aroused to learn the cost of one useless habit this man had acquired; for I discovered he was a tobacco devotee. He was apparently a man over whose head sixty winters had passed, having naturally a good mind and a strong constitution; the latter, however, had become impaired by wrong habits, and the former had not been benefited by them. After this discussion had subsided, while we stood near the window of the ticket office, I noticed at our right a large show-case containing fruit, confectionary, and all the choice (?) brands of cigars. As my eyes rested on the last-named article, I regarded it the moment to obtain the desired information. “What is the probable cost of those ten-cent cigars?” said I to the above-named gentleman. “Less than half their retail value,” was the answer. “What is the probable cost of tobacco to the common user?” said I. “I do not know, sir, as to that; but I know that mine does not cost me over twenty cents per day.”
In a moment the train was off, and we separated. “Twenty cents a day,” thought I, as I took my seat in the cars. Let us see: Seven days to the week, seven times twenty make one hundred and forty; $1.40 a week. Fifty-two times $1.40 give the snug little sum of $72.80, which this gentleman spends annually for the vile weed, at the same time crying, Hard times. What shall we say? $72.80 thrown away? No, that does not express the truth. If the person who uses this amount for tobacco annually would at the end of each year roll up the above sum in greenbacks, then on the first day of each new year use this roll in kindling his fire, the results to himself and family would not be a tithe as disastrous as they are when he smokes it up. He would, by putting it into the stove, lose no time and would get a little benefit from it, but by using it in the manner he has, seventy-two dollars’ worth of poison has come in contact with his system, beclouding his mind, shattering his nerves, and poisoning the system generally. Then the time that a “hard smoker” loses in consequence of this habit is no small item.
Any man convicted of robbing his family yearly of such a sum and willfully destroying it, if he were not immediately sent to the insane asylum would have a “guardian” placed over him, to say the least; yet that would not be as bad, either physically, mentally, or morally. Shall we call tobacco-using a sin? Yes! unless it is right to poison the system, to rob our families, to render impure the pure air of heaven, to squander upon our lusts means over which God has made us stewards.
What a handsome present the above sum would have been for that gentleman to give his family! or had he invested it in flour, nine barrels might have been purchased. No wonder the statement has been made that England pays more for tobacco than she does for bread. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor. 7:1.
D. A. ROBINSON.
Expanding the Chest Through a Healthy Heart
THE easiest and best way to expand the chest is to have a good large heart in it. It saves the cost of gymnastics.
MICHIGAN
Labor Among the Churches.
From the 11th to the 18th of February, we held meetings with the church of Quincy, in Branch County. The brethren here number, in all, about thirty. They have a church building of good size, which is constructed of brick, and well finished in every particular. Among the members are found many whom we believe God loves, and who are qualified for his service by the possession of both the graces of the Spirit and intellectual ability. We have seldom enjoyed labor more than we did while among them. Nor have we ever seen greater willingness on the part of the Lord to witness to his truth. At the very commencement of the meetings a spirit of confession was developed, which resulted in the adjustment of all past difficulties. As our stay with them was necessarily short, it seemed providential that the work of reconciliation was entered upon in the outset; as otherwise we should not have had time for the accomplishment of the end for which we made the visit.
The town of Quincy has a population of about eleven hundred, and bears the marks of thrift. The people seem to be of the church-going sort, as our meetings were well attended from first to last. On Sunday evening,—at which time we held our last service,—the house of worship, though large, was filled with intelligent and attentive hearers. Another feature which added to the interest of our meetings, was the fact that several members of other denominations took an active part in our social meetings; thereby manifesting a freedom from that bigotry which often reproaches the cause of God, by refusing to recognize the workings of his Spirit outside of those churches which are generally known as orthodox.
On the 18th of February we left Quincy for Orleans, feeling that our visit there had been pleasant indeed, and hoping that our acquaintance with the brethren in that church might be renewed again before long. W. H. Littlejohn. M. S. Burnham.
Big River.
At Big River I obtained of the trustees the free use of the temperance hall for five evenings in a week. Held three meetings, then a vote was taken that all parties using the house subsequent to that meeting should pay one dollar an evening. We paid for two evenings, and quite an interest was manifested. Appointments for neck-tie parties, socials, temperance lectures, &c., were then thrown in, so I left. Some of the interested ones obtained a private house, and came for me. Six are keeping the Sabbath, and others are interested. R. J. Lawrence.
Twin Lakes, Feb. 17.
I held five meetings in a school-house seven miles from Twin Lakes. A few became interested in the truth. Sold seventy cents’ worth of books, and obtained one subscriber for the Reformer.
Tuesday I came back to Twin Lakes to hear what a Methodist minister from Whitehall, who had been sent for to come and put down the truth, had to say on the Sabbath question. He read extracts from Fuller’s work, “The Two Sabbaths,” and the minister on the circuit made some remarks. The house was full, but many were dissatisfied with his sermon. I reviewed him the next evening before a large congregation. The truth gained the victory, and many became fully convinced that the seventh day is the Sabbath.
Yesterday we had a good Sabbath meeting here. Seven signed the covenant. Some of them were keeping their first Sabbath, among these was the justice of the peace in the town. The constable also signed. We have now a class of twenty Sabbath-keepers here. To-day I go to a school-house nine miles from this place.
I ask the people of God to pray for me. Gustaf A. Carlstedt.
Norwalk, Feb. 18.
I have been laboring in this place about two months. There has been a great deal of opposition from some, the Lutheran minister especially. Notwithstanding this, twelve have begun to observe the Sabbath. Our Sabbath meetings are very interesting, as the friends all take part in praying and bearing testimony. I also hold meetings twice a week about five miles from here. I trust that some will embrace the truth there in time. I am trying to do what I can on the Lord’s side, although the enemy tries hard to hinder the work. It rejoices my heart to see souls come to the Saviour. The truth is becoming more and more precious to me, and I praise the Lord that he gives me strength to labor some for him. Pray for the progress of the truth in this place. P. L. Hoen.
Deerfield, Lenawee Co., Feb. 22.
By special request, a second discourse on the sanctuary was given on Tuesday night last. Deep impressions were made. At the close we took an expression to see how many would keep all the commandments and the faith of Jesus, and thus get ready to meet our Lord at his second coming. Over twenty arose, including four who have been keeping the Sabbath for several years. These brethren have done all they could to encourage us, and have been a great help in the work here. We have been supplied with reading matter through the kindness of the director of Dist. No. 6, Bro. F. Howe, which has been a great help.
The interest here is such that one of us will remain, while, Providence permitting, the other will go to Ottawa Lake on Monday next. We are now meeting with determined opposition, but by the help of the Lord, we expect to be successful. J. S. Preston. C. A. Preston.
Gowen.
Bro. E. Van Deusen visited Gowen a few weeks ago. As a result of his labors, one family has commenced keeping the Sabbath, and others are convinced.
We had a good meeting last Sabbath. The work goes forward here. At a meeting in Bro. J. C. Miller’s neighborhood, the house was well filled, and I had freedom in speaking on the law of God, the gospel, and saving faith. I have also made some interesting visits. August Rasmussen.
NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.
South Bay, N. Y.
COMMENCED meetings at South Bay, a school district three miles from Cicero post-office, the evening of Feb. 8. Have spoken three times, and the attendance has been good. The people seem anxious to hear and to read.
One of our brethren has circulated eight copies of the SIGNS and some tracts in the neighborhood during the past year.
E. W. WHITNEY.
Brookfield, N. Y., Feb. 17 and 18.
OUR meeting here was quite well attended, and there were some encouraging features. We hope there are better days for this church, and that they will heed the light that has been given and by faithfully seeking the Lord realize his blessing as in past days. Some we are satisfied will do this, and a good degree of interest was manifested in the tract and missionary work. About seventy copies of the SIGNS were subscribed for. Systematic benevolence was reorganized amounting to $130 per year, and the one-third to the tract society will also be paid.
B. L. WHITNEY.
A. H. HALL.
Covington, Pa.
THE interest in this place is the most wonderful I have ever seen. The people come in from every direction for miles around. Extra seats were made in the church every evening last week except one, and then the church was well filled, although there was a donation in the hall only a few steps away; and Saturday and Sunday evenings many left because of the lack of even standing room for those who came. Last evening, the 18th, the church was filled again.
S. B. WHITNEY.
Niles Hill, N. Y., Feb. 17.
For the past few weeks we have been trying to reconsecrate ourselves to God, and we can report progress. Our prayer meetings are growing in interest. Our evening meetings are especially interesting. The young people of our district nearly all attend, and some from adjoining districts. One young man of promise has decided to keep the Sabbath. Others are interested to read. There has never been a time when there seemed to be more of the love of God in our midst. Union is our motto. Local elders, study to make your prayer71meetings interesting and profitable. Our ministers should not be obliged to spend time with churches which ought to be spent in new fields.
BARBER OVIATT.
Little Valley Center, N. Y., Feb. 19.
Have now spoken eighteen times, mostly on the Advent and Sabbath questions. The interest has increased from the first. Four persons, heads of families, have fully decided to keep the Sabbath. Have obtained twelve subscriptions to the different periodicals, and sold over five dollars’ worth of books. Shall spend a few days in missionary labor, and then resume meetings.
GEO. D. BALLOU.
DANVERS, MASS.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
To-day (Feb. 19) I leave Danvers for the West. Bro. Stone goes with Bro. Haines to give a course of lectures near Newburyport. Of N. a brother just writes: “We spent the Sabbath with the church at Newburyport. The Lord is truly with that people. Four have been added to their numbers since the quarterly meeting at Danvers, and there is a deep interest there now. About forty were present at our afternoon meeting.”
Thank God for this good report. The prospect now is that we shall have a good, large church in Newburyport, where at first the work went so hard. Almost every week new ones are embracing the Sabbath, and that without preaching.
At Haverhill there is a wonderful interest. They have had no preaching, yet quite a number have come into the Sabbath, and many more are anxious to hear. We hardly know what all of this means, unless the Lord’s time has come to bless New England.
At Danvers the work goes on well. Scarcely a Sabbath passes but that some one takes hold with us. Last week we had a very interesting debate on the Sabbath question with Eld. C. E. Barnes, first-day Adventist. We hired Gothic Hall, and held it three evenings, the attendance ranging from seven hundred to nine hundred. Bro. Stone will report the debate for the paper. I have seldom seen greater interest in a debate than was shown here. It is still the general topic.
The next evening after the debate closed, we had a full attendance at our prayer and social meeting. We have not had a better meeting in our house. Every moment was occupied, the brethren rising in quick succession, sometimes two or three at a time. All expressed themselves as stronger in the truth than ever, and thankful for the light they had received. At this meeting another good soul took her stand with us on the Sabbath, which rejoiced us greatly.
Sabbath day nearly all were present. The attendance at Sabbath-school was larger than ever before, one hundred and eighteen being present. Nearly as many came in the afternoon, and again all thanked God for the light on the Sabbath, and this blessed truth. We feel that the strength which our brethren have received from the debate pays for all the trouble. Sunday morning most of our people were present, and we had a very pleasant and profitable business meeting. Our Sabbath-school is thoroughly organized, and well provided for, $71 having been contributed for the latter purpose. We have a regular fund of about $1.50 coming in by penny contributions every week.
Our business society for holding the meeting house is organized, and the business all done in good shape. Nearly every one belongs to this society. We have also organized a church, and got it well started. There are many more, who, as soon as the weather becomes warmer, will be baptized, and unite with the church. We have also organized a tract and missionary society, and the members have commenced this work. Nearly every family among our people, and a great many outside, take our periodicals, and are well supplied with our books and pamphlets.
There are now one hundred adult Sabbath-keepers here, besides children, not one of whom observed the Sabbath when our tent was pitched here last August. About one-half of them had never been Christians. Now nearly every one is a praying person. The filthy habit of tobacco-using has almost entirely disappeared from among them.
Sunday afternoon and evening our house was crowded full, as usual. Though we have had preaching here almost constantly for six months, yet our regular attendance Sunday is about three hundred. A large share of these believe the present truth just as firmly as those who are keeping the Sabbath; and, indeed, many of them seem to love it just as well, and are as zealous in advocating it. They are just as warm friends to us and the cause as our own brethren are. They give of their means and their influence to support the cause. When I told them Sunday that we could not have Sunday meetings any longer, they came to us expressing great regret, as they have no place they care to go to meeting on Sunday now.
There is work enough for us to stay, and labor constantly; but probably it is not best. Thus ends my labor in Danvers for the present. I hope to return once more for a couple of weeks before the tent season. Several brethren and sisters from other places have written me about coming here, hoping to obtain a good situation, work, &c.; but I do not think it would be advisable for them to come, as the church is so large they would rather be in the way instead of being a help. And probably in every case they would be greatly missed in some little church where they now belong. For this reason, if for no other, we could not advise any to come here.
Bro. C. W. Stone has been with us constantly since we came to New England. He has been an invaluable aid to me in many ways. He is a fine singer and musician; and this has done much to attract the people to our meetings. He also preaches well, writes for the secular papers, and reports for me in short hand. Our acquaintance has been very pleasant. I hope to have his help in the future.
My address will be Danvers, Mass., as before. I am glad to say that Mrs. Canright, through the blessing of God, is recovering very rapidly. The prospect now is that she will soon be entirely well. For all these mercies we feel thankful to God.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
HE KNOWS.
I'm walking in the shadow
Of the cloudy day,
With no gleam of sunshine
Falling on my way:
But He knows and holds me,
And His arm enfolds me,—
Yes, He knows!
I'm resting in the quiet,
By the waters still;
Not a cloud around me,
Not a sound of ill;
And Heaven's voices cheer me,
And He lingers near me,—
Ah! He knows!
I'm hiding in the shelter
Of the smitten Rock;
Not a sound can reach me
Of the battle-shock;
In His secret places
Sweet are His embraces,
For He knows!
I'm waiting in the furnace
Where the fires are hot;
No one knows but Jesus
Of my bitter lot;
Hush the deep repining!
'Tis His hand refining,—
Jesus knows!
I'm walking in the sunlight
Of the summer morn;
In the breaking glory
Of the eternal dawn;
Smiling heavens are o'er me,
Home is just before me,
And He knows!
Hush the sad repining!
Each storm hath its bow,
Clouds their silver lining;
And the bitterest woe,—
His kind love assays it,
And His mercy weighs it,—
All He knows!
—Sel.
MORGES, SWITZERLAND.
By D. T. Bourdeau
We are cheerful and hopeful in God. We are getting where we can labor. Obstacles that have been in our way, such as sickness in our family, etc., are being removed. I am now in the midst of the Sabbath question. The congregations are not large, but those who attend are deeply interested. Several are under deep conviction, and some are deciding to keep all the commandments. Some are meeting serious difficulties, as they belong to the first class in society. Let us not forget them. I am also succeeding well in obtaining subscribers for LES SIGNES.
From this point doors will be opened to other fields. Some persons of influence in this place are anxious that we should visit their relatives and friends at other points, some of whom are English. This is entirely new ground. There was not a commandment-keeper here when we came. We felt the necessity of moving prudently and seeing that the ground was prepared by the tender, converting spirit before presenting truths requiring great sacrifice, lest we should labor in vain.
We feel it is a great privilege to labor for the salvation of perishing men. Energetic labor in this precious cause brings hope, the blessing of God, and health of body and mind. D. T. BOURDEAU.
Feb. 5, 1878.
PACIFIC COAST.
(Abridged from the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.)
St. Clair, Nevada.
In this new, thinly-settled country, Eld. J. N. Loughborough has held four meetings, with congregations varying from forty-five to seventy. About all the community turn out, and they listen with interest to the word spoken. There are about a dozen Sabbath-keepers here. Some of them moved from California, but the most of them embraced the truth either from reading or from attending meetings held by Bro. J. Ferguson. They are anxious to have some simple State organization effected, and a mission opened at once. Though not wealthy, they do not ask for means from abroad; but seem to desire to have a minister sent them, if possible, from the California field. They are willing to purchase a tent, if it is thought best.
Salem, Oregon.
Since Jan. 5, Eld. I. D. Van Horn has been holding meetings in this place. The regular quarterly meeting was a profitable occasion. The T. and M. business meeting on Sunday was interesting, and showed quite an amount of work done considering the circumstances.
The result of the meetings held here has been to arouse the church to greater activity, and five have expressed a desire to join them. Others are interested.
The report of the North Pacific T. and M. Society, for the quarter ending Jan. 1, 1878, is as follows:—
No. of members, 110; No. of reports, 35; families visited, 59; letters written, 72; new subscribers for periodicals, 10; periodicals distributed, 536; pages tracts and pamphlets distributed, 25,507; pages books and pamphlets loaned, 4,077; pages books furnished libraries, 1,672; money received, $80.85.
IOWA
Fremont, Feb. 18.
At the time of my last report, I had closed my meetings, while Eld. Johnson, Disciple, was trying to lead the minds of the people away from present truth. This he found it hard to do.
Feb. 8 I began meetings again, with a good audience, and remained over Sunday, again closing meetings till Feb. 15. In the meantime I made very pleasant, and I hope profitable, visits, talking, praying, and distributing tracts and papers. I find this an excellent way to get hold of the hearts of the people. The way to win their hearts and confidence is to pass over the threshold, and mingle with them in social conversation at the fireside; at least this is my experience. Could there be one or two persons to aid or help each lecturer, his labors would be much reduced and the work more effectively and rapidly advanced.
At this place, eight precious souls, adults, have covenanted to obey God, and there is a good prospect for as many more. At my last meeting, two arose for prayers, whose conversion would be a great triumph for the truth.
I am now using the Baptist church, which is free to our people. I am very busy and could profitably spend the next two weeks in visiting at private houses. May God give many of our brethren a burden for this work. L. McCoy.
Marshalltown and Beaman, Feb. 19.
Since my last report, I have been holding meetings three miles north of Marshalltown, at the Timber school-house. Bro. M. M. Kenny had labored here one week very profitably. Some opposition was manifested. Eight are reported as keeping the Sabbath as a result of these and past lectures. The tract workers have been uniting in their efforts in this field. As the Christians had arranged to hold a protracted meeting here, we left, although at our closing meeting the house was crowded with attentive hearers.
The little company at Beaman, although meeting with considerable opposition, remain steadfast, and seem to be gaining strength in the Lord. We have arranged to meet with them every alternate Sabbath. O. M. OLDS.
Legrand, Feb. 18.
Commenced meetings three miles north of Legrand and six miles east of Marshalltown, Feb. 5. The house has been crowded, and quite a number have taken notes every evening. Am now in the midst of the Sabbath question. Have many invitations to call. Last night a young man requested me to go to his place and hold a few meetings; said he had been trying to keep the Sabbath for some time, all alone. Such calls are increasing. Where are the laborers?
Shall hold our first Sabbath meeting here March 2. The brethren in the vicinity are cordially invited. M. M. KENNY.
Winnebago Co., Feb. 18.
I have been laboring two miles from Forest City since the 4th of this month, and have held thirteen meetings, with a full house nearly every time. People come to the meetings from a distance of ten to twelve miles in the country. There is an unusual interest among the Norwegians and Swedes, who constitute the majority of the population. Last night there was not room for all that came. The Methodist minister from the city was present. Have never before felt such power and freedom in speaking as I have experienced here. Many are convinced of the truth of what has been presented, especially in regard to the Sabbath. About twenty are ready to observe it.
I expect Bro. Lewis Johnson here this week to help me. Pray for me, and the cause here. John F. Hanson.
ILLINOIS
Mount Vernon, Feb. 18.
Since Bro. C. H. Bliss left us, the Sabbath-school and Tuesday evening prayer-meetings have been kept up regularly. On account of the storm, I did not speak to them the first Sabbath in the month, but on the third instead. Found the church active in the prayer-meeting, and all their services well attended. The rent for the hall is paid up to the present time. We are anxiously awaiting a visit from Bro. Bliss and Colcord. Prejudice is giving way. J. B. LOGAN.
Serena.
We have all been greatly encouraged by a visit from Bro. I. G. Colcord, who taught a singing-school while here. He was here to do God service, and for this he sacrificed much. Not only has a very kindly feeling been created between the first-day people and our own; but several of our young people who have not taken part in our meetings heretofore, have been led to take up the cross. May the Lord abundantly bless Bro. C. for the good he has done. Mrs. L. W. CRANDALL.
Bro. A. C. BOURDEAU reports a good interest in Dixville, P. Q.
KENTUCKY
By S. Osborn
I AM still at Glover’s Creek, Metcalfe Co. Prejudice is very high here. All the meeting-houses in this vicinity are closed against us; but as we are detained here, we are using the time in preaching in private houses, wherever the people will open for us. Thus far, we have been able to give, in this way, from six to eight discourses a week, with some good results. Several are deeply convicted, and one has decided to keep the Sabbath.
Times are close and money scarce, so very little can be done in the way of book sales. The people seem to be anxious to read, but are unable to buy. I have obtained a few subscribers for our periodicals, sold some books and Annuals, and collected back dues. S. OSBORN.
NOTE TO THE MISSOURI CONFERENCE.
By J. H. Rogers
A number of my friends in this Conference are inquiring why I have been so long silent, and why I am not engaged in the work of the ministry. I wish to say, I am at home laboring with my hands, but not because I have lost my interest in the cause. I am trying to shape my temporal matters so as to be free again to engage where duty may direct; for to my mind the time for working in the cause of the Lord under the third angel’s message is nearly closed up, and what we can do should be done soon.
The time of trouble is undoubtedly in the near future, and seeing the leadings of God’s providence going out in every direction, the many calls from those hungering and thirsting for the truth, stirs my very soul, and should move us all to do all we can in “bringing in the golden sheaves” to the garner of the Lord. Do we realize that the perils of the last days are fast thickening around us? May God help us all to arouse, to be zealous, and to repent.
J. H. Rogers.
SOUTHERN KANSAS.
By J. H. Cook
I AM making a tour among the churches in the southern part of this State, and I wish the meetings to commence on the evening of the day of my arrival, as indicated in the notice. If the brethren come out, they all know that the preacher has come, and the next day they can notify their neighbors. A great deal depends on giving proper, timely notice of our meetings. Give the appointments as announced, with a warm pressing invitation to come out and hear.
I expect to attend the meetings which I have appointed in person. It may rain, it may snow, it may hail, it may be very cold, it may be very muddy; but I expect to be there on time. Some churches are cultivating a habit of slothfulness in regard to attending meetings. This is very destructive to their spirituality. Several meetings where I have been this winter have been entirely missed in this way. Brethren, this is all wrong with those enjoying ordinary health. As I have before stated, I expect to attend all these meetings; and I earnestly request that all be punctual.
J. H. Cook.
Obituary Notices.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”
DIED of congestive chills, at his residence in Otter Creek, La Salle Co., Ill., Jan. 7, 1878, my dear husband, James J. McKernan, in the sixty-third year of his age. He embraced the present truth under the labors of Elders Steward and Andrews; and continued firm in the faith, and rejoiced in the Christian’s hope, till the time of his death. He leaves eight children to mourn the loss of a kind, indulgent, and tender father. May we who survive be enabled so to live that we may meet him in the glorious resurrection morn. Mary McKernan.
DIED, at Jamaica, Vt., Jan. 18, 1878, our mother, Betsey E. Sage, aged 98 years, 4 months, and 15 days. In 1844 she received the light on the Advent; and in 1851 she commenced the observance of the Sabbath. Her last words were, “I love Jesus.” She never seemed to forget the name of Jesus, although she often seemed not to know her children. She lived with her eldest child, a daughter 71 years of age, whom she called mother. She leaves seven children, six of whom were present at her funeral, besides 40 grandchildren, 70 great grandchildren, and 4 of the fifth generation. Funeral discourse by Eld. Buttles, Baptist, from Rev. 21: 4. L. J. Sage.
DIED, in Eaton, P. Q., Jan. 13, 1878, Bro. Charles H. Boswick, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. Bro. B. loved the appearing of Jesus, and noted with joy the signs that show his coming near. He embraced the Sabbath some over a year previous to his death, and was greatly blessed in its observance. He fell asleep in hope of a resurrection to life. Funeral sermon from Ps. 23: 3. H. M. Rogers.
MINNESOTA
Pleasant Grove, Feb. 15.
THE interest here continues good. The Lord has given freedom in presenting the truth. The candid, intelligent portion of the community are in sympathy with our work. Many are deeply stirred by the truths presented. Had good meetings last Sabbath and first-day. On first-day, at a special meeting, steps were taken toward building a meeting-house; and if the Lord prospers us, we think there will be a Seventh-day Adventist church erected here within three months. Nearly $400 were pledged on the spot.
On Tuesday night Bro. Haskell came. The Lord gave him freedom in speaking, and the people have been very attentive. He spoke three evenings, and twice yesterday, upon our special work. To-day he goes to Medford. We believe the Lord directed him here, and that the work has received a new impetus from his labors.
Geo. M. Dimmick.
D. P. Curtis.
Douglas Co., Feb. 15.
HELD meetings at Miltona the 11th and 12th of this month. Thirteen decided to keep the Sabbath. Shall continue meetings, as the prospects are good.