THE Lord has given us great consolation and encouragement in the past month, both in Egypt and in this country. Praised be his name. And as I think the brethren in America will share the pleasure I have experienced, I herewith send a report.
First with regard to my visit to Bari, Dec. 19. There were several circumstances which showed clearly that it was my duty to visit the brethren at Bari previous to starting for Egypt. I had not had any news from there for a considerable time, and began to fear that the work among them was growing slack. But I received a letter from their minister, Bro. V., saying that he had been subjected to the most brutal and outrageous treatment at the instigation of the priests. He was arrested on a charge of being an Internationalist, a revolver was presented at him by the brigadier of the police, and he was conducted in chains through the streets to the jail. I resolved to go at once. I had expected to enjoy pleasant communion with a few Sabbath-keeping brethren, but was not prepared for the surprise which God had in store for me. The whole Baptist church, from the minister down, have accepted the Sabbath of the Lord, and are endeavoring to walk in the observancy of his commandments. And not only this but at another small town called Aquavia, some distance in the interior of the country, another body of believers has been formed, who recognize the sacred day of rest.
It was in the month of March last, about the time of Bro. Bertola's departure for Egypt, that I wrote to Bro. V. (as well as several others) on the subject of the Sabbath, sending some copies of the "Sabbath of the Bible," a tract which our brethren at Bale had just printed in Italian. Then ensued a long correspondence. I sent the other Italian tracts as they came out, and the result has been as I have stated. Blessed be God for the good work these tracts have done.
I was truly gratified with the enthusiasm which these brethren displayed in the cause of God's commandments and of his sacred day. One of them, a hale old man having seen sixty-five summers, whose ears were adorned with a pair of large and glittering rings according to the custom of the country, greeted me with a real apostolic kiss. "Fratello," he said, "you have been an angel to me; you have brought me out of darkness into the knowledge of God's commandments."
On Sabbath evening, Dec. 20, I preached in their chapel to a most attentive audience on 2 Tim. 2:19: "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." On the next evening we had a very interesting discussion on the Sabbath question. Finding the brethren so well established in the Sabbath and the commandments, I thought it right to bring before their notice the subject of the approaching advent of our Saviour, and with this object I employed every available moment in reading with them those portions of Scripture that demonstrate the nearness of Christ's coming, and the manner in which he will come. Their eyes sparkled as they listened to the description of the new earth, where "they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament." And as we celebrated the ordinances, I reminded them that the act of breaking bread not only points back to the body of our Lord broken for us, but that it also looks forward to the coming glory; for it was to be done in remembrance of him "till he come." 1 Cor. 11:26. "Yes," exclaimed a dear sister, "I will in future think not only of the cross, but also of the coming glory."
I could have spent a week most profitably with these brethren, who are very desirous to study the things of the coming kingdom, but my imminent departure for Egypt obliged me to return quickly to Naples. I promised to return to them if possible. From this journey I learned two things: that for the diffusion of the truth much traveling is very necessary, and also that a large assortment of well written tracts such as we have in the English language is indispensable. These brethren expressed a great desire to read an interpretation of Daniel and the Revelation; but alas! they can read only Italian. If God wills, I hope we may be able to multiply our tracts in Italian, and also to issue a journal. The translation of "Elihu on the Sabbath" has contributed powerfully to the conviction of many.
It is with much gratitude to God that I have to relate that our brethren here and also at Naples, who have received the truth, have not hidden the talents entrusted to them, knowing that for them they will one day have to render an account. In a former letter I mentioned a deist who had received Christ with us, and then commenced a work of evangelization in his own country. He has now been shut up there in a college that is a sort of convent, where he cannot see or speak with any one without permission. An uncle of his who had shaken hands with him, on learning that he had embraced the gospel, immediately took a towel and wiped his hands. Notwithstanding this, another of our brethren, a student, has commenced the same work in another country further south. He writes to me as follows: "Many have hearkened to the word of life. Five have requested me to procure Bibles for them. There is quite an important work to be done here, and had I not to return to Naples, I would open a meeting soon. I hope to do so when I return home finally."
I have received letters from Bro. Bertola at Constantinople, and from Bro. Rupp at Alexandria, urging me to lose no time in coming to Egypt, and I have arranged matters to start by the steamer which leaves this day. Our brethren here are firm in their profession, and can stand alone for a time, but they will be without a leader or head, and have no hall for meetings on the Sabbath. When Bro. Andrews comes, he will have to see what can be done for the church at Naples.
H. P. RIBTON.
Blessed Are They That Do.
By R. F. Cottrell
THE religion of the Bible consists in believing what God says, and doing what he commands. "Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl. 12:14. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." Jas. 1:22, 25, 27. To obey God's perfect law, honoring him and doing righteous deeds to our fellow-men, is religion pure and undefiled. The opposite kind of religion, of course, is impure and defiled.
The religion of many consists chiefly in feeling. They do what they feel it duty to do; but they do not always feel it duty to do what God says. They say they know that they are accepted of God; for they feel it so in their very souls. "The Lord saves me, and he saves me now," is a favorite form of expression. They know God answers their prayers, because they feel it so. On the contrary, an apostle has said, "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." 1 John 3:22. Here it is again: Blessed are they that do.
Now feeling is not faith. It is all right when it is founded in faith and obedience to the word of the Lord. When a man has an intelligent faith in what God has revealed, and does what that revelation requires, he has a right to feel and to rejoice in the Lord. What is it which distinguishes the true religion from all false religions? Is it not that the truth of God lies at its foundation? True feeling, then, will always be found in conformity to this truth. Then a person must be intelligent in the truth before he can depend upon his feelings. Do not false religionists feel? Do they not manifest a religious zeal? What but the most ardent feeling of devotion could cause a heathen mother to cast her infant into the river Ganges to be devoured by the monsters of the deep? or to cast herself before the car of Juggernaut to be crushed under its wheels? I think that there is feeling in every kind of religion; and therefore we will be deceived if we trust to feeling, unless we know that our faith and works are in harmony with the truth of God.
The first and most pressing want of the people in these days is instruction in the truth as revealed in God's word. They need a true foundation for their faith; and then they want a faith that will cause them to act—to do what that word requires. Their ears have been turned away from the truth to fables. This is as Paul foretold it would be.
Sensational preaching stirs the religious sentiments or faculties, producing certain emotions or feelings, and this passes for genuine Bible religion, though many of the duties therein revealed are neglected entirely, either from ignorance or unwillingness to obey. I repeat it: Truth is the thing which distinguishes true religion from every false way. The truth is in our Bibles; but in a land of Bibles the great need of the people is to be instructed in the truth. They talk of worshiping God in spirit; but they that worship him must worship him "in spirit and in truth."
The truth is in the word of God. "Thy word is truth." John 17:17. "Thy law is the truth." Ps. 119:142. "All thy commandments are truth." Verse 151. This refers to the moral law, the ten commandments. Every word of them is true; every jot and tittle of this law shall endure till heaven and earth pass. Matt. 5:18. Yet the leading ministers and churches of to-day are treading the fourth commandment of that law under foot. God is now pleading with them, saying, "If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words, then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." Isa. 58:13, 14.
On the other hand, God is now sending a fearful message of warning to the nations of the earth, saying, "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation." At the same time he is calling the attention of all to his patient, enduring, and obedient people, saying, "Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." See Rev. 14:9-12.
Through the influence of apostasy, the Sabbath of the fourth commandment has been disregarded, and another institution has been put in its place, according to the prophecy concerning a wicked power which should "think to change times and laws." Dan. 7:25. This same power is the beast, against the worship and mark of which we are being warned. Rev. 13:1-10. The Roman popedom is the power thus foretold; and the Roman Church to-day claims that their church changed "the Sabbath into Sunday," or "substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a change for which there is no scriptural authority." See their doctrinal works.
Now the question is, Shall we follow the changes and corruptions of the popedom, or shall we keep the commandments of God? Does it make any difference whether we have the light of God's word, and walk in that, or follow the traditions of an apostate church, which claims the power to change the law which God spake with his own voice, and wrote with his own finger, and to "substitute" something else in its place? In a land of Bibles, and in which God's voice is being heard in fulfillment of the last message of warning promised in his word, will it be just as well to walk on in darkness, following the dictates of a fallen church which blasphemously claims to make laws for God, "if the heart is only right"? We have the word of the living and true God; and Jesus says, "Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." Luke 11:28.
Jesus said to the apostate Jewish church, "Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." Mark 7:9. Is not this his voice to the professed Christian Church to-day?
Let us hear Jesus. "Not every one," says he, "that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matt. 7:21. Listen to his voice again, in his last benediction to his people, recorded in the book of Revelation: "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. 22:14.
R. F. COTTRELL.
Losing One's Temper.
By T. S. Arthur
I was sitting in my room one morning, feeling all "out of sorts" about something or other, when an orphan child, whom I had taken to raise, came in with a broken tumbler in her hand, and said, while her young face was pale, and her lip quivered,—
"See, Mrs. Graham! I went to take this tumbler from the dresser to get Anna a drink of water, and I let it fall."
I was in a fretful humor before the child came in, and her appearance, with the broken tumbler in her hand, did not tend to help me to a better state of mind. She was suffering a good deal of pain in consequence of the accident, and needed a kind word to quiet the disturbed beatings of her heart. But she had come to me in an unfortunate moment.
"You are a careless little girl!" said I, severely, taking the fragments of glass from her trembling hands. "A very careless little girl, and I am displeased with you!"
I said no more; but my countenance expressed even stronger rebuke than my words. The child lingered near me for a few moments, and then shrunk away from the room. I was sorry, in a moment, that I had permitted myself to speak unkindly to the little girl; for there was no need of my doing so, and, moreover, she had taken my words, as I could see, deeply to heart. I had made her unhappy without a cause. The breaking of the tumbler was an accident likely to happen to any one, and the child evidently felt bad enough about what had occurred, without having my displeasure added thereto.
If I was unhappy before Jane entered my room, I was still more unhappy after she retired. I blamed myself, and pitied the child; but this did not in the least mend the matter.
In about half an hour, Jane came up very quietly, with Willy, my dear little, curly-haired angel-faced boy, in her arms. He had fallen asleep, and she had, with her utmost strength, carried him up-stairs. She did not lift her eyes to mine as she entered, but went, with her burden, to the low bed that was in the room, where she laid him tenderly, and then sat down with her face turned partly away from me, and with a fan kept off the flies and cooled his moist skin.
Enough of Jane’s countenance was visible to enable me to perceive that its expression was sad. And it was an unkind word from my lips that had brought this cloud over her young face!
"So much for permitting myself to fall into a fretful mood," said I, mentally. "In future I must be more watchful over my state of mind. I have no right to make others suffer from my own unhappy temper."
Jane continued to sit by Willy and fan him; and every now and then I could hear a very low sigh come up, as if involuntarily, from her bosom. Faint as the sound was, it smote upon my ear, and added to my uncomfortable frame of mind.
A friend called, and I went down into the parlor, and sat conversing there for an hour. But all the while there was a weight upon my feelings. I tried, but in vain, to be cheerful. I was too distinctly aware of the fact, that an individual—and that a motherless little girl—was unhappy through my unkindness; and the consciousness was like a heavy hand upon my bosom.
"This is all a weakness," I said to myself, after my friend had left, making an effort to throw off the uncomfortable feeling. But it was of no avail. Even if the new train of thought, awakened by conversation with my friend, had lifted me above the state of mind in which I was when she came, the sight of Jane’s sober face, as she passed me on the stairs, would have depressed my feelings again.
In order both to relieve my own and the child’s feelings, I thought I would refer to the broken tumbler, and tell her not to grieve herself about it, as its loss was of no consequence whatever. But, this would have been to have made an acknowledgment to her that I had been in the wrong, and an instinctive feeling of pride remonstrated against that.
"Ah me!" I sighed. "Why did I permit myself to speak so unguardedly? How small are the causes that sometimes destroy our peace! How much of good or evil is in a single word!"
Some who read this may think that I was very weak to let a hastily uttered censure against a careless child trouble me. What are a child’s feelings?
I have been a child; and, as a child, have been blamed severely by those whom I desired to please, and felt that unkind words fell heavier and more painfully, sometimes, than blows. I could, therefore, understand the nature of Jane’s feelings, and sympathize with her to a certain extent.
All through the day, Jane moved about more quietly than usual. When I spoke to her about anything—which I did in a kinder voice than I ordinarily used—she would look into my face with an earnestness that rebuked me.
Toward evening, I sent her down-stairs for a pitcher of cool water. She went quickly, and soon returned with the pitcher of water, and a tumbler, on a waiter. She was coming towards me, evidently using more than ordinary caution, when her foot tripped against something, and she stumbled forward. It was in vain that she tried to save the pitcher. Its balance was lost, and it fell over and was broken to pieces at my feet, the water dashing upon the skirt of my dress.
The poor child became instantly as pale as ashes, and the frightened look she gave me I shall not forget. She tried to speak, and say that it was an accident, but her tongue was paralyzed for the moment, and she found no utterance.
The lesson I had received in the morning served me for purposes of self-control now, and I said, instantly, in a mild voice—
"Never mind, Jane; I know you couldn’t help it. I must tack down that loose edge of the carpet. I came near tripping there myself to-day. Go and get a floor-cloth and wipe up the water as quickly as you can, while I gather up the broken pieces."
The color came back instantly to Jane’s face. She gave me one grateful look, and then ran quickly away, to do as I had directed her. When she came back, she blamed herself for not having been more careful, expressed sorrow for the accident, and promised over and over again that she would be more guarded in future.
The contrast between both of our feelings now and what they were in the morning was very great. I felt happier for having acted justly and with due self-control; and my little girl, though troubled on account of the accident, had not the extra burden of my displeasure to bear.
"Better, far better," said I to myself, as I sat and reflected upon the incidents just related—"better, far better is it, in all our relations in life, to maintain a calm exterior, and on no account to speak harshly to those who are below us. Angry words make double wounds. They hurt those to whom they are addressed, while they leave a sting behind them. Above all, we should guard against a moody temper. Whenever we permit any thing to fret our minds, we are not in a state to exercise due self-control, and if temptation comes then we are sure to fall."—T. S. Arthur.
PLEASANT EVENINGS.
By Editor
Make the evenings pleasant, mothers, if you wish to keep your husbands and children at home. An interesting book read aloud, or, in musical families, a new song to be practiced, will furnish pastime that will make an evening pass pleasantly. A little forethought during the day, a little pulling of wires that need not appear, will make the whole thing easy; and different ways and means may be provided for making the evening hours pass pleasantly, and a time to look forward to with pleasant anticipations. We visited once in a large family where it was the duty of each sister in turn to provide the evening’s occupation, and there was a pleasant rivalry as to whose evenings should be the most enjoyable. As a natural consequence the brothers were rarely absent from home.
Reports from the Field.
By Ellen G. White
Texas.
[The following is an extract from a private letter dated Feb. 3. L. M. H.]
SINCE coming to Denison, Texas, our time has been occupied mostly in writing, yet we have held some meetings. By invitation we held a meeting in the Shilo school house about four miles from where we live. Some individuals attending this meeting urged us to give an appointment for Cherry Mound, a place about five miles from Shilo. We gave an appointment, and one week ago last Sunday we spoke to a house full and nearly as many more who could not find room in the house. We had freedom in speaking to our intelligent and interested audience. Here we were urged to leave an appointment for the next Sunday and also to give an appointment for Hebron, three miles from Cherry Mound, which requests we complied with. After this meeting closed we rode five miles to fill our appointment at Shilo. My husband spoke to a good audience upon the words of Paul to Timothy, "Preach the word," contrasting the pure Bible teachings with fables taught from the pulpit in this time.
Last Sunday we rode over bad roads to Cherry Mound, to fill our appointment there at 11 o'clock. When we arrived, found the people waiting, and ready to hear the words of truth. The house was literally packed. I had barely standing room. Many were standing by the door and windows. Hymns were sung from Song Anchor, which interested the audience. I had freedom in speaking. After the close of this meeting we partook of our lunch, then rode on to Hebron to fill our appointment at 3 P. M. The people here had had preaching in the forenoon and we did not expect many would be out to hear us. Yet they came, gentlemen and ladies, on horseback, and whole families in lumber wagons, and the house was well filled. As we looked over the sparsely settled country on our way to the place we queried where the people would come from to make a congregation. But about one hundred and sixty came together. My husband addressed them while they listened with eager attention. I spoke about thirty minutes with great freedom; many were in tears. As soon as the meeting closed persons from different points came to us and urged us to hold meetings with them. We distributed tracts and papers to eager hands; and left appointments for Cherry Mound and Hebron.
Here in the State of Texas is a large field for missionary labor. The most of those to whom we have spoken in these country towns have never heard of a Seventh-day Adventist. At Cherry Mound they had no meeting for months, and meetings are but seldom held in any of these places. We feel our hearts melt with pity as we see the ignorance prevailing in regard to Bible truth and a religious life. The people pay but little attention to the prosy sermons to which they listen occasionally.
Laborers are needed in this field; God-fearing, self-denying laborers. Souls are starving for the word of life. Some who have once enjoyed the love of God, who have been members of different churches in the North, but have long been without a shepherd, are anxious to learn the way of salvation more perfectly. And others who have made no profession of religion, listen just as eagerly.
Strong tea and coffee and swine's flesh are used in great quantities here, and as the result sickness prevails. I believe many would make determined efforts to change their habits of life if they had the light upon health reform. Where are the patient missionaries for God, who will let their light shine forth to this people? "The common people heard him gladly." Thus we find it. We mean to do all we can here in Texas. Sow beside all waters. The seed may spring up and bear fruit to the glory of God.
E. G. WHITE.
The Home Circle.
THE DIFFERENCE.
Two babes were born in the self-same town,
On the very same bright day;
They laughed and cried in their mothers' arms
In the very self-same way.
And both were as pure and as innocent
As falling flakes of snow,
But one of them lived in the terraced house,
And one in the street below.
Two children played in the self-same town,
And the children both were fair,
But one had her curls brushed smooth and round,
The other had tangled hair.
Both of the children grew apace,
As all our children grow,
But one of them lived in the terraced house,
And one in the street below.
Two maidens wrought in the self-same town,
And one was wedded and loved,
The other saw through the curtain's part,
The world where her sister moved.
And one was smiling, a happy bride,
The other knew care and woe,
For one of them lived in the terraced house,
And one in the street below.
Two women lay dead in the self-same town,
And one had tender care,
The other was left to die alone,
On her pallet so thin and bare.
One had many to mourn her loss,
For the other few tears would flow,
For one had lived in the terraced house,
And one in the street below.
If Jesus, who died for rich and poor,
In wonderful, holy love,
Takes both of the sisters in his arms,
And carries them up above;
Then all the difference vanished at last,
For in heaven none will know
Which of them lived in the terraced house,
And which in the street below.
—Advocate and Guardian.
Cut the Shore Lines.
WHEN a new ship is launched there are loose ropes that hang from her landward side to keep her near the shore. How much this is like thousands of professing Christians! They have everything they need for sailing, but they are bound to the shore. The engine may turn the wheels, the wind may fill the sails of heavenly desire, but so long as these shore-lines are not cut, the ship will stay just where she is. Let go of the world! Your craft will rot by the shore in spite of all effort, unless you cut loose. Shore-lines have ruined many a soul. You must let go! The harbor is on the other side of the sea. You are not to drop anchor, nor furl the sail, until you reach the other shore. "For so an entrance shall be administered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Pet. 1:11.
Clyde, Ohio.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
WE have just closed our State quarterly meeting. The attendance from abroad was quite small, as we did not make much of an effort to get the brethren out. We have decided to have a grand rally of all the leading brethren and officers in the State at our State quarterly meeting in April, and hence I did not deem it best to make a special effort to get them out at this time. The brethren of the Clyde church attended well, and we had some good meetings. Twice as much work was done this quarter as during the previous one, and some encouraging reports were presented.
Our ministers have had some success in the different parts of Ohio. Upwards of seventy-five have embraced the Sabbath during the fall and winter. The brethren are coming up on their S. B. in the churches visited. The most promising fields are now opening all over the State. Several young men are already entering the field. We are preparing seven tents to be used next spring, and hope by that time to start out in the work with a strong hand. D. M. CANRIGHT.
Fabius, New York.
By E. W. Whitney
COMMENCED meetings in this place, December 14. There has been very strong secret opposition and much prejudice. These influences, together with the very unpleasant weather, have made the attendance quite small. However, three have decided to keep the Sabbath. E. W. WHITNEY
Christiana, Norway.
By John G. Matteson
The disturbance mentioned in last week's report, and the articles that have appeared in leading papers, have greatly increased the interest. No less than five hundred people have pressed into our hired house, occupying every apartment within reach of my voice as well as the hall and stairs. Sunday evening at least twelve hundred people attended in the large hall. Every foot of room was occupied, so that there was only room left for me to stand on a box. Yet crowds went away because they could not get in, and some climbed up in the windows outside, so that all the windows presented faces of such as were determined to hear. I spoke on the two covenants, and the best of attention was given to the very last.
About a month ago I was invited to take a leading part in a Sunday-school. The number of children increased very much, but also the number of opposers. At last the school was expelled from the hall formerly occupied, on account of my presence, and we will now take the whole thing in hand. The teachers got up a Christmas tree yesterday for the children in our rooms, and no less than one hundred and twenty-six children were present. We shall hereafter endeavor to get suitable teachers for these children.
More than forty signed the covenant last Sabbath, and we intend to take further steps this week to fully organize a church in harmony with the Scriptures and with the law of this country. Most of our books are gone except some four-page tracts. In view of the hard times, the friends have donated quite liberally toward the expenses of the meetings. Their donations amount to nearly $100. Up to the present time, I have paid out about $25 more than this for the meetings.
The truth is working on hundreds of honest minds. A number of Swedes have embraced the truth. Many other places in Norway, and Sweden seem to present just as good fields of labor. May the Lord direct. Pray for us.
John G. Matteson.
January 6, 1879.
[Last week's report made Bro. Matteson say that "eight" persons attended his Sabbath meeting. But he wrote it "eighty." —ED. SIGNS.]
Liverpool, England.
By Editor
Bro. Israel has permitted us to read a letter received from Liverpool, from which we extract as follows:—
“I have been delighted with your Signs of the Times you have sent to me, and also the tracts. I am a believer in the things written in them. I am praying and preparing to have my lamp trimmed so I may be ready to meet the Bridegroom when he comes. One sight of Jesus will make up for all my trials here.
“My very dear friend in Christ, will you give me as much information as you can. I shall receive it with joy.”
Corsica, Ohio.
By A. O. Burrill, A. M. Mann
DURING the week just past, as many as twelve have decided to obey the truth here, making about twenty-five in less than two weeks. More than half of these are heads of families. All the churches were closed against us, and although the school house had been used for everything, we could not have it in which to preach "heresy." Hence we were compelled to go three miles into the country, and here a good granger opened his hall and furnished wood and lights and made us welcome at his home. Our congregations are so largely composed of those from the village that it seemed necessary to find some place in the town, and through the influence of this same "good old granger," the I. O. O. F. have taken up their carpet and seated their hall. Last evening at our first meeting, the hall was well filled. A Baptist has provided a fine organ, and among those who have espoused our cause are a plenty of good singers. All are greatly pleased with the pieces in the "Song Anchor."
Every effort against the truth, thus far, has served to increase the interest. We acknowledge the hand of God in this work, and pray for his blessing to continue with us.
A. O. BURRILL,
A. M. MANN.
LATER.—Thirty or thirty-five have decided to keep the Sabbath, and a large number more are deciding. Last evening all could not find seats in the hall. In many places, when we begin to present the Sabbath some become frightened and remain away; but it is not so here; for the more we say about the Sabbath the more they come to hear. This surprises us. At our meeting last Sabbath it did us good to hear the testimonies of those who were keeping their first or second Sabbath. We confidently expect the Lord to do a great work here.
A. O. BURRILL.
A. M. MANN.
January 27.
North-Western Kansas.
By Smith Sharp
THERE are about three hundred Sabbath-keepers living in what we generally term North-western Kansas. There are nine organized churches here, but no ordained minister living nearer than two or three hundred miles from the most of them. As they had had no preaching for almost a year; it was decided that I should visit them this winter; and since the middle of last November this has been my work. I have held nine meetings a week since that time on an average. Six have been baptized, quite a number have made a start in the cause of God, about a hundred copies of the SIGNS have been taken in clubs, and twenty-five or thirty have joined the tract society. I think if all come up on S. B. to the pledges they have made, there will be twice as much paid in 1879 as was in 1878. The Sabbath-school work has also received some attention, and in most of the churches the schools are in a prosperous condition.
SMITH SHARP.
Tabor, January 17.
Tekama, Neb.
By A. J. Cudney
Our meetings in the Thompson schoolhouse closed last Sabbath. We had opposition from five different ministers. After I had reviewed one discourse, about sixty voted in favor of the Sabbath, and only five in favor of Sunday. Twelve, all heads of families, have signed the covenant. A Sabbath-school of fifty-three members has been organized; the school is provided with Lesson Leaves. I obtained six subscribers for our periodicals, and sold some books. Total receipts, $21.50.
A. J. CUDNEY.
Lindley, Steuben Co., N. Y.
By D. T. Fero
I HELD meetings in a school-house four miles from Lawrenceville, in the town of Lindley, until Jan. 22. The snow has been very deep; but the interest has been good. Three have commenced to keep the Sabbath, two of whom never made a profession before.
D. T. FERO.
Unionopolis and Spencerville, Ohio.
By G. G. Rupert
On returning to Unionopolis I met Bro. T. F. Emmons. We preached three discourses, and visited from house to house. One man and his wife embraced the truth, making fourteen in all. Regular meetings were appointed, a Sabbath-school was organized, and the tithing system adopted and a treasurer appointed. Some brethren who are running a saw-mill, since adopting the tithing system have commenced to keep new books, that the Lord's portion may not be misappropriated.
I commenced meetings in Spencerville, Jan. 13. Bro. Emmons has been with me part of the time. The interest is good, but opposition is bitter. The post-master who is one of the leading merchants of the place, has embraced the truth. He has sent in his resignation of the office of post-master, giving his reason for doing so. Four others observed last Sabbath, and a number more are on the point of decision. Our publications have been sent here, and they have prepared the minds of some of the people to receive the truth.
G. G. RUPERT.
Indiana.
By S. H. Lane
Jan. 8 to 11, I labored at Springfield, Noble county, where Bro. J. S. Shrock was completing a series of meetings. The Lord blessed, and some have embraced the truth.
Jan. 12 to 16, I was at Wolf Lake and Ligonier. The outside interest at Wolf Lake is good. The attendance was large. At almost every quarterly meeting some are added to the church. Steps are taken toward the erection of a meeting-house. At Ligonier all the members present adopted the tithing system but three, and they pledged $67 for the year. A club of thirty-one copies was raised for the Signs. Some very interesting letters received by the V. M. Society were read at this meeting. Souls are rejoicing in the truth through their labor. The report of labor for the last quarter was large.
The State tract and missionary quarterly meeting at Rochester, Jan. 17 to 20, was largely attended. On Sabbath and first-day our house of worship was well filled. As we saw nearly one hundred rejoicing in the truth we could but praise the Lord for the progress of his cause in the northern part of the State during the past three years.
S. H. Lane.
Cornville, Maine.
By J. B. Goodrich
TWELVE have commenced to keep the Sabbath here, and others are interested. Our meetings, which have been very interesting, have been broken up at times by severe snowstorms.
This has made it necessary for us to remain longer than we otherwise should have done, and has kept us from visiting other churches. Our brethren and sisters in Cornville are greatly encouraged at the result of the meetings. May the Lord still give the increase.
J. B. GOODRICH.
January 28.
Seward, Neb.
By Charles L. Boyd
I HAVE been holding meetings at this place during the past two weeks. The church have been encouraged by seeing some take hold of the Sabbath and attendant truths.
January 21. CHAS. L. BOYD.
Pine Island, Minn.
By George M. Dimmick; J. M. Hopkins
WE have just closed two weeks' labor at the Sterling school-house, three miles south of Pine Island. Five commenced to keep the Sabbath. Last Sunday we organized a church of twenty-four members. An elder and deacon were ordained, and all pledged to give God a tithe of their increase. We organized a Sabbath-school of about forty scholars. Others are interested.
GEO. M. DIMMICK, J. M. HOPKINS.
Dassel, Minn.
By John W. Moore; J. L. House
The interest at this place is still increasing. Twenty-five are now keeping the Sabbath making nine since our last report, and a great many more are interested, and are investigating.
John W. Moore.
J. L. House.
East Norwalk, Ohio.
By H. A. St. John
Eight souls have become obedient to the faith. H. A. St. John.
January 30.
Sidney, Mich.
By Orlando Soule
Meetings at Sidney closed the 26th. A few embraced the Sabbath, and regular Sabbath meetings will be held.