Report from Bro. Blanchard.
By H. C. Blanchard
BRO. WHITE. Pursuant to appointment I met with the friends in McLean Co., Ill., Dec. 8. Preached six times, and visited several families. Two were baptized. May the Lord bless them and they continue faithful until he comes. There are about twenty Sabbath-keepers here pressing together, waiting for organization. We were glad to find Bro. Slown, their leader, maintaining a strait-forward consistent course. These meetings will be a bright spot in the history of our pilgrimage. Thursday, the 14th, started for my appointments in Coles Co., Ill. The cars made such bad connections, that I did not reach my first meeting. The team that was waiting for me at Mattoon Station, had given me up and gone home. So I had to stay all night. Sabbath, 16th, walked twelve miles and carried my valise to the neighborhood where the meetings were appointed. Had four meetings. Sunday evening the house was crowded. Spoke from Jer. viii, 22. At the close of the meeting some earnestly requested me to preach longer; but my mind was to go further south. The Sabbath-keepers have all moved away from here but one family. Jacob Butcher and family have removed to parts unknown leaving some of his creditors unpaid. Let the friends be on their guard. This gives the enemy a club to battle with, but the truth will take root in the hearts of the honest. There were some friends here from Lawrence Co., who gave me an invitation to go and preach to them. I accepted the invitation. They helped me on my journey "after a godly sort." Tuesday, the 19th, started for Lawrence Co. expecting to preach some more in Coles Co., on my way home. Arrived in Sumner, Wednesday the 20th, where I met with a warm reception by the friends. Found no difficulty in obtaining the Disciple meeting-house to hold meetings in. Held eleven meetings in the meeting house, the congregation increasing all the time. Sunday, the 31st, spoke upon the Sabbath from Mark ii, 27. Continued the same subject in the evening. At the close of the meeting I requested all who thought Sunday was the Sabbath and was binding by divine authority to rise. Not one in the house rose. I then called for all who thought that the Seventh-day was binding to rise. Ten rose. The friends without my solicitation raised a collection for me. I also sold several dollars' worth of books. I had made up my mind to start back north, but on Monday, Jan. 1st, some of the members of the Disciple church persuaded me to stay longer. I therefore appointed meetings to commence in their church again, Thursday the 4th. Tuesday, the 2d, preached in a school-house four miles from the church. House full. Appointed meeting for Wednesday evening, but late in the afternoon I received a telegraphic dispatch stating that two of my children were dangerously sick. I accordingly started for home, where I arrived Friday morning at two o'clock. Found my children better. They are still mending. To God be all the praise. Have received a letter from Lawrence Co. since I came home. They request me to return as soon as I can, offering to meet expenses, &c. May the word spoken fall on good ground and bring forth fruit to the glory of God. Princeville, Jan. 21, 1866.