Report from the Ohio Tent by I. D. Van Horn, R. J. Lawrence

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 10, 1866

Report from the Ohio Tent.

By I. D. Van Horn, R. J. Lawrence

PROSPERITY, peace, and much joy attends us in the beginning of our labors with the tent in this State. We are located in the beautiful village of Bellville, containing between eight hundred and a thousand inhabitants. We have abundant evidence that we were directed here by the especial providence of God.

While we were at Lovett's Grove, a special meeting was called to ascertain the minds of the brethren from different parts of the State, with reference to where the tent should go, and without a dissenting voice all were in favor of the vicinity of Mansfield. Accordingly we felt it safe to ship our tent to that place. We came on and spent nearly a week in looking about, and decided that Bellville was the place for the tent. Every thing has turned in our favor thus far. On application to the proper authorities of the place for the privilege of pitching our tent, they voluntarily gave us the following

“PERMIT.”

“Permission is hereby granted to I. D. Van Horn, preacher of the gospel, to erect a tent on the Public Square, in this village of Bellville, Richland Co., Ohio, to be used as a chapel or place of worship. This permit to be and remain in full force so long as proper quiet and decorum shall be maintained thereabout, or until recalled by the proper authority. Given under my hand this 20th day of June, A. D. 1866. “J. G. BARNEY, Mayor.”

With the way thus open before us we commenced our meeting Thursday evening, June 21st, and have continued to the present. We have given fifteen lectures, during which the people have manifested an increasing interest. Our congregations range from two hundred to six hundred. We have introduced the Sabbath question, which is causing quite a stir among the people, but a good many are favorably impressed with regard to it.

It has not been my privilege to witness such eagerness to read and investigate the different points of truth as I have found in this place. Eight days have passed since we began to offer our publications, and already $24.00 worth have been taken. The good Spirit of the Lord is with us in speaking forth his word, and a good degree of freedom is felt in every meeting. We expect to meet with trials before we get through, but we will trust in God who is a present help in time of need. At present we are greatly encouraged and feel willing to labor on in the good work of the Lord. Brethren pray for us. I. D. VAN HORN, R. J. LAWRENCE. Bellville, O., July 3, 1866.