p. 110 | MEETINGS IN WISCONSIN by I. SANBORN

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 28, 1869

MEETINGS IN WISCONSIN.

By I. SANBORN

Since my last report I have labored two weeks at Victory, in Vernon Co. Eleven were baptized, and fifteen are keeping the Sabbath. The most of them had been influenced to keep the Sabbath by the consistent, persevering efforts of Sr. Messersmith, who, though an invalid, keeps just as busy as her health will permit in circulating tracts, and trying to win souls to Christ. If all the rest of those who are now keeping the Sabbath with her will be as faithful and diligent as she has been, the Lord will convert many of their neighbors.

After Eld. Walker's arguments against the Sabbath had failed, he, with Eld. Busby, who was my opponent here in Grant Co., two years ago, assailed my character with slanderous and base falsehoods to stop the ears of the people. I immediately wrote to Green, Rock, and Grant counties, the only three places in which I have ever lived in this State, and received the signatures of one hundred and forty-six of my old neighbors, some of them being acquainted with me for more than twenty-five years, all of them stating that they knew nothing whatever against my moral character. I let the most influential men in different neighborhoods in Vernon Co. read those letters, and I read them to others, which perfectly counteracted the influence and object of these falsehoods.

There are several good openings in that county, which I hope to be able to fill late this fall, and on this account I took pains to get those letters, and notice this matter in this report. As these Elders have both learned by experience that they have no arguments that will sustain their man-made fables, they stoop to slander.

I arrived home, at Waterloo, Grant Co., Sept. 1. Found my family well, for which we thank the Lord; but found the church here in the lukewarm and backslidden state described in Rev. iii, 14-22. Seeing that something must be done to arouse them from this awful condition, one week ago last Sabbath I spoke of the importance of God's appointed fast; Joel i, 14; last Sabbath, the day of our Quarterly Meeting, was appointed to be a day of fasting, and weeping, mourning and confessing before the Lord. The meeting commenced at 9 a. m. and lasted till half past four, with one-half hour's intermission. It was a very solemn time to most of the church, as nearly all joined in the fast, and tried to seek God with all their hearts. Those who did not, may expect soon to find themselves much farther from God than they are now, and the next thing will be open rebellion against God and his truth. But I do hope that they may turn and seek God with all their hearts, and so recover themselves from the snare of the devil.

Yesterday, after a sermon on Luke xii, 32-41, dwelling largely on the words, “Sell that ye have and give alms,” seventy dollars were subscribed to the missionary

society, and one hundred and five dollars toward lifting a debt contracted by building the meeting-house. So our effort here to seek God with all our hearts has not been in vain.

At the close of our fast meeting, an elder and two deacons were ordained. Bro. Jahiel Ganiard, elder, and Brn. Francis Elwell and Solomon Warden, deacons. May the Lord help these men to be humble and meek, small in their own eyes, that Jesus may lead them, and qualify them to take good care of his work here in Waterloo.

The Lord willing, I will start to the State meeting next first-day morning. I will write to the friends in Lacrosse Co., and let them know when I will be there, as soon as I can decide on the exact time.

I. SANBORN.

Waterloo, Wis., Sept. 13, 1869.