QUARTERLY MEETINGS IN MINNESOTA.
By Stephen Pierce
The last two series of Quarterly Meetings in this State I have mostly attended. The first of these commenced the first Sabbath in August, last, at Pleasant Grove. It was a meeting of much more interest than any previously held in that place. Some came in on the Sabbath, not with us in sentiment, which caused some interest; and on first-day many such came in. This called forth a discourse on the perpetuity and perfection of the law of God, which led one intelligent sister, who had been the wife of an Advent preacher, to embrace the Sabbath. Others also were then convicted; two of whom have since embraced the same truths. One week from that time was Quarterly Meeting at Greenwood Prairie. It seemed to be a meeting of some interest to the church on the Sabbath, but not so much so on first-day. Three weeks after this, I attended the Quarterly Meeting at Deerfield, which evidently lacked spiritual life until the closing discourse on first-day, on the subjects of watchfulness and prayer, when the clouds of darkness broke somewhat away. There were a large share of young people who were lingering and doubting. This doubtless caused the darkness which was there felt. The next week at Mapleton. The spirit of truth was evidently there to convict unbelievers; and if all Sabbath-keepers there had been possessed of the right spirit, there doubtless would have been a good work, and some accession to their numbers. The church at Bass Lake, whose appointment was then at Mapleton, has been, with some exception, rent asunder by tattling, if not by slander, till there seems to be no hope of their restoration. At Brush Creek, those who have not been long in the truth had been neglectful in regard to growing in it even if they grow in grace. I gave them four discourses, and trust there was some improvement in this respect. One Baptist sister who had heard some before, came ten miles and remained both days. She, with her husband, has kept the Sabbath ever since. The next week, the last week in September, I attended the meeting at Jo Daviess. This is a young church organized last June, but it seems to be trying to learn of the Master. We had great freedom in holding up the truth before them.