Crime and Quarterly Meeting
By W. Sutliff
BRO. SMITH: I came to this place four weeks ago, to do some work, and return to Owatonna. On the day I arrived, I was informed that a man had been most fearfully mutilated; and that the perpetrator of the horrid crime was a woman. The weapon used was an ax. The poor man has since died. Before I had been here two weeks, there was a rumor that a man had been killed at Owatonna. I have since learned that two men were shot, but none killed. In the opposite direction, at Northfield, a few days ago, a man was killed by having his brains beat out with a glass tumbler. This has all transpired within a month, and all these crimes have been committed within twenty miles of this place. How the world can behold such things, and not discern the signs of the times, is a mystery to me that can only be solved by the conclusion that they are overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness. Of course, the day of Judgment will come upon them unawares. We attended the Quarterly Meeting at Deerfield one week ago, and have had something of a foretaste of the heavenly meeting which the saints will enjoy a little way in the future. We felt the sweet Spirit of the Lord resting down upon us as Bro. Pierce reasoned out of the Scriptures. His kind appeals to the young, and stirring admonitions to the aged, accompanied with tears, must have had some effect upon those that were present, that have not as yet manifested a desire to go with the humble people of God. Bro. P. seemed all alive with heavenly zeal and had a comforting message for the little flock. The words that came from his lips were truly comforting to me. One whose locks are already intermingled with gray, arose, and in tears manifested a desire for eternal life. May the Lord help him to give up the world, take up the cross daily and follow Jesus, and with his companion keep the commandments. As for me, I thank the Lord for the blessing that I obtained at the Deerfield meeting. I truly believe that my spiritual strength was renewed, and if I ever get into the kingdom, I shall expect to see Bro. Pierce and many of the good people of Deerfield there. W. SUTLIFF.
Faribault, Minn., Dec. 14, 1868.