Report from Bro. Sanborn.
By Isaac Sanborn
BRO. WHITE; My last report closed with my labors at Avon, Oct. 3. The next day, I came to Mackford to attend the Quarterly Meeting, which has been a meeting of deep interest to us. I spoke to the people ten times, while the Lord gave me much freedom. One member was disfellowshipped, and one received into the church, and another proposes to unite soon. They have raised their s. b. figures about $40.00. One young man sends fifty dollars to the Health Institute, five dollars for the Review, and one for the Health Reformer, and fifty cents for the Instructor. This looks to me like being really interested in the cause of God; and I think it a good example for other young men to follow. God has promised that our faith shall be made perfect by our works; and that such shall be blessed in their deeds; and that the liberal soul shall be made fat. This church stands united under the faithful watch-care of their Elder, Bro. Baker, who tries to lead the flock of God in imitation of his divine Master. The brethren and sisters all seem to be trying to cultivate that bond of perfectness, that is, supreme love to God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. May the Lord grant them grace to be faithful in the work, is my prayer. We were very happy to meet some of our brethren and sisters from Fish Lake and Baraboo at this meeting, and glad to learn that a deep and abiding interest was raised in the minds of the people in the vicinity of Fish Lake, by a few sermons preached by Bro. Andrews when there the past summer. We hope to be able to follow up the interest soon. I would say to the brethren there that much depends upon their faithfulness. Sixth day, Oct. 12, Bro. Baker, with his team, carried me to Marquette, where I have preached five times. Here I found the brethren and sisters striving to overcome. Notwithstanding this church have passed through many severe trials, they are coming up to the help of the Lord against the mighty, having gained experience by the things which they have suffered. I think they now see the importance of magnifying the Lord's word in their lives, and especially of putting on the bond of perfectness, or love. By this Paul says we may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. Love being the crowning grace or part of the armor, may the Lord help us to get it more abundantly on, that we may stand in the evil day. There is quite a growing interest in this church for the salvation of the children, which of course is causing the children to feel more interested in the service of God. I pray the Lord that they may all be faithful in drawing nearer and nearer to God, and also nearer and nearer to each other, till they shall stand complete in the Lord, following the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. Bro. Robert Andrews and I separated at Avon, Oct. 1st, to unite again next Sabbath at Mauston, Oct. 19, and continue our labors together through all the Quarterly Meetings of this Conference. Hope we shall meet a general attendance in every church. ISAAC SANBORN.
Marquette, Wis., Oct. 15, 1866.