REPORT FROM SIGOURNEY, IOWA by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 17, 1869

REPORT FROM SIGOURNEY, IOWA.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

To-DAY we took down our tent in this place. Have been here eight weeks, and labored all the time, the best we knew how. The weather has been extremely unfavorable most of the time. Our congregation has been made up almost entirely from the residents of the city. Yet there has been a good interest, and a fair attendance all the time. We have seldom had less than 100 hearers. Many of the prominent citizens of the place have been constant attendants, and are our warm friends. Opposition from the ministry has been unusually small till the last two weeks. Since that there have been bitter opposition and a great excitement. The whole budget of false reports, slander, threats, &c., &c., has been freely opened and passed around! I think I never saw so much of that in any place as here. Yet we have not been discouraged, but have enjoyed God's blessing through it all.

The result, so far as we can now learn, is that about thirty-five are keeping the Sabbath. We think that most, if not all, of these are very fine, reliable persons, and of good report in society. We hope, by the blessing of God, to see a good, strong church here. We anticipate building a meeting-house before long. We sold about $85 worth of books, and obtained fifteen subscribers for the REVIEW. We have established a Bible class, Sabbath school, prayer meetings, &c., here.

We now expect to go to Richland, about eighteen miles distant. We neglect other urgent calls, and good openings further off, that we may watch things here. One of us will come here most every Sabbath for some time to come. Richland is only about ten miles from Brighton, and eight from Talleyrand, where we have churches. Hence it seems important for us to start a church there.

The editor of the county paper of this place has been very friendly and kind to us, and has freely opened his paper for us many times, and has himself spoken in our favor when attempts have been made to misrepresent us. For this he has our thanks.

The weather is now fair. Bro. Butler was at Brighton last Sabbath. Bro. Morrison went on to-day with the tent, while I stay here during the week, and then meet them evening after the Sabbath. Our address will now be Richland, Keokuk Co., Iowa. Pray for us. We are thankful to God for his blessing, and for so much success as the truth has had here under such discouraging circumstances.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Sigourney, Aug. 9.