REPORT OF LABOR by I. D. VAN HORN

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 30, 1869

REPORT OF LABOR.

By I. D. VAN HORN

Since writing my last report, Jan. 18, I have labored four weeks in the townships of Georgetown and Blendon.

In this time I have given twenty-seven discourses. The effort made in Georgetown was almost an entire failure. The people soon lost their interest to attend meetings, partly on account of their worldly affairs, and partly because of the influence of a prominent man whose faith was a mixture of Orthodoxy, Infidelity, and Spiritualism, and in whom they placed great confidence.

My labors in Blendon only resulted in confirming and strengthening those who had previously taken hold of the truth. The Monthly Meeting held in this place, Feb. 13 and 14, was not largely attended, because of the bad roads and rainy weather during the time. Considering all the circumstances we had a very good meeting. A few of the brethren were with us from Wright, which gave us some encouragement.

Immediately after the above Monthly Meeting, I went into the township of Allendale, and began a course of lectures. The Wesleyan Methodists tried hard, with their minister, to keep me out. They tried to introduce a protracted meeting after I had sent word to commence meetings there, but when an expression of the people was taken, the majority voted that I should have the house, and go on with my meetings. The Methodists soon after commenced a protracted meeting in a school-house about a mile and a half east. Notwithstanding all this, I have had a good attendance, and, after about three weeks’ labor, ten have commenced to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and about as many more have expressed themselves favorable. I have now been absent from them about a week, to attend the Monthly Meeting in Casnovia, but expect to resume my work there in a few days.

The Monthly Meeting in Casnovia has just closed. The blessing of the Lord was with us during the whole meeting. There was a good representation from the Wright church.

Our Sabbath meeting was of good interest, and the social meeting showed that the friends of the cause still love the truth. As this season of worship closed we all went about three miles to the water and three were baptized. They also united with the church. In the evening we went to the house of Bro. Gilbert, and enjoyed a free time in the celebration of the ordinances. The Spirit of the Lord was in our midst, and this meeting was a source of encouragement to all. Sunday morning at 9:30, we had a free social meeting. After this I spoke from the text in 2 Cor. xiii, 11. The Lord gave freedom, and as I exhorted them to remain firm in the truth, to live holy and pure lives, to make every effort in their power to advance the cause they loved so much, many of them were affected to tears.

I bade them farewell, and, should we not meet again in this mortal state, may we all meet on Mount Zion. There are three or four others keeping the Sabbath in this vicinity who will probably join the church soon. If this little band remain humble and united in the service of their Lord, he will bring others to see the light, and go with them to the heavenly kingdom.

May the Lord continually bless them.

I. D. VAN HORN.

Blendon, Mich., March 15, 1869.

P. S. My P. O. address will be Battle Creek, Mich., till after Conference.

I. D. V. H.