Note from Bro. Byington.
By John Byington
I was some in doubt as to what was duty when I was requested to attend the appointment at North Liberty, Feb. 27, in place of Bro. and Sr. White; but duty requires us to do the best we can under all circumstances. The church there made thorough effort to rise above the disappointment. Including the social ones, we have had six meetings of worship. They have now a new meeting-house, well finished, and an increase of numbers, and I think of graces, also, in the church. Our meetings were well attended, and I trust not in vain. By request, I left home March 4, to spend a few days with Bro. Matteson in Aladdin. This brother is laboring hard in this place. There are weekly additions to the number embracing the truth. The names of about twenty have been given in for church fellowship; others will be soon. A legal religious society is organized. Materials are being made ready for building a house of prayer, which will be erected early this spring. We spent two Sabbaths with them, and the intervening time in evening meetings and visiting from house to house, talking and praying with many families. The last Sabbath a man and his wife spoke for the first time; he saying that he felt himself so great a sinner that he doubted whether there was mercy for him. That evening we had a prayer-meeting at his house. It was a heart-searching time. How much might be done if all were awake.