p. 92 | Labor in Ohio by Ellet Joseph Waggoner

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 21, 1866

Labor in Ohio.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

FROM Lovett’s Grove I went to Geneva, Ashtabula Co., July 2nd. The special purpose for which I went to Geneva was not fully accomplished; but as this is properly the subject of a separate report, I waive it for the present. I remained there over one Sabbath, preaching once on Sabbath, and twice on first-day. The company of believers there had been subjected to influences detrimental to their progress in present truth, and existing circumstances did not allow of my bestowing that labor and attention there which the cause seemed to require. I believe the Lord has an honest people there, who love the truth, and I trust his blessing will be upon them, and his Spirit be given them to guide them into all truth, that they may be sanctified and prepared for the return of our Saviour.

Sabbath and first-day, July 14 and 15, I was at Chardon. This was a pleasant privilege to me, as I had not visited that place since first proclaiming the message there. Monday, 16th, I went to Chardon Center, where Bro. Warner now lives, and spoke on the Sabbath and Law, in the school-house. The subject has been considerably agitated there; different views, as first-day Sabbath and no-Sabbath, had been presented, and I trust the meeting of that evening was not in vain.

Next day went to Huntsburg to Bro. Moffatt’s, who conveyed me to Bloomfield on Wednesday. Spent Thursday in visiting from house to house, and made arrangements to have the believers in Wayne meet with us in Bloomfield. I felt very anxious to meet all the brethren and sisters together; and present the subject of Health as a part of the present truth. Sabbath evening I spoke on the Gifts of the Spirit; a timely subject, as it proved, to precede the testimony on health. On the Sabbath I was gratified to meet with them of Orwell, Bloomfield, Wayne, Huntsburg, and Chardon. I presented the subject of health both from the Bible, and physiologically. In the afternoon continued the same, after which almost all spoke directly to the point. This was indeed cheering. If anything is peculiarly trying to a messenger of the truth, it is to present a plain duty and hear brethren and sisters talk all around it in their testimonies. Good resolutions were formed, and some laid aside their idols from that same hour. First-day, commenced a social meeting at 10 o’clock, which continued with good interest till nearly 1 o’clock. After this a business meeting was held; and again after a short intermission, all came together to listen to some remarks on baptism, when we repaired to the water, and five were immersed. Bro. and Sr. Chinnock and their daughter, and a daughter, each, of Bro. Griffin and Bro. Seeley. I believe the influence of these meetings will be permanent, and prove of lasting benefit to those who attended them.

Monday, 23d, I started for home, and arrived at Bro. Mear’s about 1 o’clock at night. There I found with a letter from Bro. Loughborough requesting me to go with the tent, while Bro. Lawrence attended the State Conference. As the R. R. connections were uncertain, I deemed it prudent to lose no time, and accordingly left Bro. Mear’s about 5 A. M. This precaution seemed necessary; to lay over at a way station seven hours to get a train, as I had to, is very tedious in these days of “raging chariots.” I found the tent in a pleasant, quiet little village, in a valley girt with hills, the brethren in good spirits, and a very general good feeling toward them. There are four meeting-houses there, but not a resident minister for either of them, and the little opposition they had received was of a feeble nature. Calls were coming from other villages for meetings, and I felt truly thankful for the good prospect before them.

July 30th, I left the tent, and arrived at my home the afternoon of the 31st, rather feeble in body, and much fatigued, but very thankful for the favor of God whose presence had been so manifestly with me in my labors of the month past. With a firm resolution to strive to be more diligent in this good work, I spent the remainder of the week preparing to leave home for the tent season.

J. H. WAGGONER.

Memphis, Mich., Aug. 9.