Report from Bro. Loughborough by John Norton Loughborough

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 25, 1866

Report from Bro. Loughborough.

By John Norton Loughborough

My last report closed with the Convocation Meeting in Iowa. After we had closed our meeting on first-day, as there were quite a number of Brn. and sisters who were to remain on the ground in their tents over night, they felt that it was their privilege to have another meeting. They held one some two or three hours in length; a powerful season, in which many hearty confessions were made, and some, who were on the background, started anew in the service of God.

The Brn. Bourdeau and myself spent the 3d of September at the kind and hospitable home of Bro. Henry Nicola, resting and writing. On the fourth we started on our way to Illinois. Tarrying over night at Davenport we arrived at noon of the 5th at Morrison, Ill., where we found Bro. Eli Wick with his carriage waiting to convey us to his own home in Clyde. Here we spent Thursday, resting, and on Friday the 7th, at 11 A. M., our meeting commenced with a goodly number of the church, and some from other places were present. But two meetings were held on sixth-day, but three on Sabbath and first-day besides social meetings each day. Eight discourses were given in all by the Brn. Bourdeau and myself. At this meeting quite a number came from Elkhorn and other places; one load from Princeville, Ill., 70 miles distant.

The brethren were in the midst of busy cares, so that all did not see the importance of spending the whole time appointed, in the meetings. There was a good waking up on Sabbath and first-day, and the meeting rose in interest. The Lord blessed his servants in speaking the truth, which seemed to fall with deep weight into the hearts of his people. A spirit of confession was there, and many who were comparatively on the back ground took their stand anew to work in the cause of the Lord. The meeting closed with the sweet blessing of God resting upon us.

Monday and Tuesday, although it was against storm and mud, we came on to Crane's Grove where we had a meeting at the house of Bro. Newton. The Lord gave us light and freedom as we tried to speak for an hour on the subject of Health, the Health Institute, &c. Several manifested an interest in these things by coming forward to pledge for stock. Wednesday we journeyed on to Monroe, Wisconsin, the place of the Convocation Meeting. On coming to this place we met with some discouragements. The rain had detained us from getting on the ground till it was past time for the meeting to commence. No great preparations had been made for the meeting. Perhaps no one is specially to blame for this. The church in Monroe supposed, from the notice given, that all were coming with tents, &c., to take care of themselves. The sudden change of the weather to cold and damp, rendered it impracticable to camp in tents, and it was even quite cold in the meeting tent, most of the time. Perhaps the Conf. Committee, who made the call for meeting, should have been on the ground in season to counsel with the Monroe church in reference to what arrangements should be made. We blame no one, but presume we all learned how we could better the matter another time.

At least 150 Brn. and sisters assembled at this meeting, some coming as far as 150 and even 300 miles. The lack of arrangements, with other things, had a discouraging effect in the former part of the meeting. We were sorry to learn that any suffered from lack of proper care. If such will forgive us, we will do better another time. At such meetings there should, at least, be a committee to see that all have homes to go to. Notwithstanding our discouragements and the elements against us, the meeting rose in interest to the end. Clouds seemed to be over us at first, but these broke away as the plain, practical truths of God's word were

preached and began to find place in the hearts of God's people.

The Health Reform was set forth in its clearness, and as the church took their stand to obey nature's laws in their being, light broke in upon us. Our experience on this question at Monroe, leads us to think more and more, that it is of importance to heed light upon any subject while that light shines, and that the Lord blesses us just in proportion as we receive the light he gives us. All seemed to feel and realize the importance of making religion a daily practical work. Some new ones made a start at this meeting. May the Lord bless them.

In this meeting, as well as at Clyde, the brethren expressed strong desires that the proposed enlargement of the Review should be made, some paying as high as $4.00 and $5.00 for the next year to aid in this enterprise.

The Institute, Reformer, and Publishing Department were not forgotten at this meeting, as receipts in this week's Review will show.

The Association needs means to carry out its present plans in “devising liberal things” for the advance of the truth, and we trust that many will follow the example of these donors to the S. D. A. P. A. At the close of our Convocation all felt that our meeting would tell for the advancement of the cause, and had been a good time indeed.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.