Report from Iowa by A. C.; D. T. Bourdeau

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 16, 1866

Report from Iowa.

By A. C.; D. T. Bourdeau

BRO. WHITE: On our way from Wisconsin to this State, Sept. 17, we held an evening meeting with the brethren and sisters in Crane's Grove, Ill., at the house of Bro. Newton. Several attended who were on their way home from the Monroe Meeting. We had a profitable time for all that were present. The day following, at two o'clock, P. M., we held another meeting in a school-house in the place, and we together spoke three hours on the rise and progress of the third message; especially on the Health Reform.

We think that the church in Crane's Grove have a desire to advance in the way of holiness; and that they have an increasing interest and confidence in the moves which have so much engrossed the attention of God's people of late. We were two days in traveling from there to Laporte City, and suffered some on account of traveling in the night by private conveyance, and by stage, in rainy and cold weather, from the effects of which we have not yet fully recovered.

Sept. 22 and 23, we met with the few at Laporte City. We enjoyed freedom in all the meetings. At the business meeting we appointed church officers, and organized systematic benevolence amounting to $51.48. Eleven came up promptly with their figures on S. B., and it is expected that three or four more will soon unite with them on this point. The church at Laporte City have lately sold their meeting-house to the Albrights, reserving a right to hold meetings in it for three years. They have learned, from experience, that unpleasant feelings and much trouble can be avoided in having our meeting-houses built exclusively by our people, and in not soliciting means from outsiders to help in such enterprises.

At Waterloo we held a profitable evening meeting, and were glad to see the brethren and sisters manifesting an increasing interest in the cause of present truth. It is expected that they will soon be prepared to fully adopt and carry out Systematic Benevolence, as set forth by our people.

Sept. 29 and 30, we held meetings in the meeting-house at Anamosa. A goodly number of brethren and sisters were present from Marion, Springville, Clarence, and Lisbon. On the Sabbath we gave two discourses. The Lord gave us great liberty in speaking the word, and the brethren and sisters enjoyed largely of the good Spirit in giving their testimonies on the side of truth. Sunday morning a meeting was held for the church, and we spoke one hour on organization, and church order; then sixteen entered into church fellowship. We also appointed an elder, a deacon, clerk, and S. B. treasurer. Four or five more are expected to soon unite with this church. In the afternoon we made a special effort in giving a discourse on the signs of the times, particularly modern Spiritualism. A trance speaker had been lecturing in the place on Spiritualism, and several were being drawn into this latter-day delusion. When the discourse

was being given, the Spiritualists squirmed, while members of other denominations were greatly delighted with the remarks which were made. At the close of the meeting a Methodist preacher thanked us for our effort, and said that he was not a sectarian bigot, and cordially invited us to visit him. We trust that our effort in this direction was not in vain.

A. C. & D. T. BOURDEAU.

Lisbon, Iowa, Oct. 5, 1866.