REPORT FROM OHIO by I. D. VAN HORN.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 11, 1866

REPORT FROM OHIO.

By I. D. VAN HORN.

Oct. 25th, I returned to Battle Creek, after spending a month in resting and visiting among my friends and relatives in the State of N. Y. This little season of recreation has been of great benefit to me, after laboring almost constantly for nearly five months. At Battle Creek I spent nearly a week, and was much pleased to witness the prosperity of the cause in the erection of their large meeting-house, which was nearly enclosed, and also in the rapid progress that was being made at the Health Institute for the comfort and convenience of patients and others coming there to receive treatment, or to learn how to live to retain their health. From what I saw, I can recommend it to be a good home for invalids, where they may rapidly regain that best of all blessings, good health.

Oct. 31st, I started for Ohio. The first Sabbath and first-day in Nov., I spent in Bellville. I found things here in a far better condition than I expected. All who had accepted the truth still remained firm, and they manifested a zealous interest in the things they had learned. I held eight interesting meetings with them, during which I gave five discourses, and by which they were strengthened and encouraged to continue in their efforts to gain a home with the people of God on Mt. Zion. Two followed their Lord in baptism at this meeting.

Monday and Tuesday evenings, the 5th and 6th, I held meetings at Fredericktown, which were well attended. Here, also, I found the state of things more favorable than I had anticipated. A little company of fifteen are trying to keep all the commandments, and they expressed a determination to do their duty in keeping up meetings. My visit to these places has given me encouragement to labor on for the good of my fellow-men, until I reach my eternal reward.

Sabbath and first-day, the 8th and 9th, I was with

the church at Lovett's Grove. We were happily surprised on Sabbath morning, as we gathered at the meeting-house, to meet with Bro. Lawrence, who had unexpectedly come to help in the cause of truth in this State during the winter. We were here nearly a week and held seven good, and we trust profitable, meetings. The brethren and sisters from Portage, and Brn. Olds and Fleming from Gilboa, were with us. The cheering exhortations from these tried friends of the cause were a source of comfort to us all. The enemy has assaulted this little company many times, but they have succeeded, in the strength of their Redeemer, thus far to resist his power. May God bless them and give them strength to persevere in their good work till the victory is won.

Thursday, the 15th, I came to Gilboa. Here I have held six meetings, all of them well attended. The roads were quite muddy, so that some were hindered from getting out to meeting. The little flock in this place are truly scattered and torn. The most of those who were once in the truth here, have moved away, and some have died, leaving a few scattered ones who had become much discouraged. Two years have passed since they gave up holding meetings; but they are now, some encouraged by our visit, and are going to make the effort to sustain regular Sabbath meetings from this time on. May the Lord help them that a gathering influence may be exerted among them, so that they may prosper in the truth.

A spirit of restlessness, of shifting about from place to place, prevails in the minds of the people at the present time, and which, I am sorry to say, believers in present truth are not entirely free from. Now I doubt very much the propriety of brethren moving about here and there; for to my mind, where all circumstances are considered, it is as easy to get a living in one part of the land as in another. “But we move,” say they, “to let our light shine among our fellow-men.” Experience has shown that generally such lights are flickering and deceitful, and do more injury than good. The message of the third angel is a gathering message. Those taking hold of it should remain in the place where they received it, and, by a faithful, godly life, vindicate its truth. “In union there is strength.”

I. D. VAN HORN.

Gilboa, Ohio, Nov. 21, 1866.