Report from Bro. Loughborough by John Norton Loughborough

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 22, 1867

Report from Bro. Loughborough.

By John Norton Loughborough

My last report closed with the meeting at Burlington, Sabbath and first-day, Oct. 20 and 21. On Friday, the 26th, I went to Lapeer, where I remained over two Sabbaths, and held in all thirteen meetings. I found the church in a very low state. There were some trials among them of long standing. We had several meetings, to make inquiries into the state of things, and do whatever we saw was necessary to be done. We succeeded in these meetings in learning some of the causes of the trials, and commenced as well as we could to seek a remedy, but did not feel fully satisfied with the result of the effort, and decided, before leaving them, to wait for further developments, and visit them again, believing that it would do no good to hasten matters to a terminus before the proper time. The meetings gave new courage to some, and we enjoyed some freedom in speaking the truth.

Nov. 5, I returned home. Spent Sabbath and first-day, the 10th and 11th, at the Monthly Meeting in Newton. Had four good, free meetings. There was a good representation of brethren and sisters from Burlington, Convis, and Newton. We had a profitable time in waiting before the Lord, although it was very bad weather.

Sabbath, Nov. 16, I was at home, sick with a cold. Friday, Nov. 23, I went to West Windsor. Had quite a severe time in getting to my appointment. I took the cars to Lansing, expecting to meet some of the brethren; but, owing to a misunderstanding on my own part, forgetting that I was to notify them how I was coming, I found no one at the cars to meet me. So I hired a young man to carry me in a carriage eleven miles, to Bro. Carman's. We were six hours going this distance, on account of the roads being so muddy. They were literally awful; the worst roads I ever saw in any State.

Sabbath and first-day, we had three meetings, in which we had some freedom in speaking the truth to those assembled. Owing to the bad traveling, but few came together; but those who did come were interested, and the meetings were of some encouragement to my own heart.

From Nov. 27 to Dec. 10, I spent in council with Bro. Andrews and others at Battle Creek, on important matters relative to the Health Institute and the cause generally.

Wednesday, Dec. 12, Bro. Styles came after me to go to Indiana, to visit a brother there who was in despair. The Lord gave victory to the afflicted one. We had four interesting meetings in North Liberty, and on first-day evening I spoke to the little company in South Bend, and the next day returned to Battle Creek, to make preparations for my trip in the northern part of this State.

To the brethren who have invited me to visit them this winter, and are writing to inquire why I do not come, I will say, that I am getting around as fast as I can, and am trying to do the work as thoroughly as possible as I go along.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Oakland, Mich., Jan. 1887.