Report from Bro. Loughborough by John Norton Loughborough

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 26, 1867

Report from Bro. Loughborough.

By John Norton Loughborough

From Oakland I went, Jan. 10, to Holly; and as I was somewhat wearied with constant labor, I had no meeting till the morning of Sabbath, Jan. 12. The few who had embraced the truth in Holly, with several of the brethren and sisters from Tyrone and Linden, attended the meeting. I gave two discourses in the day time of the Sabbath, on the subject of Bible order. In the evening, we met at the house of Bro. William Lockwood, to take some steps in our organization. It was decided that the most proper way to proceed, as Holly was as easy of access as any locality to members in the church, and, as the elder and several members of the Tyrone church were living in Holly, to change the name of the church from Tyrone to Holly, and then give those who were in the truth in Holly an opportunity to unite with the church. A resolution was accordingly passed by the church:

“Resolved, That we, the church of Tyrone, request the Michigan State Conference to allow us the privilege of changing our name to church of Holly.”

Eight members were voted into the church. All who had embraced the truth were not present at this meeting, as some were sick, and others detained in consequence. Others who have recently embraced the truth will undoubtedly unite with the church soon. Bro. Riley Rathbun was chosen and ordained deacon of the church. Systematic Benevolence was re-organized, and the figures were raised over $50.00. On first-day morning we had another business meeting, to complete the work of organizing the church. In the afternoon and evening I gave two discourses in the place, to some interested hearers; but as there had been quite a violent snow storm the night before, it was difficult for a great many to get out to the meeting. I remained in the place till Thursday afternoon, Jan. 17, attending to my writing. On the evening of the 16th, I attended a discourse of a Mr. Melligan on the subject of the immortality of the soul, as referred to by Bro. Cornell in Review No. 11. I will simply say that the speaker dealt quite largely in slurs, in his first discourse. He heard a man preach on this subject in Indiana once, who was so ignorant that he pronounced shew the same as shoe. Therefore he concluded that the believers in this doctrine were a set of ignoramuses, at any rate. Not so fast. They who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Wrong pronunciation is not always a sign of profound ignorance. But Mr. M. thought it a great pity that such “ignorant fools” had not some shame, &c. There was not much in his argument that was new, or very weighty. The man spoke the next evening on the Christian Sabbath. Meanwhile Bro. Cornell came, and as I had to leave to fill other appointments, I left with him the notes I had taken, and he was to attend the second discourse, and review them both, which he has already reported.

The few who have embraced the truth in Holly are mostly sisters, some of whom do not get much encouragement from their families; yet all seemed firm and desirous of pressing on with the body of God’s people. May the Lord prosper them in every effort to obey the truth.

Thursday, Jan. 17, I went by railroad from Holly to Ionia, where I met Bro. King, who carried me to his own home in Orleans. From Friday evening to first-day afternoon, I spoke five times in the Orleans meeting house, to brethren and sisters from Fair Plains, Orleans, Vergennes, &c. A goodly number of the neighbors came in, although there was a protracted meeting under way near by. There was good interest manifested to hear the truth, especially in the two discourses we gave on first-day on the Health Reform. The Lord gave us some freedom in trying to speak the truth. At the close of the meeting on first-day, Bro. Brink of Orleans was chosen and set apart to act as deacon of the Orleans church.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Battle Creek, Feb., 1867.