Report from Ohio by I. D. VAN HORN

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 5, 1867

Report from Ohio.

By I. D. VAN HORN

I LEFT Appleton on Monday morning the 11th, to fill my appointments for Quarterly Meetings. On arriving at Mansfield, I was detained by not making immediate connection with trains on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne, and Chicago R. R. for about ten hours, but was kindly entertained by my friend Mr. Ditwiler, who keeps the hotel opposite the station house. His wife embraced the Sabbath and present truth at Bellville. On Tuesday I arrived at Gilboa. Our meeting in this place was not as interesting as we had hoped on account of the stormy weather, and the snow leaving so as to spoil the sleighing. I gave three discourses to the few that came out to hear, and on Thursday morning preached the funeral sermon of Bro. Phillip Radabaugh. The cause of present truth is in a very low state in this place, yet for all this they are now having regular Sabbath meetings. I hope and pray that they may persevere in their efforts to keep up an interest in the truth here till they become more united.

Sabbath and first-day, 16, 17, I was with the church at Lovett’s Grove. I found them moving on with a steady pace toward the kingdom. I enjoyed a free and happy time with them. I gave them five discourses, and enjoyed one good social meeting. The blessing of the Lord rested upon us, and we all felt to renew our covenant with him and try to serve him with faithfulness and zeal in the future. While here I preached the funeral discourse of Sr. Ralston. Her place is vacant in their gatherings for worship and they greatly feel her loss.

I went from Lovett’s Grove to West Townsend, where I have just passed through an excellent meeting. The little society here is composed of six members who are quite aged and infirm. I with them was glad to meet the brethren and sisters from Jackson, Green Spring, and Clyde. On Tuesday we had two meetings which seemed to be a kind of introductory to the meetings of the next day. Wednesday morning, at 10:30, we all gathered at the place of meeting, and we all engaged in a season of prayer. The blessing of the Lord came upon us and we all felt to speak forth his praise with heart-felt joy. After our season of prayer, I spoke for an hour with freedom on the Bible view of Health. This was followed by a free social meeting in which all the dear brethren and sisters spoke very highly of the Health Reform, and declared their determination to live it out more strictly. We were made to rejoice as we met with our dear Bro. Guilford formerly of St. Charles, Mich., at this meeting. He has moved near this place. May God bless him, that he may be a blessing to the little company here that they may all pass safely through the perils of the last days. The Lord is good, we will praise his name.

I. D. VAN HORN.