MEETINGS IN KNOXVILLE, IOWA.
By D. T. BOURDEAU
We have now been in this place over two Sabbaths and first-days, have held nine meetings in all, spoken nine times, visited seven families, besides taking part in social meetings and holding one business meeting. Though the main body of the church had improved in some respects, as an increasing interest in their meetings showed, yet there was a lack on many points. Some were backward in attending, and taking part in meetings; some neglected their duty on Systematic Benevolence; a few were still using tobacco; while there was generally too distant a feeling in the members of the church toward each other, and toward the children and youth. Not that hatred had assumed an active form; but there was evidently a lack of brotherly love and labor for souls which should characterize believers in the last message of mercy. There was a lack of that love and religion that act toward and upon others. Love and true religion are not merely passive, and acted upon; but they work and act, not merely at a distance, but, as it were, in living contact, heart to heart, and even, and especially, when hatred and opposition are brought to bear against them. Religion, with many, has assumed too much of a selfish and passive form; and this is the leading sin which is reproved by the message to the Laodiceans. In our discourses we endeavored to bring out meat in due season; and as a result of our meetings, four of the youth started for the kingdom, and as many or more backsliders commenced to retrace their steps. Some made hearty confessions, and as a consequence, enjoyed more of the Spirit of the Lord than those who were inactive. At our business meeting three were added to the church, Bro. Ben Auten was appointed elder, and among other transactions, the following resolutions were adopted: Resolved, That we will endeavor to be more punctual in attending, and taking part in our prayer and social meetings, according to the apostolic exhortation, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.” Heb. x, 25. Resolved, That if any members of this church absent themselves from the meetings thereof for more than four weeks, they be requested to report themselves to the church personally, or by letter to the elder, if sick or unable to attend for other good reasons; and that if they fail to do this, their cases be inquired into by the elder, who shall be expected to labor with them in harmony with gospel order and principles, if they have been negligent. These resolutions are not given as exactly meeting the circumstances and wants of all churches where there has been a neglect on this point; but the great and sacred duty they enforce is binding in every case; and if Bible organization is good for anything, it will make it incumbent on those who are under it and are in church fellowship to labor for those who neglect this plain and important Christian duty; else organization is a mere shell, without heart or life, and we might as well suffer the standard of truth to be lowered on other points, and expect to fail in seeing a people prepared for translation. Resolved, That we will try to pay our s. b. pledges at the end of each quarter, that the s. b. treasurer may be enabled to report to the Conference secretary quarterly, to promote order and punctuality, and that the burdens of some may be lighter (for they will not be heavy if properly borne) than they would be if we paid once or twice a year; and to this end we will endeavor to have the glory of God and the advancement of his cause uppermost in our minds, remembering that as God is supreme, he should have the first place in our affections, and the interests of his cause should be attended to first, in harmony with the injunction, “Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him.” 1 Cor. xvi, 2. The trouble with many is, they attend to their own interests first, and God has the last and poorest chance to get what is his due. They overlook their duty to God when means come in. They serve themselves first, and put the Lord off, and then they complain they can’t fetch around. Poor excuse this! The worst of robbery, inasmuch as it is committed against Jehovah. How much better it would be to say, I will plan for the Lord first and give him the best of my strength and the first fruits of my labors. Then there would be no difficulty in rendering unto him what is his just due. Resolved, That we very much regret that some members of this church have failed to overcome the use of tobacco, and would hereby kindly and affectionately remind them of their duty to overcome this filthy habit, in order that they may “cleanse themselves of all filthiness of the flesh,” agreeably to a gospel obligation, and improve their health and nervous system; and as they detest this filthy habit, and are desirous to get the victory over it, we would also manifest our appreciation of their humble spirit, and extend to them Christian sympathy and forbearance, promising to aid them by our prayers and encouraging words, and even to assist those temporarily who are poor and must suspend their labors to overcome, as far as they manifest a willingness to suffer and deny themselves for Christ’s sake. This rolls the burdens equally. Those who have to overcome this habit have a struggle before them, especially if they are advanced in years, and have a predominant nervous temperament. But many of such have overcome by the grace of God; and why cannot these? They can, if they are willing to deny themselves; if they will give up work, and grapple the foe in the name of the Lord, and not stop, even though they should get wounded in the conflict, and suffer externally. They “have not yet resisted unto blood in striving against sin.” But Christ did. Remember Calvary. This experience will do you good—will teach you the art of getting supernatural aid, which will be of use to you in other conflicts before you. God and your brethren can help you only as you help yourselves. We were happy to see several of the brethren of Sandyville at our meetings last Sabbath and first-day, and to learn that they were having good meetings at Sandyville, and that one more of the youth had decided to walk in the narrow way, making ten in all. We feel very anxious about the prosperity of these two churches, because they occupy important positions in the cause in Iowa. We would advise the brethren in these places to be very cautious about moving away, to forget the past and press forward individually and collectively; and the Lord will add to their numbers such as shall be saved. If some should fall, others will immediately step in to more than fill their places, and take their crowns. But be merciful, and try to save all. Draw near to the young, and labor to save them. Some of you have not as yet taken the real burden of the young upon you. Press together. Be thorough in examining your own hearts, and overcoming your sins, and greater light and blessings will break in upon you. It will be noticed that we have visited much of late. The reasons are, 1st. We have had more time; and 2d. The cause has demanded it. But it must not be expected that we shall pursue the same course in every place. If we did, we should soon break down. Our burdens have been very heavy for the past five weeks; but we have willingly sacrificed precious strength, because it was necessary; and the Lord has sustained us; and we never intend to spare ourselves when the cause is at stake. But we still wish you to bear in mind that we shall not visit simply for the sake of visiting when we need to rest, or when we must study or write, or bear burdens that many do not know, and never will know in this life. Do you need special help on some points of importance? Let us know it, and you will find us on hand to help you within reasonable and scriptural bounds. Be frank with us, and we will be with you; and then let us under God, and in the fear of God, exercise our judgment and use our liberty to our common spiritual advantage and profit, and to the glory of God. D. T. BOURDEAU.
Knoxville, Iowa, March 25, 1867.