REPORT FROM BRO. BLANCHARD.
By H. C. Blanchard
As it is encouraging to the readers of the Review to know how our cause that we so much love, is getting along, I give a brief report of my labors the past winter. Dec. 10, I parted with Bro. R. F. Andrews at Gridley, McLean Co. Ill., he going north visiting the churches and holding Quarterly Meetings, and I going south to labor in new places. Dec. 13, commenced a series of meetings in the Webster school-house in Cumberland County. Here I labored for five weeks, preaching as often as my health would permit, against much opposition and prejudice; but toward the close of the meetings the people began to have ears to hear. But about this time my health failed, and I was unable to preach for over a week, being confined to my bed some of the time. I also received a letter from home requesting me to come immediately in consequence of my father's ill health. The 24th arrived at home. Found my father still alive but very feeble, his disease being consumption. Remained at home until March 6. About four weeks of this time I was unable to preach or work much. March 2 and 3, attended Quarterly Meeting at Princeville. We had a refreshing from the Lord. Five united with the church, and two were baptized. Attended Quarterly Meeting at Gridley the 9th and 10th. Here the Lord met with us and that to bless.272I enjoyed freedom in preaching the word. To God be all the praise. March 13, commenced a course of lectures in Lawrence Co. Here I labored four weeks, preaching thirty-one times. Nine have embraced our views, and are keeping the Sabbath. At first we had prejudice and opposition; but it gradually gave way, though some opposed bitterly to the very last. One discourse was preached against us by a United Brethren preacher which I reviewed, showing where he had contradicted himself, and the Bible, and had wrested the Scriptures out of their true meaning. One charge brought against us was that of proselyting. He had a great deal to say about our tearing down other churches to build up our own. In my reply I stated that the greater part of their churches in that place were proselytes. This stirred up a bitter spirit in them. Some contradicted. They acted so disorderly that a blind man, who preaches among the Methodists, whom I much respected for his love of good order, rose and called them to order. After order was restored, I finished my review without any further interruption. I proved my statement in a subsequent meeting by a number of respectable witnesses. The truth lost nothing by this unskillful attack of the enemy. The attendance was generally good, although the roads, part of the time, were very muddy. There is a good work begun here. Some that have started never made any profession before. Many more have acknowledged the truth, but whether the seed is sown in good ground, time will tell. I have formed many happy acquaintances since I have been here. Preaching in the evening, and visiting and praying with the people in the day time from house to house, I can say that I have endeavored not to shun to declare the whole counsel of God. See Acts xxi, 18-27. Tuesday April 9, I gave my last discourse there. I spoke from Isa iv, 6. We truly had a solemn time. While I exhorted the people to seek the Lord while he may be found, many strong hearts were softened as indicated by the falling tear. After preaching I requested that while singing, all that would try to meet me in Heaven on the terms of the gospel, should rise. I did not notice one in the house but what rose. Something like half of the congregation were not professors. May God bless them and sanctify them through the truth. The friends helped me on my journey after a godly sort, for which I am very thankful. For the purpose of continuing the work that is begun here, I drew up the following covenant for the Sabbath-keepers to sign: “We the undersigned do associate ourselves into a congregation, covenanting together to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. And in order to maintain these our solemn vows to God, we also agree to meet every Sabbath for his worship, and we would humbly beseech our Lord Jesus to assist us by his grace to do his will.” Eight had signed this covenant when I left. May the work of the Lord go on, is my prayer. Cottonwood, Cumberland Co., Ills. April 12, 1867.