REPORT FROM BRO. STEWARD.
By T. M. Steward
My last report closed as I commenced my lectures, in the little village of Maiden Rock. This little town is situated on the eastern bank of Lake Pepin among the bluffs. The inhabitants are nearly all eastern people, and I found it a very interesting place to labor. The opening seemed good at first; but soon the going became bad, and the Methodist preachers warned their members to stay away; and other causes operating against us, there was not as large an attendance as I had anticipated, and wished for. But, as I was informed, our congregations were more than an average, of meetings held there before. They had just closed a protracted meeting of some length and the people were worn out. But I continued to labor there with some freedom, preaching evenings and visiting, and writing days, for some six weeks, preaching in all some forty times. The interest seemed to increase to the close; and I felt loth to leave them. When I had presented the claims of the Sabbath, I took an expression of the congregation, and about twenty-five rose up to express their convictions that the seventh day is the Sabbath in this age; and before I left, seven or eight had commenced to keep it. I found here a few lonely, but faithful souls, who had borne the opposition of all other classes, with Christian courage and fortitude. They were greatly strengthened and blessed, and as I closed my meetings first-day April 28, the Lord blessed with his Spirit, and we felt refreshed. After the forenoon service, we repaired to the water, and five willing souls were buried with Christ by baptism into his death, and rose to walk in newness of life. The blessing of the great Shepherd attended the ordinance. May the Lord help others to follow in the same humble path. They are somewhat scattered, but I hope they will not forget the assembling of themselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhort one another, and so much the more as they see the day approaching. There are still others interested, that I hope may yet see the truth, and obey it. I labored in that region nearly four months, preached about ninety times; beside traveling about six hundred miles, and found a good many warm friends to the cause, and I hope they may make up their minds to go through, with the remnant, to Mount Zion. Before I left I visited the friends in Prescott, and found the work still going on. I think there will be others still who will see the necessity of leaving the world, and taking a stand with God's people. May the Lord lead them out. I think this is a promising field of labor. I expect to return there soon. I rode two hundred and fifty miles on the noted Mississippi river by steam-boat for the first time. The scenery on either side of the river is superlatively grand. Oh! how vast the wisdom and the power of Him who designed and performed such wonders. Soon! very soon! the boasting infidel will be compelled to acknowledge that power divine. Arrived at home to find my friends anxious to see me. The Lord is good. Now my duty is to prepare for our State Conference, hoping the Lord will meet us and give us a refreshing from his presence. I would say to those I have left in the North, I remember you with pleasure and interest, and pray the God of peace to sanctify you wholly; that your whole soul and spirit and body may be preserved blameless unto the appearing of Jesus. Let us prepare for his coming. I am satisfied this work is of the Lord and that he will carry it through. Amen.
T. M. STEWARD.
Elkhorn Grove, Ill., May 28, 1867.