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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, August 6, 1867

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXX, No. 8

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REPORT FROM BRO. STEWARD.

By T. M. STEWARD

After our excellent Conference at Clyde, I arranged my business as soon as I could, and started for my field of labor, July 3. I left my desolated home in Rockton, after enjoying a two weeks' stay with the brethren there, I trust profitably, and took the cars for Dell Prairie. My heart was cheered by meeting with these kind friends at Dell Prairie, after an absence of two years from them, and to find them considerably advanced from where I left them. They seem to be strong in the truth, and to enjoy much of the spirit of the gospel. Here my heart was cheered by finding the young people so earnestly engaged in the service of God. May the Lord bless them, that they may never get weary in well doing. I spent the 4th with them. We had a meeting in the afternoon at 3 o'clock.
It was truly a refreshing season. After meeting they took me to Kilborn City, where I took the cars for Mauston, my old home. Met Bro. Russel at the depot, waiting to take me to his quiet home in the country. At this place I met many old friends, and I did not get much time to rest. We had a meeting on Sabbath, and there was a very good attendance. Not many from a distance. We had a good meeting. Also on first-day we held a meeting, and quite a goodly number of my old neighbors came out to hear. I was cheered to see them. May the Lord help them to obey, as well as hear. James 1, 22.
From Mauston I took the cars to Lacross, and there I found a boat waiting to receive passengers up the river. I took passage to Lake City, where we arrived in about ten hours. Here I found a small boat ready to cross over Lake Pepin to Maiden Rock, where we arrived at 4 p. m. Found the friends here very anxious to see me and to have meetings. I visited and read and wrote until Sabbath, when we had a meeting. But very few out. High water keeps many from attending. On first-day we had a fair congregation and good attention. On second-day I visited a neighborhood some three miles away and had a meeting at 3 P. M. I think the way is still open to do good here. May the Lord give me wisdom to do it.
On Tuesday, July 16th, Bro. Brewer took a team, and brought me to Trimbell, where I learned that Wm. Sheldon was holding a tent meeting some eight miles farther on, and the people were looking for me to discuss the Sabbath Question with him. This was according to an arrangement we made last winter. So the next day I hastened to the tent to see what was going on. We had some talk and soon arranged to commence the next morning at 9 A. M. and occupy 6 hours per day for two days. Our preliminaries being settled, I made up my mind I must meet the issue for the sake of the cause. Knowing that the truth suffers nothing by investigation, I felt as if I could lean on the God of truth, and he would take care of the result. So with full confidence in the righteousness of my cause, I engaged in the discussion, and enjoyed good freedom in defending God's holy law; and my opponent was not able even to jar one of the pillars of truth, by which God's law is shown to be immutable. He lifted and pulled, he trembled and shook, and got confounded, yet the law in all its precepts stood immovable on the authority of Jehovah, as it must stand till heaven and earth pass, in defiance of the Man of Sin, and all his worshipers. Thus God's truth triumphed; and the community could see that they are not yet released from their obligation to obey God's law. To God be all the praise. I see more and more how invincible is God's law. I wish all felt loyal to the king of Heaven. How those who are looking for the Lord next year, can fight and show so much hatred to the law that Paul says is holy, just, and good, I cannot conceive. I pity them, while Jesus says, the remnant will be found keeping the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus. Those who are breaking, and teaching others to break them, are on the enemy's side. While those who do and teach them, are the remnant, not hard to distinguish. When the blind lead the blind, both fall into the ditch. The cause has lost nothing in this vicinity by this effort against God's commandments. In hope.
T. M. STEWARD.