Untitled article by H. C. Blanchard; R. F. Andrews

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, August 27, 1867

MEETINGS IN WISCONSIN.

By H. C. Blanchard; R. F. Andrews

We labored with the church at Rockton, Ill., till the 22d of July, visiting from house to house, and preaching the word of God among them. The brethren and sisters here mean to be faithful; but we think all are not as earnest in the work as they ought to be; our prayer is that God may arouse them to a more thorough consecration in his service. Two were added to the church by baptism. We would here gratefully acknowledge the privilege of preaching twice in the Methodist church while we remained in the place.

July 23d, left for Monroe. Staid there till the 30th. We think the cause is still onward here. During our stay we held eight meetings and visited sixteen families. Two were added to the church. Some are almost persuaded to cast in their lot with God's people, who, we trust, will soon fully decide so to do. We enjoyed some of the blessing of the Lord, while we tarried with these dear brethren and sisters, and look back upon this meeting with a degree of satisfaction.

July 30th, left for Sand Prairie. Staid at Bro. Stowell's, at Darlington, all night, and resumed our journey next morning, to Mifflin, where we found a brother from Coles Co., Ill., who kindly entertained us for the night. This dear brother has become discouraged on account of the trials and discouragements he has had to meet with by the way. We tried to encourage him all we could, and left him considerably comforted. Right here we would say, that we are more convinced than ever, that it is unwise for brethren to move away from a place where they have any help, to where they can have none, and would here admonish our brethren to be careful on this point. Traveled from Mifflin to Port Andrew Aug. 1st, over the most broken country we ever saw, part of the time without any road, with hills and rocks on either side of us from two to three hundred feet high. Arrived at Bro. Demmon's a little before dark, hungry and tired, where we met a hearty reception and kind treatment. The little church here is rising above the trials they have had to bear. The cause of truth has been shamefully reproached in this place, but God has graciously commenced to wipe away the reproach from his people here. Though in rather close circumstances, the brethren have succeeded in erecting a neat and comfortable house of worship, 22 by 24, which they design completing this fall. They have manifested a spirit of sacrifice truly commendable. We held twenty meetings and visited from house to house among the brethren and those interested in the truth. The Lord gave us a spirit of labor for the people. Through his goodness five were rescued out of the enemy's ranks, and are now rejoicing in the truth. On first-day, Aug. 11, the largest concourse of people (declared to be so by the oldest settlers) ever assembled on Sand Prairie, met together at the house of worship. By request we took up the subject of the Sabbath, and presented some of the evidences in favor of it, in the forenoon. In the afternoon, we examined the arguments offered to sustain Sunday-keeping, and contrasted them with the example of the apostles on this question.

After this we repaired to the water where six willing souls were buried with their Lord by baptism. Oh! that they may be faithful to the end, and at last receive a crown of life.

In the evening we examined some of the many objections or rather cavils, urged against God's holy Sabbath. We had freedom trying to stand in defence of God's down-trodden law and Sabbath. What the further result of these meetings may be, we cannot tell. There are quite a number that have acknowledged the truth; but we fear that the “cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the love of pleasure, will choke the word and cause it to become unfruitful.” God grant that this may not be the case.

As we go from place to place, we become more convinced, that a great responsibility rests upon the brethren, to live out the truth before their neighbors. One unguarded act, or the manifestation of a covetous spirit, will give the enemies of the truth a chance to reproach. One may injure the cause more in a few minutes, by a selfish, covetous course, than can be remedied by weeks or even months of faithful labor to build up the cause; and besides all this, unless we have the pure principles upon which the law of God is founded, deeply implanted in our hearts, and exemplified in our lives, we can have no place in the “Kingdom of Christ and of God.”

Then suffer a word of exhortation, dear brethren. Let us try harder than ever to carry out these holy principles, and show to the world that we are in earnest, in seeking a place in the Kingdom of God; and this we can only do, by doing to “others as we would they should do unto us,” and loving God with all our hearts. Oh! that the Lord may help us thus to do. Then when the truth is presented it will take effect. God will be honored, his cause will be advanced, and precious souls saved from the pains of the second death. Brethren pray for us.

H. C. BLANCHARD. R. F. ANDREWS.

P. S. Since writing the above, we held what we calculated would be our last meeting. Spoke to the people from Num. xi, 29. The Lord owned his truth, and worked powerfully upon many hearts. Nine more came forward and gave us their hand in token of their acceptance of the invitation given, to go with God's people to mount Zion. We but seldom see such a manifestation of God's power, such weeping and confessing among sinners, and rejoicing among the saints. To God be all the praise. After considering the matter, we concluded that duty demands that we stay here another week. Consequently could not fill our appointment for Mauston.

H. C. B. R. F. A.

Sand Prairie, Aug. 14, 1867.