Untitled article by John Norton Loughborough

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, November 5, 1867

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. XXX, No. 21

REPORT FROM BRO. LOUGHBOROUGH.

By John Norton Loughborough

At the time of my last report I was at Adams Center, N. Y., for the purpose of attending the N. Y. State Conference. That Conference was indeed an interesting and profitable, though solemn, meeting. Much business was attended to during the Conference, yet we think it was more than ever realized by all present that this business was not of the nature of our own secular business; but was business which related to the great work of preparation for the Judgment. Prayer-meetings were held every morning during the Conference at a very early hour, about the rising of the sun. This, with preaching each evening, and on Sabbath and first-day, gave good opportunity for religious exercises, and afforded strength to the scattered ones there assembled. Aside from these meetings, social meetings were interspersed wherever opportunity offered.

Deep solemnity pervaded our midst. Solemn vows were made to live more devoted to the cause of God, and to daily seek a new conversion, and sanctification to the work of present truth. Two of the ministers of this Conference were detained by sickness from meeting with us. Bro. Fuller, the President of the Conference, and Bro. Cottrell, another member of the Committee, were both prostrated with fevers, brought on by over-labor in caring for the sick. Bro. Andrews was the only member of the State Committee present. Fervent prayer was offered by the Lord's people that his afflicted servants might be again raised to health, to fill their places in the church, and in the cause.

There was one feature in this Conference which was truly encouraging: whereas, heretofore, the brethren have scattered away from the meeting as early as Sunday night or Monday morning, leaving a very few to attend to the last, and most important day's business of the Conference, this year there was a good house-full, who remained all through the day on Monday, to participate in the duties of that meeting. The Conference finally broke up with a prayer-meeting early on Tuesday morning. All felt that truly the Lord had been with us, and that it was good to enjoy his presence.

I went from the Conference to visit Bro. Cottrell, being called there by telegram. Finding him very low and delirious from his intense fever, I telegraphed to Bro. Andrews to come from Rochester to Ridgeway, that we might seek the Lord together in behalf of his afflicted servant.

We found Bro. Cottrell had first taken care of his own son through a fever, and then went to take care of Bro. Fuller, where he remained as long as he could. In returning home, already half sick, he walked, and carried his heavy satchel four miles from Medina to his home. Overtaxed nature gave way, and he was prostrated with fever.

Bro. Andrews and myself anointed him with oil as directed in James, and joined with the family of Bro. Cottrell in seeking God's blessing upon this poor sufferer. The Lord heard prayer in his behalf. Bro. Cottrell soon opened his eyes, and joined with us in our season of prayer. His companion said to him, “Roswell, you do love the Lord, because he has heard prayer for you, don't you?” “Oh! yes,” said he, “I have loved the Lord a long time.” With the prayer of faith we thought it also duty to use “Nature's remedy,” water. When we left, in the afternoon, Bro. Cottrell was greatly relieved.

The next two days I spent visiting with my relatives in Canandaigua and Victor, and calling on the few scattered Sabbath-keepers in the latter place.

I spent the next Sabbath after the Conference, with a few friends from Victor, Rochester, and Parma, who assembled at the house of Bro. Andrews in Rochester. Spent first-day in council with Bro. Andrews on business matters, and in the evening left for Battle Creek, where on Tuesday afternoon I met Bro. and Sr. White and others, who had just returned from their western trip. They immediately met with the church in Battle Creek to confer on the propriety of a meeting of investigation, which has already been noticed in the Review, and in Testimony No. 13. I am glad indeed, that I had the opportunity of attending that meeting, and glad for the good results which have followed it. It was truly an experience gained in these meetings, which I trust will be of lasting benefit to the Battle Creek church, and to the cause in general. One Bro. who came some thirty-six miles to attend the meeting, was amply paid by one hour's testimony sister White bore in one of the meetings. It seemed in that meeting, as though the angels of God were all around us, and that the Lord, indeed, by his Spirit, was calling on our hearts to yield to him. It was not excitement, or flights of joy, but a holy, heavenly solemnity, which deeply affected the heart. May the Lord help us all to carry out the good resolutions we formed in that meeting; and may we ever stand by the servants of the Lord. May we ever be found among those that shall “believe in the Lord,” and so “be established;” “believe in his prophets,” and so “prosper.” Never again may we be left to touch the Lord's anointed, or do harm to his prophets.

Last Sabbath met again with the church in Monterey. Held two meetings in the daytime, and a business meeting in the evening. On first-day commenced a series of meetings in Allegan, where I now am. The prospects are fair for a good work here. May the Lord grant it, is my prayer.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Allegan, Mich., Oct. 29, 1867.