p. 337 | Untitled article by I. D. Van Horn

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, November 12, 1867

REPORT FROM OHIO.

By I. D. Van Horn

My last report reached to Oct. 7, since which time I have been laboring alone in the vicinity of this place (Bowersville), Bro. Waggoner having gone north to attend the Quarterly Meetings. Oct. 9-13, I spent in a neighborhood near by, visiting and holding meetings, which served to allay some prejudice, and the minds of some were led to see that we had some foundation for the truths we advocate. During this time, on the Sabbath, I met with the few who have accepted the truth in Bowersville, gave them a discourse, after which a few testimonies were borne. This gave us encouragement, and we felt that our coming to this place was not in vain. The same day we organized a Bible Class, and since that a good interest has been manifested in the study of the prophecies and other portions of the Bible.

Oct. 14, the way opened for me to go to Port William, a small town about four miles from Bowersville, where I have been laboring almost constantly for three weeks: I gave them twenty lectures, while, during the same time, I met with the friends at Bowersville every Sabbath, preaching to them, and instructing them in their Bible Class.

The trustees of the Methodist Protestant church at Port William kindly granted me the privilege of occupying their house of worship for my meetings, for which they have my sincere and hearty thanks. Being deprived so often of going into meeting-houses of other denominations to hold meetings, we believe we are prepared to appreciate the kindness of those who grant us such a privilege.

Many that have listened to the plain points of present truth as they have been set before them, have become convinced of their duty, but have not yet sufficient moral courage to come out and take a full stand. I think we can safely say that three or four, if not more, will move out in all the truth, as the result of our meeting there. May the Lord bless the work, and carry it on in the hearts of those convicted of their duty.

Sabbath and first-day, Nov. 2 and 3, were good days with us here. I met with the little company in Bowersville on the Sabbath, and gave them a discourse on “The hope of all the Bible writers,” proving them all to be “Second Adventists,” that is, they all taught in harmony the doctrine of the second advent of Christ, and the resurrection and glory of the saints at that time. We also proved them all to be Seventh-day Adventists, for they all observed the Sabbath of the Lord. After this meeting we enjoyed a good Bible Class, and were much interested in tracing down the “prophetic periods,” which showed us that we are now amid the scenes of the judgment of the saints. On first-day we went to Port William, where I gave a discourse on Baptism, or scriptural conversion, after which we baptized five who accompanied us from Bowersville.

Truly the Lord is good to those who put their trust in him. We ought to praise him as long as we live. Yes, let our lips praise him, and our souls magnify his holy name. I. D. VAN HORN. Bowersville, Ohio, Nov. 4, 1867.