Untitled article by John Norton Loughborough

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · December 17, 1867

REPORT FROM BRO. LOUGHBOROUGH.

By John Norton Loughborough

At the time of my last report I had just commenced a series of meetings in this place. I am still laboring here, having given in all thirty-one discourses. Some four at least have already taken their stand upon the truth, and many others are deeply interested, some of whom we are in hopes may yet be prevailed upon to go with the Lord’s people in trying to flee from the wrath to come. We design to hold on here as long as the interest and duty seems to demand. Although the ministers and many of the people in the place have thought for several days, that it was about time that we were through, I have not thought so, for the Spirit of the Lord seems to say, Tarry a little longer.

My mind was deeply impressed with the importance of holding this long series of meetings before coming here for several reasons. Several efforts have been made in the place in the past, but all of them closed much too soon, and closed at a point when many were just becoming deeply interested in the truth. The last series of meetings some four years ago, closed with the apostasy of the one who had held the meetings, which exerted a disastrous influence against the truth, in that it led the uninformed to suppose that the doctrines we hold were a prelude to Spiritualism. This wrong impression in the minds of many, our brethren here have had to struggle under, and it seemed needful that this wrong impression should be corrected. There is a goodly number of brethren at this place and at Monterey, only five miles distant, and it seemed as though it might be a means of stirring them up to greater activity in the cause, to have brought fresh to their minds the evidences of our position, and the near-coming of Christ. Besides this there were many citizens inquiring concerning our faith.

Learning of the spirit that was manifested by the one who gave the last series of discourses here; namely, a great effort to display self, and exhibit human witticism, my mind was more than ever before impressed with the awfully solemn truths we hold, and the necessity of moving in that humble channel that God could work, and so relying upon him that his power might be manifest in riveting conviction on the minds of the people. Never have I experienced, in the same length of time, more sensibly the help of God in proclaiming the truth. Deep conviction pervades the congregation, while the Spirit of God helps to portray the truth before them. Never was my mind more deeply impressed with the nearness of Christ’s coming, and the importance of the solemn work of preparation for the event.

I have frequently expressed myself to the brethren here during this series of meetings, that I believed a new era had dawned on the third angel’s message since the recent meetings of investigation in Battle Creek. I am glad to see the brethren and sisters here arousing to a spirit of activity, and to see from reports from abroad that a spirit of deeper consecration to God is entering the hearts of this people. May the good work still go on is my prayer.

Last week I had the privilege of spending a couple of days in Battle Creek. I was glad to learn that the interest was still good there. I attended the Tuesday evening prayer meeting, and although I occupied about one-third of the time of their meeting in speaking to them, in the remaining hour over fifty bore their testimony of their determinations to go on in the good work of the Lord. Many of these testimonies were wet down with tears.

My heart says, Praise the Lord for the good work he is doing for his people. But how many remain indifferent; and, alas! I fear the day of God will find them unprepared. May we all remember the words of our Saviour, “Take heed that no man take thy crown.” How necessary that we walk humbly with our God, and that we be found in that place where his Spirit can work with us, for without him we can do nothing. Who of us will follow a course of selfishness, determined to have our own way, carrying out our own wills, and not submitting ourselves to the will of God, thus hindering the progress of the work of the Lord. Often am I led to ask myself the question, “Lord is it I?” May the Lord forgive wherein I have been out of the way in the past, and grant me his grace that I may so walk in the path of humility that I can be an instrument of doing some little good in the advancement of this truth.

Brethren, earnestly pray for the prosperity of this cause. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Allegan, Mich., Dec. 5, 1867.