Untitled article by Wm. S. Ingraham

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, March 17, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 14

REPORT FROM BRO. INGRAHAM.

By Wm. S. Ingraham

I HAVE been laboring in connection with Bro. Steward, about six weeks among our brethren in this State. The first of January, Bro. Steward going to Prescott, Wis., came to our place. I took my team with the intention of carrying him to his field of labor, and if it was the mind of the Lord, to tarry with him awhile, and then he go with me on my tour west. We had traveled only six miles when we found the roads were so blocked up with snow that we could not get through to Prescott. We then started west. Our first meeting was at Mantorville. In this place we stayed three days. We found the brethren pressing forward for the kingdom. Our meeting was of much profit to us all. Our brethren in this place are consistent in their manner of life. They keep up their Sabbath meetings, and have a good Sabbath School. We organized a church in this place. Their number is few, but union and peace prevail. We left this place for Deerfield. It was a bitter cold day. We thought of our preachers that speak of cold weather, when the mercury is thirteen degrees below zero, but when it runs down to 30, 39, 40, and until it freezes up, we think it is quite severe, especially if on the open prairie, riding in a cutter. Some in this State have frozen to death this winter. In Deerfield we found the church in trial, which seems to be their element, but had made some advancement since our last meeting with them. They seemed to take fresh courage. We think if this church will learn to manifest greater Christian forbearance, and strive to get nearer the Lord, they will yet come out of the furnace, like gold tried in the fire. We tarried here four days, and then started for Shelbyville; after traveling 25 miles we put up with Bro. Church’s family. Were glad to see them in earnest for eternal life. The next day we went to Mankato. We found Bro. Hackett and family who embraced the present truth when we lived in Ulysses, Penn. They are still living with reference to the kingdom of God. As we passed through St. Peters and Mankato we had some serious reflections in regard to the great Indian massacre. In Mankato we visited the spot where thirty-eight of these red savages were executed in 1862. Leaving Mankato we passed within fifteen miles of New Ulm on our way to Garden City. We crossed over the prairie where, in time of this Indian raid, some innocent ones perished by the tomahawk. We conversed with one who had lost a companion and children on this field of blood. According to the best estimate, two thousand whites lost their lives by the cruel hand of the wild savage.

In Garden City we visited Bro. Rew and family; here we found a good home, and a shelter from the storm which raged about two days. After leaving Bro. Rew’s we came to Bro. Kunselman’s in Shelbyville. We tarried here three days, and then leaving our good friends we went to Blue Earth City. Out of the city about 5 miles we found a company of Sabbath-keepers, about 14 in number. Nearly all had embraced the truth by reading our works devoted to the third angel’s message. We spent four days with them, and it was a time of interest. The people in this vicinity are very poor, having just commenced on their homesteads. But the poor must have the gospel preached unto them. The interest among the people to hear the truth increased, but we were under the necessity of going to Bass Lake. In this place we found the church in great trial, in consequence of some committing sins worse than the Gentiles are guilty of. The cause of trial was so clear that it was decided to drop the names of two, and have no fellowship with them. Two others were guilty of covering up this crime, and bringing reproach upon the innocent. It was thought best to have them stand out by themselves, and their names dropped from the church book. We trust that this church will recover from their trials, and move on with great caution hereafter. We left them much encouraged. Last Sabbath, Feb. 21, was our Quarterly Meeting at Pine Island. It was a very interesting time; our meeting was in the Methodist meeting-house. Bro. Steward has rendered me much service on this tour. May the God of all grace reward him.

WM. S. INGRAHAM.

Cherry Grove, Minn., Feb. 28, 1868.