REPORT OF MEETINGS by John Nevins Andrews

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 21, 1868

REPORT OF MEETINGS.

By John Nevins Andrews

At the close of the Wisconsin Conference Bro. Cornell and myself started immediately for Washington, Iowa, which place we reached on the second day. Here we found kind friends with whom we tarried two days, and endeavored to improve the time in the prayerful study of the Bible, in writing, and religious conversation. From this place, on Thursday, we went to Pilot Grove, where the Conference convened. This meeting has been quite fully reported, and I will speak of it briefly.

First. I was agreeably disappointed to find so large a body of brethren standing steadfast in the truth after all the efforts of Satan for their overthrow.

Second. I was also very favorably impressed with the manner in which the finances of the Conference had been managed. The Secretary and the Conference Committee had the means of determining at once how the funds of the Conference stood.

The meetings of the Conference for the transaction of business were entirely harmonious, and we believe were guided by the good angels of God. The meetings for devotion and for the preaching of the word were solemn and profitable. A special season of prayer in behalf of the sick will long be remembered by me on account of the answer to prayer.

It seemed to be plainly duty to send out the Iowa tent. So I was constrained to separate from dear Bro. Cornell, with whom I would gladly have continued to labor further. Bro. Butler and Cornell will, I believe, see much fruit of their labor the present season.

The Sabbath following the Iowa Conference, I met with the church at Waukon, and with my mother, and mother-in-law, and other relatives. I was very grateful for this privilege after so many years of separation.

June 26-29 was devoted to the sessions of the Minnesota Conference. The brethren in this State are much embarrassed in sustaining those who labor in their Conference. The labors of Brn. Ingraham and Pierce are highly appreciated; yet on account of want of means they can labor only part of the time. An earnest effort was made to relieve this embarrassment. To some extent it was successful. But further efforts must be made if the brethren desire to keep these ministers the most of the time in the field. If the S. B. funds were paid quarterly in advance instead of at the end of each quarter, as the best do, and after long delay, as many others do, it would make a great change for the better. In fact, if all would do their duty promptly it would change this state of things entirely.

I trust the blessings of God will be upon the cause in Minnesota. But I am well convinced that no State needs more urgently the labors of Bro. and Sr. White, and I trust that they will be able to visit Minnesota this present season.

J. N. ANDREWS.