Meetings in Wisconsin by I. SANBORN

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 22, 1870

Meetings in Wisconsin.

By I. SANBORN

In our last report, of September 5th, we had closed our tent labor at Liberty Pole, in Vernon Co., and had commenced tent labor at Kickapoo Center, in the same county, and only twelve miles from Liberty Pole, where we held a short series of meetings last spring. We continued our tent labor there over three Sabbaths. It was wet, dark, cloudy weather most of the time, yet we had some excellent meetings.

The second Sabbath and first-day that we were at the Center, we had very large meetings, especially on first-day. The Lord gave us great liberty in the

word, after which we went to the water, where nine were baptized. We think many went from that meeting believing that what they heard that day is essential to their salvation.

We closed our tent labor the 20th of September. The next Sabbath and first-day I spent with the church at Sand Prairie. Its members are mostly faithful, and growing in grace and the knowledge of the truth.

We then spent two weeks with the Waterloo church. I found about half its members lukewarm, which is the most lamentable condition that any Seventh-day Adventist can be found in—neither cold nor hot, and, therefore, they do not seem to realize their condition. What a terrible deception. No wonder that the Lord says, Repent, or I will spue you out.

The Lord gave me great freedom in his word, which greatly aroused and encouraged the living, truth-loving members, who felt greatly strengthened to press on for life, life, eternal life, at the coming of the Lord. I have never before witnessed so perfect a fulfillment of the parable of the sower, as given in Luke 8: 4-16 (please all read), as I have in this large church. May the Lord continue to stir them and purge them that they may bear much fruit, that God may be glorified. John 15: 8.

From Waterloo I came to Monroe, Green Co., and spent last Sabbath and first-day. This church is coming up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. The Lord, by his holy Spirit, has removed elements of weakness from them, so that for the first time, I think, since they have been a church, they are most entirely free from internal elements of weakness. Since Conference, they have sold their old meeting-house and lot, bought another lot, and built a new meeting-house south of the depot. They now have a neat, well-finished house, in a retired, quiet place. I preached the dedication sermon last first-day, Oct. 23. Public notice of this meeting would have been given through the REVIEW, had it not been that I failed to get Bro. Pratt’s letter till it was too late. For this reason there were but few from abroad; yet we had an excellent quarterly meeting.

I arrived home yesterday, having been absent since the 24th of May, twelve days excepted. I am feeling rather worn and tired. Several of my brethren have told me this summer that I would certainly break down if I did not stop this constant labor, and rest; and I rather think that is so, yet I hardly know how to consent to stop, unless something is thrown in my way to compel me to. But I will inquire of the Lord daily for light.

Bro. Downer is still laboring in the vicinity of Liberty Pole with good success. Many have embraced the truth since I left there. I hope the Lord will open the way for me to visit the brethren there in a few weeks. I shall try to give timely notice through the REVIEW. I think I shall try to have a general gathering there soon, if the Lord will.

I. SANBORN.

Johnstown, Center, Wis., Oct. 25, 1870.