Wisconsin by Isaac Sanborn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 14, 1871

Wisconsin.

By Isaac Sanborn

SINCE my last report, I held meetings with the Avon church one week. It was a precious season, as there I met with some who embraced the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus under my labors sixteen years ago, and are still waiting for the Lord. The good cause is getting hold of a good many minds in that vicinity, that I think will yet embrace the truth in the love of it. Our meetings were full and interesting. Bro. George McDowell was ordained elder, and Bro. Henry Decker was appointed deacon.

From Avon I went to Albany, and spent a few days. This church seem to be united in this work. They labor at present under one disadvantage, which is the want of a convenient place to hold meetings. It is hoped that they will be able to build before long. I think with the proper amount of labor a few miles west of Albany at the right time quite an addition might be made to the number of the church.

From here I went to General Conference, and spent one week most delightfully, as it was the first privilege of the kind that I have had for four years. I felt much encouraged and strengthened as I witnessed the advancement the good work of the Lord had made, and is now making.

I returned to my field of labor with new courage, and am determined to do all I can to forward the good cause. I commenced meetings at Muscoda, Grant Co., according to appointment in REVIEW. I find much prejudice here, yet there is some interest. The Congregationalist preacher gave two opposition sermons last first-day and evening. He said he would discuss with a man that was capable of going to the root of the Greek and Hebrew languages; therefore he would not discuss with me, because I would not make such pretensions. I asked the elder before his congregation if he understood both Greek and Hebrew to the root. He said he did. In the evening he spoke against our views on prophetic time, and I dwelt especially on the seven times, and time, times, and dividing of time, in Daniel, asserting all the while that it did not mean years, but did not tell us what it did mean. After he had closed his meeting, I asked the privilege of asking him a question, as he had just asserted that God said what he meant and meant what he said, and that those prophecies were a revelation to man. Said I, As you say you understand the root of the Hebrew, will you be so kind as to tell us what God does mean by the term seven times and time, times, and dividing of time? After pressing him hard, he acknowledged that he did not know; at which the congregation gave way to laughter, much to his confusion. I reviewed his first sermon last evening, and review the other this evening, the Lord willing. Just what the result of my labors will be here, I know not yet. I expect to commence meetings at Dover in Iowa Co. next Friday evening, March 3.

ISAAC SANBORN.

Muscoda, Wis., Feb. 28, 1871.