Indiana by E. B. Lane

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 27, 1871

Indiana.

By E. B. Lane

I RETURNED from Tennessee to Lancaster, Owen Co., Ind., in May. Here is where we held a course of lectures last season with the tent, and quite a number came out on the truth. We left Bro. Randolph to follow up the work, establish meetings, and help them till they were firmly grounded in the truth and had strength to stand alone. Bro. R. was taken sick and could not fill his appointments, as arranged, and these brethren received but little help; but to their credit and commendation, they arranged prayer and Sabbath meetings, and when we returned we found them steadfast and at work in earnest in the cause.

I learned on returning that the Disciple church in that place had tried to hold a continued meeting, but could effect but little, on account of the “mist or fog of Adventism” on the minds of the people. Their minister therefore gave out word that he would clear it up and settle their minds, giving our brethren a special invitation to come and hear him. They accordingly went, and heard—instead of candid dealing with our views—a tirade of abuse from the beginning to the end of his discourse. After making many false assertions concerning us, he threw out challenges and affirmed that he would meet me on the kingdom question. On learning these facts, I decided, after carefully considering the matter, that it would be better to accept the challenge. I therefore stated as subjects for debate, the kingdom, the law, and the state of the dead. These were accepted, and after a few days' search, Eld. Wm. F. Treat, of Bloomington, Ind., was found willing to discuss the above-named questions with me. The man who “cleared up the fog and mist of Adventism” for them, would meet me but one day on each question. I did not feel satisfied with this amount of time, but could get him no longer.

We had a large attendance, and as near as I can learn outside of Eld. Treat's special church members and friends, who are few, the truth has gained a clear victory. I found him an old hand at discussion, this being about the twenty-fourth or fifth he had engaged in. He seemed determined to gain his points, even though by unfair means. The people of their own accord raised $25.00 for us to defray the expenses of the discussion. A leading man of the place has since taken a firm stand in favor of the truth, and is keeping all the commandments. I labored a week or two among them, and some five have taken hold with the brethren there; so the truth is on the gain. We picked the tent and held the discussion in it, but have since moved it to Bowling Green, the county seat of Clay Co. Bro. Sands Lane and Ezra Brackett are laboring with it.

I have been spending some ten days with the brethren in Howard Co., organizing, and putting things in working order. We have felt much of the blessing of God with us, for which we would truly praise him. I feel of good courage to press on and do all I can to forward the cause of present truth. E. B. LANE.