REPORT FROM BRIGHTON, IOWA.
By George I. Butler
At the date of our last report, which was some time in the past, we were trying to raise means for the building of a meeting-house. It seemed absolutely necessary for the completion of the work we had begun that a place to convene the people should be had; and there seemed no other way but to build. After some effort on our part, and the holding of several business meetings, our subscription of money, labor, and material, was raised to nearly fifteen hundred dollars. The friends of the cause here were not used to the bearing of burdens as much as some who have been longer in the truth, and there seemed to be no one here to take the lead, and leave their own business, and press things to a completion, so Bro. Cornell accepted this burden of directing, himself, and for the last few weeks has labored far beyond his strength for the purpose of having a house of worship here, for the benefit of others, that the cause might receive no hindrance. May God reward him for his labors. I hazarded the prediction, in my last report, that such a house would be built, and we now see it almost completed. It will be ready to plaster in a few days. Its dimensions are 32x46; the largest Seventh-day Adventist meeting-house in the State. Bro. Jacob Hare, of Mt. Pleasant, kindly took charge of the mechanical part of the work, at a great sacrifice to himself. We rejoice to see it so near its completion. Since we have all been laboring with our hands upon the house, we have not had as many meetings as before; but there is still quite an interest to hear the word of God, and our devotional meetings are quite well attended, and new ones are taking part in nearly every meeting. The opposition here has been very bitter, and long continued; but things have been more quiet of late. A good blow was struck here by the coming of Bro. and Sr. White, and Bro. Andrews, to the place, immediately after the Pilot Grove meeting. Their testimony was well received, and much prejudice removed. We had strongly desired the privilege of hearing their testimony in Brighton, and expected much good from it, and have not been disappointed. Many strong men wept while Sr. White spoke forth the words of truth. Our meetings ever since have been increasing in interest. Bro. Andrews remained one evening longer than Bro. and Sr. White, and gave a remarkably plain, convincing discourse upon the two covenants, which has been much commented upon ever since. I thought, while hearing it, how glad I should be could I see it in print. This difficult subject received such an exposition that all its difficulties seemed removed, and many citizens have expressed themselves delighted with it. Cannot Bro. A. find time to write it out for the benefit of others? It certainly accomplished good here. We shall make every effort to finish up the work here as fast as possible, that we may be able to labor some in other fields. The omens are still favorable here, and we hope to see a band of believers, well established in the present truth, before we leave. But let not the friends of the cause expect too much; for Satan is strong, and the truth has many bitter enemies here, who will do all they can for its overthrow. Brighton, Iowa, Oct. 28, 1868.