MEETINGS IN WISCONSIN by I. SANBORN

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 9, 1869

MEETINGS IN WISCONSIN.

By I. SANBORN

As Bro. WHITE has spoken but briefly of our good camp-meeting, held at Clinton Junction, I will mention a few things in addition.

Although it was a good meeting, the good fruits of which will be more fully realized at the Judgment, yet we believe that the heavy rain and wind storm that we had on Friday afternoon very seriously affected the interest of the meeting; and I fear that perhaps some who got there that afternoon, and before, without means of shelter, felt slighted because they were not looked after as closely as they would have been but for the many additional cares brought upon every one by the great rain. I hope no one will cherish any hardness.

As many solemn vows were made at this meeting, promising God that they would put away their sins, and live in obedience to his holy will, we hope the vows will be faithfully kept by all, remembering that God says in his word that it is better not to vow, than to vow and not pay. Eccl. v, 4-7.

On Monday, at the close of the meeting, eleven were baptized, two of the number young men from Chicago, who had been brought up Catholics. May the Lord bless these young men who have thus been led to forsake the worship of the beast and the doctrines and commandments of men, to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

Bro. Andrews has spoken briefly of the good meeting at Waterloo. It was continued five days after he left, closing last Sunday evening. Five more were baptized, and eight united with the church. Notwithstanding we were all disappointed in not seeing Bro. and Sr. White, the Lord made the meeting a great blessing to his people, and also to sinners, for which we praise his holy name. We still hope and pray that the Lord will open the way for Bro. and Sr. White to come to Waterloo.

Oct. 26, I started to my new field of labor, stopping at Lone Rock to see our dear Bro. Thompson, who is in severe affliction, suffering with intermittent and inflammatory fever. Cannot some of the brethren of the Sand Prairie church visit him in his affliction, and cheer him up in his trials!

Oct. 28, I commenced meetings with the church at Hundred Mile Grove. Sabbath, the 30th, was set apart for fasting and prayer, and confession of sins, with a determination to put away our wrongs. It was a very solemn day for most all present. The Lord gave me good liberty in speaking his word, by which he stirred up the hearts of those who had fallen under wrong influences, and got into trouble among themselves. On Monday, before I left, the Lord helped me to get together those who were the most involved in the trouble. Then the Lord, by his Holy Spirit, also helped those in the wrong to see and confess their wrongs, and to write out a confession to read before the church, asking the forgiveness of all the church. Thus perfect peace and harmony were restored, where only confusion existed for some time in the past. The Lord be praised for the divine power of his truth and Spirit, by which he leads his poor, erring people out of darkness into his marvelous light. May the brethren and sisters of this church, and every other church in the land, remember that in all the troubles they get into among themselves, both parties are to blame. The apostle says, “Where . . . strife is there is confusion and every evil work.” Again he says, “Be at peace among yourselves,” and, “See that none render evil for evil unto any man.” 1 Thess. v, 13-15.

May the Lord help his people to preserve unity and harmony, and walk in love. I. SANBORN. Baraboo, Wis., Nov. 2, 1869.