REPORT FROM OHIO by I. D. Van Horn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 5, 1869

REPORT FROM OHIO.

By I. D. Van Horn

OUR meeting in Clyde is closed. We took down the tent and stored it away for winter, Tuesday, Sept. 14. We have given in all forty discourses. The attendance was not very large for the place, yet our congregations averaged about one hundred.

We found, soon after we began meetings, that Spiritualism, Universalism, and infidelity, held the leading influence in the town. Methodists and Baptists thought it almost a sin to go to the tent to meeting. The Catholics exerted a strong influence against us. With all this tide of opposition to meet, we could not accomplish much. No one came out publicly to oppose us, but nearly all worked against us in a secret manner.

Last Saturday evening, and Sunday morning, Eld. Bulger, United Brethren, gave two discourses against us, on the law and Sabbath, taking the position that the whole Mosaic law, ten commandments and all, were abolished at the cross, and only such of them were binding on us, as were re-enacted in the New Covenant. He was very personal in his remarks, and sometimes almost abusive; and, because of this, I thought it necessary to review him. I did so, and it was easy to be seen by the people where the truth was. The course pursued by the Elder, has made us many friends. Some of the members of his own church have decided to keep the Sabbath.

There are five now keeping the commandments as the result of our meeting; and three more are about persuaded to do the same. This will make quite an addition to the church, and if the church are faithful in their duty, I am satisfied there will be others to join them. May the Lord add his blessing to the work there, and carry it on to his own glory. Let me say to the dear brethren and sisters in Clyde, Be faithful children of the blessed Saviour, and he will be your strong refuge and help.

I. D. VAN HORN.

Strongsville, O., Sept. 22, 1869.