Reports from Illinois Meetings
By H. G. Buxton
Dear Brethren and Sisters: I have endeavored to not be idle in the Master's cause this winter, but have done what I could, though it be but little. Nov. 21, commenced a course of lectures about four miles north of Lexington in McLean Co., Ill., in a country school-house. The roads were very bad most of the time while there, so that I had to postpone meetings once or twice, which, with the prejudice against the truth did not give a very large attendance. Gave thirty-two discourses in all. Sold about $6.00 worth of books, obtained two subscribers for the REVIEW and one for Reformer. Four signified their willingness to keep the Sabbath and with further help I believe they will become fully identified with the Lord's remnant people. Most all the community were convinced we have the truth on the Sabbath and the advent near. Jan. 16, commenced meetings in Danforth, a railroad station in Iroquois Co. There was quite a good attendance here, and I think there are some honest souls, although the Methodist minister, the only preacher there, had discontinued his meetings some time before saying “I have given them over to hardness of heart and reprobacy of mind.” The Spirit of the Lord helped, and four decided to keep God's commandments, two of whom, a man and his wife, were so situated they thought they could not well commence keeping the Sabbath, then, but have since given up their tea, coffee, and tobacco. I trust those four will be numbered with God's people. Two more started to keep the Sabbath but have rather turned from it, and a number more are about persuaded to obey the truth. I sold about $10.00 worth of books, obtained one subscriber for Reformer, and gave in all thirty-four discourses. Feb. 23, commenced a course of lectures in Lexington McLean Co.; but a number of circumstances rendered it impossible to go through. Gave only seventeen discourses, yet I think four will obey the truth. The ministers, of whom there were ten or twelve in the place, stated if they got into a discussion with us they should lose their members; hence they used their best and wisest argument, silence. Sold about $8.00 worth of books, and received two subscribers for Reformer. I crave an interest in the prayers of God's people for wisdom to know, and grace to walk in, the path of duty, in order to rightly labor while the day lasts.