REPORT OF MEETINGS by John Nevins Andrews; Merritt E. Cornell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 16, 1868

REPORT OF MEETINGS.

By John Nevins Andrews; Merritt E. Cornell

We left Battle Creek, Thursday, May 28, for our appointments in Allegan Co. We arrived at Allegan village about 8, P. M., and were kindly received by Bro. and Sr. Burnham. Next day we went on to Monterey, where four discourses were given; beginning the evening of the Sabbath, and ending with the evening after it. These meetings were of a solemn, heart-searching character, and we trust that they left a lasting impression for good.

On first-day we returned to Allegan village, and spoke in the afternoon and evening, to a good congregation. A spiritualist lecturer was present, who challenged for a discussion. As we must leave in the morning, in order to fulfill our appointments, we deemed it entirely improper, and unwise to enter into the discussion of so extensive a subject, with only a single evening to spend upon it.

In the morning we took the steamboat at Allegan, and had a very pleasant ride, of about 50 miles, down the narrow, crooked Kalamazoo, to Lake Michigan. Here we took a lake steamer, at sunset, for Chicago, and arrived at C. about seven next morning.

We devoted several hours to attendance upon the closing session of the Methodist General Conference. Bishops Morris, Janes, Ames, Simpson, Kingsley, Thompson, and Clark, were upon the platform. Nearly all the speakers were D. D’s. Bishop Clark presided. He is entitled to much credit for his capacity to transact business with rapidity, in the midst of the direst confusion that we ever witnessed in a religious assembly. Their business was of much importance to the denomination; a large portion of it consisting of revision of the discipline. Many speakers claimed the floor at the same time, and the most contradictory motions and propositions were showered upon the chairman. Many of the votes were disputed, and the rival parties stood up to be counted by the secretary. Frequently eight or ten votes turned the scale on important matters. At last the business was all disposed of, and the time of adjournment came. The closing religious exercises were conducted by Bishop Janes. He made very appropriate and impressive remarks to the conference, and closed with prayer. The conference had been in session about one month, but it did not seem that they had come to the unity of the faith.

The remainder of the day was devoted to necessary business in Chicago. The following morning we resumed our journey, and stopped for the afternoon and night with the hospitable family of Bro. Williams, at Clinton Junction, Wisconsin. Our time, while there, was spent in necessary writing, and in other duties.

Thursday, June 4, we reached Little Prairie, the place for the meeting of the Wisconsin Conference. Our brethren here are not numerous, but they did what lay in their power to care for and entertain the conference. They have a moderate-sized house of worship, which does credit to this church for its neatness and modesty.

The preaching brethren, Sanborn, Matteson, Steward, Blanchard, and R. F. Andrews, were all present, also a good representation of the brethren and sisters. But the attendance of our people was not so large from a considerable distance as it would have been had the notice of the meeting been a little longer, and had the weather been less rainy.

The business meetings were hindered by a lack of order and promptness on the part of the churches and ministers during the past year in making report to the conference secretary, so that it was very difficult to get at the financial standing of the conference. The secretary should have stirred up these brethren to the performance of their duty, so that he could show the exact standing of the conference, and of the different church treasuries. The subject was so fully set forth in the business meetings that it is hoped the evil will be remedied. The religious meetings were all of a solemn, and we hope profitable, character. Many of our brethren renewed their vows of consecration to God, and his cause. We believe they mean to fulfill them. We were glad to meet quite a number of our Danish brethren, and to hear their testimonies for the truth. Some of these were given in the Danish language, Bro. Matteson acting as interpreter.

The brethren showed themselves ready to respond to the wants of the cause. About $625 were pledged for the California Mission, and the Benevolent Association, and the Book and Tract Fund.

We trust that real and lasting good has been accomplished by the meetings during this conference. They will be reported, perhaps, more fully, by the secretary.

The business of the conference being closed yesterday (Monday,) forenoon, we took the cars at 1, P. M. and came by way of Milton Junction, Clinton Junction, Beloit, Freeport, and Port Byron, to Rock Island, where we arrived last night about midnight. Today we came by way of Wilton Junction, Davenport, and Muscatine, to this place, reaching here about noon. We spend the few hours in this place in necessary writing, and go from here, if the Lord will, to the meeting at Pilot Grove. The blessing of God has rested upon us in this journey, and we pray that it may be granted to us in much larger measure.

J. N. Andrews, M. E. Cornell.

Washington, Iowa, June 9, 1868.