A Visit to Sabbath-Keepers in Iowa
By John McMillan
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Having but a very limited acquaintance with Sabbath-keepers, and feeling rather chilled in this semi-frigid zone, and being desirous to become acquainted with those who have had an experience in the way, on Monday, June 15, in company with Bro. Loudon, who has lately started in the narrow way, I took passage on a steamboat for Muscatine, Iowa, thence, by R. R., to Washington, Iowa, 50 miles. Here, and in this vicinity, we found very kind friends, although we had never seen each other in the flesh; we felt the force of the words, as we never had before, “How blest the sacred tie that binds
In sweet communion kindred minds.”
Here they are striving to live out the health reform, and here, as in the church at Marion, the sisters all wear the reform dress. Oh! what a contrast between this and the fashionable dress of the present time. But, says one, who knows which is most acceptable in the sight of God? Please read Isa. iii, 18, 23. Ten miles southeast of Washington is the village of Brighton, where Bro. Cornell, Butler, and Kilgore had pitched the tent. On first-day, 21, we listened to Bro. Butler in the forenoon, while he clearly and forcibly showed the harmony of the Scriptures on the second personal appearing of Christ, and in the afternoon Bro. Cornell had much freedom in showing by the signs of the times that his coming was near. The congregation was large, and good attention was given; many seemed as though they were listening for eternity. In the early part of his discourse, when Bro. Cornell was speaking of the vanities of the world that the professors of religion were adopting, some half a dozen of both sexes got up and left, and were soon out of hearing. It was evident from their gait and gear that they were a fair illustration. Brighton is a village of about 7 or 8 hundred inhabitants,107mostly composed of church-going people, as the number of spires would indicate. We regretted much that previous arrangements prevented our visiting the brethren at Pilot Grove, having purposed to return via Mantorville, Minn., to attend the Conference on the 26th. On Monday, 22, in company with Bro. D. Hare, we started North, via Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and Marion, some 70 miles, by team. Here (Marion) we met with the church at their Tuesday evening prayer-meeting, which was a precious season, to me, at least. This little company has enjoyed, and is still enjoying, a rich experience in the truth. In the defection under Elders Snook and Brinkerhoff, when about half of their numbers went over to the enemy, those that remained firm must have enjoyed a privilege that those who have never been tried are strangers to; and now, when the opposition is divided on everything only on opposition, and their leaders are gone and going into Spiritualism, the faithful ones have been so far sanctified by the truth that they do not exult over their erring brethren, but are willing to forgive as they expect to be forgiven. 24th, took the cars for Dubuque. Had to wait there nearly a whole day for a boat which failed to connect with the train at Winona. As no train would leave for Mantorville till Sabbath noon, we kept on our course homeward, letting the more than expected pleasure of our short visit atone for our disappointment in not getting to the Conference. We feel encouraged to press closer to the remnant people of God, to walk in the light as it springs up in our pathway, and to avoid all appearance of evil. JOHN McMILLAN.
Prescott, Wis.