REPORT FROM BRO. BLANCHARD.
By H. C. Blanchard
My last report ended April 14. I remained at home until June 3. During that time I preached to the church at Princeville occasionally. Held a Quarterly Meeting with them May 30 and 31. Had good meetings; the Lord met with us. On first-day, two were baptized and united with the church, my own dear boy being one of them. June 3, started for little Prairie, Wis., to attend our Conference. This Conference was the best I ever attended. We had the labors of Brn. Andrews and Cornell, which were very practical and instructive. May God abundantly bless the labors of these dear servants of the cross. Sabbath and first-day, 13 and 14, met in Quarterly Meeting with the church at Gridley, Ill. Spoke to them four times with freedom. On first-day, three were baptized, four united with the church. We visited every Sabbath-keeping family there but one, and they were living too far away for us to see them. This church needs faithful and patient labor. They are trying to follow the good Shepherd, but in consequence of their opposition to the reform that is going on among us, I fear that some of them are a long distance behind God's people, but I trust they will soon see their way clear, and keep pace with the remnant. Dear brethren and sisters at Gridley, may God enable you to walk in the light while it shines. June 16, arrived at home again. Remained at home until July 15. Labored some for the comforts of my family, and preached to the church at Princeville part of the time on the Sabbath. July 15, started for Dell Prairie, Wis., to attend the Convocation appointed at that place. When I reached Rockton, on my way, I learned that the meeting was postponed. Sabbath and first-day, 18 and 19, attended the Quarterly Meeting at Avon, Wis. There were brethren from Rockton and Monroe present. We had a refreshing from the Lord. Spoke Sabbath forenoon from Luke iv, 7. Bro. Steward spoke at 3 P. M., from Rev. xii, 17, after which we attended to the ordinances, and we felt to realize the truth of the Saviour's words, “If ye know these things, happy are if ye do them.” We bade the brethren and sisters farewell, and started123for Rockton. There is a little handful of faithful brethren and sisters here, still holding on to the truth. When we came into the meeting-house Sabbath, and looked over our little congregation, we felt sad. Seven years ago we met in Conference here. This church was then prospering. “The candle of the Lord shone around them;” but there has been a shaking among them. Some have given up the truth, many have moved away, leaving but a small remnant. This is the oldest church in the State, being the first organized. They also built the first meeting-house. From what I learn of their history, they are beginning to prosper again. Much depends upon their leader. May he be guided by the Spirit of the Lord. May they all “walk in the light,” and such be added to their number as shall be saved. July 20, came in company with Bro. Steward to Dell Prairie. Was much disappointed in not meeting Brn. R. F. Andrews and I. Sanborn, this being one of my objects in coming on here, but it seems almost providential that I missed Bro. Andrews, as I should probably have gone home had I met him. But I am here, and I conclude from the circumstances that I am where the Lord would have me labor for the present, so we are holding some meetings at this time with the church here. They are very much disappointed in not having the Convocation as appointed, but they feel that their loss and disappointment is somewhat made up in the faithful labors of Bro. R. F. Andrews, during his stay with them. We are trying to do them some little good, while we tarry, waiting to get some appointments ahead of us. Bro. Andrews has given us an account of the dry weather and early harvest. They have since had a good rain, for which they feel grateful to God. That will save their later crops. I should agree with Bro. White that the meeting for this year was in the wrong time, their harvest being at least two weeks earlier in consequence of the drouth, but as a general thing, it is the only time you can have a Convocation in this part of the State. Dell Prairie, July 24, 1868.