REPORT FROM BRO. VAN HORN.
By I. D. Van Horn
Some time has passed since writing my last report, and I wish to say that I have not been idle, even though I have been silent. Since closing my labor in Croton, as seen by my last report, I have been laboring in the town of Casnovia, Muskegon Co., Mich., where I have been engaged the most of the time for ten weeks. Nearly two weeks of this time, however, I spent at Wright at the time of camp-meeting. There was no religious society here of any kind, and only a very few who made a profession of religion. The minds of most of the people were either skeptical or in darkness and ignorance upon many portions of the word of God. It was a neighborhood in which but few meetings had ever been held, and where all forms of religion had long ago been laid aside. The Lord has helped to set the truth before this people in its beauty and power, and it has affected the hearts of some. There has not been much opposing influence at work against us, and, though there was some prejudice, the result of our effort here is full as good as could be expected. I have given sixty discourses, besides holding a few other meetings. I have disposed of about forty dollars' worth of books, sold and given away, which, I trust, will help to carry on the work. Fifteen have fully decided to keep the Sabbath, with the rest of the commandments, and try to lead Christian lives the few remaining days of their probation. Last Sunday, the 19th, I closed my labors in this place for the present. It was a good day to us all. In the forenoon, I spoke upwards of an hour, with much freedom, on the subject of baptism. An audience of nearly a hundred listened with good attention. Immediately after the discourse, we all went about a mile to a beautiful place where twelve, obedient to their Lord, were buried in baptism, and, we have reason to believe, have arisen to walk in newness of life. One of the number was Silas, the son of our much afflicted Sr. Fox. God is blessing her efforts to serve him, in giving her sons to go with her to Mount Zion. May her last days be full of peace and joy in the Lord. This baptismal scene was the first of the kind that had ever transpired in this place. Good order prevailed on the occasion, and a feeling of solemnity rested upon nearly all who witnessed the scene. In the evening, I spoke with good freedom on the ever-inspiring theme of the saints' eternal glory. By faith we took a view of the heavenly land, and we felt to take courage and press onward, believing that a home in that blest abode will be worth more than all the sacrifice we can make to obtain it. I have reason to believe that the little company here appreciate the truth they have heard. One good feature of the work in this place is, that where the truth has taken hold, whole families have received it. May the Lord bless them, and continue to work for them, until they shall have made thorough work, and shall stand with their palms of victory on Mount Zion. Be faithful in your duty, dear friends, and the victory is certain. Casnovia, Mich., Sept. 21, 1868.