First Meeting of the Southern Illinois Conference
By Wm. Penniman
This meeting began on the evening of November 6, and closed on the evening of November 9. The recent rain, causing bad roads, hindered a good many from coming from a distance who intended to come by wagon roads. Some came by rail, and we had a good representation from East and Upper Alton. Meetings were held in the forenoon, afternoon, and evening. A good meeting does not consist in numbers, but in a humble and contrite spirit on the part of those who are present. Prejudice against the truth here is gradually wearing away, as those who had never before entered our doors, and some of the most intelligent and leading citizens of the town came out. A part of the time our congregations were quite large. The sermons were both practical and doctrinal, and the truth was presented in such a clear and forcible manner as to win the hearts of the people. The themes presented were fully abreast of the times. Elder Lane preached the truth with his usual power and freedom, so that not only the brethren were encouraged, but those not of our faith were anxious for more. He also took a broad view of the missionary field, showing how the missionaries of the different churches are paving the way for this gospel of the kingdom to be preached in all the world, and that must be done by reaching the masses instead of the classes. The truth must go into the highways among the wealthy and aristocratic as well as into the hedges among the poor. The Scripture says the isles shall wait for God’s law. Many of them already have it, and the hand of God was made plain in the Philippine Islands in opening the way for the truth by the Spanish War. Elder Charles Thompson, vice-president of the conference, presented the work of selling “Christ’s Object Lessons.” We trust that when the third quota of books is sent out, every member of the conference who possibly can will engage in the work, and thus have a part in the jubilee.