IOWA by R. M. Kilgore

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 4, 1876

IOWA

By R. M. Kilgore

ONAWA.

April 4, 5, we were unable to have but one meeting here on account of bad roads. Also re-organized Systematic Benevolence with an advance on the pledge of last year.

SMITHLAND.

April 8-10, after wading through water averaging a foot deep for about five miles, or nearly one-third of the whole distance, we arrived here in time for the meeting at the commencement of the Sabbath. I found the spirit of union and love prevailing among the brethren, and also a marked advance in the work and a growth of grace. The brethren here have diligently kept the books and tracts of the T. and M. Society at work among their neighbours, and, as a result, several have embraced the truth and are now keeping the Sabbath. At their organization a year ago, eleven persons constituted their membership, and now it numbers thirty-five. Eight were received into the church, and six were baptized at this meeting.

The subject of S. B. was presented, and although the brethren here are poor in this world's goods they raised their pledge from $115 to $208. Besides this, they have set to work to build a meeting-house this season. This is indeed much needed, and a neat and commodious house of worship in Smithland will greatly promote the interests of the cause there. God will bless the efforts of those who are devoted to his cause, and crown their labors with success.

SOLDIER VALLEY.

April 12, 13. Though this meeting was in the middle of the week, I found the brethren were ready to attend, and they remained till the close. Harmony prevails here, and those who have been on the back ground are striving for the mastery. May the Lord help them to come off victorious. One was baptized and added to the church; S. B. was re-organized and raised from $56 to $86.85.

These brethren, with those in the above churches, seemed to awake to the fact that they had failed in the past of returning to the Lord his own, and that they had been self-caring in not returning the first-fruits. May the Lord help us all to fully carry out, in the future, those principles which are so just.

DUNLAP.

The meetings here (on April 15, 16) were held in the Congregational and M. E. churches, which were kindly opened to us. The believers here are few in numbers, but firm in the truth. The attendance from without was moderate; gave five discourses.

At each of these meetings Bro. Bartlett rendered valuable assistance, as these churches were planted by him.

R. M. KILGORE.