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MEEKER CO., MINN

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 22, 1876

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 25.

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MEEKER CO., MINN.

By D. P. Curtis

At the earnest solicitation of the leading brethren of the Litchfield church, and with a view to strengthening the brethren and bringing the light of truth before others, if they would come to hear, Bro. Ells and myself came to Litchfield the 26th of May. We met with the church on Sabbath, and had a good season. Found the members hopeful and trying to maintain the warfare against sin and error, despite the defection of Eld. Lee and his few adherents.
On Monday, the 29th, we set the tent in the village, and commenced meetings. But few except the brethren seemed to care to come to hear, and we have been unable to awaken any general interest among the people. This world has too many attractions for them to stop to listen to the preaching of the despised doctrine of the coming of the Lord. We think that the one object of strengthening the faith and courage of the little Swedish church here will be secured, while a few others will have heard some of the solemn truths of the last message, which may in time result in their salvation.
On sixth day, the 9th inst., we went to Kingston to attend the quarterly meeting and dedication. Met a good delegation from the Litchfield, Hutchinson, Koronis, Round Grove, and Monticello churches. The melting Spirit of the Lord was present with us on Sabbath evening, as we tried to draw near to him in prayer. Sabbath, at 9 o’clock A. M., held prayer and social meeting continuing till 10:30, when Bro. Ells gave a general outline of our faith on the coming of the Lord, from Col. 3:4. In the afternoon, Eld. H. W. Babcock, of the S. D. B. church who has been traveling with Bro. Grant for a few weeks, visiting the churches, gave an excellent practical discourse from Acts 20:24. In the evening, by request, Bro. Ells presented the Sabbath in a clear and plain manner.
On first-day forenoon, the house was filled, to listen to a dedication sermon by Bro. Ells. This was followed by the ordinance of baptism, which was administered by Bro. Grant to four willing candidates, who had been waiting several months for such an opportunity. In the afternoon Bro. Battin, a young Baptist minister, who embraced the Sabbath last winter and is with us at Litchfield, listening and investigating, presented in a very clear manner, the evidences of the certainty of the soon coming of the Lord, from Matt. 24:33. In the evening we celebrated the ordinances, during which time the sweet, softening influences of the Spirit of God were felt in all hearts.
The Kingston church was organized in May, 1875, with six members. It has since doubled its membership, and now has a fine hall 26x30, neatly finished and furnished, in which to worship. This is the work, mainly, of Bro. W. H. Hall, whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. May God bless the little band, and give them a home in the kingdom. Our next objective point is the camp-meeting. The Lord fit us for the work before us.
D. P. CURTIS.
Litchfield, Meeker Co., June 13, 1876.