Meetings in Wisconsin by I. Sanborn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 26, 1870

Meetings in Wisconsin.

By I. Sanborn

My last report closed June 7, at Kilbourn City. June 8, I went to Mauston, and spent the day with Dr. Russell. Having previously seen his article in the Hope of Israel, I felt that I must go and invite him to forsake error, and come again under the influence of the third angel's message, which I did with pleasure. He pressed me to stay all night, and he would get out a notice for me to preach in the evening, which I did; and was surprised to find their commodious schoolhouse well filled with attentive hearers. I pray that the Lord may lead him, and many others in and about Mauston, to take a humble place in the work of the third message, which is the only truth that can prepare a people to stand in the day of the Lord.

The next day we went to Burns Valley, LaCrosse Co., and spent five days preaching and visiting the little company that was brought out there last winter. The most of them are faithful and growing in grace, but some have turned back to Egypt.

Here for the first time, we met Bro. Charles Smith, and his estimable wife, of Minnesota. Bro. Smith has formerly been a Seventh-day Baptist minister; but they have fallen in love with the third message. His wife attended the camp-meeting at Kilbourn City, and I trust went home to fall into the ranks with her husband, to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. May the Lord help her, is my prayer, and help Bro. Smith to be useful in building up the cause of God where he lives, and in other places.

June 13, I went to Victory, in Vernon Co., where I found some in fanaticism, for whom, I labored to save them from the power of the enemy. Had one good meeting there, and went the next day to the Nora camp-meeting. We are happy to say, that by letter we are informed that those in the wrong at Victory, are coming out right. May the Lord bless them, and bring them out clean and free from all such deceptions, is my prayer.

The camp-meeting at Nora was a good one; but might have been better, if all upon the ground that professed to love the truth had been willing to confess and put away their sins of hatred and envy and jealousy laid up in their hearts. We hope they will yet do so.

Arrived home the 22d, and remained home five days, preparing to leave for the summer.

Tuesday, 28, I started to the Wisconsin camp-meeting. On account of our camp-meeting committee's failing to be on the ground in time to help make the necessary preparations, we labored under some embarrassment. Nevertheless we had a good meeting, all things considered. But the same unsanctified influence that hindered the good work in the Nora camp-meeting, came into the Kilbourn camp-meeting from southern Wisconsin, and partly hindered, yea, almost stopped the work. May the Lord pity and have mercy on all who thus stand in the way of sinners.

Since the camp-meeting, we have pitched our tent in the midst of Kilbourn City, and have had two meetings. We have had over one hundred out to hear each evening, and good attention is given. Pray that the Lord may give power to the word. To our brethren in Vernon Co., I would say, Be patient, and I will visit you just as soon as the Lord may open the way.

We may not be able to visit Vernon Co. with the tent; but if not, we will visit you as soon after as possible. We pray that you may be faithful in the Lord till the end, then reap the reward; “For ye shall reap if ye faint not.” May the Lord help you all is our prayer. Pray for us that we may have freedom in the word of the Lord, and that much good may be accomplished by the tent labor this summer.

I. SANBORN.

Kilbourn City, Wis., July 14, 1870.