I. SANBORN by I. SANBORN

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 4, 1871

I. SANBORN

By I. SANBORN

Wisconsin.

Since my last report, I have spent about fifteen days in the village of Dover, Iowa Co., Wis., where a Bro. Joslin, professing to be a Seventh-day Adventist minister, and an exponent of the faith of Seventh-day Adventists, had just closed a discussion with a Methodist minister on the subject of the immortality of the soul. By their rough, unchristian conduct toward each other, and toward those of an opposite faith from that which they professed to represent, they had so thoroughly prejudiced the minds of the people that I could get but very few to hear me.

But some may say, Why did you go there? I answer, Because I was sent for by a Sabbath-keeper who lived in that place, and because Bro. Joslin himself wanted me to go and see what a great work he had done. Having seen it, I sincerely pray that he may never do another of the same kind; because the prejudice caused by the unskillful management of that discussion can never be allayed.

With the blessing of God, I did the best I could for those who did come out to hear; and some of them are now keeping the Sabbath as the result.

From Dover, I went to Arena, four miles west of Dover, and continued meeting in a pleasant hall, owned by a Seventh-day Adventist. I spoke to attentive congregations six times, and would have continued longer, but circumstances in my family made it necessary for me to close my meetings and return home for a short time.

Notwithstanding my short stay at Arena, quite a number are convinced that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord; and I think some of them will keep it even if they hear no more preaching. Although the nights were dark, and the weather unfavorable, our congregations were respectively large and very attentive. We hope to be able to visit the people there again before a great while, if the Lord will. In this report I wish to say to the Brethren in Vernon and La Crosse Cos., and those also at Dell Prairie, that I will visit them just as soon as I possibly can. And I will try and give due notice of the time in the REVIEW.