Utica, Dane Co., Wis by E. M. Crandall

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 7, 1871

Utica, Dane Co., Wis

By E. M. Crandall

Wisconsin.

THROUGH a kind Providence Brn. Bartholf, Loomis, Olds, and myself, were permitted to attend the quarterly meeting of the church at Hundred Mile Grove, Wis., held Oct. 7 and 8, 1871.

We found the brethren laboring under some discouragements yet hopeful, and making an effort to overcome. Meeting commenced Sabbath morning by a discourse by Bro. Olds from Eph. 6: 13–19, in which he endeavored to show the importance of getting on the whole armor of God that we might be able to stand in the evil day. This seemed to give them strength and courage to press on in the narrow way. The ordinances were celebrated in the afternoon. All, or nearly all, took a part. The Spirit of the Lord was present; and judging from the testimonies that were given, the brethren and sisters were greatly moved to put away their past transgressions and negligence, and to take hold of the work God has assigned them with renewed vigor, and try to live so that union and harmony may prevail, and so fight the good fight that they may lay hold on eternal life when the Master shall appear.

In the evening, I tried to speak to them from 1 Thess. 5: 6–12, and show that the night of darkness was far spent, and the glorious day was about to dawn, spoken of by prophets and looked for by patriarchs, and that, if faithful, we may participate in the glorious events that are to take place in that day. “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”

First-day morning, Bro. Olds preached from Matt. 7: 3, 4. The discourse was well received, as was shown by the testimonies of the brethren and sisters.

Brn. Bartholf and Loomis took hold of the work like good soldiers, and helped the interest of the meeting very much. I tried in the afternoon to address them from Mal. 1: 14, showing that the Lord was a great King and his greatness was shown in his works. And to this great King we owed allegiance and obedience. And to the obedient he had made many and precious promises.

Liberty was then given for all to speak. The time was well improved, and the Spirit of the Lord seemed to rest down upon the people, and it was with reluctance that we brought the meeting to a close. E. M. CRANDALL.