Iowa by R. M. KILGORE

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 2, 1872

Iowa.

By R. M. KILGORE

I have just closed a series of meetings in what is known as the Kentucky Settlement, the people being principally Baptists. In their house of worship I gave two lectures, which, through the influence of their pastor, Eld. Ward, was then closed against me. I was then permitted to occupy the school-house near by, by becoming responsible for all damages.

Though much prejudice existed, yet this house was well filled, even on very stormy nights. And in consequence of such extreme cold and storm, we were only able to give eighteen lectures in a little more than three weeks.

Having given the Sabbath question quite fully, and the people becoming somewhat stirred upon the subject, Eld. W. announced a discourse on it in three weeks. I asked the privilege of the house to review the same. He objected, and said he did not want it publicly investigated. The same day I was informed that I could have the school-house no longer. I was then compelled to change my meeting for the following Friday evening and Sabbath to the Carson school-house two miles distant.

In the evening of this day he came to me privately and asked me to discuss the following: Do the Scriptures teach that the ten commandments are binding upon Christians? And setting the time on a week from the following Monday, I consented. The next day I returned home, and Wednesday I received a note from Eld. Stott (Baptist) of Columbus City, stating that he had been sent for to meet me, and was there ready to discuss three questions that week, viz.: The second advent, soul sleeping, and the seventh-day Sabbath; and that he would take pleasure in investigating the claims of Mrs. White to heavenly vision, the two resurrections, eating, drinking, dressing, &c., &c.

When I informed him that I could be there Friday, and would be ready at the time agreed upon, he boasted, and insinuated that I did not want to meet him. Mr. Owen having withdrawn my appointment, I went to hear the elder, Friday evening, on the Sabbath question, he having given two lectures on other subjects the two previous evenings.

The following were some of the arguments he used against the Sabbath of the Lord: 1. “Paul said it was wrong to ‘judge us upon this subject,’” Col. 2: 16, “yet the Advents do it.” 2. Those keeping Sunday are vastly in the majority, for “there are only 7000 Adventists and 7000 S. D. Baptists.” 3. “The ‘way’ and the ‘gate’ are wider now than they used to be. All the world is to be converted.” 4. “The wise and the good have always kept Sunday.” 5. “I keep Sunday because it is fashionable.” 6. “The ten commandments are abolished, nailed to the cross, set aside, done away.” 2 Cor. 3; Eph. 2: 15; Col. 2: 14. 7. “There is no Sabbath. I’ve got none.” 8. “Now put together Deut. 4: 13, and Heb. 8: 13, and we see that old death-dealing instrument is done away.” And to corroborate his second statement, he said that “you cannot put your finger on a text of Scripture but what the Adventists at Battle Creek have ten men writing about it.”

I announced a review the next evening at the Carson school-house, being denied the meeting-house. The Elder left for home the next morning, leaving the field for me. We closed our meeting with a review of his discourse to a crowded house, feeling that the Elder’s effort had done more for the truth than against it; and that the Lord had ordered all for the best.

As the result of these meetings, two prominent members of the Baptist church, husband and wife, who kindly gave me a home while I was there, have commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, and others are much interested and investigating. I sold five Bibles, some books and tracts, and gave away more, money being very scarce. I hope for more results in the future. The interest to hear on the part of the people was as great at the close as it had been. Some expressed a desire that the tent should come next year. I am now ready for work elsewhere. May the Lord direct. R. M. KILGORE.

Washington, Iowa, Dec. 19, 1871.