WM. S. INGRAHAM by Wm. S. Ingraham

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 27, 1872

WM. S. INGRAHAM

By Wm. S. Ingraham

Minnesota

Since my last report, I have visited the following churches: Tenhassen, Jodavis, and Shelbyville. In Tenhassen I spent about one week. The Lord gave edge and power to the preached word. There was a general breaking down, and such a work of confession I have not witnessed for a long time, in any place. The Lord was our helper, and there was a general coming up on the part of the church.

From this place I went to Jodavis, where I spent the Sabbath. Our brethren here are well united, and our short stay with them was very pleasant. Our next appointment was at Shelbyville. Here I met with Bro. Grant, who assisted me much in our meetings. Our congregations were quite large considering the bad weather. The Lord was pleased to give good liberty in the proclamation of the truth, and we trust good was done.

While in Shelbyville, we learned that two spiritualist lecturers were causing great excitement in an adjoining town, and, as I was sent for to go and hear them, we thought it would be proper to do so. Such blasphemy as fell from the lips of one of these gentlemen never escaped the lips of Paine, Voltaire, or a Hume, and it would puzzle an infernal demon to outstrip and go beyond him in reproaching Jesus Christ and the word of God. We were told that soap and water were far preferable to the blood of Christ, to cleanse a man.

After the close of the lecture, I was enabled to ask some questions, and defend them in such a manner that these lecturers were badly puzzled, so much so that the people saw that my questions were not fairly met. As the people were anxious to hear me speak upon the subject of spiritualism, and voted to have me do so. I accordingly left an appointment for the next Sunday evening. The house was well filled, and the effort was really a success. Near the close of my remarks, while contrasting spiritualism and its teachers with Christ and the Bible, I called upon all that preferred Christ and the word of God to manifest it by saying, I. A response was given that did honor to the truth. I then requested all that preferred spiritualism to the Christian's God and Bible to manifest it by the same sign; but, notwithstanding many had been deceived and led into spiritualism, not one dared to vote in its favor. The truth triumphed, and the tide turned in favor of the Bible. Much good might be done here by giving a course of lectures.

After leaving Shelbyville, I returned, in connection with Bro. Grant, to Tenhassen. We tarried here a few days, setting things in order by having the church enter into a more perfect organization. Bro. Birch was ordained elder, and Bro. R. Johnson, deacon. Bro. Merry took a noble stand in the confession of his wrongs, and two new ones embraced the truth. We return home, having good evidence that the Lord has been our helper, and that the cause is fast coming up in this State.