Iowa and Nebraska by R. M. Kilgore

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

Iowa and Nebraska.

By R. M. Kilgore

Since my last report, by the advice of the Conference Committee, I joined Bro. Bartlett to labor in the west part of this State and Nebraska.

Our first meeting was at Magnolia, the county seat of Harrison County. Here the interest was small. Those who were interested, when Bro. Morrison held meetings here two years ago, had lost their interest and did not come near us. Those who were most interested being from the country, we thought best to leave town and go to the school-house near Bro. Smith’s. Here we held a few meetings, and closed Sabbath, Jan. 27, with a good spiritual meeting. Hearts were softened by the influence of the tender spirit of God.

As the result of these meetings, three have embraced the truth, and two who were on the back ground made a new start to serve the Lord. Others are under deep conviction and will yet obey the truth.

Arrangements were made for Sabbath meetings, that this little band of eight may meet together to encourage and strengthen each other.

From this place we went four miles north to the Soldier Creek Valley, where Bro. Bartlett began a series of meetings last fall, but was compelled to close because of severe storms. Here we gave eleven discourses to a very attentive and interested people. Here twelve in all have taken a noble stand upon the truth as the result of this labor, living within a compass of half a mile.

Our meeting here last Sabbath was a very profitable season to all. The blessing of God was present with us, and we all felt its power.

We felt to rejoice in the Lord as we witnessed strong men arise with tearful eyes and confess the truth and make known their determinations to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, especially was this the case when one in his seventy-second year arose to bear his testimony for the first time for more than twenty years. He, with his aged companion, have decided to live the remaining days of their pilgrimage here in obedience to God’s holy law.

This little company covenanted together to meet on the Sabbath for worship and to obtain a more thorough knowledge of the truth. A leader was chosen whom we trust will receive a large measure of the blessing of God to enable him to discharge his duties aright.

While here we shared the hospitality of Bro. and sister Chase. With this brother I feel a strong attachment. He, like myself, served in the late war. We were engaged together in fighting the battles of a carnal warfare. I trust he may prove faithful and “endure hardness as a good soldier” in the battles of the Lord.

At this meeting a family of native Americans, Snowball and squaw, attended regularly. We left the dear friends here with reluctance, but with the assurance that God had wrought for them. To his name be all the praise. May God bless them.

We sold over seven dollars’ worth of books, gave away more, and obtained one subscriber for the REVIEW.

We are now on our way to Nebraska, to engage in labor there. May the Lord direct.

The people here in the West are kind and hospitable. We enjoy visiting with them, even in their log cabins, some of which are covered with prairie sod, as the one is in which I now write.

My address will now be, Hooper, Dodge Co., Nebraska. R. M. KILGORE.