Iowa and Nebraska by R. M. Kilgore

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 16, 1872

Iowa and Nebraska.

By R. M. Kilgore

MARCH 14, met with the friends in the Soldier Valley in Harrison Co., Iowa. Gave six discourses, and organized a Sabbath-school and Bible-class.

Here we found all the friends standing firmly for the truth and rejoicing in it. Two more have united with them in keeping all the commandments, and others are keeping the Sabbath nominally.

During the Methodist protracted meeting held since we left this place, efforts were made to set things in order and bring back those who had been led astray, (1) By chiding them and praying for the “weak-minded;” and (2), By reading a printed sermon which the minister had secured for that purpose, the author taking Aker’s position on the Sabbath. The result was that which we should reasonably expect. Instead of bringing them into the fold again, the breach was made wider, and the “lost sheep” were more firmly established in the position they had taken.

Like the fox with the grapes, those around them now cast their names out as evil, styling them the “ignorant” and “unlearned” of the community, and claiming that the Lord can “holify” one day as well as another, and denouncing the idea of a “literary hell.”

The protracted meeting closed without a single acquisition, and rounded off with a series of “surprise parties” which were sanctified by opening them with prayer (?).

Tuesday, the 19th, met Bro. Bartlett at Bro. Stanley’s. Commenced a course of lectures near Hooper, Nebraska, with a very fair interest. The house being small, all cannot attend. Hold meetings here during the week, and go eighteen miles to meet with the friends near Elder Grove school-house, on the Sabbath. The school-house being closed against us, we were compelled to resort to a private house. With these dear friends we enjoyed good meetings last Sabbath. There are now twenty-five at this place who are keeping the Sabbath. We hope they will prove faithful, dig deep and lay the foundation well, that they may stand amid the trying scenes before them.

R. M. KILGORE.

Hooper, Neb., March 25, 1872.