Iowa by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 21, 1872

Iowa.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

APRIL 19 to 22, was with the church at Adel. Our meetings were good and encouraging, although on account of bad weather the outside attendance was small. One was expelled, and one put under censure; excepting these, I found the little company united, pressing forward, and growing strong in all the message. One who had lately embraced the truth was added to the church by baptism. An elder was ordained, and then we celebrated the ordinances. I left them much encouraged.

April 25 to 30, at Peru. It rained most of the time I was there, so that it hindered our meeting much; yet most of the church got together on the Sabbath and Sunday. Here also, an elder was chosen and ordained, and then we celebrated the ordinances. All took a ready and active part. All who have united with the church are settling into the work, and growing strong in the truth. There is no discord among them; but all seem to be of one mind, and to love each other. Some who did not take a decided stand, and an active part, have fallen off entirely. This was to be expected. We organized S. B. to the amount of $158.

May 1 to 5, at Osceola. Roads being bad, and the season late, but few came from abroad excepting the Woodburn church who were nearly all out; but all the brethren here promptly attended all the meetings. Tuesday and Thursday evenings I spent in instructing them in practical duties. We had two good, solemn social meetings on Sabbath and Sunday, and most of the time I enjoyed good freedom in preaching the word. The outside attendance was good as it always has been here.

One more took a decided stand on the truth, and several made a determination not only to keep the Sabbath, but to give their whole hearts to the Lord. This rejoiced us. Four were added to the church, and then Sabbath noon, nine were baptized into the truth. It was a beautiful day, and a lovely spot; and a more solemn baptism I have seldom seen. The Spirit of God made some shout for joy.

Among those baptized was Bro. Glunt, many years an elder in the Disciple church. He had baptized many in the same place where I now baptized him. After this, he was unanimously chosen and then ordained elder of the church. I feel a great nearness to this dear brother and his good wife whose hearts and interests are wholly in the work.

This church seems to be wholly united in strong faith in the whole message, in a willingness to sacrifice for it, and in a tender love for each other. As long as they maintain these things they will be a strong church.

Sunday night, I took the cars on my way to Minnesota. Thus closes my labors for the present in Iowa, after a stay of three years. How many tender ties, how many sacred associations, I have formed here in those years. And even the very trials and sorrows, the dark hours and disappointments, have only served to attach us more closely to these friends and places. It is not without a struggle and many tears that I break away from these strong attachments to go out and pass through the same things again in new fields. But this is our lot till our blessed Lord shall come; and for his sake and the love of souls we can do it. But the glorious day of glad deliverance is drawing nigh. For this we hope, and weep, and pray. My courage in God and the truth is good. Brethren, we still expect your prayers. D. M. CANRIGHT.

Ottumwa, Iowa, May 6, 1872.