Goodhue Co., Minn by H. F. Phelps; L. H. Ells

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 18, 1873

Goodhue Co., Minn.

By H. F. Phelps; L. H. Ells

As some may be looking for a report from me, I will try to make one in brief. “God’s ways are not our ways.” I had desired to find a field some distance from home, but here we are within four miles of home.

We commenced meetings in a large school-house about seven miles away, where the way seemed to open. Now we do not suppose that an account of our trials, disappointments, mistakes, and drawbacks, would be of any particular interest to the readers of the REVIEW, so would only say that several times the interest has risen to quite an encouraging point, when the cold weather, the epizootic, and again the terrible storm of Jan. 7–9, and, last of all, a severe difficulty of my lungs, have broken the interest. But we have struggled on, sometimes with a congregation of sixty, and then down to some half dozen, then again all the way up to seventy perhaps.

We have been at work in two districts, in school-houses about five miles apart. By force of circumstances, the greater part of the meetings are now at the stone school-house, the place where we last commenced.

We commenced these meetings with much fear and trembling. Many wakeful hours have been spent while others were asleep, many prayers have been put up to God, and many tears have been shed; but God knows it all.

Seven are now rejoicing in all the truth. Four had once kept the Sabbath, but did not leave their idols, and soon went back. They all now seem determined to go through, and if they go on as they have commenced, they will overcome. May God bless them. We hope for more, and labor on. Pray for us. H. F. PHELPS, L. H. ELLS.