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Woodburn, Iowa

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 8, 1873

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 41, No. 17.

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Woodburn, Iowa.

By Jacob Shively

According to appointment in Review for the tract society meeting of the 6th Dist., Brn. Nicola and Auten came to hold meetings with the church for the purpose of leading us out into the light, from which it was found we had been wandering. They first went from house to house to talk and pray with the friends, to find what their spiritual condition was, and to encourage them to come out to meetings and unite in seeking the Lord for light and help, and a deeper work of grace. It was very evident that the church was in a sad condition. There was not that brotherly love, that union of feeling, and harmony in the church that should characterize the people who have received the last message and claim to be preparing soon to meet the Lord and be taken home to Heaven without seeing death.
Reformation in the way of living had not been very generally adopted. We needed a new conversion, to prepare us to enjoy the blessing of God. The truth on all points could not be harmonized by all. Eyes were turned back, and steps taken toward Egypt. Tobacco, coffee, and pork, with their appetizing evils, were still made use of. The state of the church was about as the enemy would delight to have it. But as the meetings commenced (they began Feb. 25, and ended March 3), the Lord began to work. The work of self-examination was entered upon, and each one tried to look at his own case and get his heart right before the Lord. Confessions and vows were made by all. The meetings grew in interest. The work of self-examination continued, and we hope it will continue until we are all purified and made white, so that when the Lord comes, we may all be found of him in peace.
We are happy to say that all have quit their tobacco. Others have promised to abstain from the use of coffee. We trust the work will go on until every idol is forsaken. We now feel that we are united on the truth as we never were before, and if we stand together and hold each other up, the Lord will work for us, and we can then exert an influence that will be for the advancement of his cause. To the Lord be all the glory. May the Lord bless those dear brethren who came and labored so earnestly to help us out of the darkness into which we had fallen. JACOB SHIVELY.