Tour in Missouri and Kansas.
By J. H. Rogers
PARTED with Bro. Cook at Nevada, Mo., April 19, as noticed in his last report. I went to Avilla, Jasper Co., to look after the cause there. Found the church in a terrible condition. This is one of the oldest churches in this Conference, and numbers among its members some of the oldest Sabbath-keepers in the State; yet they have been made weak in consequence of not walking in the light, and exercising true charity one for another. While some were too severe, others were too sensitive. Some had become discouraged, and had given up attending meeting. I labored with them about three weeks, publicly and from house to house, listening to, and adjusting trials. Oh, what work the enemy has for us when we “come down,” by giving heed to him! How important that we heed the counsel of the “True Witness” in living out this truth in the midst of a “crooked and perverse nation.” By a persistent and persevering effort we succeeded in restoring harmony and good will, accompanied by a spirit of confession, and of forgiveness toward one another. The reason our brethren often fail to accomplish anything in settling church trials is that they go at it in a partial manner, not having the Spirit of our loving Saviour, and instead of recovering any from the snare of the devil, they entangle them worse, and they become so badly soured that it becomes extremely doubtful whether they can be helped with all that can be done for them. From Avilla I went to Newton Co., May 6, accompanied by Bro. L. D. Santee, who designs to engage in the work of preaching the message, as the way may open. We spent a few days with the church there very agreeably in trying to instruct them in the way the Lord is leading this people by the light of the first message. These friends have been neglected. They need encouragement, and should be visited by those calculated to help them. Came back to Avilla, and started the 18th with Bro. Blanchard for his home in Labette Co., Kan. Spent Sabbath and first-day following with the church there. This church seem to be moving along in harmony. When I left, Bro. B. was preparing to join the Southern tent, which I found Brn. Cook and Lamont had pitched at Neosho Falls, Kan. Commenced meetings the 18th with a fair prospect and interest, although the feelings of the people are worked up to a degree of anxiety on account of the grasshoppers, which are utterly laying waste some portions of the country, consuming every vestige of green vegetation, the fruit, and everything. They are worst on the water courses, but are spreading out over the country, and will, in two or three weeks, be old enough to fly. Then it is hoped they will leave. But fearing for the worst, many are selling out and going back East. A restless spirit prevails everywhere among the people. After helping to plan for the best openings for tent labor in Southern Kansas and Missouri this season, I returned home the 24th to attend the “special meeting” in Daviess Co., Mo., appointed by Bro. White, and to see to many pressing matters of Conference business.