La Salle Co., Ill by T. M. Steward

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 12, 1875

La Salle Co., Ill.

By T. M. Steward

AFTER our excellent camp-meeting, I came to this place (North Rutland) to hold meetings. As the first-day Adventists here seemed willing that I should have their meeting-house, I thought I would not bring the tent. At first, the Adventists turned out to hear, and seemed interested in my meetings; but as I proved every point, they saw that I was going to prove the Sabbath with as much certainty as any other, so they fled before they heard on that subject, and raised a bitter outcry, circulating false reports about Bro. and sister White, just as though Bro. and sister White had made the Bible. I had preached nothing but the Bible, and told them I would abide by the Bible.

But they could not frighten all. Some came, and those that heard could see how God has led his people, and why he requires them now to keep all his commandments and the faith of Jesus. One embraced the truth, and said he would keep the Sabbath, then another, and then others took a stand, until as many as eight or ten were convinced. These were all who had heard, except some who had kept the Sabbath before. This raised the fire of the dragon, and the people began to cry mesmerism. The Adventist preacher went around warning the people, and doing all he could against us, not by argument, but by misrepresentation, and by telling the people that we were trying to get them away from Christ and under the law. He then stirred up such a prejudice that some of them thought they ought not to let me stay in their house. We left the meeting-house, and have held our meetings in a private house. The Lord has blessed us.

I found three sisters here who embraced the Sabbath in Pontiac when I held tent-meetings there some two years ago. I found an old veteran of 1844 who was not afraid to listen, and, as he saw the third angel's message, he responded, from his heart, “Now, brethren, I see where we are, and I can see through now. We are coming out of the wilderness.” He is a living Adventist. His noble wife comes with him, and they are enjoying the meetings, though our numbers are few.

Four have already taken a stand on the truth and are strong. Others are convinced, and I trust will yield obedience to the law of God, while others are investigating. We have good meetings. But the spirit of opposition is the bitterest I ever met.

It has been very rainy the past week, which has interfered with our meetings some; and I have suffered from a cold considerably, but it is better now. I expect to remain here this week to establish meetings, &c. Bro. Hicks will lead the meetings after I am gone, and I hope to leave them so that they can cast their influence on the side of truth, and not with its enemies. Pray for me, that I may be truly a laborer in my Lord's vineyard.

T. M. STEWARD.

New Rutland, Ill., Aug. 2, 1875.