IOWA

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 21, 1882

Elkhorn, March 13.—Since my last report, I have labored at Weston and vicinity, and at Elkhorn. At Weston the interest steadily increased, and some precious souls turned to the Lord and the truth.

I have been at Elkhorn eight days, and have held meetings and labored from house to house. God has been pleased to greatly bless his people here, and the word has not returned empty. Fifteen precious souls have turned to the Lord to walk in all his commandments. Thirteen of these have followed their Lord in baptism; the others had been baptized before. Besides these, six others joined us who had previously been members of our churches elsewhere, making an addition of twenty-one. They have also taken steps to build a house of worship, which they much need.

I was glad to meet Eld. Hansen, and find him improving in health. May the Lord continue to bless his people here. O. A. OLSEN.

Granville, Mahaska Co., March 7.—Came to this place the 27th ult. Found the community in a state of feverish excitement.

Bro. Fifield and my son Leroy had shortly before held a five days' discussion on the Sabbath question with Eld. Reynolds, of the Christian church. The discussion was unavoidable, but the people appeared unwilling to abide by the results. Eld. Frank Evans, of Fairfield, had been sent for, arrangements having been made with him similar to those made at New Sharon last fall, and he was on the ground and ready to commence against us on the evening of my arrival.

Eld. Evans had been engaged to give three lectures on the Sabbath question, and two on the immortality of the soul, and at the time his first lecture was given, the pastor of the M. E. Church arose and announced that their house was offered us to use each afternoon for the purpose of making replies, yet it had always been refused us before for any purpose.

Arrangements for replies were with considerable difficulty finally perfected, and our first reply was made the afternoon of the day following. Eld. Evans and his congregation were present, and after we had concluded, Eld. E. arose and occupied about one hour, basing every one of his arguments upon a direct misrepresentation of our views.

At his next lecture, he came before his audience looking crest-fallen. Before entering upon his regular work, he occupied half an hour in making a personal attack upon the character of Bro. Fifield and my son, rehearsing his experience with them at New Sharon, and resorting to base misrepresentations of them and our people and views. He concluded his abuse by saying, “I wish it distinctly understood that I am through with these young men forever,” etc.

The pastor, in accordance with the decision of the trustees, announced that the church doors would not be opened for us again.

We then, being allowed the privilege ‘to make an announcement,’ arose and stated that we would continue our replies in the U. B. church, and announced the hour, etc. Eld. Evans then arose and made an appointment conflicting with ours. He did this three days in succession, giving three extra lectures, and occupying all the time, thus compelling us to wait until he was through and gone before we could resume our replies.

The Methodists immediately began a revival meeting; yet our replies were well attended and were made with freedom and effect. An effort was made to close the U. B. church, but without success. Eld. E.'s arguments, the strongest that could be produced on the other side, and presented in an able manner, were not, with God's word, difficult to meet. To his abuse we gave no attention.

It is universally admitted that Eld. E.'s effort here only strengthened our cause, and greatly weakened his own. Before he left, two of his members, one of whom was the superintendent of the Sunday-school, ordered their names taken from the class-book, and others threaten to do likewise.

The cause of present truth is advancing. The interest in this vicinity will be fully developed. We hope to be remembered in the prayers of God's people. H. NIGOLA.