IOWA by C. A. Washburn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 28, 1882

IOWA

By C. A. Washburn

Among the Churches.—Since my last report, I have held meetings with the churches of Knoxville, Woodburn, Osceola, Afton, and Mt. Ayr.

At Knoxville we had the unexpected privilege of meeting Eld. R. M. Kilgore and wife, who stopped here to visit relatives on their way back from the General Conference to their mission field in Texas. Though somewhat worn, they seemed to be in good health and of good courage in the work. Bro. Kilgore assisted in preaching, and his labor was appreciated by all. This church is one of the largest in Iowa. We held evening meetings through the week, and visited from house to house through the day. They have quite a large and well-finished house of worship. Seven renewed their subscription for the REVIEW, and three subscribed for Good Health. Clubs of the Signs and the Instructor are taken. They have an interesting Sabbath-school. The ordinances were celebrated, and Bro. C. F. Stevens was re-elected elder of the church.

At Woodburn we were encouraged to find the church so ready to take hold with us in the work of seeking God. We had meetings in the day and evening. The brethren came with their two-horse-teams, and brought their whole families with them. This is as it should be. We want our children with us when we reach our eternal home on the new earth; then let us take them with us to the house of worship. Bro. Jacob Shively was re-elected elder, and a deacon was chosen.

At Osceola, the brethren manifested a good interest in the meetings. They have a neat and convenient house of worship in the city. One young person made a good start to serve the Lord. Bro. A. W. H. Millard was re-elected to the office of elder, and a deacon was elected and ordained.

At Afton, they have a small but convenient house of worship in the city, which was quite well filled with Sabbath-keepers on the Sabbath. A

degree of interest was manifested in the meetings and Sabbath-school. The director of the district was present, and obtained six names for the REVIEW, five for the Signs, and thirteen for the Instructor. A deacon was ordained.

The church near Mt. Ayr are of good courage. A good person has embraced the truth there recently, and there is some prospect that others will do so. A few Sabbath-keepers came from Taylor county, a distance of about twenty miles, and met with us, and manifested their interest in the work, by contributing of their means for the advancement of the cause. I obtained one subscriber for the REVIEW and one for the Signs. There are good openings for labor in this part of the field, which should be improved.

Smithland, March 17. C. A. WASHBURN.