Wisconsin Tent, No. 1 by I. Sanborn; O. A. Johnson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 27, 1876

WISCONSIN TENT, NO. 1.

By I. Sanborn; O. A. Johnson

We pitched the tent in Vernon Co., the 8th of July, for the purpose of finishing up the work commenced here last spring by Bro. Johnson and myself. We have an increasing interest. We shall stay here until the 24th, and then go to Viroqua, the county seat, and commence meetings there the 27th.

We earnestly request the prayers of the people, especially of those in this Conference; for I am convinced that if there was more earnest praying done by the dear brethren and sisters for those who are out with tents, and especially for those who hear preaching, and if the prayers were as earnest as those of the prophet Elijah when he prayed for rain, we should see greater results. The minister may reason ever so closely, but if there is not much earnest praying done, both by the minister and the people of God, there will be but little increase as the result of his labors.

At this time there are about fifty tents in the Lord's harvest field, and if they only average two hundred hearers each, ten thousand are hearing the truth every evening, besides those who are hearing it in school-houses. There is therefore no other season in the whole year when so many are listening to the truth for the first time. And instead of the brethren and sisters becoming slack in their devotions, they should greatly increase their zeal.

The ministers go out feeling anxious to win many souls to the Lord, but while they weep and pray, and plead with the people, perhaps their brethren and sisters at home have not time to attend the weekly prayer-meeting. Perhaps they neglect family worship a part or all the time of harvest; and of course, in such cases they do not take time to pray much in secret. Now we ask you all to pray for the advancement of the work of God, just now, with more zeal and fervency than you ever have before. When you see an appointment for a tent-meeting, plead with the Lord earnestly to bless his word and make it powerful in convicting and converting the people.

Dear brethren and sisters of the Wisconsin Conference, pray more earnestly than ever that the Lord may greatly advance his cause the present season.

I. SANBORN, O. A. JOHNSON. July 13, 1876.