p. 118 | WISCONSIN by D. P. Curtis

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 13, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 15.

WISCONSIN

By D. P. Curtis

Bro. Ells and myself came to Pierce County, Wis., and commenced meetings in a school-house one and one-fourth miles from Ellsworth, the county seat, Feb. 15. After staying six days, Bro. Ells was called back to a new and important field in Minnesota by the president of the Conference, and I continued the work for two weeks, alone, when, my health failing, and the interest not rising as seemed desirable to make it profitable to stay longer, I closed after giving, in all, nineteen discourses. Two families embraced the truth, and are strong in the faith. I have hope for another family or two in that section.

As Bro. Hill had been laboring for some weeks alone in the eastern part of the county, I concluded to join him and help awhile in that field, as he was nearly tired out. I found him at a small hamlet, called Olivet, with a good congregation, and increasing interest, in supporting distance of the company that he had brought out at Rock Elm. The next week, a three days’ snow storm came on, and broke up the meetings for three days. Then Bro. Hill was sick, and left for one week. The devil stirred up the spirit of opposition to the Methodists and Free-will Baptists, and that encouraged the Irish Catholics to come in and make disturbance in the meetings. Then a Free-will Baptist minister came in and asked the privilege of preaching every other evening. Out of courtesy, we granted his request. He is an old man of seventy years of age. He began in a belligerent spirit, and excited some feeling among his friends. I paid no heed to anything that he said. The second time he spoke he created so much excitement that the school board closed the house against meetings. A vacant store was offered us to continue our meetings in, and we have held them there since last Sabbath. Eld. P. gave a good sermon on Sunday evening which was very moderate; last evening he softened down to a very mild key, and left no more appointments. The Catholics made such a disturbance in our meetings that we went to Ellsworth yesterday and took our warrants for the ring leaders, and the sheriff is after them to day. All these things have been against us, yet the Lord has stood by us, and given us encouragement, and great peace, and courage to toil on, in hope of the soon-coming day of deliverance.

Two families are now keeping the Sabbath here, and we think others will yet obey God. Bro. Hill is much improved in health. My health is not good, and this, with sickness in my family, will call me home for a time. But the truth is marching onward, and the day of toil will soon be over, and the time of our triumph begin. God speed the hour. Brethren, pray for us. D. P. CURTIS.

Olivet, Pierce Co., Wis., March 29, 1876.