p. 93 | Labors in Indiana by E. B. Lane; S. H. Lane

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 6, 1870

Labors in Indiana.

By E. B. Lane; S. H. Lane

Our last report was from Lancaster, Owen Co., southern part of the State. We pitched the tent at that place the 29th of June, in the beginning of harvest. We did not look for a large congregation at that season of the year, but were happily disappointed. We remained there five weeks with the tent, and with but a few exceptions our congregations would number from three to six hundred, while a few of them were estimated at seven hundred. The society was composed of Lutherans, Mennonites, Dunkards, Church of the Saints, Methodists, and Christians or Campbellites. All seemed to take an equal interest in the meetings.

We received some opposition from the Christian order, which did us more good than harm. Two of their ministers met us, the last of whom met our doctrines by way of review, which was kept up by us for several nights. The general impression of the community was that God's law was not abolished, notwithstanding his effort so to prove.

Our Sabbath meetings were large, numbering two or more hundred, while some twenty have embraced the truth, and we still hope for others who are soundly convinced. Our meetings at this place have left an excellent impression on the minds of the people, who are still anxious to hear further of our views. We remained one week after the tent was taken down and shipped north, holding our meetings in a grove, and in the Methodist church, which was freely offered to us. We have disposed of some forty dollars' worth of books, and obtained quite a number of REVIEW subscribers.

We are now at Burlington, Carroll Co. Here we found a great deal of prejudice, which has been gradually giving way, so that but little now exists. We began here the 10th of August, and have now presented the Sabbath-and-law question before the people; and it is making quite a sensation with them. We have had no Sabbath meeting with them yet, so cannot tell what will be the results of their investigations. We, however, expect some to take hold of the truth.

A good state of feeling seems to exist, and we have found many warm friends here. Our congregations have ranged from one to five hundred, with good attention and interest. We are receiving some opposition from the Christian denomination. This people are quite numerous, and nearly all the opposition we meet in this State comes from them.

We have received a challenge from three of their ministers for discussion, giving us our choice among them. The minds of the people seem to demand a discussion, and we do not know but it would be productive of much good could it be carried on in the fear of God, and we hope to engage in none other than such.

We were made to rejoice by meeting father Bates. May the Lord bless his short stay to the good of his cause. We were all sorry that affliction in his family called him away from us so soon.

Brethren, pray for the cause in this part of the vineyard.

Yours in hope of eternal life, E. B. & S. H. LANE. Burlington, Ind., Aug. 26, 1870.