I. D. VAN HORN by I. D. Van Horn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 30, 1871

I. D. VAN HORN

By I. D. Van Horn

Minnesota.

For the last few weeks, from April 12, I have been laboring in the city of St. Cloud. I have given twenty-five discourses, and in all, held thirty-one meetings. For a little more than a week we were permitted to occupy the Methodist house of worship. They have our thanks for this. They then refused to permit us to have their house longer, and we were obliged to hire a hall to continue our meetings.

But the change of the place of meeting, and the prejudice, together with the efforts of the ministers against us, made our congregation small. A few, however, who seemed much interested, attended the meetings to their close. There was no open or public opposition on the part of any, only that the Methodist minister gave a discourse to overthrow the obligation of the Sabbath of the Lord, the seventh day, and endeavored to support Sunday as the Christian Sabbath. His positions

were the same that others have taken, which have been repeatedly published in the REVIEW.

We reviewed his discourse with good effect for the cause of Bible truth. Many were convinced that the Bible Sabbath was the seventh day; but most of them sought some excuse for easing their consciences, that they might continue in their old ways.

There were three families of Sabbath-keepers in this place when I came here. It was mostly for their benefit that I came. The result of the meeting is, four have taken a decided stand on the truth, and there are more who are much interested. On Sunday, the 7th inst., I baptized nine, and in the evening organized a church of thirteen members. The Lord has been pleased to give some fruit as the result of the labor in this place. Systematic Benevolence was heartily adopted and entered into to the amount of $52.00 per year.

The enemy is already stirring up his agents in this place to “love and make” falsehoods about us and the truth. But this only serves to make those more strong who have taken up the heavy cross of keeping the Sabbath and living out the truth. The jewels will be gathered in the last day; but they must first be made pure, and be caused to shine as lights in the world. May it be the privilege of this little company to have strength from the Lord to endure the trials and go through with the people of God to Mount Zion.

I. D. VAN HORN

May 9, 1871.