p. 105 | REPORT FROM BRO. LOUGHBOROUGH

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 30, 1867

REPORT FROM BRO. LOUGHBOROUGH.

By John Norton Loughborough

It is now a long time since I have made any report through the Review. My last report was made during the protracted meeting here in Battle Creek. That series of meetings, I trust, was a benefit to the church here, and resulted in bringing others to make a start in the ways of the Lord. Our excellent Conference here has been spoken of by many others. Although this was a period of labor and some sadness to me, I trust it will not soon lose its influence upon my mind, and that as a people we may fully carry out the vows there formed. It was in the midst of that Conference that forebodings of the trials that were before me seemed to press with solemn weight upon my mind.

After our Conference business here was disposed of, I attended the three Western Conferences, as already reported by others through the Review. These Conferences were all somewhat thinly attended, owing to the backwardness of the season interfering with work. In Minnesota the heavy rains had so swollen the streams and softened the sloughs that, in some sections, they were actually impassable. Many of those who did come waded streams breast deep. The Lord met with these sacrificing ones in power in the Conference, and all seemed to feel amply paid for the pains taken in assembling. In all these Conferences the word spoken had free course, and there was unity of action in the business deliberations.

The brethren and sisters in the Ill., Wis., and Iowa Conferences are especially anxious that Bro. and sister White should meet with them in their Convocation Meetings. We hope they will comply with the request. It would doubtless be a matter of encouragement all around.

I returned home June 20, much exhausted, hoping to get some rest. On the 24th I was suddenly plunged into deep affliction by the death of my companion, as before noticed in the Review. I have the abiding witness in this time of trial that God is good, and believe he doeth all things well. The afflictions he permits to come upon us are designed for our good, and to bring us nearer to him, where we can consecrate our energies more and more to his service.

Since the loss of my companion I have been detained at home most of the time with my children, but have tried to make good improvement of the time in writing on the work on Physiology. This work, I expect, will be all ready for the printer in about three weeks.

Friends have been very kind to me during my affliction, and have my sincere thanks for their words of sympathy and acts of kindness. My brother has consented to come, with his family, and occupy my house and care for my children, which will, I trust, open up the way for me to go out again into the field. I hope by the blessing of God to be enabled so to spend my time that some good will result from the efforts made.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Battle Creek, July, 1867.