IOWA by L. F. Starr

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 4, 1902

IOWA

By L. F. Starr

We praise the Lord for the opportunity of speaking a few words in regard to the work in Iowa. Since our last Conference meeting, although many changes have occurred among us, we can say that the work in Iowa is onward. For a long while it was felt that a change must take place among this people. In “Testimony for the Church,” No. 32, page 64, is a statement which reads as follows: “This church will never prosper until the members commence the work of reform in their own hearts.” We believe that this has been true for a long while with this people, and we hail with delight this work of reform. When every Seventh-day Adventist will reform heart and soul, the work of God will move onward as we have never seen it go. While we are living in days of peril, when men’s hearts are failing them for fear, “and for looking after those things which are coming upon the earth;” while iniquity abounds on every hand, and the love of many is waxing cold, God calls upon His people to awake, put on the whole armor, and give the message that is meat in due season to the household of God. Our work is to be an earnest one. We are to be filled with the same spirit and earnestness that those possessed who carried the heavy burdens in the early history of our work. They were men and women who were not afraid to sacrifice for the cause of God. This has been true of all reformers.

During the fall, we held four camp-meetings. At these meetings the message that was due for these last days was set before the people. Many of the fathers and mothers in Israel rejoiced to hear the message preached that Jesus is coming in this generation. They said the preaching of the word had the ring to it that was in the work in the early days of the proclamation of the Advent message. One hundred and thirty-five, who were bound in sin, came forward to enlist in the army of the Lord, and twenty-eight were baptized. Since then, we have held three general meetings, besides visiting among the churches. One hundred and four young people have given their hearts to the Lord for the first time, and twenty-one backslidden ones have made a start once more to go through with God’s people to the kingdom. Thirteen were baptized. Wherever we go among the churches, we find the people willing to take a definite stand in favor of reorganization.

We have no discouraging word to offer as we see the work from day to day. While we are not satisfied with the past, we want to press onward, and be ready for the soon-coming King. If the truth which we profess to believe is the truth of God and the last warning message, it is necessary that God’s people show it in their lives. The world and worldly principles have been creeping in, but we believe that there are better days before us.

The church-school work is making advancement, and the fathers and mothers are getting interested in the education of their children.

May God help us all to be ready for the soon coming of our blessed Lord. L. F. STARR.