The Illinois Tent by R. F. Andrews; T. M. Steward

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 9, 1870

The Illinois Tent.

By R. F. Andrews; T. M. Steward

As we made up our minds not to remain longer in the vicinity of the camp-meeting, we thought best to go south, to some new field. We accordingly shipped our tent to Mendota. We then went to Homer, seven miles south of Mendota, but saw no light in that direction; so we came to Earlville, sixteen miles east of Mendota. As the opening seemed favorable, we sent for our tent, and pitched it in this place, and commenced our meetings July 1. Our congregations were small, and we soon found that the first-day Adventists were our bitterest opposers, bracing themselves, and all their influence, against us; reporting that we were more Spiritualists than anything else. But with all their efforts, the congregation increased, and the interest rose until evening after first-day, July 10, we had about 400 hearers, who gave good attention while the subject of the perpetuity of God’s law was presented. It was very evident that quite a number were interested. The interest increased, and we had quite an audience through the week, until the next first-day, the 17th, just at the time of our afternoon meeting, 2 P. M., while some were coming to meeting, but before any had entered the tent, there suddenly came upon us a terrible gale of wind, with rain, unroofing houses, overturning chimneys, uprooting trees, &c., &c. Some unruly boys had been cutting our ropes on the side where the wind struck it, and they gave way, and left our tent to the mercy of the wind. It soon raised, and unhooked from the center ring, and burst two rents, from circle rope to top, and tore it some besides. The wall was also damaged considerably, so that we thought best to take it to Chicago, to get it repaired. This damage cost about thirty dollars, and delayed our meetings nearly one week. But it is well repaired, and is as good as ever again.

While our meetings were delayed, somebody’s agent heard that we were here, and sent a package of Wm. Sheldon’s tracts against the visions, to this place, to circulate, to prejudice the minds of the people against the law and Sabbath. The first we knew of it, one who was interested, who knew nothing of our views before, inquired about it. They have tried to raise prejudice among the people; and have succeeded in keeping some from meeting; and they have been to our meeting and tried to raise prejudice here. The interest decreased while our tent was down, so that since we pitched it the last time, our congregations have been small, but the interest is now increasing again some. We have hope of some good souls here; but unless we can see a change for the better, we shall have to leave here soon. We have quite a good many calls for our labor, but have not decided where we shall go yet. Sickness in the place has been against us. There were three funerals in the place, Sunday the 24th. It is exceedingly warm weather.

R. F. ANDREWS. T. M. STEWARD.

Earlville, July 27, 1870.