Zeal in Attending Meetings.
We give this heading to the following letter, because we think the efforts made to attend meeting of which it speaks, are worthy of imitation. The Lord, by his apostle, directs us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, especially when we see, as we now do, “the day approaching;” and we think it worth while, even under some difficulties, to try to heed this injunction of the apostle. The writer says they have been greatly blessed and encouraged by meeting together. No wonder. God loves a spirit of sacrifice, and will always bless all reasonable efforts put forth in his service. The letter is written from Burt Co., Nebraska, and says: The Advent friends of Harrison Co., Iowa, met with us last Sabbath. We had a good congregation, mostly brethren and sisters, with some inquirers. Best of all, the Spirit of the Lord was with us; and we had a precious season talking of our hopes, and the glorious truths of God’s word. Bro. Bartlett spoke a short time for our encouragement. He is giving a course of lectures, evenings, at the school-house in his neighborhood, near Little Sioux. There seems to be a good interest. The brethren and sisters there have been made to rejoice, the past season, by seeing some of their friends embrace the truth. We have met together each month since last spring. They cross the river one month, and are met by teams on this bank, and are taken to the place of meeting. We cross the next month; and they meet us, and take us to meeting. It requires some exertion, as we are so scattered both sides of the river, having to go from two to twelve miles to reach the river, then cross, and go two or three miles, have meeting, and return; making it necessary for some to start Friday afternoon, and stop on the way, returning Sunday. A part of the time, a brother has brought his boat eight or ten miles for us to cross in. Still we have been greatly blessed and encouraged by meeting together; and we feel very near to each other. We have regular Sabbath meetings each side of the river, also Sabbath-school, and weekly prayer-meeting here. Of those who started here, the greater part hold on still; most are gaining in strength, knowledge, and zeal. Some proved that the good seed was sown on stony ground. Others have fallen into temptations; but we hope that the power of the enemy may yet be broken. The parents have an interest for their children, and some of the children have expressed a determination to be Christians. All seem favorably impressed. We are glad to hear from Bro. Butler that he was appointed to come here and help us, which he will do as soon as other duties will permit. We desire to be in such a state that we can receive the greatest possible benefit from his labor. The message is onward and upward.