The Iowa Tent by R. M. Kilgore

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 1, 1871

The Iowa Tent.

By R. M. Kilgore

We arrived at Leon on the fourth of July; and as their “custom” is, we found the people assembled, honoring the day of our national independence. Here we found the new tent from Missouri waiting for us, and the people were notified that our meetings would commence the following Thursday evening. This gave us two days to erect and seat the tent.

On Wednesday night, after we had the tent up and partly seated, a storm suddenly came up from the south-west, accompanied with a severe wind and a torrent of rain. The hooks and rings on the upright posts were not of sufficient strength to stand before the gale, but gave way and the whole circle was left without a prop; and for fear it should be badly torn we cut one of the long guy ropes which let the whole fall to the ground. The next day, we rigged each post with a new hook and ring, and soon had the tent in order again, seated and ready for evening meeting.

At this meeting, our audience numbered about two hundred, and has steadily increased till it now averages about three hundred and fifty, some attending regularly from two to five miles in the country. We have never witnessed a greater stir, and so much opposition caused by the proclamation of the advent of the Saviour nigh at hand, as we have here at this stage of the meeting; and this coming from those of whom we ought to expect better things.

The people will hear, and an interest in religious matters like this has not been known before in this community. It is the topic of conversation generally. We are treated courteously and kindly; and we have the sympathy of the masses.

We are in the midst of the Sabbath question; and as the claims of God’s holy law are presented, men and women are convicted, and some have already decided to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. How many shall yet decide, He who knows the hearts of all men can only tell. On next seventh-day we have our first Sabbath meeting. We hope for good results, and our prayer is that God may work for the salvation of precious souls, and that his servants may have the hearts of the people.

R. M. KILGORE.

Leon, Iowa, July, 18, 1871.