The Cause in Indiana by J. H. Waggoner

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 16, 1872

The Cause in Indiana.

By J. H. Waggoner

My time has been so closely occupied that I have not found opportunity to write a word about my recent trip to Indiana.

I went to Smithville, Monroe Co., Nov. 15, where I found Bro. E. B. Lane. As he had a discussion pending with Eld. Treat, of Bloomington, of the sect commonly known as Campbellites, I relieved him by occupying all the time to the 21st, the day on which the discussion commenced. Eld. Treat is their “big gun,” in debating, having had, as I was informed, some thirty or more. He is a very vain, boastful man, strong in assumption, but loose in logic; his chief power lies in his skill in covering up his opponent’s argument without answering it. As is common with that class of preachers, he makes a great show and pretense of education, but the vail is too thin to conceal the fact that he is superficial. The contrast between him and Bro. Lane was very striking. Bro. Lane had had no experience at all in debating, having never held a discussion with any man till he met Eld. Treat. The strong points of his arguments shone out with all the more clearness, as it was evident to every one that they were not the result of skill in debate, but were plain truth, not to be controverted, or invalidated by sophistry. In the midst of their discussion, Eld. Treat challenged me to a discussion of our views of the influence of the Spirit of God, which I accepted, and we occupied one day and a half on that subject. Of this, more hereafter.

During Bro. Lane’s discussion, which took place in Gosport, I preached four evenings in the Methodist house. I went from there to Lancaster, where there are some firm believers in present truth, and our meetings there were profitable. I also held three meetings in Bowling Green, Clay Co. There was but little chance to do good there by so few meetings. Though there is a very general interest to hear, and many seem convinced, but few have the decision and self-denial necessary to make a decided stand for the truth.

Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 9, 10, I preached in a Baptist meeting-house about six miles from Gosport. Although a strong effort had been made to create prejudice against the truth, the attendance was good, and a favorable impression was left on the community. Many expressed their belief that “there is something in this!”

From the evening of the 13th I held meetings in Howard Co., over six days. The interest raised at the camp-meeting has not abated. The largest school-house near there was filled, so that there was no more standing room, full half an hour before the appointed time of meeting. I do not know of any place in any State where a meeting-house is more needed than in Howard Co., Ind. I fear the brethren there do not realize their responsibility to maintain the cause in their midst, either in the preaching or providing a place for meeting. Timber of good quality is plenty, and lumber easily obtained. A vigorous effort should be made by them this winter. And they ought to consider that if they are not willing to come up to the accepted plan of systematic beneficence, they should no longer look to the more faithful brethren in Michigan to supply them with preaching. Please read 2 Cor. 8:1-14. The action of the late General Conference, recommending that Indiana be set apart as a separate Conference, makes it necessary that their attention be called to this subject.

The 19th, I commenced meetings in Henry Co. I had never been there, and left others to make the appointment. As the tent was in Middletown before the camp-meeting, and a good interest was raised, it was thought best to have the meetings there. But other influences had been abroad, and it will take considerable labor to revive an interest there. Had the tent returned there immediately after the camp-meeting, I have no doubt a great and good work might have been done. But circumstances were unfavorable at the time I was there. It was stormy and very cold, and the meetings were held in a hall. But the chief objection, to my mind, was this: The brethren all lived at a distance, and could not attend there in such weather. It was to them I wished especially to speak. Accordingly I moved from Middletown to Sulphur Springs, holding two meetings there, and two in “White Union” meeting-house, near by. These meetings were profitable to us all, and we were all encouraged to press onward.

There is no State in which I have labored where there is more need of health reform than in Indiana. But the power of truth manifests itself everywhere the same. In every place that I visited, my testimony on this subject was well received, and the hearts of the people were tender on this subject. The early coming of the General Conference made my visit short in every place, so that I could not give more than an outline of our faith, or rather, show the principles on which we base our action.

There is a wide field, an open door in Indiana; I think it is evidently Bro. Lane’s duty to return there for a few months at least.

J. H. Waggoner.