Mitchell Co., Iowa by I. Sanborn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 23, 1872

Mitchell Co., Iowa.

By I. Sanborn

Since my last report from this place, I have continued labor two weeks, in which time the ire of the dragon has been stirred. The Disciple minister preached one sermon against the law and Sabbath, in which he tried to show that the ten commandments are done away, and that Jesus Christ has given a better rule to live by, and that the first day of the week is the Lord’s day, but admitted that there is no Bible command to keep it.

As I reviewed his sermon and showed the people the inconsistency and contradictions of his position, he, with some others, became greatly excited, and separated themselves from our meetings. About this time, the roads began to get bad, so that we removed our meetings to a more central point for those interested. There were eight keeping the Sabbath when I came here. Since I came, Bro. Wilson and wife, formerly of Wisconsin, moved here from Minnesota; and there is also a young lady here from Wisconsin, teaching school, who keeps the Sabbath, besides fourteen others who have commenced keeping it since I commenced preaching here; making twenty-five in this place who are now preparing for the day of the Lord.

April 6, 7, ten were baptized, and others undoubtedly will be as soon as they can have another opportunity. There were also a number of others who think that they will forsake their sins and transgressions of God’s holy law, and join themselves to the Lord before it is forever too late. We earnestly pray that they may. We know, too, that much depends on the faithfulness of those already in the work; for if they faithfully let their light shine before their neighbors, so that they can see their good works, many may yet turn to the Lord.

They have started a prayer and social meeting, and arranged Systematic Benevolence amounting to about $75.00 a year.

They are very anxious that Bro. Canright should hold a few meetings with them on his way to Minnesota. Bro. Sutherland will meet him, or Bro. Butler, at Lyle Station, on the Iowa Central R. R., any time they may appoint to come here. Bro. Joseph Sutherland’s address is Otranto, Mitchell Co., Iowa.

If, in the providence of God, Bro. Canright or Butler cannot visit this place soon, the brethren wish me to say, in their behalf, that they would like to be taken under the watchcare of the Iowa State Conference at its next session, if the Conference deem it proper so to do. I should have been glad to stay here longer, but the busy season for farmers here has come, and the pressing calls in Wisconsin, which demand my immediate attention, make it impossible. And although I find myself within forty miles of where my eldest sister lives, whom I have not seen for twelve years, yet, notwithstanding my natural desire to see her, and having received a letter from her since I came here, saying that herself and others were anxious to have me come and hold some meetings, I feel that I cannot leave the work in Wisconsin to do so. The brethren here have paid all my traveling expenses to and from this place.

I have formed very strong attachments to the brethren here, and I sincerely pray that the Lord may help us all to be faithful to the end, so that if we never meet again in this world, we may meet on the immortal shores of the world to come.

I. SANBORN.

Otranto, Iowa, April 8, 1872.