p. 110 | Southern Iowa Tent by J. Hare; S. Osborn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 17, 1872

Southern Iowa Tent.

By J. Hare; S. Osborn

As before stated, we pitched our tent at Martinsburg, July 16. Harvest having fairly commenced, we could not expect very many out to hear. We also found that a great amount of prejudice had preceded us, and a disposition on the part of the churches to attack us. The community are mainly Methodists and Presbyterians, who had been preaching against our views before we came, especially the Sabbath.

Notwithstanding the efforts against us, we had a respectable hearing for the first ten days; then a traveling Quaker coming along, he was prevailed upon to stop and speak against us. We adjourned our meeting to hear him. We found the house crowded, and evidently a great anxiety on the part of many to hear. The Quaker proving a failure, the Methodist minister came to the rescue, whose spirit proving not of the kind that comes from above, rather injured, than helped his cause. One of his own members followed him with a few pointed remarks, which exposed him before the house.

This meeting not proving what was desired, a Disciple elder was sent for, although they would not have let him into their church on any other occasion. He came on Friday, and proposed to stay till Sunday evening. We invited him to speak in the tent. He declined, unless we would give him all the time till he left. We, of course, declined this, and he spoke in the Methodist church. We went and heard him the first evening, and announced that we would review him the next evening, at the tent. We had over half the crowd. He then proposed to debate the law question with us. We told him we would, provided the Methodists and Presbyterians would indorse him. At this he took offense. Said he stood on his own foundation, and left. He succeeded in quieting the consciences of many, on the no-law basis. The Methodist minister himself swallowed the dose, so we are credibly informed.

We continued our meetings at this place till Aug. 11, giving twenty-four discourses. Sold about ten dollars' worth of books. Obtained two subscribers for REVIEW, two for Health Reformer, and five good souls have resolved to keep all the commandments of God, and obey the truth as far as they have heard and understand, while others are favorably impressed, who we trust will yet see where their interest lies and take hold of the truth.

The people at this place expecting a tent-meeting, we concluded to pitch here, seven miles east of Martinsburg. A Methodist camp-meeting commencing near by, Aug. 14, we adjourned till the 21st. Have given, up to this time, twelve discourses, with fair congregations. But few books taken, so far.

J. HARE, S. OSBORN.

Ioka, Sept. 3, 1872.