p. 110 | Northern Iowa Tent by R. M. Kilgore

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

Northern Iowa Tent.

By R. M. Kilgore

Thursday, Aug. 28, closed the meeting at Hook’s Point. Gave thirty-two discourses. The interest was fair, considering the busy season of the year and the number of inhabitants; our congregations averaging about one hundred. On Sunday it was greater.

This community is composed largely of Swedes, who were not able to fully understand preaching in English; though some are deeply interested, and earnestly request that one of our ministers who can talk to them in their own language would come and preach to them this doctrine. They can understand the Danish or Norwegian tongue. I think there is a good opening among this people for good to be done if Bro. Matteson or some of our Norwegian brethren could come and labor for them this fall.

Eld. Martin, of Homer notoriety, not being satisfied with his effort there, came to this place and spoke in the tent on the subject of Man. He evidently thought to settle this question also. He attempted to prove that man came in possession of this immortal principle at the new birth, for that which is “born of the Spirit is Spirit.” Surely, all men, then, do not have it, and away goes his doctrine of falling from grace, since immortality cannot see death. He also showed that souls exist in a conscious state after the death of the body, from the fact that the departed souls of Moses and Elias(?) were seen upon the mount; and that the messenger sent to John on Patmos was one of the “departed souls of the prophets,” which after all was an “immaterial substance.*”

I gave a short reply before the same audience. In one week he said he would preach again upon the Sabbath question. I tarried a few days longer with the tent in order to give our friends an opportunity to hear. Eld. M. failed to make his appearance, and I was invited to fill the appointment.

This closed our meeting. Twelve have signified their determination to keep all the commandments of God, while there are others deeply convicted, and whom we hope will yet yield obedience. Here we had regular Sabbath meetings from the first, the brethren from Homer meeting with us. Organized a Bible-class, in which all are deeply interested.

Last Sabbath, we met with the Homer brethren at the Eslick school-house. Found them all firm, and some have come out since the tent labor. At this meeting, others signed the covenant which we presented at Hook’s Point, making in all thirty-three who have covenanted together to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I meet with them again next Sabbath.

The tent is now pitched in Batch Grove, six miles north-west of Webster city and fourteen miles from Homer. Commenced meeting last night. Congregation small, as it is a country location. I do not expect a large attendance. I am still alone, though my younger brother is with me to care for the tent. I hope for the prayers of God’s people.

My address will now be Webster city, Hamilton Co., Iowa.

R. M. KILGORE. Sept. 5, 1872.