Quarterly Meeting of District No. 5, Iowa by Henry Nicola; J. T. Mitchell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 29, 1872

Quarterly Meeting of District No. 5, Iowa

By Henry Nicola; J. T. Mitchell

Iowa.

According to previous appointment, we met in quarterly meeting with the brethren and sisters of District No. 5, at Knoxville, August 31 and September 1. There was a representation from all the churches in the District, except State Center. We had a good degree of freedom in talking the truth; still there did not seem to be as much of the deep, melting influence of the Spirit of God in the meeting as we would have been glad to see. We were here forcibly impressed with the thought that, with many of our old churches where much light has been given, there is not that life and animation in the meetings that there is with those who have newly embraced the truth. The only reason we can assign for this, is, that many of the members of these churches are failing to come up to the advancing light on present truth; especially the truths embraced in the great health question; and in this condition, they have merely a name to live, while they are backslidden from God at heart. Thus they prove a clog instead of a help to those who would go forward. The Lord help all such to realize their condition before it is forever too late.

There was one very interesting feature, however, in the meeting, which we take pleasure in mentioning: It was the presence and very encouraging testimony of Bro. Luke, who has been in rather a backslidden state for a number of years. Since our last camp-meeting, the work of reform seems to have commenced with him in good earnest. He was offered a license to publicly present the truth, at our last Conference. This he refused at that time, stating that he had a work to do at home first, which he meant to enter upon immediately. In this he states that he has met with good success. He has now received a license to improve his gift in publicly presenting the truth as the way may open. May he have the prayers of the friends of truth.

September 7 and 8, at Adel. Here we were much disappointed by not meeting any of our friends from Winterset and Peru. Perhaps these brethren and sisters did not fully understand the relation they sustain to the Adel church, by being associated with them in quarterly meeting, and consequently did not make that effort they should have done. They will doubtless do better another time.

The little band at Adel are united, and we had truly a precious season with them. We were forcibly impressed with the fact that where there is union there is strength. At a communion season near the close of the Sabbath, where only about a dozen assembled at the house of Bro. Toneys, the blessing of God was manifested to such a degree that convinced us that he was willing to let his blessing come upon even a few, when they are walking in the humble path of obedience.

Sept. 14 and 15, with the church at Osceola. Here we met brethren and sisters from Peru, Afton, Decatur City, Woodburn, and Knoxville. To meet with many of these old friends, together with the young and interesting church of Osceola, was truly gratifying and very encouraging. Our meetings here were all characterized with freedom and a good degree of the deep moving of the Spirit of God; and as we contrasted the state of things in Osceola, with that of a year ago, we were led to praise the name of the Lord. Truly the Lord has greatly blessed the labors of Brn. Canright and Butler at Osceola. One soul followed her Lord in the ordinance of baptism. We left these new friends feeling that our meeting with them was one long to be remembered. They would much appreciate a visit from Bro. Canright.

Sept. 21 and 22, at Sigourney. Here we met a good delegation of brethren and sisters from Brighton, Washington, and Pilot Grove. The Sigourney church was much encouraged to have these old tried friends meet with them. Here, too, we felt very much at home with many of our old friends, that we had met with so many times. Our testimony, though very plain and pointed, was well received, and there was a general taking hold on the part of nearly all present. We had truly one of the very best meetings we ever enjoyed.

The church at Sigourney, though not large, are building a meeting-house 28x42, at a cost not far from $2000. They will probably have it completed in five or six weeks. Then they are expecting a visit from Bro. Canright to dedicate it.

Sept. 28 and 29, at Brighton. Here we were happy to meet Bro. McCoy and a few others from Sigourney, and a few from Washington; but there was no delegation from Mt. Pleasant, nor Richland, which we very much hoped to see. There seemed to be a general impression with those present, that these friends were intending to come Sabbath morning as they had done so frequently before, but Sabbath morning proved to be so rainy that it was impracticable to turn out to go that distance. Friday was a pleasant day, and would it not be far better for brethren that have from ten to twenty miles to go to meeting, to take part, or even all day Friday, if it is necessary, and be on hand to commence with the beginning of the meeting? These meetings only come once in three months, and it will not be your turn to go every time; for the meeting will be at your place some of these times. If you should take Friday to go to the place of meeting, it would not be a very great sacrifice of time. Then you would be there to begin with the meeting, and you will enjoy the meetings enough better to pay you well for your time. Please try it next time. Is it not also rather doubtful whether it can be harmonized with good Sabbath-keeping, while using so much of the day in traveling, even if it is making a journey that could and should be done on another day.

Our meeting at Brighton, though not so good as our other meetings, we hope and feel was not an entire failure. We believe there will great good result from it, the fruit of which may be seen hereafter. We organized a Tract and Missionary Society at each of these meetings. The hurrying part of the season will now soon be over; then we hope the members of the Society will find more time to labor as missionaries, and thus carry out the design and object of the Society. We hope the officers especially will be prompt to duty. Let this be our motto, that whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing promptly and well. If each one will take hold, and faithfully discharge the duties allotted to him in the name of the Lord, success is bound to attend this branch of the work.

HENRY NICOLA, J. T. MITCHELL.