Mitchell Co., Iowa by E. Milne

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 28, 1873

Mitchell Co., Iowa.

By E. Milne

Perhaps some will be interested to know how we are progressing in this part of Iowa. At the time Eld. Sanborn was with us, we were organized into a prayer and social meeting. This was all he could do at that time as most of the brethren were using tobacco, which must be overcome. The names of twenty-two were on the list, who vowed to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus; besides one or two others that we hoped would soon join us.

In June, we were taken under the watch-care of the Minnesota Conference (as we are situated in the northern part of Iowa). In the latter part of July, Bro. Grant was here laboring, and visiting us at our homes for more than a week, which encouraged and benefited us much; for the enemy had been working upon the minds of some, to draw them away from the truth. Others had moved away, and our numbers were so few that we had become somewhat discouraged and careless.

Soon after, Bro. Washburn and wife visited our church (or meetings), not knowing that we had joined the Minnesota Conference. We had several good meetings. We would thank Eld. Washburn for his labors among us, he coming from the Iowa Conference.

We have kept together and done as well as we could. One or two who professed the Advent faith have brought reproach upon the cause by not keeping the Sabbath holy. We were in this condition when Eld. Canright came here. He was with us last Sabbath and first-day, and organized us into a society of ten members, with proper officers. We have never had the ordinances; and did not, at that time, because it was very stormy, and we were unprepared. None use tobacco now. It was hard for some to overcome, which has kept us down; and now that it is removed from our midst, we all feel much freer. We see a difference in our meetings. None stay back because they are using that noxious weed, and so are unfit to testify, or bow in prayer.

The elder could only stay until Monday, and the roads being much blocked with snow, he thought best not to have meetings at the school-house at Otranto, hence he remained at Bro. Sutherland’s, and the Sabbath-keepers that could get out met there and remained till the meetings were over. We would all thank Bro. and sister Sutherland for their hospitality, as it enabled several to be there that otherwise could not have been.

We have since learned that the Disciple minister at Otranto was ready to question Eld. Canright, or discuss the Sabbath question.

We raised our S. B. to $89.96 (it was about $76.00 last year), and donated to Conference $17.00. We are few in numbers, but let us try more earnestly, brethren and sisters, to work for the Lord. I am determined to work and sacrifice more than I have done, for I feel that time is short, and I am very destitute of everything needful to prepare me for a home with Christ.

E. MILNE.

Jan. 7, 1873.