p. 102 | D. DOWNER by D. Downer

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 11, 1873

D. DOWNER

By D. Downer

Wisconsin.

December 30, I met with the church at Liberty Pole, Wis. Our meetings were profitable and interesting. While there, I was overtaken with the worst storm I ever witnessed. The hills were blown bare, but the snow in the valleys was from three to fifteen feet deep, and crusted so hard that men could walk on it, in most places. I could not fill my appointments, as there was no travel on the roads.

January 8, I started on the drifts for Kickapoo church, 12 miles distant. This church is in a deep valley filled with heavy timber, consequently the snow was not drifted there. I held meetings one week. We had a profitable season. Three more took their stand with us to keep the commandments of God.

I then went to Mt. Hope where I expected to meet Bro. Sanborn; but sickness prevented his coming. I labored there three weeks. Nine more took their stand with us. Some have given up the Sabbath, but many are firm.

January 15 & 16, I organized a church. Nine were detained at home by sickness and other causes. I left a church of thirty-eight members. I was not expecting they could pledge a large amount of s. B., as they have built and furnished a meeting house lately. But it must be said to the credit of that church that they pay the largest s. B. in our Conference. It now amounts to $214; and when the remaining nine become connected it will doubtless be raised to $250 a year. The Lord, we believe, is in this. There is not a point in our good faith more essential for the prosperity of a church than to have them come up liberally in giving to God. I proposed to return some s. B. to them, as they have struggled hard to build a meeting house; but they refused to take it.

But opposition always rages when God works. The Methodists were holding protracted meetings in a school-house near by, and tried every means, seemingly, to destroy our influence. Failing in ordinary ways, they finally threatened to put me in jail. The minister reported me liable to five hundred dollars fine for criminal offenses, and went to the county seat to have me arrested. Some friend wrote me a letter, requesting me to leave before the sheriff found me, as he was after me. As I did not leave, a professed Christian undertook to try his skill in law, feeling sure he would soon have my feet in the stocks. He claimed that I had married a couple without being qualified. This was my crime; but I can state, for his information, that my ordination is recorded in Galesville, Trempeleau Co., Wis.

I am now at Waterloo, having a good interest, and expect that good will be accomplished. If the weather permit, I am soon going into another new field. I never before have had the confidence in this work that I have now. And it increases every day. My prayer is, Lord, direct by thy Spirit, till we reach the promised land.

D. DOWNER

Waterloo, Wis., Feb. 19, 1873.