Illinois Sabbath-Keepers and Church Efforts Report
By G. W. Colcord
ALTHOUGH I have been silent for some time in the past, I have endeavored to labor on in this good cause. Some success has attended the efforts put forth for the spread of the truth in south-eastern Illinois. Besides scattered ones in Crawford, Richland, Coles, and other counties, we have two united bands of Sabbath-keepers in this part of the State; one, only partially organized, in Wayne Co.; the other, more fully, in Clark Co. “Clark Center” was constituted a church in the spring of 1872, with a membership of sixteen; now it numbers more than thirty. Brethren and sisters here are engaged this summer in the good work of erecting a house for the public worship of God. May the Lord help them to make thorough work in their efforts to prepare for the soon-coming, solemn Judgment of God—passing its test! may they, may we all, be saved. After an absence of twenty months, I returned home on the 14th of February last. Found Bro. Andrews sorely afflicted with granulated eyelids. Tried to aid him in the meetings held in our home neighborhood, in Erie, and Aledo, from Feb. 15 to March 9. March 10 to May 6, labored in Macoupin and Madison Counties. Spoke forty-four times, besides attending other meetings. Two were funeral sermons, preached on two successive days; one, to mourning friends gathered, beneath a sunny sky, around the coffined remains of a wife and mother as she lay beside her open grave. Spoke one half-hour from 1 Thess. 4:18. Sold some publications, gave away others; received names of several subscribers for our periodicals; renewed acquaintance with old and young friends of the cause of God, and witnessed the declaration of their increased determination to go forward. Five were brought into church fellowship by baptism, one reclaimed; and for others we’ll hope and pray. Attended the T. and M. Society meeting at Aledo, May 10 and 11, where I received valuable information in reference to this important branch of the work. Am again home for a few days, after which I expect to go out for a summer tour. Our once lively and comparatively strong church at Clyde, Ill., is now quite small and feeble, nevertheless, if the brethren and sisters who moved to Iowa, Missouri, and elsewhere, together with those who remain at this place, will be earnest and faithful, we may all at last meet in the city of God, To live, but sorrow never;
Thus live, and live forever—
Yes, we who now have started,
If there will ne’er be parted—
All will be well. Coleta, Ill., May 21, 1873.