Iowa Church Meetings at Monroe and Decatur City
By H. Nicola
According to appointment, I met with the church at Monroe, Aug. 9, 10. On account of several moving away, and a few giving up the truth, this church is quite small, and they were becoming somewhat discouraged. The presence and testimonies of over a dozen of the brethren and sisters from Knoxville had a very encouraging influence in our meeting, and we felt that our little meeting was timely and one of profit to all who attended it. The 16th and 17th, I was at Decatur City. Here we met quite a number from Osceola and Woodburn. This meeting commenced with the beginning of the Sabbath with quite a good congregation of brethren and sisters present. Sabbath afternoon we enjoyed a good communion season. There seems to be a good state of feeling in this church, and their influence in the community is good. Still there is a great lack with some of the members in coming up to the light that has been given, on the health question especially. When I find individuals that have been believers in the last solemn message for ten or twelve years, and still using tobacco, at the same time acknowledging it to be wrong, a filthy habit, &c., I confess I am puzzled to harmonize their profession with their practice. Two of these members made a solemn vow at this meeting that they would forever abandon the filthy habit. I hope and pray that they may have grace to get the victory, and that others of the same church may follow their example. From here, in company with Bro. Caldwell, went to Siam, Taylor Co., and commenced meetings Thursday evening, Aug. 21, and continued over first-day, holding in all eight meetings. Found things here in rather a discouraged condition. All but three families had given up the Sabbath. Among these was their appointed leader. They thus became discouraged and gave up their meetings. Our meetings with them were timely and very encouraging to them; another leader was chosen and they covenanted anew to keep up their meetings. Two of these, also, resolved to leave the use of tobacco, and if they succeed, others will follow their example we hope. There is a good feeling in the place, and quite a good interest to hear, and I fully believe if those who are now keeping the Sabbath will raise the standard, and live faithful, others will be added to their number. We here met Bro. Buxton from Montgomery Co., formerly from Illinois. Bro. B. has had a license from the Illinois Conference, and has lectured considerable; he spoke once to the people here to acceptance, and he feels that he should be in the field preaching the truth. We hope he may be as soon as he can shape his temporal affairs so as to leave home. August 30, 31, at Afton. Found this church, though most of their members are young in the cause, full of courage, and prospering in the good work. Meetings Sabbath were characterized with solemnity and a good degree of the Spirit of God. First-day, after a short discourse on the subject of baptism, six willing souls followed their Lord in this gospel ordinance; three were added to the church, and others, perhaps, will unite soon. Our meetings here closed with a communion season; one of the freest and best that I have enjoyed for many a day. If this church continues to walk in the light, they may always enjoy the blessing of God in their meetings. September 6, 7, at Peru. The majority of this church are made up of members from the old Christian order; some of them somewhat advanced in years, and it takes them a long while to unlearn their old ways and formality of worship, and to realize that they need a new conversion, and that they cannot rely upon an old experience. Attaching the Sabbath and a few kindred points of present truth to an old experience will never do. We did all we could to help this church, and have some reason to hope that some good was done. First-day, five members of the church were buried in baptism, and arose, we hope, to walk in newness of life; one was added to the church. September 13, 14, at Adel. This little church is having some trials, unbelief has been troubling some, and real faith in the message is much lacking in the church. Yet we think our meeting had an influence to strengthen them some. Two were baptized, and three added to their number. Bro. Caldwell was with me at the last four places mentioned, and assisted much in talking the truth, both privately and publicly.