Meetings in Minnesota by Harrison Grant

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 28, 1874

Meetings in Minnesota.

By Harrison Grant

I met with the church in quarterly meeting at Tenhassen, April 24, 25. Had an excellent meeting. Although this church has passed through trial and discouragement which seemed to destroy their hope, yet God has enabled them to arise, and, if they are faithful, they will yet go through to the kingdom of God. Three were baptized at this meeting.

May 2 and 3, met with the brethren and sisters at Sibley, Iowa. I found a good company there keeping the Sabbath. Six went forward in baptism. I then organized a church here of sixteen members. Bro. Call was chosen leader. Systematic Benevolence was organized. I left this company strong in hope of eternal life.

May 9 and 10, held a meeting near Mankato. Baptized four. Organized a church of eight members. Six or eight more are keeping the Sabbath here who we expect will soon join this church. Steps were taken toward building a meeting-house, and I hear that it is now in process of building.

The 23d and 24th, met with the church at Litchfield for the first time. Glad to become acquainted with this people. This is the place where Bro. Lee struggled so hard to get the truth before his people. And I must say that this church gives evidence that the truth has a large place in their hearts. They feel the sacredness of the Sabbath and of the work in which we are engaged. I baptized one. Formed a pleasant acquaintance with this people, and hope to go on with them to the kingdom of God.

The 30th and 31st, met with the friends at Grove Lake, Brn. Dimick and Hill labored in this new field last winter. About forty are keeping the Sabbath here, and the most of this number are in earnest. They have built a meeting-house, which is the first one that has been built by our people in Minnesota. I organized a church of thirty members on Sunday. Before we organized, we went to a beautiful lake. Twenty-two went down into the water and were buried beneath its waves to arise to walk in newness of life. Among this number was a sister seventy-three years old, three of her daughters, five of her grandchildren, and one great granddaughter who was fourteen years old. My prayer is that God will bless the efforts that this church is making in trying to prepare for a home in the kingdom of God.

June 6 and 7, held a meeting with the brethren and sisters at West Union. This is a new field where Bro. Dimick labored last winter and spring. We had a good meeting here. On Sunday they went to Osakis Lake, where I baptized eighteen willing souls who wish to obey the truth. Returned to our house of worship, organized a church of thirty members, one of their number being chosen to lead the meetings. I then left West Union and many thankful hearts for what God has done for them.

The next Sabbath I met with the church at Maiden Rock. Here the Lord still works—others still deciding to obey the truth. About twenty have commenced to keep the Sabbath here since last January. The T. and M. Society are doing a good work there, and we begin to see its fruits all over our Conference.

HARRISON GRANT.

Otronto, July 14, 1874.