p. 86 | Northern Kansas by J. H. Rogers

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 1, 1874

Northern Kansas.

By J. H. Rogers

Left home July 7 to join Bro. Chaffee with the North-western Kansas tent. Continued with him till the 23d. I went to Bull City, Osborn Co., to look after the cause there. Commenced meetings there on Sabbath, the 25th, and continued with them until August 5. This church has been passing through severe trials until the enemy had almost gotten the mastery. I visited from house to house, and bore a very pointed testimony among them; and, by the help of the Lord, love and confidence now exist where there had been bitter feelings in the past. Nine were baptized. They now number about forty. I have reason to hope they will learn an important lesson by the things which they have suffered. Let us get the Spirit of our loving and compassionate Saviour in our hearts; then it will not be so hard to reach the erring ones. See Jas. 5:19, 20.

During my stay in Osborn Co. the grasshoppers came on, and in a very few days entirely destroyed the corn and a great deal of the forest, and all the fruit trees. This, with the extreme drouth will certainly cause great distress among the people of this newly settled country. Such utter destitution I never before witnessed. In passing from Bull City to Marysville, Marshall Co., I saw only two fields of corn that might be called a crop.

Came down with about thirty brethren and sisters from Osborn County to attend the quarterly meeting at Solomon Rapids, Aug. 7 to 9. There was a very general turn out of the friends, there being about fifty in attendance besides the children, the most of these encamped on the ground which enabled us to have two more meetings, which was heartily engaged in by nearly all. We tried to make the preaching practical and searching. Seven were baptized and the ordinances celebrated. The sweet, melting Spirit was with us in great measure. We all realized it was good to be there. It was one of the best meetings I ever attended. The brethren and sisters came from twenty-five to fifty miles, at considerable sacrifice—a great deal more than the brethren in better circumstances knew anything about. The more pains we take to serve the Lord the greater the blessing. Brethren, try it.

All seemed ready to engage in the tract and missionary work, to do all they were able in spreading the truth.

I there parted with Bro. Chaffee, leaving him and Bro. J. W. Andrews with the tent, which has many calls. Our prayers shall be in their behalf, that God may lead and bless them in this work. J. H. ROGERS.

*Marysville Depot, Kan., Aug. 13.