Wisconsin Quarterly Meeting and Avon Labors
By D. Downer
Since my last report from Arkansas, I attended the quarterly meeting at Burnside, Wis. Our meeting was one of interest. The power of God seemed to attend the word. Bro. Olsen was present, and we all felt that his labor was a blessing. It stormed terribly during this meeting, but the house was filled with interested hearers. By direction of the Conference Committee, I then went to Avon, arriving there Dec. 27. The meetings were dull, and poorly attended at first, but the interest increased till I left for Battle Creek to attend the Biblical Institute. This was a season of great profit to me. After the Institute closed, the interest at Avon was such as our Conference Committee thought sufficient to warrant a continued effort. Jan. 1 and 2, I attended a T. & M. meeting at Monroe. Bro. Pratt and others made some earnest appeals to our people. The Monroe church are workers in our prospering cause. Jan. 6, commenced meetings again at Avon. The weather being bitter cold, but few came out. I had great liberty; and in giving myself into the hands of God, I found some hearts were being reached, almost the entire congregation being often in tears. Some have expressed themselves as feeling as never before, and cold hearts seemed to melt under God’s precious truth. But there was a terrible dread of obeying. I regret to say that the cause at Avon had been almost ruined by the unsanctified lives of some professing our faith. I am happy to acknowledge the assistance rendered by Brn. Olsen and Decker, Dec. 12 and 13. During their stay, some were dropped from our church book, and others started anew to toil on to the kingdom. I have seldom seen a more solemn time than when parting with this church. All were in tears. Seven rose up, and by so doing agreed to obey the truth. Others are interested, and say they will investigate our faith. Jan. 24, attended quarterly meeting at Monroe. Met Bro. Sanborn there. He had been preaching some before my arrival. Our meeting was solemn and impressive, and the sweet, melting spirit prevailed. On the 24th, Bro. Sanborn led fourteen happy souls down into the water, where they were buried with Christ. One young sister, just in the last stage of consumption, was the first to follow her Lord in baptism. I talked at night, and called on men to become soldiers for God. One who was with the writer in the late war, and there lost his eyes, came out and gave his heart to God. Others did the same. Jan. 29, I commenced meetings in this place. I was surprised at first at having so small a congregation, but soon learned that there were three protracted meetings within three miles. We have been having one of the worst storms I ever saw. The roads are drifted full. Fences are nearly covered. I hope soon to report some success here. I never have had greater liberty in preaching the mighty truth of God than now. Jan. 30, attended the quarterly meeting at Waterloo, which was a heart-searching time. Several were present from Mt. Hope. There is a general feeling among our brethren and sisters in Wisconsin that we are not through with this great work of labor and sacrifice, but have just begun to learn how to work. What once was faith with us is now knowledge. We know that God is with us, and in this work. For one, I am going to work more earnestly for God. He has sustained me, and my health is better than it has been for years, and I never labored so hard in my life as since last June. On the 30th and 31st, I preached six sermons, and rode twenty miles. All praise be to God. To the brethren in Buffalo and Pepin Counties, let me say, Do not murmur nor feel that we are neglecting you. We will come as soon as God opens our way. I close by saying, Here I devote myself and all I have to this glorious work. Hurricane Grove, Wis., Feb. 18, 1875.