Illinois Visits: Belvidere, Cherry Valley, and Roscoe
By G. W. Colcord
IMMEDIATELY after the Monroe, Wis., Camp-meeting, I went to Belvidere, Ill., where I visited the few who are still professing to love the truth. Sin had made inroads among them, causing blight and discouragement. On Sabbath, June 26, spoke on “The Love of the World.” 1 John 2:15. I tried to point out the insanity of those who transgress, and the awful doom that awaits the finally lost. The Spirit pointed out sin, and it was confessed. Now, if confession be followed by reformation and reparation (see Prov. 28:13; Jas. 5:16; Lev. 6:1-7; Luke 19:8, 9), we may entertain hope of Heaven. On first-day, Bro. Bennett and myself went down to Cherry Valley and called on sister Craig, who has commenced to keep God’s rest-day. In the afternoon, I spoke in the school-house near Bro. B.’s, and later we held a business meeting at Bro. B.’s house. June 29 to July 5, I spent at Roscoe, Rockton, and Durand. Visited nine families, preached twice, held one social meeting, besides doing some business for the Conference and the Tract and Missionary Society. The brethren and sisters faithfully promised to redeem their s. s. pledges. This district (No. 2) has paid all its dues into the State treasury. Which will be next? Which district will fail? “Pay that which thou hast vowed.” July 10, spoke to the small remnant of the Clyde church. One brother said, “Point out our part of the work, and we will do it.” If all will entertain this spirit, the Lord will surely designate our part in this closing work. Another thought: If we stand connected with this saving effort, in a certain sense it is our work. Then let us have a living interest in it, press it to our hearts as a sacred treasure, and love and cherish it to the end. Brethren and sisters of the Illinois Conference, I appeal to you, one and all, especially to the scattered ones whom I have not seen and may not see for some time, will you see this precious cause in your midst languish for means? Will you withhold God’s tithe? If not, pay into the church treasury nearest to you, or remit to our State treasurer, J. R. Whitham, Aledo, Mercer Co., Ill. July 17 to Aug. 1, spent in Jo Daviess and Stephenson Counties, holding meetings in three neighborhoods. Although the condition of things in this part of the field is not what it should be, yet we hope for better days. If at last we would stand together on Zion’s hill, we should work in unison here; in truth, this is God’s requirement. This district (No. 1) paid in cash and pledges all its dues to the T. & M. Society State treasury. But, brethren, if I correctly understand the matter, we should not only pay off all our district debts, but should ever have on hand a surplus fund from which to draw at any time. Let us work by this rule. Sabbath and first-day, Aug. 14, 15, spent in quarterly meeting at Lovington. One was immersed, and the rites of our dying Lord were celebrated. Aug. 17 to 29, aided Bro. Bliss in holding a series of meetings in the tent at95Oakland. Several of these were free social meetings. I believe the Lord has blessed the effort here. Ten have been immersed by us. A band of worshipers has been organized and a lively Sabbath-school. This place and Lovington will constitute (for the present) Dist. No. 10 of our State Missionary Society. Instead of going to Cerro Gordo, as intended, we commenced here last Sabbath evening. Have spoken eight times. The interest appears to increase. Have already sold six dollars and forty cents’ worth of books. I shall be compelled to leave Bro. B. next week; yet we need not work alone; for the Lord will help us each. Dalton, Moultrie Co., Ill., Sept. 10, 1875.