Nebraska Mission Report: Lectures at Falls City and Arago
By Matthew Wing
SINCE my last report, I have been trying to do what I could for the spread of the truth. Surely we should esteem it a privilege to be co-laborers with Jesus in the salvation of souls. The Lord has blessed me with health and strength, and so far my lot has been cast among a kind and generous people. I commenced lectures at Falls City, Aug. 28. Circumstances were quite unfavorable, and I did not meet with very good success. The minds of the people were wholly occupied with the social and political themes of the day. Church festivals, picnics, shows, and concerts were attended and enjoyed by all classes. Paul’s prophecy in reference to professed Christians (2 Tim. 3:1–5) is fulfilled wherever we turn our eyes. After giving thirty-two lectures only one decided to keep the Sabbath; but there was a good interest manifested by a number of the hearers, and I trust I did not labor in vain. I commenced lecturing at Arago, Sept. 6. I found eight persons there who were keeping183the Sabbath. They were not thriving—were not even sustaining Sabbath meetings. Some of them had united with the Methodists, and had almost lost their interest in present truth. I was with them four or five weeks, lecturing every night. The number of my hearers was not very large, but the interest manifested was good. Three others embraced the truth, and eleven signed the covenant to keep the Sabbath. We organized a Sabbath-school and established Sabbath meetings. The Lord was pleased to bless our efforts, and I hope we shall see good results in the future. Oct. 7, I gave two lectures at a school-house about five miles north of Arago. The Monday following, I joined Bro. G. V. Kilgore in his labor at the Harkendorff School-house, five miles north-west of Falls City, where he had been lecturing about four weeks. Four intelligent believers embraced the truth, and will unite with the little company at Salem. We are now engaged in a series of meetings at a place four miles north-east of Salem. Our labor will probably be in the vicinity of this place during the winter. This seems to be a good opening, and I hope we shall be able to do some good. I pray God that we may have souls for our hire. Brethren, pray for us, that God may bless us, and the preaching of the third angel’s message in Nebraska.