p. 190 | NORTHERN ILLINOIS by G. W. Colcord

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 14, 1876

NORTHERN ILLINOIS.

By G. W. Colcord

I attended four meetings in my home neighborhood, near Coleta, Nov. 18-20. Sunday morning, I heard Eld. T. B. Stanley, Disciple, on the Sabbath question. I reviewed him in the evening before a goodly number. I hope for fruit. Dist. No. 11, Ill. T. and M. Society, appears to be in good working order. Come, friends, let us run a healthful race on the T. and M. race-track.

Nov. 24-26, I spoke five times at Winslow, Stephenson Co. Friends were present from Greenvale and Monroe, Wis. It was not a large gathering; but, excepting one cloud which passed over our minds, it was an encouraging season. Bro. T. Brown, the elder, had been greatly discouraged in his office; he has agreed to press forward. Bro. J. F. Ballenger says he will go out to prove his calling. I pray that all our licensed men in Illinois will do likewise. We license you to “improve” your gift. Walk out, brethren, and may the Lord bless you. Don’t stop near home;

but “launch out into the deep” to catch men. Two names were dropped from the list at Greenvale, and two were added to the McConnell’s Grove church. Systematic Benevolence was considered, delinquents promised, and the pledge was increased. The church paid $32.05 at the meeting.

ROSCOE.

I held ten meetings with the friends at, and near, Roscoe, Dec. 1-4. I am very much rejoiced to be able to report this the best season of worship I have attended for a long time. There was not one jar in either meeting. The name of the church was changed from Rockton to Roscoe. The vacancy occasioned by the death of our beloved brother, John Logan, was supplied by the ordaining of Bro. G. H. Wood to the deaconship. Bro. M. J. Wood was elected clerk and treasurer. The elder, Bro. G. M. Bowen, resides about twenty miles from R.; nevertheless, the church, by vote, more than merely invited their elder to meet them often and lead them in public worship.

The church dropped one name, censured another member, and arranged to look after others. One was reclaimed. Several united with the church, which now numbers forty. Systematic Benevolence has been greatly neglected; but, as the brethren voted either to pay up at the beginning of the incoming year, or give their note of hand, bearing ten per cent. interest, and as they voted faithfully to adopt the “tithing system,” I now fondly hope for Roscoe.

G. W. COLCORD.

Durand, Ill., Dec. 4, 1876.