IOWA by R. M. Kilgore

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 8, 1877

IOWA

By R. M. Kilgore

STATE CENTER.

I remained here two weeks after Bro. Butler left, the interest remaining good till the close. The brethren were encouraged and greatly strengthened by this meeting. As a result, three embraced the truth, and have commenced keeping the Sabbath; while of as many more we have very strong hopes.

NEVADA AND MARSHALLTOWN.

The following week I met with each of these churches, and found them, though newly come to the faith, still strong, united, and of good courage in the Lord, and their numbers increasing instead of diminishing.

LA PORTE.

Bro. Newton carried me with his team across the country to this place, where I began meetings on the evening of Jan. 19. Through the kindness of the Evangelical brethren, we were permitted to occupy their house of worship. We remained till the 28th, and were much gratified to see so great an interest manifested on the part of the people to hear. In this we were greatly disappointed. Here indeed has been the battle field, where one attack after another has been made upon this little flock, and the cause they represent. These attacks have been made by the very ones who first led them to take their stand with this people. Though the shepherds (four in number) have proved themselves hirelings, the sheep, with but few exceptions, are still rejoicing in the truth; and a better feeling and spirit of union exist than we expected to find.

But here, as in many other of our churches, a deeper work of grace must be sought for and obtained by each member before they shall be found “without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.” We would very earnestly urge our brethren, in the churches everywhere, carefully to reread and ponder well, and carry out in their lives, Bro. White’s fast-day address, founded on the teachings of Christ in Matt. 18. Brethren, heed the words of the Saviour, and thus avoid the heart-aches and burnings which always follow by pursuing the course of this world.

The house was filled every time with attentive hearers. On Sunday evening, the brethren of the M. E. church kindly opened their large house for us, where I spoke to a still larger congregation, on conversion. We have reason to believe that much prejudice was removed.

On Sunday, we presented the subject of tithes and offerings, and reorganized S. S. Their pledge was increased from $89 to $170. We tried to present the necessity of being active in the T. and M. work, and of helping forward this glorious message by being permanent subscribers of all our periodicals.

The last Sabbath was a good day with us, while celebrating the ordinances of the Lord’s house.

I go to Brighton Thursday evening next, and will begin a series of meetings at Richland on Friday evening, Feb. 2.

May the Lord go with us.

R. M. Kilgore.

Jan. 30.