p. 126 | ILLINOIS by G. W. Collord

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 19, 1877

ILLINOIS

By G. W. Collord

Clyde.

At our next yearly meeting, the name of this church should be changed to Coleta. This is my home-church, and its members I dearly love. In the meetings I received encouragement, especially when attending to the ordinances of the Lord’s house and transacting business for the Master. A young brother who formerly worshiped with the Disciples, attending our celebration of Jesus’ humiliation and passion, said, “An equal to this meeting I never saw.” He and his companion now observe the Sabbath. We are expecting several to be immersed and labor with us in the future.

Dist. No. 11 is too slow in the T. and M. work; still we are accomplishing something. This is the youngest district in the State. We voted to form a club of twenty-four names, or more, for the SIGNS. Systematic benevolence is now paid much more promptly than hitherto. We also voted to pay an amount equal to one-third of our S. B. into the Tract Society treasury. Let union and zeal be seen.

McConnell’s Grove.

My brother Ivory and I came, last week, about fifty miles, over very muddy roads and through the rain, to meet our friends in Dist. No. 1. A goodly number of the members were present. We were made glad to meet Eld. H. W. Decker and eight of his co-workers, from Monroe, Wis. We worked, as these hitherto united Conferences always should, in harmony. At the close of Bro. Decker’s discourse Sabbath P. M., we enjoyed a social meeting. At first it was very readily seen that all was not right. There was no freedom in the meeting; but towards the close, the erring began to confess, and more light broke in upon us. By a standing vote nearly the whole congregation declared themselves at peace with each other. Now, friends, why not keep the door closed, and bolt the devil outside?

In our business session we gained some points of information from the remarks offered by our brethren and sisters from Monroe. Systematic benevolence was considered; a club of four for the SIGNS was formed; aid was voted to a poor, aged brother. This district voted, last winter, in favor of the “one-third.” We believe there is freedom still in store for Illinois.

Apr. 9. G. W. COLLORD.