PEORIA, TEXAS by R. M. Kilgore

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 15, 1877

PEORIA, TEXAS.

By R. M. Kilgore

Since my last report, our meetings have been interrupted by bad weather, for nearly a week; but the interest is unabated. A large number still have ears to hear, and many are yielding their hearts to the influence and power of the truth. Yesterday (Sabbath) was a good day for us. Over a hundred were present, and took part in the Sabbath-school and Bible-class. After preaching, a social meeting was held, during which the Spirit of God came into our midst in power, and all present were affected to tears. When we called for those who were seeking God and desired us to pray for them, over twenty came forward. And when we asked all those who had made up their minds to make a new start to serve God by keeping all the commandments, the Sabbath command with the rest, to arise to their feet, seventy-five grown persons stood while we counted them.

Among the testimonies borne were the following expressions, uttered with eyes well watered and with trembling voices: “I thank God that this tent was ever pitched here at Peoria.” Another: “I have been trying to serve God for forty years; but I can now praise the Lord for a new and brighter light than has ever before shone upon my pathway.” Another: “I shall now try to serve God better than ever before.” Another: “I want to tell what these meetings have done for a worldling. Before this tent came here I was an infidel, and had no faith in religion. Since I have heard Bro. Kilgore’s preaching here, from time to time, I have wanted to throw my arms around him. I have found what I have been seeking for all my life. I am now determined to serve God.” Another, who has been a profane man, said, as he came forward for prayers, “I have made up my mind to make a start to serve God. I have been a servant of the devil. I want now to be a child of God.” Another said, “These meetings have caused me to make friends with one to whom I had not spoken for seven years. I have been a professor during the same time. I thank God for the truth.”

Subscriptions are in circulation for the purpose of building a meeting-house. Many of the citizens are subscribing quite liberally, and are determined that the house shall be built. A building committee is to be appointed to-night.

To-day, Eld. Tennison (Disciple) speaks in opposition to the truth. I have announced a review.

We remain here another week with the tent. After the quarterly meeting at Cleburne, I expect to return to strengthen the things that remain here.

Myself and family are enjoying, at present, a good degree of health. We expect to winter here. Our address will be Peoria, Hill Co., Texas. R. M. KILGORE.