SIGOURNEY, IOWA by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 11, 1878

SIGOURNEY, IOWA.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

We began meetings here Thursday evening, March 28. The temperance society had appointed a meeting in our house for that evening, and so invited me to speak to them, which I did. The house was full. The next night we could not seat the people; so we hired the opera house, and promised the people plenty of room. But this was also soon filled. Sunday evening many had to go away. The two following evenings we had a crowded house. Thus far we have found all our meeting-houses too small to hold the people. Times are changing; men are becoming hungry for the truth. We feel sad that such interests cannot be followed up.

We had a large attendance of our own people, the largest ever convened here. All seemed to be of good courage. Sabbath afternoon more than a dozen made a start to be Christians.

We spent most of our labor in setting before the brethren the history of the message, its present extent and wants, and our duty to it. I spoke half a day on S. B., and then took the pledges of all present. About $1200.00 were pledged; $200 were pledged on the new tents, and several hundred on the foreign mission.

Monday and Tuesday nearly all remained, and we had a pleasant and profitable time instructing them in keeping the clerks' and S. B. books, and the duties of different officers. Finally we had a long talk with the preachers about the way to become successful laborers. At the close of the last meeting, Bro. L. McCoy was ordained to preach the gospel.

All expressed themselves much pleased and profited by these meetings. Meetings of this kind are just what is needed to wake up the talent and interest of the brethren and sisters. There are means and talent enough in this Conference to do a mighty work. It is decided to run nine or ten tents this season; and others will go out without tents. Bro. Farnsworth is an able speaker and a stirring man; so we hope much for the cause in Iowa.

It is five years since I was here last. I highly enjoyed the privilege of meeting old friends again. A large number of my former friends, the first citizens of Sigourney, who were friendly to us and to the cause then, attended our meetings here, and were as friendly as ever. We hope for many of them yet. D. M. CANRIGHT.