IOWA

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 18, 1878

West Union.

THE meeting at West Union was held April 4-7. There are very few of our brethren in this place. About a year ago they built a small meeting-house which would seat about seventy-five persons. Of course it was not large enough for our meeting, so the Baptists very kindly gave us the use of their house. But we found the outside interest very small; perhaps fifty or a hundred attended our meeting. This was much less than we had had at any other place, and these were not particularly interested. There were about seventy-five of our own brethren present, and we enjoyed very good seasons with them, and they seemed to receive the word with much interest and profit.

This part of the State has been left without labor for years, and the brethren are somewhat discouraged on this account, very few having embraced the truth lately. We think that some of the many laborers should work in this section of the field. It is the pleasantest part of the State, and probably would be just as good a field as the southern part, if not better.

We spent a half day in instructing them in keeping our books, another half day on the T. and M. work, and a good share of Sunday on s. s. We found that the brethren very much needed instruction on these points. I think the time was profitably spent. Systematic benevolence pledges were made to the amount of $400. We now ask our brethren in all parts of that Conference to take hold and raise their pledges as these brethren have done, as the means are very much needed.

Thus closed my four weeks’ labor in Iowa, with Bro. Farnsworth. We hope the Lord may bless these efforts to the good of the cause in this State. As I have several things which I wish to say, bearing upon the cause there, which would make a report too long, I will put them in separate articles, hoping that the friends will read them.

D. M. Canright.

Battle Creek, Mich., April 12.

Lisbon, April 8.

This has been one of the old battle fields, being one of the first churches organized in the State. Most of the friends that came out years ago had moved away. But there were a few lamps left that have continued to burn brightly, and the result of our labor we feel is largely owing to the influence of such. About twenty-five in the vicinity are now keeping the Sabbath, and we have some reason to believe others will yet come out on the Lord’s side.

We shall commence meetings near here again soon.

J. T. Mitchell.

R. A. Hart.

Logan, April 1.

The meeting at this place closed on Sunday night. The Lord was with us, and we had a good meeting. Six were added to the Logan church. This church is growing in the knowledge of the truth.

On Sunday evening we celebrated the ordinances. The Spirit of the Lord came into our midst. May the Lord continue to bless this church, that they may be a shining light in the world.

J. Bartlett.

Le Grand, April 1.

AFTER attending the meeting at State Center, the 22d, I came back here March 29. About thirty were present at our Sabbath meeting, although it was a very stormy day. Some were keeping the Sabbath for the first time. I sold here twenty-five dollars’ worth of books, and obtained six subscribers for our papers. Shall meet with them again April 20. There are enough here that acknowledge the truth to make a large church. May the Lord help them out of the “valley of decision.”

M. M. Kenny.

Jasper Co.

A GOOD WORK has recently been done in this vicinity by Chas. E. Whitlatch. By my request, he spoke at our school-house on the second advent of Christ. Many believed, and some were affected to tears. The people were unanimous in their desire to hear him the next evening on the Sabbath. Accordingly he spoke to a large and attentive audience. He thoroughly demonstrated the obligations of the Sabbath, and showed that Sunday-keeping is not of Christ, but of his self-styled vicegerent, the antichrist of Rome.

He complied with the request of the audience to speak the next evening on the same subject. After services, he asked all that believed the seventh day was binding to arise, and several stood up. He then asked all that believed Sunday was the right day to keep to stand up, and not one in the audience arose.

A few have commenced to keep the Sabbath; others say they will do so, while many are investigating. A Methodist minister who heard his discourse admitted that the seventh day is the Sabbath.

Surely the Lord is blessing his people. The seed has been sown here, and may a large harvest be reaped in due season.

Henry Shellenbarger.

Decatur City, April 8.

MET with the church at Decatur City, April 6 and 7. Nearly all were present, and took part in the social meeting. We celebrated the ordinances, and elected officers. Letters were granted to seven of our members, who will join in some other locality. May God bless them in their new homes. This leaves our little church with sixteen members, in harmony and union.

A. Caldwell.