At nearly every point where I have labored since camp-meeting, a “door of utterance” has been opened; but oh how we lack public speakers! Had we one hundred and two preachers—one only for each county—they would find enough to do were they ministers of Jesus Christ. However, the encouraging thought is: Every one of us may now find a promising, yea, fruitful, field, if we will only be devoted.
We are receiving favors which will be of value to us in the prosecution of our work. We may have the same grounds that we had last year for our camp-meeting, and on the same favorable terms. The chief policeman said to me the other day: “Come back to Bloomington, and we will give you a larger crowd than last year.” The railroad companies are favoring us. The Illinois Central company are very kind; they promise to give good rates in chartering cars. Two other lines are each anxious for us to hold our annual meeting at some point on their road.
It has been rather a hard lesson for us to learn how to meet the “mind of the Spirit” in point of order as well as of sacrifice; and while the trials mentioned in Dan. 12:10 have stumbled some, others are learning and growing thereby. As a Conference, we are not yet doing our full duty; but, thank the Lord, there are some toilers for the Master here in Illinois. God bless them. In the day of re-union, when Illinois shall “fill her quota,” will you, my co-laboring brethren and sisters, be there among the gladsome throng? Shall I be saved? Then let us not apostatize. No; let us—
Raise the cry of “Courage!” higher;
Warmed, our souls, with heavenly fire,
Let us raise one rousing cheer,
Shout aloud, “The end is near!”