WESTERN TOUR by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 23, 1858

WESTERN TOUR.

By James White

OUR general Tent-meeting at Crane's Grove, was one of great profit we think, and a very pleasant meeting, with the exception of the interruptions mentioned last week. The attendance was not as large from different parts of Illinois, and from Wisconsin, as we hoped to see. The season has been so rainy, that many could not fully secure their grain in season to come to the meeting. We were happy to meet Bro. W. Phelps from Wisconsin, and find that he has no sympathy for what is called the Age to Come, and that his heart is fully with his brethren who continue to teach the Third Angel's Message. With pleasure we united with the preaching brethren in presenting his case before the Lord that he might be raised to health, and go out free again to gather souls to the standard of truth. Here we had the pleasure of meeting again with Brn. Hull, S. Myers and Sanborn. These brethren had been under the influence of J. M. Stephenson. Bro Sanborn said that he received the message in rather a mongrel form, it being mixed with the Age to Come, but he was coming out free. His decided testimony was refreshing. Bro. Myers is seeing clearly where the truth and the work of the Lord is. Bro. Hull returned to Iowa fully settled in his mind in regard to the Age to Come, and the sad condition of its advocates. The spirit manifested by these Age-to-Come, no-Sabbath men, served to settle the wavering, and to unite commandment-keepers in the strongest bonds of christian fellowship. The Lord poured out his Spirit graciously on the occasion of Brn. Hull and Sanborn being set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by the laying on of hands. How solemn and glorious was the place where the Lord met his servants in this act of obedience to the order of the gospel. Praise his holy name.

We were happy to meet Bro. J. N. Andrews at Crane's Grove, though at a late period. He received the notice of the general Tent-meeting too late to attend it, but came during the discussion. His general health has become quite good, and he feels a deep interest in the prosperity of the cause of truth. We trust the way will open soon before our dear brother, that he may be so situated as to labor efficiently in the great work. Sabbath, Aug. 28th, Mrs. W. was taken very ill, and grew worse till First day morning when her sickness was alarming, and she requested the prayers of the elders of the church. Brn. Waggoner, Sperry, Andrews and Ingraham engaged in prayer for her. The earnest prayer of faith moved the arm of the Lord, and she was raised up and the next morning took the cars for Battle Creek, and reached home at midnight in good health. We can look back upon our Western tour with pleasure, and feel the strongest attachment to those dear brethren with whom we have labored. The way now is open to do much in the West. Many have been sadly disappointed in their worldly schemes, and can now stop and investigate Bible truth. The lack of means West is a great discouragement, yet a little means now will accomplish more than much means would when men were crazy with the idea of getting rich. Now is the time for those who have ready means to use it.

At our general Conference at Battle Creek, last May, Bro. J. H. Waggoner was chosen to visit the Western field, and if the way opened, labor with Bro. M. Hull of Iowa. The mission was well advised, and has resulted in much good. Bro. Hull is free from the chilling, bewildering influence of the Age to Come, so called, and is fully with us in the present truth. He is poor, and has cares upon him which we hope may soon be removed. We hope the time is not far distant when Bro. Hull and his family may be comfortably situated in the midst of experienced friends of the cause who shall supply all their temporal wants, and leave Bro. Hull free to labor in the message, assisted by the prayers and counsel of the church.

Bro Waggoner left for the West, worn down by incessant labors day and night, and entered upon his labors sick for want of rest and sleep. He remained feeble all summer in consequence of too much care and hard labor upon him. He has preached too much, and in addition to this, had much of the labor and care of the Tent upon him, having no Tent master.

It is due the friends of Bro Waggoner to say that they have shown their love for him in deed. The effort made at our last conference to assist him in obtaining a home for his family, has succeeded well. When $125, pledged, shall be paid, he will own a good home free. A part of this same we have advanced and shall advance the rest, and shall be very glad to receive it again from the hands of those who wish to help in the work. If any class of men should be free from the annual task of hunting up a place for their families a home, it is our traveling preachers. Brethren, remember Bro. Waggoner in his feebleness and afflictions. You who have had the truth brought to your doors by him, and have shared his labors in spiritual things, visit him with those temporal blessings which he now needs. Learn to sympathize more fully with those who have enfeebled themselves in laboring for your salvation. We hope that rest, the care of the church, and the blessing of God, will so restore Bro. Waggoner that the Cause may still be blest with his labors.

Since Bro. Waggoner returned from the West, Bro. Hull has pitched the Tent, and reports as follows:—

"I pitched the Tent here last Fourth-day, and commenced meetings the next night. I preached twice Sixth-day, and three times on Sabbath, and three times on First-day. The interest is the best I have ever seen anywhere. The Tent will not hold the congregation, and yesterday my book sales amounted to more than $15. The interest still seems to be on the increase. I have looked for Bro. Sperry for the last three days, but he has not yet arrived."

The Tent-meeting at Monroe, Wis., waked up the deepest interest in the community, and quite a number decided to keep the Sabbath, and Bro. Ingraham writes that the interest has not abated. We expect much will be done the coming winter. A good work is begun in the West, God grant that it may be carried on judiciously and perseveringly. Our Tents are a great help in the warm season of the year; for in this season of the year, when most all classes are actively engaged in worldly pursuits, nothing less than a Tent-meeting will call them out to hear the truth. But the great work must be accomplished in the country when the people will take time to read and to attend meetings in their schoolhouses. O God lead thy ministers forth into the wide harvest, and open the hearts of thy people to sustain them in this great work. J. W.