WESTERN TOUR by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 6, 1860

WESTERN TOUR.

By James White

BRO. SMITH: We are having a good long Indian summer out here in Iowa. We do not recollect that a drop of rain has fallen upon us since we entered the State. It is an excellent time to travel and hold conferences.

Bro. Snook accompanied us to Richmond, about one hundred miles. We were too late and weary for meeting Sabbath evening. Sabbath morning, the 20th, the brethren and friends assembled in the Baptist house, where three discourses were given during the day, and evening following, and three on first-day and evening following it. Our congregation was large and attentive. Bro. Snook deeply interested the people of Richmond, who much desire him to return to them again.

Second-day Bro. S. baptized seven. A church was organized, who were unanimous in accepting the name, Seventh-day Adventists. Two deacons were chosen, and set apart to their office by the laying on of hands. It was a solemn and heavenly season. The saints wept and rejoiced. Thirty-one gave their names as members of the church. More will soon be added.

The brethren in Richmond and Dayton esteem it a pleasure to do considerable for the cause. They helped us on traveling expenses, and will do much towards paying for the Eastern Iowa Tent. Arrangements had been made to furnish winter clothing for preachers, so that Bro. S., who was needy, got a pretty good fit out, amounting to about $30. Some are willing to let their preachers suffer in rags, while others watch their wants, and generously supply them. The gospel gives the preacher of the gospel a chance to live as well as other men; therefore when those who profess the gospel faith fail to do their duty, it may be the duty of the minister to labor in a new field where he may bring out those who will bring forth gospel fruits. Men who are instructed in the present truth, who will look on and see the cause suffer for a few dollars of their abundance, would be an injury to any cause which might call for benevolence.

On third-day, the 23d, we attended the funeral of Sr. Page, of Richmond. We preached to a large congregation, by her request, from Rev. xiv, 13. We visited her the Sabbath before, and found her very low, but triumphant in hope and faith. She sleeps in bright hope of a part in the first resurrection at the glorious appearing of the Son of man.

We reached this place (Lisbon) last night, the 25th, and were rejoiced to find 300 copies of Bro. Snook’s Review of Springer. Every brother should have a copy of this review, and those who live among the Campbellites should have a pocket-full constantly on hand to supply their neighbors.

But just think how this pamphlet of 100 pages has been whirled through the Press, and over the Railroad to this place, more than 400 miles. We received the manuscript at Battle Creek, Monday, Nov. 8. The printers took it in hand the 9th, and in just two weeks 300 copies reached this place. In nine days 3000 copies were printed, besides the regular work in the Office. If the brethren take hold to circulate it with the zeal of our good printers in printing it, another edition will be called for before 1861.

We are resting and writing at Bro. Wilson’s, a good pilgrim’s tavern. The church here are firm and active. We hope for a good time at the Marion conference.

October 30th. Since writing the above we have held a two-days meeting at Marion, according to appointment. The brethren came in from places around as follows: one load from Lisbon, one from Anamosa, one from Fairview, and two from Vinton; about thirty in all. In consequence of the heavy rain which fell on sixth-day many were kept away.

Our congregation on Sabbath was composed of Sabbath-keepers, about one hundred in number. We spoke in the morning on the unity and gifts of the Christian church with good freedom for nearly two hours. In the afternoon the church enjoyed a social meeting, closing with the Lord’s supper. There being hardly room or time for the washing of feet, this was dispensed with, however, to the grief of a good German brother from Vinton. We hope the church in his place will be blessed with the privilege of attending to this humbling ordinance, where the place and time will be more in keeping with its first institution than at a large gathering. Query. If circumstances at our conferences will not well admit of both, is it necessary that a large congregation of feeling hearts should be deprived of both?

Evening following the Sabbath Bro. Snook spoke on the signs of Christ’s coming, and the necessary preparation for that event, much to the edification of all present.

First-day morning we spoke in the court-house on the three messages, especially the great work of the third. Bro. Snook spoke in the afternoon on the kingdom, and we followed in the evening on Paul’s doctrine of conversion. Our meetings increased in numbers and interest to the close.

At a business meeting on first-day, the conference extended an invitation to Bro. Snook to settle in this part of the State, pledging to sustain him, and also meet the debts upon the cause, and its future wants.

Bro. and sister Cornell live in the hearts of this people. They hope for his return, at least, to go with the tent another season.

We stated to the conference what had been done for Iowa by Eastern brethren; that we could make no more appeals to them to help Iowa, from the fact that now the friends of the cause are becoming numerous, and were as well able to sustain the cause in their own State, as the brethren east are to sustain the cause in their States.

We would here suggest the necessity of provision being made in season to pay the expenses of some preacher to this part of the State to join Bro. Snook with the tent. Also to meet the expenses of next tent season, that the tent may start out by the first of May on the great work of another tent season, in which may be expected a greater harvest than has yet been realized.

The brethren in Iowa have much to encourage them to make vigorous efforts. Since we visited this part of the State last March, their strength, and ability to sustain the cause has increased four-fold. United, vigorous action, with the blessing of heaven, will accomplish a great work during 1861.

We are now writing at Bro. Weaver’s table in Fairview, Iowa. Since we were here in March, he and his wife and parents embraced the Bible Sabbath. But father Weaver has gone to rest in the grave a little while till Jesus comes to awake those who rest in hope. We stopped here last March, because it was a tavern. Now it is a tavern indeed, the pilgrim’s tavern and home, where he may find rest of body and of spirit. We leave for Wisconsin to-morrow. May the Lord bless the dear saints in Iowa. J. W.