Meetings in Illinois by Joseph Bates

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 2, 1858

Meetings in Illinois.

By Joseph Bates

Dear Bro. Smith: The series of evening meetings referred to in our last at Malta Station, Ills., July 28th was much interrupted by the heavy and continued rains, and bad going. Those who came, appeared much interested to hear. The proprietor of the hall, an influential man in the village, who was firmly fixed and settled in the faith of Sunday-keeping, was an attentive hearer at every meeting; and when the Sabbath of the Bible was presented he raised objections against it, and gave his views in favor of the first day of the week for the Rest-day. At the next meeting we reviewed his subject, and gave liberty. He said, I have nothing to say.

At the close of our meetings, and before dismissing, after recommending the Review and our standard works, we also referred to our agreement for the use of the hall; when the gentleman spoke and said, We shall not charge any thing for the hall; you are perfectly welcome to the use of it. He then came to the table and selected the tracts on the Sabbath and Two-horned Beast, to learn further on our position. The next morning (Aug. 3) four were baptized on profession of their faith, and we passed on westward some fifty-five miles to Round Grove. Here we found Bro. Hart, our fellow-laborer in the field, very sick with typhoid fever. Our principal labor here has been with the church. The most of them are making efforts to rise from their lukewarmness, and have a closer walk with God, and be overcomers in this last mighty struggle with the enemies of their Lord.

We also held three successive meetings in the school-house in Delhi, with very attentive congregations, many of whom seemed anxious to know the truth. We should have been glad to continue the work there, but our attention was called another way.

JOSEPH BATES.

Round Grove, Ills., Aug. 17th, 1858.