p. 53 | Success in Wisconsin

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Aug 11, 1853

Success in Wisconsin

By John Norton Loughborough; M. E. Cornell

From Brn. Loughborough and Cornell.

DEAR BRO. WHITE:—We take this opportunity to make a few statements in relation to our success in Wisconsin. Some four weeks since, we arrived in this State. June 27th and 28th, held meetings in Alden, where we found considerable prejudice existing, on account of some past injudicious moves, made in presenting the message. During our meeting the prejudice began to give way, and the last evening, we were favored with quite an interesting congregation. They expressed strong desires for a conference which we have accordingly appointed.

Sabbath, July 2d, we spent at Koskonong. We here found some thirty brethren strong in the message, and had a free time in presenting the truth.—We had the privilege of meeting with Bro. Phelps at this place, who has been a faithful laborer in the field, and effectual in the hands of God of opening many dark minds to the glorious light of present truth.—His travels for the past two years have been mostly on foot, and many have been the trials through which he has been called to pass; but still his mind is engaged in the work of spreading the truth.

From this place we passed to Packwaukie, where Bro. Waggoner resides. He was absent from home proclaiming the message. We held meetings on Sabbath and First-day, July 9th and 10th. On First-day we had quite a large congregation to listen to the great truths connected with our present position.—Here we met with Bro. T. M. Steward, who is devoting his whole time to the advancement of the cause. He has traveled mostly with Brn. Waggoner and Phelps.

July 11th, drove to Metomen, where we met with Bro. Waggoner. This Brother has labored in the Northern part of Wisconsin for the past year, with great success. He has sacrificed friends, reputation and all, to advance the cause of present truth. Thro’ his untiring zeal many have been led to rejoice in the third angel’s message. His course is still onward, with a realizing sense of our present position. He has just stated that he is encouraged for Wisconsin, and believes a great work is to be accomplished here. He has passed through some dark hours, but now sees an interest awakening in every direction.

July 14th, we met with about a dozen brethren at Waukan, and found them striving to prepare to stand in the day of the Lord.

July 16th, and 17th, held a conference at Metomen. Brn. Waggoner and Steward were with us. We had the privilege here of meeting with Bro. J. M. Stephenson and D. P. Hall, who have devoted their time for a few years past to the proclamation of the Second Advent doctrine, and are now strong in the message of the third angel. Bro. Stephenson has already left all to proclaim the truth, and Bro. Hall is determined soon to follow. Our interview with these brethren has been one of interest. We find them fully competent to present the truths connected with this message. May the Lord abundantly bless them. Our meeting continued until Third-day evening. Deep and solemn conviction rested on attentive audiences, which crowded the school-room to hear on the subject of the Sabbath, third angel’s message and seven last plagues. While presenting the last named subject we felt the importance of our present position as never before. Many were led to tremble and weep at the awful condition of those who keep not God’s holy law. Several have decided to keep the Sabbath.—Others are investigating. This place has the name of being the hardest one in Wisconsin, and has manifested the most opposition to the Advent doctrine; but their prejudice is gone, and they are now willing to hear candidly of these things, to see whether they are so.

From Metomen we came to Union, accompanied by Brn. Waggoner, Steward, Stephenson and Hall. Our meeting has been one of deep interest to the dear brethren and sisters in this vicinity. On First-day quite an audience listened to testimonies in relation to the message, and other truths connected therewith. Our meeting is still in progress. Undoubtedly, some here will take hold of the present truth.

We have been happily disappointed as to the state of the cause in Wisconsin. We did not expect to find much but opposition; but, praise God, we find honest souls all through the State, who are anxious to learn our views. We verily believe that the time has come for the spread of the message before the public here. Although there are, as we have stated, some four or five efficient laborers here, still there is a lack of help. O, let us cry mightily to the Lord of the harvest, to raise up and qualify those who shall go forth and labor in the field; for truly they are white already for the harvest.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH. M. E. CORNELL

Union, Wis., July 28th, 1853.