TENT MEETING AT MACKFORD, WIS by John Norton Loughborough

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 2, 1857

TENT MEETING AT MACKFORD, WIS.

By John Norton Loughborough

Our Tent Meeting in this place closed this afternoon. The meeting commenced June 12th, and continued evenings through last week, and up to last First-day. Our evening meetings last week were thinly attended on account of the rain and cold weather, but those that were present manifested good interest to hear the truth. On each Sabbath quite a number of brethren and sisters came together, and on First-day our congregations numbered some three or four hundred who manifested good interest in the truths spoken.

Our scattered brethren and sisters who came to this meeting were much encouraged and strengthened to press on for the kingdom. Among our hearers were some who have been looking for the Saviour's coming, but had not had the light on the Sabbath. They were much edified by the truth, and said the Sabbath was plain. Two Advent brethren were present from Waushara Co., some thirty miles distant, who became convinced on most points of present truth, and they will probably soon turn their feet to the obedience of all God's commandments. They return in about two weeks to that county. They gave us an urgent invitation to come to that place and present the truth, and promised us a hearty welcome.

Several pressing invitations for meetings have been made at this meeting; but who shall fill them? Here is labor needed. Here are fields white already to harvest, and the people with feeling hearts begging for the words of everlasting life; but who shall give it to them? Who is sufficient for these things? We can only cry for the Lord of the harvest to raise up, qualify and send forth more laborers into the harvest. Brethren, has not the time fully come when we should pray this prayer and pray in earnest. The Lord help us to feel for our fellow-men who want the truth.

One brother was present with his companion who has been several years convinced that the Sabbath was binding, but had not kept it. With tears and an overflowing heart he bore testimony in the public congregation to the truth, confessed his neglect of obedience to the commands of God, and told us how this duty had at times rolled upon him as he attempted to call upon the name of the Lord. He declared his determination by the help of the Lord to take up the cross and keep the commandment he had never kept. He then exhorted the congregation with good effect. We learned from this brother that the inconsistent course of some who profess to believe in keeping the commandments of God had been a barrier in the way of himself and his companion.

Strait testimonies were borne to the church on the importance of holy living. How important for the good of the cause, and for our own salvation that we live holy lives. We are in an age when the standard of piety is trailing in the dust. The Lord help us to raise the standard high by holy lives. This brother and sister last mentioned, returned home on Monday, resolved to obey all God's commandments. The Lord bless them. At the close of our meeting, First-day, four were baptized, some of whom first professed faith in Christ at this meeting. There are several others who we expect are about to take their stand to observe the Sabbath of the Lord.

I first joined Brn. Hart and Everts in the Tent campaign for the Summer at this meeting, having been prevented from attending the first meeting by sickness. Our hearts are much encouraged by the results of this meeting to labor on in this good and glorious cause.

June 23d, Bro. Hart and myself called to attend meeting at Woodland, where Bro. Hart held meetings between the Rubicon and Mackford tent meetings. We found nearly a school-house full assembled at half-past six o'clock P. M., to listen to the truth. Bro. Hart spoke to them on the Christian's hope. We found that two in this place had taken their stand for the Sabbath since Bro. Hart's meeting. The companion of one brother who had not been fully satisfied in regard to the Sabbath, we learned had become fully established upon it since the meeting. Of the two above who embraced the truth, one is a man seventy-four years of age who never before made a profession of religion. His mind had been much perplexed with the various popular teachings of the day. When he heard Bro. Hart's discourses he felt as though he had found the truth. He has endeavored to turn his feet into the obedience of all God's commandments. He says he has been going wrong all his days, and now he means to do right. His daughter, who had been a professor and associated with the Methodist church, has taken her stand with her father to keep the Sabbath of the Lord.

While Bro. Hart and myself were attending the meeting at Woodland, Bro. Everts held a meeting at Rubicon, where the tent was pitched for the first meeting. Bro. Everts found a small company assembled at the hour appointed for meeting, and had a good time in presenting the truths concerning our present position. Bro. Harlow walked six miles to attend the meeting, and bore a good testimony for the truth. One man confessed the truth after this meeting. Three had taken their stand for the Sabbath since the tent meeting. Others are investigating. We are now in Milwaukee, on our way to Dodgeville, where we pitch the tent next.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Milwaukee, June 24th, 1857.