TENT MEETING AT DODGEVILLE, WIS by John Norton Loughborough, E. Everts, J. Hart

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 16, 1857

TENT MEETING AT DODGEVILLE, WIS.

By John Norton Loughborough, E. Everts, J. Hart

THE above meeting commenced as appointed in the Review, June 27th, and held over two Sabbaths and First-days, and evenings of the week between. It was a meeting of deep interest from its commencement to its close. On First-days our Tent was filled. Evenings of the week our congregations were from 500 to 700. We presented them the subject of “Endless life alone through Christ,” and the prophecies, especially those that mark out our present position. Deep interest was manifested in the word spoken. The ministers of the several churches in Dodgeville were very busy in warning their members to keep away from us; but it had the effect to awaken an interest among the candid portion of their members to go and hear. Some of their members have already become convinced of the Sabbath question.

There were many infidels in Dodgeville, who gave us a candid hearing, and took it upon themselves to treat us kindly. One individual informed us that he had not attended a religious meeting in fourteen years. He attended all our meetings and seemed much interested. One of them said to us, “The infidels are the most interested of any of your hearers.” Yes, we replied, they seem like candid men. Said he, “They have seen many inconsistencies in the way the Bible is commonly explained, and did not once think there might be another mode of interpretation adopted that would harmonize the difficulties. As you teach the Bible, it looks clear and plain, and appears like a different book.”

We don’t know but it may look like a hard thing to expect infidels to take the present truth; but we believe some of them are more subjects of God’s favor than hard sectarians. “Stumbling-blocks” have been laid in their way, and they have stumbled over them. May the Lord rescue some of them, is our prayer.

It was a mystery to these infidels that we did not beg for money. “Why,” they would say, “how do you live?” We would tell them that we believed God required his people to go with a free gospel, and that there was a sacrifice required on their part to advance it. Unknown to us, they got up a subscription and raised $22,00, and urged it upon us. This to us is a token of their interest in the advancement of the cause.

On Second-day morning Bro. Hart baptized three souls. We expect that more will soon take their stand with the commandment-keepers there. Our hearts are encouraged still to labor on. We pitch our Tent this week in Green Vale.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH. E. EVERTS. J. HART. Round Grove, Ills., July 9th, 1857.