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TOUR IN WISCONSIN

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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 6, 1858

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 11, No. 25.

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TOUR IN WISCONSIN.

By J. H. W.

On leaving Mauston I went to Adario, Waushara Co., and by request left an appointment in Bro. J. Hall's neighborhood, and then passed on northward to the residence of Bro. M. Welcome; but he was not at home. As it was the evening for prayer-meeting, I attended, and being invited, spoke to them on "the truth." John xvii, 17. The little company present appeared to be true worshipers, walking up to the light they had received.
March 26th, I returned to Adario, where Bro. Welcome met me on the Sabbath, together with his own brother, S. C. Welcome, who had recently embraced the present truth. I continued in that neighborhood till First-day noon; but as considerable light on the Sabbath had been spread in that vicinity, and as my mind was drawn northward, I took up my appointments, and met again with the friends at Fish Lake, near Bro. Welcome's on Sunday evening. This church was of the Christian order, organized on a very liberal or independent plan; and had enjoyed the benefit of Bro. W.'s labor and influence, though he was not its pastor.
On that evening I spoke on Isa. lviii. The views presented on the Sabbath were new to most of them, but the interest to hear was good. The subject of the Sabbath was continued next evening, and the truth presented had the effect to fasten conviction on many minds. My time was so limited that it was not possible for me to remain more than three evenings, and get to the meeting in Marquette Co. But to leave that people so soon, where there was such an interest to hear, was a grief to me, and on the last evening I bore an exceedingly heavy burden of their case. I presented the prophecies and the Third Angel's Message, and spoke till about 10 o'clock; after which the meeting was continued by the congregation, and many spirited testimonies were given. About fifteen confessed the truth, and others were much interested, and expressed a desire to walk in the light of the Word, wherever it should lead. Those who had been convicted of the truth, on taking up the cross, were set free in the Lord, and a season of rejoicing was the result. The meeting continued till after midnight, nearly five hours altogether, without any lack of interest, or any signs of weariness. The blessed result from the small amount of labor far exceeded my expectations, making it one of the happiest seasons I ever enjoyed.
In these meetings Bro. Welcome, and Bro. Thurston, rendered efficient aid by their testimonies and exhortations. May the Lord give them wisdom to water and nourish the seed sown that it may bring forth fruit to the glory of our Father in heaven.
Wednesday morning, March 31, with Bro. Welcome, I started for Mackford, where the meeting had been appointed instead of Marquette. But my labors had been beyond my strength, and on my arrival at Mackford I was laid on a bed of sickness, and thus an additional burden was laid on Bro. Andrews, who was also much fatigued and quite unwell on his arrival at that place. Bro. Welcome assisted in the meetings. On First-day P. M. the church assembled for prayer, and the Lord blessed and gave me strength to go to the place of meeting and speak in behalf of the present truth.
On Second-day also, the Lord blessed in our prayer-meeting in an especial manner, by which we were all comforted and encouraged. Three were baptized that day. Next morning we parted with Bro. Welcome; and as he went on his way homeward our prayers went with him. It would have been very gratifying to us to have enjoyed his company longer, as our acquaintance with him was very pleasant and profitable. His talent is a practical and useful one, and his labor is especially needed in that field where Hall, Stephenson and others, have endeavored to destroy confidence in the operations and guiding influence of the Spirit of God; we hope it may be brought to bear more directly in favor of the present truth.
The interest at Mackford seemed to warrant a continuance of the meetings over another Sabbath. A storm set in the latter part of the week which continued at intervals till after the close of our meetings, making it quite impossible for the people to assemble evenings. Yet good resulted: many were deeply interested, and convictions were fastened on some minds which we hope will lead them to conform more fully to God's immutable word.
April 12th, we went to Rubicon, and that evening held a long, and we trust, profitable meeting with the little church there. Three were baptized on the morning of the 13th, after which we took the cars for Milwaukee. We regretted the necessity of leaving Rubicon so soon; but we were both too much out of health to hold meetings, and Bro. Andrews, who felt called to go home on account of the poor health of his father, had to start that day or remain from home over another Sabbath. In the afternoon of that day we separated; he taking the cars for Prairie du Chien, and I for Chicago.
J. H. W.