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Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 8, 1858

From the Field.

THERE are three tents now moving in the field; at least, we have already heard from three. One in Ohio, conducted by Brn. Loughborough, Butler and Dorcas; in Michigan by Brn. Cornell and Lawrence; and in Iowa by Brn. Waggoner and Sperry. From the New England and N. Y. tents we have not yet heard. The three first mentioned have reported the commencement of operations, and we trust that full and definite reports may now be from time to time expected.

Bro. Loughborough writes from Bowling Green, Ohio, June 21st, 1858.

“We have commenced a tent meeting in this place with encouraging prospects. A deep interest is manifest among the people to hear. The ministry of the place are making a strong effort to keep the people away, but yet they come out. Yesterday our congregation was good notwithstanding there were four meetings within one half of a mile of us, and one of them within ten rods. We feel encouraged to labor on. The Lord gives victory in presenting the truth, praise his holy name.”

Bro. Cornell writes from Orion, Mich. June 21st, 1858:

“The work goes on well in this place. Many have purchased books and are investigating. Some have already decided that these things are so. The Sabbath is drawing the line. The subject of man’s nature and destiny has agitated the Spiritualists wonderfully. Their craft is in danger. The clergy here have commenced their efforts to establish Sunday keeping, but many are too clear on the subject to be drawn back. Our little social meeting yesterday was good. The Lord was with us to our encouragement. Some dear friends, to our great joy, confessed the truth and are with us fully. O how good it is to have those near by kindred ties, come out whole hearted in the present truth. To God be all the glory.

“The unanimous vote of the people to-day was that we should remain another week. The Sheriff of Lapeer county has left a request that we should visit that place with the tent. This at present appears to be duty.”

Bro. Waggoner writes from Lisbon, Iowa, June 30th, 1858:

“Bro. Sperry and myself, (Bro. Hart being sick) pitched the ‘Vermont tent’ in this place last week. The attendance has not generally been so large as we anticipated, as since Bro. Hart left, the sectarian preachers have been busy circulating the most shameful falsehoods against him, and all of like faith. We consequently found the most bitter prejudice existing. But this has been entirely removed from the minds of those who have heard us. There are a few here strong in the faith of the present truth; some of these have already been cast out of the synagogues.

“The light makes manifest. ‘While wicked professors make light of the cross, the pure testimony cries out separation.’ We praise the Lord that the line is being drawn by the truth. This enables us to ‘discern between him that serveth the Lord and him that serveth him not.’ Some have remarked that they never thought the churches here were so wicked till our views were preached, which causes them to manifest what is in their hearts. But none of these things move us, or discourage us in the least in our work. Our study is to show ourselves approved unto God.”

Bro. M. Hull also writes from Decatur City, Iowa, June 2d, 1858:

“I have just delivered six lectures in Big Creek, Daviess Co., Mo., which has brought twenty-six out on the truth, who declare their intentions from this time forward to keep all the commandments.

“Bro. Morrison, an able preacher, first of the reform (Campbellite) doctrine, then of the unconscious state of the dead and destruction of the wicked, has now resolved to hold up that most important of all truths, the commandments. May the Lord strengthen him, to God be all the praise for the victory over error.”