p. 84 | CAUSE IN THE WEST by M. E. Cornell

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 4, 1859

CAUSE IN THE WEST.

By M. E. Cornell

At the Iowa conference it was thought best to hold a meeting at Decatur City to strengthen the things that remain in that part of the State, but while the appointment was being published through the Review there would be time to hold one tent meeting, and that meeting should be held at the village of Richmond, because it was twenty miles on the road to Decatur. After we had sent out hand-bills for the meeting at Richmond, Bro. Clarke arrived with team to take the tent west. Several young churches in this part of the State had not been visited for twelve months. It was there that Bro. Hull had opened his field of labor in this State, but being suddenly called away from the State on account of the last sickness and death of his mother, things were left in an unsettled state. The enemy came in like a flood, persecution, opposition of the clergy, and all the powers of darkness combined to destroy the good begun work. They expected a visit from Bro. Hull or Bro. Waggoner, or both, soon after the tent season closed, agreeably to their promise. Repeated disappointment served to discourage and sink them still lower.

They called for the tent this season, and Bro. Hull had written to the effect that if the tent was moved into that part of the State, they would have to come after it. Accordingly Bro. Clarke came on prepared to take it west. We think it would not be right under ordinary circumstances to move the tent such a distance, but in the present case we feel confident that the most experienced and judicious of our brethren would agree with us if they understood all the circumstances.

The blessing of God has been with us on our journey; morning, noon and evening, while we spread out our cold morsel upon earth's green, velvet carpet, we have partaken with a relish and thankfulness that kings know not of. The air here is pure and dry, and although much exposed I have been almost entirely free from colds, and my general health is much improved—all praise to His holy name.

We passed through many little towns where it seemed there were ears to hear; and we would have been glad to have given a more complete answer to the oft repeated question, "What are you going to do with that tent?" &c.

This is an important field of labor; the inhabitants are more free from sectarian bands, and the influence of old church aristocracy, than they are in the older States; and consequently they are more easily influenced by the power of simple truth. Efforts to spread the truth here will not be in vain. Most of the people are what were anciently denominated common people that hear the word gladly. But little effort has yet been made, and there is a good beginning; several churches are planted, and the standard is raised. What is lacking now is judicious labor, and scores and hundreds will rally around the standard of the third angel. The friends of the truth here are doing all they can. For two years past crops have been very much injured, or cut off altogether, so that we see some pretty close times, and we feel quite thankful when we can get a little corn bread and sometimes string-beans. There is now a fair prospect of better times the coming year, but this does not help the cause at the present time. The cause is suffering for present help. Many would read our books as for dear life, but they have not the money to buy them. How can we withhold books from those who examine them at the stand, and with tears in their eyes express a regret that they have not the money to buy them? But then if we let them go without pay how can we make returns to the publishing Office? Bro. Hull has just sold his horse to get means to relieve his present embarrassments here, and pay something towards the books he has given away, trusted out, or sold and used the money for expenses. One brother came forward to get another set of books. Those he had were lent out, and they had gone from one family to another across the prairie, and had been searched through and through till they were nearly worn out, and now he could hear no more of them. The books take wings and fly across the prairies for many miles. Thus the light is spreading in the west.

The recent hard times have served to prepare the minds of the people for the truth. Their worldly plans are thwarted, and they begin to see that there is something more important; and many are ripe for the truth.

We are encouraged to hope that a good work may be done here this summer. There are many difficulties to surmount, but we trust in the God of truth to open the way and give us wisdom to discern what is best in the great work committed to our care. We hope to have the sympathy, prayers and counsel of our eastern brethren, who have a special interest in our mission. Our earnest prayer is for the good success of the different tents now in the field; that each laborer, and the whole church, may be encouraged by the prosperity of our common cause. The Lord grant it for his name's sake. Amen.

M. E. CORNELL.