p. 136 | Letter from Iowa by Hiram Westover

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 17, 1859

Letter from Iowa.

By Hiram Westover

DEAR BROTHER: We are trying to keep all the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. We are wanting a little help. Bro. Hull was here last Winter and Spring. He got his field of labor so large that he could not finish up the work, and there is no person here that thinks himself authorized to baptize.

Brn. Brinkerhoof and Coffman are preaching. Bro. Coffman has not been baptized, and cannot get any one to baptize him that he thinks is authorized to administer the ordinance. Now if some one of the preaching brethren could come and set things in order, the work would go on. Coffman is from among the Methodists. Brinkerhoof was bred a lawyer.

The brethren here are generally poor, and the times are hard. There is very little money in the country. It is as much as we can do to get provisions to live on. I have two small farms, but cannot sell either of them. It is my duty to help spread the gospel, and I will do it. I have been in hopes of selling, so I could send for Bro. Hull, but I cannot send a dime.

O brother, I am so well pleased that you send the Review, I can only say, I will pay when I can. If we have to wait for some brother to come and preach for us, after we get the means to send, then it may be a long time. If one will come I will pay all expenses if I can sell my place, or if I can raise it by borrowing; but it cannot be borrowed, or I would send it. Please encourage some one to come and see us.

Yours in love,

Hiram Westover.

Afton, Iowa, Feb. 15th, 1859.