MEETINGS IN WISCONSIN by Isaac Sanborn

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 26, 1860

MEETINGS IN WISCONSIN.

By Isaac Sanborn

BRO. SMITH: I left home the seventh of November, and went into Bro. Stanley's neighborhood, at Hundred Mile Grove, sixteen miles north of Madison, where I had previously given twelve lectures, and where I gave about twenty more in the three weeks that I stayed there.

At the close of the meetings we went five miles to find a suitable place to attend to the ordinance of baptism, and five followed their Lord in that ordinance, thereby saying to those around them that they would walk in a new life. O Lord, help them! is my prayer. When I left, twenty-six were keeping the Sabbath, as near as I could learn, and quite a number of others were convinced of the truth. O that the Lord may help them to choose life that they may live. Many of them are heartily engaged in the work of the Lord. I also received eleven subscribers for the Review and Herald, and sold about twelve dollars' worth of books. I went to North Leeds, seven miles, and preached three times to quite a congregation. The Lord gave much freedom, and the assurance that my labor was not in vain. There I met Bro. H. Patch, and two Bro. Bessons of Mackford, who urged me to go to their place to preach. I finally consented to go, and accordingly commenced meetings there the 23d of Dec. Here I found some twenty-two or three brethren and sisters struggling for eternal life, by keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. They have had no preaching since Brn. Waggoner and Andrews were there. Some of those brethren have lived there for five years, and have had but one privilege of eating the Lord's supper. I preached five times in the school-house to attentive congregations, and on Monday the brethren and sisters all met at the house of Bro. Patch, for the purpose of taking into account the necessity of organization, according to the rules laid down in the word of God. I spoke awhile on that subject, and then proceeded to organize a church, after which we attended to the Lord's supper; and truly the Lord fulfilled his promises to us. John xiii, 13-17. It was a time that will be remembered by us all. The next morning two were baptized.

I will say here that the church at Mackford have adopted the plan of systematic benevolence, and find that it works well.

From here we went to Rubicon, and found a few on their way to Mt. Zion. Here I stayed over Sabbath and first-day. Sabbath morning two sisters walked seven miles to the meeting, while the thermometer stood 27º below zero. This shows their love for the truth. The Lord blessed them for the sacrifice they made. Here I organized a church, after which we attended to the Lord's supper. This church also has adopted the plan of systematic benevolence.

In conclusion I would say for the encouragement of all, that the cause is onward in Wisconsin. The truth has great force and power connected with it. I reached home the 4th of Jan. The 6th I drove sixteen miles east to the Ban school-house, where I had given a few lectures before I went to Hundred Mile Grove. Here I found that four had commenced keeping the commandments of God. The next day, during the Sabbath, I met with the church at Avon,

four miles west of the Ban school-house. After meeting five were baptized. I have preached to-night at the school-house, and expect to be here a few days. May the Lord lead others in this place into the truth, is my prayer.

ISAAC SANBORN.

Jefferson, Wis., Jan. 6th, 1860.