Meetings in Marion, Iowa.
By M. E. Cornell
BRO. SMITH: My meetings in this place are now fairly under way. I have given five discourses. The number of hearers has steadily increased from one hundred to three hundred and fifty. Notwithstanding the busy season and the short nights, wagon loads of farmers come from two to four miles. One man said this was what he had wanted to hear for years, and he must come every night if he had to sleep in the day time. The Christians (Disciples) have kindly opened their house, which is the largest here, and it is lighted, bell rung and all in order, without my having the least care. This is favorable, for I was much worn down, having but little rest for ten weeks. I find many intelligent and kind friends here, and many who are much interested in the truth. There are calls now in several important places, but I must positively refuse to give another course of lectures before tent season commences. I must go back and see how the brethren do in the different places where I have labored, and try to set things in order among them. Since writing the above I have given three discourses. The interest is rising fast. The house is more and more crowded. Last night was rainy, with thunder and lightning, and there were two other meetings in town, but notwithstanding all, there were at least four hundred and fifty out to hear. The people have been fed on the popular, dry preaching of the day so long that they are almost starved to death. When I go to the meeting-house and see the people streaming in from every quarter, and then step in and look over that large room and behold a perfect sea of heads, all anxiously waiting to catch the first word spoken, my heart is affected, and I can say truly the Spirit of the Lord is moving among the people. If some of those dear brethren east who have been long sacrificing and waiting to see the cause advance, could witness the interest here, O how it would rejoice their hearts. The husbandman waiteth with long patience till he recive the early and latter rain. Brethren, I believe the latter rain is coming. The Lord is giving power to his truth more and more. The great work is before us. O may we be ready.