THE EFFORT IN FAIRVIEW, IOWA.
By M. E. Cornell
Bro. Smith : The interest in Fairview has received a new impetus since my last report. A man that is claimed by the Methodists as their "breaking team," but known generally by the title of "Crazy Adams," obtained the Baptist house in Fairview for the purpose, they said, of exposing error. A large audience were assembled to hear what could be said on the other side. Eld. Adams was accompanied by the presiding Elder, and two other ministers of the same order, all of whom fully endorsed the sermon, if their frequent amens signified anything. The sermon consisted of three texts of scripture, (not telling where to find them) and thirty-seven anecdotes. That the readers of the Review may judge of the character of Methodism in this section, I will give a few extracts from my notes. 1. No man that really believed Universalism or Infidelity was ever converted. 2. If I knew the world was coming to an end in a week I would not preach it. 3. Any man that says Saturday is the true seventh day is a consummate knave or a fool. Two merchants in DeRuyter, N. Y., kept two different days, and neither of them knew anything about it. If he had a boy ten years old, that knew no better, he would claim that he ought to die; and if it was in the fall of the year it would be an advantage, for such a boy would not be worth wintering. 4. Our missionaries in China do not pretend to keep the same day that we do here. 5. This world is yet in its infancy, or else Christianity is a failure. 6. Universalism cannot flourish in the South, because the people are so open and frank down there. These are some of the most decent things he said, and some of the others are not fit to publish. When their meeting was closed I undertook to give notice that I would review the same, and the presiding Elder began to sing to drown my voice, but he was called to order by many voices, and I finished my announcement to reply. It is perhaps due that I should state that not all of the members of the M. E. church in Fairview were in union with the effort. Some of them were disgusted, as well as most of the professors of other denominations. Several others have decided to obey the truth since my last report, and a goodly number are still investigating. Eighteen have subscribed for the Review. I commenced a course of lectures in the Disciple meeting house in this town last evening, and there is a prospect of a good hearing. Marion, Iowa, April 3d, 1860.