THE MEETING IN MARION, IOWA.
By M. E. Cornell
Bro. Smith: Our meetings at Marion have closed for the present. There is a great interest there.—About thirty have decided to keep the true Sabbath. The opposition has commenced in earnest, but every strike of the clergy tells in favor of the cause they hate. Many are now investigating with the utmost diligence and it is to be hoped many more will soon come out. Our labors there were hard and wearing, but the result is most encouraging. There is good ground for expecting that a church of fifty or more will be established in Marion. When ministers of the place took up against us, we heard, took notes and replied. Many wondered that we could endure their abuse so patiently. Some of the opposition was more christian-like, yet they could do nothing against the truth. After a discussion with Eld. McConnell, Pastor of the church called Disciples, the house was closed against me, and I finished my course of lectures in the Court House. There is now a general anxiety for the tent to come to Marion. It will doubtless do much good there. The house was crowded the last evening, and many warm-hearted friends gathered around to wish us a safe journey and speedy return. The general sympathy and respect manifested toward us, after the severe attacks made both from pulpit and press, show that the truth is getting a firm hold on the people. We remained in Marion over four Sabbaths. The discussion lasted about a week and resulted well. We are now at Lisbon taking a little rest and waiting for the conference to-morrow.