REPORT OF MEETINGS by John Norton Loughborough

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 29, 1860

REPORT OF MEETINGS.

By John Norton Loughborough

SINCE my last report I have held meetings in Ionia, Owasso, Lapeer and North Branch. At Ionia but few came in to hear, probably owing to the fact that the people had become wearied by attending protracted meetings for nearly two months. We had an interesting time however with the church, and some interest was manifested towards the last by the community; but I was obliged to stop for rest, as I had given some forty lectures in about thirty days, and could go no further without rest. I trust the labor in Ionia will not be lost. Some said they should henceforth keep the Sabbath.

At Owasso, or rather about six miles south of Owasso, I gave sixteen lectures in a new place, and a few came out on the truth. But I could accomplish no very great things there from the fact that the most of the people are Universalists. Perhaps they thought if a man was to be saved any way, it did not make much difference whether he obeyed or not. We had some interesting Sabbath meetings with the brethren and sisters in this vicinity. Here we saw a brother Jones (cousin of Bro. V. Jones of Monterey), who had lately renounced Infidelity and commenced to serve the Lord and keep the Sabbath.

At North Branch we gave five discourses. A few listened with attention, and we trust profit, and those who were in the way seemed encouraged to press on. It was unfavorable for a large meeting for three reasons: 1. Just after we got there, the people had one of the best runs of sap ever known in the country; and as they were mostly poor, they had to improve the time night and day to take care of the sap, that the sugar crop might not be lost. 2. The mud was so deep that it was almost impossible for the people to get out to night meetings; and 3. The only convenient place of meeting, viz., the new Baptist meeting-house, which stands on Bro. Sanborn's land was closed against us. Yet with all these discouraging prospects, and with small congregations, we feel that the visit was not in vain. I am now in Lapeer, where I held a few meetings on my way up to North Branch. I was glad to find that five had come out on the truth since the conference here. I expect to be with the church here over Sabbath and first-day next. I shall then begin to work towards home, where I hope to arrive about the first of May.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Lapeer, Mich., March 22, 1860.