TENT MEETING IN FAIRFIELD, IOWA.
By B. F. Snook
By request of Bro. Hull I call the attention of the readers of the Review to a report of the meeting in this city. We began our meeting on the 10th of May, according to appointment. A large and respectable congregation gave attention to a lecture on Daniel's prophecies. The succeeding evening the congregation increased to about four hundred. They paid good attention and were deeply interested. We sowed much precious seed, and many good and honest souls opened their hearts to receive the truth. But as soon as the Lord works the Devil seeks opportunity to overthrow all the good he does. How easy and natural it is for him to try to steal the word away from the good and honest heart, lest it should produce faith unto the salvation of him into whose heart it has fallen. This we experienced to be true. When our meeting had progressed to the second week, when everybody who attended was favorably impressed with the truth, and very deeply interested, lo! our ears were saluted with the news that the great defender of Campbellism was on the ground ready for fight, and prepared to demonstrate that modern Adventism was not of the Bible. Bills were soon posted up around the square, announcing to the public that Eld. P. T. Russell, the above champion, would prove that the doctrine we preach is anti-Bible. This raised an anxiety with many for a discussion, and duty called upon us to make a defense against his assaults. Bro. Hull then entered into debate with him, and for two days, or about that time, the kingdom issue was considered. Mr. R. tried to prove that the kingdom of God spoken of in Dan. ii, and vii, was set up on the day of pentecost. I will not state how he succeeded in his proof, but will state the result of the discussion of this proposition. After the last speeches on this question were delivered, a disinterested hearer arose and moved for a decision. I then arose and also urged the necessity of having the hearers express their convictions relative to the question in dispute. The Elder arose, objected, and said, "If there is a vote taken I want my friends not to vote," and further stated that he would prefer that a decision be not taken till the last question was discussed. Here this matter was dropped. The next proposition was debated, Eld. R. affirming that the law recorded in Ex. xx, sometimes called the decalogue, is now repealed or done away. At the close of this a Disciple minister called for a decision. I also urged the necessity, pleading that the Elder had been sent by his brethren at Knoxville to destroy our positions, and that if he had succeeded it would be well for us to ascertain, that we might communicate his great success to his nomophobian brethren, that they might thereupon take courage to keep him after us; and further, that if he had failed it was equally important that they be informed, that they may then be served by him somewhere else, mind their own business and let us alone. But all my pleas were unavailing. The Elder again remonstrated, even more urgently than before, declared he was opposed to having a decision, and told his friends not to vote. I then called upon all who thought God's law had remained unhurt to arise to their feet. This was opposed; but in the midst of the opposition about a hundred arose. I am certain from the general expression which I heard that there were about eight for the law of God to one against it. The Elder went away, concluding that it would be easier for him to give us a genteel letting alone than to prove the destruction of God's holy law. After the discussion we resumed our lectures, and the first interest of our meeting continued to its close. We organized, yesterday, with about forty-eight members, twenty-seven of whom were baptized. We adopted the Bible as the only rule of our faith and practice, and for a church name we take a name sufficiently good for all: "The church of the living God." Great and strong is the opposition here; but more is he who is for us than all they who are against us. In spite of all that Mr. R. could do against us, the best members of his church saw their errors and renounced them and embraced the truth. He may think that the law is abolished, but he never can make his honest brethren see it. Bro. Bartlet, one of his preaching brethren, is now with us. He thinks that the Elder made a very successful failure. To the Lord be all the praise and glory for carrying on his work over the head of the strongest opposition. We leave here for Vernon, where we shall commence our next meeting on the 28th inst. Brethren, pray for us that God may ever follow the ark, and vindicate his truth to the joyful salvation of many.
B. F. SNOOK.