p. 133 | WESTERN TOUR by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 15, 1860

WESTERN TOUR.

By James White

SABBATH and first-day, March 3d and 4th, we were at Anamosa with Bro. Cornell. We spoke in the court-house five times. The Methodists were having a protracted meeting, and enjoying the labors of a preacher well calculated to attract those who love to listen to exciting anecdotes, &c., so that we were left with the candid, thinking part of community to listen to the word. On first-day Bro. Cornell baptized Bro. and sister Field. The occasion was solemn and impressive.

Bro. Cornell commenced lectures at this place (Fairview) the 28th ult. in the Baptist meeting-house, and has spoken five times. The house is large and closely seated, yet many have to stand. The interest is great. We spoke last evening, showing the relation that the law of God and baptism sustain to true conversion. The Baptists seemed better pleased than the so-called Disciples and Methodists. The true import of the word disciple is learner; but it seems that a portion of those who take the name Disciple, have graduated and left school with the impression that they have learned all that is worth knowing.

There is a native of Poland (Joseph Krokoski) in this place who is deeply interested in the lectures. He is educated; can read the German and English. He told us that he did not learn the English at school, but by the help of the Latin. He is poor, and confesses that he has been a great sinner. He has been a Catholic. He has had dreams which aroused him to his condition, and has been interested in the Baptist protracted meeting in this place. He loves the truth, and entreats us in his very broken English, "Do help me in my salvation."

Bro. Cornell is urged by letter from Marion, county seat of Linn county, to lecture in that place. He is also urged to go to Rome, and other places. The time has come to make strong efforts in this State. Iowa is ready to hear the word of the Lord. Bro. J. N. Andrews is needed in his own State, and unless the way is opened in the East wide for successful labor, it is hoped that he will hold himself ready to return to this State, and labor where the people are extremely anxious to hear.

We are in the enjoyment of good health and freedom of spirit; have preached ten discourses the last ten days, and expect to speak this evening, to-morrow fifteen miles from here, and six times at Tipton Sabbath and first-day. All praise to Him who has heard prayer, and given us soundness and strength of lungs to preach his word, free from the sense of weariness and pain under which we had for several years suffered.

J. W.