Reports from Lodi, Mauston, and Marquette
By Isaac Sanborn
Bro. Smith: I left home Oct. 18, and went to Lodi, Columbia Co., where Brn. Loughborough and Steward held their second tent-meeting. I spoke seventeen times, and baptized nine, and organized a church of fourteen members. There are a few others there who we hope will yet go with God's people to Mt. Zion. Nov. 21, in company with Bro. Ingraham I went from Lodi to Mauston. The uncontrollable spirit of fanaticism which we there met, Bro. White has already spoken of in his report of that meeting. I fully endorse his report, believing that there was good cause for him to have spoken much more pointedly than he did. I hope that the persons under that influence will yet turn to the right way, and go with the body of which Jesus is the head. From Mauston I went to the conference at Marquette. I remained there and preached two weeks. Some were thrown into doubts and fears from the reports from Mauston; but God gave me great liberty in talking to them, and made his truth powerful. The last Sabbath that I was there I organized a church of thirty-one members. In the evening we met to celebrate the ordinances of the Lord's house, and after we had humbled ourselves in the ordinance of John xiii, while also many spirited, cheering testimonies were borne, we partook of those emblems which show our Lord's death till he comes. On first-day I spoke from Matt. v, 5, on the inheritance of the saints, after which we went down to the lake where the brethren had cut away the ice, and I baptized four sisters who had become convinced that immersion was the only true baptism. This church fully adopted the plan of Systematic Benevolence, and also appointed a meeting to elect their trustees who may lawfully hold their meeting-house. If they will be believing and faithful God will be with them and bless them, and add to their number such as shall be saved. From that place I went to Lodi and preached Sabbath and first-day, Dec. 1 and 2. Quite a number of the brethren and sisters met with us from Hundred Mile Grove. Here also we partook of the ordinances and had a good meeting. This church has also adopted the plan of Systematic Benevolence. Both these churches have accepted the name of Seventh-day Adventists, believing it to be a proper name. Last night, Dec. 3, I reached home much worn and tired, and my lungs much irritated, as I labored most of the time while gone under a severe cold. Brethren and sisters, I ask an interest in your prayers that I may speedily recover, and again be found in the great harvest-field. P. S. In behalf of the churches in Wisconsin I invite Bro. and Sr. White, and Bro. Loughborough to come and hold a few conferences in this State next spring as Bro. White has proposed in Review No. 2, Vol. xvii, on condition that the churches will pledge themselves to bear their expenses. Will not the elders or deacons of the several churches speak on this point in behalf of the church to which they belong immediately?