REPORT FROM BRO. INGRAHAM.
By William S. Ingraham
Bro. Smith: According to previous notice my appointments were filled at Round Grove and Princeville. Our meeting at Round Grove, on the Sabbath, was very encouraging. I enjoyed good liberty in presenting the truth. On first day I was called upon to preach a discourse in reference to the death of Bro. Alonzo Rice, who fell asleep the 2nd day of December. Bro. Rice was a fine young man, a fond husband, and a consistent Christian. The church is deprived of an ornament to society, a child of a father, and a wife of a kind husband. But the prospect of the soon coming of the Life-restorer is a solid foundation of comfort to the many hearts that were caused to bleed by this stroke of divine providence. I left Round Grove on Tuesday, Jan. 1st, and by railroad traveled one hundred and ten miles to Galva, Henry Co., and found Bro. Church at the depot ready to take me to his house. After a pleasant interview and a good night's rest, I started, in company with Brn. Church and Allen, for Princeville, Peoria Co. On our arrival our hearts were made glad to meet so many that had embraced the truth, as the fruit of our labor last spring. In this place last spring, I proclaimed the precious truths connected with our present position in the midst of opposition, but the truth fell into good ground and has been doing its work. Soon after my first visit to this place Eld. Blanchard commenced a careful investigation of the Sabbath question. He read the Old Testament nearly through, and the New Testament he read through twice. The result of his investigation is what we should naturally expect. He is now a firm believer in the commandments of God, and faith of Jesus. Bro. B. and wife and four children are now with us. Eld. Bliss and family are also with us. Bro. Bliss has occupied the no-Sabbath position for years. But his last prop has been removed, and like an honest man he has yielded to the truth. Our meetings on Sabbath and first-day were excellent. The presence of the Lord was with us. I lectured here a few evenings and then left for a new place, near Mt. Hawley, where Bro. Allen had been lecturing, and awakened quite an interest. I tarried here about one week. A number decided to obey God and keep his commandments. Last Sabbath I spent in Princeville. Here I had the privilege of meeting between thirty and forty Sabbath-keepers. After I had given a discourse on the inheritance, twenty-seven warm testimonies were given in favor of the truth. It was exceedingly encouraging to hear the voices of Elds. Blanchard and Bliss in favor of the Sabbath of the Lord and kingdom. These old pilgrims have stood the blasts and snows of about seventy winters. They have been preaching about forty years in the Christian Church. Their days of usefulness in proclaiming the truth are mostly in the past. Our meeting was one of solemnity and deep interest. There is still an interest among some in the place to hear still more relative to our position. Our brethren are anxious to have the tent pitched in Princeville the coming season. This will probably be the best point to commence tent meetings. Yours in love of the truth.
WM. S. INGRAHAM. Round Grove, Jan. 25, 1861.