EASTERN TOUR by John Norton Loughborough

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 13, 1860

EASTERN TOUR.

By John Norton Loughborough

My first meeting on this tour was at the Kirkville Conference, which was to me a season of refreshing and freedom; for the Lord gave freedom in presenting his truth. Brn. Cottrell and Sperry were present and took part in preaching the word. We were encouraged to see many old friends of the cause still holding on their way, and their beaming countenances (while listening to the truth) seemed to say, "Thy words are sweet to my taste."

A number were at this meeting who had embraced the truth at the tent-meetings held by Bro. Andrews and others the past summer. They listened with earnestness to the testimony on the unity and gifts of the gospel church; and the union and harmony that prevailed during the conference gave them a chance to see some of the practical workings of these truths.

I had feared that there would be much opposition on the subject of organization that had been so lately canvassed in the conference at Battle Creek; but as far as I could learn, those present were satisfied with the steps that had been taken.

After the Kirkville meeting I had an opportunity of visiting a brother and sister in the flesh, who had lately embraced the Sabbath, and was glad to find them firm in all the present truth.

Sabbath and first-day, Oct. 20 and 21, I spoke to a few brethren and sisters at Parma, N. Y. Some were present who had embraced the truth at the tent-meeting which was lately held there. On the evening of the 23d I spoke in the Wesleyan meeting-house at Olcott. Although the evening was rainy and bad, quite a number came in to hear. Several who had of late become interested in Somerset came up to hear. The Lord gave liberty in speaking on the unending nature of his law.

At Gilboa conference we had freedom. The meeting-house was nearly filled with brethren and sisters. On evenings and first-day a number of the citizens came in to hear. Bro. Waggoner was with me at this meeting and assisted in preaching the word.

Nov. 3d, 4th and 5th, according to appointment Bro. Waggoner and myself were with the church at Hillsdale, Mich. A goodly number of brethren were together on Sabbath and first-day, among whom was Bro. Harvey from Ind. On Monday, as appointed in the

Review, the church in Hillsdale, having signed articles of Association met and elected their trustees to hold a deed of the meeting-house and lot, and transact (in a legal manner) business connected with the temporalities of the church. The Spirit of the Lord seemed to be with us in our business meeting, and I think all present felt that God approved the step they were taking.

As there has been feeling with some in regard to the name proposed at Battle Creek Conference by which we as a people should be known, I would say that I think the name, "Seventh-day Adventists," is the most natural and appropriate name we could take. In Hillsdale I came across a handbill that was used there some four years ago when our brethren were going to have a conference there. It reads, "There will be a conference of the Seventh-day Advent people held in Waldron's Hall," &c. This name I suppose was used in the handbill because everybody would know at once who it meant. Again, it has been proposed that we should be called the "Church of God." While we were at Gilboa a friend attended the meeting from Findlay, and became much interested and bought some books. He had some talk with Bro. Waggoner after meeting. Bro. W. asked him what church he belonged to. Church of God, was the reply. What, Winnebrenarians? "No; Church of God." Dunkers? "No; Church of God." Here was a poser; a man that belonged to the Church of God, but we had to find out who he belonged to, of somebody else; for the name "Church of God" was not enough to tell us who he was. Neither would the name Church of God alone tell others who we are.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Battle Creek, Nov. 8.