WASHINGTON MORSE by Washington Morse

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 11, 1860

WASHINGTON MORSE

By Washington Morse

From Bro. Morse.

Bro. SMITH: After an absence of fifteen days I find myself again at home. It may be duty to give a brief report of our meetings. The last meeting we attended with the church at Deerfield and Medford was indeed refreshing and of great profit. After baptizing three willing souls we attended to the communion as recorded in John, chapter xiii. The Lord indeed manifested himself unto us in a powerful manner. We realized the fulfillment of verse 17. The church here are I think coming up united. Love and union exist as never before. We truly feel to thank God and take courage. Our meeting at Ashland was one of labor and trial, but God gave victory and freedom before we closed. Some cried out, What shall we do to be saved? My second son came out at this meeting, and was brought to a saving knowledge of the truth. We now hear his voice mingling with ours at the family-altar and in our prayer-meetings. Also one of Bro. Sanford's daughters came out from a backslidden state and united again with us. The congregation on first-day here was large and attentive, and indeed loth to leave. I think there might be quite a church raised up here if persevering efforts were put forth. Our next meeting was at Pleasant Grove, Olmstead Co. We here found quite a large church raised up as the fruit of Bro. Ingraham and Bostwick's labors there last summer. We found Bro. Lashier strong in the truth, giving meat to the household in due season. The second day of our meeting, ten of their number put on Christ by baptism. It was indeed an interesting season and long to be remembered. We felt loth to part with these dear brethren and sisters. Our meetings here were free and spirited. Bro. Lashier will probably soon be in the field, and I trust make an efficient laborer, one who will rightly divide the word.

Our next meeting was at St. Charles, Winona Co. On Sabbath we had no meeting on account of the severity of the weather. In the evening we held a meeting, but few were out, as the traveling was quite bad. Our meeting on first-day was thinly attended. Things here were not so encouraging as we anticipated. Still if a number of meetings could be held there, some more I think would take a stand on the side of truth.

Our meeting in Bro. Hoeg's neighborhood was a good one. We here met a number of brethren and sisters whom we never saw before, and our hearts were much cheered by their straightforward exhortations. I here parted with Bro. and sister Bostwick.

In looking over and contrasting the present with things one year ago, I can see that much good has been done the season past. There are more than double the number of Sabbath-keepers in this State now that there were one year ago; and others who are investigating the truth will come out ere long. The brethren and sisters generally in this State are determined upon holy living.

I would say in conclusion, Here is a large field for labor. Much more good can be done in the winter season than in the summer, as nearly every one has his hands full from spring till fall in farming operations. We would invite any of our preaching brethren from Wis. or elsewhere, who can come to this new State, who can endure hardships, and face the prairie winds, to come over and help us this winter. There are open doors and ears to hear in most any place. In regard to means, many of us in this new State are still quite destitute. Our crops have been very good the year past, but our lands being brought into market, and having to be entered previous to the 22d day of October, has drained the State of money, rendering it very hard to get any. We are willing however to do what we can. If some of our preaching brethren would locate amongst us, we could do much more for them in the way of supporting their families, than in any other way. We hope the Lord will direct in these things.

Yours in much love,