TENT MEETING AT OSKALOOSA, IOWA.
By J. H. Waggoner
This meeting commenced under most unfavorable circumstances. During the first week it rained almost incessantly, and much of the time very hard. This prevented many from attending, and by the end of the rainy period the opposition seemed to be so well organized that our congregations were not generally as large as we expected. The opposition was not open, but seemed to be very effective in preventing the attendance of professors of religion. Many of them professed to make it a matter of conscience, considering it very wrong to go to the tent to meeting; but when the circus came, their aversion to tents seemed suddenly to subside, as I was informed by church members that many of the members went to the circus. The State Meeting of the Disciples was held in Oskaloosa the second week of our meeting. Having been assured that we could not get off without a discussion, we were somewhat disappointed when their ministers dispersed without any belligerent tokens. Mr. Russell preached once on the immortality of the soul or spirit, and was reviewed by Bro. Shortridge. Mr. Russell told me in La Porte, Ind., that he discarded the immortality of the soul when he was a Methodist preacher, and had not believed it since; and so he has told others. Whether he believes it now is a query with many. We had three seasons of baptism, at which thirty were baptized, including one from Fairfield, and one from Vernon. Over forty are keeping the Sabbath, and nearly that number gave their names to unite together as a church. The indications are that they will receive strong opposition; and we shall await the result with much anxiety. We shall endeavor to visit them as soon as possible. But there is much to do in this State, and it is not possible for us to do justice to the work. There has been and is a lack of labor amongst the churches in Southern Iowa. A laborer is greatly needed here to devote himself exclusively to this work. All the churches need visiting, and the new churches need training to work together and grow up into the truth. The brethren East are so differently circumstanced that they cannot realize the necessity of this as we do here. Society here is new and unsettled; there is every imaginable belief and sentiment existing, and in every church will be found a variety of notions inconsistent with the truth. Without an experienced mind to guide them when they come together, a spirit of contention is engendered, and instead of coming to the unity of the faith, their prejudices are strengthened, and confusion is the result. The best members will grow weary of these scenes, and soon retire, and of course the cause goes down. It is well that all should understand these things; for I feel assured that a different course must be pursued in this part of the State, to ensure the prosperity of the cause of truth. A steady and experienced laborer is needed here all the time. By request I spent Sabbath and first-day, June 29 and 30, three miles below Eddyville, on the line between Monroe and Wapello counties. On Sabbath I gave three discourses in a school-house, and on first-day three more in a barn at Eld. Myers, a German Baptist. Here was a good interest; the congregations were large, and I am promised to return as soon as possible and hold further meetings. In my labors at Oskaloosa, especially in the very wet weather, I felt that disease was working on my system. My health gradually failed, though I hoped and expected to keep up till our meeting was over at that place. But my burden in Wapello Co. appeared to be too heavy for my feeble state. I returned to the tent much worn, and on July 3d, at the river where I administered baptism, exhausted nature gave way, and I lay in a helpless condition about one week. Having been invited to dine that day with Dr. McCall, who keeps a "water cure," I placed myself in his hands for treatment, by which the disease was speedily arrested. We left Oskaloosa on fifth-day, 11th, Bro. Shortridge going home, and I coming to this place. I have spoken twice in the school-house here; the only public meetings I expect to hold here. As it is necessary for Bro. S. to spend some time at home, we shall not pitch the tent again till my health is established, which I expect will take several weeks. In the mean time we shall do what we can for the churches. Letters for me may be directed, till further notice, to Knoxville, Iowa, care of H. C. Whitney. Vernon, Iowa, July 15, 1861.