MEETING AT KNOXVILLE, IOWA.
By James White
This meeting was held under the most unfavorable circumstances. The house of worship is unfinished, having neither windows, door, nor stove. Rain commenced falling Sabbath evening, and continued night and day, except at short intervals, till the close of the meeting. Some of the time it was not only disagreeable, but quite uncomfortable. But these circumstances did not prevent our having a good meeting. There was perfect union and good feeling in the business meetings; the preaching of the word was listened to with earnest interest, and the straightest testimonies were generally received and acted upon. Six were received into the church (one, Bro. Whitney's companion), and four were baptized, and one or more will yet be according to appointment. On Monday evening we met to attend to the ordinances, when opportunity was given to acknowledge the testimony given in public. As a proof of its acceptance, renunciations of "filthiness and superfluity" were made as follows: tea, 1; coffee, 7; tobacco 7; and 2 resolved to quit the traffic in the last named. These, with other testimonies were truly heart-cheering, and as the ordinances were celebrated "joy unspeakable and full of glory" pervaded almost the entire assembly. I doubt not this meeting will be of lasting good to the church. I found considerable feeling and misapprehension existing in regard to Bro. Hull's removal from the State. On explanation being made there was an expression taken, which resulted in a unanimous approval of the move. At the close of this meeting the officers of the church, elders and deacons were ordained, when the blessing of the Lord signified his approval of our action. Bro. Shortridge was with me here. He is trying to overcome and get into the work, and expresses much more confidence in this work, in its power and purity, than he ever felt before. On account of the protracted rain and consequent muddy roads, it will not be possible to pitch the tent this week. Knoxville, Iowa, May 21, 1861.