REPORT FROM BRO. SNOOK.
By B. F. Snook
I visited the brethren at Vinton, Dec. 7, and preached once. The weather was very rainy, and most of the church were prevented from coming. There are some good souls here. Their faith has been tried, and still, like good Elijah, they stand while many have proved themselves false-hearted and have revolted. They realize that not all of Israel who left Egypt entered the promised land. Here I had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with our aged brother Hawkins, formerly of Ohio. It was refreshing to me to meet and hold a sweet season of communion with one so well acquainted with his Creator, who is to him the rod and staff of comfort in his declining years. His aged heart rejoiced much when we talked of the good country to which we are all going, where God's people will bloom and survive with the freshness and vigor of perpetual youth, and never be bowed down under the pressure of old age. He spoke feelingly of his coming out into the truth under the labors of Bro. Bates. O, may these aged and faithful souls yet live to meet Jesus and find a home in the promised land. Thence I went to La Porte City. The church there are doing well, and I think striving to overcome. I hope by the time I get back they will all have left off that filthy habit of chewing tobacco. I preached five times to large congregations. The interest to hear is as good as ever. A Baptist minister showed the nature of his faith and spirit by locking the school-house against us. O, that these Pharisaical preachers could be converted. But they are, as Isaiah says, dumb dogs that can not bark, lying down, loving to slumber, that never have enough, but looking to their own way, every one for his gain from his quarter. We were soon furnished with a comfortable place in the house of Dr. Oren, where we enjoyed a good meeting. The brethren will soon have their meeting-house ready for service, and would like to have a visit from Bro. and sister White. I next went to Waterloo. Here I found some good brethren and sisters. They are strong as far as they see the truth. But I gather from them that baptism, spiritual gifts, and the use of tobacco, were not preached on. Why this was not done I know not. When I speak of baptism I mean the baptism of Christ, and not of Babylon. I hope that the brethren here will go on and advance with the body. Marysville was my next point. There the brethren are trying to overcome, and are still holding on. May God bless and help all to be faithful till the end.