LETTERS by Editor

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 31, 1861

LETTERS.

By Editor

"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."

From Bro. Brinkerhoof.

DEAR BRO. WHITE: Through the mercies of an all-wise God my life is still spared, and after a long silence I send you a few lines. I am still trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. My health is much better than it has been for a long time, and I am once more trying to proclaim the message. I am now at Knoxville, and preached all of last week to the church. On the eve after the Sabbath we attended to the ordinances, and the sweet, melting Spirit of Jesus was there. I think that this church is now trying to rise. They have now a thorough organization—O, how I love order—and many that were only nominal professors will now be disposed of. You know that they do not like order.

The church here by vote invited me to move here, and I have agreed to do so. I now have twice as many calls as I can fill. O, that worthy laborers might be raised up to proclaim the word of the Lord. The last of next month I will have to meet a Campbellite in debate on the kingdom. Pray for me, dear brother, that the Lord may be with me.

Bro. White, do you think that it would be best to have a State conference in Iowa? I have advised with several churches here, and they are of the same opinion that I am; that is, that the churches are too scattered, and that several churches could not be represented, as they are so far off. And there seems to be a natural division between the churches, so that we might have two conferences, one in Northern, and one in Southern, Iowa, and then if it were necessary, appoint a State conference. I feel that I have not wisdom sufficient to dictate in this matter, so I thought I would counsel with those of experience. I should not undertake anything about it, but am placed where I have to. May the Lord direct.

WM. H. BRINKERHOOF.

Knoxville, Iowa, Dec. 17, 1861.

N OTE.—Iowa is a large State, with railroads ranging east and west, and as most of the brethren are located south and north, where the railroads could not assist them in a general State conference, they would naturally and conveniently divide into two conferences. Hence Bro. B.'s suggestion strikes us favorably.—ED.