REPORT FROM BRO. WAGGONER.
By J. H. Waggoner
As circumstances are, I think it duty to say to the churches of Hanover and Hillsdale, that it is quite uncertain when I can visit them. Bro. Cornell informs me that he is called in another direction, and as the measles are in my family, I can form no idea of the time I shall be able to leave home. I commenced holding meetings with the church in Burlington, the evening after Sabbath, the 14th inst., and still continue. These meetings have been a blessing to many individuals, who by plain, faithful labor, have been led to see the darkness which has long enshrouded them. Confessions of wrongs, of years' standing, have been made; and difficulties, beyond the reach of unassisted human wisdom to ferret out, have been clearly made known and happily adjusted. Truly the Lord has assisted us in our efforts by his holy Spirit. These meetings have been held as preliminary to our organization, which we expect now soon to effect; and if any prejudice existed against this work at the commencement of our labors, it has entirely disappeared, the power of the Lord being so manifestly in the work of organization. We can now say of it as the poet says of the truth: "Its holy fruits and sweetness show
The author is divine." The most discouraging feature of our past work (if it is admissible to speak thus of such a work), has been this: that after the most faithful and efficient labor with churches, by which they were made to rejoice in the Lord and apparently stand free in the truth, they would soon relapse into coldness and darkness, and the same work would have to be repeated. This is evidence to me that there was some radical defect in our method of proceeding. We need to rise with more strength. The church needs more efficiency to prevent and correct wrongs. This can doubtless be attained by more perfect organization and order, by which alone the discipline of the gospel may be ensured in the churches. When this work is understood, appreciated, and unitedly acted upon, I think the cause will be materially benefitted by the increased efficiency of our ministry, who will thus be relieved of many burdens needlessly borne in the past. Lord prosper our efforts, is my prayer. Burlington, Mich., Dec. 26, 1861.