REPORT FROM BRO. WAGGONER.
By J. H. Waggoner
AFTER a tiresome ride on the cars I arrived at Eddyville, Iowa, on Thursday, the 5th. Here I was met by Bro. Whitney, and the remaining thirty-five miles of my journey were made with a lumber wagon, heavily loaded over a very hilly road. This did not promise well for the interest of the coming meeting; but I was much refreshed and encouraged by meeting Bro. Snook at Knoxville. I was informed at Eddyville that Bro. Luke would be at the meeting; therefore I did not go to see him, as it was about five miles out of the way. But, to my great disappointment, he did not come. I learned that he was owing some, and had taken a school to raise means. I fear Bro. L. erred in not attending this meeting. The brethren are anxious to have him try his gift in the field, and would be glad to aid him if he proved his calling of God; but they do not now feel any duty to bestow means where they have no assurance that it will be for the glory of God. All of our efficient preachers have, through deprivation and hard labor, struggled into the work. I pray the Lord to guide in this matter. I had almost determined, in coming to Iowa, to devote myself entirely to the tent, and have nothing to do with the churches, leaving them to the care of the local laborers. My reason for this was, that I had seen a disposition to throw off the testimony given them, and I judged it prudent to leave that work to those who were here to sustain their testimony by their presence. But when I arrived at Knoxville I found Bro. Brinkerhoof almost crushed under the trials of the church. There was great wrong in the church and some, whom I had almost esteemed as pillars, sympathized with the wrong-doers, and were even busy to destroy Bro. B.'s influence, impugning his motives, and talking constantly about his "prejudice." Had not the wrongs been flagrant, and many of them open, there might have been some excuse for their course; but as it is, I do not think our labors and testimonies have produced the full effect desired. I shall have no hope that the blessing of God will return to such till they make full amends by hearty confessions to Bro. Brinkerhoof, and to the church. After laboring hard to free the church from sin and prevailing darkness, we went to Rusau to assist them. On Tuesday morning eight were baptized, six of them from Knoxville. By invitation we had left an appointment at Knoxville to assist them in perfecting their organization, they having commenced the work. But from the commencement of the meeting we saw that we had to labor against a mountain of prejudice. We judged that there were not over half a dozen who realized that they needed any assistance, after all the labors of the meetings. This was discouraging. So we adjourned, satisfied that it is useless to labor against the feelings of a church, and leave them to complain of us, and undo all that we have done. We count our time and strength too precious to be spent so uselessly. When the churches of Southern Iowa put away the spirit of jealousy and causeless murmuring, and realize and acknowledge that God has the charge of this work, and will bless the means and instruments of his own choosing, then may the servants of the Lord hope to effect something in their behalf. Of one thing they may feel assured: that God will not lay upon them the burden of the management of the Review Office, or of Bro. White's duties, till they prove that they have the willingness and ability to manage their own affairs with discretion, and to occupy their own places in their own churches. A consideration of this important fact might relieve the minds of some of a great deal of unnecessary care and trouble. Bro. Snook having come to co-operate with us, it was considered proper to hold one meeting in this section, and then move east and north. The brethren about Indianola have had the promise of a tent-meeting here; and we concluded to commence here, as we should have lost another week of tent labor to have commenced at a more remote point. Our meeting is now in progress, with fair congregations, though it is impossible to judge of the prospect yet.
J. H. WAGGONER.
Indianola, Iowa, June 16, 1862.