Report from Bro. Loughborough by John Norton Loughborough

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 20, 1863

Report from Bro. Loughborough.

By John Norton Loughborough

Ar the time of my last report, Bro. Byington and myself were at Oakland, Mich. Wednesday, Dec. 10, we had meeting through the day and evening, organizing a church in Avon, comprised of twenty-two members, from Avon, Oakland, and Washington. Had an interesting time.

Dec. 11, we had a meeting with the brethren and sisters of Shelby and Macomb, and organized a church of thirteen members, to be known as the Shelby church.

From Sabbath, Dec. 13 to Monday the 15th, we attended the quarterly meeting at Rochester. Brethren assembled at this meeting from the two churches above mentioned, and quite a number were also present from

Lapeer. Our meetings were confined to day-time, as most places of entertainment were from three to six miles from the place of meeting. Four discourses were given, and all the time we could get on Sabbath and first-day between the afternoon discourse and night, was spent in social meeting, and in special labor for the youth and children, and for Sabbath-keepers who were on the back ground. About thirty came forward, requesting the prayers of God's people, and among them a number of youth and children of Sabbath-keepers. It was an interesting and profitable time.

On Monday, Dec. 15, a business meeting was held to consider the subject of building a meeting-house. It was decided to build a house 32 by 46, and have it enclosed so as to be occupied for the next quarterly meeting. The brethren had a mind to the work, and in a few minutes pledged over $650, above $50 of which was paid down. A building committee was appointed, and it was decided to meet the next day at Avon, the place of its location, and lay the foundation, which, I have since learned, was accomplished, although it snowed most of the day. Our meeting closed on Monday with a sweet season of communion.

Tuesday, Dec. 16, we drove through a snow storm to Hartland, some thirty miles, and put up with Bro. Lockwood.

Wednesday, 17th, we went on to Tyrone, and had public meeting in the evening. The school-house was nearly filled, and those who came listened with attention to a discourse on the present crisis and present duty. Thursday morning Bro. Byington baptized one brother. In the afternoon and evening we had a meeting to consider organization. Organized a church of eight members. We learned that quite a number assembled at the school-house that evening, desirous to hear more preaching. We were sorry that our time was so limited, but it was necessary to leave the next morning, and hurry on to Locke, a distance of thirty miles. Had a social meeting at Locke that evening. Our minds were drawn out for the young, two of whom made a start that evening. The next day we devoted the afternoon to the interests of the young, and after talking to them for a time, we made a call for those who wished to start for the kingdom, to come forward. Upwards of twenty came forward, and after a good praying season for them, about every one spoke, stating their desires to be Christians. On Sunday we gave two public discourses, which were listened to with profound attention. We have since learned that some there decided to obey the truth. After meeting, two were baptized. Others would have been baptized, but circumstances forbade it. In the evening we had a good meeting to organize the church. Succeeded in organizing a church of thirteen members. After this, though past midnight, we had a communion season with these brethren and sisters, who seemed much encouraged to press on. While I write, my mind is drawn out for Locke. I hope we shall see these brethren again soon, and labor still further for them.

Monday evening, Dec. 22, gave a public discourse at Woodhull; also, on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Good attention was given to the word spoken. In the day-time of Wednesday, we had a meeting with the brethren and sisters. Tried to labor for the young and those interested in the truth, who had not yet identified themselves with the Lord's people. Several came forward for prayers, and expressed their determination to press on with the people of God. Thursday morning eight were baptized, some of them those who were just making a start. Afternoon and evening we organized the church with fourteen members, and had a communion season. Most of these brethren and sisters had never heard a sermon on present truth previous to these meetings, and some of them had never seen a Seventh-day Advent preacher before. Their light on present truth they had got by reading.

Friday, Dec. 26, we rode all day in the rain, from Woodhull to the brethren at Grand Ledge. Cheered ourselves often with the thought that we were having a much better time than soldiers that were going forced marches on foot, up to their knees in mud, and then instead of having the blessed hope to cheer them on their journey, and warm-hearted brethren, as we had, to care for us at our journey's end, they meet a galling fire of cold lead poured into their hearts, or a handful of wet straw under some tree as a resting place for their weary limbs. The roads were so muddy and the distance so much further than we anticipated, that we did not succeed in getting through till past seven o'clock, although we took turns in walking to relieve our faithful horse as much as possible. Although we could not have a meeting that evening, as we desired, we were glad to find a hearty welcome, and a good chance to dry ourselves, under the hospitable roof of Bro. and Sr. Lamoreaux. Sabbath morning we drove on six miles, accompanied by the above brother and sister, and Bro. Fishell, to Oneida, where we had three meetings, and organized a church of thirteen members, including some from Delta, or what we have commonly called Grand Ledge.

Monday, Dec. 29, we arrived safely at home. Were glad to find friends and brethren well.

Tuesday evening attended the regular prayer-meeting, and Wednesday and Thursday evenings attended the protracted meeting in Battle Creek, which was resumed Wednesday evening. Our hearts were rejoiced to see that the good work which we had seen going on in other places, was going on here also. Thursday evening as Bro. White requested those who had lately started and desired to start for the kingdom, to come forward, we counted over a score who obeyed the call. Praise the Lord! He is yet on the side of his people, and will help them. We all felt like praising the Lord for what he is doing in Battle Creek.

Friday, Jan. 2, we went to Parkville to attend the quarterly meeting there. Meeting commenced at the commencement of the Sabbath, and continued until Monday evening, 11 o'clock P. M. There were five public discourses given by Bro. Byington and myself; and several social meetings were held, in which we labored for backslidden Sabbath-keepers, unconsecrated companions of brethren, and for the young. Our hearts were cheered to see a move among children and parents. Some who had formally kept the Sabbath were moved out to make a start with God's people. Some who had never kept the Sabbath were moved out, and others who had once kept the Sabbath, but had become discouraged by difficulties in the church, as they saw difficulties removed, God's people coming into order, and making efforts to arise, are again looking earnestly toward the truth and the people of God. May the Lord help them to carry out their convictions, is my prayer.

Monday afternoon Bro. Byington started for home to hold meeting at Vicksburg, on the way, and left me to close the meeting at Park, and go on to Indiana.

Our meeting Monday evening to attend communion and organize a Sabbath-school was a refreshing season, and may the Lord grant that the resolutions there made by his people to be more in earnest and press together, be carried out.

Tuesday, came to Colon with the brethren from that place, and in the evening had a meeting with them in Colon. After speaking to them for an hour and a half on the present dangers of God's people, and what the Lord is willing to do, the brethren enjoyed a season of social meeting, and a communion season. All desired to arise, and the sentiment of every heart seemed to be—

“Nearer, my God, to thee.”

Yesterday, came with Bro. Strickland to Burr Oak, where I remain till evening, and then go on to Liberty, Ind. There is no chance for meeting here, but I trust the visit will be a help to the family. All the children say they want to go with their parents to the kingdom. May they have strength to pray with their parents, and, being obedient, press on with them to Mt. Zion.

Dear brethren and sisters, my heart is encouraged. Every effort put forth in the fear of God, seems to be blest of the Lord. How much there is to be done! I feel hurried on to work for God's people. There is much to be accomplished. O Lord, arouse thy servants! Arouse me fully to a sense of my duty! Arouse us all to act the humble part God designs for us in this work! If I know my own heart, I desire to be submissive to the will of God, and would ever say, “Speak, Lord, thy servant heareth.” May God grant it.

Brethren, pray for us.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.