Meetings at Fairview, Iowa.
By B. F. Snook
The meeting convened on the beginning of the Sabbath according to appointment. We went to the place appointed with some faith that God would hear our prayers and give us a good representation from the various churches and that we would have a happy meeting. We arrived and O how happy we were to meet so many good brethren that we did not expect to see there! Bro. Cornell preached with deep interest and profit, and was warmly greeted by his numerous acquaintances and brethren. We hope his exhortations and testimony will live in many good hearts that heard with great delight. The social meeting was especially good. Nearly sixty-eight persons gave in their testimonies in about one hour. There were many tearful eyes and melted hearts that gave testimony to the deep movings of the good Spirit of God. The Lord gave us a refreshing shower. All hearts were full. In short it seemed to me the best meeting of my life. O I yet feel to bless the Lord for rolling back the clouds and pouring in the glorious light of his countenance upon us. This happy season soon ended in our separation. We witnessed many farewell tears; but, bless the Lord, we parted in hope of meeting on Mount Zion,
“Where no farewell hymn is sung,
Where no farewell tear is shed.” The Lord is working for his cause in Iowa. We never had so good a conference. O may we awake, as we never have awakened to this cause. We must work. I for one have enlisted for the war in this good cause, and God being my helper I am going to be more faithful, diligent, and engaged than I have ever been. I have not been more than half engaged. Brethren forgive me my unfaithfulness and I will try to live more worthy of a place, among this people. The end is almost here and, oh my soul! how much there is for us to do! Arouse, arouse and gird thy armor on! O brethren let us not forget the good meeting and our solemn vows, but let us be out in the harvest field at work. I pray that every heart may be leavened with the good Spirit of God. Let the world go! But let us get ready for salvation, for soon it will be here.
“Salvation! O the joyful sound!
'Tis pleasure to our ears,
Then may we sound it out so loud
That all around may hear.” My prayer is that none may stand in the way of the work of the Lord; that all may realize their condition and responsibility and act freely for the glory of God and the advancement of his cause, that we may all share in the joys of eternal life soon to be revealed.
B. F. Snook.