Report from Bro. Brinkerhoff.
By Wm. H. Brinkerhoff
Bro. White: Through the goodness of God I commenced improving in health soon after returning to Iowa, and on the thirteenth of July started from my home in Lisbon to visit the churches in Southern Iowa. Met with the Knoxville Church, Sabbath, the 18th, and had a good attendance. There are some differences existing among the brethren here, which weaken the church much, and unless the brethren arouse with renewed energy and cry mightily to God for help, these troubles will remain to wound and destroy souls. Some feel the need of living nearer to God. On Thursday the 23d, I went to Reusau and commenced a series of meetings there. Found those who professed to be looking for the coming of Jesus in a woeful condition. They had not had meetings for some time. Never have I seen a company professing to love the truth so buffeted and persecuted, not for righteousness' sake, nor by the world, but by themselves. Oh when will the time come, that the brethren will live in such a manner that the channel of persecution will change, and instead of coming from the church, come from the world. Brethren, if you endure suffering on account of your wrongs, do you think it will be a benefit to you? Read 1 Peter ii, 19-21. We labored hard to point out to the church that we are living down in the time of the end; that we are in the time of Judgment: that we must afflict94our souls and live in such a manner that we can gain strength; or in these days of peril, we shall fail to rise no more. On the 26th we had a meeting for the purpose of seeing if the troubles could not be adjusted. As most of the church had fallen into darkness and committed wrongs, we urged upon the brethren to lay aside all differences, to forgive all in the past and by the help of the Lord to again press forward unitedly. The Lord helped us in giving the straight testimony, and praise to his name, all troubles were adjusted without having a church trial. Brethren had again a forgiving and confessing spirit and four more came into the organization. If these brethren will have a burden for themselves and strive each one to examine self they will avoid much trouble. On Friday the 31st, started for the Eddyville quarterly meeting. A goodly number of brethren from the churches around were present. We had good freedom in presenting the solemn truths that are to prepare us to stand in these days. On Sabbath afternoon we could not go to meeting, on account of ill health; but with this exception we had strength sufficient for the meetings. There was some darkness at this meeting principally brought there by those who came from abroad who are not in fellowship with the body, and by a few who claim to have fellowship. On the evening after the Sabbath we felt it to be duty to hear a testimony which caused some few to develop a very bad spirit and refuse to attend our last meeting. We felt deeply grieved at the wrongs we saw and though we have been deeply wounded by those who should stand with us, yet we plainly saw our duty and did it in the fear of God. The church, as a church, received the testimony and thought it was what was needed. On Sunday afternoon we went to the Des Moines river, and baptized four. At night we repaired to the house of Bro. Howell and attended to the ordinances. We had a joyful time; and when we came to feet washing our hearts were full of the love of God, and we rejoiced much in this love. On Monday we returned to Knoxville, and on next Friday we go to Sandyville. My health is such that by resting during the middle of the week I can have strength to preach on Sabbath and Sunday. The anti-organization friends here have had a minister to visit them. He came and preached his Age to come theory which caused confusion in the camp. Last Sabbath he had an audience of twenty-five and on Sunday thirteen including little children, some that were anxious to have a minister come and tear the truth we possess in pieces, were woefully disappointed, and instead of challenging us to discuss our views seem quite sore over their failure. Their Elder told me he was around to ascertain their strength and said that they were going to commence publishing a paper in Michigan, upon the same basis as the Messenger of Truth; and the old friends of that party were in this. I thought that it had a poor precedent, and would be likely to meet the same fate. I want to do my whole duty in the message. Pray for me.