Report from Bro. Loughborough by John Norton Loughborough

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 5, 1864

Report from Bro. Loughborough.

By John Norton Loughborough

My last report extends to the time Bro. Pierce and myself arrived at Stowe, Vt., Tuesday March 1. That evening we had a meeting with the brethren and sisters, and a few of the citizens who came in, at the house of Bro. Edwin Churchill. We felt that our own souls were watered while striving to encourage others. After the discourse we attended to re-organizing systematic benevolence for the year 1864.

Wednesday evening, the 2d, we held meeting in the house of prayer at Wolcott. A goodly number came in to hear, although it was very cold. Here we both had freedom. We were glad to learn that some of late had embraced the truth here. At the close of service all the brethren and sisters entered into a solemn covenant to be more faithful in the service of God.

Thursday evening, the 3d, we had meeting in a school-house at North Hyde Park, near Johnson. Found the house filled to overflowing on our arrival, and could hardly press our way to the stand. The people here had been having a revival, and we thought it a good opportunity to speak to them on scripture conversion, as accomplished by the Son of God. The Lord gave me liberty in preaching, and Bro. Pierce was free in exhortation. The people thought we must stay till Sunday night, for they wanted to hear more. Several took books.

Friday morning, the 4th, came on to Waterville. Here we met with Bro. A. C. Bourdeau, who had come over Bakersfield Mountain, some thirteen miles, to meet us. Here we parted with Bro. Hiram Bingham, who had kindly brought us thus far on our way from his home. We came on over the mountain to West Enosburgh. Here we were made welcome and comfortable at the house of the brethren Bourdeau. Our meetings were held some three miles distant, in the town of North Fairfield. The roads to the place of meeting were very bad, because it was thawing fast. It was neither sleighing nor wagoning, yet a large school-house full, mostly Sabbath-keepers, came together on Sabbath and first-day, through snow-drifts and mud, to attend the meeting. We had freedom here in speaking the word, and were rejoiced to learn from the brethren Bourdeau that several families had embraced the truth since the Conference there last fall. The exemplary life and faithful labors of these brethren are exerting a gathering influence on the cause in Northern Vermont. They strive to enforce upon the minds of their hearers the importance of living out the truth in every respect. When this principle is obeyed, it must tell. Matt. v, 16. Bro. Pierce spoke with freedom at this meeting on the gifts, which was meat in due season.

Bro. Stone was also with us here, and took part in the exercises of the meeting. He had given two discourses there the previous Sabbath, with freedom. He is striving to arrange his affairs so as to spend more of his time in the work of preaching the truth.

On Monday we had a meeting at the house of the brethren Bourdeau for business. At this meeting two members were received into the church. The church here have decided to build a meeting-house 35x48, and in this meeting nearly enough to complete the house was pledged. We assisted those brethren before we left in making out articles by which to organize a society to hold their meeting-house, in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the State of Vermont.

Tuesday, March 8, the brethren Bourdeau took us in sleighs to Berkshire, where we had a good interview with Bro. Austin and his family. In the evening we had the privilege of meeting with a goodly number

of the neighbors at the school-house near Bro. Austin's. We all tried to say something for the truth in this meeting, which closed with a covenant with all those who desired to start in earnest for the kingdom, or if in the way, to press on. We were glad to see the entire family of Bro. Austin enter readily into such a covenant. May the Lord bless them in carrying it out.

Wednesday, the 9th, the brethren Bourdeau brought us on to East Richford, where we had a good, full, and profitable meeting with the brethren and sisters, at the house of Bro. Stanhope. On the morning of the 10th it became necessary for Bro. A. C. Bourdeau to return home; but Bro. Daniel decided to go on with one team, and take us to Irasburgh. We accordingly journeyed on and arrived there in the evening. He tarried over night, but as it thawed fast he was obliged to return homeward next morning. We look back with pleasure upon the interview with these brethren, and would here express our gratitude for their kindness in bringing us on our way.

At Irasburgh we had our Sabbath meeting at the house of our much-esteemed Bro. Barrows, who had lately been called to mourn the loss of his good companion. This is also the home of Bro. A. S. Hutchins, whom we found in poor health and somewhat cast down in mind, yet glad to see us. Here a number of brethren and sisters assembled from Charlestown, Sutton, and Irasburgh. Our meeting was free, and some considerable feeling was manifested among the youth. On Sunday we gave two discourses at a Methodist meeting-house in Barton Landing. The Elder kindly gave up his appointments to us. We spoke with liberty on the law and gospel. Bro. Pierce followed, with good, wholesome words of exhortation, and we trust this effort was not all in vain.

Monday, Bro. Hutchins took us some eight miles to the house of Bro. Colby, in Charlestown, where we spoke to a room-full of brethren and neighbors Tuesday afternoon, then had a meeting to complete the organization of systematic benevolence for the churches of Charlestown and Irasburgh for 1864, and transacted other church business. Returned that evening to Irasburgh.

Wednesday morning Bro. Hutchins accompanied us to Sutton, where we had a meeting with the church in the afternoon, and in the evening had the privilege of speaking to a large audience in the Baptist meeting-house in the place, which was kindly opened for us. Here I parted with Bro. Hutchins and Pierce, they to go to Wolcott, and I to come on to New Hampshire. Our interview with Bro. Hutchins was pleasant and profitable. He assures us that he still desires to go on with the Lord's people, and occupy that place the Lord would have him, that he may ever have a word of good cheer and encouragement for the saints. As this was my last meeting in Vermont, I would say that although the visit in that State was short, it was pleasant. The cause is coming up in the State. The brethren have a mind to work.

I would here express my gratitude also for the privilege I have enjoyed for the last three months of being with Bro. Pierce. Our interview has been sweet. His testimony in meeting has had a lifting influence, and his natural capacity to enter into social conversation, has qualified him for an important place in this work. While his natural diffidence may cause him to take an unassuming position, I hope, brethren, we shall all see and appreciate his real worth, and urge him into just the place he is calculated to fill. May the Lord abundantly bless him.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Stoddard, N. H., March 24, 1864.