Meetings in Northern Iowa.
By M. E. Cornell
THERE is such a conflict of the elements that it is difficult to report as to the result of my efforts. At Waukon there was a powerful opposing influence, and it was not until I had been there nearly two weeks that the interest became general. The number that decided to keep the commandments was somewhere from eight to twelve. One man who came out of the Methodist church offered $600 toward a meeting-house for Sabbath-keepers. I adjourned the meetings for about ten days, and went back to West Union, where I met Bro. Snook, whom I was greatly rejoiced to see. He came up with the expectation of meeting one Dr. Lucas (Disciple minister), in discussion. But the Dr. and his friends pretended they did not expect a debate at that time, and they were not prepared. The truth was, the Dr.'s heart failed for fear, when he found Bro. Snook on hand, and he concluded it best for him and his cause to try to keep from the test. We have positive proof that the friends of Eld. Lucas expected there would be a discussion, and that the Elder told certain parties while coming to the place, that he was going up to West Union to debate with Seventh-day Adventists. But this is not the first instance that has come under my notice where men who oppose the ten commandments have manifested a disregard for truth. It is the natural fruit of that system. Eld. Lucas, like many others of our opponents, failing in argument, made an effort to create prejudice by holding up sister White's testimony, and raising the cry of "Mormonism." But he was not even able to refute a woman in her absence; for the testimony of sister White stands higher in the estimation of our friends in West Union than before. They are diligently read and much prized by many. Not a single person was turned away from the truth, but several were confirmed by the effort. They can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. God can make the wrath of man to praise him. Amen. We held meetings about two weeks at Waukon and with the church, and tried to confirm those who had just embraced the truth, and to stir up the Laodiceans. All had acknowledged the message, gifts &c., and a good work had commenced. The enemy saw that the cloud was about to pass away, and the church go free, and he assembled his legions and came in like a flood. For a time all were deceived. It was an angel of light, and we were off our guard. The result has been to arouse all to the wiles of the enemy. Let all be admonished that when we try to arise the enemy will do everything to hinder the work. We cannot go a step now without the whole armor. Every soul must awake. Evil angels are all around us. We must "awake to righteousness and sin not." The experience of the church at Waukon has been a warning to them and to us. We have not been half awake to the devices of the enemy, or to our own weak unfortified condition. Look out for the enemy when you make a start. O for the eyesalve to discern the true state we are in both preachers and people. We must first realize our condition. The Laodicean message must be received and acted upon. This alone can do the work for God's people. The testimonies for the church are being read as never before. No warning is given in vain. It must be heeded. The True Witness is in earnest with us. It is now or never. The shaking time has come, and a people will be fitted up for the closing work. I confess with shame that I have been too half-hearted in the work. I have awaked as from a dream, and yet I am not half awake. Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall. There must now be more than talk, we must act. "I desire to arise," and "I hope to overcome," won't answer. We must arouse and come up and do it now! "Be zealous and repent," is the way out. It is awful to be self-deceived. Let all tremble now, for God has borne long with us. After so long, if you hear his voice harden not your hearts. May we all now fly for mercy. O be in haste lest it be too late.
M. E. CORNELL. P. S. On returning again to West Union, I find the work still advancing. Five more have come out on the Sabbath and several others are almost persuaded. Truly the Lord hath wrought a great work and to him be all the praise.
M. E. C. REMARKS. We are not disposed to question the above statements respecting Dr. Eld. Lucas; but we are seriously in doubt of personal thrusts, however much deserved, unless it be absolutely necessary as a warning to those in danger. We have seen much harm result from unguarded personal matters which we have put through the Review out of regard for the writers, and resolve to do so no more. Where it is necessary to expose the course of any man to save the cause, we would not refuse to publish statements of facts susceptible of the clearest proof. Let us be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We are sorry that Bro. C. run upon the rocks at Waukon after being warned of the dangers of that coast. And now, having got his ship off, we entreat him not to judge of the dangers of the cause everywhere by what he witnessed at Waukon, and raise the cry of danger. No man should raise the cry of danger, without pointing out where the danger lies. Such an alarm would intimidate conscientious, trembling souls, and make them an easier prey of Satan. Rather say to such, "Be strong." True, we have a strong and cunning Devil to contend with; but the humble, good, and true, have a mightier than he to guard them. Angels that excel in strength are their attendants to keep them from Satan's power. It is not for the glory of God that his faithful saints should now and then be found in the hands of the Devil. We deeply sympathize with those who have more recently embraced the truth in Waukon. They are not in the least accountable for the recent fanaticism there. But there are those there we knew in Maine, who run well nigh the lengths of Eastern fanaticism, who have not been in harmony with the work of the third message for the past twelve years, and been really sane in matters of religion for twelve days during that time. Their general course has been since the year 1844 to either take a most unyielding part in fanaticism, or, when brought out of that, to settle back into a stubborn mood of doubting the means which God has employed to correct and unite his people. It is no marvel to us that fanaticism should arise when such have influence. We solemnly protest against taking the misfortunes of such as a rule to measure the dangers of all others who have ever been faithful and true. We are thus personal because we believe the best good of the cause demands it. We would say to the humble, God-fearing, loyal, and true, All Heaven is pledged to protect you. Hold fast the shield of faith. Be strong! Be strong!—Ed.