Report from Bro. Snook.
By B. F. Snook
It has been some time since I have reported my labors through the Review. My delay has been occasioned by circumstances that I could not control; and laboring under such, have had but little to report. I have spent considerable time at home, some on account of sickness, and some in preparing for the comfort of my family while I am in the field during the winter. I began lectures in Clarence, Cedar Co., Iowa, Oct. 27, and labored till the 30th, when Bro. Brinkerhoff joined me, and we both labored together till the close of the meetings. We were often interrupted by rain and snow, so that our meeting was nearly a failure. But enough has been done to more than pay for the labor of the meeting. Two decided to keep the commandments, and a number of others are convinced, and we hope will yet come out. We labored under some discouragement occasioned by some who profess the truth in that vicinity not taking any vital interest—not so much as unbelievers. There is a great responsibility resting on such brethren. They stand as representatives of the truth, and it is condemned on account of their slackness and unfaithfulness. I find that the hardest places to succeed with these truths, is in communities where such unholy influences are exerted by professed brethren. They have a burden for everybody but themselves. They are all right. They do not need the benefits of the meetings, and can stay at home the most of the time, and let their unconverted neighbors go. It is poor encouragement to the outsider to inform him that such a brotherhood will be his if he embraces the truth. We hope these things will not be so longer. In many places the truth is crucified in the house of its friends. It now cries for mercy, but soon it will cry for vengeance. Let all brethren who want labor in their neighborhood see that they live so that their lives will be a good recommendation to the truth. We hope for good results from our labors in Clarence, though every circumstance was against us. We are now ready to enter into active labor among our churches. Bro. Brinkerhoff will visit the churches north, and I will visit the brethren south. May God bless, and give great success to our weak efforts to advance his cause.