Report from Bro. Loughborough by John Norton Loughborough

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 15, 1865

Report from Bro. Loughborough.

By John Norton Loughborough

SINCE the time of my last report, my whereabouts have been known by Bro. White's reports, up to the time he left Marion for Battle Creek. It was with reluctance that I parted from Bro. White, but duty called to different fields, and so our journeyings together, which have been especially an encouragement and strength to me, came to a close.

July 17, I left Marion for Waukon, Iowa, and in passing over the rail-road to Dubuque, I had an opportunity of witnessing some of the ravages occasioned by the sudden rise in the Wapsipinicon river, which had risen twelve to fifteen feet during the heavy and continued rains of the 1st instant. Large fields of corn, and splendid gardens in the valleys, had suddenly been swept away, or submerged in floating sand carried over them from wasting rail-road embankments. It is said that this stream never was known to rise to such a hight before. About every rail-road bridge, and every culvert on this river west of Dubuque, was swept away, and in some places, the heavy rail-road embankment was torn to pieces for a space of from fifty to one hundred yards together. And when the stream fell to its usual depth, old and safe fords had been gullied out to that extent that quite a number of teams and persons were drowned in the newly-opened gulfs, which before could be safely passed with that depth of water. Reading the accounts of this, and other floods of this season, reminds me of the time when our Saviour's prediction of the last days shall meet its accomplishment, "waves roaring." Luke xxi, 25.

Owing to delays occasioned by these breaks in the rail-road, and slow connections up the river, I was detained over one night at Dubuque. From there, I went by boat to McGregor, tarried over night, and on Wednesday came by stage to Waukon. Spent two days in writing and visiting, and commenced meetings on the Sabbath, in company with Bro. Brinkerhoff, who arrived on Friday, having come up from Lisbon to labor in new fields in this northern part of the State.

It had commenced raining on Thursday afternoon, and continued rainy for one week, so that but few, except Sabbath-keepers, came in to attend our meetings. A number of brethren and sisters assembled with us on Sabbath and first-day from West Union, Iowa, and from Lynxville and Sand Prairie, Wis. We held six meetings. Two on the Sabbath, two on first-day, and one each, on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons at 5 o'clock. We both had freedom in speaking the word, which seemed to feed the flock. On Tuesday afternoon, a second deacon of the church was elected and ordained.

I was glad to visit this place again, after an absence of about eight years. Bro. Stevens and father Andrews, whose voices were then heard in the assembly of the saints, are now sleeping in Jesus, awaiting the blast of the last trump, which shall awake to life immortal those who have lived for that day. There were at these meetings some who were obeying the commandments of God eight years since, but as large a number of our neighbors and others, who have since embraced the truth under the labors of Bro. J. N. Andrews, Bro. Cornell, and others. We were glad to find that there were no matters in this church of a nature to demand trial, but that affairs here were prospering under the careful management of their elder, Geo. I. Butler. This church, although in moderate circumstances and paying the very highest figures on Systematic Benevolence, have erected a commodious house of worship, which is nearly completed, excepting a part of the seats, and the desk.

While there is activity and zeal manifested on the part of the majority of this church, we were sorry to learn that there were those who would try to seek an easy position, and neglect the admonition of Paul in Heb. x, 23-26: "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching." We could but labor to try to arouse such, and to pray that the efforts made by Bro. Butler for their recovery from this snare of the enemy, may be blessed of the Lord.

I would say in conclusion, that this church was greatly disappointed in not being permitted to see Bro. and sister White, as they had hoped they might, while they were on their western tour. Gladly will they welcome them here at any time in the future, that they can make it convenient to come.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Fayette, Iowa, July 31, 1865.