Report from Bro. Ingraham.
By Wm. S. Ingraham
Bro. White: Just after I started on my Iowa tour, I learned that my brethren had raised money to send me to the "Water Cure" Institution at Lyons, Iowa. They felt somewhat opposed to my entering upon my field of labor in my weak condition. But with the promise that I would return if my health did not improve, they consented to let me come. To the praise of God I can say that my health has somewhat improved, and I have had strength to meet all of my appointments up to this time except Eddyville, which was not reached in consequence of the stage not connecting with the cars. My first appointment was at Knoxville. The church in this place had been passing through trials, and were not prepared to take that active interest in the cause of truth, that ought to be manifested by the professed followers of Jesus. I spoke to them with some freedom, and they were encouraged by my coming. I left here for Sandyville. Bro. Benn Auten with his team accompanied me to this place. The going was very bad; the White Breast river, which we had to ford, was so high that it covered our wagon box completely, and run over the seats; but having a stout team, and a good driver, we had no trouble in crossing. Our meeting at Sandyville was encouraging. The brethren showed a disposition to hear and work. Sunday morning I met with the people in the Morrison neighborhood, where I remained a number of days, preaching in the time ten discourses. The interest increased to the close of the meeting. If I could have stayed a few days longer, I think a number would have decided to obey God and keep his commandments. My next meeting was at Eddyville, which I missed, the stage being behind time, and when I reached Pella, the cars had been gone about fifteen minutes. Thursday, 26th of October, I met with the brethren at Fairfield. Had a prayer-meeting at three o'clock, and preaching at the court-house in the evening. The weather was rainy, the going muddy, and some of our brethren, living across a large creek, which had swollen so high that they could not cross, our congregation was small, but we had a good time, and felt like journeying on to our heavenly home. Sabbath, 28th, commenced meetings at Mount Pleasant, in Bro. Fairfield's neighborhood. Stayed three days, and preached five times. The Lord was present to aid in proclaiming his precious truth. It was a season of rejoicing, and we felt that our hearts were knit together in love. This church has established an honest character in the place, and there is an interest to hear the truth among the people. Four were baptized on Sunday, and one on Monday. From this place we started for Washington, with Bro. Robert Kilgore. We had many sloughs to go through on our journey; one of them was so bad that our horses broke both whiffletrees and the tongue of the wagon, and left us in the mud. But we soon repaired and were on our way. Our meeting in Washington was in a very rainy time, and not many out the first night. The second evening, in consequence of some misunderstanding about the court-house, it was claimed by the brass band, and we held our meeting at a private house. We should have had a good attendance the last evening, if it had not been for the trouble about the place of meeting. Last Sabbath and first-day I spent at Pilot's Grove. This meeting was the best I have had in the State. Brethren present from Mount Pleasant, Washington, and Palestine. Here I had good freedom in preaching the word. I find this church to be in harmony with the body. There is a disposition to hear among the people. Monday morning I started for Palestine. From Pilot's Grove to Palestine, by way of the bridge, it is about forty miles, and only seventeen to go by the way of the old ferry. We took the shortest route, and when we got to the river we found the skiff on the opposite side, and the owner gone. We had to wait on the bank of the river until night, or find some way to cross. Finding a tree that had blown down and broken into three pieces, the longest log was right for a raft; the other short ones we tied together with a grape vine, and threw poles across, and soon Bro. McReynolds was in full sail across the Iowa river; but the current was so rapid, and the stream so wide, he drifted down the river about a quarter of a mile before he landed; but soon he was back with the skiff, and we are now holding meetings in Palestine, all safe. Palestine, Iowa, Nov. 9, 1865.