MEETINGS IN ILL. AND WIS.
By ISAAC SANBORN
My last report closed with my labors in Avon, Wis., Jan. 8. The following day I commenced a protracted meeting with the church at Rockton, which lasted five weeks; and as I found the church in rather a cold, indifferent condition, we commenced by holding prayer-meetings from house to house, and preaching occasionally. Much prejudice existed against Health Reform, caused by the inconsiderate course of some in the past; yet, with the help of the Lord, I believe that all was removed, and some who had been almost discouraged are now greatly encouraged, and begin again to go forward in the good work and rejoice in the blessed hope. Four were added to the church, and a few others commenced keeping the Sabbath. I do thank the Lord that he will always work with us when we consent to work in harmony with his will, and walk in the light. February 8, I met Bro. R. F. Andrews in Quarterly Meeting at Monroe, Green Co., Wis. It was a very cold time, yet there was quite a large attendance, and the Lord helped his servants in preaching the word, and the brethren and sisters in their efforts to aid us in the work. This church has been steadily rising since the Convocation Meeting. Since then, several have been added to their number. They have also repaired their meeting-house, at an expense of more than two hundred dollars. They were also owing one hundred and fifty dollars on their house, which was all pledged and paid. Four of these brethren, contrary to the light given them in Testimony to the Church, invested over one thousand dollars in a patent right, which is causing them much perplexity and anxiety of mind that they have been so disobedient. Oh! how much better they would now feel if the money was invested in the Western Health Reform Institute, where it would be a blessing to scores of invalids both spiritually and temporally. It would also bring them a fair interest, besides spreading the light of God's truth. Oh, that others may learn experience from what they suffer. Let me tell you, brethren and sisters, when we neglect the solemn truth that God has spoken to us through the visions that he has placed in our midst for our special good, we neglect the Lord, and will surely find, sooner or later, that the way of the transgressor is hard. But we would say, that these brethren are now much encouraged, and are striving to heed the counsel of the True Witness; also that the church is in a better condition than it has ever been before. From Monroe, we went to the Rockton Quarterly Meeting, in Illinois, Feb. 16 and 17. Brethren and sisters from Johnstown and Avon churches were present. This was a good meeting for the Rockton church. The subject of Health Reform as connected with the third angel's message was the burden of our preaching, which removed all the prejudice against the reformed dress. Several of the sisters are now wearing it, and the rest are preparing to do so. This church is now prospering finely. May the Lord add to their numbers such as shall be saved, is our prayer. Feb. 23 and 24, we met with the church at Clyde, Ill. I had not met with this church for over two years, and truly my heart praised the Lord as I met those young people who gave their hearts to the Lord when I was there three years ago, also the older brethren and sisters, and others who have since then joined themselves to the Lord, to see them all so earnestly engaged in striving for the kingdom. On Sabbath afternoon, in our ordinance meeting, the Lord poured upon us so much of his Holy Spirit, with its melting power, that every eye ran freely, while deep interest was manifested for poor sinners present. Two young men made a start for the kingdom, one of whom had formerly been a great persecutor of the truth, but, like Saul of Tarsus, behold, now he prayeth! Oh, that he may now prove a faithful servant of God, until the coming of the Lord. This was a meeting that we shall long remember. The next day we had a free time on the subject of the new birth. On Monday, we received Testimony No. 11, for which we praised the Lord. We then protracted the meeting for one week, visiting from house to house, and preaching evenings. The greater part of our labor here was upon the subject of Health Reform as connected with the third angel's message, and was well received by all. The reformed dress is well received, and nearly all are making haste to walk in the light. Near the close of our meetings, one more made a start to go with us. On Sabbath morning I spoke from Eph. vi, 4: “Fathers provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” It was wonderful to see what an interest the little children manifested as we addressed about one half of our sermon to them. Brethren in the ministry, I am fully satisfied that we manifest too little interest in the children. The Lord helping, I will reform in this respect. Says the Saviour, “Feed my lambs.” On first-day morning, I spoke from Titus iii, 8: “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” After showing that the establishing of the Western Health Reform Institute at Battle Creek was reckoned among these good works, the Lord backing it all up with the Testimony to the Church, fourteen shares were taken in the Institute. In the evening we spoke from John xii, 35: “Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you; for he that walketh in darkness, knoweth not whither he goeth.” As we contrasted the condition of the Jewish people at that time with that of the people near the coming of the Lord, or the remnant to whom the Lord is now speaking by the gift of prophecy, and realized, in some measure, the great work that is before us, and the shortness of time in which to accomplish it, also the dreadful woe pronounced upon the servant of God who fails to give a portion of meat in due season, I felt that the Lord opened my mouth anew in this blessed cause, which I love more than anything else in this world. The church all seemed to realize the importance of immediate action in the great work before them (that is, soul work) in order to keep pace with the light as it shines upon us. May the Lord help them and all others of like precious faith, to walk in the light, is my prayer. Elk Horn Grove, March, 5, 1867.