IOWA

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · April 1, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 14

Davis City, Afton, and Osceola.—Since my last report, I have held seven meetings at Davis City. Three were received into the church, one of whom had quite recently taken his stand for the Sabbath. The brethren are of good courage.

I then went to Afton. Found the brethren somewhat divided in sentiment upon some points. Two declared their intention to keep the Sabbath. Have some hopes of a better state of feeling in this place.

I next came to Osceola, where we have enjoyed some good meetings. The brethren here are all full of courage and hope. J. H. MORRISON.

Albany, March 22.—We closed our meetings in this place last evening, with a crowded house, some being unable to gain admittance. As the result of our effort here, sixteen have signed the covenant, and three or four others have commenced to keep the Sabbath. One favorable feature is, that there is not a broken family in this company; every husband has his wife with him in the truth. Three were keeping the Sabbath when we came here, and now there is a company of over twenty, all but two of whom are heads of families.

We organized a Sabbath-school last Sabbath. There will be about twenty children of Sabbath-keeping parents, and some others we think will join the school, making over forty scholars.

A Freewill Baptist and his wife are among the number who have accepted the truth. He has preached for thirty years, and will make a good leader. He has been addicted to the use of tobacco, but says that, by the grace of God, it shall go, with other errors.

Bro. E. W. Farnsworth was here, and preached three discourses, which gave an impetus to the work; and Bro. A. Daniels has been with us a good share of the time, rendering efficient aid. I stopped at Maynard a short time. The secretary of the Sabbath-school there gives an encouraging report. There are on the roll twenty-six names of scholars and teachers. The brethren need help, and Bro. Daniels will hold Sabbath meetings here for awhile.

The Lord has helped us this winter, and our courage is good. J. D. PEGG.

West Union, Waukon, Village Creek, and Clarence.—Feb. 28, 29, I spent with the church at West Union. The churches in the northern part of the State have for two years been almost entirely without preaching, and I fear they have suffered some on this account. There seemed to be nothing particularly discouraging in this church.

I was with the church at Waukon, March 6, 7. This is one of the oldest churches in the State, and was one of the largest; but it has been greatly reduced by removals. As the more prominent members have moved away, leaving the burdens to drop upon other shoulders, we fear that some who remain have not realized these obligations as they should, and as a result they have grown but little spiritually, and a general feeling of discouragement rested upon the church. I tried to set before them those mutual obligations which rest upon every member of the church. A leader was appointed, and the ordinances were celebrated, and the church seemed somewhat revived, though I could not repress the thought that if those who had been so remiss in duty in the past did not see the sinfulness of such a course, and reform, the church would soon become extinct. Sold several volumes of “Spirit of Prophecy.”

I went to Village Creek, March 13. This little church, mostly composed of Swedes, is still battling for the right. Some outside interest was manifested, and we think a good impression was left.

March 20, 21, I spent with the Clarence church. The members of this little church are scattered, and it is with considerable difficulty that they meet. Most of the brethren from Olin were at the meeting, and quite a good representation from Lisbon, so we had a good congregation, and our meetings were profitable. The brethren have a neat house of worship, and here, as elsewhere, it has a tendency to give permanency to the work. A commendable zeal was manifested in obtaining useful reading matter.

My experience while laboring with the churches during the last three months convinces me that our people are suffering more from a neglect to read the Testimonies and other works of that nature than from any other one cause. I am amazed at the almost universal neglect of these works, and cease to wonder that many of our people are backslidden and discouraged.

March 23. E. W. FARNSWORTH.