IOWA by R. C. Porter

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, May 12, 1885

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 19

IOWA

By R. C. Porter

Since Feb. 6 the most of our time has been spent at this place. A fair interest has been manifested to hear the truth, and many seem disposed to have the meetings continue. A few have taken their stand to keep the Sabbath, who express the determination to live out the truth. With two families who were already keeping the Sabbath, we now hold Sabbath meetings and Sabbath-school. Twenty were present at our last Sabbath meeting, and a good interest was manifested in Sabbath-school. The work moves slowly. Opposition has been very strong from the commencement of our labors here. Six sermons were preached, to which we replied with good effect. Not being satisfied with these efforts against us, they began to circulate the report that we did not believe in conversion, growth in grace, etc., and made a letter containing a threat to be executed if we quit the work and left the place, which is printed by the editor in the county paper as the following paragraph. We thought it best to have the meetings, and did so unmolested. Opposition only won friends to the truth, and drew from some of our faith unsolicited testimonies in its favor, which we clip from the last week’s issue of the Mt. Ayr Journal. A Washington township correspondent writes as follows:—

I had the pleasure last Monday evening of hearing Eld. Porter, the Adventist minister, preach at the school-house, on the subject of conversion, growth in grace. Eld. Nicola preached on Sunday evening, but we did not hear him.

Some people think Adventists do not believe in the points of Bible truth, but that is a mistake; their faith and belief on these points are just as evangelical as that of Methodists or Baptists. Much prejudice exists toward them because they do not believe in going to heaven or hell when they die, but are in an unconscious state till the resurrection. They also think the prophecies are nearly all fulfilled, and that Christ will appear the second time, which is distasteful to some, and others find fault because they keep the seventh day as Sabbath. I should not say this much but for misrepresentations in reference to them.

Following is from the editor:—

Much excitement still exists west of town over a coat of tar and feathers for the Advent minister, Eld. Porter. As we understand it, his doctrine is obnoxious to some, and they took occasion to drop in his path one day with the above threat if he did not leave. This won't do in a civilized community, a free country, where every man is allowed to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience, and this, we understand, is his sole offense.

This has brought our work in this county to the favorable notice of the reading public, and we trust good will result. We have given fifty-four discourses and three Bible readings, sold $11 worth of tracts, and my wife has taken four subscriptions for Signs, one for REVIEW, and one for the Instructor. Eld. Nicola and wife spent a few days with us, and their labors and counsel were much appreciated. We will remain another week to finish up our work before commencing summer labor. R. C. PORTER.