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Source: Church History Vol. 4 Chapter 4 Page: 58 (~1874)

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58 church. The next evening Bro. Lambert introduced the subject of the kingdom of God, which we treated upon in all its bearings, showing the officers who belong to it, and also its laws, their unchangeability and consequent power to save men with an eternal salvation. This done, we introduced the subject of the apostasy from the primitive church, showing in three ways that there had been such an apostasy. Firstly, that there had been prophetic declarations made showing that such an event would take place. Secondly, that the Christian world was without the officers, and had failed to practice the laws which had been placed in the church of Christ in its primitive organization. Thirdly, that God had promised to send an angel having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell upon the earth, which he certainly would not do if there had not been an entire apostasy from the primitive church. We then treated upon the restoration of the gospel, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and other subjects. Our meetings were well attended, and we were greatly blessed, being enabled to labor together with confidence and satisfaction. At the close of the meeting, Tuesday, December 30, having held thirteen preaching meetings, we gave the opportunity for persons wishing to obey the gospel, to manifest it by rising to their feet; three arose. Brn. Lambert left on the first of January, and I attended to the baptizing of the three who had presented themselves the previous evening; and also two more who presented themselves at the time of baptism. I continued the meetings nearly two weeks longer, during which time I baptized six more, and left others believing who were not baptized."

Here was an opening, and these two men rallied their ministerial forces and held a month's protracted meeting. The result was eleven were baptized.

So, also, the brethren in Canton, Illinois, having determined upon a continued effort, have been steadily driving home their charges upon the strongholds of sin; and now Bro. Forscutt writes:

"We had a glorious time here on Sunday last. Three were baptized, one of them a Mr. Seward, of Peoria, for several years elder; that is, presiding elder of the Disciple Church of that place, and as such recognized and honored by the congregation up to Sunday last, both on account of his ability and Christian uprightness. His conviction is due to the private endeavors of our excellent Bro. and Sr. Robinson, of Peoria; his conversion to the power of God in our glorious social meeting of Sunday afternoon last. God be praised, the ice is breaking, and the sunshine of truth again cheering us, not only by its lovely rays, but also by its causing the truth sown in the winter of barrenness to spring forth in the verdant foliage of the new life of the coming harvest."

Brn. D. S. Crawley and F. C. Warnky, down in Kansas have been steadily warning the people for the last two years; and now Bro. J. T. Davies is engaged, and there will be concentration of energies down there, by and by, and good results will certainly ensue.

Brn. Joseph C. Clapp and John H. Hansen are pounding away at the

(page 58)

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