SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST CHURCH, MILTON, ROCK COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
This large and flourishing church was organized in 1838, since which
period it has rapidly increased in numbers, and promises to become a
very useful and efficient body. For a long time this region was
considered as missionary ground. Recently, however,
Rev. Stillman Coon and Rev. Zuriel Campbell have connected themselves in
the pastoral relation with the church, in which they still continue.
Many of its members were emigrants from Scott and the older churches.
SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST CHURCH, ALBION, DANE COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
This church was organized in 1843, and
Wm. H. Redfield became its servant in the capacity of licentiate, which
relation he sustained for one year, when he was succeeded by
Rev. O. P. Hull, the present incumbent, under whose ministry it has
enjoyed many precious seasons, and received many additions.
SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST CHURCH, WALWORTH, WISCONSIN.
This church, mostly composed of emigrants from New Jersey, was organized
in 1849, and contains twenty-one members, with a prospect of large
additions.
It has no settled pastor.
SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST CHURCH, FREDONIA, IOWA.
This church was organized in 1842, and Rev. Rolean M'Reynolds, formerly
a First-day Baptist, a minister of exemplary character and eminent
talent, became its pastor, in which relation he continued for some time.
At present it has no settled pastor.
SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST CHURCH, FARMINGTON, ILLINOIS.
This church was constituted in 1849, and consists mostly of emigrants
from Shiloh, with the family of
Rev. Samuel Davison, the present pastor.
It is said to occupy a pleasant and healthful situation.
REMARKS.
A majority of the churches embraced in this Association may be
considered as enjoying all the advantages of a healthful climate and
fertile soil, with facilities for commerce. Although few in numbers,
their prospects are most encouraging, perhaps too much so. It is not in
the sunlight of worldly prosperity that the good seed rises to maturity
and bears much fruit: the mind, exulting in temporal advantages, the
accumulation of riches, or the acquisition of worldly honours, is too
apt to become cold and indifferent to the subject of religion. We trust
that it may not be so with these sister fraternities, who have designed
to hold up the light of the truth, and to witness for the Sabbath among
an apostatizing community. May they grow in grace as in numbers; may
they become rich in heavenly wisdom as in earthly goods; moreover, as
they have received liberally may they be disposed to give liberally, and
to bear in their hearts and upon their prayers the burdens of a
perishing world. In connexion with this subject another consideration is
presented. These churches occupy situations as desirable as can be found
throughout the whole country for mercantile, mechanical, or agricultural
avocations, and embrace every variety of soil, scenery, and climate.
Some are located on broad meadow-like prairie; others amid a diversified
landscape of hills and valleys; and yet others in the neighbourhood of
marts of commerce, and communicating with lakes and rivers. No brother
need forsake the Sabbath, in order to find a more eligible or
advantageous situation than could be obtained in contiguity with the
settlements of the Sabbath-keepers; and no person, whatever may be his
denominational character, who wishes to emigrate, will find in any
locality a state of society more elevated, moral, and Christian-like, or
schools more really useful and well-conducted than are to be found among
the Sabbatarians. In tracing the history of our denomination, there
occur many reflections of a pleasant and interesting character,
particularly in connexion with our missionary efforts. The review of the
fields of labour thus occupied would prefigure in a remarkable degree
our gradual expansion and increase. First we see those good old fathers,
over whose graves the flowers of centennial summers have bloomed and
withered, making short journeys from Rhode Island to New Jersey, and
perhaps to some parts of Pennsylvania. This, at that time, was
missionary ground. Subsequently the area was extended. Where was the
missionary ground in their youth to those venerable men who have grown
gray in the service of the sanctuary? In the wildly beautiful and
romantic region of western New York and Pennsylvania, where a glorious
harvest has arisen as the fruit of their labours. Then gradually
expanding westward, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Iowa, became alternately the
theatres of new scenes of trial and triumph. Intimately connected with
the progress of our denomination in this region are the names of Rev. L.
A. Davis and Rev. J. L. Scott, both indefatigable missionaries, through
whose instrumentality several of these churches have been gathered and
organized. Is not our missionary ground still expanding? Does not the
time approach when the broad plains of the Missouri will be so occupied?
when the region of the Rocky Mountains will be so occupied? when Oregon
and California will be so occupied? Does it appear impossible or
improbable? All that is necessary for its realization, is the
application of means, and faith in the promises of God.