25. Visited Brother and Sister Chapman. She is an excellent saint. Found her much afflicted. Brother C. had for many years been a skeptic and Universalist, but a year ago he came out at a meeting held by Bro. T. James and me. He is a faithful brother. A neighbor of his by name of L——, who was the means of breaking up the fore-mentioned meeting, dropped dead in his tracks a few months ago.
Feb. 28, 1873. Good day meeting at Brother McClintock's. [near Larue, Marion County]. Eve, preached from Eph. 2:2. Four came to the altar and were blessed, one of whom had been an avowed Universalist. Others doubtless would have come out but the house was so densely filled that we could not crowd the people back to get more room for penitents.
Mar. 1, 1873. Spent the day at Mother Melvin's. Wrote an article for the Advocate. Brother Burchard preached. Four at the altar. All were blessed, I think. House crowded and many outside.
2. Sabbath. Speaking at ten. Preached on Church of God, Acts 20:28. Eve, the house was packed and all the windows were crowded on the outside. Preached, Jer. 13:16. By hard work we got a little space at the altar and four presented themselves for prayer.
5. Meeting at Brother Deen's. Fellowshiped twelve. P. M., because of the immense crowd that thronged the schoolhouse we divided the meeting. I preached at Windfall, from Job 22:15-17. Several rose for prayers. Brother Burchard preached at the Ellen Schoolhouse, one and one half miles north.
9. Sabbath. Brother Small and I went to the Shertzer Schoolhouse, where he preached at 11 A. M. on church matters, after which we received in fellowship eleven members, most by letter from the Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches. After taking a hasty dinner we mounted our steeds and rode four miles, partly through a woods, in the midst of a rain and severe storm. Reached Windfall at 2:30 P. M. Eve, preached on Acts 26:18. One at the altar.
10. Prepared a dam to baptize. Eve, Num. 10:28.
11. A. M., preached on sisters' right to speak and pray in meeting, after which we had a speaking-meeting. Fellowshiped fourteen members. House crowded and many on the outside. One brother who was always opposed to women's speaking arose and confessed his error. We then proceeded to the water, where I baptized twenty-two converts in eleven minutes. It was a glorious and beautiful baptismal service. All came out shouting and praising God. Eve, preached on Luke 13:6-9. Several rose for prayers, some of whom were old in sin. We had a speaking-meeting. All that had been immersed said that it had been a happy day for them and that they had turned a new and brighter page in the history of their pilgrimage. Oh how good it is to obey God! A good part of the number had been sprinkled, some after making a profession of religion in adult years. Great God, what a pity that the world is cursed by an unholy sectarian ministry "who teach for doctrine the commandments of men!"
12. Eve, preached on barren fig-tree. Matt. 21:18-22. Four came to the altar, one blessed. Went home with Mr. William Riser, who brought a horse for me to ride. It was a beautiful light night, and a ride of some two miles winding through the woods was somewhat pleasant. Did not retire until twelve o'clock.
13. This morning I spent an hour rambling far out in the dense, rolling forest to breath the pure air and to hold communion with my God. At ten William Riser's house was filled with brethren and sisters. We had a glorious meeting. All were happy, many shouted. It was something very strange to have a meeting in this house. All remarked that it was something they had never expected to see. Mr. R. is a man of nearly fifty years and a great sinner. His wife has been converted and I think the Lord is striving with his heart and his brother's, who is still older. Oh that God would raise them up as monuments of his mercy! Eve, Luke 19:10. Two at the altar.