| 580 John Thomas, Charles Derry, Elijah Banta, J. W. Wight, P. Cadwell, J. W. Chatburn, W. T. Bozarth, Warren E. Peak, J. F. McDowell, E. C. Brand, W. C. Nirk, H. N. Hansen, Henry Kemp, and Andrew Hall.
Of this reunion the editor of the Herald wrote:
One might ask, what are the impressions left by the late reunion at Harlan, Iowa? To this we can only reply, that the effect upon us was spiritually most salutary. The changing of the policy of holding two business conferences per year by abandoning the fall session, left a great want in the lives of the Saints in Western Iowa and Eastern Nebraska, which it was thought a general reunion in some suitable locality would in a measure supply. It has, as an experiment, proved amply successful. The last one was, in many things, a better and more successful meeting than any preceding it. The grounds were laid out in a much more orderly and compact way. What had been mere experiment in order had become something like a rule, comprehended and enjoyed. The big tent allayed the fears of interruption from rain, and tenting was made easy by experience.
One remarkably noticeable thing was that the elders who took part in the preaching of the word, were prompt; and though possibly nervous and doubtful of their ability to occupy acceptably and profitably, did not embarrass themselves and their hearers with apologies, or excuses, but at once took up the lines of their thought and argument with an earnestness of endeavor that commended them to all. The younger men did nobly in facing the veteran host, and the Spirit's answer was unto them all. From the opening effort by young Bro. J. W. Wight, to the closing sermon of Bro Joseph R. Lambert, it was one glorious chain of glittering gospel links skillfully welded in a continuous whole. We were pleased to see such unanimity of effort, such freedom from desire to parade, such willing trust in the promise of the Lord to help in time of need, such cheering compliance with appointment, and such unusual absence of deprecating excuses when called upon to speak. It is the beauty of trustfulness to attempt the effort when the opportunity is favorable, and let the result be with the Master. The elder who gets up in the pulpit and proceeds at once to the discussion of his selected topic is much more likely to interest his audience than the one who wastes his time in a fruitless excuse, which is tiring at the outset. Such an one is much more likely to receive the Spirit's aid to his help, because more worthy. He feels that it is his duty to put his best endeavor into his speech; and this the Lord knows and the people understand; hence excuses are unnecessary.
The hearing accorded by those from without was all that could be asked for. In fact, it was the best we have ever witnessed at any of our out-of-door meetings. The use of the grounds was given by Mr. John Davis, a gentleman residing at Harlan, whose friendship to us as a people had been won by the manly conduct of Bro. J. W. Chatburn, and the unflinching
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