SECTION VIII.NORTHWESTERN ASSOCIATION.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.