d his
family identified themselves with the infant society and became
efficient laborers in the Lord's vinyard. At the same time the class was
strengthened by the addition of Dr. Brooks Bowman and his good lady.
Others were added during the year, including S.J. Mattoon, Mr. and Mrs.
S.A.L. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Sexmith and Mrs. F.F. Davis. The class
now numbered twenty-two members.

A building had been erected by the contributions of the people in the
village and country adjacent, for the purpose of a chapel and a school
house. Regular services had been held in the new edifice for several
months, both morning and evening. But during the absence of the Pastor
at Conference, two ministers of sister denominations came to the village
and established appointments, occupying the house on alternate
Sabbaths, thereby displacing the former occupants altogether.

On taking charge of the work, I called on the new comers and expressed a
desire to occupy the house for the regular appointment once in two
weeks, but found they were not disposed to meet my wishes. I suggested
that such had been the previous custom and that our appointments were so
arranged, we could not work to any other than a two weeks' plan. But
finding them still indisposed to accommodate me, I merely stated to them
that the house, having been built mostly by my people, and in part by
myself, I could claim as a right what I had begged as a favor, but,
since I saw they were indisposed to give me the only hour that would
accommodate the balance of my work, I should seek a place elsewhere. At
this juncture Dr. Brooks Bowman, the physician of the village,
generously offered his residence as a temporary chapel, and it was
gratefully accepted. The wisdom of the movement was soon shown by the
result. The people came to the private house, and, when they could find
no room within, they uncomplainingly stood without. The Lord poured out
his spirit upon the people abundantly.

The eldest daughter of our generous host, as the first trophy of grace,
was converted. Other conversions followed, and in a short time the
number increased to twenty. Among them were William McElroy and wife and
several others, who became leading and influential members of the church
in Waupun.

The opposition soon came to naught, and the house was left to our
peaceable occupancy. The Local Preachers rendered valuable services in
the protracted meeting, and also alternated in filling the appointm