p. 70 | The Ohio Tent by H. Abbott

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 31, 1866

The Ohio Tent.

By H. Abbott

BRO. WHITE: I desire to say a few words through the Review, concerning the tent meeting in Ohio. Since the announcement of the tent movement in this State, I have been extremely anxious to know of its operations, and of its success. Agreeably to the ardent desire that I entertained for the promulgation of present truth in Ohio, especially, I determined on visiting the tent while in Bellville.

Accordingly I left home on the 6th of July, in company with Bro. Smith of Norwalk, and we arrived at Bellville in the evening, after a journey of about sixty miles. There we made our first acquaintance with those dear Brn. Van Horn and Lawrence; and I can say, it was truly an agreeable one to me. I remained at this meeting ten days, and in this time listened to fourteen discourses with great profit.

The meetings are well attended, and the people manifest a good degree of interest in listening to the words of truth; they turn out in numbers varying from one to four hundred. Good order is maintained, which speaks in favor of the citizens of Bellville. The tent is pitched in a pleasant location in the heart of the village of B.

My joy was made the more complete, on meeting, and forming an acquaintance with so many of like precious faith. Bro. and sister Crouse from Licking Co., Bro. Fleming from Gilboa, Bro. Nichols from Knox Co., Bro. Grant and Bro. and sister Iden; these have all attended the meetings, which has added much to their interest. Although our numbers were few, yet our presence at this meeting has had a salutary influence upon the minds of the people, in favor of the truth.

Brethren in Christ, let us seek opportunities to cast our influence in that direction which will ever tell in favor of this precious present truth. We trust that our visit to the tent, did not only have a good influence upon the minds of the people of that place, but that it also tended to the encouragement of Brn. Van Horn and Lawrence.

I would further say, for the encouragement of all our dear brethren scattered abroad, that I believe the Lord has commenced a good and glorious work in Ohio, the truth is being presented to the people, in a plain and uncompromising manner; and I am happy to say that I believe that the truths which are being presented, are finding a lodgement in the hearts of many in and about Bellville. My prayer is, that it may spring up and bear fruit, some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred-fold.

There are others, whose eyes and ears

are closed against the truth. "Eyes have they, but they see not; ears have they but they hear not." This brings to our minds a solemn thought. They who reject, and close their ears to the voice of the third message, a little way from this, will be beyond the reach of mercy. The table of their festivity will be made a snare, and a stumbling-block, and a recompense unto them. And as there is considerable agitation in the minds of the people concerning the great and important truths that have been presented to them, we may reasonably suppose that there will be a fair proportion, who will take a decided stand in favor of the truth, if we may at all judge from external appearances. Many have expressed themselves as being fully decided in favor of the present truth.

The Lord, by his Holy Spirit is at work in Bellville, setting home to the minds and consciences of men, the word of testimony as proclaimed by his servants; and my desire is, that many may be sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise until the day of redemption.

Brethren and sisters, let us who are blessed with pleasant homes, and the society of companions and friends, not be forgetful of those dear servants of God, that have denied themselves the comforts of home and friends, and have gone out upon the tented field, to fight the battles of the Lord. And as Aaron and Hur stayed up the hands of Moses, until the going down of the sun, let us also stay up the hands of God's servants uutil the victory is proclaimed on the side of Him whose right it is to reign. Let us give them to feel that they have our sympathies and kind regards, that their trials are our trials, and their burdens our burdens. Be assured, dear ambassadors of Christ, that while you are standing up stiffly for the truth, and are proclaiming the same to a gainsaying world, you not only have our sympathies and prayers, but the Holy Spirit will keep and sustain you under every trial. May the Lord make you useful instruments in winning many souls to himself, that it may add as many sparkling gems to the crown of your rejoicing, in the day of Christ Jesus our Lord.

H. Abbott.

Wakeman, Ohio.