REPORT FROM BRO. WHITNEY.
By S. B. Whitney
The first three weeks of the present quarter I spent mostly at home, attending to Conference and other business, and making preparations to leave again. Was thankful for the opportunity of being with my family through the severe cold weather of January. During the time, however, I was visiting brethren, and preaching as I had opportunity. Jan. 5, was with the church in Norfolk, and the 6th, with the friends in the Thompson neighborhood. The 12th, was with the church at Buck’s Bridge, and the 19th, in the Thompson neighborhood again. Jan. 26, and 27, attended the Quarterly Meeting at Norfolk. The weather was quite stormy, still quite a goodly number came from Buck’s Bridge, but none from Bangor. Freedom was given in speaking the word, and the meeting for the ordinances was good. Remained with this church until the 31st, visiting and laboring, during which time I spoke twice, held one business meeting, and left the church considerably encouraged. Feb. 2, was with the church in Bangor. This meeting was but thinly attended, but what there was of it was quite good. During the week following, visited the scattered friends in Malone and Chateaugay, preaching once. Feb. 8, came to Perry’s Mills. The meeting here was thinly attended also, and on first-day the weather was so severe that we had no meeting at all. There seems to be a lack of interest with some of our brethren about sustaining the Quarterly Meetings. This ought not so to be. As the minister feels it his duty to dwell upon those truths that relate to our present duties and dangers, it is often the case that those whom he designs most to benefit are the very ones to be absent. This is always discouraging and must detract somewhat from the interest of the meeting. On this point, some, also, show a lack of consistency; for while they profess a great desire for preaching, and are almost disposed to find fault that more labor is not bestowed upon them, when the privilege is brought to them, they fail to show a corresponding zeal in availing themselves of its benefits. Nothing less than an almost insurmountable difficulty should hinder our obeying the Apostle’s injunction, “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together.” After visiting among the friends as I had opportunity, and holding a prayer-meeting with them Tuesday evening, left for this place, arriving here the 15th, and am now enjoying a pleasant and profitable interview with sister Foster and family. Whitehall, N. Y., Feb. 18, 1867.