p. 18 | Missouri by C. G. BELLAH

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 1, 1915

Missouri

By C. G. BELLAH

TOWNLEY.—A church has recently been organized here, with a membership of thirty-six. Seven others are keeping the Sabbath.

Mrs. Bellah and the writer came here last fall. We pitched a tent, and began meetings November 17, continuing till New Year's Day, when we took the tent down and attended the midwinter workers' meeting in Clinton.

February 17 we pitched the tent again in the same place, and began another series of meetings; and have been here ever since. It has been a hard struggle, but we feel amply repaid for all the effort it has cost.

With the exception of eight days, we have been alone all this time, without even a tent master. Brother Rouse, the conference president, was with us then, and organized a church, with a charter membership of twenty-four. The other twelve members have been added since.

The third angel's message had never been preached here until we came. One of the merchants of the town is our newly ordained elder, and another man has gone to Kansas City as tent master. The local paper has been very friendly to us, and has been glad to get the church news.

Townley is a place of about five hundred, surrounded with a good rural population.

The attendance has been good all the time, averaging for the six months about two hundred. Only once or twice did it fall to fifty or sixty.

During the winter months, the weather was often very bad — much snow, rain, sleet, and cold winds; the temperature sometimes ten below zero, and the sun not shining for days. Yet in all this time, we have missed only two evening services. And one of the nights we held a family Bible study, and had one convert.

The tent was always kept warm. A big stove was placed in each side, and the ground covered with about six inches of dry sawdust. We fastened the bottom of the wall snugly to the ground, and sewed the top to the curtain. Sometimes we would remain up all night, to keep the snow or sleet off the tent.

Winter tent work is successful, for several reasons. People must remain inside during services, for it is too cold outside. Then, having the walls fastened down and the door closed, we have fewer annoyances. Frozen ground is excellent to hold tent stakes. Winter evenings are long, and people enjoy an early service. We often got through by eight o'clock. In fact, there are many advantages over summer work, if one is willing to pay the price.

Last week we took the tent down, and secured a large dwelling house, free of rent, for services. The owner has kindly allowed us to remove the partitions, making a commodious room, with a seating capacity of about one hundred. Yesterday we held quarterly services with the new company, and every member present took part. The Lord gave us a blessed experience.

There are many others who we are sure will soon unite with us. Pray for the work in Townley.

C. G. BELLAH.