Virginia and West Virginia
By T. H. PAINTER
As West Virginia was to be my field of labor, I closed my work at Farnham, Va., in connection with Elder Herrell, September 28. My stay there was a pleasant one, and my heart was cheered as I saw some obey the message. I spent one happy day in the woods, helping to load sawlogs to be hauled to the mill, and converted into lumber for a new church building. I came home the last of September, and held the quarterly meeting at Stanley on the second Sabbath in October. We experienced some of the drops of the latter rain. One young woman took her stand with us. I baptized her and two others in December. I also held quarterly meetings at Mount Williams and Buena Vista. One woman at Mount Williams gave her heart to the Lord, and I baptized her. Two were received into the church, and two others await baptism. Ten years ago when the Virginia Conference did not have sufficient money to pay all its laborers, Brother Watkins and I, looking to the Lord for our support, pitched our tents at Mount Williams, and began meetings. The tent was filled each night, and we received donations of money and food. As a result of this effort, our hearts were made glad by seeing twelve or more take their stand with us in this message. We bought the lot where the tent was pitched, and a neat little church was built. Some have fallen away, but some are still loyal to God. At Buena Vista one man from the Baptist Church united with us. This church is not so large, but its members are faithful. I spent the week of prayer with our church at Stanley. All who were present at the services sought a closer walk with God. January 3 I left home for West Virginia. I spent one night with our people at Keyser, W. Va., attended the council at Parkersburg, January 4, 5, and spent the first Sabbath with the little church at Charleston. The Lord gave us a good meeting. I am now at Hinton, a town of about four thousand inhabitants. I am getting acquainted with the people. Some are becoming anxious to hear the message. I expect to begin public meetings in a few days. Let us have your prayers.