W. C. HEBNER by W. C. Hebner

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 22, 1902

W. C. HEBNER

By W. C. Hebner

WE met as appointed for the dedication of the church at Glenwood, the first service being held Friday evening, April 25. The hard rain during the day cut off the attendance from abroad. Dr. S. P. S. Edwards, R. E. Harter, and the writer were present. We expected Elder Brunson to preach the dedicatory sermon, but he had been sent West by Elder Daniels, to attend a union conference, and did not get back.

Dr. Edwards spoke, Sabbath and the evening after the Sabbath, on the importance of purity of life, and the power at our command to live a pure life, using the wireless telegraphy and the trolley on the electric railroad as an illustration of how we may connect with divine power. All present were deeply interested and profited, and we trust they will live more exemplary Christian lives as the result of that day’s opportunities.

It rained all day Sabbath, which made the attendance quite small.

The announcement had been circulated that the dedicatory sermon would be preached Sunday at 10:30 A. M., by Elder Brunson. Sunday morning was beautiful, warm, and sunshiny. When the hour for services came, the seating capacity was filled, chairs were brought in, and all available room was occupied. As we took our place in the desk, it was plainly to be seen that the congregation was disappointed; but God gave freedom, and from his Word we tried to show them the meaning of this gathering, and that God had called us to a special work, and that the church was his appointed agency in the earth to fulfill his purpose. All seemed much interested, and many remarked upon the blessing of God, which had enabled the brethren to build a church thirty by forty feet, with a basement for the church school. They had also sold more copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” than any other church in the district. As far as finances are concerned, they are as poor as any in this part of the conference. I look upon their prosperity as wholly the result of the blessing of God, and to him be all the glory.