MEETINGS AT ROULETTE, PA.
By Sarah A. H. Lindsey
As it was our privilege to attend these meetings, it is with gratitude that we acknowledge the reception of God's signal blessing. Our dear Bro. Fuller met with us, and, although very much worn by previous labor, he was enabled, by the blessing of God, to speak to the encouragement and edification of the church. Our prayer and conference meetings were interesting and profitable. On first-day, at 4 o'clock, P. M., we gathered together on the banks of the Allegany River, where we witnessed the interesting ceremony of baptism. The Lord solemnized the place by his unmistakable presence. As Bro. Fuller stepped upon the shore, with his garments yet dripping with the emblem of purity, the Holy Spirit indited a good matter while he spoke of the final separation of the righteous and the wicked. Conviction reached the hearts of some, who returned from the water's side weeping because of their sins. A season of prayer was held for them at the house of Bro. Lyman. Here they found relief. This, I was about to say, was the best meeting we had. Truly, Jesus manifested his power on earth to forgive sins, and when we remembered that he said, “Joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance,” there was joy among the saints on earth, too. This was a blessed season to all present. Our reflections since these meetings have been thus: That our God has in store for us still greater blessings than we have yet enjoyed, but whether we receive them or not depends entirely upon our compliance with the conditions, the keeping of the commandments of God, and having the “testimony of Jesus Christ” (“the spirit of prophecy.” Rev. xix, 10). The church of God is evidently rising, and where the “spirit of prophecy” has been readily received, the power of God has been manifested to such a degree that at our meetings at Niles Settlement, July 4 and 5, a certain wicked, insubordinate spirit was bound in chains, and so evidently that all were able to see that it was indeed the work of the Lord. There was no excitement, but a deep solemnity rested upon the congregation, and a burden of soul in behalf of “the lost sheep.” Some of the straying ones confessed their backslidings with feelings of deep contrition. God is reviving his people according to his word; (Hosea vi, 2.) and may we not expect if we follow on to know the Lord, that “His going forth is prepared as the morning? and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” May the Lord help us to quicken our pace, and faithfully bear our part in this eventful hour. Soon, very soon the sinners in Zion will be afraid, fearfulness will surprise the hypocrites, and the hopes of all the wicked will perish. But when desolation and ruin finish the history of our sin-cursed globe, “The Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.” Joel iii, 16. Ulysses, Pa., July 21, 1868.