New York by E. A. Raymond

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 7, 1903

New York

By E. A. Raymond

OSWEGO COUNTY.—According to recommendation, immediately after conference I began to labor among the churches of this county. Finding very many, in some cases one half, without our denominational papers, and correspondingly behind in the special work for this time, a thorough and vigorous preliminary campaign seemed a necessity. A special effort was put forth to visit every family and individual, however isolated, obtain subscriptions for our papers wherever possible, and awaken and strengthen a healthy enthusiasm in behalf of the church-school work, as well as other work of special importance. As a result, twenty-six individual subscriptions for various papers were obtained, and a number of others will probably be secured soon.

At Williamstown, West Monroe, and Roosevelt church schools are much needed, and the brethren and sisters are awakening to a sense of the solemn responsibilities resting upon them. I fully expect to see a church school established at one or all of these places. The Pulaski church is also greatly in need of such a school, and we trust one will be started as soon as the children are brought near enough to attend. Several brethren having large families, in this and other churches, have lately told me of their determination to place their children in church schools at the earliest opportunity. Others, young men and women of ability and experience, have expressed their desire to enter the work as teachers.

About five miles from this city, at Mt. Pleasant, still stands the barn, then owned by Brother Arnold, in which the first Adventist conference was held. It was with a great deal of interest that I visited this truly historic spot.

At Minetto a very flourishing church school is being conducted, concerning which, and the work of the church, I intend to write more fully.

With one or two exceptions, the churches in the county are very much behind in the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons,” but I intend pushing this work to the best of my ability. Continually I see exemplified the great truth that only by constant and whole-hearted work for others can we hope to remain awake in this night of spiritual lethargy. It is by giving that we gain the more.

E. A. RAYMOND.