North Elba, N. Y by S. B. Whitney

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 7, 1871

North Elba, N. Y.

By S. B. Whitney

At my last writing, I had commenced a course of lectures in North Elba, with small attendance, unfavorable weather, and strong opposition on the part of the religious portion of community. Continued the meetings as long as the interest seemed to warrant, though the attendance was small during the whole time, yet better than usual, I was told, for that place. Strenuous efforts were made on the part of the trustee and a few religious partisans, to close the school-house against us; but the greater portion of the district were too public spirited and had too high a sense of justice and equal rights to allow it to be closed against one, and still be open to others; and as all denominations used it, every such attempt failed. The trustee took some steps to enforce his authority, by law, but his efforts proved abortive, and we were left in quiet and peaceable possession of the house.

Thus a good blow has been struck in favor of the cause, and this people stands higher in the respect of other communities around. Yet the immediate results of the meetings are not what I could wish. Only one family have as yet decided to keep the Sabbath; but others are still investigating and I hope will yet decide right.

The church here is doing well, growing in experience, and receiving some accessions. They desire especially to express their gratification and gratitude for the enlargement, and improvement in appearance, of the papers; which we all look upon as a step in the right direction, and a good omen of the prosperity of the cause of present truth. As there is a prospect of fields of labor in this region for some time in the future, I have removed my family to this place, and we are now settling in our new home preparatory to entering more heartily and zealously into the work of the Lord.

S. B. WHITNEY.

Keene, Essex Co., N. Y., Jan. 20, 1871.