Elk Falls, Kansas by A. W. Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 27, 1872

Elk Falls, Kansas.

By A. W. Smith

Our meetings here on the recent fast-days were interesting and I trust a lasting benefit to all. We invited the brethren at Eureka, some twenty-five miles north, to meet with us. A load of six came. Four more came from the western part of the county, which, with about fourteen here, made a good company. We had no elder, and so we spent the time in social meetings which increased in interest from the commencement to the close. Bro. Hamilton, who had been for some time deprived of meetings, was too overjoyed to express his feelings, to see so goodly a number of Sabbath-keepers assembled in this new and back place. He spoke to us of the importance of waking up, of all acting our part in winning souls to Christ, in our different positions in ordinary life; that to accomplish this we must first be consecrated to God ourselves, that our example may back up what we present or speak.

It is not the multitude of words, the amens, and shouts, that bring down upon us the blessing of God, but that earnest, anxious pleading to know and feel our sins, and a drawing nearer to God. All took part. Unbelievers were much affected. Some confessed that God was with us. To me at least it was a feast of fat things, a foretaste of that refreshing which I hope will soon be more abundantly poured on the remnant people.

But this is only a taste; my soul cries out for more, to be filled with the love of God and his Spirit, to be daily prepared for the company of the just made perfect, the company of the angels, of Jesus, and of God.

The coming of Jesus is drawing nearer. Do you discover dross among us? The true gold will but shine the brighter where they are separated.

We are yet unorganized for the want of an elder, and we are very anxious for ministerial labor among us in this place.

A. W. SMITH.