Richland Co., Ohio by H. A. St. John

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 12, 1872

Richland Co., Ohio.

By H. A. St. John

From Nov. 18 to Dec. 30, held thirty-three meetings in Bro. Geo. Bisel's neighborhood, Richland Co. For most of our meetings here, we occupied an old, Protestant Methodist house, their society there having gone down. The interest here was not good at any time during the meeting. Attendance small. A good part of the time there were three protracted meetings within about two miles, in different directions. Much prejudice existed, some living near the church would not come to hear. Our principal object in holding this meeting was to encourage the few believers living in the vicinity, and perhaps, to gain a few others, that they might have meetings among themselves. In all this, we were not disappointed. Our labor was not in vain in the Lord. Three earnest souls embraced the truth, and are keeping God's holy Sabbath, while others, for whom we hope, are halting. They will meet regularly for prayer and Bible-class.

Some one, authorized to administer baptism and set things in order, should visit this part of the State, and that, too, it appears to us, as soon as practicable. May God bless these dear souls, establish and confirm them in all the present truth. May they ever love the holy law of God, and so speak and so do, as they that shall be judged thereby.

Left Ohio, Jan. 4, and arrived in Hillsdale, Mich., the next day, where we remained two days with the brethren in quarterly meeting assembled. Spoke three times. Hope the solemn pledge made by nearly the entire congregation at the closing meeting, to seek for a deeper experience in the things of God the present year, may be faithfully adhered to by all.

Sunday evening, Jan. 7, reached home, after an absence of more than nine months, feeling to thank God for the experience gained in this time, and for a safe return home. As I take a retrospect of the past nine months, I see many things to regret; but my confidence in the present truth was never stronger, and I am satisfied that God will give power to the third message in about the same ratio that we consecrate ourselves to him.

May God speed the time when his people shall be clothed from head to foot with the armor of light. H. A. St. John.

Ransom, Mich.