A Refreshing Quarterly Meeting by H. Stebbins; E. M. Stebbins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 29, 1873

A Refreshing Quarterly Meeting

By H. Stebbins; E. M. Stebbins

H. AND E. M. STEBBINS write from Potter Co., Pa.: The Lord condescends to meet with us by his Spirit, as we meet together from Sabbath to Sabbath. The children cheer us with their testimonies. We love to hear them express a desire to be saved; and not only our own children, but others in the neighborhood where our meetings are held, have already commenced to keep the Sabbath and bear testimony to the truth.

Our last quarterly meeting, held March 22 and 23, was a profitable season to us. The weather being very bad, there were not many from other churches, but the Lord, in his providence, sent Bro. W. W. Stebbins. We had a very interesting meeting. People who came in to hear, quite a number, gave in their testimonies, and we felt that truly the Lord was at work upon the hearts of nearly all who were present. We felt that we had a refreshing from the presence of the Lord. At times, nearly all in the house were in tears. Young persons, who had never attended our meetings, could not refrain from weeping. The Lord was very good. Yes, I feel to praise his holy name while I write.

We have felt very lonely the past year, since some of our number have moved away, and if their vacant seats can be filled again by some others’ taking hold of the truth, to the Lord be all the praise.

Last Sabbath, a Baptist minister, by the name of Hart, met with us. He was preaching in the neighborhood. There was no opposition. Our leader invited him to lead the meeting. He said, Conduct your meeting as usual, and I will follow. He prayed, and spoke twice. What the result will be, is unknown to us. He is an intelligent man, a reformed Catholic. We want the prayers of the brethren, that he may receive the truth.

We hope the Lord in his providence will send some of our ministers here soon, who will administer the ordinance of baptism, as some here are desiring it.

We are thankful for the publications, that we may be helps in the work of bringing some out on the truths of the Bible.