MEETINGS IN OHIO by H. A. St. John

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 20, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 48, No. 4.

MEETINGS IN OHIO.

By H. A. St. John

GILBOA.

Held meetings with this little company of believers June 13, 14. Organized a church of thirteen members; baptized five. Bro. F. H. Clymer was chosen and ordained elder, and Bro. James Radabaugh, deacon. We set things in order as well as we could. May this company strive together for the faith of the gospel. Only a few years ago there was a large church of our people in this place; but through apostasy, removals, deaths, etc., it lost its identity, so that for several years the Gilboa church has been unknown to our Conference. Now that the organization is revived, we trust it may let its light so shine as to form a nucleus around which may be gathered a large society. We expect one tent’s company from Gilboa this year at the Ohio Camp-meeting.

MENDON.

Here we had our meetings in the U. B. church, near Bro. Van Eman’s, except one held at the residence of the elder. There is some interest to hear the truth, which is manifested by the people’s coming out to meeting in the day time on laboring days. There are a few souls here that we trust will soon be added to the church. At the Ohio camp-meeting we expect one tent, at least, from Mendon.

HAMLER.

Here a few persons professed the faith last winter under Bro. Butler’s labors. Four or five of these appear to be growing in the truth, while others have turned away. We expected to form an organization here, but it did not seem prudent, and this was the judgment of the brethren, also. Three were baptized. Those who were ready united with the Defiance church, the nearest organization. We expect a tent’s company will be at our camp-meeting from Hamler.

LEMARTS.

At this point several were brought into the truth during the latter part of the winter by Bro. Butler. We were sorry to learn that a part of this company had given up the truth entirely, in one or two cases never having kept a single Sabbath after they were baptized. Some of the number cannot read, and unless they are soundly converted to God, and learn to read for themselves, we fear they cannot stand long in the ranks of unpopular reformers. But the good seed sown by Bro. B. we think will not all be lost. There are something like a half dozen souls for whom we entertain much hope. Organization could not be effected here. Those in condition united with the Defiance church till something better can be done for them. They have Bible-class and Sabbath-meetings. We strengthened them what we could. Hope to see some of this company at our camp-meeting.

H. A. ST. JOHN.

Clyde, Ohio, July 7, 1876.