Cattaraugus, N. Y by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 29, 1870

Cattaraugus, N. Y.

By R. F. Cottrell

Our monthly meeting at East Otto was encouraging. The weather was fine throughout. There were good delegations from Randolph, Dayton, and Perrysburg, and one from Springville, Erie Co. There were upwards of twenty Sabbath-keepers present, and a good interest in the neighborhood to come out to hear. Bro. Reynolds was present, according to appointment, and the word was listened to with deep attention. Our social meetings were excellent. The work is evidently deepening in the hearts of the believers; and I am encouraged to hope that the cause will move forward in this region, which is a new field.

I remain here at Otto a little longer, to help the believers, and labor for the conversion of the young that are striving to keep the commandments, but have not openly professed their faith in Christ. I am anxious to see them establish family and Sabbath worship before I leave them, so that the light which is kindled on this hill shall be kept burning.

The opposition are aroused, and an attack was to have been made at long range last evening. An appointment was given out for a discourse in favor of Sunday, at the village, three miles and a half from here. We turned out to hear it, but were disappointed. Sickness of the expected speaker was the alleged cause. We were sorry, as it deprived us of the opportunity of distributing a bundle of tracts which we carried. The large congregation which we hoped to see there did not come out, for they had been informed that the speaker would not come.

The tongue of slander is at work. Some, whom both the Baptists and Methodists had shown an eagerness to gain to their churches, being highly esteemed in the community as being of real worth and commanding influence, embraced the truth, and immediately rumor is busy with slanderous report to smut their character and kill their influence. But it recoils upon the heads of its inventors and propagators.

“None of these things move me.” It is what we may expect. Those that are chosen out of the world, the world hates. So it was, and so it is.

May God give wisdom to his servants, and speed his work. R. F. Cottrell.