Kentucky and Tennessee Meetings Report
By S. Osborn
My last report was made at the close of the Hammondsville meeting, which it became necessary to suspend on account of the constant rain. July 31 and Aug. 1, met with the Sabbath-keepers at Locust Grove. The Lord blessed, both in preaching and in social meetings. One more signed the covenant to keep all of God's commandments. Aug. 4, commenced a protracted effort at Powder Mills. Brethren and sisters were present from Locust Grove, and aided much. The meeting increased in interest until the close. Sunday, the 8th, after a discourse on baptism, four were baptized. In the evening we had our farewell meeting. All present seemed much affected. There were more Sabbath-keepers present at this meeting than were ever before assembled in this State. Their heartfelt confessions and their streaming eyes told of the work of the Spirit upon their hearts. I never was in a meeting where the power of God was more sensibly felt. Praise his name! Worn in body and mind, I rested one day, and then started for Edgefield Junction, Tenn. The Sabbath-keepers there had had no preaching for about two years. Found the young very much discouraged. After speaking the first evening, I felt that my work there was for the Sabbath-keepers especially. I stayed until the 18th, laboring in prayer and social meetings, and giving close, practical discourses, until it was apparent to all that the Lord was moving upon hearts. Those that were discouraged made hearty confessions. It was truly affecting to see them plead with their unconverted friends. One brother and his wife came twenty-eight miles through the mud, traveling nearly all of one night to reach the place before the Sabbath. It was the first time they had ever heard a Seventh-day Adventist preach, and they drank in the precious truths of the third message with joy and eagerness. On first-day they were buried in baptism, giving every evidence of genuine conversion. Can not some aid be sent to Tennessee. Why cannot Bro. Butler or Bro. R. M. Kilgore come and spend the fall and winter in that State? Where are the consecrated young men who want to get an experience for themselves? The Sabbath-keepers there are as willing to aid the cause financially as they are anywhere in the north. But the drought last year and the rain this year have made the crops a failure, and they are embarrassed financially. I pray that the Lord will move the General Conference Committee to send this dear people help. While at this place, I learned that there were Sabbath-keepers in Ohio Co., Ky., near the falls of Rough. On my way from Tennessee, I met with the few at Locust Grove on the 21st; and on the 22d, in company with Bro. Barr, started on horseback for Ohio Co., Ky. Found five keeping the Sabbath, who were convinced by reading. Began lectures on the 25th. I never saw people more anxious to hear. I lectured in the daytime and evenings too, until nature gave way, and I suffered for eight days with a severe attack of chills and fever. I gave twelve discourses before I was obliged to give up. The people were very kind, and willing to do all they could for me, but they knew nothing of hygienic treatment. Quinine is their only remedy. By the aid of Bro. Porter, who had acquired some knowledge of our treatment by reading the Reformer, and the blessing of the Lord, the fever was broken, and on the 9th I rode ten miles to the cars. I rested at Bro. Barr's one night, and then rode 26 miles to Powder Mills. We had a very good meeting. Sunday I baptized nine. Two of them were colored people. This was the most joyous baptismal scene I ever witnessed. At this place twenty-two signed the covenant, and many more will soon. They have a good Sabbath-school and meeting every Sabbath. They have taken subscriptions to build a church. I reached home the 16th very much worn. I do not know how long I can endure laboring alone so constantly. May the Lord direct the mind of some consecrated minister to come South. S. OSBORN. Lynn, Greenup Co., Ky., Sept. 18, 1875.