p. 15 | MONROE CO., NEW YORK by Chas. B. Reynolds

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 13, 1876

MONROE CO., NEW YORK.

By Chas. B. Reynolds

For some years, all efforts to present the truth in the vicinity of the Parma church have proved vain. Trials, errors, and causes of grief, had so scorched over the ground that the seeds of truth, if scattered, could not germinate. It seemed, the majority of the members being very aged and infirm, that the church must die out. During the past year the little company have made very earnest efforts to arise, and get above these difficulties. Each honest heart has prayed for help to come out of self, and has sought by love to God and one another to attain such a position that God could bless them.

The death of a little child, poisoned by an overdose of laudanum, resulted in my being solicited to preach the funeral sermon. God blessed the occasion to the awakening of an interest among the lowly in this neighborhood. At their solicitation, I consented to hold one meeting, not expecting over a dozen would attend; but the house was filled, and we continued night after night, despite severe weather, deep mud, and darkness.

For the first two weeks, Methodists, Free Methodists, and Baptists, all joined with us, and testified to being revived, and that God's Spirit was with us. Much good was done by a removal of prejudice. Many who had utterly refused to hear before, obtained a clear understanding of the reasons of our faith and hope. Each night some came forward for prayers. But I found some declaring their sins pardoned without a knowledge of what sin was, and claiming repentance without understanding what repentance implied. As the Lord helped in making plain the binding force and obligation of the law, the nominal professors used their influence against the truth; yet the Lord continued to bless. Held meetings five weeks. Last Sabbath, despite the intense cold, we cut a hole in the ice, and two happy souls were buried in the likeness of our Lord's death, and arose to walk in newness of life. There are several who have embraced the truth, and we hope they will have made such advancement as to be prepared to join the church by baptism on our return.

Dear brethren and sisters, let us look up. Let not doubts, fears, or discouragement fill our hearts. God is good. He will bless labor done solely for his honor and glory. Let us have faith. God loves us—cares for us.

CHAS. B. REYNOLDS.

Knapp's Corners, N. Y.