MEETINGS IN OHIO by H. A. St. John

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 24, 1876

MEETINGS IN OHIO.

By H. A. St. John

TROY.

Was with the church in Troy from Jan. 6-10. This is but a small church, and some of the members live at a distance from the place of meetings. All our meetings but one were held at the house of the elder. We tried to encourage and build them up, and we feel assured that our labor was not in vain in the Lord. The interests of the T. & M. Society were considered, and all the members promised to labor and report. Systematic Benevolence had been entirely neglected, excepting by two or three individuals. We arranged S. B. for 1876, amounting to $172.12, while others not present will increase this somewhat. Some new ones became deeply interested in the truth. We left them much encouraged.

BELLVILLE.

From Jan. 13-18, was with the church in Bellville. Here we have a small meeting-house. This church numbers twenty-five, having had three additions since camp-meeting, but of this number several have moved away. Nearly all the members of this society are sisters, and they have never had any ordained officers. Bro. N. Grant will act as deacon and elder. Organized S. B. for 1876, amounting to $262.60. From the interest manifested by the public, it would seem that a course of lectures would result in additions to their number. We left them encouraged. May God bless, and build them up in the most holy faith.

WATERFORD.

Jan. 21-26, with the Waterford church. Before coming here, however, I spent two days two miles south of Mt. Vernon, where Bro. Mann had been giving a course of lectures with some interest. I spoke twice to attentive listeners. May God give Bro. M. success in this effort. At Waterford, the nights were dark and the roads very muddy, so we had but one night meeting. For three days we were in meeting most of the time during daylight. These meetings were interesting, and, we trust, very profitable to the church. An elder

was ordained, another deacon appointed, and S. B. organized for 1876, amounting to $261.56. Here are strong brethren, and if they only dwell together in union, they will have an influence for great good. May they strive together for the faith of the gospel.

APPLETON.

Jan. 27-31, was with the church at Appleton. This church has been greatly weakened by removals. There are eighteen members left, and these are divided into two small companies more than twenty miles apart, making it necessary to have two meetings. The roads were extremely bad, so that we had but one evening meeting, but tried to improve the time through the day. An elder was ordained, a deacon chosen, and S. B. organized for 1876, amounting to $132.68. But two meetings were held with the public, but the attendance and interest was such as to point out this as a good place just now for a short series of meetings. We left them feeling that good had been done.

BOWERSVILLE.

From Feb. 3-7, with the church at Bowersville. By removals, deaths, and apostasy, this church has been greatly reduced. It now consists of two very small companies about eighteen miles apart, with a few scattered ones. Their elder has moved away, another family to a distant part of the State, while two families have moved to Michigan. Our meetings each evening, and once on Sunday, were held in the Disciple church in the village, and the attendance and attention were very good indeed. There was manifested considerable interest to hear. Fortunately, we had some snow while here, so that we went to all the meetings excepting the last in sleighs. The meetings for the church were held at the house of Bro. Lucas, and they were seasons of deep interest. Organized S. B. for 1876; but the amount we failed to get before the treasurer returned to his home. But so far as those present were concerned, there was quite a liberal response. New courage seemed to spring up in every heart.

Spent two days with the few Sabbath-keepers at Yellow Springs. Here the Lutherans had meetings in progress, and the minister in charge, Eld. Peters, invited me to speak, which I did both evenings, and it is thought that this opportunity removed much prejudice against our people. The way seems to be opening here for the present truth.

We have elected church clerks and treasurers, and had the ordinances with all the churches named above. Systematic Benevolence has been organized and increased in each place. We think upon the whole that a good work has been done among the churches in Ohio. Confidence appears to be returning, which is very necessary to the prosperity of the cause. We hope to see a good work done in our Conference the coming season. H. A. St. John.