EAST OTTO, N. Y by R. L. Whitney

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 1, 1877

EAST OTTO, N. Y.

By R. L. Whitney

Our meeting at this place, Jan. 13 and 14, was nearly a failure so far as the attendance from other parts of the district was concerned, only two brethren from other localities being present. The reason for this was the extreme depth of snow, which makes the roads almost impassable for teams. In fact, the two brethren mentioned came on foot, and travel through the county for any great distance is nearly suspended.

The snow is four feet deep on a level, and in many places is much more than this in the roads. Still we did not feel that the effort was entirely lost. Fifty-seven dollars were donated to the Tract Society, and several subscriptions taken for our periodicals. Arrangements were made with two canvassers who will immediately go out to engage in this work.

The brethren here as elsewhere are anxious to have Bro. Canright visit them; and I feel myself exceedingly desirous that he should do so, and yet should not deem it advisable unless it can be under circumstances such that there can be a general attendance of the brethren from all parts of the district. I think there is not a district in the State where they are so much in need of a general meeting as here.

There are a good many Sabbath-keepers in the district; but they are scattered in a number of localities, a few in each place, so that it would require much time and labor to visit each company and accomplish for them what might be done in a single meeting if the brethren will make the necessary effort to get together.

It certainly will require a good deal of effort to accomplish this, as many will have to go from twenty to thirty miles to reach a general meeting, and at this season of the year to make arrangements for leaving home long enough to make such a journey, attend a two or three days’ meeting, and return, is quite an undertaking; and yet, unless the brethren are willing to do this, I fear they will have to forego the pleasure of a visit from Bro. C., and thus lose the benefits of his labors.

There are also special reasons besides the one I have named why it seems absolutely important that we have a general rally at some one point, which probably would be the only meeting held in the district. What do the scattered brethren say to this? Will they decide that nothing of a trivial nature will hinder them from attending such a meeting if it shall be appointed?

The interest they manifest in this matter will have much to do in deciding whether we have a meeting or not. I shall be glad to hear from those interested at Rome, N. Y.

R. L. WHITNEY.

Randolph, N. Y., Jan. 16.