p. 46 | BUCK'S BRIDGE, N. Y by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 8, 1877

BUCK'S BRIDGE, N. Y.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Friday, Jan. 26, we came to Buck's Bridge. Bro. Hall, Wilbur, Wilcox, and S. B. Whitney, were here also. The weather was the finest and the sleighing the very best; so we had a good turnout from Hermon, Norfolk, Pierrepont, Silver Hill, Bangor, Gouverneur, &c. Our house was well filled. Some came in from the neighborhood. The friends were prompt in coming to meeting on time. We had freedom in preaching. Sabbath day there was deep feeling in the meeting. Sometimes nearly all were in tears.

There are more than a dozen young persons here, from fifteen to twenty years of age, the children of our people. They keep the Sabbath, respect the truth, and have good characters; but they are not Christians. All felt a deep anxiety for them, so we did all we could for them. Most of them came forward for prayers, though some would not; but I did not see them manifest the deep feeling that was needed. Monday I talked with many of them, each alone, and was much encouraged. Then we had a special meeting with them alone. It was a blessed season. They broke down with tears and weeping. All but one arose and took a stand for Christ. Then most of them prayed. Some who would not yield before did now.

Tuesday a full load of us went nine miles to Chase's Mills, where is a branch of the Buck's Bridge church. The Spirit of God helped us mightily. Four more made a good start here. We all praised God and rejoiced. There was not a dry eye in the house. One brother who has been a slave to tobacco made a most solemn vow to leave it forever at any cost. I preached in the school-house in the evening.

I could not feel it was right to leave a work so well begun right here, lest much be lost; so Eld. Wilbur will remain a week to follow it up, and the third Sabbath I shall come back. Duty requires this, though other parts of the field have to wait.

Sunday we took up S. B. and the T. and M. work. All took a part, raising their pledge considerably. They voted to give a third as much more for the T. and M. work. We got thirty-eight subscribers for our College paper.

Monday we had a good business meeting. One was expelled, and one received. Bro. Hilliard was elected and ordained elder of the church. It was voted to hold a two days' meeting the first Sabbath and Sunday in each quarter, beginning with January. At this meeting every name on the church book will be read, and each member inquired after, S. B. will be settled up, and the ordinances celebrated. I believe this will prove of great benefit to the church, if carried out.

Bro. S. B. Whitney has been with me thus far, but he goes into a new field now with Bro. Wilcox. Bro. W. is an able speaker. So far as this is concerned, there is no lack. He ought to be a first-class laborer, making a stir wherever he goes. When his consecration, life, and energy, are equal to his ability, he will be certain of success.

Come, brethren in New York, let us wake up and make things move, and let the devil and the world know that we are here.

D. M. Canright.