SILVER HILL, N. Y by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 15, 1877

SILVER HILL, N. Y.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Bro. Hall and I spent Feb. 3 to 6 at Silver Hill. It is one of our new churches raised up lately by Bro. Taylor and Hall. There are about fifteen or twenty Sabbath-keepers here, all in the prime of life. They have an excellent school-house for their meetings. The friends came in from Pierrepont, Hermon, and Frie, so that we had the house full. There was also a good representation of the neighbors. Weather fine.

Sabbath morning, ten came forward for prayers. Nine of them arose and fully decided to become Christians. This rejoiced us all. After a searching, practical discourse in the afternoon, we had a most melting social meeting. Many hearty confessions were made, wet down with tears. Nearly every one took part. We felt very happy. A Bro. and Sr. Russ, an excellent couple, for whom we have been hoping a year, here took a decided stand for the Sabbath. God blessed them in the act, and the little church praised the Lord.

Sunday the house was crowded all day. In this county there are several new churches and a lot of children and young people. I have seen about thirty of these make a profession of religion in the last ten days. This looks encouraging. Quite a number of these young persons are preparing to go to our College at Battle Creek. This county ought to send a dozen there immediately.

Also there are some brethren in these churches, who could be useful in the message if they would devote themselves to the work. New York is in distressing need of a new generation of preachers,—men of life, stir, and pushing energy. I don't know of so rich and so easy a field in all the cause.

I am sorry to report that many of our new friends in this county are very much in fault in the matter of dress and lack of sacrifice for the cause. Jewelry, feathers, and fashion, are painfully common. And worse still, I have found a dozen tobacco-users here, most of them in the church. Somebody hasn't done his duty in these matters. The standard has been let down altogether too low. We bore a plain testimony on these points. Good confessions were made. If these things cannot be put away, they must not be taken into the church; and if in, how can they expect to remain there? We must do this, or yield the ground entirely.

Tuesday the church came together for a business meeting. All took hold well. Systematic Benevolence was raised from $30 to $104 per year, all being voted to the Conference. Then they voted a third as much for the T. and M. work. Harvey Dana was ordained elder, and Stephen Cobb, deacon. Other matters of importance were attended to. Bro. Hall is with me. We are of good health and good hope.

D. M. CANRIGHT.