p. 62 | GOUVERNEUR, N. Y by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 22, 1877

GOUVERNEUR, N. Y.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Bro. Hall and I came to Gouverneur, Wednesday, Feb. 7, and spent two days. There are about a dozen believers here, some in the village and the others about six miles out. Our meetings were held in the country. Had a good audience the first night, and more the next. They paid good attention. Several are just on the fence here,—almost decided to obey. Two decided to keep the Sabbath at this meeting. Others came out but a few weeks ago. It seemed hard to leave such an interest. Ten days' labor would evidently double their numbers. They pleaded hard for us to remain or come back soon.

A very wealthy man here, after fighting the truth with all his might, at last came out and embraced it. His good wife is now almost decided to keep the Sabbath too. He has two stores in Canton, where he will immediately fit up a hall for lectures and meetings. Here is another opening. Who will enter it? That's the trouble. Rich openings everywhere in New York, but where are the energetic, successful preachers to enter them?

We organized a church here, and also S. B. amounting to $65.

ROSSIE.

Friday, Feb. 9, we came about a dozen miles to Rossie. This interest was raised about one year ago, mostly by Bro. Wilcox. We found about fifteen keeping the Sabbath. The house was full the first evening, crowded the next night, and literally packed the last night. The very best of attention was given to the word spoken. Sabbath day we had a very good meeting. Several came forward for prayers. I also spoke on many practical duties. Sunday morning all were out early, and I spoke to the church an hour. Then the house was full, and I spoke an hour on the signs of the times. Went to Sr. Wilcox' for a business meeting; but such a crowd came that I spoke to them. Six offered themselves for baptism, one was a young man of twenty, son of our leader at Gouverneur. Here he decided to be a Christian, and began in good earnest, speaking, praying, &c. Another was a good little girl of nine years. She had been a faithful Christian for some time. Another was a school-teacher who has recently embraced the Sabbath and given his heart to the Lord. He now desires to enter our College. The others were young married people.

Three persons fully decided to keep the Sabbath, and several whole families are deeply interested and almost persuaded to take hold. I feel certain that a week's earnest effort would nearly double this church. Why should I leave such an interest? Yet I must, to fill my appointments. The same thing has occurred so many times this winter that I decide hereafter to remain in a place till my work is done if I don't get half over the State this year.

I am much surprised and greatly encouraged to find such rich and promising fields of labor in this State. I have never found better anywhere. I feel sad and burdened that we have not a dozen or twenty live, energetic workers to fill a tithe of the urgent calls for help. Something must be done for this State, and if God helps us, it shall be done soon.

We had a pleasant baptism.

D. M. CANRIGHT.