NEW YORK | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 5, 1877

NEW YORK.

Parma.

Tuesday, March 20, I came to Parma, where Brn. S. B. and Buel Whitney were laboring. This is about eleven miles northwest of Rochester, and eight miles from where the Parma church meets. Brother Tracy has lived there about ten years. It is a little village in a very rich and densely settled country. Last year a large school building came into brother Tracy’s possession. This he fitted up for meetings, and asked for a minister to come. Eld. S. B. Whitney went. From the first the interest has been good, much better than was expected. Indeed, they have had the house filled, and the best of attention has been given.

Brother Whitney has done all in his power to make it a success. He went from house to house, skipping none, whether they attended or not. Some received him coolly; but many of these afterwards began to attend his meetings, and now are the most hopeful of any. I believe that this course should always be pursued, unless it is in a large village or city, where it cannot be done. Brother Tracy has spared no pains to help all he could, and the brethren around have done well in attending. I staid one week, and had a good attendance. Quite a number of subscribers have been obtained for the REVIEW, some books sold, and several have decided to keep the Sabbath. But now the real tug of war has come, and probably the audience will be small. The Baptists have commenced an opposition meeting. Last night an Elder from abroad treated Brother Whitney very uncivilly, and is boasting big things. We always expect something will be done when the enemy is mad. Brother Hall has just come to help a week or two.

Monday I held meeting all day with the Parma church. Nearly all were present, and we had a very pleasant time. After considering s. b., they raised their pledge sixty dollars above last year. It is now higher than it ever was before, although several have moved away, and others have died. Then they cheerfully added the third for T. and M. I was surprised to find that this old church had no record at all. They simply had a slip of paper with barely a list of the names—not a date or a mark of any kind. It seems to me that ministers do not do their duty in leaving things so at loose ends. Nearly all this church are quite aged people.

We have good news from the different parts of N. Y. A letter just received from Rome says, “We had a good meeting last Sabbath. About eighty present, and a good number bore testimony. Last evening our little prayer meeting room was nearly filled. Had a lively meeting. All but three took part.” Thank the Lord for this. Bro. Reynolds, just from Genoa, reports a good meeting. Seven young persons baptized, and two others united with the church, and all greatly encouraged.

Bro. Buel Whitney writes that Bro. Morin has just brought out a company of ten firm in the truth. All that is good also. And Bro. Hall reports over twenty new Sabbath-keepers at Canasaraga. And better still, quite a number of our prominent and wealthy brethren in the State, who have been somewhat in the dark and on the background, are now taking hold with us in good earnest again. We do praise God for these tokens of good in New York. Brethren all over the Conference, let us rise up and work with a might, and come up to the help of the Lord. Several young men are now ready to enter the field, and some have already begun. Pray for them.

D. M. Canright.

Parma.

The interest here is as good as ever. Bro. Canright joined me Tuesday evening, and remained until last evening. We have had the largest audiences of the whole course during the past week. Have had another good Sabbath meeting, and several have now decided for the truth. Have obtained twelve names for the REVIEW.

The Baptists have now arranged to start a protracted meeting here.

S. B. Whitney.

Genoa, Cayuga Co.

Arrived here Mar. 13. Held meetings at the Methodist church, East Genoa. Bro. Canright joined me on the 16th. On Sabbath an especial effort was made in behalf of children of Sabbath-keepers. Seven came forward for prayers. Bro. C. plainly and forcibly pointed out the duty of experienced Christians toward those just starting to serve the Lord—the absolute need to teach them how to live the truth, so that they would grow in grace and knowledge, by daily, actual practice of religious duties. This was meat in due season.

First-day, at the business meeting, Bro. C. gave a cheering report of the progress of the work in New York; and as he unfolded the broad plans of future labor marked out for this Conference, all were greatly encouraged, and manifested their appreciation by nearly doubling their s. b. and promptly voting to give a sum equal to one-third of their s. b. to the T. and M. Society. Bro. C.’s greatly improved method of keeping s. b., T. and M., and church record books, met most hearty approval. Our day meetings at the homes of the brethren were of great benefit. A spirit of self-sacrifice and genuine devotion prevailed. Family worship, which in some cases had been partially neglected, or regarded as a hard duty, became a delightsome privilege. Thursday, Mar. 22, I baptized seven, and admitted two more to church membership by vote.

Sabbath, Mar. 24, we had a very interesting Sabbath meeting. Converts from oldest to youngest, each prayed, and bore testimony. We started a Bible-class. All took hold with eagerness.

Our heart is filled with gratitude to the Lord for the evidences of his blessing on the work in this State. Brethren, let us redouble our diligence, and press forward.

Chas. B. Reynolds.