PENNSYLVANIA by Chas. B. Reynolds

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 3, 1877

PENNSYLVANIA

By Chas. B. Reynolds

By advice of Bro. Canright, in company with Bro. I. G. Saunders, I have made the tour of McKean County, seeking out, encouraging, and gathering in, the scattered ones. We visited all in the vicinity of Roulette, Farmer’s Valley, and Texas, and held meetings at each of these places; and although the notice was very short, we found good attendance and an earnest desire to hear. Urgent appeals were made for us to remain or come again. A course of lectures should be given at each of these places. I think it could not fail to add quite a number to the scattered few who through long years of discouragement have held on to the truth. Pennsylvania is an excellent field. There is a readiness to hear; and those who do embrace the truth take hold whole-hearted, promptly adopt the health reform, putting away the use of tobacco, and other bad habits, more readily than in any field where I have labored.

Bro. Saunders has done good work here. He has gained the hearts of the people, and seems peculiarly adapted to this section. He is sound on every point of truth. What he lacks in ability and experience he makes up in energy, throwing his whole soul into the work, with an enthusiasm that is contagious, inspiring hope and confidence in all. We hope the Conference will let him have a tent to use in this section the coming season, and we shall be much surprised if he does not, under the blessing of God, bring in a good report.

Sabbath, April 21st, meeting at Grimes’ settlement. This will be the head quarters of the Port Allegheny church. Weather unfavorable. Five who desired baptism were unable to be present. Organized Sabbath-school and Bible class the preceding Sabbath. At this meeting there were two large classes of youth in Sabbath-school and thirty adults in Bible class. This was a meeting long to be remembered in this section. Fifteen were added to the church. Five were baptized. About $50 was added to S. B. Ordained Bro. Wm. Wetmore, deacon. On first-day I laid before them the claims of the T. and M. Society. We did not organize, desiring to consult the president of the Conference. I hope he may attend personally, and make this a distinct Pennsylvania district.

We leave the friends here rejoicing in a fully organized, strong church. All expressed gratitude to Bro. Canright for help afforded. They were especially pleased with his admirable plan of holding church quarterly meetings, when all must report, bringing each case before the church four times a year. This affords especial hope and consolation to the lonely and scattered ones. Bright days are dawning for Pennsylvania. Let us redouble our diligence, and pray for especial blessings on the work in Pennsylvania. CHAS. B. REYNOLDS.