Smethport, Pa., Tent No 4.
By J. G. Saunders
We came to McKean Co., Pa., pitched our tent in a farming community three miles below Smethport, and held our first meeting, June 19, with a congregation of forty, which soon ran up to one hundred and fifty. During the week, we had from sixty to one hundred. Those that came seemed deeply interested. Fifteen decided that the Sabbath of the Lord was binding, and they were under obligations to keep it. We received strong invitations to come to Smethport, with the tent. This we concluded to do. The interest here was greater and the attendance larger, averaging from one hundred to two hundred and fifty. Here we had no disturbance. Twelve pledged themselves to keep the commandments, and a greater number acknowledge the force of our arguments, and say they believe we are right. Among them are the best lawyers in the town, and also doctors. An infidel offered to give us a building lot on which to erect a meeting-house; another man would give $50 in work on it, and so on. Smethport is the county seat of McKean Co., and the inhabitants are good and intelligent. If a good, efficient laborer should come here, one that has had experience in the work of the message, by the help of God he might raise up a large church. We closed our meetings here the 25th inst., by forming a class of twenty-three Sabbath-keepers within a distance of three and one-half miles. Five of the above number belonged to the Port Allegany church. Some of those that have taken their stand will have sore persecutions for a while, and they need the prayers of God's dear children. Bro. Geo. D. Ballou and wife left here August 17, for N. Y. And I go to Norwich, ten miles from here.