NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.
Malignant opposition and unfavorable weather hindered the work at Watts Flats, yet some embraced the truth. Opposition has been much softened. We hope to return here in a few weeks. During the interim, we depend much on the Blockville friends to nurse and foster the interest. At Blockville, the M. E. minister, Eld. Leslie, took advantage of the opportunity afforded by a funeral service to berate us, and denounce the doctrine of the unconscious state of the dead. He declared it was impossible for us to love our dead; to do so would be to love a negation. Death was not a cessation of existence, or extinction of being; if it was, the omnipotent God himself never could raise any one. At the resurrection he might raise something else, but it could not be the person that died. Death was not the penalty of sin; for good, pretty little birds and innocent little children died, but, thank God, they did not cease to exist. His anger was so violent that he forgot to address the mourners until some minutes after he had concluded his sermon, when he seemed suddenly to remember it was a funeral occasion. This has aroused a furor of excitement, and a discussion of the question, “Mortal or immortal, which?” for the elder has a reputation for scholarly acquirements. We reviewed his discourse on the following Tuesday. It was generally conceded that the Bible is on our side. Eld. L. announced that he would preach on first-day, Dec. 23, on “Sunday the Holy Sabbath.” As he had postponed this discourse, and we expected if we remained he might again, we reviewed it before it was delivered, to an immense crowd, very many being unable to get into the building. The afternoon preceding the review of the undelivered sermon, three earnest, happy souls followed their Lord into the watery grave, and arose to walk in newness of life. The little company at Jamestown are humbly confiding in the blessed promises and pressing forward. The cause in Chautauqua Co. is onward. We now go to Clear Creek, thence home for a few days of rest, then to Orleans Co., expecting to return to Chautauqua Co. in about five weeks. Dear brethren and sisters, let us take fresh courage, and with the new year, with renewed patience and perseverance, and more entire consecration, redouble our labors. Scott Center and Stanton Hill, Pa.
The interest at Scott Center increases. The people buy tracts readily. At the last meeting I had several copies of the REVIEW and SIGNS, which were called for, and taken eagerly. I also sold ten Annuals as rapidly as I could hand them out, and could have sold more had I had them. I expect to speak to-morrow night on the Sabbath question, for the first time, although the people had known from the first that we observe the seventh day. By invitation, I commenced a course of lectures at Stanton Hill, four miles from Scott Center. Have spoken three times— each alternate evening—with a good attendance. The weather thus far has been very favorable for the meetings, there having been no snow either to blockade the roads or to set the people at work in the lumber woods, which would materially affect the attendance. It gives me courage and faith in the work to see people so willing and apparently anxious to hear the truth, and it is my earnest prayer that the Spirit of God may direct in the work here. My address is now, Island Pond, Wayne Co., Pa. E. W. WHITNEY. Pierrepont, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.
Since Eld. Hall left, two more have started to serve the Lord. The church here are learning some valuable lessons, and are greatly cheered in view of what the Lord has done for them in this series of meetings, in restoring union, and giving them some additions to their numbers. If they love as brethren, and are faithful, more will be added to them, such as shall be saved.