NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.
Wellsville, N. Y., Jan. 15.
OUR tract society meeting at this place, Jan. 12 and 13, was an occasion of great interest. The attendance from the different parts of the district was not large, owing to the bad condition of the roads and the fact that there had been a general gathering only three weeks previous, at the dedication of our new house of worship here. Yet those who were here felt that indeed we had a profitable meeting, and that the Spirit of the Lord was with us in good measure. The church quarterly meeting for this church was held in connection with this meeting, and nearly all the members of the church were present. Systematic benevolence was re-organized to the amount of $150. This will be increased by those absent to nearly or quite $200. Every member of the church present, who had not already done so, joined the tract society. We have never seen a better interest manifested in the tract work than at this time. The brethren from Niles Hill, although five miles distant, were here promptly at our morning meetings at 9 o’clock A. M. Five or six young sisters will go out immediately as canvassers. Two of them commence to-day to make a thorough canvass of the village for the REFORMER and INSTRUCTOR. Since Conference a large share of my time has been employed in the work on the church here, but I now intend, in company with Bro. Hall, to visit most of the churches in the State and labor for a revival of interest in the tract work, which has, for a long time, received but little attention. We are very thankful that the brethren have not lost their interest altogether, and that where we have been they are taking hold of the work with new zeal and energy. May the Lord grant us his blessing and give success to the work. As Bro. D. B. Welch had resigned his office as director of Dist. No. 10, the brethren, by unanimous vote, recommended that Bro. D. C. Phillips be appointed to fill the vacancy. Pulaski and Adams Center, N. Y.
From Rome I came to Pulaski, Jan. 7, and spent three days, speaking each evening. It being the week of prayer, and the weather continuing unfavorable, the attendance from outside was not large, but those that came were interested. The new friends of the cause are taking hold in earnest, signing liberally on S. B. and the one-third, and for the SIGNS for the use of the Vigilant Missionary Society which has been formed. The meeting at Adams Center the 12th and 13th, was, in some respects, an excellent one. The weather and traveling were such that but few came from other parts of the district, and I was called away on the Sabbath to attend a funeral; but most of those present seemed to feel their lack of zeal and union. Confessions were made, difficulties were removed, and the Spirit of the Lord came in as in former times. One brother said he had not seen so good a spirit on the part of the majority for two years. If they come up on the missionary work as they ought to do, they may expect the blessing of the Lord; for he has shown his willingness to bestow it. The matter of the expected Biblical Institute was considered, and a vote taken to invite it to Adams Center; and this action was backed up by a pledge of the brethren of that church to entertain, free of charge, those that attend, to the number of fifty or sixty. Haight School-House, N. Y., Jan. 14.
We closed our meetings here Sabbath, the 12th. The attendance has been good throughout, although the weather and roads have been unfavorable. Six or eight are keeping the Sabbath, and there is still a good interest, which we shall follow up by frequent visits through the winter. We attended the church quarterly meeting at Mannsville on the Sabbath, and the Pulaski business meeting on first-day. The brethren and sisters manifested a commendable zeal in the work, pledging liberally on the S. B. fund and the one-third. We organized a Vigilant Missionary Society of six members, and a club of eighteen copies of the SIGNS was ordered for their use. The report of labor in the tract society was very encouraging, and, on the whole, we consider it one of the best and most profitable business meetings we ever attended. Next Sunday we commence a course of lectures at the Blakeman school-house, about two miles from Pine Meadows, my first field of labor. Scott Center, Pa., Jan. 14.
ALTHOUGH the weather the past week has been somewhat unfavorable for the meetings here, yet the interest still continues. Sunday evening we had the largest, and apparently the most interested audience we have had since the meetings commenced. Have spent all the time I could in visiting from house to house. Four have fully decided to keep the Sabbath, and many are convinced, some of whom, I expect, will yet obey.