NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.
Tent No. 2, Newfane, N. Y., July 1.
The interest in our meeting is increasing. The attendance is large on an average, and last evening the tent was crowded, and a hundred or more were seated outside on the fence and in carriages. Opposition discourses were given in both the churches in the morning on the immortality question, and all came to the tent in the evening to hear the other side. The Methodist minister came with his church, but the Baptist minister appointed a special praise-meeting in his church; but when the time came no one was seen to go to the church but the elder and his wife, and the sexton, and he came to the tent after ringing the bell, so that the elder was left “alone in his glory.” It is evident that the hold of the ministers on the people is loosening, as it must more and more as the truth gains in power. The Lord gives good freedom in advocating and defending the truth. To his name be all the praise. S. B. Whitney. Tent No. 10, Oswayo, Pa., July 1.
The first week we were here, the weather was so unfavorable that we were obliged to take up our appointment for three evenings. This served to make our attendance quite small during the past week, although the weather has been very fine. But the attendance and interest are gradually increasing. Three have already decided to keep the Sabbath. The majority of the people seem to be our friends, and our temporal wants are well provided for. Eld. A. C. Spicer, of Battle Creek, Mich., joined us last week and is aiding in the work. We expect that, with the blessing of God, a good work will be accomplished here. E. W. Whitney. H. E. Robinson. Tent No. 3, South Harrisburg, N. Y.
We are still having large congregations almost every night. Last evening the tent would not hold the people, although it was in the middle of the week. We are now giving the close, testing truths of our message. The ministers are becoming alarmed for the safety of their flocks, and are warning them to keep away from the tent. Bro. and Sr. Henry Williams are now with us, and assist very much in singing; they also have an organ. Jacob Wilbur. A. P. Bump. Tent No. 7, Sabinsville, Tioga Co., Pa.
We have now been here two weeks. The interest is increasing. Fully three hundred were in attendance last evening. We are now speaking on the Sabbath question. Five have embraced the Sabbath, and we expect others will soon. We were challenged for a discussion by Eld. Wilson, an Age-to-come Adventist. Question: Resolved that the Scriptures teach that probation continues after Christ’s second coming. Bro. Wilcox accepted the challenge. The discussion was held in the afternoon, in the tent. The truth gained a glorious victory. The discussion has helped us much, and we look for a good work to be done. T. M. Lane. July 1. Tent No. 4, Brushton, N. Y., July 1.
The opposition of Eld. C. Pike, a no-law Adventist, has been met, and the truth has gained a complete victory. The shepherds here became alarmed for their flocks, and not feeling able to defend their doctrines before the people, Eld. Pierce, a minister of the Christian Church, telegraphed to Eld. Pike to come and oppose us and our work. He spoke against us in the Christian church, and then challenged us to a discussion, which we accepted before a large audience that had assembled to hear our review of his sermon. He then backed down squarely, and claimed he had not time. We suggested that there were others who could discuss the question, and as Eld. Pierce, who was present, had been urging on the debate, he was just the man to take it up; but he failed to respond, and so their effort to either scare us or drive us from the field resulted in a total failure. Although this opposition has run our meetings of late in a different channel, and has delayed the decisions of some, yet the prospect at present is more encouraging than at any previous time. In our meetings yesterday there was great solemnity and the marked presence of the Spirit of God. M. H. Brown. H. H. Wilcox.