NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.
Tent No. 2, Newfane, N. Y., July 29.
The Wesleyan minister spoke in the tent as appointed, and I reviewed him the next evening. Not being satisfied with his effort, he appointed to speak again in the M. E. church the next Sunday morning. When the time came, the Baptists offered their house, as it was larger, and the congregations united. An appointment was made for the same man in the same house in the evening, and there was quite a feeling of triumph among the opposition. But we went right along with our appointment, having previously announced a review of the morning discourse for the evening, and when evening came our tent was full and there was a large crowd outside; the Lord gave us another victory for the truth. The opposition are very quiet to-day, but are hoping for something from a Free Methodist minister, one of their best, who is announced to speak in the Baptist church evening after the Sabbath next. Tent No. 8, Osceola, Pa., July 29.
We have now given twelve discourses and are about to introduce the Sabbath question. The attendance and interest have been on the increase. The Presbyterian minister announced to his congregation yesterday, that next Sunday he would tell them about the men that have “turned the world upside down.” And a temperance lecturer, a Methodist minister, went so far out of the way of his subject as to say that nine of the ten commandments have been brought over into the Christian dispensation; that those who do not keep the first day of the week deny Christ; and that there ought to be a law to send tramps back into the communities whence they came. So we think we hear the sound of war in the elements. But our trust is in God, who can give victory to his truth. The people are kind, contributing to our temporal wants. May God bless and save them. J. W. Raymond. D. T. Fero. Tent No. 7, Sabinsville, Tioga Co., Pa.
We close our meetings in this place to-night. Have given forty-five discourses, of which Elds. B. L. Whitney and A. H. Hall gave six. Bro. Hall buried six in baptism Sunday. It was a lovely and solemn scene. Eight have joined the class. Fifteen, in all, have taken a stand on the commandments. Some are afraid to move out on our belief, as it is rather new. The times are very dull here, as there are no enterprises of any note in this vicinity. Our book sales have been small. To-morrow we pitch our tent at Little Marsh, a small village six miles from here. M. C. Wilcox. July 30. T. M. Lane. Tent No. 6, Farmington, Warren Co., Pa.
We have erected our tent in the quiet little village of Farmington. Commenced meetings the 20th inst. Our congregations average about one hundred. There seems to be some interest, though we have given but four discourses. We expect and earnestly desire the blessing of God upon our efforts, and to this end crave the prayers of all who feel an interest in the cause of God. Our P. O. address is Lander, Warren Co., Pa. Tent No. 10, Oswayo, Pa., July 29.
Since our last report the work here has steadily progressed. July 20 and 21 our meetings were of a very encouraging nature. Elds. B. L. Whitney and A. H. Hall were present, and their help was indeed timely. Many of our brethren from abroad were also present, which was encouraging to us all. Several have since decided to obey the truth, and the interest seems to be extending and increasing. Our last Sabbath meeting was a very encouraging one. There were about fifty present, all of them new friends of the cause. We were very much pleased to hear the expressions of strong determination, on the part of those who bore testimony, to live out the truth faithfully. Our closing meeting last evening was especially interesting. We had the largest and most interested congregation we have had since we have been here. We find the truth has many warm friends outside of those who have begun to obey it, as well as some bitter enemies. The matter of building a church is being talked quite strongly, even among those who, at present, are not especially interested in our work, and many offer to help in the enterprise if we decide to build. We believe that with proper effort a church can be put up and be paid for by the friends in this immediate vicinity by winter. We are allowed the use of the school-house for the present, where we expect to hold Sabbath meetings and a Bible-class each Sabbath until tent season is over. We take down our tent to-day, and expect to pitch it in Coudersport, fourteen miles from this place. Coudersport is the county seat of Potter county, and a town of about one thousand inhabitants. About twenty are keeping the Sabbath, and there are others who we confidently hope will soon decide to keep it. E. W. Whitney. H. E. Robinson. East Martinsburgh, Lewis Co., N. Y.
We have held one meeting in this place. The tent is located about four rods from the depot, the president of the Utica and Black River R. R. having very kindly offered us the use of the ground free of charge. We still keep up our meetings at South Harrisburgh, one of us attending there two days out of every week. There seems to be a fair prospect for a good church of substantial members at that place. One more strong man has commenced to keep the Sabbath at Otter Creek. The church at that place is gaining ground. We have just received a letter from Eld. C. H. Williams, a minister who has been for years an honored member of the society of first-day Adventists, who visited our tent for a few days some weeks ago, and seemed anxious to know the truth in regard to the sanctuary, the third angel’s message, etc. He is a man of considerable influence in this county, having lived here several years and baptized quite a large number of converts to the first message. The following private letter speaks for itself. We gave him quite a number of books and tracts, among them Eld. U. Smith’s late work on the “Sanctuary,” which opened his eyes. (We wish it could be in the hands of every minister in the land.) He expects to attend our camp-meeting this fall. Brethren, give him your prayers and words of sympathy. We know from experience how much he needs them just now. Jacob Wilbur. July 25. A. P. Bump. The following is an extract from the letter of Bro. C. H. Williams alluded to in the preceding report:— It is with pleasure that I inform you of the freedom I have gained through the truth as revealed in God’s word and expounded by Bro. Smith in his work on the “Sanctuary.” The glorious light emanating from the prophecies as connected with the keeping of God’s holy Sabbath, has forever dispelled the darkness which so long clouded my mind. I was honest in my former position; but here is truth far in advance of what I before possessed, and as an honest man I must receive it, though it may cost me, as it doubtless will, the loss of earthly friends. Already I can see indications of a coming storm of derision and persecution. In making this change I am virtually severed from many in this State who in former years have given me their sympathy and support. But I deliberately and understandingly place myself among those who “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” I shall need your prayers, and the help of God, for I leave many dear ones behind. However, my prayer is that some of my old and tried friends may be induced to go with me in the path of truth and righteousness.