p. 30 | OHIO | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 23, 1879

OHIO

Gilboa.—Over twenty years ago, Eld. Cornell had a great interest in Gilboa. Seventy-five embraced the Sabbath, scores more were convinced, and a church was built, the first one in the State. But soon some prominent ones turned against the truth, and brought a reproach upon the cause. This large church was scattered to the four winds, the meeting-house was sold, and scarcely a vestige was left of the cause here. Still a few held on, and many could not forget the impressions received. During the last few years, one after another has come out upon the Sabbath without any labor, until there are seventeen keeping the Sabbath in this vicinity. Some time ago they were organized into a church, but they have not done a great deal. They are much scattered, most of them living seven or eight miles in different directions from Gilboa, the center. However they have kept up meetings.

They obtained the Methodist church in Gilboa for our meetings, and I spoke eight times. Our brethren turned out well, and the outside interest was excellent, indeed the largest and best I have had in the State. The large house was full, and the best of attention was given. The people are anxious to hear the truth. More than this, I find that all around Gilboa there are loud calls for our preachers. Besides the church, there are about twenty young people and grown persons observing the Sabbath here, who are not professors. I believe that if the church can be in a good condition to help them, a few meetings, with the right effort, would bring all these persons into the truth. The seventeen Sabbath-keepers here have between forty and fifty children,—a good prospect for a Sabbath-school, certainly.

If the Lord will, I shall soon return to this place and make a strong effort to revive the work. At this meeting we paid our chief attention to getting things righted in business affairs, and to teaching the brethren their duty to support the cause financially. They heartily indorsed the tithing system. They also raised money to start a Sabbath-school, and quite an amount was paid in on the T. and M. work. Good reports were made for the last quarter, our books are now started, and other important steps have been taken to secure a further spread of the work.

We feel that our visit to Gilboa has been a success, though only a beginning has been made.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Belmore and Markley's Corners, Jan. 1.—My meetings at Belmore have closed. A large number here believe the truth, but as the people are generally poor and dependent on employment in the factories and mills, only three are keeping the Sabbath. These are firm; may God give them grace to overcome. I design to hold meetings with them once in two weeks.

I commenced meetings at Markley's Corners Tuesday, Jan. 7. The house is full every evening. The people are anxious to hear; even the aged attend the meetings. They furnish lights and wood, and offer to board me as long as I will stay.

A. A. BIGELOW.