p. 37 | Champlain and Plattsburg Tent Meetings

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Sep 12, 1854

Champlain and Plattsburg Tent Meetings.

By Frederick Wheeler, Josiah Hart

As our brethren may feel anxious to hear of our success with the tent, we will give a brief account of our meetings. The meeting at Champlain was very interesting. The congregation on First-day was quite large, and the reasons of our faith as they were presented, were listened to with deep interest; and many seemed anxious to know the truth, and several have already decided to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. We trust much good will result from that meeting.

At Plattsburg, the congregations were not so large; yet a goodly number of respectable citizens were present to hear. There were two quarterly meetings held in the neighborhood at the same time, which doubtless prevented some from attending the meeting that otherwise would. As we were closing our third discourse two Wesleyan Methodist ministers with a goodly number of their congregation from their quarterly meeting came in. They wished to hear concerning our faith, and desired another discourse; accordingly a fourth discourse was immediately given from the stand, to which they gave good attention. Thus our public exercises commenced at quarter past ten o'clock A. M., and continued with only thirty minutes intermission until half past six P. M., and yet the large part of the audience appeared to remain quiet, and with interest to the close, not regarding their hard plank seats.

The little church here have been strengthened and encouraged, and a good impression has been made by the truth on many minds. We feel encouraged to move forward in the work, feeling assured that God is well pleased with the efforts of his people in this public manner to hold forth the light of the third angel's message. As God's blessing has attended the meetings thus far, we confidently expect the angel of his presence to go with us in the future.

We feel it no time to abate our efforts in this work now, because other views are being proclaimed; but on the contrary, while the believers in the New-Time theory are making every effort to spread their views on definite time, the truth should be kept more prominently before their minds. Let us, dear brethren, come up to this work trusting in the strength of Israel's God, and the power of his truth, knowing that the truth is mighty and must prevail. Gird on the armor anew, ye saints of the Most High! soon the victory will be won, and the promise of our Lord be realized, that "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

FREDERICK WHEELER. JOSIAH HART. Plattsburg, N. Y., Sept. 5th, 1854.