The Truth Steadily Progressing
By T. H. Dunn
[Continued from our last.] FROM that time I commenced exhorting and pleading with my friends and neighbors, to break the bands of tradition, and obey the plain teachings of God's Book. The labors though put forth in weakness, were blessed of God, and some were led to believe. The church having no pastor, held regular prayer and exhortation meetings from Sabbath to Sabbath. In these meetings I commenced presenting the plain Bible to them. This raised considerable excitement, the greater part of the congregation were not prepared to embrace the plain teachings of Scripture unmystified by tradition. The next move was to debar me from reading the plain Bible to the church. This entirely failed: the vote of the congregation gave me the privilege to continue. Things were in this condition; Oct. 5th, 1854, when Bro. Hall came to our place. I became acquainted with some of his relations, and through them urged him to come and spend a few days, or weeks with us. Bro. Hall commenced holding meetings in the Seventh-day Baptist meeting-house, Oct. 7th, and has continued them from Sabbath to Sabbath in the meeting-house ever since; and in the community, in school-houses and private dwellings from evening to evening. The result, up to this present date, has been that opposition of the most bitter and malignant character has been developed, by the various sects during the whole period of meetings; but praise God, the truth has been steadily and firmly progressing. A large number have confessed the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and thirteen have practically espoused the cause of God and present truth, by being buried in the likeness of Christ's death. There are a number more, who are now deeply convicted of duty in this matter. God help them to do duty and prepare for the coming of Jesus and the kingdom.
Yours in haste and love of truth.
T. H. DUNN.