TENT MEETINGS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW YORK by John Norton Loughborough, Roswell F. Cottrell,; William S. Ingraham

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 28, 1856

TENT MEETINGS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW YORK.

By John Norton Loughborough, Roswell F. Cottrell,; William S. Ingraham

At Smethport, McKean Co., Pa., our meeting commenced July 12th, and continued over two Sabbaths and First-days. Our congregations were fair, numbering perhaps from four to six or seven hundred, notwithstanding strong efforts were made to keep the people from the meeting. The Methodists appointed a grove-meeting in the vicinity on the second First-day of our meeting, which doubtless drew some away who would otherwise have attended. But some of their own number were too deeply interested in the present truth to be thus led off. They heard us through, and at the close confessed the truth and took a stand with the Sabbath-keepers. We heard of four that decided to keep the Sabbath, and many others showed their interest by supplying themselves with publications to continue the examination of the evidences of the faith. Our prayer for them is, that the Lord will lead them out of error into truth.

Bro. and Sr. Southwick, who had been standing alone in the immediate vicinity of the meeting, bearing reproaches from their former brethren for whose spiritual good they had labored much in time past, were strengthened and encouraged at this meeting. May the Lord bless them still, and reward them for their labors of love in behalf of his cause and his servants. And not them alone, but all his scattered people in that region, and especially those who have just embraced the truth.

Our next meeting was held at Westfield, Tioga Co., Pa., which commenced July 26th, and held two Sabbaths and First-days. The Lord be praised for what he has done and is doing in this place! A church of about sixteen had been brought out here through the instrumentality of the Review and the publications advertised in it, and were keeping the Lord's Sabbath before they ever heard a discourse on the present truth.

The Lord wrought for us here. A deep, and we trust an abiding interest was awakened in many minds. There were not less than a thousand persons present on each of the First days; and, though it was in the most hurrying time of haying and wheat-harvest, about two hundred attended each Sabbath. On the second Sabbath we had an interesting and refreshing season on the banks of the Cowanesque, a few rods from the tent. Three believers had presented themselves for baptism, and while the solemn rite was being administered, a fourth, a man who had been sprinkled and had been a prominent church member for years, became impressed with this divine institution, and his duty to obey it; and coming forward, said that if there was no objection, he wanted to be baptized. Accordingly he went down into the water and was buried with Christ by baptism and raised to walk in newness of life, by keeping the commandments of God.

There was a Christian church in the vicinity, which, we trust, contained enough Christians to entitle it to the name. Six of its members embraced the Sabbath, including their deacon, and, we think, their clerk. As near as we could ascertain, about a dozen embraced the Sabbath at this meeting. Two ministers attended who were, we think, convicted of the truth of our position, and we hope they will come out and take a bold stand with us. One of them has been identified with the Advent movement all through since 1843. He acknowledged that he had received some light. The other had, some years ago, taken a decided stand in favor of the gifts of the primitive church, teaching that God would heal the sick in answer to the prayer of faith, as in ancient days; in consequence of which he had encountered much opposition and persecution. At the close of the meeting he was asked what he would do in respect to the Sabbath. He replied, that the people had almost been ready to kill him for what he had preached, and that if he should come out on the Sabbath, he did not know but they would kill him. "But," said he "something must be done." The Lord help them both to take a decided stand, and if necessary, lay down their lives for the truth.

Some Seventh-day Baptists were present and manifested an interest to learn our views of prophecy. May the Lord help them to see the fulfillment of prophecy in the Advent Messages, that they may embrace the present truth, and keep, not only the Commandments of God, but the Faith of Jesus also.

About $20 worth of our publications were taken during the meeting, and are scattered abroad in all that vicinity. May the Lord water the seed sown and cause it to bring forth an abundant harvest. May his blessing rest upon his dear saints there. May they still be led by the Spirit of God, prepared for all their duties here, and finally for a place in his kingdom.

Our next meeting, which was appointed for East Genoa, in the Review, was held just over the line in North Lansing, Tompkins Co., N. Y. Here we had but two days meeting, commencing Aug 9th. About a thousand attended on First-day, and considerable interest was manifest. Here also we found some of the Christian denomination, and among them one young preacher, who, we hope, will embrace the truth. They promised to search for the truth, and we hope they will find and embrace it. Many supplied themselves with publications, and we trust that good will result from this meeting.

We found a number of kind friends near the tent ground; they have our thanks for their hospitality, and our prayers to God in their behalf. The Lord bless Bro. and Sr. Lane, who are lone pilgrims in that place, and give them the company of others to travel with them to mount Zion.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, R. F. COTTRELL, WM. S. INGRAHAM.

Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y., Aug. 19th, 1856.