Conferences at Roosevelt and Brookfield, N. Y by Frederick Wheeler; Hiram Edson

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 11, 1858

Conferences at Roosevelt and Brookfield, N. Y.

By Frederick Wheeler; Hiram Edson

THESE meetings were held according to appointment. At Roosevelt there was a goodly number of brethren present from Jefferson Co., Oswego and other places. How much good will result to the church, and the cause of present truth, from this meeting, the future will more clearly reveal. God manifested his willingness to work for his people and bless them by letting his sweet Spirit rest down upon us the first evening of the meeting; yet there was not that union of feeling and freedom during the meeting that we could have wished. There was apparently a disposition on the part of some to bring others to their peculiar views of the present work of the church; which had an effect to check the free course of the Spirit and prevent that freedom that might have been enjoyed. But notwithstanding these discouragements, most of the brethren present, and especially those from abroad, shared in a measure the rich blessing of heaven, and were encouraged and confirmed in the blessed hope. A number came in both on Sabbath and First-day, to hear the reasons of our faith and hope. The truth presented produced a good effect. One man and his wife resolved to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. Others were interested.

There has been evidently a rising, and a gradual improvement in the state of the church for some months past in Central New York; but there is need that the counsel of the faithful and true Witness should be more fully heeded. And some have especially need to bear in mind the testimony that God has given that "the work is between God and their own souls."

At North Brookfield the meeting was not as large. Brethren were present from Manlius, Winfield and other places. At this meeting the sweet Spirit of Christ rested upon his people from its commencement to the close.

Some met with us here who had but recently become interested in the present truth. They were greatly blessed and confirmed in their faith, and while they confessed the truth more fully, and expressed their determination to walk in the light of the same, all shared the rich blessing of the Lord that rested upon us. On First-day we held our meetings in the Christian chapel. The weather was stormy, and the congregation not large; but there was freedom in presenting the truth, while the silent tear witnessed the deep conviction that was felt by some. May they embrace and practice the whole truth, is our earnest desire.

The last evening of our meeting was a season of peculiar interest to all present. All seemed to drink anew from the fountain of salvation, and we parted with stronger faith and brighter hopes of soon meeting with all the saints in the kingdom of God. We believe the conference will prove a lasting blessing to the church, and feel encouraged to strive to labor with more ardent zeal for the salvation of our fellow-men.

F. WHEELER. H. EDSON.