Interest in the Truth at North Pembroke
By R. F. Cottrell
Bro. Smith : There is some interest apparent within the bounds of my field of labor. Bro. E. B. Saunders has been laboring with me for some months past, and we have enjoyed the privilege of seeing a few turn away from the commandments of men to keep the commandments of God. At North Pembroke, Genesee Co., N. Y., we were cordially welcomed to the use of the Christian meeting house, and have, at different times, preached twelve discourses. Much interest has been manifested, but as yet one family only have fully embraced the truth. The pastor of the church received us with much liberality, giving us full liberty to appoint meetings as we pleased and yielding the time of his regular appointments on first-day for us to occupy, for which we feel thankful to God, to the pastor, and to all that portion of the church who freely granted us these privileges. The elder confessed before a large congregation that his former views relating to the law of God had been shaken by what he had heard, and for a time he was deeply interested. But I am sorry to say that he has taken position against the Sabbath, and has preached a discourse against it. Still I hope he may repent of his rashness and obey the truth. Those that have received the truth are growing stronger, and I hope others there may embrace it. O, it is dangerous to resist the convictions of truth, that are wrought by the preaching of the word! And it seems to me that the fact that the word convicts them that they are in error—that their former undisturbed foundation is mightily shaken—is sufficient to show them where the truth lies. If their foundation was sure, it could not be shaken. I never had the first conviction that I ought to keep the first day, and I have heard many a preacher try to prove it. At Parma some are almost persuaded to obey the truth, and two subscribed for the Review. At Mill Grove two have recently embraced the Sabbath, one of whom has never been baptized but intends to go forward the next opportunity, as I have been informed. Three individuals in different places in Niagara Co. have recently embraced the Sabbath, one of which, Bro. Rice, was a believer in the time of the first message, and engaged in preaching it. We are now on our way to Wyoming county to attend to a call for help. May the Lord go with us, and give edge to the truth! Yours to see the end of the war.
R. F. C.