THE CONFERENCE by J. CLARKE.

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 10, 1860

THE CONFERENCE

By J. CLARKE.

Of April 28 and 29, 1860, held at Gilboa, Putnam Co., Ohio, of believers in the message of the third angel, has been well attended and interesting, from its commencement to its close.

The churches were well represented by voluntary delegation, and we were favored with the labors of Brn. Waggoner, Holt and Butler, and more than all, the good Spirit has been evidently with us, and added pungency to the word spoken, and has given spirit and life to the testimonies and prayers and social intercourse of the brethren.

The commodious house of worship recently built by the brethren at Gilboa was well filled on Sabbath, and to overflowing on first-day. It indeed seemed the house of God to us. God graciously manifested himself to us, in edifying the saint and warning the sinner. The deepest feeling pervaded all hearts, yet without excitement or any attempt at ostentatious display.

We feel disposed to give to God all the glory for preparing the hearts of the brethren and sisters to attend this conference, and now our prayer is that this blessing may be permanent, and that from this blessed convocation of saints, henceforth our progress may be onward and upward.

We feel like expressing our gratitude to the hospitable brethren and sisters who have so freely entertained us while here, not only for their attention to our temporal comfort, but for their open-hearted expressions of attachment to present truth, and readiness for every good word and work.

It is cheering to every lover of present truth to be assured that at this conference all has moved in order and harmony, yet with silent force and power. Every item of business seems to have been attended to in its proper time, and place, and spirit, and all partook in the general interest, and each bore his part of the burdens, while love seemed to rule all hearts.

In contemplating the past conference, we cannot help feeling assured that brighter days are dawning for the remnant in Ohio, and while we feel that the cause is one everywhere, we wish to show to God, and Christ, and his people, that here in Ohio we are endeavoring to move forward, and instead of falling behind in this good cause, we hope to manifest a becoming zeal in this last solemn message of God to man.

In contemplating the past two days of conference, our hearts are led to glorify God for all that he has done for us in rendering this meeting agreeable, the weather fine, the roads good, and in granting ability, and health, and disposition to attend, so that all could without great sacrifice or hardship, come up to this feast of the Lord.

But we will not rest here, but having rendered thanks to God, we will take courage to go forward, and prepare for the time of trouble just before us.

J. CLARKE.

P. S. We were much disappointed in not seeing Bro. and sister White, but perhaps we should have leaned too much upon them.

J. C.