THE CAUSE IN ALLEGANY CO., N. Y.
By B. F. Robbins
BRO. SMITH: I wish to state through the Review for the encouragement of the brethren and sisters of like precious faith, the precious blessings that God has bestowed upon us in this region. But a little over a year ago there were but five or six of us in this county in the third angel's message. Through the summer and fall, a year ago, three of us in Friendship met once a week in the evening in a grove to pray for the success of the truth and for a preparation for usefulness, which we felt could be nothing less than holiness, or a whole, living sacrifice of ourselves to God and his cause. In the course of that season a few brethren and sisters in the town of Willing came out with us upon the truth, and in the winter four in Alfred, under the labors of Bro. Barr. The second Sabbath in August last we met at Willing, and with the assistance of Bro. Fuller, organized a church with twenty-two members, and arranged meetings to be held in different parts of this county. The first meeting in Alfred was a blessed season of encouragement and strength to the church, and all resolved on an entire consecration to the work of our Master. The second meeting in September was in the Niles settlement, in the town of Wellsville, where there were but two Sabbath-keepers, Bro. Sanborn and his wife, both recent converts to our faith from the Methodists. In this meeting Bro. Fuller and a few of his brethren from Ulysses came to our help, and God by his Spirit wrought powerfully for us the two days we were together, in the conversion of the people in the settlement. I can truly say I never before saw such power as the Lord gave his truth, nor such deep emotion and love as he gave his dear consecrated people, such fervent effectual prayers; the influence was irresistible, so that when we left there were eighteen Sabbath-keepers in the place; in fact, nearly all of the people except those in the settlement who belonged to the Methodist society; and of these converts to the truth, all except one, were until then unconverted. We have just closed the third meeting of the church, which was in Friendship last Sabbath and first-day. This was also a blessed time from the commencement to its close. The church with but few exceptions were together, and the most of the recent converts to the truth were present. In looking over the assembly of believers congregated together in the school-house at Nile, where the few of us in months past have felt our loneliness, and endured many trials from our former brethren, where we have hoped almost against hope to see the salvation of God, I could but think what a change in a few short months. Instead of three of us meeting in a grove weekly to pray with and encourage each other, now were assembled some forty or more brethren and sisters firm in the faith and determined in obedience,190their countenances radiant with the love of Jesus and to each other, cheerful and prompt in confessing to each other the truth and faithfulness of God, and, to the youngest convert, all striving for holiness in obedience to all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. O blessed be the faithful, prayer-hearing God. Here again I would say that three we trust were converted from the ranks of the unconverted, to the determination to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Bro. Fuller was present and rendered us efficient assistance. But I wish especially to say that the church, on first-day, adopted the plan of systematic benevolence to raise the means to sustain a laborer in the field occupied by the church, and pledged one hundred dollars to send me out. This, to me, is a precious privilege indeed. I have for some time labored as I could, while working at my trade to support my family. But while I was forced to deny many calls for help, and realized that there was sufficient means in the hands of some of our brethren, I have felt at times almost discouraged. I know of others more efficient than I can possibly be, pressed down with cares and debts, and forced to work at a disadvantage to sustain themselves, and what little they have to depend upon going from them little by little, until soon all will be gone, and they left destitute. I know as a people we have not much worldly wealth, but I do believe that there is enough among us to keep in the field, and unembarrassed, our few faithful preaching brethren. Brethren and sisters, all of you think of this subject, pray over it, and I beseech you act upon it. Belmont, Alle. Co., N. Y.