THE CAUSE IN NORTHERN N. Y.
By H. W. Lawrence
Bro. SMITH: Bro. Whitney and myself left home Dec. 6th to spend a few weeks in St. Lawrence Co. Spent the next Sabbath with the brethren at Buck's Bridge, and the next day (Sunday) went to Hermon, where we expected to hold meetings, but the prejudices of the people were so high that we only held one meeting and passed on, hoping to find a better opening. We went from there to Edwards, where we found the ground pretty well occupied by the Methodists, both Wesleyan and Episcopal, and evening schools. We however spent the Sabbath with the few brethren in that vicinity, some of whom we found rather weak in the faith, and others almost discouraged. The enemy is busy here as elsewhere, and the cause was suffering somewhat from a spirit of fanaticism clearly discernable in some. We endeavored to bear our cross, by kindly bearing the strait testimony, both in our Sabbath meetings and in visiting the brethren at their homes, and we trust the Lord will bless our efforts to the good of some. In the meantime we gave four lectures with some interest, beside one or two at other places. On our way up we called on a brother Fleming, who has lately embraced the truth; and who invited us to hold meetings in his neighborhood on our return. Accordingly we stopped and commenced a course of lectures, and gave five discourses, when the school-house was closed against us, and as no other opening presented itself, we were obliged to leave. Still we believe some were sufficiently interested to search the Scriptures, and we hope may be led to obey the truth. We left behind us about five dollar's worth of books, and obtained two subscribers each for the Review and Instructor. We found some interest to investigate in families that we visited, outside of the influence of our public efforts. At Edwards we were somewhat blessed and comforted in again mingling our prayers and tears with those of our dear sister Castle, who is suffering under the fell disease, consumption, but whose prospects are brightening for the future kingdom. Yours in the bonds of the gospel,