The Cause in Allegany Co., N. Y.
By E. L. Barr
BRO. WHITE: As there has been no very definite report made recently of the State of the cause in Allegany Co., N. Y., I thought it might be proper to give a few facts in relation to the same. Some over a year ago, the brethren at the Nile Settlement, young in the faith, were destitute of a place for worship, and commenced to erect one, but did not feel able to do much. The brethren in other parts of the country united with them, when an opposing influence against organization came in and alienated the feelings of some. Knowing somewhat of the trials that awaited them, so different from their past trials, and their unprepared state to meet them, I united with them to plan and execute, as far as my then feeble health would admit. In November we organized a society according to the law of this State, to hold property in trust for the S. D. Adventist church. In May the house was completed in a neat and commodious manner, at which time a majority of the brethren were satisfied that nothing but a thorough church organization could save the church from destruction. Failing to obtain help from Bro. White or Cornell, we concluded to do what we could to right up ourselves, and appointed a general Bible-class in which was faithfully discussed the unity and perfection of the church and the means ordained of God to accomplish the work. The good Spirit attended the effort, and most all were blessed with the assurance that this move was in the right direction. The Testimonies to the Church had been previously read. After some facts were stated by those that had a personal knowledge of the effect of the development of the Spirit of prophecy among the S. D. Adventists, the visions were unanimously endorsed as bearing the divine impress, and coming from God. Aug. 10, the church was organized according to the plan laid down by the Battle Creek General Conference. Four have since been added, and others, we believe, are preparing to come. We bless the God of heaven for what church organization is doing for his poor despised people, and especially for those that were ensnared and bound by filthy habits and wicked fashions, but who now are free indeed, blessed with sweet, heavenly union with the body, anxious to act well their part in preparing to escape those things that are coming on the earth, and be translated at the return of our glorified Redeemer. P. S. Brn. S. Babcock and H. Burdick of Clymer, Pa., received notice of their being drafted last Sabbath, and left Tuesday for Wellsborough, and from there to Harrisburgh. Bro. Babcock is anxious to have his Review continued, so that his wife may forward it to him as often as she can. He was in haste for the church in his place to be organized, but knew not why, but now rejoices that it was done in season for him to leave his companion and dear children under the watchcare of a body so constituted that when one member suffers, all suffer with it. *“War lifts his helmet to his brow,
O God, protect thy people now.”*