Meetings in Canada by R. F. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 20, 1863

Meetings in Canada.

By R. F. Cottrell

Bro. White: Our meetings at Bronte, C. W., have just closed. Many were convicted of the truth, and quite a number confessed it with the mouth; but whether they will obey and thus be benefited, or neglect it and be judged out of their own mouth, remains for them to decide. We held meetings as long as we had any place for them, first in the African Methodist chapel, and then in the school-house. Gave eighteen public discourses, besides three to small congregations. The attendance and attention were generally good. But there was a strong feeling of opposition with some, and a disposition to prejudice the people by misrepresentation of our views; such as, that we did not believe there was any necessity for repentance and conversion; and some probably were kept from the meetings by these false reports. But we gave those who did attend to understand that we called upon all to repent of their fashionable, as well as their unpopular, sins, and that we believed in a conversion deeper and more abiding than the superficial work to which the term is applied in these days—a conversion that affects the character, turning the person from sin to obedience.

A Methodist minister of the name of Abbs, heard me on the Sabbath question, and gave out word to preach on the subject. I heard him, and then reviewed the subject. It is hardly worth the time or space to give his positions and the review. It was decidedly a feeble thing. Many of his hearers felt it, and said he made out nothing; others, more ignorant and prejudiced,

seemed well satisfied. I have witnessed a great many efforts in favor of Sunday, and this was the weakest of them all. The school-house was crowded to hear my reply.

R. F. COTTRELL.