Ohio State Conference Assistance
By I. N. Van Gorder
BRO. WHITE: As the time for holding our State Conference, in October, is fast approaching, and the conference committee as well as the brethren generally are very much scattered, I take this early opportunity to inquire if you and Sr. White can attend our conference. I presume you are fully aware that we have no help for that occasion, and consequently look for help from abroad. Therefore will you (upon whom, all the oversight seems to devolve) inform us whether you can send us help or not. I suppose Bro. Cornell would come if no other door opens, but we leave the matter with you as you know our wants probably as well as any one else. We want the pointed Testimony. I fear Ohio is getting sound asleep. May something cause her to awake. Will you please inform me by return mail, if you can possibly, who can come, as it takes considerable time to confer with the rest of the committee in regard to the matter, and we would like to have about three weeks' notice of the Conference in the Review, for the reason we do not always receive our papers promptly. Last fall the notice was so brief many did not know of the meetings until too late to attend: and our conference last spring had too brief a notice, some hearing of it only the eve before starting: and if it had not been for a letter Bro. Cornell, wrote to me, there would have been no Tent here nor preparation of any kind made. But providentially the letter was written, and all the arrangements made that were made, on short notice. It is to avoid such inconveniences that I address you thus early, if early it may be said to be. Ohio would have been undoubtedly encouraged if two or three churches could have been raised up here this season; but the kind of encouragement we need the most is that which we receive by advancing in the cause of the third angel's message. We have concluded to encourage Bro. Baker and hope another season to secure the labors of an experienced messenger. May the Lord guide and direct to his glory and our good. Will you please respond at your earliest opportunity.
In love and truth affectionately yours.
I. N. VAN GORDER.
Portage, O.