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From: "Wayne Webb" <>
Subject: [BRE] Gospel Messenger Offering- 1884 (part 1)
Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 04:56:00 -0500


This compilation will be in two parts. I will post the second part later
today or tomorrow.

Wayne Webb



>From Altamont, Labette Co., Kan.-Feb. 24.

The cares incident to a removal of the importance of ours, viz., from Ind.
to Kan., occupied my time so closely for the last few weeks that I could not
find time to write. But now I would say, the arrangements all being
completed, on the morning of the 12th of Feb., the Wabash R. R. Co., as per
agreement, set out for us a special car at Andrews, I where the company
began to occupy it. By the time the car reached Peru, Ind., the company was
complete, consisting of thirty-three persons in all. In the company were
twelve members, all from the Antioch Church, and all but two bound for
Labette Co., Kan. We did not leave our special car until we arrived at
Kansas City, 581 miles from the starting point. Nothing of special
importance occurred, and notwithstanding the swelling streams and the
dangerous accidents to travelling at that season of the year, we were all
safely landed at Kansas City, in twenty-five hours from the time of
starting. Here we had to wait about two hours, and then we were off for
Parsons, Kan., where we safely arrived at 9 P. M. and were well received and
cared for over night by kind friends. Next day we again boarded the cars for
this place, and arrived at the house of Eld. C. H. Kingery at 9 P. M., where
we were kindly cared for until we could care for ourselves. "Surely the Lord
is good, and his tender mercy is over all, and he knoweth them that are
his." The Lord's unseen hand protected us while we were furiously hurled
along over the frozen rails, over high bridges and rickety trestles, and
through tunnels. Wreck after wreck had been reported just previous to our
starting, so much so that we began to have some doubts of the practicability
of starting; but when we had assured ourselves that the Lord could take care
of us as well on the cars as elsewhere, we had no more misgivings. Here we
are, in the great State of Kansas, all safe and sound, except some colds. We
are happy to find here a splendid country, far surpassing our most sanguine
expectations. We were very agreeably disappointed in the country, finding it
much better in quality of land than we expected. The lay of the country is
all one could wish for, and so far as we have experienced, the climate is
far superior to that of Indiana. At this time there are all appearances of
Spring; the roads are getting good, and farmers are beginning to plow.

Here also we find people of like precious faith, although the territory of
church is large, there are in this organized body between thirty and forty
members. This is known as the Labette church; its elder is C. H. Kingery
formerly from Carroll Co., Ind. He has been assisted by Bro. Joel Eikenberry
as minister in the first degree. There are also four deacons and your
correspondent will hereafter in his weak manner, aid in declaring the words
of truth to those who may gladly hear. The Lord helping, we hope to be able
by our united efforts, to build up a large church in this goodly land. And I
would now reiterate what has often been written. In the older States where
there are large churches, two, three, to half a dozen at every meeting,
surely there is talent wasted. In this western country they could all preach
every Sunday; sinners be converted, and God glorified. Will not brethren
consider this fact? J. B. Lair.

>From Hatfield Church, Montgomery Co., Pa.

The brethren and sisters have been built up and encouraged to press forward
towards the mark of the prize of our high calling, by the coming of Br'n H.
E. Light, of Lancaster Co., Pa., and J. King, of Berks Co., Pa., who came
the evening of the 4th of February, and commenced preaching, and continued
until the 7th, holding up the Word of Life, in its clear terms, day and
night, after which Bro. King left for other fields of labor. Bro. Light
remained with us until the 16th, and preached every evening. On account of
the rainy weather and muddy roads, the congregations were not so large, but
the interest was very good. All seemed to give attention to the Word spoken.
We were made to rejoice with the angels in heaven that seven precious souls
were made willing to arise and go to Jesus. Others are seriously counting
the cost, and may God help them, so that they may not count too long.

Ella C. Souder.

>From Lower Conewago, Pa.-Feb. 16.

I will give you a short account of our series of meetings. Commenced
February 2nd in the evening. Br'n D. P. Saylor and Thomas Kulp, of Double
Pipe Creek, Maryland, did the preaching. They preached the Word with power.
As the weather was very unpleasant, we had only small congregations; other
times had a full house. Had very good attention and order. The meetings
closed on Sunday evening, the 10th, and one came out and confessed, being
willing to follow Jesus in all his commandments. Many others are almost
persuaded and I hope they will not be almost, but altogether persuaded
before long. Bro. Saylor stood it very well for an old man of about
seventy-three years old. He said he did not feel the least bad effect from
his labor in preaching, but got a little hoarse, from going out in the damp
and foggy weather after preaching.

John H. Raffensberger.

Lost.

There is a trunk at Delphos, Ohio, in the baggage room of the T. C. & St. L.
R. R., without name or check designating the owner. It contains a large
amount of books and literary matter pertaining to our Fraternity. Any one
having lost this, can obtain the same by addressing G. A. Sanderson, General
Passenger Agent of T. C. & St. L. R. R., Toledo, Ohio. A. S. Rosenberger.

>From Lexington, Highland Co., O.

In reading over the list of correspondence, from week to week, in the GOSPEL
MESSENGER, we are made to feel glad that so many of God's people are aroused
to a sense of duty, in the way of holding protracted meetings, and so many
are crowned with good success. But on the other hand, we are made to feel
sad that we have no such good news to publish, here in this part of God's
vineyard.-Our church here at Lexington has no speaker, and if it were not
for the help we have occasionally from adjoining churches, we would be left
entirely without a shepherd.-We are weak in numbers, but we claim to have
the faith that was once delivered unto the saints, and still preached by the
general Brotherhood. Our prayers and desires are that some good, live
Brethren will come and give us a good revival meeting. We have suffered some
loss from the division that exists in the Brotherhood, but such trouble is
only for the strengthening of our faith. So come and help us, that we may
regain our loss. The church is in love and union so far as I know. Allen
Ockerman.

>From the Tippecanoe Church, Ind.

Last night our meetings closed. Yesterday nine more precious souls took upon
them the name of Jesus in baptism, to walk in newness of life, seven having
been previously reported, making sixteen in all during our meetings. May the
Lord give them grace to be bright, shining lights, and hold out faithful to
the end. It was an enjoyable season to see loved ones take their companions
by the hand and unite in the service of God.-Others are counting the cost.
The church was encouraged, and some lasting impressions were made. Bro. A.
Neff commenced the meetings. Bro. Phiels was with us at two meetings, and
Br'n P. Stuckman and D. Younce continued until the close of the meetings.
Health here is good. The weather is gloomy; rain and sleet for almost two
weeks.

Daniel Rothenberger.

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