KENTUCKY by S. Osborn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 31, 1877

KENTUCKY

By S. Osborn

For a month previous to our camp meeting, I was engaged in visiting the churches and scattered brethren and sisters. Found the most of them in a backslidden state. Some of them were still clinging to their idols, notwithstanding they had promised to quit them. Coffee, pork, and tobacco are among the staple articles of food in the State. We bore a straight testimony on these things.

Business matters at camp-meeting passed off very agreeably. We were much disappointed in Bro. Haskell’s failure to attend our meeting. But it may all be right. It drove us nearer the Lord; and by fasting, pleading, and confessing our sins before God and each other, we obtained light and help. Our meeting began May 16, with prayer and self-examination; and as it advanced, we were admonished by the Spirit of God that we must make close work here. We held nine prayer and social meetings and four business sessions, and Bro. Orlando Soule and I preached alternately eleven discourses upon the main points of present truth and its practical application to us as a people. Though darkness and discouragement seemed to surround us at first, yet as we began to draw nigh to God, he drew near unto us, and as soon as proper confessions were made, of wrongs that had stood in the way of the advancement of the truth here, then it was that the blessing of God descended in great measure. It will be seen from the secretary’s report that in the judgment of this Conference there are young men here who should labor in the cause as ministers. Bro. Orlando Soule is willing to work, and if he keeps humble, God will make him a useful man in this cause.

We were pleased to meet with Sabbath-keepers from Tennessee, among whom was Prof. S. P. Sample, principal of Cooperstown Institute, Robertson Co., who was much pleased with the meeting and greatly strengthened by it. He thinks that on account of his zeal and love for present truth, he will not be wanted where he is longer than the present year. His mind is turned to Battle Creek.

Bro. Soule goes to Tenn., to labor this Conference year. Bro. R. G. Garrett, who received license last year, and could not leave home, feels the burden of the work on him now, and has made arrangements to give himself entirely to the work. Bro. R. P. Pickens and self go with the tent. Upon the whole, our meeting was a success, and many who could not (as they thought) take time to come to meeting lost much. Oh! if our people could see the importance of these meetings, and grace them with their presence and help, with what power would the cause move here!

We all go forth with good courage to proclaim the last call of mercy. We claim the prayers of all who are interested in the advancement of this great work. The post office address of S. Osborn and wife, and R. Pickens, will be, until further notice, Edmonton, Metcalf Co., Ky.

S. OSBORN.