BRO. FORNEY: I send you another subscriber for THE CHURCH ADVOCATE. Almost every family in the church in this community takes THE ADVOCATE.

      Some two weeks ago we commenced a series of meetings with the Church of God at the Indian Mills school house. When we came here we found the little church that was organized last year all alive to God, and to the interest of the cause. This we could not always say of every church. As a general thing we have to preach a week or so before we get them into the work. "These things ought not so to be." We have had thus far the best meeting we have attended for a long time. Such a place to shout I never saw. It does me good to see them shout, because I know the live what they profess all Summer, as well as in protracted meeting time. Thus far seven have made the good profession, ten have been fellowshiped, four have been baptized, and others of the best citizens that made no profession are seeking the Lord to find him to the joy and satisfaction of their souls. Others are ready to unite with us in church fellowship. We had an election for officers, and Bros. Joseph Fernbaugh and Samuel Morrel were elected elders; Bros. James Crawford and Henry Shults were elected deacons.

      The good seed sown in the town of Kirby is still growing. The physician of the place has made the good profession of late. That meeting had to be broken up too soon.

      I have always tried to hunt new points to preach at and organize churches, when I had time to do so. Now, there are some places that need preaching by the Church of God, and I would like to see some of them supplied. If we do not take them up, some one else will. I have for my part seven organizations to take care of. Besides, we are making an effort to build two meeting houses this year, and they have me for one of the committees to see to help it along. Hence, I don't see how I can take up any points this year very well. There is a place on the new railroad that has been laid out the last year in the edge of Marrion co., Ohio. It is on the Columbus and Toledo R. R., which is being built now. They want preachers badly. Brother S. Morral is going to move there from this place (Indian Mills), and he wants preaching there right away. Cannot Brother J. M. Cassel, who preaches close to there, come and hold a meeting there, and get a Church of God meeting house put up? There is no preaching there of any kind. The ground is offered, and quite a good subscription can be gotten up to build a house there. Will Brother Cassel write and let me know what he can do? I would write to him personally did I know his address. "What thou doest do quickly." Direct at present to Upper Sandusky, Ohio. I ask the prayers of all God's people.

[The Church Advocate 40 (January 26, 1876): 5.]

      Jacob Van Updike's "From Wyandot Circuit, Ohio" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 40, No. 39 (January 26, 1876), p. 5. The electronic version has been transcribed from a copy of the article printed from a microfilmed edition of the newspaper held by the State Library of Pennsylvania. Thanks to Adams Memorial Library for arranging for the interlibrary loan, and to St. Vincent College Library for the use of its microfilm reader/printer.

      Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 24 May 1999.
Updated 15 July 2003.