DEAR BRO. FORNEY: Our meeting with the church at the Salem Bethel, on the Sandusky Plains, closed, after being in progress two weeks. The first time we commenced the meeting the roads were so terribly bad that we concluded to close for a few days and then commence again. We did so, but when we commenced again the roads were no better, and the weather was very bad. However, we preached, and prayed, and labored, until we were permitted to see three converted. We had a good meeting.

      Having business in Mercer county, I started there the 23d of March, in company of Brother J. S. Thompson. of Lima, Ohio. What do you think we found when we got there? Why it was mud, mud, mud. The first thing when we got to our old home was that we should preach at Fairview. On Friday evening Bro. R. Baker gave out an appointment for Saturday evening. We met according to appointment, and had a glorious time. God was with us in power. One soul was happily converted to God. Almost every sinner in the house rose up for prayers. Some cried out for mercy while I was preaching. Praise the Lord for free salvation. We gave three the right hand of Christian fellowship. It does my very soul good to meet with those very dear old neighbors and friends in the house of God. The church here has some tried members. The church is in good working order. Brother C. Belman is their pastor. He is well spoken of. He is a good man and a good preacher. I did not get to see him. He was holding a meeting at a new point. I hope you will excuse this long letter. Pray for us.

      P. S.--I wish to return by thanks to Brothers W. H. Mann, of Kirby, Ohio, Coder, of Indiana Mills, and Coffman, for their help at the Salem Bethel. Each of them preached one sermon.

[The Church Advocate 40 (April 12, 1876): 2.]

      Jacob Van Updike's "Meeting at the Plains, and Trip to Mercer County, Ohio" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 40, No. 50 (April 12, 1876), p. 2. 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 25 May 1999.
Updated 15 July 2003.