Since my last letter to THE ADVOCATE we have had two ordinance meetings, once with the church at Rock Run bethel and one with the church at Salem bethel on the Plains. At each of those meetings we had the assistance of Elder G. W. Wilson, who is an old soldier of the cross and an able defender and expounder of the doctrine of the Church of God.

I consider was a success. It seems to me that the people of the Church of God are getting waked up on the Sunday-school question. I know it is the case with them on my field of labor. We truly hope that those that were at the convention will try to practice in their lives what was taught there. One thing that made our convention so interesting to myself was the very excellent speeches made upon the different subjects by Bro. J. H. Redsecker, editor of the Sunday-school Gem. Personally, we received some excellent advice from Brother Redsecker. He has our thanks and we would be willing to ride a hundred miles or nearly again in a spring wagon in order to receive the same kind of advice. I sometimes think that some of our old, experienced brethren are deficient in giving advice and encouragement to the younger workers in the vineyard of the Lord. God bless Bro. Redsecker, the Sunday-school Gem, and the Sunday-school cause everywhere.

was a good one. We got there on the 13th in time for services; quite a number of brethren and sisters from other points were there. Bro. Cassel had appointed August 19th to organize a church at this place. After preaching on righteousness, temperance and a judgment to come, by the writer, Bro. Cassel told them that he intended to organize at that time. When the invitation was given 8 came forward--father, mother, four sisters and two brothers, all named Morral. I never saw anything that looked so beautiful in my life. Three of those sisters were the first to come to the altar of prayer when the writer went to hold a series of meetings at the Indian Mills school house. We had fellowshiped all of them at that place. Now we can say that there is a Morral Church of God in Morraltown. We hope God will bless his little church in Morraltown. Jesus says, "Fear not little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." We are not afraid of this organization getting into difficulty, or quarreling, and breaking up the church, for they never do that kind of business. That evening we had a glorious time whilst attending to the ordinances of God's house. Every one seemed to enjoy the services. Steps are being taken to build a house of worship. Mr. S. Morral offers to give the lot and $50 to commence with, which is liberal indeed. However, he is able to afford it. Bro. Cassel is preaching for them, and his labors are very acceptable.

[The Church Advocate 41 (August 30, 1876): 2.]

      Jacob Van Updike's "Ordinance Meetings and Other Meetings" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 41, No. 18 (August 30, 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.