BRO. FORNEY.--Having been appointed by the General Board of Missions to this work, I wish to say to all interested in the mission cause that I am in the field. I arrived here the Fourth of July. It was probably expected by some of the Board that I would be here sooner; but this was the earliest practicable date that I could come, and but a few days later than I anticipated at the Board meeting, and which I had supposed was so understood by the members of the Board. I am here now to work for Jesus and the salvation of souls for whom he shed his blood. I feel that all is upon the altar, and I pray God to accept the offering. I love to represent the Church of God in this age of human sects; and while I feel glad of the appointment by the General Board as one of the Sisters' missionaries to this beautiful country, I also feel the responsibilities of the same. THE ADVOCATE carried to every Church of God family the interesting letters of the sisters, reporting success in raising funds, and cautioning the Board to appropriate the money for the support of none but true men, full of zeal and the Holy Ghost, and entirely devoted to the cause of God and truth.

      The same paper announced my name as one of the appointees, showing that the Board had confidence in me that I would fill the above demands. I pray God that I may never betray their confidence, or the interest of the Church committed to my care. If I had no great preference for truth myself, my obligation to the General Board for confidence reposed in me and the sisterhood for my support, should be sufficient to inspire me with untiring zeal in building up the "Church of the living God, and the pillar and ground of the truth." I am well pleased with my mission. I have been all over it, and found good, warm-hearted brethren and sisters who have kindly received me. I pray God that I may be useful in their midst. It shall be the height of my ambition to travel o'er this beautiful prairie and hold up the reeking cross of Jesus, and cry aloud, behold, and follow the Lamb of God. I need not ask the sisters to pray for me, for I know they will ever ask the blessing of God upon my labors while supported by their liberality. And I earnestly beseech the entire brotherhood, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of the Spirit, that ye "strive together with me in your prayers to God for me," that I may go forth "in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ," turning many from sin unto holiness, and from the power of Satan and error unto God and truth.

      From the bottom of my own heart, and in behalf of the scattered brethren here, I give thanks to God and the sisterhood for their kindness in supporting me in the promising missionary field of Nebraska. May you never tire in the work, but go on with increased success from year to year, till you become a great power in the hands of God in sending the bread of life to many famishing souls, who will rise to glorify God in the day of his visitation for their salvation, and bless you as the means of sending it to them.

      God bless every sister who has had a part in this noble work, and move the hearts of all others to step forward at once in the line of battle, and under the banner of King Jesus, wage war against the kingdom of darkness.

[The Church Advocate 38 (August 6, 1873): 2.]

      Daniel S. Warner's "From Seward Mission, Nebraska" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 38, No. 15 (August 6, 1873), p. 2. The electronic version has been transcribed from a copy of the article provided by Jean Leathers, Archivist of the Churches of God Historical Society.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 14 April 1999.
Updated 15 July 2003.