BRO. FORNEY.--Since my last I have held a meeting of four weeks, six miles from Fairmount, Fillmore Co., Nebraska. We occupied a sod school-house. At first there was no floor but the ground, but after several days the brethren and friends of the cause put in a floor, which added much to the comfort of the house. Here lived a brother who was converted at our camp-meeting, also a brother and sister who were converted during a preaching appointment some time before the meeting.

      At our watch-meeting the work began to move. Two old folks came to the altar, and were blessed; eighteen souls in all professed conversion, and others were yet seeking when I closed; twenty-four were formerly recognized as members of the Church of God, and several of the converts have not yet been fellowshiped. Bros. J. A. Horton and Jacob Witter were elected elders, and Samuel Bair and George Helluns were chosen deacons. On Sabbath night, Jan. 11 I preached on the Church of God. I had announced the subject some nights before, and promised to diagram my discourse on a paper or board. I frequently use a black-board, but there was none present. The house was crowded, almost piled up to the ridge-pole; and a number had to leave, not being able to get in. According to Eze. xliii. 10-11, I tried to "show the house to the house of Israel"--"write it in their sight," etc.

      I showed the laws, ordinances and oneness of the Church; also the basis and standard of unity; also showed the door or "ingoing," namely, "Christ;" the mode of induction, namely, regeneration, adoption or baptism of the Spirit; also pictured the doors which preachers open and where they lead to; showed that the Church of God was no sect, and the relation of the sects to it; showed the cause and evils of sectarianism, and that the Scriptures condemn it. I used several illustrations to show the origin of the Church of God, and that of the sects; also the existence of the Church of God from the apostolic time, in its elements, and the decline and restoration of the Church of God organic. There was great attention given by all the people. Some remarked that they had heard strong things said, but that it was backed up by the Bible. Some, of course, allowed their prejudices to overcome them, and behind my back they had much fault to find. I also spoke on the subject of baptism, but having seven miles to the water, and the time we had set apart to attend to it having been somewhat cold and stormy, the ordinance was deferred.

      January 22d we observed the ordinances. Though the house was somewhat crowded, we had a good time. The converts obeyed their Savior. O how precious and fruitful is the holy ordinance of feet washing. I cannot understand how any professed lover of Jesus dare refuse to obey this plain command. It is the only act I have observed that Christ did on earth which he said at the time was done for our example.

      During the progress of the meeting I preached two nights, six miles west, near Bro. B. D. Moffit's, which is a very promising point. The people there desired much to have a protracted effort, which I hope to be able to give them sometime in the future. I presented THE ADVOCATE to the people in public, and got two subscribers there. Returning immediately to preach for the churches in Seward county, I also urged it upon the converts there to take the paper, when two more gave their names.

      I commence a meeting to-night at Orton, Seward Co. Hope the brotherhood will continue to offer up their prayers to the Great Head of the Church for our success.

[The Church Advocate 38 (February 18, 1874): 2.]

      Daniel S. Warner's "From Seward Mission, Nebraska" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 38, No. 42 ( February 18, 1874), 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 16 April 1999.
Updated 15 July 2003.