BRO. FORNEY:--I desire, with your consent, to say a few words through THE ADVOCATE to the kind brethren of St. Mary's Circuit:

      Dear brethren, our pleasant associations are now broken; we have taken the parting hand, and though I am now involved in the cares and responsibilities of another circuit, my mind and affections still hover around you. Two years ago I came into your midst, having had but one year's experience in the ministry. Though a poor, weak instrument, and to nearly all of you, a stranger, you "received me as an angel." You all stood under my shoulders. When I grasped your hand I could feel clearly the spiritual pulse beating in deep sympathy with me. O, how many encouragements your poor servant received in the great work of the ministry during my labors with you. You have shared our sorrows and enhanced our joys. You have stood by us and soothed and comforted us in the time of affliction and bereavement. You have made our wants your care. Though our support was much smaller than that received by some of my brethren in the ministry, yet I find no room for complaint, but great cause for gratitude to you and to God that our wants have been supplied out of his unwasting fullness through your benevolence. I have often been faulted for expressing myself satisfied with what I receive, but I thank the Lord that he has given me and my companion the blessedness of contentment, in whatever circumstances we are placed! Above all, brethren, I thank God that we together have had the gratification of seeing the work of the Lord prosper with you. The first year about fifty souls professed conversion. Last year, being reinforced by our beloved brother, and "true yoke mate," J. M. Cassel, the number was about a hundred and fourteen. To God be all the praise. Oh, may the Lord continue to favor you with showers of grace. Continue to be workers together with God and your minister, that the Church of the living God be still more abundantly established and extended.

      To my young brethren that have been called by the Master to preach the gospel, I would say, In the name and strength of Israel's God, go forward. Let nothing close your lips from publishing life and salvation to a lost world. Do your duty in the fear of God alone.

      Finally, I would say to all, that you have endeared yourselves to us with ties of "love that are strong as death." Yea, they shall not be severed by death itself. We can say with Paul, "You are in our hearts to die and live with you." You stand associated in our memory with one that is as dear to us as life, even our darling little son, that used to sport upon your floors. Once more we say thank kind brother who purchased the beautiful monument which now not only.

but is also a monument of his benevolence. Long may he live to promote the cause of his Redeemer, and enjoy his love and approbation here, and be preserved by the Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life hereafter.

      As long as life lasts will we cherish with grateful hearts the memory of the kind people of St. Mary's circuit.

[The Church Advocate 35 (December 21, 1870): 3.]

      Daniel S. Warner's "To the Brethren on St. Mary's Circuit, Ohio" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 35, No. 34 (December 21, 1870), p. 3. 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 5 April 1999.
Updated 15 July 2003.