BRO. FORNEY.--Having the appointment of a missionary in West Ohio, I wish to inform the brotherhood what I am doing. On the 14th of November I visited Toledo with the view of opening a mission there. Found Brother and Sister Savage, members of the Church of God, and a few others interested in the enterprise, but found no place to open up a work at present. After looking about for two days I returned home. I hope the time is not far off when the Church of God will have a place in that city. I assisted the brethren some more at Basswood; preached a farewell sermon at New Washington, and on the 25th of November I commenced a protracted meeting at the Conley meeting-house, in Crawford Co. I soon found that I was not on very promising territory. The people were nearly all professors, except a number of young folks who were mostly hardened backsliders. I continued the meeting four weeks. Seven professed conversion; three were baptized, and I fellowshiped three who wished to stand upon "the pillar and ground of the truth." The Evangelical is the only Church occupying the house. They showed a very commendable spirit and zeal in the meeting. The Church of God has an interest in the house, and I hope there will yet be a prosperous church raised there.

      During the meeting we were favored with one sermon from S. Kline, one from J. L. Jenner, three from W. P. Burchard and two from Rev. Black, the Bible Agent. These brethren have our thanks. Brother Harrison Conley has my sincere thanks for a present of $10, two other brethren for $8, and the community for a collection of $7.81. May God bless and reward all the kind givers.

      After resting three nights I commenced a protracted effort in a school-house three miles from the place of my former meeting, where the people are mostly non-professors. One of the directors is the boldest infidel and scoffer I ever met. His horrid remarks concerning Christ and God are enough to chill the human heart and cause the angels to weep. O that God would pity that poor wretch, who in the blindness of his depraved heart dares to rush with violence upon the Almighty.

      I received a letter recently from our much beloved missionary colleague, H. S. McNut, stating that there is a great door open for the Church of God in Ottawa county, where he had begun a very promising meeting, which he had to close on account of the sickness of his wife. He wished me to come to that field. O that we had more workers to preach the pure gospel to the many who have it not. Pray for me, that God may be willing to use such an unworthy instrument for the conversion of poor sinners.

[The Church Advocate 37 (January 15, 1873): 2.]

      Daniel S. Warner's "West Ohio Missionary News" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 37, No. 38 (January 15, 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 11 April 1999.
Updated 15 July 2003.