Just a little note that may or may not be of interest to those who enjoy reading these postings. And to those who don't enjoy reading them. I hope to soon have a little site up and running dedicated solely to my newspaper "offerings." Once that is completed, and all the prior offerings entered into the database, these lengthy postings to the various lists that receive them shall cease. At that time I will make a brief posting to each mailing list stating that a new posting has been made. This should alleviate somewhat the aversion to the receiving of these postings by those still not interested. Those interested in reading the postings in their entirety will be able to follow the link and then log into the site. Cordially, A. Wayne Webb >From Cerro Gordo, Ill. We, the Brethren of Cerro Gordo church, have preaching in town and try to work for the Lord, as best we can. One more was added to our number last Sunday, by baptism. General health is good here. Crops of all kinds are good. Everything is in good order; hence we see that the Lord has blessed us on every hand. Let us ask ourselves the question, How much can I spare for the Lard, that his work can prosper? We see in the Messenger that so many calls are made and cannot be attended to, because the treasury does not contain sufficient means. I would advise all our brethren and sisters that use tobacco to stop and save that money and send it to our treasurer, it will do much toward saving souls. John Metzger. >From Santa Fe, Finney Co., Kan. We left our old home in Kingston, Mo., Nov. 9, for south-western Kansas. We arrived at Nickerson, Kan., on the 10th, where we all stopped with Bro. Daniel Miller. In the evening, my husband and son-in-law boarded the train for Garden City. They left my daughter and myself among the brethren at Nickerson. We attended meeting at the Salem church, on the 12th, and had the pleasure of hearing Bro. Forney preach a very interesting sermon. We were very kindly treated among the brethren here. We again took the train on Monday morning, for Garden City. We arrived there in the evening, from whence we were taken by private conveyance, twenty-eight miles south of Garden City, to Santa F e, our future home. It was after night when we arrived at our destination, tired and worn out. We felt refreshed next morning, when we arose to take a view of the vast plain, and I must say it is impossible for me to say how beautiful it is. We will try, however, to give a few facts concerning Finney County. The soil is of a rich, sandy loam, and of a remarkable productiveness, producing, in great abundance, cereals, fruits and vegetables. The water is soft, and can be had in great abundance, at a reasonable depth. We were surprised to find that we can live just as cheaply here as we can in the eastern States. We wish to say to any of the Brethren, who desire to come West and look up a home for themselves, that there is yet some land here to be bought, but it is rapidly being sold. We are isolated from the Brethren, here, there being but a small number of them here, and no minister. We would be very glad to have any of our Brethren, and especially ministers, traveling west, to stop with us. I think this would be a good point in which to build up a church. Susanna Mohler. >From Tulpehocken Church, Pa. It is quite a long time since anything was reported through the columns of the Messsenger, from this part of the Lord's vineyard. When the last report from this church was made, your unworthy writer fought and prayed at Cornwall. At present he is engaged in that work ten miles east. Moving eastward is supposed to be contrary to the laws of nature, and I half believe it is. For though Abimelech's servants be turned to dust centuries ago, I know by dear experience that the envy which actuated their diabolical hearts is still alive. I have found Esek and Situab, but Rehobeth is still in oblivion. Methinks I hear some of you ask, "Why do you not go west?" My answer is, "We know not what a day may bring forth-but please do not speak it above a whisper for the present. But to get nearer to the subject. I was seriously impressed for a long time that I should relieve myself, pro tem., of the onerous duties pertaining to the family and ministry. To the former I feel obliged to stick, as long as it sticks to me. But seeing my way open (short-sighted mortal) in the ministry, about ten days ago, I started on a journey of rest. I informed Bro. John Herr, one of our ministers, that he should make no appointment for me in four weeks at Robesonia, and that I did not expect to be at Heidelberg that Sunday. That day I received a telephone message requesting me to come to a funeral twenty-two miles away, by private conveyance. This was "rest" No. 1. My wife and I started on Saturday afternoon to attend the funeral. We took supper with Eld. Samuel Harley. We stopped for the night in Hinkletown, with Bro. R. S. Reidenbach and family. Bro. R is a minister in the second degree. The deceased was the only daughter of Bro. Hiram and sister Mary Ann Weaver, aged fifteen years and some months. Truly, "all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass." In making a second effort to obtain rest, I wrote to Bro. Jacob Nisly, my present co-laborer, that I wished to be relieved from the duties of the public sanctuary for three Sundays. When Sunday came, my family and I walked down to the corner of the farm to the Millbach meeting-house to hear Bro. Joseph Light, of Ohio, who is at present visiting in this neighborhood, or brethren John Herr and Martin Heisy, on whom the labors of the meeting devolved. I thought that I would be merely a spectator and hearer, but as none of these ministers came, I felt obliged to do some service, as the Lord gave ability. I had hoped that one would come-if not sooner, by the time people went home. But there was no voice; not any one answered. Suppose he was talking, or pursuing, or on a journey, or peradventure, sleeping. Under the circumstances, I felt doubly encouraged by the presence of our three young deacon brethren, who gave very valuable assistance. We had a pleasant waiting before the Lord. This was "rest" No. 2. We have had about eight additions in a year's time-very few for this church. We have had a dry spell for some years. When the churches around us are getting so many additions, the question naturally arises, "What is the cause?" Be that as it may, some of us will hope and pray and work on, George Bucher. Kleinfeldersville, Pa., Dec. 5, 1886. [Note from Wayne: Interesting that a small town would have a telephone at such an early date. It was more than likely the only one in town.] >From English Prairie Church, Ind. Our series of meetings is in the past; commenced Nov. 6th. Had meeting day and night (with few exceptions) till on the evening of the 13th, when the ordinances of the church of God, the sufferings and death of our blessed Redeemer were shown forth. About one hundred and fifty communed. A large assembly was present at our communion, and splendid order prevailed during the evening exercises. Before our communion, seven were added to the church by baptism and two by letter. Continued our meetings after the communion till the 21st of November, during which time thirteen more came out on the Lord's side, making in all twenty by baptism during our series of meetings. Bro. J. V. Felthouse, from Goshen, Ind., held forth the word of God with power during our meetings. May God bless his labors, and may he continue to wield the sword of the spirit till God will release him from his labors. The church was made to weep for joy; fathers and mothers were made glad with exceeding great joy, to see their children come to Christ. And not only were the church, fathers and mothers made glad, but we believe that the angels in Heaven were made to rejoice, to see so many return to God and live. May they all, with us, hold out faithful in the good cause until death. N. H. Shutt. Brighton, Ind. >From Quemahoning Church, Pa. Bro. J. M. Mohler came to us Nov. 3, and commenced the meetings in the meeting-house near Stanton's Mills. He continued every Evening; until the 14th. Four were received into the church by baptism, and two restored. Bro. Mohler then came to our meeting-house at Sipesville. He commenced to preach on the 15th. On Tuesday afternoon, four young sisters were received by baptism, and on Saturday three young brethren were baptized. He closed here on the 28th. He started for the Shade District, where he is to preach one week, proceeding from there to the church called "The Summit," near Somerset. He will commence to preach here on the 6th of next month. Though the weather, during our meetings, was, most of the time, very unfavorable, we had good and attentive congregations. Bro. Mohler handled his subjects without gloves. He preached with power and the demonstration of the Spirit, so that none dared to question the truth of his assertions. We hope we may be permitted to hear him again. He gave both saint and sinner their portion. J. P. Myers. Sipesville, Pa., Nov. 2D, 1886. Dedication. On the 14th ult., I attended a dedication service at a new church, erected in the north part of Brothers' Valley district, Somerset Co., Pa. Held forth here several days; had good meetings; then went to Mechanicsburg, in the Summit district. Intended to spend about two weeks here and at Meyersdale, but was called off by the following missive from home, "Come home as soon as convenient; Hiram is sick of pneumonia." I took the first train and found at Johnstown, that I had several hours' time. I intended to visit sister Sarah Kephart, but found her in her coffin. I stayed till after services at the house, and then took the train. I was delayed by a wrecked freight-train. Arrived at Indiana late at night during a heavy storm. I called on our family physician, and learned that Hiram is convalescent. I rested for the night, and in the morning walked home. I found family well, though Hiram was still very week. I took a bad cold through exposure, since home, but shall try to recuperate, and may try again to respond to the calls, and redeem the promises, I had made, at some future time. This much for the satisfaction of those who are waiting to hear from me. Joseph Holsopple. >From Kanawha Valley, W. Va. By the request of the Brethren living in different parts of this Valley, Eld. Jacob Thomas and myself spent over two weeks in laboring among them. Our first meeting was with the church in Fayette Co., Oct. 23, at which time the feast was kept in sincerity and gladness. Services were held daily for about ten days, during which time "they that gladly received the word, were baptized." There were seventeen souls added unto them. Many of the faithful gave expressions of joy when their children and friends enlisted in the good cause. During our stay there, brethren Arthur Duncan and Martin Sanger were elected to the ministry; John Rhodes and John R, Sanger were chosen deacons. May the good Lord help them magnify their respective offices. Bro. Thomas attended the feast in Raleigh Co., Oct. 30. One was baptized there. A good interest was manifested, with a desire for more preaching, which could not be granted at that time. Nov. 2nd, we left Fayette Co., for Charlestown and that vicinity. We held eight meetings about three miles from the city and one in the skating rink in the city, within a stone's cast of the capitol. This is comparatively a new field for our Brethren. There are only four members living there. They have very little preaching by the Brethren, but they are laboring earnestly for the advancement of the Master's cause. By their request, we appeal to the Mission Board of Southern Ohio, to send them some laborers, as the harvest is great. I should think, by a judicious effort, a good work could be done in Charlestown. For further information, address Bro. A. Haws, Charlestown, W. Va. The reason we refer to our Brethren in Southern Ohio, is because of their advantage geographically. Feeling very thankful to the good Lord for his tender mercies over us, and to his children who labored so zealously with, and for us, and the good cause, we commend all to him who loves us. S. F. Sanger. [NOTE from Wayne: I entered the A. Duncan and M. Sanger into our file and uploaded the file.] St. Mary's Mission, Kansas Will the ministering brethren take a note of this? St. Mary's is on the U. P. R. R., twenty-three miles west of Topeka and we live four miles from there. A great many preachers travel over that road, going west, who might stop off and give us one meeting, at least. In this way we could get a great deal of preaching at little expense, as we have only six members here and preaching every four weeks. Thus the missionary cause could be carried on successfully. By dropping us a card, we will meet you at the train and return you, free of charge. Geo. Brindle.