After our visit to those places I held meeting a few days in a school-house, and fifteen arose for prayers. Six of one family came out upon the Lord's side. A young man with whom I had labored hard and tried to induce to come to Christ, died very suddenly. He died without leaving any evidence of being saved. His death cast a gloom over the whole neighborhood. His father and the whole family, except his mother, were unsaved. I was particularly interested in this family; but they never came to meeting.
Some of the brethren said I could get the school-house near where they lived. We held one meeting, and they attended. We had services once a week for a month. The mother came out in a very bright experience, and the father and five of the children were happily converted, except one son. He said he was not satisfied yet. They all united with the class at Fairview and are very earnest workers. I think they will be a great help to the church. Bro. C. preached at Fairview, and opened the doors of the church. Ten were taken in—this family among the number. We then went to the river, where twenty were baptized. I never saw a more beautiful sight. The Holy Spirit came down in great power, and nearly every one came out of the water shouting and praising the Lord. A very large crowd witnessed the scene, and all seemed to feel the power of God. We then went to the school-house and had preaching in the evening.
I had been holding a few meetings at Bethel, and on coming home was surprised to see buggies and wagons and people approaching the house from all directions. The dear brothers and sisters and friends were gathering on that day to celebrate my thirty-ninth anniversary. They all brought their baskets well filled, and the table was burdened with good things. After we had all done justice to the good things with which the table was so bountifully spread, I received quite a number of presents. We then collected in the grove near by, where we spent the rest of the day in religious services. The exercises were opened by the Rev. T., and prayer was offered by Bro. W. Bro. H. made some appropriate remarks, and excellent addresses were delivered by other brethren, after which remarks were made by some of the sisters. The power of God was wonderfully manifested. I then thanked the people for their kindness, and talked of the Glorious Reunion awaiting us by and by over the River. We then rose
