The Penn's Grove record., 1891-03-27
FROM AN DID
Palmyra N. j., 23rd, 1891,

1t has been considerable time sine
L have written anything for the col
umns of your excellent paper.
thought it would be pleasant to IN,
friends, to read Il few lines from ont
of their old associates.
There is no paper that comes to ny
hands that l appreciate more than the
Penn's Grove RECORD. Every time
scan its pages, l see something of int.
rest to me, about some one, som
church or something. | have r~ejoiceG
many times, because of the success OF
Gods cause throughout the entire vii
lage of Penn's Grove. All the chur
ches, no doubt, have received new i'm
pulses in Christian movement. l pre-
sumo there is more or less sadness, be
cause of the changes made i'll the old
Emmanuel, aud the youthful st.
Paul's, in reference to pastors. You
need Lot worry, about Bro. Mitchell:
he will be IL success wherever he goes,
MS a fighter for king Jesus. AS to the
church, Elisha will do valiant and
noble work for it.
There need he no special anxiety for
Bro. Parker, as you know he is named
after, or his name is similar to the old
"War Horse Governor" Governor
Parker. Ii there is anything i'll q name
wherever Bro. Parker strikes his tent,
the devil, and his allies will have to
vacate. As to the old Emmanuel she
need not worry. as her name is a syn
onym of an associate with u power,
that has never failed, aud that, 'GOd
with u.s." ''If God lie with us who
Fan be against us?" Bro. Hutchinson.
a former pastor is here, with whom |
frequently meet.
The Old Bethel is still pegging away
for truth and salvation, led by their
earnest (thOugil not very large) pastor,
Bro. Patterson. L see according TO
your columns, that the Bethel has Or
ganlzed u Christian Eudeavor Society.
L am glad Of It'll IL will prove TO be
very helpful 10 the pastor. and to the
young. 1t Is Observation-Disclosures.
When L read the announcement of the
supper held in the Bethel basement,
my month wa;ered for some of their
uIexcelled chicken pot-pie. l wish l
had been there.
l feel sad when l read the decease
of ''uncie'' Josie Munyan. Uncle
Josie vas as true as steel, both to his
God and to me as pastor, He has gone
| home to meet his Savior and his saint
companion, of wbum he after spoke
with eyes filled with tears, and for
whom his affections never relaxed, al
though many years had flown into eter-
nifty. My s~ympatliies are with the
friends.
AS to myself and my field, | feel l
should say something, rs L ave said
| nothing, but what you all know about.
Well | am still at Palmyra, (goimg on
two yeaIs) doing what | can for my
Master, and for soul salvation. My
| success continues undated, and rich
promises loom up before me continual
ly. My success has far exceeded my
sanguine anticipation. l wondered,
when l iirst became a Baptist. if my
diction, preaching, and manner would
be acceptable ant pleasing. 1t is said,
''The proof OF The pudding is in the
eating" SO l have had evedience
after evidence that L made no
mistake when | assumed charge of
this field of labor.
A few weeks ago 1 baptized seven,
and the Sunday following, | gave the
hand of fellowship to nine. There will
be four baptisms next Sunday even
ing. After our next communion, the
first Sunday in April, / will have re-
ceived Ill the church, since have been
been here about fifty. Is this not cheer
ing 10 my friends VINO feel an interest
in me. This success has been without
any extra meetings, excepting the week
of prayer.
My congregations are larger than
ever, and all seem Interested in the
simple story l have to tell. 1t is not
because of great preaching they come;
(If l have IA right to Judge of myselt)
for sometimes | feel discouraged with
myself. For some reason they ale pres
ent, and give their earnest attention.
The church is also alive spiritually.
The building is getting too small for
the Sunday School. L still continue
the short chalk talks to The school.
Our prayer meeting is grandly attend
ed; really "a congregation. | prepare a
talk for prayer meeting, (short) the
same as / DO a sermon, but noteless.
l want to tell you how | was served
OH Wednesday evening, 18th. Upon re-
turning from the church, wher [ had
assembled with my deacons to exam
inc candidates, | found the house filled
with unexpected guests, singing, lac
companied with the ofgan,) with all
their vocal powers. After | had got
ton over my surprise, and had grasped
the hand of each one in salutatiOIl and
greeting, | was. asked to stand at a
prominent place, wllereupon a good
brother proceeded TO address lie. At
the conclusion of his speech, he present.
ed me, i'll behalf of the members and
friends of The church, IA handsome
solid gold watch, and chain, enclosed
in a beautiful plush case. | was al
most speeches., but with biOken ac-
cents l proceeded to thank them for
their special kindness and manifesto
tions Of love for me-.
After being refreshed with cake and
lemonade, and II little more singing,
they gradually dispersed to their homes
leaving behind them a sleepless pastor;
as the watch raised my nervous system
to its highest tension, it has proven to
be an oasis Ill my life. God bless the
dear people of the Baptist church, is
my prayer. 1t has created new impnl-
SEES in my life. 1t fell to my lot March
18th, to offer prayer before the House
of Assembly at Trenton. /, of course
complied, and did the best l could.
The Legislature is a poor placa for a
person to go, if he wants to grow i'll
grace. / did not make any advance
ment, and got back without much de-
crease. | must close this letter. When
l get to writing, l hardly know when
to stop. Additionally
T.. 5. lOWELsoN.
Pastor Baptist Church.