[8] Reports from Assemblies
Richmond Temple
DURING the past month the Lord has again shown us that His favor and blessing is still with Richmond Temple. We have had a very full month. Our beloved Pastor Greenwood has ministered to us for six months, and has been unanimously called for another six months. The Lord has graciously blessed his faithful ministry. We have witnessed many souls saved, others receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and many have had a real healing touch in their bodies.
May 5th was the Church and Sunday School Anniversary. In the afternoon the secretary read the year's report, telling how God has blessed in all departments of the work. This was followed by special singing by the Sunday School. It was a joy to see the scholars taking part, to know the Lord is blessing them in such a real way, and to see how the school has grown.
We have enjoyed the sweet ministry of Brother and Sister Beruldsen, of China, who gave us their farewell message ere they left to visit the Northern States, also on the same night we had with us Brother and Sister Upham, of New Zealand, who were en route to take up mission work in India, giving their testimonies of their call.
The Sunday morning communion services are times of real blessing and refreshing from the hand of the Lord. One Sunday morning the power and presence of the Holy Ghost was so manifested that the Spirit had full sway in our midst and several received a mighty touch. The Sunday evening gospel service brings great joy and rejoicing in seeing souls saved, backsliders restored, others earnestly seeking the fullness of the Spirit. Last Sunday night, two souls knelt at the altar for salvation. It was good to hear their bright testimonies, and also that of one who had rebelled against God for seventy-one years, but who now yielded his life to God. During the month three have received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, according to Acts 2:4, one being a young man who had fought against the movement, with the result he lost his assurance of salvation. He was graciously restored to the Lord two weeks ago, receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost the same light. The Spirit of God has also rested on the Tuesday night meetings in a marked way, there have been times of rejoicing, and times of much heart searching as the Word was given out under the anointing and unction of the Spirit. The message on being "doers" of the Word and not "hearers" only, the Spirit brought conviction into the meeting and confession was made, the saints all drawn to a closer walk with God.
As the saints have cried out earnestly to God in prayer, so He has abundantly answered them, and truly we can say the blessing is the size of a man's hand. We see the tide of blessing rising in Richmond Temple, and prayerfully continue to look for still greater blessing in our midst. "I will work and who shall let it." Isa. 43:13.