Canada Is Calling
I have just returned from holding a gospel meeting in North Bay, Ontario, Canada. There is no church of the Lord meeting in North Bay. North Bay and vicinity has a population of about 40,000. The closest congregation is 40 miles to the south in a little community called Sundridge; this congregation has 37 members. Bro. Jim O'Neil is the preacher. He was a great source of help and encouragement in the meeting in North Bay. There is a small congregation meeting 80 miles to the west in Sudbury. Bro. Bethel Bailey is the preacher there.
Brother and Sister Don Hamilton and Sister Pat Maddocks live in North Bay. I had known Don and Shirley Hamilton before going into the area and it was a genuine pleasure to be associated with and in the home of these fine Christians. Bro. Hamilton is an engineer with the IBM Corp , and wherever he is sent in his work he is a great source of help and encouragement for the cause of the Lord. He uses his talents and his money liberally for the Lord. We were able to use the auditorium of a local grammar school. The school officials were very cooperative and the people of the town were very cordial as a whole. Over 500 homes were visited plus the advertising done on radio and in the newspaper. Even though the people did not rush to the meeting in great crowds and stand in line to get in, we are satisfied that much was done to establish classes and further services in the area.
The good congregation here at 23 Margaret St., Joliet, sent me into this field to do what I could to help establish the work of the Lord in North Bay. Even though Bro. Hamilton is very zealous and very generous toward the Lord, it is not fair that he should have to bear this great burden alone. His one great desire is that a sound gospel preacher be sent there while he is there to help. He will be transferred next July, but much can be done toward the establishment of a good sound congregation of the Lord's people by then. Who will go and who will send? Or who will help in any way? Anyone or any congregation interested in further information on the work, please write, Jim Sasser, 103 Margaret St., Joliet, Ill., or to Don Harnilon, 82 Lakeshore Dr., North Bay, Ontario, Canada.