For a few weeks, we spent all our time in trying those who had broken their pledges. We also passed laws that members might be brought to trial for anything dishonorable to the Band, and that all on trial must stand on the platform during trial. So each Sabbath every member is asked, “Have you broken your pledge, and do you know any one who has?” They were shown the evil of having broken God’s holy law, the guilt and danger of sin, their own personal responsibility to God and need of a Saviour, the dying love of Christ, His willingness to forgive and power to save, and they were especially encouraged to trust Him for strength to overcome every sin. The fact that they were “sinners before the Lord exceedingly” met them at every turn, but was enforced so lovingly that a closer bond drew all together as one. No gloomy views of religion were inculcated, but the Christian life was placed before them as something to be longed for and striven after. They were often called aside by themselves, perhaps for discipline, perhaps to be commended for good behavior, and then personal faith in Christ was explained to them, often with prayer. We saw the signs of a mighty work at hand in their endeavors to leave off all sin, the evident desire to know and do the right, and the almost breathless attention when religious subjects were spoken of. Some meetings were held especially for those who desired to become Christians. Meanwhile, the Christian people were appealed to over and over again. In fact, our main teaching this year has been “Bring forth fruits, meet for repentance.” Sin has been rebuked, publicly and privately, the Lord’s people have been urged to deeper consecration, and shown that if they brought their little ones to the Lord in faith, He would receive them. On the first Sabbath in February we had our Sixth Temperance Anniversary. The children fairly astonished everybody by their enthusiasm and ability. The Band then made its reputation, and the number has since been increased from 90 to 116, and we are glad to say, most of the new members are grown people, who have joined under full conviction of the usefulness of our Band, and of their own duty to it and themselves. The drill and excitement attendant upon the anniversary having passed away, the minds of the scholars were free to think again. They could not study or play, and some would be often in tears in school time. We were careful not to encourage any sudden hopes which might prove false. The work was evidently of the Spirit, who was sure to finish it. So we allowed time in each case to settle the great question. Fourteen in all believed during the week. Some were forbidden to pray at home. When they came to school they might go out in the woods to pray, and not get punished, so they went home too happy to care for whippings. In time the work reached the grown people in the neighborhood, and nightly meetings were held for weeks.