| 230 composed of nineteen members, J. W. Grierson, presiding elder; J. B. Porter, teacher; and L. H. Ikerd, clerk.
On June 27 the Oak Island Branch was organized in Bexar County, Texas, by Elder D. H. Bays, with A. B. Kuykendall president, and John Barber clerk. Some of the events preceding this organization are graphically described by Elder Days in a letter written from Stockdale, Texas, June 30, 1878, as follows:
On the 21st, with Bro. Alex. Hay, I returned to Bexar County, and commenced preaching the next day. During my absence the neighborhood turned out and erected a good arbor in a grove, and there we held three services on Saturday; and on Sunday, at the close of the forenoon service, four persons offered themselves for baptism, and in the afternoon two more. A large congregation "gathered at the river" (Medina) to hear a discourse on water baptism, and to witness the baptismal ceremony. During the discourse frequent questions were propounded by two gentlemen, one a Christian and the other a Union preacher, the latter discarding all external ordinances of the church, including water baptism, but believing in and teaching the "baptism of the Holy Spirit and the right of the people of God to enjoy the 'spiritual gifts."' I was blessed with a remarkable degree of the Spirit, and at the close three more gave their names. Old Bro. Thompson, the Union preacher, then arose and said that he had received more light on the gospel than he had ever received before, that he believed we had the truth, but thought he would wait a little while.
We then repaired to the water. A deep feeling of solemnity pervaded the assembly while nine precious souls were buried with our precious Lord in baptism. The invitation was extended to others, when Bro. Thompson stepped forward and addressed the audience in a solemn and impressive manner, saying: "The systems of men generally teach a 'form of godliness' but deny the 'power thereof,' and I have been preaching the 'power' without the 'form.' But now, thank God, we have presented to us both the form and the power; and I feel it to be my duty to walk in the light as I now behold it, and to put on the whole armor of God." Then he came forth and was baptized. Almost the entire audience, which was large, was in tears. Even people who had not obeyed the gospel message, received great confirmation, some of them testifying boldly that they saw a glorious and heavenly light at the close of the baptismal service. It was certainly a remarkable display of God's power; praise his great and holy name!
Next day, Tuesday, the 25th, we met under the arbor again at eleven o'clock in the forenoon for preaching and confirmation services, in which the Spirit was present in a remarkable degree of power, especially in the confirmation ceremonies.-The Saints' Herald, vol. 25, p. 221.
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