Report from Tuscola by I. D. Van Horn

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 3, 1866

Report from Tuscola.

By I. D. Van Horn

March 22nd, I returned to Battle Creek, from our field of labor in Tuscola county. Since the first of last June, Bro. Canright and myself have made this county our special place of labor for the spread of the truths of the last warning message. Our hearts are filled with gratitude to God, and our lips speak forth his praise, as we look back with feelings of satisfaction, and see that his guiding hand has been with us. The cause of truth has been prosperous under our labors, and many have stepped out into its light, and are now trying to make their way with the remnant to Mount Zion.

The last two weeks of my stay with them, was spent in bringing the societies in the different places we had visited, into church order. The meetings we held with them during this time were profitable, and we have every reason to believe that much good was accomplished by them. At Centerville, eleven united in Christian fellowship, resolving to assist each other as they pass through the perils of the last days, and finally gain the home of the redeemed in Heaven.

At Watrousville, we enjoyed a most excellent meeting. On first-day, March 18, the believers in

present truth in this place, assembled for the purpose of uniting their interests to sustain the cause among them, which they have recently learned to love. Quite a number came in, perhaps more out of curiosity than anything else, and among them were some who had bitterly opposed the truth. As our meeting progressed, it became more and more interesting. The good Spirit of God came into our midst, which was good evidence to us that he sanctioned the effort then being made, for the establishment of his truth. A deep feeling of solemnity pervaded the hearts of all present. At the close of the meeting, as we all united in prayer for the ordination of the elder and deacon, God gave us his crowning blessing, and we all felt to rejoice in his love. Many, even of those who came in merely to see what would be done, were affected to tears.

A little society of thirty-four members has been formed as the result of this meeting. We seldom have seen such harmony of feeling as seemed to be manifest among this band of believers. May they, with the assistance of God's grace, ever remain in the simplicity of their first love.

At Vassar, the same good Spirit prevailed among the brethren and sisters, as they met together for organization. Twenty-one in this place, have resolved to walk together in the narrow pathway that leads to a better home than is found in this dark world. May they prove faithful to their trust in God, and he will bring them safely through to his kingdom.

These churches have all unanimously adopted the plan of Systematic Benevolence, the amount of which will probably be given in a future report.

The whole number of members who have united in fellowship in the three places, is sixty-six; but this does not include all who are keeping the Lord's Sabbath, and trying to live out the truth. There are some in each place, who for some cause, did not feel prepared to unite with the rest at present, but will probably do so soon. May the blessing of the Lord attend the work thus commenced in this county, and may his Holy Spirit seal instruction to the minds of all who love the truth, that they may all prove faithful to the end.

I. D. VAN HORN.

Battle Creek, Mich.