Report from Tuscola, Mich by Dudley Marvin Canright; Isaac D. Van Horn

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 20, 1866

Report from Tuscola, Mich.

By Dudley Marvin Canright; Isaac D. Van Horn

Our meetings in this village have just closed. We have been here six weeks and have given about forty-five lectures. The opposition of our enemies has been very strong here from the first. When it was known that we intended to come here, a protracted meeting was "long drawn out" to keep us away. But at length, failing to get hearers, this stopped, and we began our meetings. We have had a large attendance all the time, and especially the last week. About the middle of the meetings the Methodists put in an appointment right on the top of ours. This only served to expose what spirit they were of, and turn the people in our favor. Then Eld. Silliman so utterly failed in his attempt to prove a Sunday-Sabbath that it still further opened the eyes of the people. Seeing all things going on so well, they at length tried to shut the house; but here they failed again as the mass of the people were in our favor. Not satisfied with these efforts, professors, and even ministers, have circulated all sorts of slanderous reports about us and our brethren. To this we pay no attention but keep steadily at work in our Master's business. Finding that none of these things move us, but that the truth was gaining ground every day in the county, the anger of some of the ministers was no longer restrainable. It was manifested in so harsh and unchristian a manner that many declared that they would never go to hear them again. All this only serves to bring out the honest from the fallen churches, and confirm our friends in the truth. As Paul says, "We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth."

The result of our labor is that about forty have embraced the truth and are now keeping the Sabbath. Others are investigating with a good prospect of obeying. It has been frequently objected to our views that we only made converts from other churches without converting any from the world. But so far as our experience goes the reverse is the case, as the most of those who embrace the truth have made no profession before. In this place many families have erected the family altar where one month since God was not reverenced nor his word read. Last Sabbath about sixty were out. In our social meeting about twenty-five testimonies were given and about twenty arose for prayers. This was a sight to make a Christian's heart rejoice. We trust that the work has only just begun, and that the Lord will carry it on to the glory of his name.

Some of our Wesleyan brethren have been very kind to us here, and rejoice with us in the work which God has wrought in this place. May the Lord bless them, and give them hearts to walk in all the light of his word.

We have obtained 17 subscribers for the Review, and 5 for the Instructor, and sold a large quantity of books. Our expenses have been about $15.

D. M. Canright, I. D. Van Horn.