The Cause in Michigan

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 29, 1866

The Cause in Michigan.

[THE following paragraphs, relative to the standing of the various churches in Michigan, are taken from the reports brought in by the delegates to the recent State Conference held in Battle Creek, May 18, 1866.]

From the church at St. Charles: "The church in this place remain with about the same members as at the last Conference. There has been one member removed by death, and two disfellowshipped, and two have been added by letter. Our number on book, is now thirty-two. The church vote to pay into the Conference fund, $150, to be paid quarterly. There is an increasing desire among the members to get into better working order than they have been in for some time in the past. We are trying to get nearer to God, but the adversary seems to be putting forth great efforts to hinder the work. There is some interest outside, and we think some good might be done if a messenger could come this way. We are thankful for what help we have received the past year, and it is the desire of the church, that some one of the messengers may come and visit us as soon as convenient."

From the church at Chesaning: "Our present membership is eleven, though some seem to be losing their love for the truth, for which we mourn and pray, and hope in due time, they will come to themselves like the prodigal. Our s. b. amounts to forty dollars for the present year. We have a Sabbath School, and two meetings each week. The season of fasting and prayer was a good season with us. It seemed to be just what was needed. Our prayers were, and still are, that God will bless his afflicted servants with health and prosperity, and that the burden of the message may lay near our hearts, and the hearts of his people everywhere. Oh, for the sanctifying influence of these solemn truths. We would very much love to have one of God's faithful messengers visit us as soon as convenient."

From the church at Burlington: "Three have been added to the church the past year, four have been disfellowshipped, and our present number is forty-four. Our s. b. fund amounts to $148.64. The church voted to give $125 to the State Conference fund for the benefit of the cause; the remainder they retain for the purpose of hiring a house to hold meetings in. This church, with little exception, is striving to arise from their lukewarmness. Especially was this the case during our four days of fasting and prayer. A great interest was manifest among the young to go with God's people, and we expect to see some soon join heart and hand, and go through with the remnant. The hearts of the fathers seemed to be turned to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers, hearty confessions were made, and the church was blessed and strengthened."

From the church at Ransom Center: "We are happy to say that we consider our church as in a prosperous condition. We numbered when organized, twenty-three. There have been no losses, but a gain of four, making our present number twenty-seven. There are twelve or fifteen more who are waiting to unite with the church. Ten or more desire baptism. We earnestly desire that some messenger may visit us soon, that this matter may be attended to."

The four days of fasting and prayer were observed by the church, and we feel to bless God for his sweet Spirit during the meetings. We feel encouraged to press on, and feel assured that God will hear the cries of his children in behalf of his cause, and his afflicted servants."

From the church at Fairplains: "We feel as a church, the necessity, in view of the solemn times in which we live, of taking hold more earnestly of the work of overcoming, that we may be fully ready when Jesus comes, to meet him in peace. We observed the last season of fasting and prayer with profit to ourselves, and we expect to see the prayers of God's people answered in the advancement of his cause. About fifty met together on the Sabbath at our meeting-house, and we had a good time. We number at present seventeen in full fellowship. Our s. b. fund amounts to $234 for the year 1866."

From the church at Greenbush: "The church in this place at present, consists of fourteen members, including the youth and children. Losses the past year, two by removal. Our s. b. fund amounts to about $50 a year, which we pledge entire to the Mich. Conference fund. We as a church, feel the importance of a closer walk with God, that we may overcome our sins, and have a home on the earth made new. The youth and children take a part in all our meetings, and we have a Sabbath School in which they are much interested. We want to be under the watch-care of the Conference, and are willing to bear a share of its burdens."

From the church at Monterey: "During the past year, the church have dismissed fourteen members. Some of them have removed to other churches. Two have died, and nine have been added. The church now holds seventy-eight members in her communion, all of which, with few exceptions, meet at their established place of worship every Sabbath. We also hold two stated evening prayer and conference meetings every week, and a female prayer-meeting on first-day afternoon. In connection with our Sabbath meetings, we have organized Bible classes, and a very interesting Sabbath School of fifty-six scholars, and a library of selected books for both parents and children. With all these needed forms of godliness, we devoutly desire the power to enable us to overcome the world, the flesh, and the Devil. With regard to dress, and how to live, and laying aside every wrong and filthy practice, we are resolved to go forward. Some changes in our midst have subtracted from our s. b. fund. During this year, it amounts to $362."

From the church at Colon: "We love the present truth, and are anxious to share with you in its promotion. Our sympathy with you, and for you, as a part of the body of Christ, remains. 'Ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.' As some of you know, we are quite scattered in our location, and seem to be so more and more. Bro. and sister Schellhous have removed to Coldwater, which makes it lonely for us. They have been able however, to meet with us occasionally, which comforts us much. Dear brethren, we share in common with you, the trials and afflictions of the past year, and trust that they will work for our deliverance in due time. Our present number is fifteen, the same as last year. Pledge to Mich. State Conference fund, $9.00 per quarter."

From the church at Tyrone: "We, the church at Tyrone, have had three added to our number the past Conference year by profession of faith. We number at present one hundred and twenty-seven; pay $140 s. b.; and have voted to pay two-thirds of the amount to General Conference fund. We sustain a Sabbath School and Bible class. We observed the fast according to request in Review, and had good meetings; enjoyed the sweet melting influence of the Holy Spirit; all resolved to start anew for the kingdom. We felt the evidence that the Lord was hearing the prayers of his people, and expect to hear that he has answered, or will as soon as it will be for his glory. We wish to be remembered by the Conference. We are almost starving for the bread of life, and want a messenger to come and feed us."