Report from Gratiot by I. D. Van Horn

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 19, 1866

Report from Gratiot.

By I. D. Van Horn

According to appointment, I met with the church at Ithaca, Sabbath and first-day, May 26 and 27. Many of the brethren and sisters from Alma met with us on the Sabbath, and we were all blest and strengthened by the good meetings of the day. The Lord gave good freedom in speaking the word of truth. In our social meeting, a lively interest was manifested, which told that the truth still occupied a prominent place in the hearts of its friends. It rained quite hard nearly all day on Sunday, so that but few attended our meetings compared to what would, had it been fair. But, on the whole, this meeting was an encouraging season to us all.

Monday, the 28th, I went to Seville. Here I found things in a better state than I expected, from what I had heard. I held five meetings with them which resulted in some, who had grown cold, and had about made up their mind to give up the truth, taking a new start, and resolving again to go forward with the remnant to Mount Zion. On Tuesday afternoon, we held a meeting at the house of Bro. Tann. While giving a discourse upon the holy character and purity of the Christian church in the last days, the rich blessing of the Lord rested upon us. Those who had not abandoned that filthy weed and idol, tobacco, were led to see their unfitness to occupy a place in the building which is to be a "habitation of God through the Spirit," Eph. ii, 22, and they resolved at once to leave off the filthy habit, from this time forward. We some expected to have a discussion at this place, but the ministers were all silent, and we went on with our meetings unmolested.

Thursday evening, the 31st, we commenced meetings in Alma, which continued with increasing interest over Sabbath and Sunday. I found this church in a flourishing condition, having a zeal for the truth and manifesting an ardent desire that their friends and neighbors might hear and believe the truth. They have met with a good deal of opposition and some persecution of late, which has only served to bring them into closer union and fellowship with each other.

On the Sabbath, the friends from Ithaca, Seville, and St. Louis, were with us, the blessing of the Lord came upon us, and we had a free time in declaring what He had done for us. As the straightness of the way to the kingdom was pointed out to them, they all seemed to feel willing to forsake all in this unfriendly world, and try to make their calling and election sure. On Sunday we had three good meetings. After the first, the large congregation in attendance went to the bank of that beautiful stream, Pine River, and six willing souls were buried with their Lord in baptism to rise to walk in newness of life. Oh, how good the Lord is; for in face of all opposition he causes his truth to triumph in victory! His glorious name is worthy of all praise, and in meek submission to his will, we will give him all the glory.

Our visit to this county was timely, and we have evidence to believe that much good has been accomplished. Dear brethren and sisters in Gratiot, prove faithful in your duty till Jesus comes, and he will reward you with eternal life.

I am now at Greenbush, where I shall hold a day's meeting, then start on my journey, to commence labors in Ohio. I felt sad as I came to this place on my way to Gratiot, and found that the good brethren and sisters here had been disappointed in their meeting. I arrived one day too late. I hope the dear friends will forgive me.

The Lord is with us, and we will continue to praise his name. I. D. VAN HORN. Greenbush, Mich., June, 1866.