Meetings in Mich by Joseph Bates

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Aug 14, 1866

Meetings in Mich.

By Joseph Bates

BRO. WHITE: My last report was from Holly, Mich. From thence, I held four meetings with the church in the district school-house in Tyrone, Sabbath and first-day, June 14 and 15. After my last meeting, two were buried with Christ by baptism. The church then repaired to the dwelling of Bro. James Cornell, where they enjoyed a very interesting and profitable season, in washing "one another's feet," and partaking of the emblems of the broken body and spilt blood of our soon coming Lord.

July 17, 18, held five meetings with the church in Millford. Some trials which had troubled the church some months in the past, were adjusted in brotherly love, and the meetings closed with the celebration of the ordinances of the Lord's house. Bro. J. P. Rathbun, with his team kindly took us from Tyrone to Millford, and thence to Holly, affording us the pleasure of calling on, and being kindly received and entertained by the scattered and lonely ones of the flock in our way. How cheering and refreshing such seasons spent in prayer and conference relative to our blessed hope.

July 20-24, with the church in St. Charles, Saginaw Co. Here I held eight interesting meetings. A portion of the church in Chesaning attended, and united with them, and enjoyed an interesting season in celebrating the ordinances. The church in C. are trying to live and be overcomers. Many of them are deeply interested in the health reform. Seven shares in the Health Institution were subscribed for at the meeting.

Bro. Whetmore kindly conveyed me to Chesaning, July 24th. Here I visited the brethren and prayed with them, and held two evening meetings with them in the school-house. The brethren were much encouraged to see so many of their neighbors interested to come out and hear for themselves. They have hopes of some that they will soon embrace the truth.

July 26-30, visited and held six meetings with the church in Owasso. Sabbath was a good day. Our ordinance season was sweet, and strengthening. These brethren seem decided as ever to move forward and receive all the truth. The Lord help them, and all that are engaged in the third angel's message, to overcome, is my prayer. Bro. Griggs took me five miles on my way to this place, where I met Bro. James Burlingame coming for me. Meeting commences here this evening.

JOSEPH BATES. Woodhull, Shi. Co., July 31, 1866.