MEETING AT OAKLAND, MICH.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
The next Sabbath after the tent-meeting in Oakland I spent with that church. We had a good time, and all who loved the present truth felt encouraged. That church has suffered in the past at the hands of those who were not in harmony with the teachings of the third angel’s message. Opposition to the testimonies, especially, has been bold and violent; even going so far that no one could speak a word in their favor without receiving a public rebuke, while such as had been disfellowshipped as unchristian in life were permitted, without interruption, to take up the time of their meetings with long tirades against them. Such an overbearing, intolerant spirit as this, we hope to seldom find in the church. But I trust a new order of things is begun there; at least, the friends of the cause felt an earnest determination, after the tent-meeting, to suffer their consciences no longer to be so unjustly bound. I think the churches of Lapeer, Memphis, and Oakland, should hold union meetings. Other churches have found this course beneficial, and those churches may be a help to each other if they pursue this course. Also, it seems to be absolutely necessary that the members of the Conference Committee should visit the churches within the bounds of their Conference. Committees should know the condition of their churches as well as elders of churches should know the standing of their members. A great deal of labor has to be put forth to raise up a church, and both wisdom and labor are necessary to keep what is acquired. May the Lord help all to feel the just measure of our responsibility. Let us all labor with our might, for the perils of the last days are upon us.