TRIP TO NORTHERN MICHIGAN.
By George W. Amadon
Having been absent from the Office about a month, enjoying meetings with the brethren in the northern part of the State, it will be proper to speak briefly of the journey. Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 7, in company with the son of our dear Bro. S. T. Cranston, who fell like a man of God at his post some fifteen years since while preaching this message, I started for the General Convocation Meeting to be held at Fair Plains, Aug. 10 and 11. Having been quite closely confined among types and printing fixtures since my sickness one year ago, this was a very exhilarating ride to me. We arrived about 11 o'clock the first night at D. H. Lamson's, six miles north of Olivet, who is near to the writer not only by the ties of consanguinity, but also by that stronger bond of union, the ties of “the blessed hope.” After sweet sleep for a few hours, we enjoyed a good hygienic breakfast, and a precious season of prayer, and started for Bro. Howe's in Orange, some forty miles distant. Here again we found rest in body and mind with dear friends of the same precious faith. It is very gratifying to meet brethren and sisters at our Conferences and other meetings, but to enjoy social life with them at their homes, is a rarity indeed. Next morning, Friday, accompanied by Bro. and sister H., and several others of the church in Orange, we set out for Fair Plains. Passed through Ionia, a beautiful, flourishing city, apparently about as large as Battle Creek, and reached the home of our well-known Bro. Seneca H. King in time for dinner. After a little stop we were again on the road, and about an hour before Sabbath we had the pleasure of being at the home of Bro. and sister White, whom we had not seen since Conference. Here we met with a most hospitable reception, and at their earnest solicitation made it our home. But scarcely had our feet pressed their threshold before we were seized with the most acute pains that we ever experienced. It was bilious colic. Through the night and over Sabbath hygienic treatment was administered according to Bro. and sister White's directions, by the dear brethren there, with most gratifying results, and on Sunday we rode out to meeting. Here we recognized the voice of the Good Shepherd in the discourses in both parts of the day. Sister White seemed free in God in bearing her testimony, and Bro. W. since Conference had marvelously improved in strength, and was free in spirit. Here also was quite a concourse of brethren and sisters from within a radius of about fifty miles. The social meetings were excellent, and a good spirit seemed to be with all. But as sickness had prevented the writer from being out Sabbath, it was counseled that it would not be best to return to the Office at once, but to send for my wife, and that we then accompany Bro. and sister W. to their several appointments, till they came to Battle Creek. So we consented, and sent a letter for her to come to Muir by railroad in season for the Grove Meeting at Orange, the next Sabbath and Sunday, the 17th and 18th. As these meetings have all been noticed by Bro. White, it will not be necessary to speak of them very particularly. Suffice it to say, however, they were all excellent and characterized by the solemn presence of God. We have attended meetings during our absence at Fair Plains, Orange, Greenbush, Ithaca, and Wright, and at all of these places we remarked a commendable zeal among the churches, and a desire to profit by the plain truths spoken. And we would here say that Bro. and sister W. seemed to labor at each of these places as if it were their last chance to beseech men and women, in Christ's stead, to become reconciled to God. And although the meetings were generally lengthy, yet the congregations, intermingled largely with unbelievers, seemed to pay diligent attention to the solemn messages delivered. The testimony borne at these places was a pointed one indeed, and as a result the church was aroused, sinners convicted, and those on the background were mightily wrought upon to repent of their coldness and take their places again among the workers for the Lord. Especially was this true at Orange, where several brethren who hardly bore the leaves of an outward profession, in consequence of that soul-and-body-destroying narcotic—tobacco—saw their wrong, broke down before God and the church, and in the presence of Heaven and men, pledged themselves to the church to abstain from this “fleshly lust” which wars against the soul. May God bless them, is our fervent prayer. He that overcometh shall sit on Jesus' throne. Here also we saw a zeal “according to knowledge” in the matter of the Dress Reform. As a whole, the church have adopted the dress which Heaven has spoken well of, yet nothing is said about it,—at least the writer heard nothing except where he introduced the matter. The churches north, with the exception of those in the newer places, have got well into the Dress Reform, and are pressing forward. Certainly in this they are setting a worthy example to those whom it might be expected would lead out in this advance step for the people of God. Is not this a fulfillment of the Saviour's words, “The first shall be last, and the last shall be first?” It is painful to one's heart to see the indifference with which this subject of the Dress Reform is treated by some who should be foremost in “every good word and work.” The writer's mind is not called to this matter by any public or private teaching that he has listened to recently, for in no place has it been made a subject of discourse. The testimony of Sr. W. was that the people of God might get ready for things coming on the earth, and that they might stand when the Judge of all shall appear. The meeting at Ithaca, especially, was a good one. Bro. and Sr. W. had never been there, and the interest and curiosity with the church and world were great to hear; and if one can judge from looks and words, none were disappointed. We will rejoice with the brethren here that they can have the labors of Bro. and Sr. W. in time to come. These servants of the church now have a team and carriage so that they can travel with comfort over rough roads and on long journeys. Probably many of our brethren have been made aware of this by a private circular sent out in the names of Brn. King, Fargo, and Maynard, calling for donations to help pay for this traveling outfit, from ten cents to ten dollars. We hope all receiving this circular will respond as their hearts and circumstances shall prompt. The old carriage now laid by is more fit for a kind of market cart than to travel with; and the old harness we toggled up several times with our own hands as it gave way by using. It is literally good for nothing. But we need not speak at length on this point,—a word to the liberal is sufficient. We have been greatly cheered by our little tour north. We have seen many of the brethren and sisters at their own homes, have prayed together, talked together, seen how they look toward Battle Creek, and have learned a little of what they expect from the people of God here. And I can say, I have returned home with an increased desire to do the will of God from the heart. Let us all fight the good fight of faith a few days longer, war a good warfare by the promises, and then ours will be that great rest that remaineth for the faithful people of God. Bro. and sister W. are expected to be in Battle Creek the 9th, and will remain over Sabbath, and till Testimony No. 12 shall be printed, when they will go West. May God bless their labors here and elsewhere, and may we all so live and labor that finally when deliverance shall come, with all its wealth of mercy and glory, we may have the palm, the robe and the crown, and be forever at rest. GEO. W. AMADON. Battle Creek, Sept. 8, 1867.