REPORT FROM BRO. WHITE by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 9, 1867

REPORT FROM BRO. WHITE.

By James White

SABBATH, JUNE 29, the churches at Fairplains and Orleans met in Monthly Meeting at Fairplains. There were also brethren in from Bushnell, Vergennes, and Greenbush. I spoke to the congregation one hour and a half upon the subject of baptism.

In the afternoon I spoke forty minutes from the text “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall be also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Gal. vi, 6, 7. Mrs. W. followed for one hour, and then followed one of the best social meetings we ever enjoyed. This meeting lasted three hours.

This morning, the 30th, we all assembled at 7 A. M. in the grove upon the bank of the lake, where I immersed four precious souls. The scenery was delightful. We drove our carriages to within a few rods of the water, which was just beyond and all around the place of baptizing decorated with the white pond-lily. Here we used our baptizing dress for the first time in nearly four years. Bro. King stepped into the water with me, but I found that I needed no assistance.

The four baptized were as follows: Our own dear son, Willie C. White, Bro. Sevy, of Greenbush, and two sisters. Bro. Sevy has long been waiting at the pool, feeling unfit. But this constituted the best evidence of fitness. But few of the brethren knew him. One brother who knew him, also his wife, were anxious he should go forward. I had never seen him before and could not take the responsibility upon myself to baptize him, so submitted his case to the brethren and sisters standing upon the shore, and got a unanimous vote that he should be baptized. Still he hesitated, and said he could not point to any particular time when he met with a change, yet he had set his heart to keep the commandments of God and do right. He did not know but he should wait till he experienced some change. I told him his heart was set right now and we did not want him changed, for a change from right would be bad. Finally he gave me his hand, and slowly we went down into the lake where he found a watery grave. When he arose, he smiled and said, “Thank God.” He joined with us in the ordinances of washing the saints’ feet and the Lord’s supper, at 11 A. M. He and his good wife will return a happy couple.

This afternoon we have a meeting at two P. M.,

which will close this precious Monthly Convocation.

The proposed meeting on the 4th of July is given up, as the masons will not be out of the way. On that day, Providence permitting, we start for Wright.

Again we must express our gratitude to God for sustaining grace and strength. Fifth and sixth days I was able to prepare a farm-wagon with wooden springs, go to town for lumber, to the woods for wood, and on sixth-day P. M. was one of two to handle nearly three thousand feet of heavy lumber just from the river. I stood upon my feet handling this lumber more than two hours in the hot sun. I was just tired enough to sleep well all night and feel well the next morning. To God be all the praise.

We shall soon go out prepared to hold meetings, Providence permitting, where the way opens. We find it quite easy speaking and singing even in the absence of teeth.

JAMES WHITE.

Greenville, Mich., June 30, 1867.