REPORT FROM BRO. WHITE.
By James White
BRO. SMITH has given brief reports of our first meeting in the new tent at Orange. In consequence of heavy rains our congregations were not large. But this was one of those precious seasons where the people of God enjoy sweet communion with their Lord, and with each other, and which leaves a good influence upon the minds of all. At this meeting we had urgent requests to hold tent meetings at Oakland, and also at St. Charles, July 1-4. The state of the cause in the vicinity of Oakland, embracing Memphis and Lapeer, made it necessary to decide in favor of Oakland. Since, we have received urgent requests from Johnstown and Alaiedon for meetings at the same time. We have also received requests from Ransom Center, Hillsdale, and other places. We cannot visit one-fourth of these places. May the Lord direct to make a proper choice. Sabbath and first-day, June 26, 27, we enjoyed a good season with the church at Wright. The house was filled, and we enjoyed freedom in the word. Six were baptized. Near the present house of worship is another being erected by the church, of very liberal dimensions. When we told the brethren that the general Camp-meeting would probably be nearer the center of the State, some expressed themselves disappointed. It is thought that near Holly, on the Detroit and Milwaukee R. R., would be a good point. Camp-meeting season is hastening on. It will be impossible for us to attend several, both East and West, unless some of them can be held as early as the first of August. We are receiving calls from New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. The cause is one. We have no favorite fields. We do not, however, feel free to labor where the people are not anxious, and sufficiently awake, to promptly co-operate with us, while there are so many who are. We wish to labor where we can do the most good. We have spent too much time and labor in Battle Creek. Not that there is not enough to do in that large church, but they are not in a condition to be helped. They must first feel their wants and feel the burden of their own cases. We have robbed other churches, and other branches of the work, to labor with that church, without seeing fruits, and found ourselves in a worn, depressed condition at the time of our General Conference in consequence. We hope in future to so direct our course in the providence of God as to keep free,14and in working order. We wish our brethren in all parts of the wide field to feel that we have no favorite places to labor. We, under God, are the property to the entire church. We are debtors to all. Freely we have received the words of life, and we are debtors of all to freely give the same. May God direct us. Greenville, Mich., June 30, 1869.