Battle Creek (Mich.) Church by G. E. LANGDON.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 26, 1915

Battle Creek (Mich.) Church

By G. E. LANGDON.

SINCE coming to Battle Creek, May 7, I have received several letters inquiring how I like the work in my new field. I reply frankly: I appreciate very much the privilege of being associated in labor with this church. I find the members loyal to the cause and ready to respond to the calls to advance the work of the threefold message in all the world.

The church is working hard to reach the goal in its apportionment to missions, which means $6,000 this year. The second quarter Thirteenth Sabbath Offering of $150 was a little light, perhaps owing to the fact that the church had raised $500 a few Sabbaths before on church expenses and academy teachers' salaries. The Midsummer Offering to missions was $475. The tithe of the church averages over $1,000 a month.

The church is maintaining an academy, which employs five teachers and has an enrollment of one hundred and fifty-five pupils. Prof. W. J. Blake is principal. He is also assistant pastor of the church, and the leader of the young people's society, which numbers two hundred members.

One thousand of the In Memoriam numbers of the REVIEW and Signs giving the account of the funeral service of Sister White and of the rise of the message, were ordered for missionary work. Bedford and Urbandale (suburban churches) also ordered two hundred copies each.

Sunday night meetings were held in the Tabernacle last winter by Elder Westworth with good results, and we have continued them during the summer. At the last meeting, August 1, over five hundred were present, of whom a large number were strangers. The collections have ranged from $4.35 to $13.35. The Sunday night services have discontinued till after the camp meeting at Charlotte, August 12-22. Ten persons have been baptized and united with the church this summer, and there are others awaiting baptism.

Brother Beebe, missionary secretary, assisted by Brother D. O. Babcock, treasurer of the church, sold over $800 worth of our books and secured 100 subscriptions for the REVIEW and the Signs during Brother Beebe's stay of five weeks. We trust this large amount of good literature will bring in a harvest of souls.

Miss Frances Case, who has been engaged in educational and young people's work in Wisconsin, has answered an urgent call from the West Michigan Conference, to connect with the church and city work here in Battle Creek. The church extends a hearty welcome to her as she enters upon the work in this large and needy field.

The brethren at Bedford have been working for others. I have met with them in three meetings at their church. It was a privilege to bury five young persons in baptism last Sabbath. I have met also with the brethren at Urbandale, Charlotte, and Albion. We need the prayers of God's people that his work may prosper in the church and among the strangers. G. E. LANGDON.