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Report from Bro. Bates

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 11, 1866

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 28, No. 15.

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Report from Bro. Bates.

By Joseph Bates

BRO. WHITE: My last report left me with the church in Woodhull, Shi. Co., Mich. From July 31 to Aug. 9, I held two meetings with them. About two-thirds of their members have moved away. Some families came several miles to the meeting and manifested some interest to hear our position.
Aug. 2d, Bro. Burlingham's team brought me to Locke, where I continued five days visiting the sick and feeble, and held eight meetings with the church. On first day quite a number of their friends and neighbors came in and listened attentively. By request we celebrated the ordinances at Bro. Brown's, whose companion had been very sick. She was very much revived and strengthened, as were the church, also.
Aug. 7, Bro. M. Avery brought me twenty-six miles to South Genoa, Liv. Co. I held five meetings with the church here, and baptized Bro. and Sr. Carpenter in a large lake on their own premises. Two others wished to go forward, but were unable for want of suitable arrangements. The brethren here were deeply interested to bring up their s. B. to the Bible standard, and receive the promised blessing. Mal. iii, 10. Our series of meetings closed with the celebration of the ordinances of the Lord's house, and the blessing of the Lord.
Aug. 14, Brn. Carpenter and Poss aided me on my way to Leslie to spend a few days with several families of Seventh-day Adventists in that place. Here I was attacked with the fever and ague for a few days, which prevented my attending my last appointment at Bunkerhill the 18th and 19th inst., some seven miles distant. After the Sabbath some of the brethren came to Leslie. They said that after some feeling over their disappointment they had a good, encouraging meeting. A number of the brethren and sisters on their way through Leslie to the Bunkerhill meeting stopped at Bro. A. J. Richmond's, where I was staying. Arrangements were soon made, and we had two good meetings with them in L. on the Sabbath.
I would here express my gratitude to God, for regarding the prayers of his people, and blessing the simple means used to break my fever; and also to Bro. and Sr. Richmond for the deep interest and kind care they had for me, and to Bro. J. E. Titus for the successful water treatment he gave me.
Monday, Aug. 21, on my way to Monterey, I stopped over night at Battle Creek. Here I learned that Bro. White and family had moved about one-quarter of a mile north from their former residence, more retired from the stir and business of the city, where we hope he will improve and overcome all his infirmities, and again resume his position in the good work of the Lord.
The church in Battle Creek continue to move forward in the great work of reform, looking for the blessed hope.
The brethren and sisters in the employ of the Publishing Association were all cheerfully working at their posts, sending forth the Review and Herald, Youth's Instructor, Health Reformer, books and pamphlets, all to aid, instruct, and enlighten the honest-hearted everywhere, who love the straight testimony of the Holy Bible, and its divine Author, and the soon-coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
About three minutes' walk directly north from the Publishing Office, is the 'Western Health-Reform Institute, situated on one of the most desirable and pleasant heights of all the surrounding country. In front of the buildings is a beautiful grove of second growth oak and hickory trees, for shady walks and resting places. Back of these are the fruit trees and gardens.
The Trustees, with Dr. Lay, and the mechanics and laborers were all cheerfully engaged in erecting and furnishing the necessary additional buildings to accommodate patients at the time set forth in the Review.
Sabbath, August 25, with the church at Monterey. How pleasant and gratifying to meet our brethren and sisters again, with whom we had covenanted to keep the commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Our meetings were free and cheering. Praise the Lord.
Next morning, the 26th, some fourteen wagon loads of Sabbath-School youth and children, with their parents, in procession left Monterey for Allegan, a distance of five miles. Other teams from Watson and Otsego met with us at A., where we had an exhibition of the Allegan Co. Sabbath Schools, superintended by Bro. H. Kenyon of M. with superintendents of the other schools. The quiet and manly behavior of these children; the good report of their progress in their classes, their united, outspoken, and correct answers to Bible questions by their superintendent, their united rehearsal of the names of all the books in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, and back to Genesis again, number of chapters and verses, books of Moses, definitions, &c., &c., were all deeply interesting.
A brother who has recently commenced keeping the Sabbath in A., uniting with others in addressing the children, said he was not only highly gratified at what he had witnessed, but was astonished to learn how they could remember so much, and repeat and answer so correctly.
Their singing under Bro. C. Russel, was harmonious and cheering. First altogether, then at intervals, three, four, and five sang before the audience. While four were singing the last select hymn, a citizen listening on the outside (as I was told), said that was the best thing he ever heard in all his life! The closing hymn by all united, was stirring and melodious. God bless the children who are trying to learn from the holy Bible the way of salvation and eternal life.
JOSEPH BATES.
Monterey, Mich.
P. S. The church in Monterey invite Bro. Loughborough to visit and hold meetings with them at his earliest convenience. J. B.