p. 165 | Labors in Mich by John H. Waggoner

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 23, 1866

Labors in Mich.

By John H. Waggoner

Bro. Cornell and self closed our labors in Holly, Sept. 23d. On my way westward, I had appointed to meet with the church at Chesaning the 25th, and at Owasso the 26th. The weather was still wet and the roads very bad, but understanding that they had several times been disappointed at Chesaning on account of roads and weather, I determined to go through and meet my appointment. But the day was so rainy that the stage did not go, and of course I could not. The evening of the 26th I spoke to the brethren and sisters and a few of their neighbors assembled at Bro. Wilkinson's at Owasso.

The meeting at Orange commenced with preaching on Sabbath evening. Sabbath morning, the subject of health was presented from the Bible, which increased the interest, as was plainly manifested by the testimonies given in social meeting in the afternoon. I found some thorough converts to the health question in that part of the country, and the effect is visible in the advanced state of spirituality of its adherents. They are truly growing in grace. A few seemed to look on with some distrust, generally those who have some strong appetite to gratify; the effect of this is also manifested in their testimonies or in their silence. May the Lord bless them, and bring them up to the advanced standard of present truth. Toward the close of the Sabbath we met at Bro. Howe's, where I spoke to them again on the same subject, about one hour; after which the ordinances were celebrated by the willing, joyful saints.

First-day I tried to speak three times, which was once too much for my strength, as I had taken cold about the time of leaving Holly, and it was gradually working on my exhausted system. I enjoyed good freedom in the morning, but had no time to recover my energies for the afternoon service; however, by taking rest I felt refreshed for the evening, and our meeting closed up with a good time. All expressed themselves satisfied and much encouraged. I believe it was a meeting to be remembered, the results of which will be permanent and enduring. With one feature of this meeting I was especially gratified: most of the brethren from abroad were present at its commencement, coming to the place before the Sabbath, and none leaving till first-day afternoon. The meeting was long enough for all to feel profited, and the Sabbath was a day of rest and worship, and not a day of travel and labor. I have sometimes doubted the propriety and utility of monthly gatherings, where the morning and afternoon of the Sabbath is spent in traveling to and from the place of meeting. I would ask the brethren, How far will circumstances justify it?

Oct. 1st, I left my good, temporary home at Bro. Howe's; the 2nd I largely increased my cold; the 3rd I met with the church of Jackson, at Bro. Burwell's in Parma. This was by request and arrangement of Bro. Palmer, who wished to hear more on the health subject. The friends at Parma had some misgivings on the subject, as they wished their neighbors to hear; but all were interested, and the brethren and sisters seemed much confirmed as to the importance of this part of the truth. The 4th inst. went to Battle Creek, intending to remain over Sabbath, but as it was the time of the Monthly Meeting at Burlington, I took a hasty view of the new meeting-house, Institute, &c., and journeyed homeward, arriving before the Sabbath. I felt somewhat disappointed, not seeing any from Convis at that meeting, but was pleased to see so many from Battle Creek, Newton, and Colon. Perhaps at no other time during the past season have I been so unfitted for labor as at that, yet we had a good meeting.

But with that effort, exhausted nature gave way. I have been sick ever since, scarcely able to do anything, keeping as still as possible, hoping to be able to meet future appointments. Last Sabbath I intended to rest, but preached a funeral discourse, which, of course, tended to retard my recovery, as my cold was on my throat and lungs.

I am cheered by a letter from Bro. Cornell, giving a favorable account of the state of things in Holly, where he had returned and was holding meetings. It is cheering that any success attended our labors there. We have usually closed up our meetings when it seemed almost impossible to continue them; but there we continued through wet and cold, and the interest increased till the close, though the attendance was necessarily limited.

During all this bad weather, often much exposed, and laboring as much as ordinary in tent meetings, I have enjoyed unusually good health, with buoyancy of spirits, which I owe, in God's providence, to the Health Reform. I cannot expect very much from such a debilitated frame as mine, but with care, which I am trying to exercise, I hope to be able to do some service yet in the good work. May the Lord speed it on!

J. H. WAGGONER.

Burlington, Mich., Oct. 16, 1866.