Meetings in Tuscola Co., Mich.
By John Harvey Waggoner
According to appointment, I met with the church at Tuscola, Dec. 22. Our meetings commenced Sabbath evening and continued till Tuesday night, during which time I endeavored to present such practical truths as were calculated to encourage and strengthen the children of God. On Sabbath and first-day some were present from Vassar and Watrousville. The effect of this meeting was good; the brethren and sisters renewed their covenant to walk in all the truth; a good interest was awakened on the Health Reform, and Systematic Benevolence adopted, over $90.00 being pledged, which I trust will be increased as they have time for consideration. As I was a stranger both to the brethren and to the locality, it became an anxiety with me to know how to lay out my work to the best advantage. On careful deliberation I concluded to pass to the extreme north-east to Centerville, for the second Sabbath, 29th. Sending my appointments forward, I had a meeting at Vassar, Wednesday night, the 26th. Good attendance and good interest. Thursday night, at Watrousville; this was also a good meeting. Here a messenger came requesting me to return to Tuscola to preach a funeral sermon on the Sabbath. As Bro. Byington had once been called from an appointment in Centerville in the same manner, I considered it duty to go up there on sixth-day and see the brethren and make arrangements for meetings. This proved to be the prudent course, so far as meetings there were concerned, as there could have been no definite appointment given had I not gone. The Universalist House, where the meetings were held, was to be occupied Sunday, both day and evening, but the minister gave me the time Sunday night, and the owner of the house extended the favor as far in the week as we wished. I immediately returned to Watrousville; this was, I think, the coldest day of the season. I suffered much from the exposure. Being rather feeble when I went to that County, I had calculated my appointments so that I need not be long exposed in traveling. But such events cannot be calculated for. The Lord gave freedom on the occasion of the funeral, and I trust the truth was honored and the cause benefited; but from the effects of this trip I am still severely suffering. I regretted to find some discouragements resting on the minds of the brethren at Centerville, which I hope they will rise above, and press together with all the remnant toward the everlasting prize. Being almost unfit for public labor, myself, tended also to prevent the awakening of that lively interest in the meetings which I would have been pleased to see. I continued till Wednesday night, and went to Watrousville Thursday, Jan. 3. I had made arrangements for a general meeting at Watrousville, Jan. 5 and 6, which was well attended, and was decidedly successful in every respect. I had good freedom in speaking the truth, and think I enjoyed it as highly as others did hearing it. The social meeting on Sabbath afternoon was spirited, and the feeling seemed to be deep and substantial. The interest increased to the close. Brethren and sisters came from Tuscola before the Sabbath, and remained till Sunday afternoon. Such a course, where it is practicable, always insures a good meeting. Here we made arrangements for regular monthly meetings of the churches of this county, which I trust will be of great benefit to the cause. But the labor of this meeting was all I could possibly endure. On Monday morning I could scarcely converse; my throat was inflamed, lung painful, and voice almost entirely gone. By resting and carefulness, I was enabled to give them a brief sermon on Tuesday evening, which closed my labors in Watrousville. Their memory will long be with me. Some of the friends advised me to take up all further appointments, and get rest. While I appreciated their kindness, and felt much the need of it, I did not think circumstances would fully justify it. However, I changed my course somewhat. As the ordinances had never been observed in Tuscola, I went there and had a meeting for that purpose Thursday evening, Jan. 10th. This time I chose rather than wait till after the meetings at Vassar, as I was anxious to close up as early as possible for my own health, and also to get to Holly in time to see Bro. Loughborough there. This was a pleasant and profitable meeting for the church in Tuscola, all joining heartily in these exercises so well calculated to bring us nearer to a meek and suffering Saviour. Three united with the church. Next day I returned to Vassar and had a profitable meeting at a private house. Sabbath morning, with a large attendance from Tuscola and Watrousville, we convened at the old Court room, where I preached to them in considerable pain, but in freedom of spirit, after which, as usual, we had a short social meeting. Expecting the friends from other places would leave, I chose to have the evening meeting at a private house, where I could talk to the church alone. But others seemed interested also; the house was densely filled, and, for the time, I lost sight of earthly afflictions while speaking of the 'blessed hope,' of the Lord's coming, and the certainty of God's promises. After the congregation was dismissed, the church being invited to remain, three were received into the church, and it being yet early, arrangements were hastily made to attend the ordinances of the Lord's house. This was another good season. A number from Watrousville remained at this meeting, and we rejoiced together before our God for the power and consolations of the present truth. With this I closed my labors in Tuscola County, not deeming it advisable to have any meeting on Sunday, the 13th, and the decision was heartily endorsed by the brethren and sisters. To those meetings I look back with a pleasure only alloyed by the thought that I could not do in Gratiot Co. what I did in Tuscola Co. I went there an entire stranger; I left as parting with the members of a closely united family. When I consider the number that had never made any profession of religion, many of them opposed to the Bible and to all religions truth, when Brn. Van Horn and Canright first went there, who are now devoted, praying people, growing up into Christ through obedience to all the truth, I feel to praise God for the work he has done in Tuscola County. Many are bearing trials with fortitude and patience; and though, while there, trials were pressing sorely to my own heart, I felt to sympathize with the tempted ones there, and often we all together lost sight of 'these light afflictions,' as we viewed by faith the 'far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' Though I may never see them again in this state of trial, I expect to meet them with joy where that glory is revealed. Monday, the 14th, I went to Holly, well pleased to meet and enjoy a visit with Bro. Loughborough. I would have been pleased to prolong my visit, but as my throat was very sore, and I coughed so much as to lose my rest at night, I thought it necessary to finish my journey as speedily as possible. I arrived in Battle Creek the 16th to go home and attend to the wants of my family, expecting to resume public labor as soon as the condition of my throat will admit. Battle Creek, Jan. 17, 1867.