Meetings in the Western District, Mich.
By Joseph Bates
My last report was from Matherton, Ionia Co., where I had been taken by Bro. Kellogg from the railroad station. Here on the 15th and 16th of January I held three profitable meetings, two of them in the district school-house, with good attention. Since the leading brethren of North Plains changed their location, their meetings have been held in Matherton where the elder and a part of the church reside. Bro. N. S. Brigham and F. Howe were with us, and with them I came to Orange, some fourteen miles. Here from the 17th to the 21st we held seven interesting meetings, and celebrated the ordinances of the Lord's house. Some of the leading brethren here are deeply interested in the Health Reform, and are striving to be overcomers. Bro. F. Howe took me seven miles to Ionia, from thence by railroad I came to Lowell, where I found Bro. E. Vandensen waiting to convey me to his home and place of our meeting. Here we held two good meetings with the friends on the 23d instant. Bro. Kenaday took us to his home, and from thence on the 24th, some ten miles further, to Greenville, Montcalm Co. Here we had the pleasure of meeting Bro. Loughborough from Cato on his way to Wright. After visiting some of the brethren and sisters here, we commenced our meetings on the Sabbath, Jan. 26, in Fair Plains. Owing to the violent snow storm, the brethren from Bushnell and Orleans did not come. I held five good meetings with the church Sabbath and first-day, and was strengthened and encouraged in attending to the ordinances. From thence Bro J. Wilson brought Bro. Philip Strong and myself to Bushnell. Here we held a good meeting on Health Reform, also one the next evening. The church is not yet organized, but we hope they will be, and grow stronger and stronger in the whole truth. Bro. Tyler took me from thence to Orleans. Here I had the pleasure of meeting with Bro. and sister White who came some nine miles, to join in the Orleans meeting of Feb. 2, 3. On Sabbath morning Bro. White gave us a solemn and stirring discourse on robbing God, from Malachi. Sister W. followed him, and in the afternoon gave an interesting discourse to an attentive audience, on Health Reform. Sunday morning they came again, when Bro. White gave us another interesting discourse on meats and drinks, dress and Health Reform. Sister White occupied the afternoon in a pressing discourse on Health and dress reform. The people seemed much interested to hear the preaching. During our series of meetings, we celebrated the ordinances of the Lord's house, and were blessed of the Lord. Bro. and sister White rode a distance of nine miles each way on both days of our meeting. His countenance indicates an improving state of health, and we are glad to state that he is gaining in health and strength. The Lord continue to bless and strengthen him is our prayer. Bro. P. Strong was with us also. From thence he started for Montcalm Center, to commence a course of lectures in that place.