MEETINGS IN TUSCOLA CO., MICH.
By I. D. Van Horn
My last report reached to June 12. Friday the 14th I was happy to meet Bro. Waggoner at Watrousville, and was glad that his health and strength was such that he would be able to take an active part in our meetings. We spent a week together in Watrousville, laboring to build up the cause of truth and bring the church into union, and restore peace in their midst once more. Sabbath and first-day, June 15, 16, we engaged in devotional exercises with over a hundred Sabbath-keepers from different parts of the county. During this time six meetings were held. Five discourses were given on the stirring themes of present truth by which the brethren and sisters were much strengthened and encouraged. They were also led to see that deep humility and a meek submission to the will of God, to the sacrifice of everything else, was the only true ground of union. The Health Reform occupied a prominent place in our instructions to them. We are happy to say that the most of the friends of truth in the county are cheerfully adopting it. The dress reform seems to be the greatest cross at present, but we were glad to see some of the sisters at this meeting who had taken it up and were neatly attired in the reform dress. Our social meeting was free and interesting. No time ran to waste, but the brethren and sisters, with a depth of feeling, expressed their determinations to be more earnest in their efforts to serve the Lord than ever before. May God help them to verify their resolutions by bringing their lives into harmony with the truth, so that others may see their good works and be led to glorify God in the day of visitation.45 The church in Watrousville has, for some time been in deep trial. It was the principal object we had in view in visiting the county at this time, to inquire into, and if possible settle, the difficulties that were causing distraction and ruin in their midst. Accordingly business meetings were held through the week for this purpose. We were successful beyond our expectations. We found that, in addition to the original cause of difficulty, that unruly member the tongue had done its work of poisoning the minds of many and had been the means of much alienation of feeling among them. They were brought to see this, and many confessions were made by which harmony was again restored in their midst. I trust by the experience they have now had, they will be careful in the future and not allow the great Enemy of the truth to get the advantage of them again. Dear brethren and sisters in Watrousville, try to profit by the experience you have had in the past, and never give place to the promptings of Satan again, but shun every appearance of evil. May God help you all to live to his glory so that when Jesus shall come, you may share the reward of the righteous. Friday June 21 we went to Vassar where we held meetings over Sabbath and first-day. The church here had secured the use of a large room in the Union School house for a place to hold our meetings. For this we were very grateful to the citizens of the place, and returned to them our hearty thanks. Quite a number in the place had expressed a desire to hear on points of our faith, and we were glad to see some of them in attendance at our meetings. On the Sabbath, brethren and sisters from Tuscola, Watrousville, and Centerville were present. This was a good day for us all. The plain truths of the word of God were declared before the people, and we trust with good effect. Such was the case at least with the friends of truth; for in our social meeting there was good freedom, and all expressed their love for the truth of God. The little company of believers in this place are dwelling together in harmony and their influence is telling for the good of the cause around them. On Sunday we had good congregations and we improved the time by giving three discourses. The truth looked more precious than ever, as we reviewed our position in the three messages, and in the work and power of Satan in the last days, also the glorious triumph of the saints as they are brought from their graves and arise, with the living, to dwell with their Redeemer in the mansions above. It was manifest during the meetings this day that the truths of God's word when brought to bear upon the people, will move the heart. We were much encouraged to go forward in proclaiming to our fellowmen the last warning message, that some might hear and be saved. The church at Vassar are in a prosperous condition. I don't know as I ever saw any more perfect love and union for each other, than there is manifested by the brethren and sisters here. Sabbath afternoon a special invitation was sent us to visit and pray for sister Laura Smith, who had been sick for some time and was continually growing worse. She had been trying to live out the Health Reform for some time as best she could. Quite a number of us gathered at the house and we enjoyed a free time in calling on the Lord in the behalf of this afflicted sister. We felt that he heard us pray, and that he gave us the evidence that it would be unto her according to her faith. She was greatly blessed and strengthened. We all rejoiced that she was able to attend meeting with us that evening; something she had not done for a long time. Oh! how good the Lord is to give us now and then a token of his favor. We will bless and praise his holy name forever. May God grant that the little church in this place may ever remain in meekness and humility before him, that they may continue to receive special tokens of his favor. On Monday evening we had another special meeting with the church at Watrousville. It was appointed for a season of confession and for the church to humble themselves before the Lord. The end for which it was appointed was fully met. There was a breaking down before the Lord and humble confessions made. Hearts that had been once alienated by hatred and strife, now flowed together in sweet union. We closed the meeting by celebrating the ordinances. It was a blessed season to us all. I trust we shall never forget the parting scene as the meeting broke up, and we were about to separate and go to our several homes. I will not attempt to describe it, but will thank God that the truth still lives in the hearts of its professed friends in Watrousville. We feel to say that our visit to this county was timely, and we trust that much good has been done. May the Lord add his blessing and continue the work, that the truth may sanctify a people there to have a part with the redeemed in the kingdom of God. Battle Creek, June 28, 1867,