Untitled article by Joseph Bates

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, August 27, 1867

QUARTERLY MEETINGS IN MICH.

By Joseph Bates

Our last report was from Centerville, Tuscola Co., July 24. We spent two days with the church here, and held four meetings. This church, though but recently organized (two years ago), manifest a desire to go forward in keeping the commandments of God. They are in advance of many of the churches in the dress reform. Bro. Morse came seven miles for me at Watrousville, and kindly took me back again when our meetings closed.

At Watrousville we labored with the church from July 25 to 29, holding seven meetings and celebrating the ordinances. Since the labors of Brn. Waggoner and Van Horn with them in June, they are encouraged to press forward. Our prayer for them is, that God will strengthen them through obedience to his will, to check the inroads of the enemy and become valiant in the cause of truth.

Passing from Watrousville to Vassar, on the 29th at the going down of the sun, we baptized six believers engaged in the work of the third message. One of them was a young man recently returned from the ranks of the Union army, and now volunteered his services under the banner of the third angel.

From Vassar we passed through Saginaw and thence to St. Charles in the steamer. Here we remained from Aug. 1 to 5, visiting from house to house. On Sabbath and first-day we held six interesting meetings and enjoyed much freedom in the celebration of the ordinances. A way is now opening by railroad in which it will be easier getting to St. C. than it has been heretofore.

August 6 and 7, we held three meetings with the church in Chesaning. Sister McCormick, who died here last December, left one daughter who has manifested a strong desire to fill her dear mother's place in the church. On the morning of the 7th inst. she was buried with Christ by baptism into his death, and united with the church. The Lord help her to walk in newness of life. An effort on the part of the citizens is being made in this place to draw away Sabbath-keepers into the lodges of the Good Templars, Knight's Templar, Sisters of Rebecca, &c.; but we trust they will succeed no further. We hope our brethren will see that it is a snare to draw them away from the sacred work of the third message. Sabbath-keepers should be on the side of abstinence from all intoxicating liquors, indeed they should be foremost in this matter; but to enter into lodges (and as some tell us they are secret lodges), is advancing toward the Masonic order. In the language of the apostle we say, "From such turn away."

We came to Owasso, Aug. 8. On Sabbath and first-day we held four meetings, and celebrated the ordinances. Removals, deaths and other causes have reduced the members of this church during the past two years. On first-day some of the families in the neighborhood came in to hear an explanation of our position and a discourse on the Bible Sabbath. After meeting they acknowledged that it looked clear, and they seemed well pleased to receive and read some of our tracts published on the Sabbath question.

August 12, Bro. B. Griggs brought me in his carriage to this place. Our meeting last evening was thinly attended, but free. Two sisters walked five miles to the meeting, saying that they came to hear about the Health and dress reforms. Said they were Sabbath-keepers and felt that they were well paid for coming, and left here after nine in the evening to walk home through the woods alone. JOSEPH BATES. Woodhull, Aug. 14, 1867.