Untitled article | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · September 17, 1867

SABBATH, SEPTEMBER 14.

According to appointment, Bro. and Sr. White met with the church in Battle Creek, on the above-named day. Of this visit we can speak only so far as it has progressed, our paper being made ready for the press on Sunday morning. Meetings are to be held to-day, Sunday, at 9 A. M., and at 7 P. M.

Sabbath at half past 9 A. M., sister White spoke from the words, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Bro. White followed at half past ten, taking for the basis of his remarks, Luke xxi, 34-36: “And take heed to yourselves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

At 2 P. M., sister White resumed remarks upon the subject upon which she spoke in the morning. Bro. W. again followed; and a short season was then spent in social meeting in which many testimonies, considering the time occupied, were borne with promptness and feeling.

The subjects chosen for remarks are such as commend themselves to the earnest consideration of all, on account of their special appropriateness and application to the present time; and they were presented in a manner calculated to make a solemn and lasting impression upon all who heard. Being directly connected with present duty, it gave these servants of the Lord occasion to dwell upon the work which must be accomplished by us as individuals and churches before we are prepared for what is before us, either in God's dealings with us, or with the world. It led them also to speak freely of the wrongs that have been insinuating themselves into our midst. A good blow was struck at some of the things which are sapping the vitality of the church, such as amusements, an unsanctified passion for music, and other things through which there is a growing connection between us and the world. “Away with these things, Christians!” was the testimony borne by the Spirit of God, through his servants, to the church. May it be heeded, and that speedily.

The afternoon meetings were especially characterized with freedom. A testimony was borne in great plainness and power, true, timely, and impressive; and what was especially encouraging was that there seemed to be a disposition to receive it. A plain and straight testimony may be borne, but if the church reject it, they will not only receive no benefit from it, but add to their already existing wrongs, which that testimony was designed to correct. Be it the desire of every heart that the pure and uncompromising testimony against error and wrongs, may ever live in the church. Let wrongs be exposed; let errors be discovered; let evils be pointed out, however close or cutting the testimony may be; only let the church arise, put away her sins, and get right in the sight of God. Our salvation depends upon this.

We have not time to dwell more at length upon the particulars of the meeting. It has been a good season; an impression has been made; and some tokens of advancement are visible. Bro. and sister W. propose, on their return from the West, to resume labor with this church, and continue as long as may seem to be duty.

We have been cheered on this occasion by the presence of a number of brethren and sisters from Montcalm and Eaton counties, and a good representation from the churches of Convis and Newton. The congregation was large, filling to a comfortable degree the whole body of the house. The visit of Bro. and sister W. will prove a blessing to the cause in this region.

The representations that have been given in the Review, concerning Bro. W.'s returning health and strength, have not been overdrawn. We are glad to behold the evidences we do of so advanced a state of recovery on his part; and we trust a period of still greater usefulness is before him in the cause of the Lord.