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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, October 29, 1867

THE WORK IN BATTLE CREEK.

We have still further words of encouragement to offer concerning the work in progress in this place. The meeting on Sabbath, the 19th, was noticed last week. First-day evening, following, was mostly spent in the examination of candidates for baptism; and on Monday morning forty-four went forward in this solemn and impressive ordinance. Twenty-eight of these, mostly young, here for the first time took upon themselves the name of Christ, and the public profession of his service. Sixteen were baptized by Bro. White, and twenty-eight by Brn. Andrews and Loughborough. This exceeded any former instance of the kind we have enjoyed in this place, not only in the number of candidates, but in the interest and solemnity that seemed to attach to the occasion. The Spirit of the Lord rested down, and many of the candidates came out of the water with faces beaming with heavenly peace and holy joy.

On Tuesday evening, the 22nd, the ordinances of the Lord’s house were celebrated; and here again we had a season, such as, of this kind, we never before enjoyed. Bro. White was assisted by Brn. Hutchins and Bourdeau. The spirit of humility, union and love, which these ordinances are calculated to promote, seemed to be present to a greater degree than we have ever before witnessed on any like occasion. The meeting closed with a season of prayer, more especially for Bro. and Sr. White, as they were about to leave, without any rest from their wearing labors here, for the arduous duties of their eastern tour. It was a season of power, in which the Spirit of the Lord was copiously shed down upon us.

Thus, as was remarked by a brother, four seasons of especial interest have transpired in connection with these meetings. First, when a spirit of humility and confession, in the early part of the meetings, was welcomed into the hearts of the church. This laid the foundation; and without this, nothing could have been accomplished. Second, the blessed meeting we enjoyed Sabbath, the 19th. Third, the memorable baptismal scene on second-day morning. And fourth, the good season at the celebration of the ordinances, on third-day evening.

Bro. and Sr. White, accompanied by Bro. and Sr. Bourdeau, left for their eastern appointments, on Thursday, the 24th inst., bearing with them the prayers of this church for abundant help and spiritual prosperity among those for whom they go to labor.

At the meeting last Sabbath, the 26th, the progress the church has made was quite apparent. After a short but solemn and deeply interesting discourse from Bro. Hutchins on the necessity of giving more earnest heed lest we let these things slip, and the impossibility of escape if we neglect the great salvation, Heb. ii, 1–3, one hundred and ten testimonies were borne in quick succession, one hundred of them in forty-five minutes.

Yet we are aware that only a good beginning has been made of the work that ought to be accomplished in and for us. We must hold the advantages we have gained, and reach forward for new attainments. This there now seems to be a disposition to do, which we trust may prove to be vigorous and lasting.