p. 41 | Untitled article by R. J. LAWRENCE

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, December 31, 1867

REPORT FROM BRO. LAWRENCE.

By R. J. LAWRENCE

In my last report I had occasion to speak of my extreme poor health, occasioned by a heavy cold settling on my lungs. With grateful thanks to God, I have to say that I have recovered so that I feel as well as ever.

I started from home the 15th of November, much improved in health, still having a hard cough, and weak lungs. I came to Holly and spent the Sabbath and first-day, and spoke to the church once each day. Had a prayer and social meeting each day. They are doing very well, but are not up with their privilege.

Monday, the 18th, came to Saginaw, and stayed over night with a relative. Tuesday, took the cars for Tittabawassee, and to Bro. Hawley's. Met Bro. Cornell and Strong. Spent the rest of the day in visiting and consultation with them. From this time until the 2d inst., I spent with the brethren in meetings and visiting from house to house. I preached twice. The church was organized in the time, of which you have been informed. After much prayer and deliberation, it was decided that on account of the state of my lungs, Bro. Strong should go to Midland with Bro. Cornell, and I should visit the churches in Tuscola.

Accordingly, I started Monday, the 2d inst., and reached Vassar the same night. The next day circulated an appointment for meeting. In the evening I spoke to the church from 1 Pet. iv, 7. Wednesday, visited four families. In the evening spoke on Purity. It was followed by social meeting. The Lord was with us. The truth took effect.

Thursday, at 3 o'clock, they came together, and at four o'clock went to the river, where three were baptized,—Bro. Pennell and wife, formerly Methodists, both sixty years of age, and one young sister. In the evening spoke on the death of Christ, 1 Thess. iv, 14.

Friday, Bro. Belknap took me to Tuscola. Here I spoke five times on Sabbath and first-day, and had one social meeting. The weather was very cold, and but few were out. There are some here that love the truth.

Monday, Bro. Spooner took me to Bro. Doud's, eight miles from Watrousville. Tuesday, his team took me to Centerville, sixteen miles. Here the church is small. A few have left the truth. The rest seem firm. I preached three times, one a funeral sermon on the death of sister Miller. Here I met a fanatic by the name of Stiles, who professes to be inspired of God to correct the shepherds in their misapprehensions of prophecy. He said he had spent a large property in the United States and Canada to carry out his mission. I asked him how many converts he had made. He said he had nothing to do with making converts; he was inspired to correct the shepherds. He seemed very earnest and sincere. He professes to keep the Sabbath. What will the Devil start up next?

Bro. Van Giesen took me to his house, at Waujanega, Friday. In the afternoon I walked to Watrousville, four miles. Here the brethren met from all the churches in the county. The Lord gave liberty in speaking. I spoke three times. Held one social meeting, in which nearly all took part. About sixty Sabbath-keepers were present. On account of the school-house being occupied in the village on Sunday morning, we went one mile and a half, out to a school-house, and when we arrived we found a Protestant Methodist minister, and some half a dozen persons. He had an appointment at the same hour. He kindly gave way, and I spoke to a house full, on the Saints' Inheritance, with good freedom. The preacher got quite happy, if we may judge from his frequent and hearty Amens. In the P. M., I spoke on the Saints' Eternal Glory.

These were good meetings. The brethren and sisters are greatly strengthened and encouraged in this county.

Bro. Pennell took me to Vassar, where, on Monday I visited four families. In the evening the church met and celebrated the ordinances. The Lord was present by his Spirit to bless.

I bless the Lord for the good Spirit that attends his word, when faithfully presented, and faithfully obeyed. Tuesday, Bro. Pennell brought me to Saginaw. Thence by railroad I came to this place last evening. I was gone from here fifteen days, preached sixteen times, held four social meetings, baptized three, had one ordinance meeting, and feel much better than when I left.

R. J. LAWRENCE.

Tittabawassee, Mich., Dec. 18, 1867.