Untitled article by Joseph Bates

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · January 7, 1868

MEETINGS IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICT.

By Joseph Bates

My last report was from Salem Center, Ind. Bro. Joel Locke met me on my way from Mich., and took me to his home in Salem. Here, Dec. 6th, we enjoyed the rest-day of the Lord in preaching and social meetings and celebrating the sufferings and death of our divine Lord. On first-day we held our meetings at Turkey Creek. The church that are living within the circle of these two places seemed cheered and strengthened to press forward in the precious cause of the third angel's message, in company with their brethren and sisters who have been enjoying such precious revival seasons at Battle Creek and other portions of the Lord's wide harvest field.

Dec. 8, Bro. Locke conveyed me some fourteen miles to the Northern Ind. R. R.

Dec. 9, at South Bend. Here we had two meetings with the scattered brethren (by request) instead of Mishawaka as we had appointed. Here as formerly Bro. Harvey came for us and took us to our last appointment in North Liberty, St. Joseph Co. Ind., and made us welcome at his home.

From Dec. 11 to 18, we were visiting the members of the church and held seven interesting meetings. The celebration of the ordinances was a solemn and cheering season. Two brethren came forty-five miles to attend the meetings. At our last meeting at S. Bend they testified in favor of our position. One said he should keep the Sabbath. The other declared his willingness and desire to hear and investigate. Two others manifested a deep interest in the cause. One of them handed me five dollars for the Review and Systematic Benevolence.

Bro. Harvey who has always manifested a deep interest in the precious work of the Lord, at our closing meeting gave a most cheering and weighty testimony, declaring his unwavering faith in the increasing light and progressing work of the third angel's message. The brethren were much encouraged. They have finished the foundation for a commodious and suitable meeting-house, and intend raising it in the coming spring. They have an anxious desire for Bro. and Sr. White to visit them. Bro. E. Stiles (their elder) brought me 15 miles to South Bend where we held our last meeting. Returned home the 18th instant, and found Bro. Loughborough still laboring in Allegan with good congregations and strong courage and faith in the good work of the Lord. He learns that ten have already decided for the truth.

Dear brethren and sisters, let us try to serve God with perfect hearts and willing minds, that we may be raised up to live in his sight. “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning: and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” Hosea vi, 3. JOSEPH BATES.

Monterey, Mich., Dec. 25, 1867.