Untitled article by Joseph Bates

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · February 11, 1868

MEETINGS IN ALLEGAN CO., MICH.

By Joseph Bates

Since our last report, and during the frequent, and almost incessant snow storms during the month of January, we have been at home with the churches in Monterey and Allegan. Since Bro. Loughborough closed his series of meetings in Allegan the church in Monterey have been holding a series of meetings; in some of which we have re-read and re-examined testimonies Nos. 12 and 13. There was no dissenting voice in these meetings respecting the truthfulness and absolute necessity of all its bearings on us, and also on all the remnant people of God in the present stage of the third angel's message. How plain, simple, and consistent, when compared with the testimony of the prophets and apostles, that God our Heavenly Father has shown us through Sr. White, just what we need in reforming our habits in eating and drinking, the health and dress reform; to go forward now in union and communion one with another, and with our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, finish up the mystery of God, and then be redeemed and stand “without fault before the throne of God.” Rev. xiv, 5.

We were also greatly refreshed while celebrating the ordinances of the Lord's house, with the renewed determination and strong desires of the brethren and sisters in their testimonies to go forward to the consummation of the blessed hope.

The church in Allegan have been endeavoring to advance in the good state which Bro. Loughborough left them in at the close of his series of meetings by the plain straightforward truths of God's holy word. By their request the Allegan County Monthly Meeting at Monterey, was changed to Allegan, Sabbath, Feb. 1. A number of sleigh loads of brethren and sisters from Otsego, Watson, and Monterey, enjoyed a good, profitable season and refreshing from the Lord. Business meeting in the evening at Monterey.

By request and previous appointment, we held a meeting in a new school-house in Heath, about six miles west of M. We were told that some in this neighborhood were in Allegan a few times to hear Bro. Loughborough and wished to hear further. We gave them our position, they listened attentively and invited us to come again. We also distributed many of our small tracts, and some Reviews, which they readily received.

From this meeting we returned in season to meet with the brethren in their extra meeting at M.

In the circulation of books, as Bro. White says, let us be engaged. As the Lord in his great mercy has furnished us with light to learn, and take our position, so let us help others to do the same, by furnishing them with books from the Publishing Association. The church in Monterey are filling up their subscription list to aid in this work.

The next Monthly Meeting will be held in Monterey on the first Sabbath in March next.

JOSEPH BATES.

Monterey, Mich., Feb. 3, 1868.