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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, March 3, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 12

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OUR VISIT IN JACKSON AND HILLSDALE COUNTIES, MICH.

By A. S. HUTCHINS

January 30, I left the Institute for Parma. On Sabbath, Feb. 1, met with brethren in Monthly Meeting, from Jackson, Tompkins, Leslie, Rives, and Hanover, at the house of Bro. A. L. Burwell.
The Lord gave freedom in speaking on the great preparatory work of heart and life, to stand when the Son of man appeareth. A solemn heart-searching spirit rested upon the minds of the people of God. Testimonies were borne with freedom and good results. A deep interest was manifested for the children present. They were moved to tears, and it seemed that they were almost persuaded to be Christians. One sister who had become discouraged by the way, resolved anew to keep the Sabbath. As we look back to this meeting, we think it may be counted among those which have proved a source of encouragement to the children of the Lord.
The next day, in company with Bro. and Sr. Carpenter of Battle Creek, we accompanied Bro. and Sr. W. Carpenter to their good home in Hanover. The dyspeptic has reason to be thankful for the rich, hygienic diet with which their table is daily spread. While the food here is healthful for the feeble, it is also suitable and abundantly nutritious for the hard-working man. Bro. C. states that before adopting their present system of diet, his health was considered to be in a critical condition. One physician proposed to have him try a course of medical treatment, as his only hope of good health. But instead of this he laid aside animal food and other stimulating articles, substituting a fruit, vegetable, and graham diet; the result of which is he has regained his health and strength, learned how to live, and has no doctor's bill to pay.
On second-day, Bro. C. carried me to Hillsdale, 16 miles. Some say that this was the coldest morning they have known in Mich. for quite a number of years, though the thermometer stood only about 25 or 29 deg. below zero.
On fourth-day, Bro. Gleason furnished me a team to go to Allen, where I went accompanied by Bro. J. D. Morton, to visit our afflicted Bro. J. H. Thompson, who lost the use of his lower limbs during a severe sickness something over a year since, in which time he took much powerful and poisonous medicine. I think his physicians (he had three) differ not so much as to the injurious effect of these medicines upon him, as to which one administered them.
This young brother spent a few weeks at the Health Institute, where he embraced the faith of the soon coming of the Saviour and the Bible Sabbath, and received baptism when Bro. White and Andrews were at Battle Creek last Oct. He still cherishes an ardent love for these truths, and has an affectionate regard for the people of his choice. The interview with him and his friends was a pleasant one.
The kind mother of Bro. T. having been brought up a Sabbath-keeper, must be assured that her worthy son occupies a position on the Sabbath, sustained by the word of God.
Thursday evening, I spoke to the brethren in Hillsdale on the purity of heart requisite to stand when Jesus shall come in all his glory. It had been a rough and boisterous day, and the notice of the meeting being short, not many were present. But the good Spirit was with us, and the interview we enjoyed together was encouraging.
While in this place, I visited the family of deacon S. B. Dyer, a F. W. Baptist brother, whom I have ever esteemed as a man of firm religious principles, and a genuine friend. To his pleasant home in Manchester, N. H., I used to be kindly welcomed while laboring with that people. There we have felt our hearts united in Christian love and sympathy, and together have been refreshed by the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit.
But nearly sixteen years had rolled away since last we met in the East, marking their changes in the world fast ripening for its final doom, and bringing the children of God thus much nearer their glorious home in the mansions of the redeemed, purchased by the suffering Son of God. At this time, I was examining the subject of the Sabbath of the Lord, which I soon embraced, and, by divine aid, left my former brethren; yet I could not forget the precious seasons with these friends in the past, nor love them less for the light which shone upon my pathway, nor feel a less degree of interest for their salvation. Though their interests and sympathies are closely connected with their denomination, yet they seem free from that cold, bitter prejudice which others have sometimes manifested against the truth, and against those who have conscientiously separated themselves from the churches for the truth's sake. They speak of our brethren in H. with Christian respect and esteem. May God bless them and lead them to a candid, prayerful investigation of the truth on the Bible Sabbath, and to its reception; also the clear, harmonious truth of the immediate coming of our Lord and Saviour, which shines forth so brightly from the pages of his sacred word. May they share with the suffering saints of God in their cross-bearing, self-denying life, in these last days, and when the Life-giver shall come to gather his saints who have made a covenant with him by sacrifice, may we together share the unspeakable reward of immortality and eternal life in the kingdom of God.
Sabbath, the 8th, I met with the brethren in Hanover. A few were present from Hillsdale. This meeting was calculated to help those who love the truth, and who hold themselves in readiness to receive it and try to live it out, though at a great sacrifice and self-denial. God will bless and strengthen such, and they will harmoniously move on with the body, and with them receive the reward of well-doing.
"Courage then, ye faint and weary, Linger not to weep and mourn."
Sabbath, the 15th, I spoke to the brethren again at the house of Bro. Burwell, from Rev. xiv, 5. As we considered the living holiness and spotless purity to which we must attain, before we should be prepared to stand with the Lamb upon Mount Zion, "without fault," and in his sight be "holy and unblamable and unreprovable," we felt desirous of greater zeal, more earnestness and consecration in the work of overcoming. The change of heart and life which we must yet experience is great; but God and the dear Saviour and good angels and the Holy Spirit will help and finally perfect the work, if we believe and obey the Lord in all things. May these dear saints be encouraged thus to do.
On the evenings of the 17th and 18th, I attended meetings in Tompkins. The first evening I spoke to a crowded room of brethren and sisters and friends, at the house of Bro. Giles, on the coming of the Lord. Showed that that event would come upon the wicked as a thief, while men cry, "Peace and safety." But not so to the church of God; for says Paul, "Ye are all the children of the light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness," and adds, "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." I Thess. v. The attitude of the last church will be a watching and waiting one for this glorious day of deliverance. The last meeting was appointed for prayer-meeting; but I spoke some 35 minutes on the theme of salvation.These meetings seemed decidedly advantageous to the cause here. The son of Bro. and Sr. Bramhall came forward as a candidate for baptism. Three other young friends expressed a desire to go with the people of the Lord. May they be fully decided to be wholly the Lord's.
Bro. Bramhall kindly conveyed us to this place, and others where we wished to go. May he and other dear brethren have their reward for their kindness to us.
A. S. HUTCHINS.
Health Institute, B. C., Feb. 24, 1868.