Michigan and New York by K. C. RUSSELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 21, 1911

Michigan and New York

By K. C. RUSSELL

NOVEMBER 25 to December 2 the writer assisted in conducting a special series of gospel meetings with the Seventh-day Adventist church at Grand Rapids, Mich. The meetings were held in the new church building which has recently been erected by our people there. The body of the church has seating capacity for three hundred persons, and there is a commodious gallery in the front end of the church. The approximate cost of the church property was $8,000. There are three street-car lines within a few blocks of the building.

The first meeting of the special series was held Sabbath evening, November 25. There was a large attendance, consisting of the members of the Grand Rapids church and the representatives of other Seventh-day Adventist churches in that vicinity.

The spirit that pervaded this first meeting should be a fitting index to all future services which will be held in the church, because of the manifest presence of the Lord, which was witnessed by the presence of his Spirit in many hearts. This meeting was indeed a dedicatory service of the soul, which was a preparatory one for the dedication of the church building, which took place the following day, November 26.

When the hour arrived which had been set for the dedication of the church, the attendance was so large that many extra seats were required, and a large number were obliged to remain standing during the entire service. The platform was beautifully decorated with flowers, which were contributed by one of the florists of the city. A large choir, directed by Elder B. F. Stureman, furnished the music. Elder S. E. Wight, president of the West Michigan Conference, Elder C. A. Hansen, pastor of the Grand Rapids church, and the writer united in conducting this important service.

Although it was Thanksgiving week, the meetings of the series were, in the main, well attended, and a deep spirit of consecration prevailed, as was evident from the ready responses made by the people to the appeals made from time to time. The Lord has greatly blessed Elder Hansen and his faithful colaborers by giving material increase to the membership of this church, and the prospects are bright for a further development of the work in that city.

Leaving Grand Rapids after a stay of eight days, I spoke Sunday afternoon, December 3, in the Methodist church at Otter Lake, Mich. Among those in attendance at the meeting was the pastor of the church, besides another Methodist minister.

By the urgent request of Brother H. A. Weaver, who has charge of the work at Port Huron, Mich., I spoke in that place on the theme, "Which Will It Be: Universal War, or Universal Peace?" Among those present at this meeting was a prominent attorney, who manifested a deep interest in the subject discussed.

Wednesday, December 6, in company with Brother Weaver, I went to Buffalo, N. Y., where I spoke to our people in their commodious church. There was a most excellent attendance present for a midweek meeting. The Lord has certainly blessed Elder T. B. Westbrook and his wife in their earnest labors in that city. Harmony and unity prevail in the church, and the workers are succeeding in reaching with the truth a most excellent class of people. It is indeed gratifying to see the work in this important city being placed upon such a strong, substantial basis after so many years of trials and difficulties.

I would have responded to other calls for meetings during this trip in the West had it not been for the extra work demanded of the Religious Liberty Department because of the opening of Congress.

K. C. RUSSELL.