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West Michigan

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 11, 1915

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 8.

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West Michigan

By C. F. McVAGH

The work in West Michigan is onward. While it is one of the oldest fields, the laborers have always had this to encourage them, that the spirit of prophecy has said that even in the closing days “Michigan will be a very fruitful field.” Certainly the writer never labored in a field where the same effort put forth would bring more souls into the truth than in Michigan.
Our laboring force is reduced and our churches depleted by giving the strongest to other and newer fields, yet the Lord greatly blessed the work during 1914. As an evidence of this the laborers have reported 222 baptisms during the year. We have asked the Lord for 300 souls during 1915. Over $6,000 more mission funds were raised in 1914 than ever before in one year, and our churches are encouraged to believe that they can do still better this year. The increase of tithe was nearly $6,000 over any previous year. We are adding six young men to our laboring force this spring, besides giving the highest percentage of tithe asked by the North American Division from local conferences for the work in foreign lands. The increase in membership last year was over 150. The educational and the colporteur work show a healthy condition. We expect the Lord to come soon, but we are not expecting him to come and find the West Michigan Conference in debt.
The work in Battle Creek has greatly prospered during the year, under the leadership of W. A. Westworth. The church has paid its part of the Tabernacle debt, and made repairs and improvements. There is a good attendance at the Sunday evening meetings, and the spiritual condition and the courage of the members are excellent. In fact, Battle Creek paid its full apportionment of mission funds, and has shared with the rest of the conference in the increase in tithe and baptisms reported.
For the continuation of the good work, we solicit the prayers of all, but especially of the many friends in all the world who have gone from West Michigan, and who know of the conflicts and victories of former days in this field.
C. F. McVAGH.