The Revival in Battle Creek
[From private letters received from Battle Creek which have given some account of the recent revival in the church at that place, we make the following extracts for the benefit of the readers of the Review.—Ed.] “This work began last fall when we inaugurated a ten days’ church institute. Various lines of church work were taken into consideration, and a good interest was secured. We felt at the time that the institute was of great value to the members of the church. Immediately following this institute there was inaugurated in each district of the church a health school, in which the principles of health were thoroughly taught to the people, and they were encouraged to go out among their neighbors and put into practise the principles learned. This greatly encouraged the people to engage in personal missionary work. Then came the week of prayer, and we are free to say that there never has been a more successful week of prayer held in this church. This was not the result of the labors of special leaders, for we had only our own workers in the church; but we believe that the institute and the schools of health had prepared the church to receive this added blessing, and besides, we feel that the members of the church are beginning to realize their situation, and are turning unto the Lord.” “Immediately after the week of prayer the Young People’s convention was held. During this season there was a special manifestation of the blessing of the Lord upon the entire church, and especially among the young people. The meetings were of so much interest, and so largely attended, that the church board felt that it would not be right to allow the meetings to stop, so they invited Brother Luther Warren to remain with us, as he had been in attendance during the Young People’s convention. The interest in the meetings has continued during the last three weeks. So you see we have had a continuous series of meetings for the last three months; and it is the intention of the Board not to cease their efforts now, but to go forward in the opening providences of the Lord, and do whatever can be done for the advancement of the work.” “As the results of his [Brother Warren’s] efforts here, one hundred and forty-seven persons have been baptized. Very few of these are under fifteen years of age, yet most of them are young people, but of course there is some sprinkling of gray hairs. I believe there have been about three hundred public conversions. I think that this estimate includes those who had backslidden, those who had never made a start, and those who were entirely out of the truth. Night before last [January 23] I understand that there was a public call for those who would give their lives, their time, their means, and all they had for the advancement of the third angel’s message, and two hundred pledged everything they have on earth for the furtherance of this cause.” “A training-school for workers, I am informed, is being opened up, and arrangements are being perfected whereby lessons will be given to qualify these workers to do something for the Master.” “I was at the meeting last night, and they had a very good service. Quite a good many came forward, and hundreds bore testimony. I counted at one time about sixty on their feet, waiting to bear testimony.” “Over forty have given themselves to the canvassing work. Canvassing classes are being conducted daily and nightly, and I think that twenty have pledged themselves for life, while about twenty others have pledged themselves to take it up at once as a stepping-stone to something in the future, either medical work or the ministry. Brother Campbell, of the West Michigan Conference, and Brother Blosser are here, putting in their entire time in giving these canvassers instruction.” “It is proposed to organize several Bible classes, one to be conducted by Brother Jones, in which will be enlisted the young men who think of making the ministry their calling. Another class will be organized for those who wish to enter the Bible work; and a special class will be formed and conducted by Dr. Morse for those who wish to take a little extra drill in the medical missionary work. The entire class of the whole number interested in this effort, consisting of about one hundred and fifty persons, will be organized into a missionary band.” “The brethren here in this church expect that we can send out a large number of workers in the near future. This has been the aim from the first, and we are thankful to know that a large number of the Battle Creek church have expressed a desire to move out into fields of usefulness. The Spirit of the Lord has come in graciously, and is working upon the hearts of nearly every member of the church. We have not seen a more decided, earnest effort on the part of the members of the Battle Creek church to find their true situation, and turn unto the Lord, than at the present time.”