MONTEREY AND BATTLE CREEK.
By James White
We have just returned to this place from a second visit to Monterey. Our meetings held Sabbath and first day, June 6 and 7. On our way to the General Conference we spent two weeks with this people, and a great work was done. The church was in a low state, destitute of the spirit of labor for those around them who had backslidden from the Lord, yet observed the Sabbath. For want of disposition to labor, the church was sinking in feebleness and discouragement. This was their condition when we visited them just before the Conference. The Lord gave us a testimony for this people which seemed to reach all hearts. The church felt reproved for their want of a spirit of labor for the erring. The wandering felt deeply their lost condition, and conviction rested upon the young people. There was a general movement in the large audience, composed mostly of those who observed the Sabbath, and before we left, fourteen were immersed. While attending Conference and following up the good work at Battle Creek, which occupied three weeks’ arduous labor, the work at Monterey was moving steadily forward, so that at our second visit we found sixteen more ready to be baptized, making thirty we have baptized in this place since we left our home in Montcalm Co., the last of April. Bro. Geo. T. Lay and wife were, by unanimous vote, received as members of the church, and Bro. Rumery was, by unanimous vote, invited to take his place with the church. These men have taken a noble stand. There never has been a better interest at Monterey than at the present time. The public mind is stirred. Our congregations were large, and deeply interested. General conviction rests upon the minds of the people that we have the truth. If that church stands in the counsel of God—if its recent accessions live in accordance with the high stand taken—their influence will be salutary on their convicted neighbors. There is wealth in this church, a portion of which should be used in the cause of truth, and must be thus used, in order for the holders to enjoy the favor of God. The spirit of the world and the love of money that is upon our wealthy brethren is terrible. If it was not so, you would see each of them doing as much as to follow the example of poor ministers in giving $25, or $10 for the California Mission, and enterprises of the like. On coming to this place one of our faithful horses, that I have driven the past six years as far as half way round the globe, failed us in consequence of that common disease called the heaves. We left this old friend, however, in the merciful care of Bro. Leighton, bought another to fill his place, and journeyed on to Battle Creek. Our meetings in this place have been deeply interesting. Sabbath evening a large congregation assembled. Mrs. W. spoke freely and very solemnly till near ten. She spoke to the young generally, and addressed several personally. And while speaking from the platform in front of the pulpit, in the most solemn and impressive manner, the power of God came upon her, and in an instant she fell upon the carpet in vision. Many witnessed this manifestation for the first time, with astonishment and perfect satisfaction that it was the work of God. The vision lasted twenty minutes. No one was expecting it. Mrs. W. has said more than twenty times since the Rochester vision, December, 1865, upon which she has written several thousands of pages, that in view of the responsibilities of her work, if she could have her choice, to go into the grave or have another vision, she should choose the grave. And since Sabbath evening it has been with difficulty that she has been able to control her feelings of disappointment and sadness in view of her new responsibilities. I make the above statements to show that this recent vision was unexpected to all, and against the wishes of Mrs. W. The meeting, Sabbath morning, commenced at nine, and lasted till noon. Mrs. W. occupied nearly the entire three hours. The afternoon meeting commenced at two and lasted till sunset with only forty minutes intermission. Several in the congregation decided to give themselves unreservedly to the service of God, and many confessed their backslidden state. First-day morning the brethren assembled at nine o’clock to consider the subject of baptism, and at twelve I buried, with their Lord, twenty-five believers. Since the first of April I have baptized at Greenville, Wright, Monterey, and Battle Creek, seventy-one persons. Second-day, the 10th, we design to leave for Greenville, accompanied by the editor of the REVIEW, who will spend a few weeks with us, and assist in completing Life Incidents, when we may return and make a trip to Ohio. At present address us at Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich. JAMES WHITE. Battle Creek, Mich., June 14, 1868.