p. 189 | MICHIGAN by W. C. Hebner

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 20, 1900

MICHIGAN

By W. C. Hebner

GLENWOOD, MENDON, PAW PAW, WAVERLY.— I came to Glenwood, November 25, and the Lord came near as we met in the home of one of our brethren for Sabbath-school and meeting. Evening after the Sabbath we met at the house of Brother Powers, in Glenwood, and Mr. ——, one of the trustees of the People's church, met with us. The Lord gave freedom in presenting his word, and Mr. —— felt perfectly free in asking questions.

At the close of the meeting the use of the People's church was secured, and meetings were begun there the next evening. The attendance was good from the first, and God blessed us greatly in presenting his word. Meetings were held each evening till December 14, without any apparent surrender on the part of the non-believers. Yet it was evident to all that the Lord was moving upon the hearts of many.

The evening of December 13 I spoke on the two laws. After the meeting, Mr. —— invited me home with him. I gladly accepted the invitation; and before retiring for the night, we had a long talk. He told me that he was ready to give himself to God; but he wished his wife to go with him.

In the morning after breakfast he called his wife and children into the sitting-room. The children were two girls ten and seven years old respectively, and a boy of four. He set six chairs in a half circle. Chester occupied his small rocker, Hazel next, Edna next, his wife next, himself, then myself.

We had not yet taken the seats, when he stepped forward and said to his family, “You have never seen me pray; but God being my helper, hereafter my house shall be a house of prayer.” Turning to Chester, he gently and tenderly placed him, kneeling, down by his little rocker, saying, “Remain there.” Next he did the same with Hazel, then with Edna; after which he turned to his wife, took her by the hand, and placing an arm about her neck, kissed her, saying, “Let's give ourselves to Christ and be Christians.”

Then he asked me to pray, which I did. He followed me in prayer. And I am safe in saying that I never heard a man talk with God as he did. We then arose; he again took his wife by the hand, and embracing her, kissed her. Then turning to me, he took me by the hand and kissed me, saying, “Brother Hebner, the load is rolled off, and I am a free man.” It was as still as death, with the exception of sobs from Mrs. ——. It was the most impressive scene I ever witnessed.

After taking his girls to school, he was ready to do missionary work; and about ten o'clock we went over to a neighbor's. Mr. —— told these friends what he had done, and asked them to go with him to the kingdom of heaven. They said they would. And their three oldest children have since accepted Christ. Brother —— is a man highly respected by all the community. After the sermon that night he requested the privilege of saying a few words, and in his remarks he held up the Bible, and said, “This is my foundation; whatever is taught therein I will do, God helping me.”

Having other appointments, I was obliged to go to Mendon, but returned two days later, and began meetings again. Sabbath, December 23, I called at the house of Mr. Crane, who was sick with dropsy, being expected to live only a few days. I talked to him about giving himself to God, but he said there was no use to think of it, as he could not be saved unless he was baptized. After a talk of about half an hour he surrendered to Christ, and Christmas I baptized him in a large water tank, which was taken into the kitchen; and a happier man you never saw.

The 31st we expected an opposition sermon on the Sabbath question. But the intensity of the storm hindered. That evening I had an appointment; there were eleven who came, five of whom were Christians. God gave freedom in presenting his word, and all left the house praising God.

I went over to Paw Paw and Waverly to attend their quarterly meetings, and Brother and Sister Hagle carried forward the work at Glenwood. At Paw Paw, God blessed us greatly, and all the members were encouraged; and there were some who found the Lord for the first time. At Waverly God gave freedom in presenting the truth, and one backslider was encouraged to give himself to the Lord anew.

I then returned to Glenwood, and found that during my absence two more had given themselves to God. We held several more cottage meetings among them, and called attention to the need of a church building. All took hold readily. A building committee was elected, and an acre of ground was purchased upon which to build a church, 24 x 36 ft., with a basement for a church school.

It would be a treat to any person at their Sabbath meetings to see the children,—twenty-two in number, with an average attendance of sixteen or seventeen—arise and present their verses, some by reciting them, and others by reading them.

I am of good courage in the Lord, and to him be all the praise. [0mW. C. HEBNER.