The Work in Menominee, Mich.
By M. W. Lewis
It is a little over two years since we began work in the Upper Peninsula. With the exception of one brother who was permanently located here, we were all alone; and yet not alone, for the Lord was with us, and that to bless. We often thought of those precious words, “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” We were informed that we had come to a hard field. Our experiences confirmed this statement; but those encouraging words, “There is nothing too hard, for Thee,” and, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,” inspired us with hope, and we determined to leave the success in the hands of the Lord, and proceed at once to business. A minister asked me one day, “What do you expect to accomplish in our city?” I replied, “To get the people to study their Bibles and take them as they read.” He remarked, “I want you to leave my lambs alone.” I inquired if he would object to my feeding the lambs in case I should find them suffering for food. He said that he would look after his flock. The interview was pleasant; he remarked that he was acquainted with us as a people, and that I represented a good class of people. The work went on, and in the Lord’s own good time a company was raised up who love the truth. To the Lord be all the praise. Later on a short course of lectures was given by Elder H. R. Johnson, Brother Harris, and the writer. And while no marked success was apparent at the close of this meeting, yet some became interested, and those already interested were more firmly established in the truth. The first annual camp-meeting in the Upper Peninsula was held at Menominee last year, from June 25 to July 5. We found the business men ready to grant us some favors. The use of the grounds and lumber cost us nothing. In fact, some of the lumber was given to us, and we sold a part of it to meet our expenses. Besides our own laborers in this field, we were favored with the presence of Elders Covert, Haughey, and Bourdeau. The labors of these brethren were blessed of the Lord, and were highly appreciated by all present. Services were conducted in the English, French, and Scandinavian languages. On account of this being the first attempt to hold such a meeting in this field, it was not so well attended as we had hoped, but the Lord blessed the meeting, and all seemed encouraged to go forward in the Master’s service. Near the close of the camp-meeting proper we retired to Greenbay, not very far from the camp-ground, where twelve or thirteen were buried with their Lord in baptism, thus expressing their faith in a once crucified and now risen Saviour. This was a solemn scene, well attended, and almost perfect order was maintained. To the Lord be all the praise. After the camp-meeting, a short series of meetings was held in the same place, but the interest was not sufficient to justify a continuation, therefore the tent was taken down, and moved to another part of the city. The interest at this place was good, and several began to keep the Sabbath as a result of this effort. These meetings were held by Elders Williams, Johnson, and Bourdeau, and the writer. The Lord blessed much in the presentation of the closing message. Many seemed deeply impressed with the same. Some time after the tent-meetings closed, a church was organized. Some who were ready to be taken into the church could not be present, but will be taken in later. There are others who have begun to keep the Sabbath since the organization. We hope that they will soon be brought under the care of the church. Families of our faith are moving here, and we have hope of a good, strong church to hold forth the word of life. The Triumph Food factory is almost ready to begin operation. We hope this enterprise will furnish employment to some who have recently begun the observance of the Sabbath, and also to those of our faith who have lately moved into the city. This enterprise has already made a favorable impression upon the leading business men, who promise to patronize the institution, and assist in any way they can. Many of them have offered to help us when we get ready to build a church, promising us from twenty-five dollars to two hundred dollars apiece. It is obvious to us here that the Lord is co-operating with us in gaining the respect and confidence of this people; nevertheless there are some here who are much opposed to us and our work, and are working against us. But we do not worry about that, for we know that the God whom we serve must and will prevail. A broom factory has been started recently, and furnishes employment to several of our brethren. We hope that it may be established on a successful basis; many business men promise to patronize this enterprise also. The object of these institutions is not for the purpose of the accumulation of wealth for individuals or companies, but they are to be auxiliaries for the furtherance of the third angel’s message. During our campaign with “Christ’s20Object Lessons” I went to two business men, telling them the nature of our work, and inviting them to co-operate with us in the enterprise. One man took twelve copies, and gave them to friends and relatives; and since that time he has paid our hall expenses during a course of lectures, sent one of his relatives, who had lately begun the observance of the fourth commandment, to the Cedar Lake Academy, paying her expenses while there, and now one of his own daughters is attending the Berrien Springs school. His wife has accepted the Sabbath, and he is convinced. He donated fifty dollars last year for a Christmas offering, and besides all this he offers two hundred dollars to help build a respectable place of worship. Shall we not give the business men an opportunity to help in this closing message? I will mention one more case. The Lord has helped in the disposition of “Christ’s Object Lessons” among the business men. One grocer has taken thirty of these books to send to his customers, friends, and relatives, besides tracts, pamphlets, and papers. He is certainly doing a good work. He had been quite a wicked man in his younger days, but he procured a new Bible, and began to study. He became perplexed over the Sabbath question, and could not get any rest until he went into his room with the Bible in his hand, and had a season of prayer. He prayed that God would show him which day was right, hoping that the Lord would bring some text to his mind in behalf of Sunday. After prayer he opened his Bible, and to his surprise his eye rested upon Eze. 20: 12. ‘Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.’ Shortly after this experience a notice appeared in the secular papers that his store would be closed from Friday evening sundown till Saturday evening sundown. He told me that he would have to keep the Sabbath, or reject the whole Bible, and he could not do that. He is now rejoicing in the truth. Does it not pay to give the business men an invitation to help. May the Lord bless the work and the workers throughout the world, that the message may speedily go to the world in this generation.