The Fourth Appropriately Celebrated
By George C. Tenney
In order to divert the attention of their children from the usual worldly attractions of the national holiday, the idea was conceived of arranging for a union meeting, on July 4, of the churches centering around Potterville, Mich. The place appointed was the beautiful grove of Brother J. F. Carman, where similar meetings have been held in the past. I was glad to respond to an invitation to be present. At an early hour friends began to come in from different directions, mostly by teams. By eleven o'clock over two hundred had assembled. There were members of the Lansing, Jackson, Battle Creek, Charlotte, Eaton Rapids, Dimondale, Grand Ledge, Ithaca, and perhaps other churches, present. The Sabbath-school was followed by a short address on the double significance of the day,—first, as a memorial of the blessings and privileges our Heavenly Father has conferred upon us who live in these days and in this greatly favored country; and also the deeper significance of the Sabbath and its glorious rest in Jesus Christ. A children's service followed the bountiful noon repast. This was very interesting and profitable. Good judgment and careful preparation were evident. After a short21intermission, Sister VanDeusen, from Barbadoes and St. Vincent, related a chapter of the experiences through which she and her husband have been passing in that distant field. She dwelt at some length on the description of the terrible eruptions of Mt. Soufrière on St. Vincent, of which she was a witness. Brother E. K. Slade followed with remarks appropriate to the occasion. Several others then spoke words of encouragement and edification. A collection of about thirty dollars was taken for the Australasian work, and some money was donated to building a church in the islands. As we shook hands at the close of the day, all expressed the sentiment that it was the best Fourth of July they had ever spent.