St. Clair Co., Michigan.
By D. H. Lamson
IMMEDIATELY after camp-meeting, I left home to resume labor in St. Clair County. Spent the time from Sept. 28 to Oct. 10, with the churches at Memphis and Greenwood. The Lord graciously met with us and gave us his blessing. Went, Oct. 10, to Smith’s Creek, commencing meetings as per appointment in REVIEW, Oct. 13, the intervening time being spent in circulating notices of meeting. The interest from the first has been great and the attendance large, and even now there is no apparent abatement in either. Circumstances at first were quite unfavorable as the ground had been occupied a short time before by one who proved himself, but a short time subsequent to his lectures there, entirely unworthy of confidence; this was very discouraging, and no doubt, in some degree, affected the results of the meeting. The Methodist minister upon this circuit has used his influence privately to keep his members away, stating that we were impostors, and but little less than infidels; and one of the ministers of this denomination (P. Methodist), I am authentically informed (vouchers here having heard it), stated publicly at the camp-meeting in the township of Wales in this county, that “the Adventists in 1844 expected to ride to Heaven in their carriages, on the would be to them eventful day, and had taken their seats ready for transhipment; and one poor deluded brother had mounted a gate post with a bundle of oats under either arm to feed his horse on the journey.” He neglected to state the reason of the brethren’s taking to the gate post instead of to his carriage. The wonder is, that many believe these slanderous and ridiculous reports, and those who do not believe them, notwithstanding their good sense, are almost unconsciously affected by them. How surely will retribution fall upon these latter-day scoffers, ministers as well as people; see Isa. 24: 2, Jer. 25: 34; and how terrible will be the awakening when Amos 8: 12 is fulfilled. Since Oct. 13, I have spent all my time in the vicinity of Smith’s Creek, except eighteen days which were occupied in holding meetings at Cottrellville and Greenwood and attending meetings at Memphis. Nov. 17, Bro. H. M. Kenyon arrived at Memphis, going with me the same day to Greenwood, and assisting much in the labor of that meeting. This little company now numbers twenty-seven, and all are trying to press together. They should be soon completely organized. Can not Bro. Lawrence send an appointment soon, having that object in view? The preliminary steps have been already taken, and the brethren and sisters are trying to put away their idols. May God help us to be perfect overcomers, and saved with an everlasting salvation. Nov. 24, returned to Smith’s Creek, Bro. K. accompanying me and remaining over Sabbath and first-day, his help proving acceptable in the highest degree to all the people. He left Monday morning, Nov. 27, for a field of labor twenty-five miles up the Lake, with good courage in the Lord. May the Master give him souls for his hire. There have now been held thirty-eight meetings, and nine at least have decided to obey God by keeping all his commandments. May they add to their faith the graces urged in 2 Peter 1: 5–7 and so an entrance shall be administered unto them, abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This series of meetings has now closed. Eight subscribers have been obtained for the REVIEW and one for the Reformer by Bro. Weeks and myself. Seven dollars and sixty-eight cents have been handed to me in money, and about twenty-two dollars’ worth of books have been sold, and many of the smaller tracts given away. Although not many have yet embraced the truth, we believe the influence of the meeting will tell in the future for good, and we shall earnestly pray at least that bread that has apparently been cast upon the waters, may be gathered, though it be after many days. May God bless the few who have decided for the truth, as also those who are still investigating, and lead all true hearts to himself. The meetings at Cottrellville, Nov. 10–13, were interesting and profitable. The few there received much encouragement, and are determined to press on toward Mount Zion. All who started at the first are still holding on (they number but five), and we sincerely hope that they may be a nucleus around which more will be gathered, who also will be waiting when our Lord shall appear. Let us see to it that we are living epistles, known and read of all men, and so let our light shine that others seeing our good works may glorify our Father which is in Heaven. I expect to commence another course of lectures in a few days, in the town of Columbus, this county. I have now been from home over two months. Do not expect to return until spring, perhaps not then. Calls are made in every direction, and I hardly know which way to turn. May the Lord direct to a fruitful field, and all the people of God, with their faces set toward the heavenly temple, pray for the success of the cause.