Michigan by J. D. Van Horn; Stephen Pierce

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 19, 1871

Michigan.

By J. D. Van Horn; Stephen Pierce

COMMENCED meetings at Memphis, Thursday evening, Nov. 16. We found the church free from trials, and the most of the members making some efforts to advance with the body in the truth. We held, in all, nine meetings with them. There was a good attendance on the part of the church, but not so good from those outside.

Two united with the church by baptism. We were successful, in our business meeting, in organizing a Missionary Tract Society. The brethren and sisters entered heartily into the work. I see nothing to hinder this church from progressing in the work of truth.

The principle of love and open-hearted benevolence was dwelt upon quite largely in our discourses, and we trust to some profit to the church. This principle is needed everywhere, and it must be reached and carried out by every one who would have a home in the kingdom of God.

With the Oakland church we held eight meetings. We did not find things as favorable here as at Memphis. Some, belonging to this church, are not in harmony with the body of S. D. Adventists. In our first meetings we felt an influence of darkness that stood in our way of benefiting the church. Our words seemed to bound back in our faces without effect. We determined to rise above it. Bro. Pierce, on Sabbath morning, spoke with plainness upon the gifts of the Spirit, which resulted in letting us out into the liberty of the truth. We could not do all for this church that we would have done had things been different. They were not in readiness to enter into an organized tract society. But our testimony to them did some good. The most of the members are making some advance in the truth. It is to be hoped that they will yet come out free, and be faithful to the cause of their Lord.

Our meetings with the Holly church, which began on Wednesday evening, Nov. 29, were quite encouraging. We held, in all, ten meetings with them. The members of this church manifested a good degree of zeal in attending all the meetings. We enjoyed a happy season with this church in celebrating the ordinances. In our business meeting we were enabled to organize a tract society. They were all heartily in union with it. Some of the young and others manifested an interest in our meetings. On Sunday evening, eight arose for prayers. It was a joyful time with us, and the Lord gave us his blessing.

Bro. Lawrence was with us at this place, and, by request of the church, he remained to carry on the work over another Sabbath. May the Lord help on the work.

J. D. VAN HORN. STEPHEN PIERCE.