Leslie, Mich by I. D. Van Horn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 30, 1872

Leslie, Mich.

By I. D. Van Horn

I began labor in this place Friday evening, Jan. 12, and held fourteen meetings, closing up Sunday evening the 21st. I found a very sad state of things. Hard feelings toward one another had existed for years. This was caused by the unchristian course of some, but the tongue had done the greatest mischief, by magnifying the faults of others. It really seems too bad that brethren of the same faith should become so alienated in their feelings that they will not speak to each other. Had their bad influence been confined to them, and to the place where they live, it would not have been so bad; but it was affecting the whole Jackson church, and brethren in other churches. Things had gone as far as they could. There was no power among themselves to make things right.

But our meetings were promptly attended by all especially interested, and we were permitted to see a most happy result. Everything that had existed for years was raked up from the very bottom. By the help of the Lord we were enabled to maintain a Christian spirit and feeling through the investigation of these things, though the enemy tried us sorely at times. A victory was finally obtained. A spirit of confession came upon all, and light from the Lord shone upon us, showing the way out of the difficulties.

Our two days' meeting of the Jackson church was a season of victory and rejoicing. Bro. Titus confessed his way out so that he felt free; and Bro. Richmond also confessed his wrongs and got into the light again. There was a unanimous vote of the members of the church present to release him from the censure he was under, and if the members who were not present coincide with this at the next monthly meeting, he will be a member again in good standing.

The further result of the meeting was as follows: Two united with the church. The brethren and sisters in Leslie chose by a unanimous vote, Bro. Richmond to lead their meetings. They also voted to hold their meetings at his house. A Systematic Benevolence collector was appointed, and Systematic Benevolence reorganized to the amount of $68.12 per year. They all entered into a solemn covenant to forever bury the past, and to refrain from talking about it.

We left them a cheerful, happy company. May the Lord bless them, and may their future influence be such as shall heal up the past and win souls to the knowledge of the truth. I. D. VAN HORN.