The Effort in Monterey, Mich.
By W. H. Littlejohn
After the General Conference, I returned to Allegan, where I spent several days with the church, and in making preparations to leave home in order to labor in other places. On January the 13th, I went to Monterey, agreeably to appointment, for the purpose of assisting in the effort which was then entered upon for the benefit of the people in that place. On Sabbath and Sunday Bro. and sister White were present, and the commodious house of worship was well filled with brethren and sisters from different parts of the county, some of them having come a distance of twenty-five miles. The work on these two days was solemn, and gave evidence of the anxiety on the part of God to work by his Holy Spirit with the people. Had they discerned this fact more clearly, and felt their need of help more sensibly than they did, much more might have been accomplished than was realized at that time. The scarcity of laborers among us, and the worn condition of those who stand at their posts, as well as the increasing desire to hear on the part of those not yet reached, combine to make it a serious offense in the sight of God for those who believe in the present truth to relapse periodically into a backslidden condition, where nearly all the resources which God has provided for the conversion of men should be expended on those professedly in the faith, before any attention can be given to those who are not. How much better it would be every way, if the servants of God, instead of being prostrated by special efforts for the brethren, would look to them with confidence while feeling assured of their acceptance and power with Heaven; and they could reverse this order of things, and say as did one of old, and he even an apostle, “Brethren, pray for us.” On Monday morning, Bro. and sister White returned to their home in Battle Creek, while I remained in Monterey to continue the meetings, preaching each evening and the forenoons of Sabbath and Sunday, until Jan. 26. During this time, my labors were wearing, and yet they were agreeable, because I realized the help of God, more sensibly, perhaps, than I ever had previously. While it was manifest that the condition of the church was deplorable indeed, it nevertheless seemed as if the Spirit of the Lord brooded over the congregation, and yearned for the salvation of all present. Before I left, there was a manifest change for the better. That cold formality which ever characterizes a backslidden people, had given way, measurably, and that warmth of affection and love for one another which is always apparent in those who stand near the Lord, had begun to re-appear. Difficulties of long standing, in some cases, were settled in a few moments, when the heart had been softened by the Holy Spirit. Several who had backslidden altogether, and had departed a great way from the Lord, confessed their wanderings with tears of contrition, and returned once more to find a place in the fold of the Master. Others who, while still clinging to the external form, had lost the power of the message, received the anointing which enabled them to discover the ruin just before them, and return trembling to the side of the Lord. On the whole, I find great occasion of gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the striking manifestation of his long-suffering toward his children, as manifested during these meetings. I left the brethren, Jan. 26, visiting from house to house, and praying and counseling with one another, in order to get light as to the proper manner in which to proceed for the future. Since then I have been rejoiced at hearing that several days subsequent to my departure, they were carrying forward the work. I never felt nearer to the church in Monterey than I do now; and I have great hope for their future success, if they will accept the whole truth and hold it in that Christian fellowship without which there is no power in the church of God. They have numbers, ability, and means, and by concert of action, their influence will be felt in the community in which they have been raised up. Jan. 26, I returned to Allegan, and held meeting with the church in that place on the Sabbath. Jan. 27, in company with J. Kellogg, I started for Wright, Ottawa Co., Mich., where I am now laboring. As I shall probably be moving from place to place for some time to come, it will be well for those desiring to address me, to direct their letters to Allegan, Allegan Co., Mich., from which place they will be forwarded to me wherever I may be.