Michigan by Philip Strong

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 2, 1872

Michigan.

By Philip Strong

Following my last report, dated from Six Mile Creek, I held a short series of meetings in the Smith district, two miles north of Chesaning. There were about twenty-five out each evening, but dark nights and muddy roads caused me to break up the meetings. As a result of the two meetings, five have been baptized, and united with the Chesaning church. Others are interested.

April 6 and 7, attended Bro. Root's tract meeting in Orleans. These were meetings of interest to the cause with us, and I trust has given the cause a new impetus that will bring forth good fruits.

Sabbath, 13th, spoke in Orleans, and the 20th and 21st, in Bushnell.

From 25th to 30th, spent my time in Mecosta Co. Preached seven times, held two covenant meetings, re-organized S. B., which was raised from $29.64 to $51.46. By request of Bro. King, I organized a tract society of twelve members, and united them to his district; baptized one.

I here met with Bro. Sterling, who had been laboring here, and at Clearview; and by his request I held two meetings there. There was not much interest to hear, but a few near there are trying to obey, and I trust will soon see it duty to unite their interest with ours.

The 31st, Bro. Collard brought us to Howard City, where I soon after left Bro. Sterling, to return home sick; and I went on to Oceana County and remained with them till May 5. Held six meetings. Found the brethren here all holding on and trying to overcome, and I trust that all see the importance of advancing with God's people, that victory may be theirs. Re-organized their S. B. and left them united in the love of the truth.

May 7, met with the church in Leighton. Preached to them twice. Held two covenant meetings, and one business meeting, in which they re-arranged their S. B. for the coming year. Union prevailed among those present, and a good spirit was manifest.

Sabbath, the 11th, spent with the friends in Bushnell. From the 12th to the 22d, at home unwell.

Sabbath, the 25th, with the friends at Six Mile Creek, and first-day had a meeting at Chesaning. Three were baptized, and united with the church. In the evening, heard Eld. Sabins preach against the Sabbath; but his arguments were so loose and weak when he came to his change, and he expressed so many doubts concerning his position that it was not thought worth while to review them.

That the reader may see how crooked the lame can walk, I will give his loss-of-time argument. It was new to me, and may be to others.

“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Isa. 65:17. “This is predicted of our dispensation, and it says that the former shall not come into mind. The Jew reckons and dates his letters from B. C., I don't know where. They keep the seventh day to commemorate the old creation: whilst we Christians are commanded to celebrate the new creation. Therefore we date our letters A. D. and keep the first of the week, the beginning of the new creation; a complete change, old things passed away. I may be wrong in my interpretation of the word, if so, then the whole Protestant and Catholic world are keeping the wrong day. If I am wrong I want to see the light.

“. . . I don't know but you have had a hard time hearing me this evening; I am sure it has been very hard work for me to speak to you. . . .

“I don't want any questions asked, or controversy on the subject.”

It was a very cool evening, but if sweating, and losing his place (for he had one of Peter's wives sermons before him), could be taken as evidence that it was hard work to fight against the truth, then he certainly proved it.

The 27th and 28th, I spent with the friends in Duplain and Greenbush, visiting from house to house, and holding two meetings. They need help! I think that if the committee would give them an appointment for S. H. King, Francis Nelson, and Hiram Guilford, or some others of our brethren who are farmers or mechanics, to visit them soon, it would be for the best.

Arrived home just in time to attend sister Albin's funeral, at Bushnell. Sister A. has been a great sufferer, but she bore it with patience, and expressed a strong faith in all the promises of God.

Friday, the 31st, went to Vergennes to attend our quarterly meeting. Brethren were present from Greenville, Bushnell, Orange, Orleans, and Wright. Our meetings were of deep interest to the churches. The Lord met us by his Spirit, and we were refreshed. First-day, the house was crowded with attentive listeners from without. I trust that an interest may yet spring up here, that will demand a series of meetings.

Sunday, went to Bushnell to meet my 2 P. M. appointment. Found that a Disciple minister had given out to preach against the Sabbath at three, and the brethren had placed my appointment in the evening.

His position was that Paul commanded to cast out the bondwoman, the ten commandments. And that Christ abolished the ten commandments at the cross. I reviewed him before a crowded house in the evening.

At the close of my remarks, the elder asked the privilege of speaking, and said, If the position taken by the speaker is correct, he has made me out to be a very bad man; and that I may know what to do, I wish to ask him if he will affirm from the New Testament that we are commanded to keep the seventh day as Moses commanded. If so, we will have a two days' discussion and settle this matter.

Strong. I will affirm that the Bible teaches that the seventh day is binding on us as taught in the fourth commandment, if Eld. Mavity will affirm the assertion that he made, that we are commanded to get together on the first day of the week.

Mavity. I did not say that. But I will affirm that it is right to get together on the first day of the week, and we will debate this one evening.

S. You might affirm that it is right to meet together on every day, but that don't make Sabbaths of them. That is not what I want. Will you affirm that the Bible commands us, by practice and precept, to assemble on the first day of the week?

M. I will affirm that, according to my example, it is right to meet together on the first day of the week; yes, I will affirm that.

S. This people do not want to know what your example is. Our Pedo-baptist friends will affirm that sprinkling is baptism, and prove it by their example. That is not the proof we want. We want a, Thus saith the Lord. Will you affirm that the apostolic church taught and practiced keeping the first day of the week?

M. I see that my friend is rather particular in wording the question.

S. I am willing to affirm my question on the Bible. Why can't you affirm what you teach from the same? You have just given out an appointment for Lord's day. Why not come right up to your teachings? If Sunday is the Lord's day, please prove it from the Bible.

M. I see that my friend is rather particular. Therefore I will affirm that it is the duty of Christians to come together upon the first day of the week, both by practice and precept of the word.

S. Thank you; now, for the time. I will not touch these questions unless we can have time. You speak of one evening for your question, and two for mine. Let us have four for each, and give the people a chance to hear all your proof.

M. I don't see why my friend asks for so much time. I can say all I have got to say in one evening, and don't want any more.

After some further debate over the questions and time, he finally agreed to spend four evenings on each question, the debate to come off in October. The people in Bushnell are much interested in this question, and are very friendly to our people, and wish to hear more.

Returned home Monday, and found Bro. Milk waiting me; and Tuesday we started together for Grand Traverse, where we now are. The way appears to be opening for labor. We have been here but one week, but have already held nine meetings, with congregations that manifest much interest. It will be rather a hard field to labor in, and will take a great deal of foot traveling. Our first tramp was from Clam Lake to Traverse, a distance of sixty miles; rather too much for pleasure, considering that we had to carry a load. But if the field opens for the truth, we shall feel richly repaid.

If Bro. Weeks has come to these parts to labor, as he expected, will he give me his address, or will some one that can, through the REVIEW? Our address for the present will be Elk Rapids, Antrim Co., Mich. PHILIP STRONG.

Grand Traverse Co., Mich.