p. 62 | Almont, Mich by D. H. Lamson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 6, 1872

Almont, Mich.

By D. H. Lamson

The tent-meeting in this place closed Sunday evening, July 21, having continued for nearly six weeks, and with increasing interest to the last. Almost the same faces have greeted us each evening, as also in day meetings, from the first, and not an appointment has been postponed on account of bad weather. Much prejudice existed in the minds of the people against the advent name, and many prophesied failure, as the ground had been occupied before by another party, claiming the title of Adventists, who were here with a tent about six years ago. By degrees, however, the feeling against us has melted away, and a multitude of hearts have been won to a sympathy with, and even affection

for, the truth we love. When we look back a few weeks in the past, and see how great a change has come over the public mind, we can but say, “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.” For nearly two weeks we staid in the tent, boarding at the hotel, with scarcely a friendly word or look of encouragement, watching, praying, waiting, for the Lord to work. We had his promise, and that was enough. In his own good time the change came, and oh! how refreshing to our weary, anxious hearts. Words can never express the gratitude we feel for the kindly regard and tender care extended toward us, in all our work.

We desire to express thus publicly our thanks for the spirit manifested toward us by Mr. Bacon, keeper of the hotel, who furnished us a room with beds for all, at one half the usual price for such accommodations; and in our judgment, guests are seldom, if ever, more kindly entertained. We shall not cease to pray that the dear friends who have bound themselves to us by their own kindness of heart, may, in the great harvest now so near, find their reward. But oh! may we not forget the preparation of heart necessary to stand when that day shall appear. The burden of soul, the heart-felt anxiety we have had for the friends into whose faces we have so often looked, and around whose board we have so many times been made welcome, and above all, whose cases we have so continually in public, and at the family altar (in many cases newly made), carried before the Lord, can be only expressed by the unutterable longings written by the angels in the book above.

We have had, in all, three meetings on successive Sabbaths, which have been well attended. Have had, also, in all, three social meetings in the evening, before service, in which all have been invited to take a part. Sectional feelings vanished, and many, very many, warm-hearted testimonies have been borne on these occasions, and often our hearts were cheered to hear the truth confessed. The last conference meeting was held after preaching on the Sabbath, July 20. Not far from fifty testimonies were given in a short time, and when an expression was called for, at its close, to see how many would obey God, keeping ALL his commandments, over thirty arose who had never before clearly identified themselves with us as a people. Many say with tearful eyes that it is the best meeting they ever attended. May the remembrance of it be an incentive to activity and zeal in the Christian life.

Several dollars’ worth of books have been sold, quite a quantity of large and small tracts given away, and to the present, we have obtained twelve subscribers for the REVIEW. More, doubtless, will desire the paper, whose attention has not been called directly to it. After the close of the meeting, Sunday evening, the tent was taken down and sent on its way to Holly, Oakland Co., where it will be pitched, ready for meeting, if the Lord will, Wednesday evening, July 24. Brn. Lane, Kenyon, and Haskins, left this morning for that place. I remain here, for a time, to follow up the work and set things in order as well as I can.

A large hall has been secured in which to hold meetings on the Sabbath, and prayer-meetings are appointed for two evenings in the week, Wednesdays and Fridays, at private houses.

We feel that there is a wide field before us, and earnestly desire that the prayers of the people of God may avail in our behalf, that the word preached by us may be indeed the power of God to many unto salvation.

D. H. Lamson.