Flushing, Mich by I. D. Van Horn; S. H. Lane

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 20, 1872

Flushing, Mich.

By I. D. Van Horn; S. H. Lane

The meetings at this point have been of an interesting nature. Since our last report, which appeared in REVIEW of July 23, we have sent one, recording the progress of our meetings; but for some unknown cause it failed to reach its destination.

We have continued our meetings in the tent and in three different school-houses, also in a grove about eight miles distant. The school-houses have been crowded to their utmost capacity; and upon two occasions the people could not all get in, and consequently were obliged to return home. At the grove meetings, from one hundred and fifty to three hundred have been present each time. The best of attention has been given to the word spoken. Meanwhile the congregations at the tent have been large.

Our hearts are cheered and we are much encouraged to labor on as we see men and women deciding in favor of the truth.

Sabbath, July 20, we held our third Sabbath meeting. About fifty were present. The Spirit of the Lord was present to aid in the preaching and social meeting. Several testified, for the first time, their determination to obey the truth. At the close of the meeting a vote was taken and some twenty-five arose, expressing their determination to keep the Sabbath. The next day, Sunday, the Methodist minister made another attempt to sustain the Sunday institution by the common so-called arguments they use from the New Testament. We reviewed his discourse in the evening before a congregation of four hundred. After the discourse, a vote was taken requesting all that were convinced that the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath of the Bible to arise. Quite a large part of the congregation arose. When the vote was reversed, not one arose in favor of the Sunday institution.

Sabbath, the 27th of July, we enjoyed another good meeting. About sixty were present. After a discourse, we had a precious social season. We presented, on this occasion, a covenant for those to sign who had made up their minds to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, as brought to view under the third angel’s message of Rev. 14. Thirty-eight signed this covenant.

Last Sabbath, Aug. 3, we enjoyed the fifth Sabbath meeting. In the forenoon, a discourse and social meeting. About seventy-five present. In the afternoon, a Bible-class was instituted, which upon this occasion proved a success.

Monday morning, Aug. 5, we took down the tent in order to pitch it six miles west of this point. This gives us an opportunity to follow up the interest in and about Flushing, and to maintain the interest at this point which has been awakened by the preaching in the school-houses and grove; and also to reach many who have not as yet had an opportunity to hear. The tent is now nicely located six miles west of Flushing. This evening, Aug. 7, while this is being written, the truth is being spoken to a deeply interested congregation of about two hundred and fifty. This is our first tent meeting in the country.

We have been in this vicinity about seven weeks. Have given seventy-five discourses. The interest to hear is still good. As near as we can judge, about fifty have commenced to keep the Sabbath. We have sold about $35.00 worth of books, and have obtained a few subscribers for our periodicals.

We wish to follow up the interest until all who will embrace the truth shall take a decided stand in its favor.

We wish to give to the Lord all the praise, and work in his cause in such a manner that at last it may be said to us, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

I. D. Van Horn, S. H. Lane.