Bushnell, Mich by Elam Van Deusen

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

Bushnell, Mich.

By Elam Van Deusen

Our quarterly meeting at Bushnell will not soon be forgotten. By ten o'clock Sabbath morning, a goodly number of brethren and sisters were assembled in a beautiful grove for worship. Brethren were present from Orange, Orleans, Greenville, Vergennes, a few from Matherton, two from near Marshall, and two from Gaines, near Grand Rapids.

The meeting commenced by prayer, with but a few; but soon load after load came in, and in a short time the seats were filled.

Twenty-nine gave in their testimonies in quick succession. After a few moments' intermission, Bro. S. H. Lane called our attention to Heb. 3:12, 13, which impressed us that modern Israel were in danger of “departing from the living God,” as did ancient Israel, by “unbelief.”

Social meeting again at 3 P. M. After a season of prayer, sixty-four testimonies were given in a manner and spirit that showed that the truth of God has a place in the hearts of these friends.

At nine A. M. on first-day, spent three quarters of an hour in social meeting. Forty-three bore testimony. After this a short time was occupied in hearing reports from visiting brethren, or those who had been appointed to visit sister churches, according to the plan reported by Bro. King. At 10:30 A. M., an interesting discourse by Bro. Lane from Acts 3:19.

At 2:30 P. M., Bro. Lane preached the funeral discourse of Bro. Martin Bingham’s wife. This brought it forcibly to our mind that we are in an enemy’s land; but another thought to cheer us is that a time is coming when the last enemy, death, “shall be destroyed.” Thank God for his word and promises. “Roll swift around ye wheels of time, and bring the welcome day!”

All seemed to feel that we had had a good meeting. How necessary that we use these means of grace, as it is our privilege, that we may be strengthened for the last great conflict.

ELAM VAN DEUSEN.