Calhoun Co., Mich by D. H. Lamson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 29, 1873

Calhoun Co., Mich.

By D. H. Lamson

Commenced meetings at Partello, Calhoun County, Sunday evening, Feb. 16, which were continued almost without intermission for nearly five weeks, with occasional meetings up to the present, since the close of the series. Our first Sabbath meeting was held March 8, at which about seventy-five persons were present; the most of whom were believers or specially interested in the truths that had been presented, a number of the friends from Convis and Olivet meeting with us. Our Sabbath meetings, of which four have been held, were characterized by the deepest solemnity and feeling, in each of them some new ones making a start for the kingdom. God will remember the tearful faces, but happy hearts, of those who then for the first time confessed Jesus. May God give to these dear friends much of his Holy Spirit's aid, and preserve them blameless unto his heavenly kingdom.

The Disciple minister of the place, Bro. Ford, though long, conscientiously, arrayed against us, has fully yielded to the claims of the truth. May God bless him in his far away northern home. The little flock here feel very much his loss, but hope to see him among them again at no distant day.

A number of the most prominent men of the place are with us in sentiment, some of them actively so. We hope eventually to see a much greater work accomplished. God give us consistency, a zeal according to knowledge, and much of true humility, then our influence will be felt by all that surround us.

The opposition has been, and is still, very strong. Life-long friends of those who have embraced the truth have turned away from them, treating them with reproaches and contumely. They may be assured that though they are our enemies, they have our prayers. May God spare them to see the truth. The M. E. minister at Olivet has given four discourses against us, which have been replied to in part. His misrepresentations and perversions of Scripture, very few will fail to see. Oh! for more courage to obey fully what we know to be true. How many there are now like the class referred to in John 12 : 42.

The efforts against us thus far have proved ineffectual. None who had decided for the truth have given it up. All feel like pressing on in the work, and making their influence tell always for God and his rising truth. Twelve subscribers have been obtained for REVIEW, four for Instructor. Others still desire them.

I would gratefully acknowledge the assistance rendered me by Bro. M. B. Miller, who was with me in a number of these meetings. Hope he may soon be able to give himself fully to this work.

To those friends who have so well cared for my temporal wants, many of whom though they are with us in sentiment, have not fully yielded to the claims of the truth, I would say, May God bless you for your labor of love. It shall be my constant prayer that you yet become entirely consecrated to his service.

D. H. LAMSON. April 10, 1873.