Grant Center, St. Clair Co., Mich by Joseph Harvey Waggoner

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 1, 1874

Grant Center, St. Clair Co., Mich.

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

Bro. Lamson and myself commenced meetings in this place Oct. 21. Though the way at first seemed nearly hedged up, we felt strongly inclined to open the work here if possible. It is three and a half miles south of the Sanilac County line. The school-house is large and well finished, but preaching, prayer-meetings, and class meetings filled so much of the time that we stood some time in doubt as to our duty. After holding a couple of meetings we found an interest to hear, and the prayer-meetings gave way, so that we occupied every evening except Friday and every other Sunday evening.

The director of the district is a Catholic, and was opposed to our meetings soon after we commenced. After nearly four weeks, he arose and announced that the house would thereafter be closed against us. Knowing that his action was illegal, that there was a great interest to hear, and that he would not be sustained by the rest of the board, we felt it duty to announce our appointments as usual, which greatly increased his anger. He ordered the teacher to lock the house, which, of course, he was obliged to do, but it was opened by the other members of the board in time for meeting the next night. The Methodist and Christian ministers then joined their forces with the Catholics, and the excitement produced is such as we have rarely seen. All their appointments were renewed, and thus we are cut down to three nights in the week. Fortunately we have the truths relating to the third angel's message fully before the people, having preached nearly five weeks, the house being crowded nearly all the time.

It was our intention, and so we announced, to spend this week in examining the immortality question; and we think the concerted movement was intended to prevent this. As we had arranged to close up with this week, it is impossible for us to present that subject under present circumstances.

We held a Sabbath meeting yesterday. Nearly thirty attended. Several confessed the truth, and more would have done so, but were hindered from speaking by the course of a man who came in with the evident intention to break up the meeting. He has been turning from one church to another to get a chance to preach, but without success. He now belongs to the Methodists (Protestants), and his course disgusted all who were present.

How many have decided to keep the Sabbath we cannot tell. Between fifteen and twenty have told us they should, and others are deeply interested, of whom we have hopes. We shall visit all we possibly can this week. And Bro. Lamson will leave an appointment to meet with them soon again. I hope to return to this section as soon as I can make some preparation for winter, which seems to be fully set in. During our meetings, the weather has been unusually favorable; not a single appointment lost on account of storm, and no mud to trouble.

The Lord has signally blest us in these meetings. Our association in this labor has been very pleasant, and we hope to resume work together for the winter, probably going farther up the Lake Huron coast when we leave this neighborhood. We are not discouraged by the opposition. Although unusually violent, it has manifested itself in such bitterness and in such an unreasonable manner that it has opened the eyes of many of the candid to the position of some who ought to be leaders “in every good word and work.” They have proved the truth of what we have preached in regard to the present times. And we are confident that it will all turn to “the furtherance of the gospel.”

Yesterday the district director circulated a petition to shut the house against us, leaving it open for others! Of course that cannot be done lawfully, and as there is no other good place in heart which to hold meetings in the neighborhood, we have no fear that it will be closed. If it is, it will be shut against all, and they will lose more than we can.

The other two members of the board deserve our thanks, and the thanks of the community for the manly stand they took in favor of justice and freedom of speech. May the Lord reward them. Brethren, pray for us.

J. H. WAGGONER.

Grant, Mich., Nov. 22, 1874.