OCEANA CO., MICH by A. O. Burrill

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 2, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 9.

OCEANA CO., MICH.

By A. O. Burrill

HART.

By request of Brn. Canright and Root, I accompanied Bro. R. to this place to meet his appointment. We were disappointed to learn that the Sabbath-keepers in the southern portion of the county would not be present. The Sabbath-keepers here are very much scattered, yet they were organized into a church several years ago by Bro. Strong, and have held meetings in Hart and Montague.

When the church records were called for, we were informed that they had been lost. Considering their scattered condition, the loss of their records, and the necessity for two organizations, we advised them to consider themselves disbanded and to form a new organization. Twelve handed in their names for this purpose. Bro. G. W. Newman was elected elder, and Bro. B. F. West, deacon.

Our meetings increased in interest from the first. At the close of the second sermon on the Sabbath, seventeen came forward for prayers. These were nearly all young men and women. The next day Bro. Root baptized twelve of them, thus doubling the membership of the church. This was more than we had expected. One mother, whose children took their stand for God, said, “This is the happiest day of all my life.”

Money is very close in this county; even wheat will not readily sell for money, yet when the plan of s. b. was set before them, they raised their figures from $51.50 to $123.78. At our closing meeting Sunday evening, the rise and progress of the cause was considered. As we look back over twenty-nine years of toil, battle, and great spiritual blessings, we are led to exclaim, “What hath God wrought?” Now we number many thousands. And our publications in various tongues are penetrating the many nations of the earth, carrying the gracious light to those who sit in midnight darkness.

We left our brethren at Hart much encouraged. They thought this the best meeting ever held in that county.

SHELBY.

Monday, Bro. Root started for home, and on his way held one meeting with the Sabbath-keepers in Montague which was well attended and very profitable. It was decided that I should remain one week more and visit the scattered ones in various places. I held three meetings near Shelby. Here I had a good hearing, and if I could have remained, I think a church would have been raised up.

GRANT.

Friday evening a good number of the friends of the cause at this place came together. Our meetings here were quite free, and at the close of the afternoon service on Sabbath, eleven came forward for prayers. I tried to point out the dangers which surround us, and we felt that the Lord was present by his Spirit. Systematic Benevolence was organized for 1876, amounting to $151.22. It was $54.50 for last year. Two were baptized, and seven were added to the church of Hart, making their number thirty-three. Believing the time had not come to form a church for this portion of the county, we organized a class, and Bro. Stewart was chosen leader. The attendance from outside was good, and at the closing meeting the house was filled to its utmost.

MONTAGUE.

The last meeting was held at sister Armstrongs, Monday evening, and we labored in particular for the children of our brethren. The rooms were well filled with attentive hearers, and we all felt that the Lord came very near and mightily moved upon all present. Here five more took their stand with the Lord’s people, and joined the class, making the number twenty-seven. We obtained quite a number of subscribers for our periodicals.

During the twelve days we remained in this county about forty were added to the church, and s. b. was raised from $102.98 to $275.00. In no place have we seen more promising fields for labor, and the brethren more willing to co-operate. We regret that we could not stay longer.

A. O. BURRILL. Ravenna, Mich., Feb., 16, 1876.