MICHIGAN by Dudley Marvin Canright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 23, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 12.

MICHIGAN

By Dudley Marvin Canright

DRYDEN AND ALMONT.

Wednesday, March 8, Bro. Lamson and myself came to Dryden. Several of the Almont church also met with us. The Dryden church was raised up by Bro. Lamson two years ago. They have bought a school-house for a church, so that they have a good place in which to hold meetings. The brethren are nearly all in moderate circumstances, but they appeared to be good people.

Our house was crowded full at evening. I spoke upon baptism. The next morning Bro. Lamson baptized three sisters, who united with the church. We considered the subject of Systematic Benevolence and re-organized it. They raised their pledge from $82 to $135. Several not present will be visited by the treasurer and add their pledges. There is a good interest to hear, with a fair prospect of more additions.

Only a few came from Almont. This church is in a very low condition. It seemed to be hard work for them to understand S. B., or to do much about it. There has been a deplorable lack in this church, which has nearly ruined it. It needs straight discipline to save them.

ARMADA.

The next day we came to Armada, the home of Bro. Lamson. This is also a new church. They have built them a very nice meeting-house, and finished it up very tastefully. A large number embraced the Sabbath here, but they have suffered for the want of some leading talent among them.

The roads were very bad, and only a part of the brethren were out; but there was a good attendance from outside. As usual, after meeting I took up the subject of S. B. From the commencement, I saw that they were not very much interested in it. Some who were there did not stay to hear. When we asked a vote upon it only a few voted for it, and one man voted against it, the first man that I have found in Michigan who has done so. He threw his whole influence against it, and would do nothing himself in any way. A few pledged very fairly, others nothing. I felt very much grieved at the spirit manifested here.

If this church ever prospers the members will have to take a different course with regard to helping the cause. My observation has been that brethren and churches who do not give of their means to sustain the different enterprises of our work soon wither and die, or drag out a sickly existence. I am further satisfied that their action in this respect depends largely upon the course pursued toward them when they are first raised up. If they are petted and coaxed, and their burdens carried for them, this course will always have to be pursued toward them, or they will feel grieved, get into trial, and probably give up the truth. It is astonishing to think that a person worth his thousands, entirely independent, can profess to believe and love this truth, and yet not be willing to give a dollar to support it. The less the cause has of such men the better it will be for it. I fear that Bro. L. has been too tender of these matters in all his churches.

MEMPHIS.

The next day, with Bro. Lamson, I came to Memphis. The roads were so bad that few could come from other places, and it was with much difficulty that those near by came out. However, on the Sabbath we had a good turnout of all the friends of the cause. We had a good social meeting in the morning, after which Bro. L. preached. In the afternoon I had much freedom in appealing to the people to seek the Lord. When I gave an invitation to come forward for prayers, nearly every unconverted person in the house improved the opportunity. There were about twenty-five young men and women. Most of these arose and expressed a determination to engage in earnest in the work of seeking the Lord. We felt as though it was the deciding point with them. Every effort will now be made to assist them in making thorough work.

Sunday, when we expected to accomplish the most, the roads were almost impassable, and it stormed besides, so that only a little over half the church were out. We took up various matters and duties. There were several wishing baptism, but it was so stormy that we had to postpone it one week. Bro. L. will remain with them another week at least, to follow up the interest, to baptize, and to complete the work.

I was much gratified to find most of the brethren and sisters ready to take hold with us in our effort here; and, as a consequence, all their children were ready to move forward with them. There was only one drawback during the whole meeting, and that was the position which some occupied upon the subject of S. B. This church, like some others, started in wrong upon this point. Most of them had simply pledged a small amount weekly, without any regard to the amount of property they were worth. The consequence was that the pledge of this large church (fifty-seven members, and over one hundred Sabbath-keepers) was exceedingly small, only $117 per year, about $2.00 apiece per year. I set the matter before them as fully as I was able. Most of them were willing to do somewhere near what they should do; but some of the wealthiest held back, and thus kept others back. They not only failed to do their duty, but stood in the way of others. But I am glad to say that they changed their minds before I came away, and came up square and right, and put down their property as they should. God will bless them in this. I think their pledge now will be over $400. Bro. L. is to see those who were not at the meeting.

For three years there had been a very embarrassing trial in this church. Several efforts had been made to settle it, but without effect. So on Monday we called the parties and the church together. After hearing both sides, and all the evidence in the case, the parties were dismissed, and we reviewed the matter. All agreed on a statement of the case, and took a vote upon it. Then the parties were called back, and I made a statement to them of the decision of the church. We were much gratified to find both parties willing to accept the decision of the church and act upon it. Hearty confessions were made by both parties. Then they came together and renewed their friendship with tears and good promises. We then bowed together and had a sweet season of prayer. Many brethren said it was the best meeting they had had for years, and others said they felt as happy as when they were first converted. Solemn promises were made by all present to bury the whole subject forever, and never talk about it in any manner in the future. I believe they will keep this promise.

Bro. Lamson has assisted me greatly for the last three weeks. I have enjoyed his society very much. I hope the Lord may abundantly bless him in his labors. I was glad to find him an active, studious man. It is a shame for a minister to be anything else. D. M. CANRIGHT.

Lapeer, Mich., March 14, 1876.