Meetings in Michigan and Northern Indiana.
By Joseph Bates
AUGUST 18-20, I held five meetings and celebrated the ordinances with the church in Hillsdale. AUGUST 22, 23, met with the church and people in Ransom Center. The burden-bearers in these churches are struggling to live up to all the light of present truth, encouraging their brethren to press forward in the onward work of the third angel's message. August 24, Bro. J. Locke met me with his carriage at Orland, and brought me to Salem, Ind., where I held a series of meetings and celebrated the ordinances with the church. Eighteen years ago Bro. A. A. Dodge introduced me here and I held a few meetings. Since that time Sabbath meetings have been held in Salem. The Lord encourage and strengthen them to go forward. August 29-31, visited some of the scattered Sabbath-keepers in South Bend. September 1-4, with the church in North Liberty, Ind. Here I held seven free, encouraging meetings, and was blest in celebrating the ordinances. A brother and his companion who had recently embraced the Sabbath with the message, were baptized and received into the church. On first-day and evening quite a number, not in the message, came and were interested to hear. Sabbath, Sept. 9 had interesting meetings with the church in Blendon, Mich. The 10th with the church in Allendale. September 13-19, Michigan Camp-meeting at Charlotte. Thank the Lord our God, and Jesus our blessed Saviour, for the divine refreshing from the heavenly sanctuary upon his remnant people which were gathered at their fourth annual camp-meeting. The very best order. Preaching pointed, searching, and powerful, accompanied by the Holy Spirit from the heavenly sanctuary. A deeper feeling and drawing near to God by such a large gathering of people has perhaps never been witnessed before in Michigan. We do hope our dear brethren and sisters who attended this meeting will continue to retain the good heavenly blessing they received and share it with their brethren and families at their homes, that all may take fresh courage and press together, and for the heavenly kingdom; for the “mighty God” is about to speak and say, “Gather my saints together unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Ps. 50. Monterey, Mich., Sept. 24, 1871.