p. 102 | Meetings in Indiana by Joseph Bates

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 13, 1870

Meetings in Indiana.

By Joseph Bates

ACCORDING to appointment, I met with the church in Salem Center, Ind., Sabbath and first-day, Aug. 6 and 7. For sixteen years a company of Sabbath-keepers have been struggling here to follow in order with those who profess to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus in the third angel’s message. The Lord blessed and strengthened them to renew their choice, and put away all their wrongs, and follow in the pathway of the just.

Aug. 8, I spent in South Bend. The 9th, I came fourteen miles with Bro. Wm. Carpenter to North Liberty. Here we spent several days visiting from house to house, and holding social meetings. Sabbath and first-day, the 13th and 14th, held quarterly meeting, and celebrated the ordinances. At the last meeting measures were taken, and resolutions passed, to remove all wrongs, and give themselves more fully to the work of God. The Lord strengthened them to carry out their good resolutions.

Aug. 16-20, visited Sabbath-keepers in Fairfield, Howard Co. Sabbath, the 20th, was with Bro. E. B. Lane at quarterly meeting in Fairfield. We had quite a full meeting, and the people listened with interest and attention. Some called this a basket-meeting, because the brethren brought their dinners, and dined under the shady trees by the meeting-house. Short meetings like these, without food, will prove to be far better both for parents and children.

Sunday, the 21st, spent with the Brn. Lane in the Mich. Tent, at Burlington. During the day and evening the Sabbath and Sunday questions were presented to interested congregations. In so small a town, the inquiry was where so large a congregation of people came from. Said one, “We counted eighteen wagons all in one string.” Said another, “Some have come eighteen miles to the meeting.” The Lord grant that the meetings may prove a great blessing to them.

Aug. 22-24 I spent in visiting and holding meetings in Ervin. People were anxious to hear the evidences of our position. Returned home on account of sickness in my family. JOSEPH BATES.

Monterey, Mich., Sept. 6, 1870.