p. 6 | Meetings in Michigan by Joseph Bates

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 20, 1870

Meetings in Michigan.

By Joseph Bates

Nov. 11-17, I held five meetings in St Charles, and one in Chesaning, and celebrated the ordinances. The sudden death of their elder, Bro. J. Dudley, was a cause of deep feeling to the church. Their meeting-house is constructed to accommodate some three hundred worshippers, and is being finished in a neat, workmanlike manner, and will soon be ready for dedication and divine service.

Nov. 17-22, I was in Tittabawassee. Since we were there some two years ago, some of the then prominent members have been set aside because of their unwillingness to go forward in the third message. Rev. 14:12. Our meetings with those that were struggling for eternal life, were interesting and profitable. A man visiting his brother in T., from New York, decided that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord.

Nov. 22-29, with the church in Vassar, Tuscola Co. There the brethren were bringing materials together to build them a house for worship in the spring. Our eight meetings with them, and the celebration of the ordinances, were of deep interest. Many of the brethren from Tuscola and Watrousville, united with them. We also visited the church in Tuscola village, where we held a meeting of much interest with the church and their neighbors. We should have been glad to prolong our stay there but for other appointments.

Nov. 29 to Dec. 5, I spent with the church in Watrousville. Here the scattered brethren from all parts of the county came together and manifested much interest to sustain the meetings on Sabbath and first-day, and celebrate the ordinances. Sunday evening, many of the citizens were in, and gave good attention. We also held two encouraging meetings with our scattered brethren and friends at the Tapan school-house, some three miles from Watrousville. In all these

meetings we have endeavored to furnish our religious tracts to those who did not buy, and also to others in the several stations as we passed around. These silent messengers fail not to repeat the same truths wherever they are examined.

Yesterday, I was invited to attend the funeral of sister Gorham, who had been keeping the Sabbath about eight months, in Hamilton, or Rabbit River, Allegan Co. Here I found a number anxious to read our publications, and also to hear preaching to explain our position.

JOSEPH BATES.

Monterey, Dec. 11, 1870.