The Effort in Wright, Mich.
By W. H. Littlejohn
My last report closed with my labors in Monterey. On the following Monday, I went to Wright, Ottawa Co., Mich., where I remained until Feb. 12. This church is among the largest in the field. It is located in the midst of a thriving community of farmers, and so far as pecuniary matters are concerned, is entirely above want. The old meeting-house, being found too small for present purposes, has given way to a more commodious structure, which is finished in good style, and, standing as it does upon a rise of ground, presents an appearance of neatness and taste which is every way commendable. If we mistake not, it is entirely free from encumbrance of any form, though but recently completed. The meetings in this place were of a very interesting character. We found the brethren very much upon the background spiritually, but from the outset many of them seemed to have so just an appreciation of their real condition that they were glad of proffered help, and availed themselves of the opportunity which God gave them of returning unto him once more in order to the enjoyment of the fullness of his presence. On Sabbath, Feb. 3, the congregation was large, being somewhat increased by brethren from Blendon, Casnovia, Allendale, etc. After the discourse, fully one hundred persons responded to the invitation to those who felt that they needed the prayers of God’s people to manifest it by coming forward for that purpose. The week following, this invitation was repeated from evening to evening, during which time somewhere from twenty to twenty-five individuals made a profession of faith, and resolved to keep all the commandments of God. During the whole time the attendance from without was good, and the interest to hear, quite extensive. On Sabbath and Sunday, Feb. 10 and 11, the church enjoyed the labors of Bro. and Sister White. The turnout was large, and the meetings were characterized by solemnity. As the result of their efforts, several cases were reached which otherwise it would have been difficult if not impossible to benefit. We earnestly hope that permanent good will result from the labor there, and we feel an anxious desire for all of those especially, who, during our stay in that place, entered upon the Christian life. I think I never closed a series of meetings in which my conviction of the ability of the Spirit of God to conquer hearts otherwise invulnerable was strengthened to the degree which it was in this. One incident in particular tended to this end. Early one morning during the meetings, I was taking my usual walk, when I met a gentleman with whom I was acquainted. He stopped me in the road, said that he had attended one of the first of our meetings, and that since then he had been compelled to be away from home on business. He spoke feelingly of one of his sons who had grown up to manhood, and who had unfortunately imbibed infidel notions; and remarked that he would be very thankful to me if I would deliver a discourse on the authenticity of the Bible for his benefit. I responded that this subject was so vast that it would be impossible, in a single sermon, to do anything more than commence the investigation of it, and furthermore that I was decidedly of the opinion that in the majority of cases a single effort of this kind would do very little toward relieving the mind of an unbeliever. As a plan which would be more likely to be crowned with success, I advised him that it would be better, if possible, to induce the young man to attend from night to night, in the hope that while listening to the discussion of miscellaneous topics, the Spirit of the Lord might gradually undermine his infidelity, and perhaps lead him to make a full surrender. Upon this, we parted. You will readily appreciate my great satisfaction upon subsequently hearing this same young man confess Christ in the congregation, and also learning from the lips of the father that his son had been in attendance upon the meetings during the absence of the former, and that to his great surprise and delight he had ascertained for the first time upon his return home immediately after leaving me, that the child of many prayers and much anxiety had given his heart to God. On the morning of Feb. 12, we separated from Bro. and Sister White at Coopersville, they returning to their home at Battle Creek, we to ours at Allegan.