Michigan Tent Meetings and Spiritualist Excitement at Almont
By E. Brackett, Jr.
JULY 28, I left home to join Bro. Kenyon in the tent at Holly in the absence of Bro. E. B. Lane. I remained there one week. The interest seemed to be good and increasing. August 7, left for Almont, where Bro. Lamson still remained after moving the tent from there. Here I found many warm friends to the cause of truth, and have enjoyed much of the blessing of the Lord while with them, in visiting and conversing with them at their homes. There is a great excitement in this place at present over spiritualism. A lady and gentleman arrived here last week claiming to be sent by the spirits. They have held one meeting in the hall, at which they performed some wonders. The rest of their time has been employed in receiving communications from the supposed spirits of the dead, and while influenced by these spirits, drawing pictures to represent the family of the one who desires such a picture. These drawings, in the form of a bouquet or wreath, contain as many flowers as there are members of the family both dead and living. They are painted with a brush, while the medium is securely blind-folded and is giving a history of each member of the family, or describing any person that may be passing on the street. I have seen several of these pictures, and think that they cannot be surpassed in execution and design. These representations are executed in open daylight and in the presence of as many as choose to be witnesses. How fast is this delusion spreading. If it were possible, they would deceive the very elect. We have prayer-meetings two evenings in the week, besides speaking in the hall Sabbath and Sunday, and twice a week four miles north, in a school-house. The prayer-meetings are well attended, nearly all taking part, and are characterized by the deepest of feelings and spirituality. The interest in the country demands a full course of lectures, which I trust can be given after the camp-meeting. Souls are famishing for want of the bread of life. Calls are coming up from all parts of the land for help, but where are the men that have the cause of God at heart, who can carry the words of life to perishing souls? Let every one ask the question, Have n't I a work to do? Is there no burden of souls resting upon me? Let us all quicken our pace and take a stand at the head of the ranks, equipped with the armor of God, prepared for the battle that is before us. The cause of God should lie near our hearts and then we would be ready to make any sacrifice for its advancement.