Dedication at Armada, Mich.
By Uriah Smith
The new Seventh-day Adventist house of worship, at Armada, Mich., was dedicated Jan. 31, according to the appointment in the REVIEW of Jan. 21. The occasion was one of a good degree of interest. Brethren were in from surrounding churches, Memphis, Dryden, Almont, Greenwood, Grant, and Rochester, so that on the Sabbath, when but few not of our faith were present, the house was well filled. After a discourse by Bro. Corliss, Sabbath afternoon, some fifty good, sound, sensible testimonies, were given in a little more than as many minutes, by the brethren and sisters present. On Sunday, the house was crowded at each of the three services, all available space being taken up with extra seats. In the forenoon, we endeavored to give to the people something of an analysis of that movement which is represented by Seventh-day Adventists at the present time, showing that we are led to our views upon Bible subjects by a principle of interpretation which is simple in itself and uniform in its operation; that this principle is to allow the Bible to be its own interpreter, taking it as it reads, and letting the literal passages explain the figurative. We showed that it is only by an application of this principle that any new truth has ever been discovered in the Christian world. The justification by faith, of Luther, the full and free salvation, of the Methodists, and the immersion, of the Baptists, all owe their existence to the fact that the Bible was taken on these points just as it reads, and held to mean just what it says. And the same principle still further carried out leads us to the adoption of the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath, and to the belief that the second personal and literal coming of Christ is now near at hand. The trouble with the churches is that they have stopped too soon. Having discovered a certain degree of truth, they have been content to stop with that; whereas, if they had only allowed the same principle which had brought them to that truth, to operate on other subjects, it would have led them into the truth on all those subjects. In the afternoon Bro. Corliss gave a stirring synopsis of our position on the Sabbath question, showing the institution of the Sabbath in Eden before the fall, giving a running commentary on the facts of its intermediate history, and coming out with the Sabbath joyfully observed by all flesh in Eden restored. In the evening we called the attention of the people to facts of present and startling interest in the eastern world, by a knowledge of which they can intelligently watch the signs of the times in that direction. The people gave good attention, and we trust the impression made upon them was such as will not operate against the future progress of the cause in that vicinity. June 20, 1873, Brn. D. H. Lamson and E. B. Lane commenced a tent meeting in Armada, which continued nine weeks and four days. The result was that about sixty in the immediate vicinity took their stand upon the truth. The necessity of having a house of worship was immediately felt, and Bro. D. H. Lamson, who soon made his home at Armada, has for much of the year past had this enterprise upon his hands. Sleepless nights, anxious days, and weary miles of travel have been his portion while trying to push this through; and the result speaks well for his perseverance, and is a great triumph for the cause there. The house is 32 by 50, substantially built, and very neatly finished, and is conceded by all to be the best house of worship in the place. It cost about $1,800. Only about $1,000 of this sum had been paid, leaving an indebtedness of about $800. But before the meetings held in connection with the dedication services were closed, arrangements were made for the liquidation of this entire amount, so that the friends there feel well and safe in regard to the enterprise. Bro. L. evidently has the sympathy of the better part of that community in his work. There is now a call for another course of lectures there, and a prospect that much good could be done by such an effort. It is hoped that arrangements can soon be made for a response to this call. U. S.