NORTHERN MICHIGAN by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 13, 1876

NORTHERN MICHIGAN.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

CARSON CITY.

Carson City is fifteen miles north of the Detroit and Milwaukee railroad, just in the eastern edge of Montcalm Co. It is in the center of four other churches. Under ordinary circumstances, we should have had a large gathering, but the roads were about as bad as they could well be and the weather stormy; hence but few came from other places. Probably about seventy attended the meeting, which was held in a fine, large school-house. Brn. Burrill, Van Deusen, and Sisley were here and took part in the meetings. There appears to be a good outside interest to hear. An intelligent young school-teacher at this place is much interested in the truth. He bought five dollars' worth of our books. Others are reading.

There are about fifty-five Sabbath-keepers in this section, largely the fruit of Bro. Burrill's labor. I like their appearance very much. They seem to be candid, intelligent people. All of them are middle-aged, and every family owns a home. Sabbath afternoon a dozen or fifteen came forward to seek the Lord and become Christians. At the close of the meeting, Bro. Burrill baptized nine, and fourteen united with the church. Bro. Hutchins was elected and ordained elder, and Bro. Evans, deacon. We organized S. B., raising it from $75.00 to $170.00.

As a meeting-house is greatly needed here, the brethren determined to build one, and have gone about it. This place being so central, the little churches around will be interested to help them some, as they will need the house for monthly and general meetings. There is no meeting-house in the village.

One brother who heard the present truth twenty years ago has lately come out upon the Sabbath. He has been under conviction ever since.

This shows how the truth will stick to men; and how in many cases we reap fruit of our labors long years after the seed was sown. Quite a number took the SIGNS.

NORTH SHADE.

Monday, Dec. 27, we went seven miles east on the edge of Gratiot Co., and held an all day's meeting with the friends there. They are virtually a part of the Carson City company, so they decided to unite with that church, but held separate meetings most of the time in their own neighborhood.

ESTELLA.

This place is ten miles north of Carson City. Bro. Van Deusen has labored earnestly and successfully here for three months. I came here Tuesday, and held meetings all day and in the evening. We organized a church of fifteen members. Bro. Langdon was elected and ordained elder. In the afternoon I baptized eight persons. They pledged S. B. to the amount of $80.00 per year. In the evening their large school-house was filled to its utmost capacity. Some had to sit on top of the desks. It was thought that every body in that section must have been out. I had good freedom.

Four came out on the Sabbath—two while attending our meetings at Carson City, and two more at this meeting. One of these is a deaf and dumb young lady. She is well educated and intelligent. Such persons will rise up in the Judgment and condemn those who having ears hear not. There is still a good interest to hear at this place. Those who have come out are a good, respectable, and influential class of people, well to do in life. This is a good proof that Bro. Van Deusen has something to do in this work.

MATHERTON.

Wednesday we came eighteen miles to Matherton, about half of which distance I walked. Commencing at one o'clock, we held meetings till dark. Some have lately embraced the truth in this section; and some who had given it up have returned to their duty. Five were received into the church, and S. B. was raised from $33.00 to $52.00. There are some trials here, which ought to be attended to, though they are not of a very serious nature. Not having time, I did nothing about it.

The four churches above named voted to join in a monthly meeting the last Sabbath in each month. The first one will be held at Carson City the last Sabbath and Sunday in January. Eld. Burrill expects to attend it. My health is good.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Greenville, Jan. 3, 1876.