p. 33 | NORTHERN MICHIGAN by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 3, 1876

NORTHERN MICHIGAN.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

VERGENNES.

Tuesday, Jan. 11, I held meetings at Vergennes. Several here have come into the truth within a year or so. After giving them proper instructions, ten united with the church and seven were baptized by Bro. Van Deusen. As it is probable that he will not be there very much for the future, his brother was elected and ordained elder of the church. We re-organized s. B., but I was not satisfied with the way most of them took hold of this. Some gave all they ought to, but others gave so little that it amounted to merely nothing. This church needs to be instructed upon this point more fully.

In the evening we were very kindly permitted to preach in the Congregational church, though they were holding a protracted meeting at the time. The appointment was well circulated, and their large, fine house was crowded full. By request of the minister, Eld. Eaton, I spoke upon the subject of the second advent, plainly defining our position, and the Bible doctrine touching this important event. At the close of the meeting the minister expressed himself as much interested, and said he did not see how any one could fail to be interested in the subject. He further stated that this was a subject of growing interest, and that all churches and classes of people were coming to feel that the end was drawing very near, that probation was about to close, and the Lord to come. He is investigating the subject.

SARANAC.

The next day I came to Saranac and held several meetings in connection with Bro. Burrill. Having no meeting-house, the brethren hired a hall. Though our meetings were held in the day time, yet the hall was nearly filled, such was the interest to hear. In the evening it was crowded to its utmost capacity. Many had to stand up, and others went away. We had good freedom in preaching. Four united with the church, and two were baptized. Bro. Wilkinson was chosen leader. The church now numbers twenty. They raised the s. B. from $21 to $120. Quite a number have lately embraced the Sabbath here merely by reading. The work was started here by Bro. Lawrence and Strong over a year ago. The interest has been steadily increasing ever since. Quite a number more appear to be almost ready to take hold with us. Arrangements were made by Bro. Burrill to return here and give another short course of lectures.

WRIGHT.

Friday, Jan. 15, 16, I was at Wright. Bro. Burrill also accompanied me here. The weather was the most favorable of any we have had, although the roads were very rough. We had a fair turnout Friday evening, and I had good freedom in talking over the progress and present condition of our work. Sabbath there was a large turnout, as this is a large church, the membership alone being one hundred. Children and all, they number nearly two hundred. On Sunday there was a good attendance of outsiders, so that their large house was well filled. Sabbath I preached two sermons designed to move the unconverted and backsliders, at the close of which I made an effort to get these persons to make a start in the service of God. Fifty-eight came forward for prayers. About one-half of these were backsliders, or those very much on the background. The others were young persons who had never been Christians. Many of these spoke, expressing their determination to return unto the Lord or to become Christians.

Sunday morning, we enjoyed a good social meeting with them. We had meetings all day Monday, in which we took up these cases still farther, in order to help them all that was possible. Five united with the church and will be baptized immediately. A class was formed embracing all those who do not belong to the church, but wish to become Christians. Special meetings will be held for these every day in different localities for a week or more. Bro. Burrill stays over one Sabbath to assist Bro. Root and other brethren in this work. Sunday afternoon I spoke upon the subject of s. B., after which all, with scarcely a single exception, united in pledging for the coming year. Most of the brethren raised their figures, and quite a number pledged who had taken no part before, so that the pledge of the church was raised from $700 to above $1000 per year. As large as this appears to be, it is not as large as it should be in some cases. Several brethren did not put down their property for more than one-half or two-thirds its real value.

Our time was so short, and there were so many cases requiring attention, that we could not be as thorough as we ought to have been, yet I was glad to see so much improvement. Eighteen shares were taken in the Pacific Press, most of which were paid; and some money was raised for other objects. So large a church as this requires a great deal of labor. A month could be spent here to good advantage. There is talent enough in this church if it was devoted to the cause of God, not only to take care of this church, but to help others. The church voted that Bro. Root should give himself more especially to the work of public labor, in which he has been engaged, more or less, for some time past.

In examining the records of this church, we find that quite a number of persons have moved away, but have not reported to the church for years; neither have they paid any s. B., nor in any way recognized their duties to the church. This is entirely wrong. As long as a person remains a member of the church, he should not forget or neglect his duties to that church. Quite a number of others, upon moving away, had obtained letters from the church, but it was certainly known that these persons had not joined anywhere, neither had they in any manner recognized their relation to this church. They neither write to the church, nor pay any s. B., nor join any other church. This, again, is entirely wrong. According to the rules of all our Conferences, and our General Conference, a letter of introduction does not dismiss a member from that church at all. He is only dismissed upon actually uniting with another church. As long as he holds the letter of the church he is still a member of that church, and subject to it. A large number of such cases were taken up, and the clerk and s. B. treasurer were instructed to immediately inquire after these members, and obtain their pledges for this year. We request these friends to promptly respond.

D. M. Canright.

Allegan, Mich.