MICHIGAN by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 24, 1876

MICHIGAN

By Dudley Marvin Canright

HASTINGS.

Thursday, Feb. 10, held meetings at Hastings, at the house of brother Benjamin Francisco. After setting forth the nature and design of organization, a church was duly organized, numbering nineteen in all. Bro. L. G. Moore was elected elder, and Dudley A. Owen deacon, both of whom were ordained.

I spoke to them upon the subject of Systematic Benevolence, when they all promptly took part in it, raising their pledge from $85 to $215. The next day Bro. Kenyon baptized two. We had an appointment in the court-house at evening, but it rained exceedingly hard, and it was very dark; yet over eighty came out to hear. This shows that there is a good opening here for meetings. They are anxious to have the tent come here. I found the church united and zealous in the truth. Quite a number have lately embraced the faith here without any preaching. We enjoyed our meetings with them very much.

POTTERVILLE.

Friday evening, Feb. 11, began meetings at Potterville, and continued them three days. We expected a small meeting on account of bad roads, as most of the brethren lived in the country, and those from other churches would have to come with teams. The Sabbath morning we were glad to see them come in from every direction till our house was well filled. There were some twenty-five teams hitched by the meeting-house. I had very good freedom in preaching. Sabbath afternoon there was quite deep feeling in our meeting. Thirty-two came forward for prayers. About half of these were backsliders. The others were starting for the first time. Nearly all of them spoke of their feelings and determinations with much emotion. In the evening, after preaching, we had a very sweet social meeting in which a large number took part. Many of the young who had started in the afternoon took part in this meeting. This did us much good, as it showed that they meant to work. Others who would not go forward in the afternoon arose for prayers in this meeting, and declared their decision to obey the Lord. Two men, heads of families, took their stand with us upon the Sabbath.

Sunday afternoon talked upon S. B. After setting it before them as plainly as I could, they voted to re-organize. Nearly every one promptly gave in his pledge, which raised their figures from $325 to $565. They reserved $25 of this for meeting-house expenses, and voted all the balance to the Conference. This is the way every church has done, so far as I have been this winter. I think it is the proper way.

In looking over the records of the church we find that it began in 1862 with eight members. It now numbers sixty-five. Once the names on the S. B. book were only two; now there are about seventy. There is a good interest in the community around, and new ones are continually embracing the truth.

Sunday evening, Bro. Kenyon spoke to a full house, largely outsiders. Also on Saturday evening he spoke to a crowded house at Sebastopol, two miles and a half distant, where there is a branch of this church. Tuesday we had a private business meeting in this place, at Bro. Lewis; but so great was the anxiety to hear that quite a number would come in anyway; so I preached to them. As I spoke to one man about obeying the truth, tears filled his eyes, and he said that he felt that he must soon obey the truth. They have a Sabbath-school here that is well attended. Many expressed themselves as greatly encouraged and revived by these meetings. Many solemn vows were made to go home and work more earnestly for the Lord.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Eaton Rapids, Feb. 16, 1876.