Essex and Bridgeville

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 12, 1877

Essex and Bridgeville

Michigan.

Essex and Bridgeville.

I commenced meetings in Essex, Clinton Co., Dec. 11. After I had presented the law and Sabbath questions, Eld. E. Mudge, Christian, told his hearers that he would set the Sabbath question all right in about ten days. This quieted the minds of those interested, and I could do no more than hold the people. His arguments were very weak. I reviewed him with good liberty. His people closed the house against me. Four took their stand for the truth; others were convinced, but have not yet obeyed.

I then went to Bridgeville, Gratiot Co. None obeyed here, but the truth gained many friends.

I next went three miles north. Here Eld. Pratt, Congregationalist, spoke against the Sabbath. His arguments were so weak that they only strengthened the honest. Seven took hold of the Sabbath, and two others, who were keeping the Sabbath before, made a start for the first time to serve God.

By invitation I again commenced meetings six miles north, with a good congregation and good interest. I held six meetings, when the roads became so bad that it was thought best to close for the present. The influence of the meetings upon the people was good. The Lord has helped to present his truth.

Lucius A. Kellogg.

Matherton, Ionia Co., Mich.

Quarterly Report of State T. and M. Society.

The second State quarterly meeting of the Michigan Tract Society for the present Conference year was held at Lapeer, April 1. Meeting opened in the usual manner.

The traveling being exceedingly bad, the attendance was not large. A good degree of interest was manifested by those present. After the reading of the report of the preceding quarterly meeting, the report of labor during the past quarter was read. It is evident there is an increasing interest in the missionary work, at least in some portions of the State. Eleven districts were represented by reports; five, by directors.

The reports showed labor performed as follows: No. of pages of tracts distributed, 379,961; almanacs distributed, 9,040; over 1500 families visited; 572 letters written; periodicals distributed, 5,102. New subscribers obtained for REVIEW, 37; REFORMER, 320; INSTRUCTOR, 235; TIDENDE, 4; HAROLD, 27.

Rec’d for memberships, $90.00

“ by donations, 173.20

“ “ book sales, 121.89

“ from new subscribers, 297.47

Total, $682.56.

The reports showed that less than 1000 copies of the SIGNS had been taken, and these principally by those churches where they had formed clubs. The president of the Conference had previously apportioned to each district the number of copies of the SIGNS which it was expected to furnish to interested readers. This apportionment was based upon the membership of the Society. Each church in Dist. No. 13 has formed a club for the SIGNS, varying from 8 to 30 copies. The apportionment for the district was 101; but reports showed that 168 paying subscribers had been obtained for the REFORMER, and 125 copies of the SIGNS had been taken.

Previous to last fall, Dist. No. 10, of which No. 13 forms a part, performed the least amount of labor of any in the State, in proportion to its size; and that portion which constitutes No. 13 manifested the least interest in missionary work. This shows what can be done throughout the State, if each district will manifest the same interest. In a number of instances the brethren found that they could use more than first ordered, and have increased their number from four to ten copies.

The following resolution was passed by the directors:—

Whereas, There has been a failure in obtaining the requisite number of subscribers for the SIGNS by canvassing, as was at first proposed, and

Whereas, Those districts which have more fully adopted the plan of clubbing for the SIGNS have been the most successful in obtaining interested readers and filling their respective proportions, therefore,

Resolved, That we urge a response from each church in this Conference to the repeated calls which have been made to form clubs of not less than eight copies, and as many more as can be used by such a company or church; also individuals living alone we recommend to take eight or more copies; and further

Resolved, That, as the one-third is not sufficient to pay for the apportionment of the SIGNS and for other purposes set forth in the resolution passed at the extra session of the General Conference, Nov. 12, 1876, we recommend that our brethren, when they are able to do so, pay for the SIGNS thus taken all, or in part, by monthly installments.

Eld. Haskell related instances showing that the Lord blessed efforts in missionary labor, when there is an anxiety on the part of persons to engage in it. He also spoke of the magnitude of the work.

Eld. Lamson remarked that the work to be done was almost incomprehensible and expressed his interest in the missionary work.

The directors also spoke in reference to the vastness of the work, and their determination never to give up until their part was accomplished.

It was decided to hold the next quarterly meeting at Battle Creek, June 30 and July 1.

J. Fargo, Pres.

Mrs. S. H. Lane, Sec.