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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 23, 1877

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 50, No. 9.

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MICHIGAN

Port Huron.

The battle is waxing very warm here. The ministers are very much excited over the fact that so many are accepting as the truth the doctrines preached at the tent. Yesterday morning, Aug. 12, Rev. I. N. Elwood, pastor of the M. E. Church, delivered a sermon on the Sabbath question. I was invited to a seat with him, and assisted in the opening services. His argument was a strange mixture of “Fuller’s Two Sabbaths,” and the ordinary view of a change. To the Bible student, there was absolutely nothing convincing about it. Frequent allusions were made to the supposed lack of learning and ability on the part of those who are the representatives of the seventh day; and the widest possible contrast was drawn between them and the host of the holy doctors of the church who have lived during the past eighteen centuries. It was freely admitted that there was no positive proof from the Scriptures either for the abrogation of the ancient Sabbath, or for a change to another day. The sermon was closed with the usual appeal to the fathers, to make, as he said, what were really facts of Scripture, though by the Scriptures involved in obscurity, bright and luminous! Then followed an earnest prayer that the Lord would lead me out of so dangerous an error, and that I might cease to sow dissension in the Christian church.
His manifest discourtesy, though vailed by his invitation to a seat in the desk, was seriously felt by many of his congregation, and men of strong minds made decisions that cannot be reversed. The most bitter prejudices are aroused, principally in the minds of those who have never been to the tent; but counter to this the most ardent friends are being raised up on every hand. But two discourses have as yet been preached against us, one of which did not demand a review. Mr. Elwood’s discourse was reviewed last evening before a vast audience, and judging from the hearty responses, the radiant faces, and the fervent greetings at the close, as well as the fervor with which the closing hymn was sung, the argument was, to the majority, conclusive. The ministers are going about from house to house, entreating, and even commanding, the people to stay away from the tent.
Five more were baptized last Sabbath, and more are to go forward in a week. Many are deciding. No stopping place is apparent; in our hearts we feel to say, “The end is not yet.”
D. H. LAMSON.

Lakeview.

During the past week the truth has been gaining new friends, partly as the result of opposition. Eld. Bowers, on Sunday, gave another sermon against the law of God. After service we repaired to the lake a few rods from the tent, where several hundred people were waiting to witness the administration of baptism. In the evening, we reviewed the Elder, showing the absurdity of his position.
Last Sabbath, we organized a class of thirty-one members, and when all come in, there will be not far from sixty, including children, about half of whom have been won to the truth since we came here.
We have been agitating the subject of building a church, and have had the best of success. We commenced canvassing to-day, and already we have enough, lacking $350, to build a good house. Mr. French, a prominent citizen, has given a lot to build it on, and there is now a good prospect that we shall have a house of worship in Lakeview.
To-day, we met the pastor of the Baptist church at Howard City, who kindly offered us the use of their building if we would hold meetings there.
One Eld. Sly, of Olivet, has sent a request to speak in the tent and expose our errors. We complied, offering the tent one-half the time. Judging from a tract which he has written and circulated here, his efforts will be a help to the cause of truth.
A. O. BURRILL. WILL ELLSWORTH.

Williamstown and Fowlerville.

We closed our meetings at Williamstown, Sunday evening, Aug. 5. The general interest here was never great, but a few thorough, candid individuals took a firm stand on the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
We now have our tent pitched in a good location in Fowlerville, Livingston Co., a thriving village of about twelve hundred inhabitants. The people treat us with the greatest cordiality. At the very first, they commenced to inquire after and assist in supplying our temporal wants, and to invite us to their homes. But the best of all is, they take a lively interest in the meetings, giving us their undivided attention as we present the truth to them. Wet weather does not keep them away, and they have patiently listened while the rain roared over their heads.
The temperance reform movement is creating much excitement here. With our consent, they have appointed a mass meeting to be held in the tent. They expect us to address them on the occasion.
Out of this whitened harvest field we shall labor to gather some sheaves for the garner of Heaven.
H. M. KENTON. M. B. MILLER.